http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/spor...everton-ladies-strike-victory-durham-12000781
Everton Ladies strike victory at Durham Wildcats
- 19:06, 9 OCT 2016
- UPDATED 19:06, 9 OCT 2016
- BY LIVERPOOL ECHO
Blues keep up promotion hopes
Gabby George scored Everton's opening goal (Photo by Barrington Coombs - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
Everton kept their FA Women’s Super League 2 promotion hopes alive with a crucial 3-1 win at rivals Durham Wildcats.
First-half headers from Gabby George and Claudia Walker set them on their way to a ninth win of the season, with Emily Davies' spectacular third putting the seal on it to cut the gap to Bristol to two points with two games left.
Beth Hepple's stunning chip gave Durham hope but their challenge is now over after a fine campaign.
Everton played some good football at New Ferens Park but it was their aerial prowess which proved vital.
They went in front in the eighth minute when Michelle Hinnigan's drive from the edge of the box hammered off the crossbar with the alert George nodding the rebound wide of Helen Alderson's dive.
And the advantage was doubled in the 26th minute when Walker's textbook header from Krystle Johnston's ball nestled in the net.
Everton could have had the points in the bag by half-time, but Hinnigan saw Alderson make a diving save from a header and then went inches wide with a shot.
Nine minutes from half time, Durham were back in it as Hepple lobbed Kirstie Levell from 30 yards.
Everton had the best openings of the second half when Walker sent Johnston clear only for the ex-Sunderland winger to shoot wide, while Alderson made a superb low save from an Ellie Stewart header.
And the Toffees had the last say deep in stoppage time when Davies netted a beauty from distance just seconds after coming on.
To buy tickets to an FA Women’s Super League match near you
click here
Durham Women (4-3-3): Helen Alderson; Ellie Christon, Becky Salicki, Sarah Wilson, Chloe Macek (Annabel Johnson 63); Beth Hepple, Sarah McFadden, Rachel Lee (Nicola Gibson 74); Jordan Atkinson, Natalie Gutteridge (Tyler Dodds 82), Emily Roberts
Substitute not used: Megan Borthwick,
Goal: Hepple 36
Bookings: Salicki 29, Wilson 65
Everton Ladies (4-3-3): Kirstie Levell; Vicky Jones, Ellie Stewart, Gabby George, Danielle Turner; Millie Turner (Lauren Davies 90), Kelly Jones, Michelle Hinnigan; Krystle Johnston, Claudia Walker, Rosella Ayane (Emily Hollinshead 82)
Substitutes not used: Alex Brooks,Faye Bryson,
Goals: George 8, Walker 26, Davies 90