It was all change again for Newlaithes with striker Chez Brierley and defender Roni Duguid making their debuts in the local derby against Carlisle City. Unfortunately keeper Lisa Huston hurt her back during the warmup and had to stand down. Regular keeper Lauren Crofts was feeling unwell but she pulled on the gloves and rose to the challenge. There was a strong wind blowing diagonally across a fairly heavy pitch but thankfully the rain kept away for the most part.
Newlaithes had the wind advantage in the first half and they took the lead on 5 minutes when top scorer Alison McCorry intercepted a free kick from the goalkeeper to sprint clear and slot the ball in at the far post. Newlaithes kept up the pressure but a string of fine saves from City keeper, Helen Archibald kept them at bay until on 21 minutes it was Alison McCorry again as she intercepted a loose pass in midfield and slotted the ball through her marker's legs before racing clear to finish and on 35 minutes she completed her hat-trick when she beat the City off-side trap to run onto a Carly Stevenson through ball and finish comfortably. Two minutes later, there was a slice of good fortune to Newlaithes' fourth as Chelsea Norris ran onto a loose ball just inside the Newlaithes half to thump it forward. As the City keeper advanced, either the wind or an awkward bounce took it past her and into the net. Shortly afterwards Chelsea was unlucky not to grab another when she sprinted down the left wing and fired in a screamer that thumped back off the near post. However on 42 Minutes Newlaithes got their fifth when Chez Brierley volleyed in a Chelsea Norris corner from close range to claim her first goal in Newlaithes colours. Half-time, 5-0.
Lydia McGuiness replaced Roni Duguid at right-back and Victoria Metcalfe came on for Chez Brierley at the start of the 2nd half. Newlaithes prepared themselves for a 2nd half onslaught as City now had the wind advantage. However it didn't materialise as Newlaithes continued to take the game to City and they got their 6th on 54 minutes when Victoria Metcalfe played the ball inside to Tasha Scott, who then played a 1st time pass to Alison McCorry to lash the ball home from the right-hand side of the area. Three minutes later and it was seven when Chloe Moore played the ball down the left for Victoria Metcalfe to race after. She completely wrong-footed her marker with some clever footwork before cutting inside to curl the ball over the keeper's head and into the net from just outside the area. Two minutes later and former City player Becky Rush got onto the scoresheet when she ran onto a through ball from Lydia McGuiness to slide the ball past the advancing keeper. Then a minute later, Becky Rush turned provider as she battled well to win the ball on the edge of the City area before squaring to Carly Stevenson to shoot first time with a low, firm strike into the bottom left-hand corner. On 65 minutes, Becky Rush was again the provider as she set up Alison McCorry to score her 5th and Newlaithes' 10th. On 70 minutes, a Paige Williams shot from just outside the area was charged down but Chez Brierley was quick to pounce on the loose ball as she jinked past her marker to slot the ball into the bottom corner for her 2nd. Then on 75 minutes Alison McCorry completed her double hat-trick when Chelsea Norris played a delightful diagonal ball from left-back and there was only one winner as she outpaced the City defence to grab Newlaithes' 12th and wrap up the scoring. Final score 12-0.
This was a marvelous team performance from Newlaithes. The defence was solid with Jade Williams and Chloe Moore keeping it tight in the middle and wing-backs Roni Duguid and Chelsea Norris controlling the flanks and the good work was maintained when Lydia McGuiness came on in the 2nd half. The midfield three of Becky Rush, Carly Stevenson and Paige Williams worked tirelessly to maintain the pressure and the forwards, Alison McCorry, Tasha Scott, Chez Brierley and Victoria Metcalfe all looked sharp. Nicola morning came on briefly in the 2nd half and did well but unfortunately she had to leave the field again with an upset stomach. Although City battled bravely, this was a one-sided affair and Newlaithes keeper Lauren Crofts didn't actually touch the ball at all during the 1st hour of play, nevertheless, when she was eventually called into action, her handling was sound. Joint players of the match were Alison McCorry for her outstanding finishing and Chelsea Norris who excelled at left back.
Next week we travel to the most picturesque ground in the county to face Keswick. Kick-off is at 10am as some of the Keswick team are stewarding for the Rugby League World Cup match at Workington later that day.
