Workington Reds Ladies made it two wins from two games this season against Carlisle United Ladies FC.
Playing from Creighton Rugby Union club, the Blues have found it tough going over this season and sit at the bottom of the North West Women’s Regional Division 1 North League table.
The 1-0 win keeps the hope of a top four finish alive for the Reds Ladies.
The Reds started off brightly and looked confident in possession and controlled the early stages of the game through passages of good build up and support play throughout the team.
The Reds found particular success down their right with lively runs down the wing from Caitlin Davis which were supported by Eleanor McDonald, with both providing telling crosses in to the United area.
Patience, emanating from Holly Redmond and Naomi Foster at the back, and composed play in the middle of the park between Linzi Donaldson, Sophie Douglas and Chloe Henderson also created chances down the left with Natalie Hooper and Hannah Geen linking well.
They posed a threat from out wide on both flanks all of which was supported by the eager running of Hayley Bracken up front.
However, despite their efforts the home side defended strongly in numbers and the chances that the away team created were continually rebuffed.
The constant pressure from the Reds Ladies meant that United found attacking opportunities a rarity and the Workington keeper, Laura Miller was never really tested, and as a result the first half ended goalless.
United came out stronger in the first spell of the second half and as such the battle had moved slightly higher into the middle of the park during the early exchanges, but as the game moved on the dominance in play returned to the away team.
Carlisle were defending in numbers and their stubbornness to let the Reds in was starting to frustrate the away team.
Despite the greater share of possession and positional advantage the away teams attempts to break the deadlock were repeatedly denied.
The Reds, looking to change things around and to try something different brought on Helen Wagstaff for Geen.
She slotted into the midfield, staying strong to win her possessional battles and looked to play balls in behind to turn the Carlisle defence.
After 79 minutes a free kick was awarded to the Reds in the Carlisle penalty area after good persistence from Bracken.
She chased down a through ball to put the Carlisle defence under pressure and a mix-up saw a ball played back to the keeper and being picked up.
This resulted in an indirect free kick from about 12 yards out. A short discussion between Redmond and Donaldson, who were standing over the dead ball, followed.
As a result Redmond teed-up the ball for Donaldson to power home from close range and on this occasion leave the Carlisle defence unable to defend their goal.
The Reds Ladies fully deserved the three points, given their dominance throughout the game, but credit should also go to the Carlisle Ladies for their discipled performance which nearly resulted in a share of the points.
Linzi Donaldson was awarded Player of the Game for her goal and hard work in midfield.
With two games left the season is quickly coming to a close. First up is an away trip to Preston North End on Sunday, April 10, followed by a derby game away to Penrith Ladies on April 20 with a 6.30pm kick off.
