Keighley Ladies 7 Republica Internationale 1

IT was seventh heaven for Keighley Ladies at the weekend as they bounced back from four consecutive defeats with a 7-1 mauling of Republica.

However, mid-table Republica were no walkover and put up a good fight despite the lack of parity in the scoreline.

Keighley started the better with several early attacks on the opposition's goal. Quick thinking by Captain Harrison saw her play in Khatun who in turn fed Delaney who fired the first goal after just five minutes.

Moments later Harrison's pass to Hill put pressure on Republica's defence and with Khatun lurking, Keighley went two up after seven minutes.

Republica - trying to re-organise and stop Keighley's early onslaught - were at sixes and sevens. Granger then took on several defenders and from an acute angle managed to slip the ball past the diving keeper to make it three.

With less than ten minutes gone Republica were in dire straits and needed to react quickly to Keighley's barrage of goals. Republica's chance came when a free kick outside the 18 yard box was blocked by a wall of defenders and cleared from danger by Saddique. Holohan pushed forward and set up Khatun but good defending from Republica saved a certain goal.

Quick passing by Keighley gave them the fourth goal as Saddique, Kathun, Hill came together to set up Delaney for her second. Republica did not give up however and went close again - but good defending by Lund and Saddique stopped them in their tracks.

Jordon's save from close range denied Republica their goal and could only see the ball tipped over the bar.

Keighley's full-back Gaines was in on the action with a clever pass to Hill who made no mistake and drove the ball past the outstretched keeper to make it five.

Keighley were pinning Republica deep in their own half and their keeper made several saves from Gaines and Delaney. Wardle also got in on the action - finding a gap in the Republica defence to get herself on the score sheet. As the half time whistle blew Keighley had put on a fine first half performance.

Republica tried to turn the tide in the second period with a good ten minutes of attacks but Harrison organised her defence and denied any sniffs of goal. Hill and Delaney then put together some excellent passes before setting up Granger for her second goal. Granger with her tricky moves slotted the ball well out of the keeper's reach to make it six.

A quickly-taken throw by Holohan and a quality pass by Granger to Hill whose shot was saved by the diving keeper and denied Keighley a seventh. Wardle, working hard in midfield, orchestrated several attacks from which the Republica keeper made some spectacular saves to deny Keighley.

Republica's best chance of the game came when a point blank shot was miraculously saved by Jordon who somehow managed to push the ball over the bar. With 15 minutes remaining Keighley lost their captain as Harrison was sent off for what the referee said was dissent for a deputed penalty kick to the opposition. Jordon dived the right way and got a hand to it but the shot was too powerful and flew into the back of the net to give Republica a consolation goal.

Keighley hadn't finished and were still fired up. A long ball from Granger saw Gaines on hand to slot home a rebound.

Republica fought back and Keighley piled on the pressure until the final whistle went for the end of the game.

Next game away on Sunday, against Tadcaster Albion kick off 2pm (Hull).