Workington Reds Ladies doubled their league points tally to six for the season after a second win in a row at the Fibrus Community Stadium
Before the game, a minutes silence was observed by all those in attendance as a show of support for the World Suicide Prevention Day. The Ladies had earlier worn T-shirts during their warm-up from local suicide prevention charity Every Life Matters.
Goalkeeper Kayce Whineray, was deputising for Laura Miller and Rowan Williams was added to the squad after missing earlier opportunities through availability.
Whineray was the first of the pair to be called into notable action as she calmly collected a free-kick from the left early on in the game. Later on in the game, Williams saw a well taken effort from the right being tipped over from the Shrimp’s keeper, Erin Lightfoot.
The Reds first attempt at goal came from a well-worked corner from the left which resulted in a dangerous cross from Eleanor McDonald. Linzi Donaldson came to meet and flicked on goal bound, but an agile Lightfoot, managed to turn the attempt over the bar.
After 12 minutes the Reds took the lead when Hayley Bracken claimed the first of her brace on the day.
Lightfoot’s clearance out of hand had bounced unopposed through to Reds centre back and captain, Naomi Foster and her delivery forward found Bracken in space and in behind the Morecambe defence. Bracken adjusted well before firing home to beat Lightfoot from just inside the area.
Eight minutes later their lead was doubled. Good pressure in the tackle from Emi Rudd found her taking control and she was quick to find Bracken in behind again.
Bracken looked odds on to score only to see her effort saved by the outstretched legs of Lightfoot but Bea Barber was the first to react and delivered a telling ball into the area.
The ball found Keeley Holliday on the right edge and she drove a pass at Bracken who shot with force from ten yards out to leave Lightfoot stranded.
Five minutes from the break and from relatively nowhere, the visitors pulled one back. Their attacking corner on the right had resulted in a throw-in 20 yards off the bye-line.
The Morecambe attacker used her body well to shield and cross with Whineray only able to parry the ball. Erin Menzies was the first to react and her eagerness was rewarded with a close-range finish.
The Reds nearly restored their two goal advantage quickly after when a through-ball from McDonald set Bracken in behind again. Pressure applied from the covering defender outside of the area was enough to put Bracken off balance. Even so, she managed to get her shot away which Lightfoot turned away.
Six minutes into the second half and the home team could have extended their lead. A dangerous cross from Sophie Birkett on the right, tantalisingly flashed across an empty goal mouth with Lightfoot beaten.
Morecambe’s desire to draw level saw them create a half chance from the right but the resulting shot failed to trouble Whineray’s goal.
Halfway through the second half, Barber was the first to react to a half-cleared corner. She collected 30 yards out and fed a fine ball through to Kacey Rodgers on the edge of the area. Rodgers quickly shot at goal but Lightfoot was positioned well to defuse the situation.
Whineray was again called in to action with 20 minutes remaining when a shot from the right was comfortably saved at the near post.
As the game entered its final ten minutes, wingers, Birkett and Sophie Nutter were proving to be a handful for the visitors defence with the former’s keen running in behind nearly latching on to a free kick from Donaldson and with the latter crossing to create a chance for Barber from distance.
The final act of the day fell to Morecambe’s Menzies as they looked for a late leveller. After driving in to the box she twisted and turned to find a yard of space, but fortunately for the Reds, her attempt at goal was over the bar.
Hayley Bracken was awarded the player of the game by both the visitors and the match-day sponsors Cloud Competitions as they continue to grow their support of local beneficiaries.
The Ladies now face two away trips in the league against Radcliffe Ladies and Penwortham Town Ladies before returning to the Fibrus Community Stadium on the 1st October to face Penrith AFC Ladies in the Women’s FA Cup second round qualifying game.
