A massive game was anticipated and that is exactly what was served up as Newlaithes battled hard to draw 2-2 with a very lively Workington Reds team at Borough Park. The weather was overcast but otherwise fine and the pitch was slightly on the heavy side.
The game started at a lively pace with Reds looking particularly sharp early on as Newlaithes took time to settle. On 6 minutes Reds rattled the Newlaithes bar then on 11 minutes Newlaithes keeper Nicola Morning saved brilliantly from a close range Megan Murdock effort. Two minutes later and Chez Brierley sent Alison McCorry clear down the right for Newlaithes but her shot across goal also came back off the bar. The game developed into a thrilling open contest as both teams enjoyed moments of pressure without either taking complete control. Newlaithes then had a couple of efforts tipped round the post by the Reds keeper and both teams had a number of shots off target before Reds drew first blood on 35 minutes when a Newlaithes clearance was intercepted by the Reds midfield. A quick ball forward found Megan Murdock just outside the Newlaithes area and she smashed an unstoppable shot, left footed just inside the left hand upright. The lead lasted eight minutes before Carly Stevenson sent Alison McCorry free down the right - she smashed a shot across goal and the ball flew in at the far post to level the scores just before half time.
Reds almost snatched the lead back straight from kick-off when some neat passing set up a chance from the right hand side of the Newlaithes area but the defence breathed a sigh of relief as the shot came back off the bar. Reds probably had their best spell of the game as their quick passing and clever movement off the ball had Newlaithes struggling to clear their lines and they regained the lead on 59 minutes when an early ball in from the right-hand side found former Newlaithes player Mairead Kinsella in space at the far post and she tucked the ball away. 6 minutes later and Chez Brierley was unlucky to see her header cleared off the line following a Newlaithes corner from the right. It was Newlaithes turn to apply the pressure as they forced a string of corners but to no avail. Then Newlaithes had keeper Nicola Morning to thank when she again charged down a Megan Murdock effort from close range to keep them in the game. Then Newlaithes were awarded a free kick when Chez Brierley was tackled from behind just to the left of the Reds area. She took the free kick herself but it was just over the bar. Then Chloe Moore fired over as Newlaithes continued to search for an equaliser. At the other end a Reds forward fired wide under pressure from a determined Roni Duguid. The effort from both teams was never-ending as they battled for control and Chez Brierley was unlucky to see a wicked, dipping 1st time effort from the right hand side of the area go just wide, then as the clock ticked towards full-time, another fierce Chez Brierley effort was charged down just inside the area. The high looping clearance found Alison McCorry just outside the area, to the right of centre. She turned quickly in-between two defenders and smashed a thunderbolt onto the underside of the bar. The ball thumped down and back up into the air and Carly Stevenson pounced to head the ball over the line to the delight of the Newlaithes players. Reds then forced a corner 2 minutes into stoppage time but the ref blew the final whistle to bring the game to a close. Final score 2-2.
This was a thrilling, open game that was played at an unbelievable pace, with grit and determination from start to finish. The game ebbed and flowed as both teams enjoyed spells of pressure without ever dominating. Reds were immensely quick and the Newlaithes players struggled on occasion to retain possession. However overall it was a very even contest with both teams forcing good saves from the opposing keepers, both teams hit the bar twice and both teams had a bagful of shots and corners. Reds may feel slightly aggrieved to have conceded so late in the game but overall, a draw was the fair result. Although everyone put in a massive effort, Newlaithes player of the match was keeper Nicola Morning, playing her first game in goal for several years and she made two crucial saves to keep Newlaithes in the game when the pressure was on.
Another tough game next week as Newlaithes host Barrow Celtic at Rickerby Park.
