Northallerton Town Women completed their first match in the North Riding Women’s Premier Division for 7 weeks, a lengthy break due to Christmas break and postponement and abandonment owing to the weather.

18 players made the trip, a starting 11 and a full bench of 7 subs, made up of vastly experienced and seasoned players including some that had played abroad to a 16 year old making her senior debut.

Straight from KO Town showed their intent, the ball in the net but ruled offside, within a minute Town were on the attack again, narrowly missing, a decision to shoot from a tight angle over a square ball. It was one way traffic from this point with RI appreciating the attacking threat of the two Hannahs (Stephenson and Bowe).

Town looked full of confidence, showcasing work done on the training ground - on the 20 minute mark Town took the lead, fiery winger Amy Ross with a great run before a pass to proven goalscorer Stephenson, 1-0 Town in control.

10 mins later Stephenson was at it again, this time new generation winger Somer Walker the provider, 2-0 Stephenson on a hat-trick with 60 left to play.

2 mins before the break Bowe got in one the action and this time she was definitely onside, some great footwork dancing past 3 in the box before firing home from a tight angle, 3-0 Town, HT. A clean sheet for first half GK Lydia Stephenson who was only called into action a couple of times and was more than up to the task with some outstanding handling.

Second half Town started making changes including a senior debut for Imogen Pattison slotting into CB alongside a fantastic mentor in the ever dependable captain Abbey Walker, as proud father and Reserves Manager cheered on two of his daughters with words of encouragement.

5 mins into the half Captain Walker got a well deserved assist, finding Stephenson who rifled in her Hat-trick, which was always coming, 4-0 Town.

On 55 mins the debutant Pattison nearly had an assist herself, a superb ball to Bowe 25 yards out who flicked over the on coming defender and volleyed just wide leaving the RI GK feeling very grateful.

Bowe got her brace on 75 mins with an absolute rocket, an assist by another of the new crop of players, Charlotte Lewis, who gave a great account of herself at LB, 5-0 Town.

10 mins later winger Beth Costick, was fed a great ball from the held up Bowe, Costick drove into the box, thought about hitting with her left before cutting back onto her right and curling beautifully into the far side netting for Towns 6th, 6-0 Town, 5 mins to play.

With 3 mins left Town focussed on scoring more rather than seeing the game out, which gave RI a consolation and cost Town the clean sheet.

A superb performance, Town were superior, great support play and kept the opposition guessing for the full 90.

Managers player of the match went to Hannah Stephenson, great intensity throughout, looked dangerous all game and could well have had many more! Hannah is sponsored by LLF Turf & Amenity and Corr Plumbing & Heating.

The ladies next face Guisborough Away before heading to York in the Quarter Final of the County Cup vs York City Ladies First.