Workington Reds Ladies were unable to advance to the semi-final of the North West Regional Plate.
They were beaten 5-0 by an impressive Blackpool team that are hot favourites to win the league this season.
Blackpool started the game with confidence and produced a number of close opportunities early in the match which pegged back the visitors.
After 10 minutes the host went ahead when Alice Earnshaw found the back of the net with a header.
Their lead was doubled in the 35th minute when an excellent strike from distance by Lauren Oatley flew past the Workington goalkeeper, Laura Miller.
Three minutes later, Lily Hambly scored the Seasiders third goal when she found herself in space on the back post and calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner.
The first half finished with the home side in a commanding position, well on top and the Reds looking to regroup.
The first ten minutes of the second half were well fought with both teams creating half chances.
But then Blackpool forward Jess Lean netted the fourth goal of the afternoon, as a rebounded effort fell straight to her.
Emily Salthouse rounded-off the scoring for Blackpool with a well-placed header to beat Miller.
Captain Naomi Foster picked up the Player of the Game for the Reds after a strong performance in the back four.
Manager Paul Mackenzie said after the game, “It would have been easy for the lasses heads to have dropped but that didn’t happen. They fought to the final whistle and never gave up.
“This shows the great strength of character in the team and is something that will serve us well in the years to come.”
“We’ve travelled with seven of the available 14 being only 17 or younger. Some of our players had their best game for the club and the rest weren’t far behind”.
“Blackpool are a well organised team and credit goes to the quality of football they produced, but to play them away from home and deliver personal goals when the chips are down is something that is immensely encouraging and is certainly a positive we will take away from the game”.
The Ladies have missed the services of experienced players for much, if not all of the season, such as Hayley Bracken, Holly Redmond, Jess Reid, Helen Wagstaff and Megan Yarnold.
Now Eleanor McDonald has been added to that list after picking-up what looks to be a serious injury against Penrith Development in the County Cup.
“El has been in amazing form this season and has top performed in every game she’s played in. We wish her a speedy recovery and we hope to see her back in action before the season finishes,” said Mackenzie.
The Ladies are back at home this weekend when they entertain Sir Tom Finney in a North West Women’s Regional Division One North fixture at Derwent Park.
This will be their first game at home since the 27th of November and a warm welcome back from the team’s supporters would be extremely well received.
