The Ladies beat the recent bad weather as they faced Carlisle United in the County Cup on 3g astro. The sun was shining but there was a stiff breeze blowing from one end. Newlaithes were playing into the wind for the 1st half.
The game started brightly as both teams battled for the upper hand. Newlaithes had several efforts off target and with a bit more composure around the area they might have done better with some good early possession. There wasn't a great deal between the teams but Carlisle were looking sharper, stealing possession on numerous occasions. On 18 minutes, United took the lead when they broke quickly to score from a narrow angle that went across the keeper and in off the post. This seemed to knock the wind out of Newlaithes' sails and 4 minutes later they conceded possession to the left of their penalty area and United went two up with a crisp shot that flew in at the the far post. Three minutes later Newlaithes once again conceded possession midway inside their own half. United broke quickly to tuck the ball away for number three. Newlaithes pulled themselves together but they were unable to break down the well organised Carlisle defence and they received another knock back on 33 minutes when there was a goalmouth scramble following a corner from the right and Carlisle bundled the ball over the line. 4 minutes later and Carlisle went five up when a shot from nothing flew into the net past keeper Lauren Crofts. Having conceded five goals inside the space of 20 minutes was a bitter pill to swallow but Newlaithes held out until half-time to keep the score at 5-0.
Newlaithes kicked off the 2nd half in determined mood and with the wind at their backs, took the game to Carlisle. Paige Williams came close with two shots and Becky Rush forced a fine save from the Carlisle keeper with a rasping drive from the edge of the area. Newlaithes had a scare at the other end when keeper Nicola Morning, who had come on as part of a pre-arranged swap at half-time, did well to parry a high looping effort from close range. The Carlisle players thought the ball had crossed the line but Newlaithes were able to clear it. Newlaithes were enjoying their best spell of the game as Carlisle defended frantically to keep Newlaithes out and on 70 minutes, Chez Brierley jinked her way through the Carlisle defence to score from close range. Unfortunately for Newlaithes it was too little too late as tiredness began to creep in. Carlisle then had a number of decent breaks of their own but they were unable to convert several good chances and the score remained 5-1 at full-time.
This was a lesson in simplicity for the Newlaithes players. All too often and particularly in the 1st half, they were caught in possession or had passes intercepted by a lively Carlisle side and it was Carlisle's sharpness and organisation that was the main difference between the two sides. The Newlaithes players also showed a lack of discipline at times as they left gaps that their opponents were able to exploit and they left themselves with a mountain to climb at half-time. Although the 2nd half was a massive improvement, the same basic errors kept cropping up from time to time. Newlaithes player of the match was Becky Rush who as well as putting in a massive effort, showed good composure and she used the ball well throughout.
Next scheduled match is 9th March as the Ladies face current league leaders Workington Reds.
