Workington Reds Ladies narrowly missed out on a Women’s County Cup final place.
After a hard-fought and closely contested semi-final against Penrith AFC Ladies, they went down 1-0.
Played at a sun-baked Borough Park, both sides contributed to an excellent cup clash which saw the majority of the game fought out in the middle of the park.
Both teams defended really well so it kept chances to a minimum.
With the play being restricted into a packed midfield, neither team managed to get a foothold in the game.
The Reds Ladies had spells of good play down their right and on one occasion Sophie Birkett broke into the box and fed the supporting centre midfielder, Sophie Douglas.
However, typical of the defensive efforts from both teams she was quickly closed down before she could get her shot away.
The Reds had further chances during the game with the main source of supply coming from several free-kicks from the middle of the pitch being delivered into the Penrith box by centre-back Linzi Donaldson, but the home side was unable to capitalise.
There was nothing to split either side in a tie that looked destined to be heading to extra time until the 74th minute when Penrith scored the winner.
They took advantage of a ball crossed in from their right which was converted at the back post by a header from substitute Sarah Smith.
The Reds tried tirelessly to grab a leveller and late on had another good free-kick delivered into the Penrith box but they couldn’t make it count.
Douglas, a teenager from Whitehaven, was making her debut for the Reds Ladies after recently signing for the club, and she gave a great account of herself.
She adjusted effortlessly to the step-up in the level of football having previously played at youth level for Whitehaven AFC.
Having Douglas in the squad is a display of the commitment the Reds Ladies have to providing an opportunity to the talented young local footballers who are looking to develop their footballing careers.
The home team was pleased to welcome back Holly Redmond after she had spent over four months on the sidelines. She had picked up an injury against Chorley Women FC back in November.
Sunday’s game was the last home fixture of the season for the ladies but they do have four away matches remaining in the North West Women’s Reginal Division 1 North, starting off this weekend with a trip to Penwortham Town Ladies FC.
That’s followed by trips to Carlisle United Ladies, Preston North End Women’s FC and finally Penrith AFC Ladies.
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