A clash of the high-fliers saw third placed Chasetown come out on top against Cresswell who sat a place above them in the Staffordshire County Women’s League.
The whole team played some brilliant football but the game was dictated by Jodie Kinsey in midfield, aided by a lot of hard work and running by Lyndsey Turner and Jade Arber.
The game was end to end for the first 20 minutes with good chances for both teams.
The deadlock was broken when Chasetown won a throw in down the right. Abi Picken threw the ball to Sinead Treanor who controlled the ball and laid it to the side for Kinsey to place a 25 yd shot over the keeper and into the net.
Cresswell poured forward and had a couple of excellent chances. A header skimmed the Chasetown bar following a corner and a slip in defence enable a Cresswell forward to get through on goal. Becky Troth narrowed the angle sufficiently for the shot to strike the foot of the post and roll across the area to safety.
It was 1-0 to Chasetown at half-time but this hardly reflected the number of goal opportunities for both teams.
Within five minutes of the restart Cresswell had a dangerous attack well broken up by Nicci Barter and Jodie Edwards. The ball fell to Kinsey 25 yards inside Chasetown’s half. She looked up and hit a 40 yard pass over the top of the Cresswell defenders. Treanor raced free and lashed the ball into the net.
Chasetown were now playing with the confidence to pass the ball around. Some neat interplay on the end of the Cresswell area led to a good chance for Treanor to make it 3-0 and she obliged with a smart finish.
On 70 minutes Kinsey capped a fine performance with a 35 yard strike in over the keeper’s head.
Treanor completed her hat-trick when a ball was laid up to Edwards on the wing. a neat lay back for the supporting Picken to hit a long cross into the box which Treanor finished.
Cresswell played bravely and picked up a few injuries along the way but rarely threatened the Chasetown goal in the second half. When Cresswell did put in some good corners they found Troth in fine form as she clawed the crosses out from under the bar.
Chasetown: Becky Troth, Jodie Edwards, Nicci Barter, Katy Bridge, Chelsee Spencer, Abi Picken, Jodie Kinsey, Lyndsey Turner, Charlotte Bull, Sinead Treanor, Jade Arber. Subs: Sarah Thompson, Natasha Whitehouse and Heather Loynes.
Chasetown Ladies are sponsored by Chasetown Supporter’s Club and Sue’s Car’s (01543 30-41-41).