SSFC Women suffer 3-0 defeat against title contenders Thornaby

South Shields Women suffered a 3-0 defeat at the hands of NERWFL Premier Division title contenders Thornaby FC Women on Sunday.

The hosts opened the deadlock in the 15th minute thanks to Eve Gatens’ poached effort, and when the clock struck the half-hour mark the Mariners were behind by two, thanks to a wonder goal from Jen Knowles.

With just ten minutes remaining, substitute Sophie Tierney made it three to the hosts.

Shields came into Sunday afternoon's clash ready for another intense away fixture: the visitors’ last away outing saw them take a point in the 99th minute against Ponteland United Women.

Sophie Clough and Alex Miller’s side hoped to take this ‘till the end’ mentality into this game.

The Mariners’ Sunday didn’t get off to the best of starts, however, when the hosts took the lead early on through Gatens' back-post finish.

Soon after – and through no fault of their own – the Mariners conceded for the second time due to a stunning free-kick from Knowles.

Five minutes later, the hosts had another big opportunity to score, this time through a fizzing strike from outside the box by Gatens, which was denied by a high-flying Anna Yeakey. 

The Mariners got off to a fantastic start in the second-half, creating many threatening chances in the early minutes. 

Madison Bouggess was the one who looked to take the game by the scruff of the neck, however, her 48th minute strike raised just over the bar. 

Despite being two goals down, Clough and Miller’s resilient Mariners created yet another opportunity shortly afterwards, with Bouggess again coming close. 

The midfielder was fed through brilliantly for a one-on-one with Laura Wareham, however the ‘keeper stood tall and made the save.

Soon after, the hosts were awarded a penalty which was not capitalised on, as Knowles blazed the penalty wide of Yeakey’s goal. 

And then with only ten minutes left of play, Thornaby’s Tierney slotted away the hosts’ third of the afternoon.

The lasses look to reset next time out when they host Harrogate Town AFC Women on Sunday, March 1st.

Thornaby FC Women (starting XI): Wareham, H. Robson, Knowles, A. Robson, McEwen, Little, Gears, Clark, Gatens, Curle, Foster.

Substitutes: Tierney, Newton, Scott, Gatley, Dryden (did not play).

Goals: Gatens (15’), Knowles (30’), Tierney (80’).

South Shields Women (starting XI): Yeakey, May, Killeen, Wootten, McMahon, Hoot, Green, Bouggess, Hill, Raffel.

Substitutes: Robinson, McDonald, Miller (none played).

Attendance: 108.