Moors Ladies stormed up to second in the NERWFL Premier Division on Sunday after thrashing rivals South Shields in front of a crowd of almost 300 at The Brewery Field.
Katy Hemmingway led the way, scoring a wonderful hat-trick as Billy Shackleton’s side produced a finishing masterclass to move within one point of leaders Wallsend.
The game was just over nine minutes old when the scoring began. The brilliant Hannah Knox lifted a 25-yard free kick over the wall and into the back of the net off the underside of the crossbar to give Moors a perfect start.
However, the visitors rallied and got back on level terms on 18 minutes when Sophie Curle was sent clear on the left and she skilfully rounded Moors keeper Sophie Miller before finding the net.
Shields keeper Scarlett Gowans made a wonderful save to deny Lucy McIntosh from a corner, but Moors did reestablish their lead just before the half hour when Hemmingway nodded home at the front post from another pinpoint Courtney Mole delivery.
The dangerous Abi Kisby then had a goal ruled out for a foul on the goalkeeper before Moors did grab their third on 43 minutes when Caitlin Bates’ ball found Hemmingway whose first shot was saved but she was on hand to fire in the rebound.
There was even time for Moors to make it 4-1 just before the break as dead ball specialist Knox lifted another brilliant free kick over the stranded Shields keeper from the right fringe of the penalty area.
Kisby put her name on the scoresheet in spectacular fashion early in the second half when she turned inside from the left before curling a wonderful long-range effort into the far top corner of the net for 5-1.
On 53 minutes Moors got a sixth goal. Another inviting Mole delivery from a left-wing corner was met by a bullet header from Neve Jackson as the ball flashed past the keeper and into the net before she had time to react.
To their credit, Shields continued to try and play football and they got some reward just after the hour mark when Jasmine Elliott-Wood pulled a goal back.
However, Moors were straight back on the front foot at the other end and Autumn Colledge finally got her goal when she was the next to profit from Mole’s latest inviting corner, glancing a header into the bottom right corner.
Hemmingway then completed her hat-trick on 71 minutes when she was sent clear by Shannon Reed’s incisive through ball before showing nerves of steel to execute an immaculate chipped finish for 8-2.
“We were confident coming into the game but to win 8-2 was certainly unexpected,” admitted Shackleton afterwards.
“The girls were clinical today and I think we held South Shields well because we know what they can do, and they have a very good forward line.
“To limit them to two goals is excellent and to put eight away ourselves is credit to the hard work we’ve been putting in on the training ground.
“I’m buzzing with the result; we just need to take it forward and make sure we keep up this level of performance now.”
Moors now face a huge away game next Sunday when they go head-to-head with leaders Wallsend in a potentially pivotal contest in the race for promotion.
Full Time: Moors 8 South Shields 2
Moors: Miller, N Jackson, Knox, McIntosh, Saunders, Mole, Reed, A Colledge, Bates, Hemmingway, Kisby.
Subs: Enguita, Middleton, L Jackson, Drinkald, Seymour.
Attendance: 288
