Norton come from behind twice in second pre-season outing

Pre-Season Friendly

Match Report: Norton & Stockton Ancients Ladies vs Spennymoor Town Ladies

Spennymoor Town were Norton’s guests in what was the home side’s second game of the pre-season campaign. Spennymoor had made a number of signings and had recently been promoted to tier 5 finishing runners-up in the NERWFL Division One behind Wallsend who were unable to take promotion, so Norton knew they would be in for a competitive game.

Like most teams at this time of year, Norton were without a number of key players but the 17-player squad would all get 60 minutes under the belt.

Norton started quickly and Katie Ormerod delivered an inch-perfect cross for Maddie Myers. Myers’ header was tipped over by the Spennymoor ‘keeper.

Five minutes later the two linked up again. This time Myers slipped the ball through to Ormerod but her shot was again brilliantly saved by the Spennymoor ‘keeper.

With fifteen minutes on the clock,  Spennymoor had their first sight on goal when the forward flashed one just wide of the target.

Nineteen minutes and another great chance for Norton; Katie Ormerod latched on to a through ball and lofted it over the Spennymoor ‘keeper but also over the bar.

Moments later Norton won a corner and from the resulting corner Spennymoor broke with a swift counter and a ball to the far post found the winger unmarked and she curled an effort into the back of the Norton net.

With twenty five minutes gone, Norton equalised when Izzy McEwen nipped in front of the Spennymoor attacker and drove forward before playing into the feet of Rachel Jackson who let fly from 25 yards. The shot flew over the ‘keeper and into the top corner of the net.

Norton almost took the lead a minute later when Sophie White won a tackle and the loose ball fell to Katie Ormerod. Ormerod hit a 20 yard curling effort and with the ‘keeper beaten, it cannoned back off the bar.

Norton made the planned 5 changes on 30 minutes and it was one of the changes that had another great chance. The ball was pulled back to Estelle Clark. Clark beat her marker but her miss-hit shot went wide of the goal.

Yet another chance wasted from Norton when Louise Atkinson picked the ball up from 30 yards out but her tame effort rolled to the ‘keeper with Trialist A and Pippa Brown both free on the Norton left waiting for the pass.

Despite all the Norton chances it was Spennymoor who nearly took the lead again. A good save by Kelsie Moore diving at the feet of the Spennymoor forward saw the loose ball fall to a Spennymoor player on the edge of the area and her shot rebounded back off the bar.

The last chance of the half fell to Norton. Maddie Myers robbed the centre back and drove towards goal. With Trialist A completely unmarked at the far post, Myers cross hit the defender and Spennymoor cleared the danger.

Half time: Norton & Stockton Ancients Ladies 1-1 Spennymoor Town Ladies

The second half began as an even affair with neither ‘keeper called into making any saves. Spennymoor had the first half chance of the game when the forward took a great touch and with Chisnall out of position went to let fly, but Rachel Jackson put in a brilliant slide tackle to deny the shot.

The next big chance of the half came Norton’s way on the 58th minute. A glorious ball into the penalty area found Myers unmarked 8 yards out but Myers first time strike went wide of the target. Norton made their final changes of the game on 60 minutes.

Norton had another big chance when Brooke Slater delivered to the far post but Trialist A’s shot sailed high and wide.

Again it was Spennymoor that took the lead. The Spennymoor forward received the ball at the half way line and drove ten yards before shooting from 40 yards. The ball bounced in front of Chisnall and went through her hands and legs and trickled over the line.

Norton went in search of an equaliser. Vicki Burton drove out of defence and found the feet of Sophie White on the edge of the area. White slipped it through to Ormerod with only the ‘keeper to beat but her shot went narrowly wide.

Norton did find an equaliser when some fine play out wide from Katie Ormerod ended in her passing to Louise Atkinson inside the area. Atkinson beat her marker and hit a left foot shot that flew in off the post.

The game opened up with chances at both ends; first the Spennymoor winger broke clear but her well hit shot was tipped round the post by Chisnall. At the other end Norton had another excellent chance to win it. Louise Atkinson skipped past the last Spennymoor defender and with only the keeper to beat she hit a shot that hit the inside of the post and rolled along the line but somehow stayed out.

As the game was just about to end, the ball fell to 16 year old Anna McArthur on the edge of the box but her effort was easily saved by the goalkeeper and the referee blew and honours were even.

Full Time: Norton & Stockton Ancients Ladies 2-2 Spennymoor Town Ladies

Goal Scorers: Rachel Jackson & Louise Atkinson

Player of the Match: Rachel Jackson

Norton Team: Kelsie Moore, Ash Coyle, Vicki Burton, Brooke Slater, Izzy McEwen, Rachel Jackson, Kate McSorley, Sophie White, Anna McArthur, Maddie Myers, Katie Ormerod Subs (all used): Rachel Chisnall, Kate McGuire, Pippa Brown, Estelle Clark, Louise Atkinson, Trialist A.