SSFC Women hit Park View for six in final pre-season game

South Shields Women won their final pre-season friendly as they hit Park View AFC Women for six on Sunday.

The Mariners started impressively, with Eve Gatens picking up the first goal before the 10 minute mark. 

In the 24th minute, Megan Graham got Park View’s equaliser, however, the score was level for only three minutes as in the 27th minute, Gatens' magic allowed for an Ellie White tap-in. 

A minute later, Becki McMahon’s deflected effort meant Shields had their third. 

On the stroke of half-time the Mariners struck twice; Gatens bagging herself a brace in the 42nd minute while Jen Wootten made it 5-1 with a minute left on the clock. 

The Mariners began the second-half quickly, with Annece Legg picking up her first of the afternoon in the 52nd minute.

Park View then got consolation goals in the 61st and 85th minutes of the game. 

Shields came into their last pre-season friendly hoping to gain more confidence and experience, before they kick off their campaign on Sunday, September 7th. 

The game kicked off and immediately the Mariners put Park View under real pressure, so much so that before the 10th minute, Shields scored the opener. 

McMahon found herself space and onside in the right-wing position and fizzed a ball into the box where Gatens was, to coolly tuck the ball into the net. 

Although the Mariners made a fantastic start, 15 minutes later, Graham slotted in the equaliser. 

Shields were now looking for a defiant response, which they most certainly got.

The scoreline was only level for three minutes before Gatens displayed what can only be described as footballing magic. 

The winger danced past four players from the left side of the field, before sneaking her way into the box and picking out White who tapped it in from close range. 

The third goal came less than a minute later, as McMahon struck from distance and a huge deflection saw it loop over Mellor. 

With three minutes left before half-time, the lasses bagged a fourth goal. 

Faye Killeen marched forward with the ball for about 30 yards before picking out Gatens who doubled her tally, tucking the ball into the net with ease. 

The Mariners then managed to pick up a fifth right on the stroke of half-time. 

This time it was rifled into the bottom left corner by Wootten, after a great pass which opened up the defence from Gatens. 

The second-half started exactly how the first ended, with the Mariners in constant pursuit of goals. 

It didn’t take long before this pursuit of goals resulted in the team’s sixth of the game – just seven minutes.

Wootten was through on goal and could have got a shot away but instead, she played the ball to her left to Legg who smashed the ball past Mellor, the strike too powerful for the keeper. 

The clock had ticked just over the hour mark and Park View were growing into the game and creating some big chances. 

In the 61st minute, Park View created another chance –  one they capitalised on through Tanisha Peaks. 

With only five minutes to go, Park View got their third of the game; a trialist got on the scoresheet.

The full-time whistle rang and Shields were comfortable winners in their final pre-season fixture.

South Shields Women: Yeakey, Robinson, Burns, May, Killeen, Legg, Gatens, White, Wootten, McMahon, Jota.

Substitutes: England, Hart, Newbrook, Longstaff, Green.

Goals: Gatens (9’, 42’), White (27’), McMahon (28’), Wootten (44’), Legg (52’).

Park View AFC Women: Mellor, Carr, C. Conn, Graham, Morton, Trialist, A. Conn, Peake, Graham, West, Scott.

Substitutes: Lambert, Araujo, Khalaghe, Campbell.

Goals: Graham (24’), Peake (61’), Trialist (85’).