Norton and Stockton Ancients 1-2 Morecambe Ladies

Morecambe started the first half brightly. Megan Doherty, still on the road to recovery, looked sharp up front and menaced the Norton defence in their first attack.

After five minutes Gina Pendlebury was fouled after making a twisting run down the left wing and from the free kick crossed the ball to find Doherty, who beat the two central defenders to the ball and she headed into the net to make it 0-1.

Norton came back straight away with some positive moves forward and Sammie Hindle was called on to make some telling saves.

Gina Pendlebury brought a splendid save from the Norton keeper after Hannah Paling had dazzled the left back to cross the ball to her.

The second half started more brightly for Morecambe and Doherty almost got through but bravely clashed with the keeper.

Laura Callis then beat an opposition forward to the ball and sent the ball forward, Hannah Williamson edged the ball on for Megan to chase and fire to the left of the keeper to make it 0-2.

Urgency then came into the Norton game, pressing the ball higher almost paid off as their number 12 was through on goal but the sting was taking out of her shot by a timely tackle from Laura Ivinson.

Almost immediately, the Norton midfield closed the ball down early and sent forward a ball into the Reds’


area, the Morecambe defence failed to clear and the yellow and black centre forward was left with a free shot.

Sammie Hindle made a splendid save but Norton got a second chance and bobbled the shot over the line to pull one back.

The last quarter of the game saw a lot of speculative hoofs forward from Norton and some big clearances by Morecambe but in between The Reds showed some good movement on the floor and more composure than their opponents.

Norton’s right back showed some pace and drive whereas their forwards scuffed chances to create something.

For Morecambe, Hannah Williamson made a couple of darting runs through into the Norton box, the second she chipped the keeper but she beat the bar too.

In injury time Doherty could have put the result beyond doubt as she raced through from midfield but the keeper anticipated well and comfortably took the ball.

The referee then blew for full time.