Norton peach not enough as SSFC Women lose to Alnwick

Returning Zoe Norton scored an absolute peach of a goal, while Taylor Straughan, Catherine Johnston and Chloe Young picked up goals for Alnwick in the 10th, 52nd and 89th minutes, sealing all three points in the NERWFL.

The Mariners, looking to bounce back after last week's 2-0 defeat to league leaders Ponteland,

ended in sorrow despite the wonderful consolation goal from Norton.

The game started rather well for the lasses, within the first five minutes, the Mariners were

recycling possession exquisitely and a few chances went squandered, the most notable being a

Jen Wootten blocked shot.

Five minutes later the momentum flipped and after a perfectly placed cross into the box,

Straughan headed in the opener.

Shields, after conceding, were on the back foot and Alnwick were piling on the pressure, so

much so that Monica Innes had to produce a wonderful sliding challenge that stopped a

promising attack from Young.

Shortly after, we had our first real chance of the game. Annece Legg fizzed a dangerous-looking

cross into the box, a stretching Wootten was just unable to slide it home.

Five minutes later defender Josie Foster won a free-kick in the defensive half after a poor

challenge from Lauryn Isto.

Co-head coach Alex Miller then made a tactical switch, bringing on Olivia Mole for Foster.

Right on the stroke of half-time, Legg laid-off Catalina Abusada for what seemed to be the

equalising goal - good fortune was not on our side as the sliding shot just crept wide.

The half-time message from co-head coaches Miller and Sophie Clough was simple: more

chances, and finish them.

The Mariners made two half-time substitutions, bringing off keeper Anna Yeakey for Scarlett

Gowans and forward Ellie White for Sophie Greener.

Seven minutes into the second-half, Alnwick doubled their lead thanks to a bullet header from Johnston.

Shortly after, more substitutions were made.

Midfielder Norton replaced Asia Jota and was hoping to be a crucial impact substitution.

Defender Foster then returned to the pitch for Mole.

Twenty minutes had gone by and there was still no real effort at goal. 

Half-time, substitute Greener had our only chance, with her strike being blocked, making the save comfortable for Katy Louise Stark.

Minutes later, Jaz Elliott-Wood made her return to the pitch, hoping to show her quality and take

the game by the scruff of the neck.

Two minutes before full-time, the lasses created another opportunity, once again through substitute Greener, who powerfully drove forward and whipped a delicious-looking ball into the box. 

Again, no one was there to tap it home.

A minute later, Young made it three.

Sloppy play and a simple finish handed Alnwick what seemed to be all three points.

Our first shot on target in the entire game fell in injury time, when Elliott-Wood struck a sweet

volley, which took a superb stop from the keeper to stop us getting the consolation.

Deep into injury time, Norton produced absolute magic; her shot rifled into the net and 'keeper Stark

did not stand a chance.

It was clear to see then that Greener, Norton and Elliott-Wood made a real impact, completely

changing the game.

Unfortunately for us, it was too little too late.

Alnwick Town Ladies: Stark, Hedley, Robinson, Armstrong, Morrison, Belisle, Johnston, Mallaburn, Isto, Straughan, Young.

Substitutes: McCleary, Matthews, Jones, Third, Reynolds.

Goals: Straughan (10'), Johnston (52'), Young (89').

South Shields Women: Yeakey, Innes, May, Legg, White, Wootten, England, Spark, Abusada, Jota, Foster.

Substitutes: Gowans, Mole, Greener, Norton, Elliott-Wood.

Goals: Norton (90').