The Ladies travelled to Keswick for their first game in three weeks with several players unavailable due to work commitments but a reasonably large squad nonetheless.
Newlaithes dominated possession from the start and came close with several efforts before taking the lead after 4 minutes. Tasha won a header about 30 yards out and nodded the ball down to Danni, who raced clear to blast past the keeper into the top of the net. Newlaithes' build up play was good but all too often they were guilty of rushing their shots and miss-hitting passes at the vital moment. Credit to the Keswick defence though, despite the pressure from Newlaithes they worked hard to close down space in and around the area, giving the Newlaithes players little time on the ball. In possession, Keswick were restricted to a few breakaway attacks but Alix, Jade and Chelsea were particularly sharp at the back to deal with any danger. Newlaithes kept plugging away and Pat was unlucky to see an attempted lob from 25 yards crash onto the top of the bar. More chances came and went with the Newlaithes midfield and forwards working tirelessly to try and find a way through the stubborn Keswick defence. On 24 minutes, Newlaithes finally got the breakthrough they deserved when they won a throw-in on the left, opposite the edge of the Keswick area. Danni threw a quick ball into Cathy, who played a smart pass into space for Danni to attack the box and blast home in similar fashion to her 1st goal. Moments later, Tasha came close when she slid in at the far post to get onto the end of a low cross that Pat fizzed in from the left hand side of the area but unfortunately the ball crept the wrong side of the post. More chances went begging as Newlaithes kept up the pressure, with Paige, Pat & Claire bossing midfield and forwards Danni, Tasha and in particular Cathy working their socks off to keep Keswick pegged back. Then on 43 minutes, Newlaithes were awarded a penalty when Danni was tripped in the Keswick area. Danni stepped up herself to thump the ball home to complete her hat-trick. Half time, 3-0.
Keswick came out for the second half in determined mood and the Newlaithes players' heads were still in the dressing room as they were guilty of a number of un-forced errors, conceding possession in their own half and putting themselves under pressure. After ten minutes or so Newlaithes restored the balance of play but the Keswick keeper was equal to anything that was fired at her. Pat, Paige, Laura W and Claire all came close with half chances but Newlaithes just couldn't find a way through. As the half progressed, Newlaithes actually played some of their best football of the game as they began to stroke the ball about with confidence but Keswick defended resolutely and despite Newlaithes continued efforts, there was no way through. Final score 3-0.
In terms of possession, Newlaithes dominated the game but they had to work extremely hard to make any impression on the Keswick defence who worked equally hard to keep Newlaithes out. There were some excellent performances by many of the Newlaithes players and Cathy & Claire deserve special mention for the amount of sheer effort that they put in. The Newlaithes players are still getting used to playing together as a team and with the three week lay-off, they can be excused if at times they lacked that clinical edge that could have made the scoreline higher. Nevertheless, with Keswick's dogged determination this was never going to be a pretty performance and as they say, sometimes you have to 'win ugly' - make no mistake, this was a hard-earned victory and well deserved.
Player of the match was Danni for busting a gut, particularly in the 1st half. She scored her first goal in Women's football and then went on to score 2 more - just like waiting for a bus...
With no scheduled league match next week, the Ladies are at home in a friendly against newly formed Workington Reds, 11:30 ko at Rickerby Park.
