Match Report: Late Owens Goal Secures Third Consecutive Win
Norton & Stockton Ancients Ladies vs Durham Cestria Ladies
The first midweek league game of the season saw Durham travel to Station Road on a wet and windy night.
Durham went into the game sitting in 7th on seven points, with 2 wins, 1 draw and 2 losses from their opening 5 games. After Sunday’s 1-0 victory away to Fylde, Norton were currently sitting in 9th on five points with 1 win, 2 draws and 2 losses from their 5 games.
The two teams met twice last season; the Station Road fixture finished 2-2 with Sophie Hodgson netting both goals and the away game was a one-sided affair which Durham won 4-0.
For the first time this season, Norton named an unchanged starting 11 with Anna McArthur and the return of the injured Erin Boyle making up the squad of sixteen with the 14 that travelled to Fylde.
Against a strong wind Norton got the game underway and went looking for a quick start. Durham were the first team to have a shot but one sailed wide and the other was an easy catch for Chisnall.
Norton worked their way back into the game and on the 20 minute mark two inswinging Eve Marshall corners were only inches away from Bianca Owens.
With the wind playing a big part in the game Durham had a good opportunity when Daisy Clarke raced clear, but Chisnall raced out of her box and tackled the Durham forward. What looked to be a serious injury to a Durham’s Anna Soulsby saw a break in play on 31 minutes and unfortunately seen the Durham forward stretchered off.
Durham wanted take advantage of the strong wind but the back four of McGuire, Rae, Burton and Jamieson were proving really challenging to get past and in front of them West, Nanga and Reed were putting in a great shift for the team.
After a solid 45 minutes, Norton went into the half-time break at 0-0.
Half-time: Norton & Stockton Ancients 0-0 Durham Cestria
The second half began and Norton went in search of the first goal. Bianca Owens drilled a low free kick that was easily saved while minutes later she was fouled again, this time in a very dangerous position. Up stepped Owens and brought a tremendous save from Brooke Mackain in the Durham goal.
Norton had two further chances; the first saw Lucy Jamieson try her luck from distance but her effort was easily held. The chance fell to Chloe West after some lovely link up play between the midfielder and Owens, but her shot from the edge of the area was again dealt with by the Durham ‘keeper.
Chisnall had barely had a touch of the ball in the second half but was nearly called into action but a Durham shot deflected wide for a corner.
Tiring legs saw Norton making two substitutions. First was 16-year old Annie Mitchell making her league debut as she replaced Eve Marshall in the front three and Erin Boyle replaced Shannon Reed for her first appearance following surgery at the end of last season.
As the game went into added time both teams were looking for that one chance to win it and in the 94th minute it was Norton that took it. The referee informed the players there was 20 seconds left, time for one more opportunity. A long kick down field by goalkeeper Rachel Chisnall saw the ball bounce high and onto the chest of Bianca Owens. Owens’ touch teed herself up perfectly and her volley zipped up off the wet surface and into the back of the net, sparking scenes of jubilation from the players and the dugout.
Before Durham could resume the game, Ash Coyle replaced goalscorer Bianca Owens. The referee found another two minutes of injury time but Norton did enough to hold on and secure a third consecutive win.
Full-time: Norton & Stockton Ancients 1-0 Durham Cestria
Goal Scorer: Bianca Owens
Player of the Match: Danielle Nanga
Norton & Stockton Ancients: Rachel Chisnall, Kate McGuire, Georgia Rae, Vicki Burton, Lucy Jamieson , Chloe West, Shannon Reed (Erin Boyle 77’), Danielle Nanga, Louise Atkinson, Bianca Owens (C) (Ash Coyle 94’), Eve Marshall (Annie Mitchell 73’)
Unused Subs: Annaleigh Wynn, Anna McArthur