Workington Reds Ladies were beaten 5-0 at Blackpool FC Girls first team, who are challenging for the League title.
It was always going to be a tough test for the Reds, made even harder by the fact that they travelled with a depleted side.
The hosts are currently the only team in a position to challenge Blackburn for the league title and have been in great form of late. Occupying second place in the league with 35 points and with a recent unbeaten run of 5 games, they had scored 26 and conceded only 4.
The west Cumbrians could only manage to field 11 players for the game as they are currently suffering from a lengthy injury list, illness and with other players unavailable through work and other commitments.
Included in the team line-up was Rebecca Scott, who was making a return to football having retired to focus on coaching a couple of seasons ago.
It was clear, though, that Scott relished the opportunity to wind back the clock and engage in battle on the field as she repeatedly put her body on the line with numerous defensive blocks, headers as well as solid distribution.
She was also able to offer coaching to the younger players alongside her.
A lively and well organised Blackpool got off to a flying start with their first goal after three minutes when Molly Kelly slotted home a cross from the right.
The hosts, boosted by their recent form, continued to test the Reds defensive structure and on 17 minutes were rewarded when Emily Cardwell pounced onto a through ball to double the hosts advantage.
Undeterred by this the Reds Ladies started to enjoy spells of possession and good build up play which saw Natalie Hooper, Leah Cottier, Hannah Geen and Paige Johnstone linking up well down the left and Chloe Henderson and Millie Crellin supporting from midfield.
This threat, along with the resilience of the defensive unit of Hooper, Scott, Naomi Foster and Sydney Bragg, and with some superb work from keeper Laura Miller, kept the score line at 2-0 until the 75th minute when Eleanor Cardwell headed home a corner from close range.
The lack of fresh legs took its toll in the final 10 minutes as the Reds Ladies started to tire after 80 minutes of hard graft, dogged determination, commitment, blood sweat and tears.
On 81 minutes Kelly bagged her second with a clinical strike from a ball crossed in to the box before completing her hat-trick in the 89th minute through a converted penalty.
The Reds were understandably disappointed with the score line at the end of the game but were collectively appreciative of efforts that they had put in individually across the park and the commitment shown over the 90 minutes.
Laura Miller received the Blackpool’s choice for the Reds Player of the Game for her display of high-quality goal keeping over the 90 minutes, be that with saves or coming off her line to snub out attacks.
Kelly had been a constant threat down the Reds right hand side and special mention should go to Bragg for her relentless efforts to contain and frustrate one of the League’s trickiest wingers.
The Ladies entertain Haslingden Ladies and Girls FC in their last home league game of the season this coming Sunday at Borough Park with a 2pm kick off. They are looking for a good crowd and to finish their League commitments on a high.
