Durham Women’s WSL Academy team put on a dominant performance onWednesday, as they defeated Manchester City 5-0 at Maiden Castle.
The hosts were quick to take a shot on goal, Ejupi’s strike taking a slight deflection within the
opening five minutes and not quite reaching the goal.
Greenwood opened the scoring early – heading the ball into the back of the net from
Farrugia’s corner.
A quick turn around saw City take a wide shot on goal and led them to their first corner, with
Durham having some defending to do.
After a chance was saved for the Wildcats, Giles managed to extend the lead with 30 minutes on
the clock, scrambling the ball into the goal after it hit the crossbar.
Durham continued to apply pressure and show their dominance after their second goal,
keeping City from finding another chance to make a run towards goal.
They were able to find a third when Farrugia sent her corner into the box, Ejupi winning the
header, allowing Giles to tap it into the goal and net herself a brace.
King saved a shot on target and the Wildcats defended a corner to see them go into the break
with a 3-0 lead.
Despite Farrugia’s previous efforts in the first-half being saved and deflected, no mistakes
were made when she calmly sent the ball into the top of the net after the break.
She soon followed with another chance, narrowly missing the target and hitting the
crossbar.
The introduction of Monkhouse saw her make her way onto the scoresheet only a few
minutes later – further securing Durham’s win.
City were able to have a number of chances in the final minutes of the game, attempting to
find a goal of their own.
Another save from King and strong defending earned Durham their clean sheet – adding
another three points to their league tally.
Durham XI : King, Mackie, Wilson (Rowell 76), Greenwood (Monkhouse 60), Gibbon
(Prested 76), Ayre, Pritchard, Giles, Galloway (Pigford 45), Ejupi (Collingbourne 70),
Farrugia
Goals : Greenwood, Giles (2), Farrugia, Monkhouse
Report by Laura Smith
