AFTER a three-week gap since their last game Boro returned to action at Billingham Synthonia FC with a fine victory against a very strong Stretford side.

In the opening 10 minutes Boro totally overwhelmed Stretford with some fast and positive football against a very strong wind.

They went close as early as the second minute when Nicky Duckling almost scored, then two minutes later Jess Close was just off target.

But Stretford began to impose themselves on the game, competing well as a team with strong tackling and good interplay and proving dangerous up front.

Their forwards' movement was pacy and direct, causing some problems for Boro's back three - but Clare Helm was superb, cutting out most of their promising moves before they could cause any damage.

Stretford continued to threaten but Boro's keeper Ami Bullen was only called into action twice with a fine interception just outside the penalty area and a great save from a shot from the edge of the area.

As the first half was coming to an end, Boro took the lead. Abby Lyle drove a fine 20-yard pass to Jess Close just inside Stretford's half of the pitch, she outpaced a defender to the ball and played a sweet pass just inside the box for 15-year-old Kellie Cox to neatly swerve past the last defender and beat the keeper with a great shot into the far corner of the net.

Boro were struck by a sucker punch a couple of minutes into the second half when Stretford equalised.

A strong midfield interception resulted in a defence-splitting pass to their right-sided midfielder, who calmly slotted the ball past Boro's keeper.

Although Boro now had the advantage of the wind behind them, it was Stretford who were looking stronger, with their equaliser really lifting them.

Boro's skipper Amy Laville dropped back into the heart of the defence and Lyle and Foster began to control the midfield, setting speedy Nicky Duckling away on several occasions.

But combined goalkeeping and very harsh tackling by Stretford prevented her from scoring.

Boro's winner came in the 70th minute when Abby Lyle unleashed a screamer of a shot into the top right-hand corner of the goal, leaving Stretford's keeper grasping thin air. 

But again Stretford came back at Boro and resolute defending as a team by Boro, made sure they held on to their lead and another precious three points to keep them top of the table.