The Ladies finally made their long awaited debut in the FA Women's Cup away to Middleton Athletic from Rochdale. Middleton have a great little Stadium and we were made very welcome.
After a minute's silence in memory of Sharmaine Thornthwaite, Middleton kicked off with a stiff breeze at their backs. Immediately they began to pass the ball quickly and confidently and Newlaithes were kept chasing. After only 3 minutes a Middleton player broke down the right and crossed for their striker to volley home unmarked at the back post. Newlaithes began to claw their way back into the game and both sides created several good chances with Faye, Claire and Laura W all going close for Newlaithes but they were unable to find the net. Then after 25 minutes Newlaithes were rocked when a goal kick was intercepted and the Middleton forward picked her spot to score with an excellent finish from just outside the right-hand corner of the area. Newlaithes kept battling but Middleton always looked sharper on the ball and they were quick to close down when Newlaithes were in possession. In the 38th minute, Middleton scored their third when again, they were first to intercept a goal-kick, leaving the Newlaithes defence chasing shadows. Newlaithes hopes of holding out until half-time were dashed five minutes later when they were caught out by a diagonal long ball and a defensive mix-up allowed their pacy forward to nip in for number four.
The Newlaithes players were in bullish mood at half time and they felt that they could still pull something back with the wind at their backs. Unfortunately the best laid plans were shattered within two minutes of the restart when Newlaithes conceded an own goal from a Middleton corner for number five. Six minutes later and number six came when a cross found their striker un-marked in the middle. Middleton were flying and number seven came on 61 minutes when they hit the post, then the bar before re-cycling to score 1 on 1 past Abbie. Newlaithes still kept plugging away throughout and continued to create chances at the other end. However after 76 minutes Middleton got number eight when they were quickest to follow up after a free-kick had hit the post. They wrapped it up in the 85th minute when they took advantage of a defensive mix-up to score their ninth and seal a comprehensive victory.
This was a baptism of fire for Newlaithes - yet the game wasn't as one-way as the scoreline suggests and perhaps it might have been different if they had converted some very good chances, particularly in the first half. Middleton thoroughly deserved their victory though; they were sharper in possession, denied space when defending, worked hard to track back, were prepared to recycle the ball - in fact everything that we normally do but unfortunately on the day, the Newlaithes Ladies were unable to rise to the challenge. Nevertheless, they were a credit to the Club and continued to battle for the whole 90 minutes despite the scoreline.
Well played Middleton and good luck in the next round. Also many thanks for the excellent hospitality - hopefully we shall meet again sometime.
So - they say there is nothing more dangerous than a wounded animal and the Ladies have their chance to get back on track next Sunday in the County Cup away to Penrith AFC Development.
