Durham’s FA Women’s Championship title hopes have received a real boost as they defeated Liverpool 2-0 at Maiden Castle this afternoon.
A goal in each half from Molly Sharpe and Emily Roberts helped Lee Sanders’ side to a gritty victory over their promotion rivals.
A hard-fought opening produced few clear-cut chances. Sarah Robson headed the ball over from an early Durham corner kick before Megan Borthwick had to stick out a glove at the other end to deny Amalie Thestrup following some good link-up play between the Danish international and Mel Lawley.
Borthwick then fumbled a Rhiannon Roberts shot from distance but luckily for her, the ball went behind for a corner kick.
There were big chances at both ends before the break. First, Thestrup sprinted clear of the Durham defence before taking the ball around the onrushing Borthwick. Fortunately, for the hosts, defender Lauren Briggs was there to cover and The Wildcats eventually cleared the danger. The second big moment came Durham’s way and produced the game’s opening goal. Nicki Gears advanced down the left and played the ball to Sharpe on the edge of the area who rifled home into the far corner.
There were few quality goalscoring chances at the start of the second half. Liverpool were the first to register attempts on goal with Lawley’s shot across the box being pushed wide by Borthwick before captain Niamh Fahey almost scrambled the ball in from the resulting corner kick.
Durham took a 2-0 lead 20 minutes from time through winger Emily Roberts. The player looped a sublime shot over Liverpool keeper Rachael Laws into the top corner of the net to give The Wildcats daylight.
The second goal very much killed the game off with Durham managing the final minutes effectively to collect a crucial three points in their quest for promotion.
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