The Ladies played host to Keswick for their first competitive fixture since November and they produced a disciplined and entertaining display that belied the 2½ month lay-off.
Newlaithes clicked into gear right from the start and Tasha was unlucky to see a 1st time screamer fly just wide of the post after good work from Faye and Emma on the right. The pressure continued, although there was a degree of good fortune for Newlaithes' opener in the 4th minute. Chelsea set Emma free on the left and she thumped the ball towards goal only for it to take a wicked deflection off a Keswick defender that gave the keeper no chance. However there was no question of luck with the second goal three minutes later. Paige played up to Emma from deep in the Newlaithes half. Emma then cut inside on a mazy run before sliding the ball to Faye on the right. Faye took one touch into the area before thumping the ball across goal and in at the far post. Then in the 15th minute, Newlaithes scored their third When Tasha flicked on Pat's through ball for Emma to tuck the ball away. Newlaithes kept up the relentless pressure and fortune deserted Keswick once again in the 17th minute when Alix played a long ball to Faye on the right. Faye then whipped in a vicious cross that again ricocheted off a defender and into the net. Nevertheless, it was no more than Newlaithes deserved with their energetic and fast paced performance. Four minutes later and it was number five when Paige played through to Faye on the right. Faye fired in a high cross to the far post where Tasha thumped a header into the back of the net. Keswick battled hard to keep Newlaithes at bay but they were finding it difficult to clear their lines and despite some strong tackling, Newlaithes kept coming back and they could have had several more with Tasha, Paige, Faye, Emma and Dani all coming close. Then in the 37th minute Dani burst into the Keswick area only to be floored by another feisty tackle for a penalty. Dani stepped up to take the kick herself and stroked it into the bottom corner for number six, which remained the score until half time.
It was more of the same in the second half and on 47 minutes, Paige played a sublime pass between the Keswick defenders for Emma to run in from the right and smash the ball into the far top corner. Four minutes later and it was Dani's turn to set the ball up for Emma to finish at the far post. Despite the scoreline, Keswick rallied and they gave every ounce of effort as they tried to take the game to Newlaithes. However the Newlaithes defence was in miserly mood with Alix and Jade mopping up with some strong tackling of their own whenever Keswick attempted a break-through. Full-backs, Laura O, 2nd half replacement Marina and Chelsea were also alert to any danger and it was nice to see them getting involved in the attacking play as well. The inter-play between the midfield of Paige, Pat, Faye, subs Yula and Laura W and forwards, Emma, Tasha and Dani was a joy to behold and even as fatigue started to kick in, both sides continued to give everything. Then on 72 minutes, Newlaithes got number nine when Chelsea looped an outrageous fourty yard ball into the heart of the Keswick defence for Emma to race clear and tuck the ball away for her fourth. On 77 minutes, Faye played a short pass inside from the right to Yula, who acrobatically hammered a 25 yard thunderbolt into the top right hand corner for number ten then on 85 minutes Paige intercepted a Keswick goal-kick to once again set up the irrepressible Emma to to wrap up the scoring with her fifth and Newlaithes' eleventh.
The most pleasing aspect of this performance isn't necessarily the scoreline but the manner in which it was achieved and for long spells of the game, the Newlaithes players looked like they are really starting to gel as a team. Keswick battled valiantly for the full 90 minutes but there was little they could do to stem the tide. This was a strong team performance and there were many candidates for player of the match but today it's Faye who nicks it for an outstanding attacking performance from midfield and her best game by far since she returned to the squad.
County Cup action next week as the Ladies travel to face Kendal Town.
