SSFC Women cruise to league double with emphatic Harrogate Town win

South Shields Women defeated Harrogate Town AFC Women 2-0, to claim their second win in just eight days against the side, on Sunday afternoon.

The Mariners led Harrogate late into the first-half when Annece Legg superbly finished a picture-perfect pass from Eve Gatens. 

The lasses doubled their lead in the 57th minute, through a fantastic Gatens free-kick. 

Shields came into the fixture extremely confident, having won both of their last two games in the NERWFL Premier Division, with one of these two coming against Harrogate, in a 3-0 away victory. 

The Mariners started magnificently, creating their first opportunity in less than 10 minutes through a wonderful Sophie Greener and Legg link-up. 

Legg smashed a volley that was too comfortable for Alice Heaton after a delicate flick from Greener. 

With just over 20 minutes played, the game saw the first yellow card, being issued to Ellie Hall. 

Gatens yet again showed her wizardry on the wing and drew a foul from Hall just before she seemed to be through on goal. 

It was the 37th minute which saw the Mariners break the deadlock. 

Gatens showed great composure from the left-side, waiting for Legg’s run, before playing a beautiful pass through to the forward, who comfortably nicked the ball over Heaton. 

A minute before the half-time whistle, Greener and Gatens again showed their fantastic link up play, as Greener smashed a volley that was just off target after a great ball from Gatens.

The second-half saw the Mariners make three substitutions – 'keeper Anna Yeakey was replaced by Scarlett Gowans, while Cat Abusada and Ellie White replaced Natalie May and Legg. 

Just two minutes into the second-half, Jess Spark showed her defensive quality, blocking Lauren Doyle’s shot at goal. 

In the 56th minute, Harrogate goalkeeper Heaton conceded an indirect free-kick just as White was pressing. 

Gatens, who'd had a fabulous game so far, stepped up a minute later and rifled the free-kick into the far right corner, doubling Shields lead. 

The Mariners' next opportunity fell to Abusada, who from just outside the box released a strike at goal, the effort just unable to get their third. 

Shields held out for another three points, completing the double against a Harrogate side who were astutefully stopped in their tracks.

South Shields Women: Yeakey, Innes, May, Greener, Legg, Gatens, McMahon, Norton, Spark, Jota, Foster.

Substitutes: Gowans, Mole, White, England (did not play), Abusada.

Goals: Legg (37'), Gatens (57').

Harrogate Town AFC Women: Heaton, Sturdy, Freeman, Hall, Whiley, Parkin, Edmondson, Ramroop, Shuttleworth, Doyle, Smith.

Substitutes: Blanchfield, Marshall.