The Ladies were up against the league's joint top team, Abbeytown in what was their third appearance in consecutive years in the League Cup Final.
Both teams started brightly and after only two minutes, players from both sides required treatment, with Newlaithes' central defender Alix suffering a nasty stud injury to the knee which was bleeding. Abbeytown suffered a blow when their main striker suffered a groin strain in the same challenge but she opted to continue. Newlaithes were playing with confidence but Abbeytown suffered a further blow on 10 minutes when their keeper was forced to leave the field after falling awkwardly on her wrist. Both sides were slugging it out but it was Newlaithes who struck first on 22 minutes when Paige floated in a sublime free kick from a good 25 yards. Ten minutes later and Abbeytown were level when Newlaithes needlessly conceded a free kick to the left of their area which was duly despatched into the top corner. It was end to end stuff as neither team was able to settle properly on the dry pitch but Newlaithes were creating the better of the chances. On 43 minutes, U16 player Chelsea N came on to replace Claire, who was suffering from a heavy cold and five minutes later, she restored Newlaithes' lead with her first real taste of the action. Paige slotted the ball into space on the left hand side of the area and Chelsea sprinted clear to tuck the ball away into the far bottom corner. Half-time 2-1.
Abbeytown came out strongly in the second half and put Newlaithes under pressure for the first ten minutes or so but the Newlaithes defence was able to hold out although they didn't make life easy for themselves as time after time, they hurried their clearances and conceded possession back to Abbeytown. As with the first half, the game ebbed and flowed as both teams battled resolutely with chances coming and going at both ends. Then on 84 minutes, sub Dani, set Emma free on the right hand side of the area. Emma was unceremoniously bundled over as she tried to create a shooting opportunity and the referee had no hesitation in awarding a penalty. She took the kick herself and although the keeper got a good touch on it, the ball crept in for number three. Newlaithes were lifted by this and on 89 minutes they made it four when subs Laura W and Yula combined well in midfield. Yula set Chelsea N free down the left and she shot across goal from the edge of the area. The Abbeytown stand-in keeper dived to save but she was unable to hold on to the ball and Dani nipped in at the far post to tuck the ball away for number four and settle the tie. Final score 4-1 to Newlaithes.
So congratulations to the Ladies who have won their first honours in Women's football, having been cup finalists three years running. This was a good battling performance from Newlaithes and there were flashes of quality on display in patches. There was a lack of composure on the ball at times but the result does give cause for optimism next season, especially taking into account the fact that there were three U16s in the squad and five more who only moved up from U16 at the start of this season. Everybody contributed with a massive effort but player of the match was awarded to Tasha for a supreme effort leading the line up front with a gut busting, workmanlike performance.
Well done Ladies, you deserve it!!
