Sunday 7 October 2018 19:10, UK
Blackburn Rovers Ladies continued their impressive start to the season with a hard-fought 2-1 win away at Middlesbrough Women on Sunday.
Rovers maintained their 100 per cent record in the Northern Premier Division after winning their sixth league game of the campaign thanks to goals from Natasha Flint and Lynda Shepherd.
Anna Birtwhistle levelled through a bizarre free-kick which bounced over Danielle Gibbons from just inside the Rovers' half, but Blackburn were able to overcome the setback to record another three points.
Jess Holbrook came close to an early opener as she struck the crossbar after six minutes before Boro threatened as Gibbons produced an excellent save to deny Tyler Dodds.
Laura Wareham twice saved from Flint with two smart saves before the interval but Blackburn took the lead a minute into the second half - Flint took Lauren Davies' pass and rifled into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.
The lead lasted just nine minutes, however, as Gibbons was embarrassed by Birtwhistle's free-kick, and Boro nearly completed the turnaround as Eleanor Dale flashed a shot wide moments later.
Flint rattled the woodwork once more from range, but captain Shepherd headed home from a corner with four minutes remaining to clinch victory.
Elsewhere, Sunderland Ladies remain level on points with Blackburn in second place after they recovered from an early setback to beat Hull City 4-2.
Hope Knight's shot deflected in off Louise Griffiths, but striker Bridget Galloway prodded home from Emily Hutchinson's cut-back to restore parity.
Five minutes into the second period, Sunderland took the lead when Keira Ramshaw twisted and turned in the box before firing her shot high into the net at the near post.
Hutchinson extended Sunderland's advantage with a far-post header from Ramshaw's cross but Knight doubled her tally for the afternoon to set up a nervy finale.
Results: Guiseley Vixens 1-4 Doncaster Belles, Hull City Ladies 2-4 Sunderland Ladies, Middlesbrough Ladies 1-2 Blackburn Ladies, Nottingham Forest Ladies P-P Huddersfield Ladies, Sheffield Ladies 2-0 Stoke Ladies.
