The Ladies were back at home to play Dalton for the 2nd time in a week.
Newlaithes started brightly, passing the ball with confidence and had the better of the opening 10 minutes but then Dalton came back into it showing the mixture of strength, determination and quality passing that was in abundance the previous week. The game was end to end and it was Newlaithes who broke the deadlock after 32 minutes; Chelsea played through to Katie O who in turn found Faye in space just inside the area and her shot found the back of the net. Dalton almost scored from the restart, forcing Abbie to make a one-handed save from an angled shot. However, they were level within 5 minutes when Abbie fumbled a through-ball into the air and the Dalton forward reacted quickly to tap in from close range. 6 minutes later and Dalton took the lead when their forward took the ball past a crowd of Newlaithes defenders only to hit the post but again, another Dalton forward was quickest to react to tap in the re-bound. Credit to Newlaithes as they showed tremendous spirit to keep battling and as the half moved into injury time, Sarah P played the ball to Paige, who slipped it to Pat to hit a screamer from the right hand side of the area that flew in at the far post to level the score at half-time.
With barely time to take a breather at half time, Dalton won a free-kick 10 yards inside the Newlaithes half. A screamer of a shot flew at least 50 yards into the top corner of the net with Abbie powerless to do anything about it, to give Dalton the lead again after 50 minutes. Newlaithes were rocked back but continued to plug away. However some of their composure began to slip as time after time they were guilty of putting the ball out of play with some sloppy passing. Newlaithes re-organised and started to look more like it; with Faye dropping back into midfield and Tasha dropping to defence, they were looking more competitive on a physical level. More space began to appear as the game went on and Newlaithes increased the pressure but chances were at a premium. But then - in the 88th minute Claire battled well to force a Newlaithes throw midway into the Dalton half. The throw went to Faye; she cut inside to shoot with her left foot through a crowd of defenders and the ball crept in at the far post to wild jubilation from the Newlaithes players and supporters. Newlaithes hearts were in their mouths as a Dalton player then went down in the Newlaithes area and "Oh no, not again!" was the cry as visions of last week's defeat came flooding back but then there was a huge sigh of relief as the decision went Newlaithes' way. In the 3rd minute of injury time Pat almost snatched it for Newlaithes but her shot flew agonisingly the wrong side of the post to leave the final score 3-3.
This was an enthralling match and a draw was a fair result with both sides battling hard throughout. Newlaithes player of the match was Katie O for an assured and consistent display combined with sheer effort up and down the left wing.
The final league game of the season is on Sunday 8th May away to Keswick. 11:30 kick-off at Fitz Park.
