With no scheduled fixture, the Ladies played host to the University of Cumbria who were playing their first ever match. The match was spilt into three 30 minute periods to provide an additional break / review period. Newlaithes were without keeper Lauren Crofts due to work commitments and striker Faye Comber due to injury but were pleased to welcome back winger Pat Currie after an extended break due to work commitments. Also Chloe Moore and Mairead Kinsella were unavailable, as was Laura Webster, who was fullfilling her commitment as vice-captain - for the opposition!
Newlaithes took control from the outset and missed a number of clear cut chances in the opening minutes. However they took the lead on 4 minutes when Paige Williams volleyed in following a corner from the right. On 6 minutes Carly Stevenson smashed home a volley from just inside the area after Hannah Whitford tee'd the ball up. On 14 minutes, winger Alison McCorry opened her account with a 1st time finish when Cumbria were unable to clear a corner. On 22 minutes Paige Williams set Carly Stevenson clear to slot the ball home then on 25 minutes, Alison McCorry set Emma Sisson free down the left and she finished into the bottom corner.
Newlaithes switched to 4-3-3 after the 1st break and they extended their lead after 48 seconds following some good work on the left of the area from Carly Stevenson before squaring to Chelsea Norris to tap in from close range with a 1st time finish. Then on on 39 minutes, Chelsea Norris became the provider as she set up Emma Sisson to score her 2nd. Two minutes later, it was Emma Sisson's turn to become the provider as she set up Carly Stevenson to complete her hat-trick. After a quick re-shuffle, defender Gemma Dawber moved into attack and she found herself on the score sheet on 47 minutes when she out-paced the Cumbria defence, cutting in from the right to score with her left foot into the bottom left hand corner. A minute later and she grabbed her second when she again beat the Cumbria off-side trap to spring clear and curl the ball in at the far post, then amazingly, she completed her hat-trick three minutes later when she again completely out-paced the Cumbria defence. A hat-trick in the space of four minutes - a brilliant feat for a striker, let alone a defender! On 59 minutes Carly Stevenson grabbed her fourth when she intercepted the ball to bury it into the bottom corner.
After the 2nd break Pat Currie set Alison McCorry free to grab her second on 62 minutes. Then two minutes later, leading scorer Emma Sisson, who had switched to right back, burst out of defence to sprint down the right wing and into the Cumbria area, unfortunately she had a heavy touch as she cut inside to go round the keeper but Hannah Whitford was on hand, nipping in at the far post to tap in for her first ever goal. Well done Hannah! On 77 minutes, defender Laura Owen, making only her second appearance of the season got on the score-sheet when her low, 1st time shot from outside the area flew inside the left-hand upright. Two minutes later, defender Chelsea Lightfoot, who had also pushed up front, scored her first goal in over 2 years when she finished well from the left-hand side of the area, curling the ball in at the near post. On 80 Minutes, Newlaithes wrapped up the scoring when Laura Owen grabbed her second when she latched on to a through ball. Her powerful shot flew straight at the keeper but unfortunately for the keeper the ball spun out of her hands and into the net.
Despite the scoreline, the Cumbria team put in a detemined performance for the whole 90 minutes. There were flashes where they played some nice passing football and although they weren't able to make much headway into the final third of the pitch, they did force several corners and could have scored with a couple of shots that were just off target. They look like a decent unit with a brilliant attitude and their time will come. The Newlaithes players found themselves in some unfamiliar positions as players were swapped around and it was nice to see the defenders getting on the scoresheet, the highlight being the 4 minute hat-trick from defender Gemma Dawber. Katie Johnston stood in nets for the first hour then Kirstie Commander took over for the last period. It was nice to see leading scorers, Emma Sisson and Carly Stevenson doing a great job at the back as well! Newlaithes player of the match was Sarah Currie who's sharpness in the centre of defence cut out much of the service to the Cumbria forwards.
Back to league action next week as the Ladies make the trip to Keswick, surely the most picturesque ground in the league!!
