YORK City Ladies were unable to repeat their superb victory of earlier in the season after North East Regional Premier League leaders Norton & Stockton Ancients romped to a commanding 6-1 triumph.

Nyci Thorns and Anna Mawston both claimed doubles alongside goals from Sian Williams and Jess White as the dominant visitors struck three times in each half, with Megan Bramham managing a solitary reply.

Bramham had provided a major boost before the game when recovering from illness to again lead the attack.

She had scored both goals during the 2-1 victory in the reverse fixture back in December – the only points so far relinquished by the title-favourites. Helen Winterburn was also back on the bench after a two-month absence with injury.

But the hosts were soon in trouble with Thorns heading in from close-range on 11 minutes before leading marks-woman Williams quickly added her 25th goal of the campaign.

Norton further increased their advantage just ahead of the interval courtesy of Mawston.

Goalscorer Mawston doubled her own tally inside ten minutes of the second period, and Thorns did likewise with the aid of a deflection off Abbi Webster.

However, Bramham claimed her eighth of the campaign midway through the second-half, although White promptly replied direct from a corner to make it an emphatic 6-1.