MATCH REPORT: Star Ladies nail the Cobblers in county cup final

Katie Steward scored Star's third goal. Picture: Tim Gates

The city side smashed the Cobblers 5-0 in the decider ar Steel Park, Corby, to complete the first leg of a possible trophy treble.

Steve Iredale’s team are still very much in the running for the East Midlands League Premier Division title and they visit Sheffield United next Sunday in the semi-final of the League Cup.

Star came out of the blocks quickly yesterday and should have gone ahead after just two minutes. Cassie Steward was brought down in the box but captain Vicky Gallagher hit the post with her penalty kick.

Cassie Steward on the ball for Star against Northampton. Picture: Tim Gates

Five minutes later though Star were in front as a 45-yard free-kick from player-of-the-match Samara Iredale found its way into the top corner of the net.

Star doubled their advantage in the 10th minute when Gallagher linked up well with Cassie Steward, who slotted the ball past the on-rushing Northampton keeper to make it 2-0.

Northampton’s best chance came in the first half but Sarah Hudson pulled off a great save in the Star goal.

The game took a while to get going after the interval but it sprung back to life again after an excellent cross from Steph Pepper found Katie Steward and she rolled the ball beneath the keeper to settle the tie for Star.

Shay Stanford on the attack for Star against Northampton. Picture: Tim Gates

Star added a two further goals in the last 15 minutes. Jodie Bartle chipped in with the fourth after racing past two defenders and Georgia Coulson netted deep into injury-time after good work by Gallagher.

The win avenged the semi-final defeat Star suffered at the hands of Northampton in last season’s competition.

Star: S. Hudson, S. Stanford, L. Frederick, S. Iredale, J. Farchica, L. Barnes, K. Steward, C. Henderson, V. Gallagher, C. Steward, G. Coulson. Substitutes: J. Bartle, S. Pepper, J. Hopkins-Duckhouse, L. Barbour.