Our ladies team ended their 11-match losing streak with a vital 2-1 win over Curzon Ashton at One Call Stadium this afternoon.
Charlotte Montgomery and Abbey Hawkins grabbed the goals in a victory which puts pressure on the Stagettes’ relegation rivals.Â
The Stagettes began brightly and almost went ahead when Charlotte Unthank struck the post, following a lay-off from Montgomery.
Having dominated for lengthy spells, our pressure paid off as Montgomery found the top corner with a well-executed strike on 25 minutes.
Becky Braithwaite almost doubled our lead before the interval, when she ghosted her way past three players and hit a bullet 30-yard strike just wide of the target.
Curzon were second best throughout the match, but almost drew level five minutes after the re-start when Louise McGilligan's shot was parried by Stagettes' keeper Emma Horsnall.
Laura Gardner reacted quickest, but lacked composure with her strike from the edge of the six-yard box, which flew over the woodwork.
The miss proved costly as Hawkins doubled our lead moments later, when she latched onto Braithwaite's right-wing cross and sent a looping header into the net.
The visitors halved the deficit on the hour mark thanks to a strike by Emma Lambourne, who slotted home having latched onto a long ball over the top.
Curzon searched for an equaliser with Jane Saxton going close on three occasions.
But the Stagettes showed exceptional fight, courage, grit, determination and endeavour to hold onto their precious lead, which earns them a vital three points.
Team: Horsnall, Braithwaite, Davie, Walton, Bridge, Gelson, Unthank, Bodle, Allen, Montgomery, Hawkins. Subs: Clayton, Davis, Potter, Kiernan, Hard.
