It was honours even in an extremely well contested North West Women’s Regional Division One Cumbrian derby between the Ladies of Workington and Penrith.
The result means that the 2021/22 League season will be the Reds Ladies’ most successful in their short history as they now move on to 27 points and eight games remaining, surpassing their previous best tally of 26.
With only one League place and two points separating the two teams it was inevitable that the game was going to be a tight affair.
Workington started off strongly and some periods of well worked build up play had put the Penrith defence under pressure.
The Reds were sure that they had taken an early lead in the eighth minute after some good link-up play between Caitlin Davis and Chloe Henderson.
Henderson had spotted Hannah Geen in space on the left edge of the penalty area and a well weighted pass created the opportunity for her to impressively find the top corner and leave the Penrith keeper without a chance of making a save. However Geen was adjudged to have been offside and the goal was disallowed.
Despite their frustration the Reds kept their focus and through further passages of good build up play saw Henderson being fouled ten yards inside the Penrith half and a free kick awarded.
The Reds captain, Linzi Donaldson stepped up to take the free kick and an amazing strike from the best part of 40 yards saw the skipper find the top left corner and the Reds took a justified lead.
After 20 minutes the home team’s striker Hayley Bracken picked up a game-ending injury which was a big blow as she has been in top form this season.
Despite losing Bracken the Reds continued to ask Penrith questions but despite their efforts the first half ended with a slender lead for the home side.
Penrith took advantage of the half time break and came out the second half refocused. Their eagerness to press the home side higher up the pitch saw them gaining some good ground and it was the Reds turn to feel the pressure.
Penrith started to test the home team’s defensive capabilities which rebuffed several attacks before ever reliable goalkeeper Laura Miller was forced into a superb full stretch fingertip save.
However the visitors drew level after 65 minutes when a defensive clearance fell to Stacey Harkness-Grant on the edge of the area. The striker reacted quickly and her shot found the back of the net.
The home team struggled to settle in the second half and attacks on the Penrith goal were limited due to a well-organised Penrith defensive display. The second half finished with both sides defending well and as a result chances were a rarity for either side and the game ended all square.
The game had been closely contested with either side shading a half each. The result saw the home team’s unbeaten run extend to six and Penrith’s to nine and this statistic was clearly evident from the level of football on display.
Caitlin Davis received the Player of the Game award for Workington Reds Ladies.
The Workington Ladies are back at home again this weekend as they host Blackburn Community Sports Club Women’s team at St Benedict’s school Astro with a 2 pm Kick Off. Second in the table Blackburn are the only unbeaten team in the League.
