Raffel hat-trick inspires dominant SSFC Women against Wallsend BC

Julie Raffel’s hat-trick fired South Shields Women to a dominant NERWFL League Cup victory against Wallsend BC Women on Sunday.

The Mariners struck early, breaking the deadlock just eight minutes into the game, when Raffel tucked in at the back post. 

With 13 minutes to play, Shields got their well deserved second - Annece Legg picked up a second assist, with Raffel claiming a brace.

The third goal of the game went the hosts’ way, as Wallsend stabbed one back one minute before full-time through Chloe Adam.

Just when you thought there couldn’t be more goals, Raffel came back for thirds, inflicting more damage to Wallsend to round off a spectacular 3-1 victory.

The lasses came into Sunday’s League Cup clash confident, coming off the back of an impressive 3-1 comeback win away to Ossett United Women last weekend. 

The last time that Shields came to Wallsend, spectators witnessed quite an unbelievable 4-4 action-packed game of football. 

A few tactical changes seemed to be made to the Mariners’ lineup, particularly Raffel, who was starting her first game on the wing today for Shields and hoped to impress.

The Mariners damaged the hosts’ hopes of making it through to the next round of the League Cup, as it was just eight minutes into the game when Raffel netted at the back post. 

Legg had space on the left side to look up and find a pass - that she did, with a wonderful cross to the back post where Raffel was charging in to get the telling touch which put Shields’ ahead.

Soon after, the lasses crafted two more chances to score - Tianna Hill broke through on Wallsend's goal in the 25th minute, however, her strike was too close to Charlize Gutierrez and then two minutes later, the striker had another chance at goal.

Asia Jota strode forward with the ball from the back and picked out Hill on the edge of the box, who turned and struck from distance. 

The shot, unfortunately for the Mariners, was a few yards wide. 

Shields then looked certain to score a second in the first-half and in the 43rd minute they crafted another one-on-one opportunity. 

Raffel, who’d had a fantastic first-half, picked out Legg who took the ball past Gutierrez but the angle was too tight and her shot strayed wide.

The second-half then was simple for Sophie Clough and Alex Miller’s side: score that crucial second goal.

It didn’t come until late on for the Mariners and it was Raffel, again, who doubled their lead. 

Once more, Legg was the player to find her with what was a delicate through ball across the field, right into Raffel, who comfortably put the ball past Gutierrez. 

And 12 minutes later, the hosts got what looked to be a consolation goal given how near to full-time the game was.

Adam finished off at the near post after a simple ball was played over the top.

Miraculously, the goals did not stop there, as soon after the Mariners sealed the League Cup win, with Raffel bagging herself a hat-trick. 

Faye Killeen took on her man down the right side and fizzed a ball into the box - of course there to stab it home was Raffel.

Wallsend BC Women (starting XI): Gutierrez, Penman, Peake, Cowen, Johnson, McDonald, Holmes, Goodwin, Bowen, Todoran, Gillis.

Substitutes: Graham, Adam, Usher, Campbell.

Goals: Adam (89’).

South Shields Women (starting XI): Yeakey, May, Killeen, Legg, Wootten, England, McMahon, Jota, Green, Hill, Raffel.

Substitutes: Rodriguez (played), Miller (did not play).

Goals: Raffel (8’, 77’, 90+2’).