DURSLEY Town Ladies produced a stunning performance to put an end to Cirencester Town Ladies' perfect record in the Gloucestershire County Women's Football League after edging a nine-goal thriller.
The runaway league leaders had stormed to 12 consecutive victories in the 2023/24 campaign prior to Sunday's clash with local rivals Dursley, who arrived at The Corinium Stadium in second-place, 16 points behind Cirencester.
The hosts were huge favourites to go and win the game and complete an invincible season, but Dursley had other ideas in what turned out to be a thrilling contest.
Jodie Bailey, Eden Marsh, Amelia Dudding and Libby Messenger were on target for the home side, but a brace from Lilly Hobbs and further strikes from Phoebe Booth, Lucy Jones and R. Robbins sealed a dramatic win for Dursley.
Whilst Cirencester players visibly disappointed, it is unlikely to dent their title charge. They are still 13 points clear with five games to play and will have a chance to exact revenge on their local rivals when the two sides meet again in just two weeks.
But the race for second place in the league is certainly heating up. Dursley currently hold that spot after their win on Sunday, but only three points separate them and seventh-placed AEK Boco Ladies Reserves.
And it's Boco that Dursely go to this week (March 17), whilst Cirencester will be looking for an immediate response when they make the trip to Tuffley Rovers.
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