Stoke City Ladies earn their first league victory

GOALS FROM Hannah Keryakoplis and Meg Bowyer helped Stoke City Ladies earn their first league victory of the season against Newcastle United yesterday.

Long-range strikes from the duo during the second half helped the Potters to a 2-1 win over the Magpies at Community Drive, in a result which also saw them leapfrog their North-East opponents in the FA Women’s Premier League Northern Division table.

Having gone close to breaking the deadlock on several occasions in the first half, Keryakoplis’ endeavour was finally rewarded in the 56th minute when her 25-yard effort flew into the back of the net off the post.

Ashleigh Hayes then went close to doubling the advantage only to see her effort saved by the keeper before cannoning back off her to drop narrowly wide, before captain Bowyer did make it 2-0 with another long range effort 18 minutes from time.

Newcastle halved the deficit with eight minutes to play but the Potters held out to make it two wins from two matches following last week’s comprehensive 13-0 victory over Birmingham and West Midland in the FA Women’s Premier League Cup.

The Potters have next weekend off and are next in action on September 25th September when they face Bradford City away (kick off 2.00pm).

STOKE CITY: Hall; Elson (Ridgway 68), Gibson, Bowyer (c), Hyde, Owen, Palmer (Iddenden 58), Lilly, Asher (Richardson 90), Keryakoplis, Hayes. Unused: Nelson, King.

Source: www.stokecityfc.com