The Eddie Davis Academy hosted Workington Reds Ladies in their first away game of the season as they took on Bolton Wanderers Ladies in the North West Women’s Regional Division One North encounter.
Although they went down 3-0 the Reds side worked hard and were particularly dominant in the last quarter of the game without being able to break the home defensive resistance.
The first half hour was evenly contested, with both sides creating speculative openings and the game flowing between either penalty area.
Hayley Bracken, Bea Barber and Liv Bennett had worked the home keeper with early shots on target as well as keen running from Morgan McGrady down the left wing.
The defensive unit of Laura Miller, Sophie Birkett, Naomi Foster, Alice Kemp and Natalie Hooper had been stretched by a lively Bolton front line attack but had managed to contain them and the midfield pairing of Linzi Donaldson and Keeley Holliday were keen to look for early releases to set off attacks.
The late summer heat had resulted in a drinks break after 25 minutes and it was the home side that came out benefiting the most as within minutes after the restart they had gone a goal up.
Keen running and a good show of strength, resulted in the ball being delivered in from the bye line inside the area.
Keeper Laura Miller tried to smother the danger but the ball ended up with the Bolton attacker on the back post.
Despite efforts to close from Birkett and Foster, the young striker was able to thread the ball through the legs of the defenders and find the back of the net.
The game continued to be evenly contested as the first half closed and into the second but Bolton scored twice in quick succession around the hour mark to take a firm grip on the game.
Their second goal came from a throw-in on the left. Loose marking and a late run from the midfield gave Miller an extra headache that she wasn’t expecting at the back. The late arrival at the back was timed well enough to meet the ball delivered from just inside the left touchline.
A first time connection saw the ball rather fortuitously bounce over the outcoming Miller, which was then followed in with quick reactions to find the back of the net.
The final Bolton goal came from a corner from the left where a lapse in concentration gave the initiative to the oncoming Bolton attacker who met the ball with a well-timed header from close range to see it nestle in the back of the net.
Fair credit to the Reds as they could have thrown in the towel and given up, but this was not the case and they fought up to the final whistle.
In doing so they dominated both possession and position in the final 20 minutes, but they sadly couldn’t find a goal to unsettle the resolve of the home side.
Alice Kemp claimed the plaudits from the home side for her strength and resolve in the back line and in turn being selected as the Reds’ Player of the Game.
Team: Laura Miller, Sophie Birkett, Naomi Foster, Alice Kemp, Natalie Hooper, Linzi Donaldson, Keeley Holliday, Liv Bennett, Bea Barber, Morgan McGrady, Hayley Bracken.
Subs: Megan Yarnold, Hannah Ridgewell, Emi Rudd, Sophie Nutter, Lauren Campbell.
The Reds are at the Fibrus Community Stadium this weekend as they face Morecambe Ladies FC with a 2pm kick off.
