The impressive Mazuma Stadium was the venue for the North West Women’s Regional Division One North encounter as Workington Reds faced a Morecambe side buoyed by the newly found support both on and off the pitch.
A hat-trick from Yasmine Swarbrick, one from Nat Broad and an own goal proved enough to give Morecambe a 5-1 victory despite Chloe Henderson’s first half equaliser.
The early exchanges of the game were shared equally as both teams were looking to set their mark on occasion in front of a crowd attended by over 650 supporters.
Morecambe seized the initiative on 23 minutes when a corner, which was commandingly punched clear from Reds keeper Laura Miller.
Unfortunately the clearance found Swarbrick in space on the edge of the area. The Shrimps striker clinically attacked the ball and hit powerful strike into the back of the net.
Six minutes later and the Reds drew level following an impressive counterattack which saw Morgan McGrady, Emi Rudd and Chloe Henderson combining with Henderson slotting home in the right corner.
The hosts hit back Immediately to take the lead again, and it was Swarbrick who netted hers, and Morecambe’s second of the game, converting a ball played in from the right from close range.
Five minutes before the break the lead was extended following a defensive mix up leading to an unfortunate own goal.
The visitors started the second half stronger chasing a 3-1 deficit and Kacey Rodgers looked to have halved the deficit with a well taken finish from a tight angle. Sadly her effort was ruled out for a tight offside call in the build-up.
Morecambe’s fourth came after the ball took a wicked deflection which fell to Nat Broad at the back post who slotted home on 80 minutes.
With seconds to play, Swarbrick rounded off an afternoon to remember with her hat-trick and Morecambe’s fifth after reading the through ball well and connecting to slot home.
As well as claiming the Reds only goal of the game, Henderson was also awarded Reds Player of the Game by the Morecambe coaching staff.
The result leaves the Ladies one point above the relegation zone with five games to play.
Manager Paul Mackenzie said: “Things are extremely tough at the minute, there’s no doubt about that. The season has been a very tough one so far, especially since the turn of the year when injuries have mounted and a punishing schedule of away games has taken its toll.
“But I know what playing at this level means to the players, coaches and myself and I know we will put every ounce of effort in to these last five games in an attempt to achieve our goal of staying in this league.”
Team: Laura Miller, Alice Kemp, Naomi Foster, Linzi Donaldson, Leah Cottier, Hannah Geen, Hannah Ridgewell, Sophie Douglas, Morgan McGrady, Emi Rudd, Chloe Henderson, Laura Ivison, Sophie Nutter, Sydney Bragg, Keeley Holliday, Kacey Rodgers.
