SSFC Women left disappointed by final day defeat against Alnwick Town

South Shields Women were left disappointed by their 2-0 defeat against Alnwick Town Ladies, in what was their final game of the NERWFL Premier Division season. 

Alnwick broke the deadlock in the 13th minute through a Catherine Johnston tap-in at the back-stick.

The away side doubled their lead through a Libby Rees volley, three minutes into the second-half.

The Mariners came into Sunday’s fixture in goalscoring form, having scored 10 in their last two outings.

Shields were unable to create a real chance in the opening 10 minutes - Becki McMahon’s splendid defending being the highlight for the Mariners.

Three minutes later, Scarlett Gowans kept the game level, with an incredible save.

The ball fell kindly to Georgia Latto on the edge of the box, who smashed toward the top left corner on the volley and Gowans at full stretch.

A minute after this spectacular save, Alnwick got the opener.

Rees fizzed in a corner that fell fortunately right at the feet of Johnston at the back post, who put the visitors ahead.

The game reached the 25th minute-mark and still the Mariners were yet to create a chance at goal, yet again the main positive to take was the defensive work from McMahon.

Two minutes later Chloe Young was in behind charging with pace, the winger took a strike at goal, but Natalie May put her body on the line -  providing a great block, stopping the visitors from getting a second.

The Mariners, seconds after, created their first real chance at goal: Jen Wootten strided forward with pace and power, looked up at goal, and released a left-footed strike that just dragged wide and crashed into the side netting.

Five minutes before the half-time whistle, Gowans produced another wonder save.

Young, yet again, was through on goal, the winger opened up her body and bent the ball toward the far right corner - Gowans’ quick reaction save kept the Mariners in the game.

At half-time Shields made two substitutions, bringing on Zoe Norton for Cat Abusada, and Anna Yeakey for Gowans.

Three minutes into the second-half Alnwick doubled their lead.

Rees intercepted a misplaced throw-in and snapped at the chance - hitting the ball on the volley past Yeakey for Alnwick’s second.

In the 76th minute, Yeakey was forced to leave the field after sustaining an injury and Gowans returned to the field in her absence. 

In the 81st minute, Young was yet again through on goal and the winger, once more, opened her body up and curled towards the far right of the goal.

Foster got in front of the goal and flicked the ball wide producing a last-ditch clearance, stopping a sure goal.

Alnwick took home the three points and it leaves Shields waiting to discover their final league position, as the teams around them all play their remaining games over the next few weeks.

South Shields Women: Gowans, May, Legg, Gatens, White, Wootten, England, McMahon, Abusada, Jota, Foster.

Substitutes: Mole, Norton, Yeakey.

Alnwick Town Ladies: Stark, Morrison, Robinson, Armstrong, Henderson, Latto, Belisle, Johnston, Sewell, Young, Rees.

Substitutes: MacFarlane, Straughan, Hedley, Third.

Goals: Johnston (13’), Rees (48’).