Newcastle East End 2 – 4 Cullercoats FC
K. Lemmon 23, 68; M. Wallace 55; K. Baxter 75
Our Girls finished their season on a high note and consolidated a very respectable 3rd place finish in the league, in a highly entertaining and competitive affair at Stotts road.
Both teams got off to a great start, end to end in the opening 20 minutes with both sides creating chances. Stand in keeper Lauren Dack coping well with East Ends long range efforts.
Cullercoats had the better chances to break the deadlock, K. Baxter, K. Lemmon and J. Rowell all had great opportunities but just lacked that cutting edge finish.
The deadlock was broken on 23 minutes when Katie Lemmon breezed past the right back, cut inside and from the left edge of the box, hit a vicious strike into the far corner to make it 0-1.
Cully doubled their advantage 11 minute later with great tenacity from Mia Wallace forcing an error from the East End defence, robbing the ball and thumping it home to put the doves 0-2 up.
East End got themselves back into the game just before the break when an East End strikers anticipation paid off from our goal kick and she pounced, struck it first time and hit the Cullercoats bottom corner. 1-2.
East End finished the first half on the front foot.
With both teams going at it hammer and tongs there was always going to be more goals in this game, and we weren’t disappointed. East End kept up where their left off after the break but Cullercoats back line of Mollie Wilson, Charlie Heed, Holly Cameron, McKenzie Leck and Lauren Dack between the sticks more than matched their East End counterparts and stood up very well to the physical challenge of East End.
The home sides pressure finally paid off when Cullercoats just switched off for a second when a quick corner from East End was whipped in, leaving their striker unmarked in the box to make it 2-2.
Our girls weren’t about to let this game slip away from them though and once again found their rhythm and turned the tables, Sarah Clews having her best game for the doves and midfield trio of Chloe Mckenzie, Charlotte Wood and Jess Smith strong as ever in the middle of the park, running the show.
Cullercoats had the ball in the back of the net on 65 minutes but the referee correctly blew for a earlier infringement (head injury).
In a complete turnaround it was now Cullercoats on the front foot and using the flanks to great effect with the pace all round from Erin Kerr, Mia Wallace and Riya Loomba but the lead came from wing back Jemma Rowell who played a great ball down the line and Katie Lemmon latched onto it and in a carbon copy of her first goal but this time from the right side, she took on the left back and smashed a cracker into the top corner and deservedly put the doves back in front. 2-3.
Cullercoats kept their foot on the gas and Kennedi Baxter wrapped up a very entertaining contest when she spotted the keeper off her line and hit a speculative 30 yarder which she nailed perfectly and made the final score 2-4 .
Credit to both teams for highly entertaining game and played in the right spirit.
With individual battles all over the field Cullercoats Player of the Match would be tough but it unanimously went to stand in keeper Lauren Dack who stepped up and played a blinder, edging out the impressive displays of Mollie Wilson, Holly Cameron and Jess Smith.
Squad: L.Dack, M.Wilson, C.Heed, H.Cameron, M.Leck, C.Mckenzie, S.Clews, J.Smith, J.Rowell E.Kerr, C.Wood M.Wallace, R.Loomba, K.Baxter, K.Lemmon.
Unavailable: L.Hall, E.Blake, T.McCall, C.Sherriff
Team Sponsors
Advanced Garage Doors
Howdens Kitchens (Tyne Tunnel)