TOWN Ladies moved six points clear of the Northern Women’s Combination relegation zone as they beat Cheadle Heath Nomads 5-1

Town produced their best form for a while and gradually took control of midfield.

After 21 minutes Debbie Hastings broke on the right and crossed for Emily Heckler to score her first goal.

Six minutes later Heckler latched onto a long clearance to score her second.

And in the 29th minute the striker completed her hat trick from a ball over the top.

With six minutes of the half remaining Kate Mallin’s free-kick was met by Heckler to make it 4-0 at half-time.

Cheadle Heath improved in the second half and got a goal back in the 53rd minute, but five minutes later Laura Windle broke clear and finished at the second attempt.

Town’s next game is on Sunday away to third place Bradford City (2.00).

Town’s Under 18 side had a tough weekend. After a 2-1 defeat by Handsworth, they suffered a 4-1 reverse against Sheffield United Community Ladies Red.

They started the game against Handsworth poorly as their opponents took the lead with their first attack in the first minute.

Things got worse when Handsworth added a second in the ninth minute, but to their credit Town did not let their heads drop.

In the second half Town took the game to Handsworth and scored after 70 minutes, when Sophie Pye stole in at the back post and scored with a header.

Town, whose player of the match was midfielder Georgia Hamilton, continued to press but could not find an equaliser.

They then faced champions-elect and cup winners Sheffield at Grange Moor.

The visitors started strongly and took the lead after four minutes, but Town again showed great spirit and produced some good football.

Sheffield increased their lead just before half-time, but in the second period Town continued to play their football and pulled a goal back in the 65th minute, when Alice Linsell was put clear by a Pye pass and beat the keeper with ease.

Town pressed but could not find an equaliser and Sheffield then broke clear and added two goals in the 79th and 81st minutes.

Player of the match was Bex Moore for her work in midfield.

The Under 18s play their final game of the season tomorrow against Shaw Lane Aquaforce at Grange Moor.

The Under 13s played out an exciting 0-0 draw against Millmoor at Grange Moor to maintain their unbeaten record for the season and win the championship to complete a league and cup double.

Millmoor were strong in the first half but chances for either side were few and far between.

Eleanor Smith went closest for Town with a shot just wide on 20 minutes and Ella Harris shot over just before half-time.

But Town’s back four had to work hard to repel Millmoor’s attacks with player of the match Rose Priestley making some telling tackles.

In the second half Town probably just edged it and after seven minutes Harris was unlucky when she hit the bar.

Town knew they could afford to lose by one goal and still lift the championship, but the last 10 minutes were tense, with both teams trying to find a winner.

Millmoor were worthy runners-up in the league, but over the season Town have maintained a slightly higher level of consistency to win the title by three points.