A belter of a game was anticipated and that's what we got. The pitch survived the overnight frost and the sun shone brightly as the two teams met for the first time this season.
The game started in end to end fashion with both teams breaking in numbers however it was Abbeytown who took the lead on 7 minutes following a corner from the right. The ball came out to an Abbeytown player who was lurking just outside the area. She thumped in a low shot that was well saved by keeper Lauren Crofts but she could only parry it and an Abbeytown forward rushed in to hammer the ball home off Lauren's legs. This seemed to spur Newlaithes into gear and they spent long spells in the Abbeytown half with the visitors as always quick to threaten on the break. Abbeytown almost increased their lead when Chelsie Browbank stole the ball from Newlaithes right back Georgina Campbell. She cleverly tried to place the ball past the advancing Lauren Croft into the far post but fortunately it was slightly under hit and Lauren was able to scramble back to retrieve the ball. However it was Newlaithes who had the lion's share of the shots with Alison McCorry, Chez Brierley, Tasha Scott and Carly Stevenson coming close. The Abbeytown keeper did well to tip a rasping Chez Brierley free-kick over the bar but despite the continued Newlaithes pressure they couldn't find a way through the stubborn Abbeytown defence with their keeper on top form and the score remained 1-0 at half-time.
Newlaithes were in determined mood as they came out for the 2nd half but they were rocked within 38 seconds of the re-start when Abbeytown intercepted a pass out from the Newlaithes defence on the the half-way line. They broke quickly down the left and fired a cross in. Chloe Moore managed to get her head to the ball but it dropped at the feet of an Abbeytown striker. The defence seemed to have her covered but her shot took a deflection off a defenders' foot and looped over keeper Crofts' head and into the net. Undeterred, Newlaithes continued where they had left off in the 1st half and took the game to Abbeytown and they pulled one back on 54 minutes when a Tasha Scott header from a corner on the left was well saved by the Abbeytown keeper. There was a flurry of activity as the ball bobbled about on the goal line but Tasha lunged in to force the ball home. There was then an onslaught by Newlaithes as the visitors defended deeper and deeper to protect their area. There were shots fying in from all angles but the defence held firm as Newlaithes threw everything at them. Nevertheles, Abbeytown were still dangerous on the break and the Newlaithes defence had to be on their toes to avoid conceding. As the minutes ticked by Chez Brierley managed to wrong-foot her marker on the edge of the area. She cut inside onto her left foot and thumped the ball onto the crossbar. Newlaithes kept up the pressure right to the end but they couldn't force a way past the resolute Abbeytown defence who showed great determination to hold out for the victory.
Newlaithes can consider themselves unfortunate not to have got something from the game. The shot count must have been getting on for twenty but credit where it's due to the Abbeytown defence, they didn't give Newlaithes an inch in and around the area and with their keeper on top form, there was no way through. Both teams gave everything but it just wasn't Newlaithes' day. Newlaithes player of the match was Carly Stevenson who is starting to find her form again after suffering a fractured leg at the start of the season.
Next week the Ladies are away to Keswick, 1pm kic-off at Fitz Park.
