Leah Embley hits hat-trick in Accrington triumph

IT was always going to be a difficult weekend for Accrington Girls and Ladies FC, with three of their teams playing against sides above them in the league.

But they came away with a creditable draw, two honourable defeats and a 6-4 win for the first team at home to Middleton on Sunday.

The match was a first-round tie in the North West Women's Regional Cup and AGLFC were 3-0 up inside 11 minutes.

Nadian Mason played a perfect pass for Lauren Walker to score the opening goal before Leah Embley scored from a Jo Duckworth pass while Walker lobbed the keeper from another Duckworth assist.

The visitors pulled two goals back, both from attempted clearances by keeper Emily Rogers which were blocked and cannoned back into the Accy goal.

The hosts restored their two-goal lead in the 37th minute, though, when Caroline Mallen scored a penalty after a foul on winger Becky McEwan.

Rogers tipped a free-kick onto the bar and Paris Welsh was quickest to react to make it 4-3 at half-time.

But Mason then released Embley for her both second and third goals, and Middelton had the last word as Welsh fired in a long-range strike.

The Reserves played away to Academy Juniors, who were late entrants to the league but had won all three of their matches.

However, two goals from Tash Demaine and a gritty defensive display in the second half secured a 2-2 draw to stretch Accy’s unbeaten run to five.

The Under-12s faced Woodbank, who had won all their previous eight matches, and despite a 4-1 loss it was pleasing to hear their manager say it was their toughest game of the season. Natacha Ireland was on target with Ella Whittaker the Player of the Match.

The U14s were involved in the match of the day with a 6-5 loss to Haslingden Girls, despite losing 4-1 at half-time.

Accy battled back in the second half although they couldn’t rescue a point they remain second in the league. Goalscorers were Ellie Davey, Jade Winning and Sophie Curley (3), with Jade Winning POM.

This Sunday's fixtures: AGLFC Ladies v CMB (2pm), BCSC Reserves v AGLFC Reserves (2pm), Under-12s v Fenny Reckers Blue (10), Under-14s v Walshaw Sports (11.15).