Keighley Oaks 3, Harrogate Railway Athletic 7

THE toss of the coin proved vital in deciding the outcome of this Premier Division match in the West Riding County Women's League.

The visitors won it and opted to kick with the strong wind first, building up a 4-0 lead on an afternoon when Oaks struggled to get the ball out of their half, such was the force of the elements.

Trailing 2-0 after four minutes, Natasha Mulligan almost pulled a goal back when she eluded the goalkeeper and a defender to shoot at goal. On a normal day, the ball would have rolled in but it was held up by the wind.

Athletic then doubled their lead, with a ball not surprisingly going in direct from a corner for one of them.

Then, although Oaks drew the second half 3-3, they had little help from the wind, which died down at half-time – with the rain stopping too!

Sloppy defending allowed Athletic to make it 5-0 before substitute Kirsty Delaney and Rebecca Granger fired shots into the top corner for Oaks.

Athletic extended their advantage to 7-2 before the goal of the match came from Delaney, who weaved her way past what seemed like the whole of the opposition before driving the ball into the top corner.

Leah Gilmore was Oaks' player of the match but she was pushed all the way by skipper Sophie Gaines for Steve Brett's battlers.

Oaks were at Brighouse Town Development last night, hoping for the win that would boost their chances of progressing in the Chairman's Supplementary Cup.