Wootten claws back point for determined SSFC Women against Alnwick Town

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyXq62DLIKU

Jen Wootten clawed back a point for South Shields Women in the final minutes as they drew 2-2 away to Alnwick Town Ladies on Sunday.

Her 90th minute lob from distance marked the second time the Mariners had come back from a goal down and this time it was for certain.

Former Mariner Sophie Greener had given the hosts the lead in the 50th minute following a turbulent and windy game which seemed to disrupt both teams’ rhythm.

Madison Bouggess grabbed an equaliser 13 minutes later, before Alnwick’s one-goal advantage was restored in the 71st minute through Rhiannon Mallaburn.

Just like in September’s Adobe Women’s FA Cup clash, the game wouldn’t be settled until the end and Wootten took many by surprise when her strike soared past opposing goalkeeper Scarlett Gowans.

In those conditions, and with a threadbare Shields outfit - just Anna Yeakey appeared on the substitutes list and others were playing out of position - they did well to earn a point out there.

Gowans punched away a Kelsi Hoot corner in the early stages, which easily could have swerved into the net given the strong wind, and Georgia Latto cleared it away.

Connie Graham was sent through one-on-one soon after, but her touch was a little too heavy as she tried to thread the ball past Gowans in the 18-yard box.

Alena Miller made her first start for the First Team and she put in an impressive shift to put herself in the face of danger and stop potential Alnwick threats.

Julie Raffel had a shot denied by the post after a bit of a scramble in Alnwick’s penalty area following a perfect Bouggess delivery.

Ex-Shields defender Josie Foster put in a fantastic sliding tackle to deny Hoot as she approached the box from the left, then later Bouggess as she attempted a shot from the right.

Despite all these opportunities, it would be Alnwick who would strike first as Greener, scoring her 21st goal of the season, turned past Desiree Rodriguez and fired on goal.

Miller initially had a hand to it, but the ball managed to spill over her and it reached the net.

The wind helped carry Wootten’s through ball for the equaliser, however, and Bouggess simply put away her one-on-one into the bottom-right corner.

Mallaburn gave the hosts the lead once more after she flicked the ball over Miller, but Shields’ persistence for a leveller shone through when Wootten hit from range late on.

The lasses can take a point back home with them as they prepare for their next challenge, at home to the NERWFL Premier Division leaders Bradford City AFC Women.

Alnwick Town Ladies: Gowans, Foster, Mallaburn, Latto, Young, James, Straughan, Johnston, Greener, White, Sage.

Substitutes: Belisle, Third, Glenwright, Matthews, Ann Acar.

Goals: Greener (50’), Mallaburn (71’).

South Shields Women: Miller, May, Killeen, Wootten, McDonald, Graham, Hoot, Scarpiello, Rodriguez, Bouggess, Raffel.

Substitutes: Yeakey (did not play).

Goals: Bouggess (63’), Wootten (90’).