Workington Reds Ladies completed a double over Sir Tom Finney Ladies first team at the impressive UCLAN sports facility in Preston.
Having beaten Sir Tom 6-0 at home in November the Ladies faced a much improved and well organised team and this time it finished 4-2.
The host were left extremely frustrated by the result and it is fair to say that the score line didn’t reflect their efforts or how close the game had been over the 90 minutes.
The game was fairly contested whilst being fiercely fought and was an excellent advertisement for Ladies Football and the quality of football being delivered in the North West Women’s Regional Division 1 North league.
The result extends Reds’ unbeaten run to four, games having scored 20 and conceded four, and keeps them in third place on 25 points three behind leaders Blackpool Ladies FC.
The Ladies are away again this weekend and face another tough test against an unbeaten Haslingden Ladies and Girls team.
This is the first of three tough games coming up and will be followed by home games on the 23rd January against Penrith AFC Ladies who have only been beaten once this season and on the 30th January the form team of the league Blackburn Community Sports Club Women’s team who are unbeaten.
In the clash at Preston the home side started the first half strongly and put the Reds Ladies under sustained periods of pressure. Their hard work was eventually rewarded after 13 minutes when Scarlett Dawson put the hosts in front.
They continued to pile on the pressure and the Reds defence was repeatedly called into action and had to dig deep to frustrate the hosts.
Eventually the Reds Ladies started to gain some ground and fashioned a couple of chances themselves. The rest of the first half saw the game being evenly contested and at half time Sir Tom held a well-deserved 1-0 lead.
The Ladies took advantage of the half time break to regroup and refocus on their game plan which resulted in an improved performance in the second half in which they outscored their hosts by four goals to one.
On 60 minutes Hayley Bracken scored to level the game. After some good build up play from the back Naomi Foster linked up with Bracken who kept composed and slotted home.
Sir Tom hit back again and went ahead after a fine strike from the edge of the area by Caitlin Walker, leaving the Reds keeper Laura Miller with no chance of making a save.
Their lead didn’t last long as the Reds’ improved periods of possession saw Bracken in on goal again only to be bundled over in the area and awarded a penalty which was converted by skipper Linzi Donaldson with nine minutes remaining.
This proved to be a defining moment as the Ladies pulled in front two minutes later. Sensing the game had swung in the Reds favour they pushed forward looking to take all three points.
A well weighted through ball from midfield was met by an intelligent run from Chloe Henderson who was unlucky not to score herself. Fortunately for the Reds the ball was deflected over the line for an own goal.
Sir Tom went looking for an equaliser with less then ten minutes remaining but the Ladies defence stayed strong and a late break saw Sophie Birkett set Bracken through on goal.
Remaining composed Bracken sank the ball into the back of the net and along with it, the home teams hopes of getting any points from the game.
It was another strong performance by the Ladies leading goal scorer Bracken who bagged herself two goals to take her tally for the season to an impressive 20; win a penalty for her side and being awarded Reds Player of the Match by the home team.On a typically cold January day the Ladies team were pleased to have been presented with jackets for subs and the coaching team by Kyle Barlow, owner of Westlakes Demolition (pictured).
Kyle has repeatedly shown his support for the club and his generosity is appreciated by everyone associated with the team.
