Workington Reds Ladies travelled to Accrington Stanley and inflicted on their hosts their first defeat of the season.
The 2-1 win for the Reds was a terrific effort, especially as it backed up a good home win the previous week.
Beforehand players and officials held a minutes applause as a mark of respect following the extremely sad and unexpected death of Cumberland FA Chairman, Fred Conway.
Ladies’ team manager Paul Mackenzie said: “Our deepest sympathy and condolences go to Fred’s family and friends and we thank Fred for all he has done for football in Cumbria over many years.”
The hosts started off the stronger of the two sides and for the first 25 minutes they dominated possession and created the better chances.
Indeed Accrington went ahead on 17 minutes after applying serious pressure on the Reds defensive back line of Eleanor McDonald, Naomi Foster, Alice Kemp and Natalie Hooper.
This pressure paid off when the ball found Megan Rodriguez on the edge of the area. Having composed herself, she slotted past Reds keeper Laura Miller to give her side a deserved lead.
The goal served as a wake-up call to the visitors and they started to grow into the game.
Led by Chloe Henderson and Ellie Ritchie battling relentlessly in the middle of the park, possession started to even out and the Reds began asking questions of the Accrington defence.
With the attacking quartet of Hannah Geen, Sophie Birkett, Emi Rudd and Morgan McGrady enjoying more of the ball chances were starting to be created.
McGrady and Rudd linked well only to see a shot from the latter narrowly miss the outside of the post with the Accrington keeper, Tanya Nash beaten.
The pair soon linked again, only this time Rudd was the provider as McGrady converted to level the game with three minutes of the half remaining.
The second half was a more even contest with chances being created by both teams.
Accrington went close with a header over the bar from close range and the Reds intensity up front was increasing, fuelled by the stability established from the platform being established behind them.
Leah Cottier and Kacey Rodgers came on with 35 minutes remaining and both contributed in securing the away win for the Reds.
With 13 minutes remaining, McGrady struck again to put the Reds ahead. Having generated a yard of space on the left, McGrady eyed the far right corner and shot for goal.
The strike remained straight and true as it flashed passed the outstretched hand of Nash and her brace was just rewards for her constant threat over the 90 minutes.
As the game entered the final ten minutes, Accrington found themselves through on goal and closing in.
Reds keeper Miller came to meet the threat and made a superb save when the odds were stacked against her.
Pressure remained constant from Accrington as the game edged towards a finish, but the Reds Ladies rebuffed all attempted advances with an air of composure and ensured that all three points were heading back up the M6.
Laura Miller was awarded Player of the Game for the Reds Ladies for another commanding performance over the 90 minutes.
Mackenzie said: “Accrington started the game showing great urgency and drive and put us under a significant amount of pressure for the first 25 minutes.
“We had to be on our game in order to contain them to just one goal during this passage of the game.
“The resilience we showed and the way we grew in the game, finishing off the stronger of the two sides is a great testament to the character of the squad and the belief they have in each other”.
The Ladies start their run in to the Christmas break at home to Morecambe this weekend.
Mackenzie added: “Support from the sidelines would be greatly appreciated by us all as we look to build on some really positive performances over the last few games and as we aim to finish 2022 as strongly as possible.”
