So it was off to Workington in style as we took the Stobart bus to Borough Park. The ladies were up for the challenge in the League Cup final against league champions Whitehaven.
The first 10 minutes were a bit scrappy but then both teams settled down for an excellent end to end cup tie. Stacey and Faye both came close on a couple of occasions and Katie O shot just over the bar from the edge of the box. At the other end Jade was on hand to head a piledriver off the line following a Whitehaven corner. Newlaithes were enjoying more of the possession but in the 28th minute, Whitehaven took the lead when a player turned in the box and although she scuffed her shot, it bobbled agonisingly into the bottom corner. This lifted Whitehaven and two minutes later they got their 2nd with an unstoppable volley following a cross from the right. Four minutes later and they got another, again with a turn in the box following a cross from the right. Newlaithes regained their composure and began to threaten again but they were unable to pull one back before the break.
The excitement continued in the 2nd half and Tasha was unlucky when she shot hard and low towards the bottom corner but the keeper saved with her legs. Then a minute later Whitehaven destroyed any hopes of a fightback when they scored from a header following a cross from the left. In the 65th minute, Whitehaven got their fifth with a cool lob from just inside the box that left Katie M stranded. Newlaithes never gave up though and in the 73rd minute, Chelsea played the ball up to Claire, who played out to Katie O on the left. She broke down the wing and played the ball back inside to Claire who scored with a quality finish into the bottom corner. Newlaithes kept battling right until the end and as the clock went into stoppage time, Katie O again broke down the left and laid the ball inside for Claire to score her second in almost copycat style. It was no more than Newlaithes deserved as the whistle blew for full time.
The scoreline really didn't reflect the balance of the match; Newlaithes created as many, if not more chances than Whitehaven but the difference was in Whitehaven's clinical finishing. They caused problems throughout the match with diagonal balls played into their pacy wingers and their crosses were top quality which Newlaithes were unable to deal with. Three goals in a 6 minute period in the 1st half left Newlaithes with too much of an uphill battle but they never stopped running throughout the whole 90 minutes and were an absolute credit. Whitehaven were bigger and more experienced but Newlaithes didn't shirk the physical challenge. All 16 players were involved in the match and it was encouraging that the quality and determination was maintained throughout. There was no player of the match because the whole team was outstanding.
So, the team got to a final in their 1st season in Women's football. When you consider that tonight's squad contained 2 x 21 year olds, an 18 year old and the rest were playing under 16 football last season (and one this season..) then that is a fantastic achievement and I am immensely proud of the way the players have developed during the season.
Well done ladies!!!
