SSFC Women defeat Ponteland United in FA Cup victory

South Shields Women advanced to the third qualifying round of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup with a 3-1 win against high-flying Ponteland United Women on Sunday.

A good-sized crowd came along to witness the occasion at Ponteland Leisure Centre, and they were surely not left disappointed with another game full of goals scored.

It was Shields who found the net first, when Jaz Elliott-Wood played a brilliant free-kick across to find Eve Gatens in the 20th minute, who hit it perfectly first time as the ball flew its way into the goal. 

Parity would be restored in the 50th minute when Shields conceded from a corner and Lucy Pettit was on hand to tap the ball past Scarlett Gowans.

Gowans pulled off numerous fantastic saves for the record, putting in a display she can rightfully be proud of - she was handed the player of the match award for the second week running for that!

Erin Naylor would score her first goal for The Mariners just shy of the 70th minute mark, and what a moment it was for her. 

Sophie Greener released a ball on the edge of the 18-yard box which found Ellie White and Naylor side by side, through on goal.

After a few touches here and there by the pair, Naylor rolled it in as coolly as you like to give Shields the lead.

Greener would wrap things up in the 86th minute when she was on the end of another stunning Elliott-Wood free-kick assist - very much like the opening goal, but it was a header rather than a gorgeous hit from range. 

The third qualifying round will be played on Sunday, October 13th - more information as to the opponents and full fixture details will be available closer to matchday.

Ponteland United Women: Hutchinson, Brooks, Coombs, Scott, Monaghan, Mutrie, Wilkinson, Pettit, Rodda, Martin, Mason, Holmes, Dixon, Darrington, Taylor, Hollis. 

Goals: Pettit (‘50). 

South Shields Women: Gowans, Mole, Innes, May, Greener, Gatens, White, England, McDonald, Norton, Elliott-Wood.

Substitutes: Naylor, Longstaff.

Goals: Gatens (‘20), Naylor (‘68), Greener (‘86).