Workington Reds Ladies unbeaten run of six games came to an end thanks to a brace of second half goals from Hayley Wilford for Blackburn Community Sports Development Ladies.
The visitors to St Benedict’s Astro had a really impressive record in North West Regional Women’s Division One North, lying second with 32 points and with two games in hand. They are the only unbeaten side.
This was the last game in a run of three for the Reds Ladies where their opponents had only been beaten once between them. With two draws and a defeat over these games the Ladies can take comfort in the knowledge that they have taken on three of the best teams in the league and have at least matched their opponents for large portions of these games.
They have only been beaten once over this run of fixtures by a team that will more than likely go on to claim the league title this season.
Against Blackburn the first half was evenly contested with both side finding it difficult to find the telling pass that would unlock either side’s defences.
The Reds enjoyed the majority of possession in the first half and looked comfortable as they passed the ball about with good composure and control. Despite this, and on account of playing into a 40mph wind, they could only fashion a couple of half-chances for their efforts.
Blackburn were also blighted by the weather conditions and found it difficult to find a correctly weighted pass playing with the wind.
Chances for both teams were speculative and it was no surprise when the half finished goalless.
The second half started strongly for the home team and they started to build pressure on the Blackburn goal. The Reds saw a couple of attempts from 20 yards out find the Blackburn keeper but their efforts remained unrewarded.
On 52 minutes Blackburn broke forward on a counter attack at pace and their quick, clinical play saw the Reds defence beaten by Hayley Wilford for the first of her two goals.
Not deterred by the goal against the run of play, the Ladies pushed forward looking for an equaliser. But credit to the Blackburn defence who stayed disciplined and defended with composure and again limited the Workington efforts to shots from distance.
Blackburn were always looking to quickly turn defence into attack and were always a threat and in the 80th minute, Wilford struck again for her second of the game after some efficient individual play down the left hand side of the Blackburn attack.
She opened-up her body and slotted home from close range to find the right hand corner of the net and leave the Reds keeper Laura Miller without a chance of making the save.
Blackburn now had their tails up and their two goal cushion allowed the Lancashire side to push the Reds defence hard over the final ten minutes without being able to add to their tally.
The Reds Ladies remain third in the league whilst Blackburn move up to first place with this result on 35 points from 13 games having scored 44 goals and conceding only seven.
Hannah Geen was named as the Player of the Match for Workington by Blackburn. Next weekend Reds travel to Preston North End Ladies FC before entertaining Accrington Stanley Community Trust Ladies FC at home on the 13th February.
