Durham drive into second spot with bounceback win over Blackburn

Abby Holmes scored twice, including a stunning solo effort, to lead title-chasing Durham to a 3-1 win against Blackburn Rovers in the FA Women’s Championship.

Blackburn scored first through Ellie Leek, but Holmes notched an unbelievable goal to get her side back on level terms.

Holmes scored her second a minute into the second half before Becky Salicki got on the scoresheet to seal the three points.

The result sees Durham move up to second in the table after taking part in Sunday’s only FA Women’s Championship game, while Blackburn sit in 10th after three games without a win.

Durham got off to a lively start, with Blackburn keeper Alexandra Brooks making several saves in the first 10 minutes.

But it was Rovers who opened the scoring against the run of play when Leek’s deflected shot found the back of the net.

The Wildcats had a great chance to get back on level terms after 16 minutes when Bridget Galloway was brought down inside the box.

However, Beth Hepple’s penalty crashed against Brooks’ post and Rovers remained ahead.

Durham thought they were back on level terms in the 24th minute after Brooks mishandled Hepple’s shot, allowing Dee Bradley to score, but it was disallowed for offside.

The equaliser came in sensational fashion when Holmes ran the length of the pitch on 38 minutes before finding the top corner with a shot from 25 yards.

After the break, Holmes doubled her tally and put Durham ahead, finding herself in the right place at the right time to score a tap-in after Brooks couldn’t hold a cross.

The Wildcats then had a shot cleared off the line, before going 3-1 up through Salicki, who volleyed home Hepple’s cross to ensure they finished 2021 on a high.

Durham: (4-5-1): Megan Borthwick; Abby Holmes, Becky Salicki, Lauren Briggs,

Bridget Galloway; Sarah Robson, Beth Hepple, Dee Bradley, Mollie Lambert, Ellie Christon; Danielle Brown.

Substitutes: Emily Roberts for Brown 76, Kathryn Hill for Robson 84, Hannah Greenwood for Bradley 90.

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