It was always going to be one of those days - we turned up to the Lakeland Radio Stadium in Kendal and Katie O had forgotten her boots (she has 2 pairs as well - ok now she has 3...) ??? - Anyway these things happen...
So, we were forced to re-arrange the team as Abbie, Beth, Chelsea, Carly, Sarah and Stacey were all unavailable but we were pleased to welcome Holly back from illness and new signing, Amy was on the bench.
The Kendal pitch had rather a strange slope on it and and although the ground was a bit heavy, conditions were otherwise perfect. Newlaithes started off against the slope but were looking solid at the back with Holly, Faye Jade and Tasha giving no quarter. In possession, we were passing reasonably well, without causing too many problems at the other end. In the 8th minute, Laura W, who had been doing a good job in the centre of midfield had to leave the pitch with a foot injury to be replaced by Jemma. Still, Newlaithes looked value for money as they defended well up the hill. In the 25th minute, Newlaithes were unlucky to go one down when an attempted clearance from the bye-line hit Rosie full in the face and the KW striker buried the loose ball from close range. Then it all went horribly wrong - I wrote 'Soft goal' in my notes and it was - another one that should have been dealt with easily but there was the ball, nestled in the bottom corner. The 3rd goal came 5 minutes later as a KW forward clipped the ball home, unmarked at the back post. The 4th came in the 40th minute when KW won a free kick just inside the Newlaithes half. The long ball into the box was knocked down and their striker happily smashed the ball home. 4-0 at half time.
After a half time pep-talk, Newlaithes came out battling and enjoyed much more possession and territorial advantage as they began to get some shots in. Tasha was unlucky when the keeper spilled a long-range effort but her follow up was scrambled out for a corner. Claire, Faye and Pat and Katie O all had shots either off-target or saved by the keeper but Newlaithes just couldn't get back into the game. Then it all started to go wrong again. A KW ball in from the right was inexplicably handballed by Jade, much to the amusement of all present (I believe the term is 'Shan' eh Jade? ;-). However, Jade's blushes were rescued when Katie M saved the resulting penalty with her right-hand. Newlaithes re-gained their composure momentarily and continued to press. The players pushed forward for a free-kick but KW cleared the ball well. Their right winger ran 50 yards with the ball on the break to score with an excellent finish from the right-hand side of of the box. Five minutes later, Newlaithes finally scored a deserved consolation when a shot from Rosie was blocked and Tasha forced home the loose ball. KW were not finished though and in the 85th minute, they again found space on the edge of the box to score with an excellent curling shot that went in at the far post. Their day was complete in the 89th minute when they volleyed home a cross from the right.
It would be easy to make excuses about missing players but that would be unfair on the players who showed terrific heart and played so well at times, always trying to play properly, passing the ball and enjoying some good periods of pressure in the 2nd half. But all credit to Kendal Wattsfield who made the most of the opportunities that arose. On balance, they probably had a bit more in-depth on the day and although good in parts, Newlaithes were unable to maintain any sustained momentum.
Player of the match was Holly for a rock solid, controlled performance at the back but the rest of the team never gave up despite the scoreline, with Faye, Jade, Laura O and Tasha, putting in heroic performances, with 'Duracell' Pat energetic as ever on the right.
Thanks to Kendal Wattsfield for the excellent post match hospitality :)
Harraby at home next week.
