Brighouse Town 5 – 0 Penrith AFC Ladies
National League team Brighouse Town proved too powerful and experienced for Penrith in this 2nd Qualifying Round tie of the FA Women’s Cup.
A delayed start to the match, due to a match official not turning up, seemed to unsettle Penrith and when the match did eventually start 35 mins late, Penrith made a sloppy start. Within 6 mins they found themselves 2-0 down and it appeared that they were in for a long afternoon. However to their credit Penrith regrouped and tightened up defensively. They were competing well all over the pitch and restricting Brighouse’s scoring opportunities. Also Penrith keeper, Michelle Jones, was again proving difficult to beat with a number of excellent saves.
At the other end Penrith rarely threatened the Brighouse goal. Their best 1st half effort went to Nat Broad but her shot drifted wide.
On the stroke of half time Brighouse extended their lead as the Penrith defence was out paced.
HT 3-0.
Into the 2nd half Penrith were much improved and for 20 mins had their best period of the game. Their work rate was knocking Brighouse out of their rhythm and young midfielder Sophie Nutter was having an excellent game. Penrith created several half chances during this period with Georgia Campbell and Nat Broad both going close.
With 25 mins remaining Brighouse brought on their leading scorer Charlotte Proud who was returning from injury. Her pace and power proved difficult to deal with for the tiring Penrith defenders. She scored 2 goals in the last 20 mns of the game to round of a comfortable victory.
FT 5-0.
Despite the defeat Manager Simon Savage was pleased with the Penrith performance “Brighouse are a powerful outfit from a higher league than ourselves. I’m proud of the way the girls battled today and we can take many positives from the performance. With regards to fitness and the intensity of the match we have had to lift ourselves to a higher level which will stand us in good stead for the future”
This Sunday Penrith return to NW Premier League action when they entertain Wigan Athletic at Frenchfields Park stadium.
Penrith : Jones, Smethurst, Han Fawkea, C.Smith, McCormick, Hopton, Coulthard(Hea Fawkes), Nutter, Broad, Johnston, Campbell(Buchanan).
