The Ladies were at home to league newcomers Workington Reds in their first match for a month with Faye Comber making a welcome return to the team after a knee operation to make her first start of the season. Although new to the league, the Reds team contained several experienced players who were formerly with Whitehaven Amateurs.
Newlaithes came flying out of the starting blocks and should have done better with no fewer than five clear cut chances in the first 5 minutes. The Reds sat back as Newlaithes played some flowing, passing football. However Newlaithes were unable to convert possession into goals and they were given a rude awakening on 10 minutes when Workington won a corner from a speedy counter attack. Newlaithes failed to clear the ball and it was joyfully bundled over the line from the scramble that ensued. Newlaithes came right back at Workington and continued to pressure but there was no way through the resolute Reds defence. Then on 15 minutes Newlaithes were stunned again when a long Workington clearance found their pacy right winger who raced clear the smash the ball into the roof of the net from the right hand side of the area. Two minutes later and it was three when the Reds headed come a corner from the Newlaithes right. Newlaithes were shell-shocked to say the least having had 75% of the possession yet they found themselves three down. Credit due, they didn't let their heads drop and they continued to press although they stayed alert to the threat of the Reds counter attack. On 21 minutes Newlaithes persistence paid off when Carly Stevenson won possession in midfield and laid the ball off to her right for Pat Currie to play through to Emma Sisson. Emma jinked her way past the Workington defence to fire the ball home. Workington kept attacking on the counter and forced several corners and they were looking particularly dangerous as they won the aerial battle hands down. Fortunately for Newlaithes each header was off-target. On 33 minutes Newlaithes got their 2nd when Carly Stevenson intercepted a goal-kick. She raced clear of the Reds defence to slot the ball into the bottom corner. Newlaithes almost grabbed an equaliser when Tasha Scott played a quick free kick into Carly Stevenson who was on the edge of the 6 yard box but a Workington defender slid in before she was able to get the shot in. The Reds keeper then made a diving save to her right to save at the near post from Pat Currie. At the other end, Workington broke again down the right but this time the shot flew across the goalmouth. Despite continued pressure from Newlaithes, the score remained the same at half time.
The Newlaithes players were determined to make amends in the 2nd half but Workington had other ideas as they started to win more possession. Shots flew in at both ends but neither team was able to hit the target. The more Newlaithes worked to get the equaliser, the more gaps they were leaving but to to their credit, the defence was coping better with the threat of the Reds counter attack. Nevertheless Workington were still winning corners and as in the first half, they won everything that came across but once again, their headers were off-target. Newlaithes kept plugging away but the Workington defence was immense as they literally put their bodies on the line to deny the Newlaithes attack. Faye Comber thought she was in when she received the ball in space in the centre of the Reds area but the keeper save brilliantly, diving to her right to finger tip the shot round the post. It seemed like it was going to be one of those days when nothing seemed to bounce kindly but the Newlaithes players battled right to the end in search of the equaliser and in stoppage time, they finally got their reward when Carly Stevenson floated a long, diagonal ball to Paige Williams who was lurking to the right of the Reds area. She took the ball to the goal line and chipped a sublime cross over the keeper's head to find Claire Blackburn unmarked in front of goal. She slipped at the vital moment but was still able to force the ball over the line for a dramatic equaliser to the delight of the Newlaithes players. There was just time for Workington to kick-off before the full-time whistle.
This was an action packed game with chances at both ends. In the first half the Newlaithes midfield trio of Claire Blackburn, Paige Williams and Pat Currie was outstanding and they had much of the possession while Workington were always dangerous on the counter attack and they forced numerous corners, with their aerial superiority a constant threat. Although Workington made more inroads into the Newlaithes half in the second half, overall Newlaithes had more of the ball and they fully deserved the equaliser for battling right to the final whistle. Player of the match was Carly Stevenson for covering just about every part of the pitch and playing a part in all three Newlaithes goals.
Next week the Ladies visit the Sheepmount for the local derby with Carlisle City, 2pm kick-off.
