MFC Ladies 5 Blackpool Wren Rovers LFC 1

BORO'S push for promotion straight back to the Women's FA Premier League was given a major boost as they crushed Blackpool Wren Rovers LFC to stay well clear at the top of the table.

Jass Close (pictured) was the two-goal hero against the Lancashire side in a rearranged fixture after they originally failed to turn up for the game in October.

Boro were dealt a big blow with the withdrawal of striker Susan Badger just before the game with a leg injury.

Nicky Duckling almost scored straight from the kick-off, then just two minutes later Boro had another good chance to go ahead but Jess Close just failed to connect with the ball.

Boro piled on the early pressure but Blackpool defended resolutely and competed very strongly. They also posed their own problems with their front two players running strongly at Boro's defence.

However, most of their resistance faded when Boro struck twice in two minutes. First in the 34th minute the impressive NICKY DUCKLING sped past Blackpool's defenders and easily beat their keeper from 12 yards out.

Then a fantastic 20-yard SUSAN FOX effort flew into the top corner of the net, leaving the keeper with no chance.

Boro then started running Blackpool's defence ragged, with Duckling, Close and Kellie Cox making full use of their pace.

Boss Marrie Wieczorek made one change at the start of the second half, with Jenny Learmonth replacing Vicky Brown at centre-half.

Again Boro took control and Blackpool needed to defend deeply in their own half, with their keeper pulling off a string of fine saves.



But she couldn't prevent young JESS CLOSE (above) scoring in the 51st minute when she followed up a Duckling shot and scored firmly in the far corner of the net to make it 3-0.

More goalmouth action followed for Boro but they didn't score again until the 59th minute. Yet again Duckling tore past Blackpool's defence, shooting from the edge of the box but Blackpool's keeper made a fine save - only for KATE FOSTER to follow up and place the ball into an empty net.

A few minutes later, Blackpool were awarded a penalty but Boro's keeper Ami Bullen pulled off a great save, tipping the ball over the crossbar.

Then in the 72nd minute Blackpool scored from a corner, a neat header making it 4-1.

Boro upped the pace again but it wasn't until the 86th minute that they completed their scoring when JESS CLOSE scored her second goal with a lovely chip over the advancing keeper from just outside the box.

Next week Boro have a fixture change as Chester City are the visitors, with a 2pm kick-off at Billingham Synthonia's Central Avenue.

*Middlesbrough Girls Youth section are an FA Charter Standard team, running multiple age groups which include U-10, U-12, U-14 and U-15 teams. Click here to find out all about the team at their own website.