Workington Reds Ladies came out second best to Poulton Vic’s at the Fibrus Community Stadium in the Alliance Design and Print League Cup.
After finishing the first half all square it all went wrong for the Reds in the second half and they went down 5-2.
Poulton play on the front foot and were very effective in front of goal and these were two decisive factors in the outcome of the game, with four second half goals being scored in a 28 minute passage of play.
Ellise Newby opened the scoring for the visitors in the 19th minute when she capitalised on a loose ball on the edge of the area, firing home firmly from 18 yards out.
Their lead lasted for only five minutes before Hannah Geen slotted home clinically from a good position centrally after great pressing work from Rowan Williams on the right forced a mistake from the Poulton defence.
The first half was shared equally with both sides experiencing spells of dominance. Poulton had enjoyed the earlier exchanges with the home side finishing strongly before the break.
The visitors took the lead again in the 57th minute through a fierce strike from Issy Prescott from 25 yards out. Laura Miller looked to have the strike covered, but a cruel deflection 10 yards out left her wrong-footed and without a chance of making the save.
Five minutes later, Charlotte Navarro extended the visitors lead further, before strong play from Hayley Bracken saw her win and convert a penalty for the Reds and give them hope.
Despite a spirited effort from the home side, it was Poulton that added to the scoresheet through a late brace off Alicia Hardacre, scoring in the 75th and 82nd minute.
Hayley Bracken was awarded the player of the game for her influential presence over the 90 minutes.
The Ladies will now be entered in to the Alliance Design and Print League Plate competition alongside fellow Cumbrian teams Penrith AFC Ladies and Carlisle United Ladies FC.
After the game, manager Paul Mackenzie said: “It’s obviously disappointing to lose the game and concede five goals, but being honest, the difference between the two side wasn’t reflective of the scoreline.
“We had chances that we didn’t convert, whereas they were deadly in front of goal and credit should go to Poulton for that.
“There were positives for us to take from the game, such as Olivia making her home debut for the club, and Rowan delivered what was arguably her best performance for us since joining last summer.“
