Wootten brace inspires SSFC Women to 2-0 Washington FC win

Jen Wootten’s first-half brace inspired South Shields Women to a 2-0 win against Washington FC Women in their third pre-season friendly.

The lasses came into Sunday’s game looking to gain confidence, valuable minutes, and most importantly, a win.

The Mariners faced Washington FC during pre-season last year, in which Annece Legg scored a late winner. 

Shields were yet to pick up a win in their current pre-season campaign and they hoped that Sunday would be the day to change that. 

The Mariners started the match extremely quickly, putting the hosts on the back foot with immediate effect. 

Legg whipped a cross into the box for Faye Killeen, who just lifted the ball over the bar with only two minutes on the clock. 

The winger looked extremely sharp in the opening 10 minutes, fizzing in two more dangerous crosses that went uncapitalised. 

Seven minutes later, the constant pressure paid off. 

Eve Gatens found room on the edge of the box and tried an effort at goal - her shot deflected into the path of Killeen, who then played a perfectly-weighted ball into Wootten, who smashed a left-footed effort into the back of the net. 

The next opportunity that came the Mariners’ way was one that doubled their lead just before half-time and it was, once again, Wootten who got on the scoresheet.

Legg whipped in a corner straight to Wootten, who shaped up and rifled the volley into the roof of the net. 

Just before the hour-mark, Anna Yeakey provided two saves in two minutes, the latter being a stunning fingertip save over the bar. 

With just less than 10 minutes to play, Washington FC’s Amy Coatesworth rattled the post with what was the host's best chance of the game. 

A minute later, the referee pointed to the penalty spot and Washington had the chance to get one back. 

Yeakey - who so far had already pulled off some incredible saves - pulled off another. 

The Mariners ‘keeper dived to her left, guessed right, and saved Coatesworth’s strike to keep Shields' lead intact. 

Shields held out for a valuable win: they will next be in action against Middlesbrough FC Women U23s this Sunday, August 24th. Full match details to follow.

South Shields Women (starting XI): Yeakey, Robinson, Innes, May, Killeen, Legg, Gatens, White, Wootten, Burns, Jota. 

Substitutes: Hart, Newbrook, Longstaff, Green.

Goals: Wootten (17’, 42’). 

Washington FC Women (starting XI): Gilbert, Cook, Shaw, Dixon, Crowder, James, Watson, Metcalfe, Coatesworth, Black, Slasor.

Substitutes: Clark, Pearson, Barnard, Thornby, Haddock.

Featured image credit: Craig McNair (@ideventphoto)