Full-back Abby Holmes netted two goals, including a Goal of the Season contender, as Durham defeated Blackburn Rovers 3-1 at Maiden Castle this afternoon in the FA Women’s Championship.
Ellie Leek fired the visitors into a shock early lead in the North East but The Wildcats responded with Holmes netting twice and fellow defender Becky Salicki also scoring.
Durham started well and Mollie Lambert tested Alex Brooks inside the first five minutes but the visiting keeper was able to push the ball behind.
Blackburn Rovers would break the deadlock with their first meaningful attack. A through ball caused chaos in the Durham defence and Leek was able to eventually strike home from close range despite the best efforts of Lauren Briggs and Sarah Robson.
The hosts were soon handed a golden opportunity to level matters when Bridget Galloway was bundled over in the box and the referee awarded Durham a penalty. The so often reliable Beth Hepple stepped up to take the spot kick but she could only fire the ball against the base of the post.
Durham then had a goal disallowed when Hepple’s effort was spilt by Brooks and Dee Bradley steered the loose ball home from an offside position.
Danielle Brown saw a venomous effort pushed behind by Brooks before the Rovers keeper did equally as well to keep a Robson header out of the net. Salicki then headed wide from a couple of yards before Durham finally got themselves back into the game through Holmes who battled her way down the field before unleashing a rocket from 25 yards which found the far corner.
It could have got even better for Lee Sanders’ side just before the break but Lambert could only thump a shot against the near post as the first half ended 1-1.
Durham were 2-1 up almost immediately after the restart when Brooks fumbled a cross from the right and Holmes bundled home at the back post. Lauren Briggs then saw a shot blocked by the Rovers keeper before the visitors managed to clear the loose ball to safety as The Wildcats pushed for a third goal.
That goal would arrive moments later. A corner kick from the right found Salicki just inside the area and she hit the ball through a forest of players into the Rovers net on the volley.
Galloway spurned a couple of good chances to score as The Wildcats searched for a fourth goal, including a miss from a couple of yards, before the game fizzled out with both managers making a number of substitutions.
Durham end 2021 in second position in the FA Women’s Championship table while Blackburn Rovers remain in 10th.