The Ladies were up against quality opposition from the North West Regional League Division 1 North in the County Cup quarter final and they suffered a blow before the game when keeper Abbie was unable to play due to a back injury.
Carlisle started the game at a furious tempo and Newlaithes had to work hard for possession. It was a fairly even encounter with both teams battling to gain the upper hand although Carlisle always looked more comfortable and they took the lead on 10 minutes when their forward lobbed the ball in at the far post from the right hand side of the area. Newlaithes didn't lie down though and Paige was inches away with a free kick from 25 yards that curled just wide of the post. For all their efforts, Newlaithes never settled and were guilty of gving the ball away too many times when not under any undue pressure. On 35 minutes, Carlisle got their 2nd when again Newlaithes failed to pressure the ball and they scored with another long range lob from just outside the box. Still Newlaithes continued to battle and they were unlucky when Paige hit the post from a narrow angle. Faye then had a shot well saved by the keeper but was unable to take advantage of the loose ball. This was a Jeckyl & Hyde performance from Newlaithes as at times they did play some nice football but they were only good in places and on 39 minutes, Carlisle were handed a third with a repeat of the 2nd goal. Half-time was 0-3 and Newlaithes only had themselves to blame. Although Carlisle looked sharper, Newlaithes were never completely outplayed.
Newlaithes kicked off the second half in determined mood but the failings from the 1st half continued and on 62 minutes Carlisle got their 4th with yet another long rang strike. Newlaithes legs were starting to get heavy and on 75 minutes Carlisle got their 5th when they picked up a loose ball in acres of space just outside the area to attack the goal and score past stand-in keeper Laura O from close range although Laura almost pulled off an excellent save. Six minutes later and it was number 6 when Carlisle attacked down the right to blast an unstoppable shot into the top corner at the near post. With three minutes left they pounced onto a loose goal kick and made no mistake with the finish and two minutes later they wrapped it up with a headed goal from a corner on the left. Final score 0-8.
The difference in the quality of the teams was evident although it was never one way traffic. Carlisle moved the ball quickly and accurately whereas with Newlaithes, the ball was more like a hot potato and they conceded possession far too often. Time after time Newlaithes stood off the Carlisle players and gave them far too much space whereas, Carlisle were quick to pressure the ball whenever Newlaithes threatened. Not to take anything away from Carlisle's quality but Newlaithes were their own worst enemy today.
The Carlisle players were that little bit stronger and quicker to react and the Newlaithes players need to work hard to get the lead out of their boots if the team is to progress. That said, Newlaithes are better than this and a contributing factor in today's performance may be that the only two games they have had since October have been relatively comfortable affairs and today was a big step up in the quality of the opposition.
Back to the league next week with another tough game at home to Dalton United.
