Newlaithes travelled to Wigton to play Abbeytown, the league's only remaining team with a 100% record and a monumental clash was anticipated with both teams having strong squads available.
Abbeytown started the brighter and almost took the lead after 5 minutes when they broke clear but fortunately for Newlaithes their striker shot over the bar. This prompted a positive reaction from Newlaithes and they took the lead on 9 minutes when Carly Stevenson picked up the ball 20 yards out and curled a superb effort over the Abbeytown keeper and into the top right hand corner. A minute later and it was two when Emma Sisson played a nice exchange with Faye Comber before dragging the ball back across goal from the right hand side of the area and into the bottom left hand corner. In typical Abbeytown fashion they came back at Newlaithes and on 15 minutes they pulled one back. The Newlaithes defence stopped as they thought the ball had gone out for a goal kick but the Abbeytown forward did well to hook the ball back into play for a team mate to smash the ball into the top right hand corner from all of 30 yards. Newlaithes began to settle and enjoyed the lion's share of the possession with some nice passing as they looked to increase their lead and on 23 minutes Carly Stevenson did well to find Paige Williams in space and she threaded the ball through to Claire Blackburn in the Abbeytown area with her back to goal. She spun round to drill the ball into the bottom left hand corner. Abbeytown kept trying to catch Newlaithes on the break and although they won a number of corners, they were unable to create any real goal scoring opportunities as the Newlaithes players showed good determination in defence. Newlaithes amost increased their lead as half time approached forcing two outstanding saves from the Abbeytown keeper but the score remained 3-1.
Newlaithes continued to take the game to Abbeytown at the start of the 2nd half but it was the home side who pulled one back when a mis-placed Newlaithes pass from defence was intercepted 30 yards out to the left of centre. Their forward attacked the area before squaring across the edge of the area. Two Newlaithes defenders seemed to have it covered but a lack of communication allowed an Abbeytown forward to nick in and finish at the near post. Two minutes later and Newlaithes restored their 2 goal advantage when Carly Stevenson floated a free-kick in from 35 yards out. Unfortunately for Abbeytown, the ball skimmed off the top of a defender's head and into the top right hand corner. There was some thunderous tackling from both sides as they battled to take the upper hand but it was Abbeytown who reduced the arrears on 75 minutes when they attacked down the left to hit a high ball into the Newlaithes goalmouth. Keeper Lauren Crofts seemed to have it covered as she caught the ball above her head but it slipped out of her hands and into the net. This gave Abbeytown a lift and it was their turn to enjoy plenty of possession, however the Newlaithes players were putting their bodies on the line with some heroic tackling, none more so than Carly Stevenson and despite having more of the ball, Abbeytown found it difficult to make any headway in the final third and in fact it was Newlaithes who came closest to scoring with Emma Sisson, who had put in a valiant effort, unlucky to see a number of shots creep the wrong side of the post. The battle continued right until the end but Newlaithes held out for a well deserved victory.
This game lived up to all expectations with some fearsome tackling from both teams. Credit to the Newlaithes players who showed tremedous team spirit, playing some nice passing football in the first half then displaying tremendous determination to win every challenge in the second half. Newlaithes player of the match was Carly Stevenson who threw herself into everything, even after she had sustained a nasty hand injury. The league is now set to go right to the wire with Newlaithes now 10 points clear at the top but with Abbeytown having four games in hand both teams know that they must win all of their remaining games to have any chance of winning the title.
The Ladies are at home to Penrith AFC Development next Sunday, 2pm kick-off at Rickerby Park.
