SSFC Women defeated by Durham PGA in pre-season clash

South Shields Women gained valuable minutes in their 3-0 pre-season defeat to Durham PGA, despite three second-half goals from the hosts. 

The Mariners came into their second pre-season friendly looking to bounce back from their narrow 3-2 defeat against Chester-le-Street Town Ladies last Sunday. 

In the hosts’ last fixture, they came out 1-0 winners against Norton Ladies, so the Mariners knew that Durham would be coming into Wednesday night’s game with confidence and that it would be a tough test. 

The Mariners started the game well, with a few chances created in the opening 10 minutes or so. 

Around 20 minutes later, the home side had their best chance of the game, rattling the ball against the post.

With half-time approaching, Shields were looking to get to the break with the scoreline still reading 0-0. 

Fortunately for the Mariners, goalkeeper Anna Yeakey stepped up and performed a magnificent save, stopping a vicious Durham volley that looked like the opener for the hosts. 

Just 12 minutes into the second-half, Durham opened the scoring, after their number nine charged forward and slotted the ball into the net. 

After relentless pressure from the hosts, Durham doubled their lead thanks to a lob by their number two with 25 minutes to play. 

A quarter of an hour after the second, Durham then got the third. 

A great ball was played through to Durham’s number seven, who tucked the ball into the net. 

Coming up next for the Mariners is a trip to Washington FC Women this Sunday, August 17th, for a 2pm kick-off. 

South Shields Women (starting XI): Yeakey, Snailham, May, Killeen, Legg, White, Wootten, McMahon, Burns, Jota, Green.

Substitutes: Sanders, Newbrook, Boyd, Longstaff.