Super substitutes Killeen and McDonald steal the show for five-star SSFC Women

Super substitutes Faye Killeen and Eva McDonald stole the show for South Shields Women in a five-star performance against Brunsmeer Athletic Women on Sunday.

The Mariners began ferociously and opened the deadlock inside 11 minutes through Kelsi Hoot.

Right on the stroke of half-time, they doubled their lead thanks to Madison Bouggess’ composed finish.

Three more goals came in the second-half thanks to substitutes Killeen and McDonald. 

Killeen was the first of the super subs to strike, as she netted in the 49th minute, with McDonald getting the fourth and fifth goals for Shields in just nine minutes.

Shields came into their first clash of 2026 confident, having put five past Wallsend BC Women in an eight-goal thriller in what was their last match of 2025.

The game began and right away Shields were causing real danger for the visitors. 

Annece Legg fired an effort at Chloe Hague-Naylor after being played in wonderfully by Natalie May, however Legg’s strike was too central and was kept out by the keeper. 

Moments later, Sophie Clough and Alex Miller’s side were at it again – this time it was Bouggess who had the opportunity to break the deadlock. 

A misplaced pass from Hague-Naylor saw Bouggess bring the ball down, look up at goal and release a shot, however the slightly rushed strike crept wide and out for a goal kick. 

After missing these early chances, the relentless pressure continued from the hosts, and in the 11th minute, this pressure paid off. 

Hoot found herself with time and space just outside the box to unleash a shot at goal; the effort rifled up and over Hague-Naylor and into the back of the net.

Soon after, Brunsmeer Athletic hit back with a chance of their own, with Imogen Burnley heading over the bar.

Just 11 minutes after scoring her first, Hoot came close again. 

The midfielder found herself, yet again, with time and space to shoot, however fortune wasn’t on her side as the strike rattled the post. 

These huge chances for the Mariners weren’t left squandered as 20 minutes later, the hosts found themselves two goals to the good. 

A stunning ball that sliced through the visitors' defence was played by captain Becki McMahon into Bouggess, who latched on, took the ball past Hague-Naylor and slotted into an empty net

The second-half display from Shields was exquisite – similar to the first, they dominated with the ball and created an extraordinary amount of chances. 

To start the second-half, Co-Head Coaches Clough and Miller brought off Bouggess and Hoot in favour of Killeen and McDonald and what a decision this turned out to be. 

Just four minutes after coming on, Killeen got herself on the scoresheet. 

Tianna Hill bombed down the right side of the field before squaring it to Killeen who dispatched the lasses’ third. 

Minutes later, McDonald made her impact off the bench: Killeen played the ball across the box to McDonald who, like Killeen, made no mistake and made it four. 

However, she wasn’t finished there, as with 26 minutes to play, McDonald added another to the scoreline. 

Again, it was Hill who drove toward the Brunsmeer defence, before sliding the ball into McDonald, who took a touch and slammed it into the far left corner, for the Mariners’ fifth of the afternoon.

The lasses saw out a comfortable win in the end and they will be hoping to take this convincing performance into their next game, which is away to Harrogate Town AFC Women this weekend.

South Shields Women: Yeakey, May, Legg, Wootten, McMahon, Hoot, Green, Rodriguez, Bouggess, Hill, Raffel. 

Substitutes: Killeen, England, McDonald, Miller (all played).

Goals: Hoot (11’), Bouggess (42’), Killeen (49’), McDonald (55’, 64’).

Brunsmeer Athletic Women: Hague-Naylor, Millar, Burnley, Shaw, Wild, Kenyon, Brown, Lloyd, Damms, Fox, Turton-Burrell.

Substitutes: Gill, Hallam, Cannell, Rutherford.