Cestria win but made to battle
NORTH EAST WOMEN’S LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
LEAGUE leaders Durham Cestria were made to work hard to maintain their nine-point lead at the top, narrowly winning 3-2 at Castleford.
Lauren Breen found the net after half an hour to give the hosts a surprise lead.
However, the Cestrians responded quickly - Sophie Hodgson with her 13th league goal of the campaign as the sides went in at the break level at 1-1.
Early in the second half the leaders took the lead through their leading scorer Molly Holder.
However, her 15th goal of the season was cancelled out as Castleford kept on battling.
After 70 minutes the hosts were back on level terms, Rachel Sherrard on target - converting from a corner.
However, six minutes later, the Cestrians claimed the decisive goal thanks to a fantastic solo effort by Nisha Mistry.
The hosts pushed for another equaliser but the Cestrians’ defence stood strong.
Cestria stay nine points ahead of Norton and Stockton Ancients, although the Teesside club crucially have four games in hand.
A Nyci Thorns hat-trick helped the Ancients maintain their 100% record, beating Tynedale 5-1 at home to stay second.
After only 47 seconds the hosts took the lead, Thorns lobbing the goalkeeper before powering home into the bottom corner after seven minutes.
Ten minutes later it was 3-0 when Anna Mawston crossed for Thorns to complete her hat-trick. The Ancients kept up the pressure and on the stroke of half-time Sian Williams made it 4-0.
Tynedale had the favourable wind in the second period but it did not stop Shannon Reed firing hard and high into the net from 25 yards.
Tynedale did manage a consolation goal, becoming the first side to score against Norton in eight games as Keeley Wilkinson brought down Christine Murray inside the box.
Murray stepped up to convert the spot kick as Tynedale grew in confidence, twice going close but being denied by the goalkeeper.
The sides clash again on Sunday in the semi-finals of the Durham County FA Women’s Cup.