Lester at the double as Shields win

WOMEN’S FOOTBALL

SOUTH Shields are through to the northern area semi-finals of the North East Women’s Regional League Cup after winning 3-1 at Consett in an all-Northern Division clash.

The visitors took a 10th-minute lead when a Paige Lester corner caused confusion in the box before Laura Howe poked home.

Shields were denied by the bar and the home goalkeeper before they doubled their advantage a minute before the break.

Alex Fontaine was brought down outside the box and from the resulting free-kick Lester curled home into the top-right corner of the net.

The visitors struck the bar again before a good one-two between Sophie Halliday and Lester saw the latter slot home seven minutes into the second period.

It was 3-1 two minutes later when Stephanie Curry set up Carolanne Hughes to net what only proved a consolation as Shields comfortably saw out time to progress.

For the second week running, Wallsend BCL lost a cup match 9-0 - this time at Norton and Stockton Ancients.

A deflected shot by Nyci Thorns gave the hosts an early lead, which she doubled by rounding the goalkeeper seven minutes before the break.

An incredible second half saw Thorns score within 60 seconds of the restart, then Sian Williams notched a minute later.

Thorns struck again on the hour, then two minutes later Vicki Burton was on the scoresheet.

Thorns nabbed her fifth counter after 70 minutes and then six minutes from time Anna Mawston netted before Thorns completed her double hat-trick in the last minute.

Boldon CA Villa suffered a 2-1 defeat at York City.

The first half ended goalless but shortly after the interval Villa took the lead through Allison Ferris.

The Premier Division hosts responded, Lucy Lendhill bagging a brace to knock out the South Tyneside outfit.

In the semi-final line-up in the competition’s northern section, South Shields travel to Premier Division title challengers Norton and Stockton Ancients.

Premier Division leaders Durham Cestria host league rivals York City.