SSFC Women left frustrated by 1-1 draw against Hull United

South Shields Women were held to an unusually quiet 1-1 draw against Hull United Women on Sunday, in what was the team’s longest trip of the season.

The Mariners made the long trip off the back of the team’s most impressive result of the campaign, a penalty shoot-out victory against third-tier Halifax FC Women, but they couldn’t replicate that performance this time round. 

Although the team fought and grafted, not enough was done going forwards which limited what Shields could have achieved on the field at Haworth Park.

Jen Wootten opened the scoring in the 57th minute with a tap-in from close range, but Lois Damms managed to level the game in the 76th minute when her lob defeated Scarlett Gowans.

Some had contended in the lead-up to Hull United’s equaliser that a foul should have been given but the hosts made full use of the fact they played to the whistle. 

There were very few clear-cut chances, but Sophie Greener went close a couple of times. 

One chance during the first-half, when all she needed to do was hit the rebound off a corner - went sailing over the crossbar unfortunately for her. 

After the break she was sent through on goal following Natalie May’s cutting pass, but Greener was too indecisive in the end and her opportunity failed to materialise. 

Monica Innes and Eve Gatens were sent to the 'sin bin' during the second-half, which was a first, meaning it was made tougher for the team to try and get a second goal.

The team should keep their heads held high for the fact they refused to settle at 1-1 and although their efforts were in vain, their spirit was commendable as they pushed for a winner.

Ultimately it is a point on the road for Alex Miller’s side, who will want to bounce back in the DCFA Women’s Cup against Ferryhill Miners United Ladies next time out. 

The result does keep them in third place, though, after Alnwick Town Ladies defeated Sunderland West End Ladies, but Shields remain right in the mix as things stand.

Hull United Women: Adamson, Cheeseman, Cooke, Ibbotson, Lisle, Neale-Wright, Robinson, Ward, Watson, Wilshere, Okpeta.

Substitutes: Damms, Harris, Randall.

Goals: Damms (76’). 

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

Substitutes: Mole, Wootten, England, Abusada, Jota. 

Goals: Wootten (57’).