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Baird earns derby day victory

28/ 1/2004

Curzon Ladies 1
Stockport C 0

IT took a goal nine minutes from time to separate these two teams, but what a strike it was!

Stockport were looking to cement their second spot, while fourth-placed Oldham - who handed a debut to Sarah Howden, signed from Everton - were looking for the three points to give themselves any hope of ending as runners-up.

County opened the brighter as Kay Hawke had to save from England under-19 international Jade Malpas, before Vicky Bloor easily saved Nicky Maylett's header at the other end.

Hawke again had her angles well covered to deny Charlotte Higginson, while Emma Gaynon forced Bloor into a good save.

With the game being tight it looked as though the one goal would take the points, and Maylett had the chance to put her side into the lead on 68 minutes.

Having been put through the middle, Maylett could only strike the ball against Bloor's legs.

The winning goal came in the 81st minute when Liz Baird received the ball out on the left.

Cutting inside, she hit a thunderous shot at goal from the edge of the 18-yard area and Bloor could do no more than to throw her hand at the ball as it shot beyond her reach and into the top of the net.

With seven minutes of stoppage time, Stockport did what they could to bring the scores level, including throwing Bloor into attack for a free-kick, but Oldham's defence held firm.