Match Report: Norton fall to narrow defeat against league leaders

Norton travelled to Barnsley in a Top vs Bottom match. In a testing season for Norton they are still in search of their first win and although in most games there hasn’t been much in it, the Amber and Blacks have been on the wrong side of some fine margins. Barnsley on the other hand are in great form winning 4 of their 5 games drawing the other one and only conceding one goal along the way. Norton suffered a 3-0 home defeat in the Plate competition against a strong Hull City side last week but welcomed back Chloe West, Rachel Jackson and Kate McSorley into the squad. The games played between the two sides last season saw Barnsley inflict Norton heaviest defeat; a 6-0 loss at Station Road, however the two sides met a week later and Norton held Barnsley to a 2-2 draw.

Starting XI

Kelsie Moore- available to sponsor

Izzy McEwen- sponsored by LT Construction

Vicki Burton- available to sponsor

Georgia Rae- available to sponsor

Ash Coyle- sponsored by Norton Mini Travel

Chloe West- sponsored by Darlington RA Juniors & Elite Consult Group

Rachel Jackson- available to sponsor

Estelle Clark- sponsored by Maxwell Motors

Sophie Hodgson- available to sponsor

Bianca Owens- sponsored by Skelton Coaches

Anna McArthur- available to sponsor

Substitutes

Maddie Myers- sponsored by RLS Construction

Sophie White- sponsored by Hitachi Construction Machinery UK

Kate McSorley- sponsored by Industrial Technology Systems Ltd

The game began with Barnsley starting quickly and an early chance was created when the Barnsley wide player beat Izzy McEwen but her shot went into the side netting. After an early scare Norton settled and began to come into the game. Estelle Clark suffered a nasty blow to the head when she headed the ball forward and the Barnsley player clashed heads with her. Both players received treatment and what looked to be a Norton free kick, ended with Barnsley starting regaining possession with a drop ball.

In a stop start first 15 minutes Barnsley had a big chance to take the lead from the penalty spot. A ball across the Norton penalty area saw Chloe West attempt to clear but she caught the Barnsley player who went down under the challenge. The Barnsley forward stepped up but fired the penalty wide to see the score remain level.

At the other end some good hold up play from Bianca Owens allowed Sophie Hodgson to run off her and receive the ball with only the keeper to beat but Hodgson’s delay allowed the Barnsley defender to get back and put a challenge in. Norton defended well with Georgia Rae and Vicki Burton winning a number of tackles and headers. Barnsley had another chance just before half time when the forward rose highest from a long ball into the box, but headed wide.

Half Time: Barnsley Ladies 0-0 Norton & Stockton Ancients Ladies

The second half saw Norton forced into making a change. Estelle Clark was unable to continue following the earlier head injury and was replaced by Kate McSorley. Norton started the second half well, winning an early corner. Anna McArthur swung the corner into the front post where a Barnsley defended glanced it on to her own post and out for another corner. McArthur put in a deeper corner which was only cleared to the penalty spot and Bianca Owens fired home for her 1st of the season and give Norton the lead.

 Barnsley responded immediately with Izzy McEwen failed to deal with the ball from kick off and the Barnsley winger picked up the loose ball before driving into the Norton penalty breaking through two attempted tackles and curling her shot past Kelsie Moore and into the top corner. Barnsley now full of confidence added a second when their midfielder got to the ball before Vicki Burton and poked it into the path of the forward who lobbed it over Kelsie Moore giving them the lead.

Norton made a change with Maddie Myers replacing Izzy McEwen in a move that saw Anna McArthur move to full back and Myers move into the front three. Moments later Norton had the ball in the Barnsley net. A run from the substitute Maddie Myers saw her round the keeper and finish into the empty net but the assistant referee had his flag up for offside in a very tight call. Norton kept plugging away and had another big chance to equalise. Bianca Owens beat the Barnsley offside trap and was heading for the Barnsley goal but her strike was off target.

With 12 minutes remaining Norton made their final change which saw Sophie White replace Anna McArthur as Norton switched to a 3-4-3 in search of the equaliser but Barnsley defended solidly and held on to all three points.

Full Time: Barnsley Ladies 2-1 Norton & Stockton Ancients Ladies

Goal Scorer: Bianca Owens

Player of the Match: Bianca Owens