Hill hat-trick inspires SSFC Women in chaotic Wallsend BC win

Tianna Hill bagged a hat-trick as South Shields Women netted five against Wallsend BC Women in the NERWFL Premier Division on Sunday.

The opening goal of a chaotic 90 minutes came just three minutes in, when the home side took the lead through Tamara Bowen. 

However, Shields responded defiantly with a goal of their own thanks to Hill’s effort in the 19th minute. 

Two more goals came in the first-half – Wallsend regained the lead thanks to Aurelia Penman’s penalty and yet another Mariners equaliser, this time through Madison Bouggess just before the interval.

It only took four minutes into the second-half before Hill struck gold, getting herself on the scoresheet for the second time of the afternoon.

Unfortunately, the lead only lasted 13 minutes as Rhiannon Holmes tucked away the hosts’ third. 

The final two goals of the eight came for the visitors, with Desiree Rodriguez dispatching promptly from the penalty spot in the 67th minute and Hill claiming herself a hat-trick deep into injury time. 

The lasses came into Sunday’s fixture confident, having won their last outing at Kirkley Park in an outstanding 3-1 triumph – a game which saw Julie Raffel bag her first three goals for the First Team. 

Raffel, too, was named in Alex Miller and Sophie Clough’s starting 11 on Sunday. 

South Shields FC Women’s International Academy star Bouggess, following her first senior goal for the club last time out, looked to be flourishing and would be in the starting 11 as well. 

The Mariners’ afternoon didn’t get off to the best of starts as Bowen tucked in the opener within three minutes. 

Just like great sides do, the Mariners showcased an assured response, equalising 16 minutes later thanks to Hill’s brilliant work-rate. 

The forward anticipated the pass back toward Charlize Gutierrez, intercepted the ball and tucked into an empty net. 

Miller and Clough’s side seemed to be getting a grip on the game as more chances came their way, one coming through Bouggess who bombed down the right side and crashed a strike at goal, however the angle was just against her and comfortable for Gutierrez. 

Soon after, Wallsend regained the lead through Penman’s penalty.

Once more, Shields did not give up, responding to the setback right on the stroke of half-time. 

Bouggess capitalised on Gutierrez' initial save; a pin-point free-kick from Asia Jota into the box was met by Jen Wootten who forced the save from the shot-stopper, however Bouggess was there to stab home the rebound. 

Four minutes into the second-half and the Mariners had taken the lead for the first time.

Hill outfought Alysia Donnison and won the ball, flicked it under Gutierrez with her left foot and slotted it into the back of the net with her right. 

The sixth goal of a chaotic game of football was one which the visitors couldn’t play a part in: simply a fantastic free-kick from Holmes brought the hosts back into the game.

Shields’ fourth of the afternoon came in the 67th minute, with Rodriguez smashing home a penalty into the top left corner to restore the team’s advantage.

Astonishingly the goals didn’t stop as one more came deep into injury-time – no doubt it was Hill who got the telling touch to claim her hat-trick.

The lasses now look forward to a period of rest and recovery over the Christmas period.

Wallsend BC Women (starting XI): Gutierrez, Johnson, Donnison, Morrison, Lucas, Penman, Gillis, Holmes, Ditchburn, Usher, Bowen.

Substitutes: Peake.

Goals: Bowen (3’), Penman (29’), Holmes (62’).

South Shields Women (starting XI): Yeakey, May, Legg, Wootten, England, Jota, Green, Rodriguez, Bouggess, Hill, Raffel.

Substitutes: Robinson (did not play), Campbell (played), Hoot (played), Miller (did not play).

Goals: Hill (19’, 49’, 90+4’), Bouggess (45’), Rodriguez (67’).