Newlaithes faced their 3rd tough match in succession as they travelled to Wigton to face league champions Abbeytown. There was a strong wind blowing from one end and the pitch was muddy.
Abbeytown kicked off and rocked Newlaithes after only 32 seconds when they took advantage of a mistake on the Newlaithes right to regain possession. The ball was crossed in and and Abbeytown forward got a mis-hit shot off that forced Newlaithes keeper Nicola Morning to make a diving save to her left, deflecting the ball onto the post. Despite a brave attempt by defender Roni Duguid to clear, an Abbeytown forward got there a fraction earlier to force the ball over the line. Unfortunately for Roni she collided with the post and was forced to leave the field for treatment to a nasty swelling on her knee to be replaced by Katie Johnston. A brief frantic period followed as Abbeytown went all out to increase their lead but then Newlaithes began to battle back with the wind at their backs, firing in a number of shots with no success and Katie Johnston was particularly unlucky when she was a toe poke away from converting an Alison McCorry cross. On 15 minutes she was replaced by Roni Duguid who was able to return to the field, then on 20 minutes, Newlaithes were awarded a penalty when top scorer Alison McCorry was fouled in the area. Carly Stevenson stepped up to convert with a firm shot into the bottom corner. Minutes later Newlaithes had strong claims for a second penalty turned down when Chez Brierley was dragged to the ground but it was adjudged to have been committed outside the area. However on 24 minutes Newlaithes were awarded a free kick midway inside the Abbeytown half, when Newlaithes Alison McCorry was cynically upended just inside the right touchline. Paige Williams floated in a glorious diagonal free kick that evaded everybody and went straight in off the post to give Newlaithes the lead. Newlaithes continued to press but despite a string of shots, they were unable to add to their tally before half-time.
Newlaithes kicked off the 2nd half but with the wind at the backs, Abbeytown launched an onslaught on the Newlaithes goalmouth with a string of shots that were just off target or brilliantly saved by keeper Nicola Morning and it seemed only a matter of time before they would equalise as they came close with a header that clipped the bar following a corner from the right. But miraculously Newlaithes survived and slowly but surely they began to claw their way up the pitch to put some pressure on the home team's goal. Newlaithes were awarded a string of free kicks as some of the Abbeytown players got carried away with their slide tackling in the mud, with winger Alison McCorry on the receiving end of some particularly nasty challenges as tempers began to fray. Despite the unwanted attention, Alison was still getting some success down the right wing and she fizzed a number of low crosses across the Abbeytown goalmouth onto which the slightest touch would have resulted in a goal. However it was always an uphill battle into the teeth of a strengthening wind which made shooting with any power from distance virtually impossible while at the other end, Abbeytown always looked likely to grab a goal as they continued to create chances and they finally got the equaliser on 69 minutes when Nicola Morning saved well from a fizzing left foot shot from just outside the right-hand side of the area. Unfortunately for Newlaithes she was only able to parry the ball and as with their first goal, an Abbeytown forward was quickest to react and she fired the ball home from close range. The battle continued right to the whistle with Newlaithes continuing to claw their way up the pitch only for Abbeytown to break quickly and the full-time whistle was a welcome sound.
This was a tough, gruelling battle in very difficult conditions and it wasn't particularly enjoyable to watch. The players from both teams gave every ounce of effort and it is a shame that some of the Abbeytown players resorted to a series of cynical fouls with Alison McCorry repeatedly the target. For Newlaithes, there were some excellent performances from keeper Nicola Morning who kept us in the game with several quality saves. Left back Chelsea Norris looked solid and made some determined runs forward. Becky Rush, Paige Williams and Carly Stevenson also put in extreme shifts, battling tirelessly in midfield and up front but player of the match was Alison McCorry who showed incredible determination to continue to take the game to the opposition despite being on the receiving end of a barrage of unsavoury challenges from players who quite simply couldn't stop her any other way.
So now we can relax and enjoy the festive season as our next match is on 12th January 2014 away to Keswick. Merry Christmas everyone!
