SSFC Women held to chaotic 4-4 draw against Wallsend BC

A chaotic eight-goal thriller saw South Shields Women and Wallsend BC Women share the points on Thursday night.

The Mariners led Wallsend early into the first-half when Natalie May slotted home in the 15th minute.

Wallsend responded quickly, with Ellen-Marie Atkinson scoring three minutes later.

Forward Ellie White snatched back the Mariners’ lead in the 32nd minute.

Atkinson then struck again, claiming her brace and Wallsend’s equaliser just seconds before the half-time whistle.

Impact substitute Annece Legg made a terrific impact after coming on, scoring goals in the 53rd and 63rd minutes, which gave Shields a two goal cushion.

Atkinson struck for the third time in the 71st minute claiming the match ball, while teammate Nicole Dack dispatched a penalty in the 74th minute to draw things level.

Shields came into the midweek fixture confident after their last outing, a 6-2 thumping of Spennymoor Town Ladies. 

The game started rather well for the Mariners, with Eve Gatens being at the focal point of a few chances in the first eight minutes.

Gatens twice fizzed great balls into the box - which on both occasions, Cat Abusada was only a few yards from reaching and causing real danger.

The next chance came for the home side; defender Anya Cowen bursted forward with pace, cut inside and curled the ball high and wide.

With a third of the first-half played, Shields were the side to get the opener.

Left-back Josie Foster slung a terrific switch to Abusada, who laid-off May, who comfortably slotted through Amelia Kirkup’s legs.

Three minutes later, Wallsend got their equaliser through Atkinson; the forward was played in behind and nicked the ball over a charging-out Anna Yeakey.

The Mariners showed, too, how to respond quickly, as only 14 minutes later, Shields were back in front.

Gatens curled in a free-kick which struck Becki McMahon, making the save awkward for Kirkup -  the keeper made a quick reaction save, however, parried it to White, who finished stylishly with a back heel.

Just on the stroke of the half-time whistle, Atkinson pulled Wallsend level, claiming a brace with what was a stunning left-footed shot from outside of the box.

At half-time the Mariners made a double substitution, bringing on Legg for White and Scarlett Gowans for Yeakey.

Shields started the second-half strong, continuing how they left off in the first-half as they scored in just eight minutes.

Foster whipped in an absolute stunner of a cross to Legg which took every defender out of the game.

The attacker took the ball in her stride and lashed the ball straight at Kirkup.

Fortunately for the Mariners, Kirkup parried it right back to Legg, who the second time around, headed home, putting the lasses ahead again.

10 minutes later, the in-form Legg struck again - claiming her brace in style.

Monica Innes chipped a delicious ball into Legg - the striker took it in her path, and smashed the ball into the net.

In the 71st minute, Wallsend got their third of the game: Atkinson got her hat-trick, after crashing the ball into the net with a left-footed strike.

Three minutes later, the Mariners conceded a penalty and Dack made no mistake to equalise from the spot.

In the final minutes of injury time, Shields created another opportunity, falling Abusada’s way.

She skipped past Kirkup, cut back to her favoured right foot and curled an effort which made Kirkup produce a massive save, stopping what was a sure goal.

Up next for the lasses is their final game of the season against Alnwick Town Ladies this Sunday.

Wallsend BC Women: A. Kirkup, Cowen, Gillis, E. Atkinson, Forster, Adam, Mark, Harron, Rikkerink, Dack, E-M. Atkinson. 

Substitutes: E. Kirkup, Johnson, Brosnan.

Goals: Atkinson (18’, 45+2’, 71’), Dack (74’). 

South Shields Women: Yeakey, Innes, May, Gatens, White, Wootten, McMahon, Norton, Abusada, Jota, Foster. 

Substitutes: Gowans, Mole, Legg, England. 

Goals: May (15’), White (32’), Legg (53’, 63’).