The Ladies played host to Jarrow for the club's first ever home FA Cup tie, although the game had to be played at Parklands due to Rickerby Park being flooded. Newlaithes were without winger Pat Currie and defender Chloe Moore due to work commitments but summer signing Gemma Dawber made her debut at right back.
Jarrow took the upper hand right from the start with their slick passing and quick running off the ball and for the first ten minutes or so, Newlaithes were camped in their own half. Despite this, Newlaithes defended well as a team, restricting Jarrow to a few long range efforts that were off target. Newlaithes then started to grow into the challenge and pushed back with Carly Stevenson, Tasha Scott and Emma Sisson dangerous on the break however chances were few and far between with the Jarrow defence difficult to break down. Newlaithes were battling well, trying to disrupt Jarrow's rythm but the visitors from South Tyneside were comfortable in possession in all areas of the pitch. Nevertheless it took half an hour for the first real chance of the game when their forward blasted a loose ball from inside a packed Newlaithes area but Newlaithes keeper Lauren Crofts saved well. Shortly afterwards a Jarrow forward broke clear of the Newlaithes defence only to be flagged off-side. At the other end Tasha Scott made a similar break with the same outcome. Despite Jarrow's quality, it certainly wasn't one way traffic and their keeper did well to keep out an outrageous Carly Stevenson lob from inside the centre circle, despite the sun shining brightly in her eyes. At the other end Lauren Crofts made two more quality saves to keep the visitors out and the score remained 0-0 at the end of an exhilerating 1st half.
The game continued in the same vein at the start of the 2nd half but five minutes in, Newlaithes right back Gemma Dawber needed treatment after being studded on her foot. She had only just returned to the pitch when Jarrow attacked down the right to fire in a firm, high cross. Their forward took the ball down well and blasted it against the cross-bar. The ball bounced down, hit keeper Crofts on the back and bobbled over the line to Newlaithes' dismay. On 60 minutes, Chelsea Norris replaced Laura Webster on the Newlaithes left and five minutes later, Newlaithes were forced to make a double substitution with defenders Sarah Currie and Chelsea Lightfoot struggling with cramp and a groin strain respectively. They were replaced by Mairead Kinsella and Alison McCorry, however Jarrow's tails were up and they increased the pressure on Newlaithes. Then as the game approached the last 15 minutes, it was decided in a five minute spell. On 74 minutes, Newlaithes left winger Chelsea Norris attempted to pass the ball inside while under pressure, just outside the Newlaithes area. The ball was intercepted and following a quick ball across the area, Jarrow blasted home for their 2nd. A minute later and it was three when keeper Crofts dived to save well from a long shot but the Jarrow forward was quickest to follow up and blasted home the rebound. Then on 78 minutes Jarrow got number four when they smashed home a loose ball in the Newlaithes area. The Newlaithes players were on their last legs having put so much effort in to keep Jarrow at bay in the first half but to their credit, they kept plugging away and Emma Sisson was unlucky to be flagged off-side when Tasha Scott put her through. However shortly afterwards, she beat the off-side trap with a carbon copy move and she was able to shake off the attentions of the Jarrow defender to blast home from 20 yards on 84 minutes. On 88 minutes Jarrow wrapped up the scoring when they intercepted a Newlaithes goal kick to play a quick ball forward and despite Paige Williams' best efforts to track back, they were able to bundle the ball over the line. Final score, 5-1 to Newlaithes.
What a fantastic cup match! Jarrow were well organised and technically proficient in all positions but Newlaithes battled all the way and they were always in with a shout until the 'crazy 5 minutes' that sealed the game for Jarrow. The Jarrow team fully deserved their victory but they were made to work for it by a determined Newlaithes side. A brilliant effort all round played in good spirit. Joint players of the match for Newlaithes were Tasha Scott and Lauren Crofts but to be fair, the entire team gave every ounce of effort they had.
A massive thank you to Dawn Moore and Jackie Scott for organising the hospitality and thanks also to Neil Bell for organising the pitch. We are also grateful for the boys and girls from the U10 girls and U7 boys who did a brilliant job as mascots.
Back to league action next Sunday when the Ladies are away to Penrith AFC Development, 2pm kick-off at Frenchfield.
