The Ladies made the trip to high flying Kendal Town for the County Cup quarter final match looking to improve on the previous two meetings between the teams, where Kendal had run riot.
Kendal won the toss and chose to kick up the slope. Both teams battled from the start in typical cup tie fashion but it was Kendal who took the lead after five minutes. Newlaithes lost possession during a sortie into the Kendal half. Kendal moved the ball forwards quickly and created a 1 v 1 with Jade at the heart of the Newlaithes defence. Unfortunately she was unable to get a tackle in and their forward slotted home comfortably. Newlaithes heads didn't go down though and they took the game to Kendal, with both sides induging in some solid tackling. Kendal's usual composure on the ball deserted them at times as the Newlaithes team hustled and disrupted their play, while Newlaithes looked to catch Kendal on the break and they almost equalised with Faye and Emma both coming close when through on the keeper. Dani was also causing problems with her pace down the right but the Kendal defence remained solid and clear chances were at a premium. As the half progressed, Newlaithes eased off the gas slightly, which allowed Kendal to assert themselves and they increased their lead on 38 minutes when a corner from their right was headed home at the near post. Newlaithes upped their game again and got in a number of shots that unfortunately didn't cause too much trouble for the keeper while at the other end, Lauren was on top form in the Newlaithes goal with assured handling, making several quality saves to keep Kendal at bay. The game ebbed and flowed but the score remained 2-0 at half time.
Newlaithes started the second half brightly with Paige, Carly and Claire combining to supply the forward line. Dani's pace was continuing to cause problems and on 50 minutes she was felled in the area for a penalty. She took the kick herself with a cool low shot to pull one back for Newlaithes. However the 2 goal cushion was restored almost immediately - straight from the kick-off, Kendal attacked and won a corner. The ball bobbled about in the box and ended up in the back of the Newlaithes net for Kendal's third. Still Newlaithes kept battling and seven minutes later they were back in it when Emma picked up the ball just inside the Kendal half. She took a few touches and thumped a spectacular high, looping shot that flew over the Kendal keeper and into the back of the net from all of 40 yards to the delight of the crowd. This was end to end stuff and was a thrilling cup tie. The Newlaithes defence of Tasha, Jade, Alix and Laura O worked their socks off to keep the mobile Kendal forwards at bay and in particular, Alix was putting in some crunching tackles. However on 63 minutes, Kendal scored again from a corner which Newlaithes were unable to clear and the ball was blasted home from short range for Kendal's 4th. Two minutes later and Faye, who had hustled up front had to leave the pitch with an ankle injury to be replaced by Cathy. Newlaithes didn't stop battling but the Kendal defence was a tough proposition to break down. At the other end, Kendal were unlucky to hit the woodwork several times. On 70 minutes, Chloe came on for her debut, to replace Paige, who had battled throughout the game despite a bout of sickness. On 80 minutes, Marina came on to replace Laura O and the battle continued right to the final whistle but the score remained 4-2 to Kendal.
This was an exciting cup tie with both teams battling for the full 90 minutes. Kendal were composed on the ball and were sharp to intercept Newlaithes passes but they didn't have it all their own way - Newlaithes hassled and hustled throughout and the Kendal defence had to be at their best to keep Newlaithes out. Kendal deserved their victoy but in comparison to the previous two meetings between the teams, it was a hard fought victory and they were made to battle all the way for the result and their delight was evident at the final whistle.
The whole Newlaithes team worked their socks off but player of the match was Alix for her never say die attitude and determination to win every tackle.
Next week the Ladies are back in league action, when they entertain - Kendal Town at Rickerby Park. Come on Down!
