Durham top table after a seven-goal thriller win
Emily Roberts’ brace helped Durham deliver a sensational second-half comeback to move top of the FA Women’s Championship with a 4-3 win at Coventry United.
Beth Merrick’s hat-trick had put the Red and Green into a comfortable 3-1 advantage at the break, despite Beth Hepple’s early strike for the visitors.
But Roberts inspired her side with two goals, along with a Sarah Robson effort, to a dramatic turnaround victory.
It was Coventry who started the brightest, and Merrick opened the scoring with a longrange effort.
Shannon O’Brien doubled the lead but Durham responded quickly and pulled a goal back when Bridget Galloway found Hepple to fire home from ten yards.
Five minutes before halftime, Merrick completed her hat-trick as she smashed home to put her side well on top.
Durham came out with a point to prove in the second half and Roberts immediately gavethemhopewhensherifled her effort into the top corner.
Theycontinuedto rampthe pressure up with Mollie Lambert expertly denied by Coventry keeper Sue Wood.
Moments later, Durham we re l e ve l wh e n R ob s o n hooked home a stunning strike after the hosts failed to clear their lines.
And the visitors broke Coventry hearts with a fine counter-attack, Nicki Gears driving through the home defence before finding Roberts to score.
It took a great Borthwick save to hold onto the win too, as she held onto Amber Hughes’ shot at the death.
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