Workington Reds Ladies had hoped for a winning return to Derwent Park after a three-month absence.
That was not to be the case, as Sir Tom Finney Ladies clinically capitalised on two moments of indecision in the first half to give the visitors a 2-0 victory.
Alex Porter and Eve Walker took their chances well in front of goal as Reds paid the price.
The Reds pushed on and tried enthusiastically to reduce the arrears, but several close offside rulings halted their progress and the two goal advantage was maintained.
It’s fair to say that the home side had enjoyed the lion’- share of possession and linked well to generate plenty of pressure in the attacking third.
Sadly, the Reds were unable to connect with a telling pass-and-run combination to trouble the Sir Tom keeper, Issy Brand.
The majority of the second half was played in the visitorsr half of the field with Reds keeper, Laura Miller, rarely being called in to action.
Despite periods of good play, the Ladies were unable to convert their positive build up play into good goal scoring opportunities and the game finished with Sir Tom taking all three points back to Preston.
Morgan McGrady was awarded the Reds Player of the Game for her keen running and threats to the visitors back line.
Reds squad – Laura Miller, Alice Kemp, Naomi Foster, Linzi Donaldson, Natalie Hooper, Sophie Douglas, Chloe Henderson, Hannah Geen, Emi Rudd, Morgan McGrady, Liv Bennett, Sydney Bragg, Hannah Fawkes, Hannah Ridgewell, Kacey Rodgers and Issy Sunley.
