It was honours even for the second time in a week for the Reds Ladies as they battled out an entertaining North West Regional Division One North League 1-1 draw against an inform Accrington Stanley.
The visitors arrived at Borough Park with an unbeaten record so far this season having won two and drawn one whereas the Reds had lost one and drawn one.
The Reds started off well with the central defensive pairing of Naomi Foster and Holly Redmond controlling the play from the back and linking well with support players.
The back line moved the ball around the pitch with purpose so it was against the run of play when Accrington took an early lead after only five minutes.
Whilst the Ladies were trying to retain possession at the back and feed the ball forward, Accrington were applying pressure and as a result the ball spilled to Jordan Harding around 30 yards out.
Harding shifted the ball to find some space and quickly struck a speculative strike at goal. Unsighted by the heavy traffic in front of her, the Reds shot stopper, Laura Miller, was unable to react in time and the ball found the back of the net.
Undeterred the Ladies remained focused, kept really good shape across the park and passed the ball around with real purpose.
During the next 20 minutes Reds fashioned some threatening breaks down either flank emanating from some excellent link ups between the full backs of Nat Hooper and El McDonald, and the midfield pairing of Linzi Donaldson and Sophie Douglas.
In turn, this quartet was finding the forward line of Emi Rudd, Sophie Birkett, Ellie Ritchie and Morgan McGrady in some great attacking positions., but they couldn’t find an equaliser.
On one occasion during this spell, Reds found themselves under pressure ten yards off their line and on the right hand side of the pitch. The ball was played out between the Accrington press with Rudd receiving the ball around the halfway line.
She then threaded a ball through to the dangerous McGrady, who beat the defence and rounded the keeper but in doing so was pushed slightly wide on the left. As the defence was recovering, McGrady was able to get her shot away but unfortunately narrowly wide of the post.
After 35 minutes the Reds were rewarded for their efforts with an equalising goal. Having been awarded a free kick 25 yards out. Donaldson stepped up and struck a dangerous shot on goal which had the keeper beaten but hit the bar.
Centre back Holly Redmond was the quickest to react and pounced onto the bouncing ball to head home from close range.
The Reds started the second half with an enforced change as Birkett, who was making her return from an ankle injury picked up in pre-season, had to leave the field having felt a muscle strain.
Alice Kemp was introduced but in an unfamiliar position of right wing. Her unfamiliarity with the position was not obvious as she picked up where Birkett had left and provided some threatening breaks, decent crosses and found herself in some advanced positions.
The Reds were in their stride now and looked threatening on many occasions during the second half. But despite the home team having the better chances in the second half, they were unable to capitalise, and the highly entertaining game ended in a draw.
Holly Redmond was awarded Player of the Game by Accrington Stanley for a commanding defensive performance..
Team manager Paul Mackenzie said: “We are now three games into the season and through injuries, we have had to throw some of the younger lasses in at the deep end over this time. They have stepped up and given a great account of themselves and have added value to the team’s performance.”
Xtreme Fitness Ladies FC were the Match Day Sponsors for the game, a gesture appreciated by the Reds Ladies.Mackenzie said: “To be backed by another Ladies Football Club is a brilliant gesture and that has been valued, appreciated and acknowledged by us all.”
The Ladies are in action again at Borough Park this Sunday, but the competition changes to the Vitality Women’s FA Cup First Round Qualifying against Washington Women’s AFC with a 2pm kick off.
