Legg's winner gives SSFC Women a positive start to pre-season

Annece Legg’s late winner against Washington FC Women meant South Shields Women got off to a positive start this pre-season.

Despite the scoreline, The Mariners created plenty of opportunities to further their lead, including a saved penalty kick by Natalie May just minutes after going ahead, but it wasn’t to be.

Shields’ newest arrivals Ava England, Eva McDonald and Erin Naylor were all handed minutes and looked comfortable throughout which was a promising sign for things to come in the future.

Nevertheless, it was Legg’s sensational strike at such a tight angle which proved to be the difference-maker on Sunday.

Head coach Alex Miller named a relatively unchanged starting XI from the one supporters will be used to, with Ellie White claiming the recently-vacated number 10 shirt held by Sophie Curle.

Olivia Mole also had a change of squad number today, moving from number 20 to number 2.

It was the first chance to see the team in action wearing their brand new 2024/25 home kits and it’s fair to say fans were entertained.

The first opportunity for Shields came when Legg found Sophie Greener, whose header flew into White’s path through on goal, but the Washington keeper was able to react first.

Eve Gatens had a number of good chances during the game and she was unlucky not to score a couple that afternoon.

She cut inside from the left-hand side and struck powerfully at goal, which forced the goalkeeper into making a diving catch.

Legg capitalised on a mistake made by a Washington defender but she was unable to hit cleanly enough to make the most of the chance. 

In Shields’ credit they kept knocking time and time again at the door but it just didn’t open until late on. 

After the break, there were strong chances afforded to Greener and Gatens especially before Legg scored the only goal.

It came just after a Greener throw-in - and it was such a spectacle that many were left confused as to how it even happened.

The Mariners were given a penalty soon after for a challenge on Jaz Elliott-Wood in the box, but May was unfortunate not to net Shields’ second of the afternoon.

All in all, it was an encouraging match for The Mariners, who have plenty of positives to take into Sunday’s match against Wallsend BC Reserves. 

South Shields Women: Gowans, Innes, May, Greener, Legg, Gatens, White, Wootten, Norton, Elliott-Wood, Foster.

Substitutes: Mole, England, McDonald, Naylor, Longstaff.