Image by Ian Parker
The MinsterBelles were handed a boost before kick-off with the return of Captain Ocean Rolandsen returning to the squad in the Midfield. Playing against a strong breeze, Emily Senior’s side were forced into some early defending, with Norton & Stockon Ancients Striker Bianca Owens forcing Becky Sidwell into an early save.
Owens then fired back-to-back free kicks over Sidwell’s crossbar before the visitors took the lead in the 14th minute. After a scramble in the area, the ball fell kindly to LouiseAtkinson, and she curled a shot into the bottom corner. Their lead didn’t last long, howeverm as Jess Holder levelled things up in the 15th minute.
After fantastic work from Emia Hendrickson-Eastwood, on the right-hand side, Holder saw her first shot saved by Kelsie Moore, but she was able to smash the rebound into the back of the net. Atkinson was then at the centre of another Norton attack, this time forcing Sidwell into another smart save. The visitors then restored their lead in the 36th minute when Owens capitalised on a defensive mix-up and curled into the bottom corner.
Norton looked to have doubled their advantage, in the 38th minute, when a corner drifted into the back of the net. But the referee disallowed the goal for a foul inside the area.
The second half started with an early chance as Milly Ash’ corner was headed clear. She then whipped a cross into the area, just a few minutes later, but it was collected by Moore. Pushing hard for an equaliser, Karli Smith headed Alex Gatt’s cross inches wide of the post in the 67th minute.
With the game heading towards the final 10 minutes, Holder won the ball back on the edge of the area but her shot drifted over the crossbar. Holder was then at the centre of another attack, this time in the 85th minute, when her shot rolled agonisingly wide of the far post. That was the last, meaningful opportunity, with the visitors holding on for the points.
The MinsterBelles are next in action on Sunday 13th April as they travel to Edgeley Park to take on Stockport County.
