Huddersfield Town Ladies turned up the heat in the second half to seal a 3-0 home win over Middlesbrough.
It put them fourth in the Northern Women’s Combination, three points behind leaders Mossley Hill with three games in hand.
Emily Heckler shot narrowly wide in the first half for Town, who survived a 60th-minute scramble before Laura Windle shot over.
Debbie Hastings put them ahead after 66 minutes with a mazy run and excellent finish.
Heckler’s shot was tipped over before she netted after being played in by Kate Mallin
The Hastings set Mallin free to finish the scoring.
Player of the match was 17-year-old Alice Linsell.
Town head to Liverpool Feds on Sunday (2.00).
The second team were beaten 5-0 by Newcastle United in the Women’s Premier League Reserve Northern Division.
Stand-in keeper Shauna Messanger was sent off for a professional foul late on.
Bradford City is the destination on Sunday (2.00).
Town’s Under 16s host Sheffield and Hallamshire Girls’ League title rivals Doncaster Belles at Storthes Hall on Saturday (10.30).
The Under 14s take on Doncaster Belles at Grange Moor and are just one win away from their league title after winning 13-1 at Sheffield FC.
Town took the lead in the second minute, when Tara Duce’s pass found Ella Harris. Her shot was saved only for Amy Broomhead to steer in the rebound.
Isobel Pare made a good save, but couldn’t deny Sheffield a leveller soon after.
The lead was regained when a Duce corner caused confusion at the near post and Lauren Bullock took advantage.
Pare made another good save before Town finally settled and started passing the ball around.
With Imogen Pow and Isobel Boothroyd closely marking the Sheffield front two and Faye Allen breaking up play, Town went to work on demolishing the home defence.
Harris finished well from Laura Walker’s pass, then Broomhead fed Eleanor Smith, who lashed the ball home.
Two minutes later, Jodie Lodge fed Smith, who once again finished well.
There were two more goals in time added onto the first half, by Broomhead, then Walker.
Thwere were further goals at regular intervals in the second half.
Smith set up Harris, who scored her second, then a Rose Priestley free-kick was headed into her own net by a home defender.
Town reached double figures when Lodge scored after good work by Harris.
Then Lodge benefitted from a determined run down the left by Smith.
With three minutes to go Smith completed her hat trick when a shot squirmed under the home keeper.
Another own goal ended the scoring spree.
Hat-trick star Smith was named player of the match.
The Under 12s go to Dronfield Town on Saturday (11.00).
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