Workington Reds Ladies completed a league double over Morecambe when they beat the Shrimps 1-0.
Located right beside the Lancashire Canal, Galgate FC was the setting for the North West Women’s Regional Division One North league encounter.
It would be fair to say that the playing surface looked impressive before the game started.
However early concerns over the softness of the pitch proved to be fair, and this factored in the ability of both sides to play their natural game.
Inevitably, all things were equal and both teams adapted to ensure a highly competitive game entertained the spectators.
The Reds started off well and the connections out wide from Megan Hay and Bea Barber on the left and Sophie Birkett and Chloe Henderson on the right, were causing problems for the home side.
Central creativity came from Keeley Holliday and Hayley Bracken, with all six players working to release the threats up front from Morgan McGrady and Sarah Smith.
The Shrimps keeper, Erin Lightfoot was called into action as good early chances fell to Smith, Barber, Bracken and McGrady with the latter producing a reaction header which agonisingly hit the cross bar.
Holliday was forced to retire as the half drew to an end with Linzi Donaldson replacing her.
To paint a one-sided picture would be unfair to the hosts as they were keen to create chances of their own.
Birkett and Hay were accompanied centrally at the back by Naomi Foster and Holly Redmond and Laura Miller in her usual position between the posts.
All five worked tirelessly in heavy testing conditions and rebuffed the attacking advances of the Shrimps lively front line.
The Reds eagerness to attack was eventually rewarded with three minutes of the first half remaining.
Donaldson lifted a well-weighted ball over the Morecambe defence and into space for Barber to attack.
Lightfoot came off her line to close, but Barber’s bravery to win the ball and accept the inevitable impact was a decisive factor and she poked the ball in to the empty net to put the Ladies ahead.
The quality of football in the second half was impacted by the worsening playing surface and running with the ball proved difficult to say the least.
This didn’t dampen the desire or willingness to go forward but it did have an impact on the ability to make the telling final pass and the quality of strike.
Second half replacements saw Alice Kemp and Lauren Campbell bolster the back line with Olivia Paice joining the midfield and Hannah Geen heading the attack.
Geen came close to extending the Reds advantage within minutes of being introduced to the action. Her clean strike from the left, having beat Lightfoot, was unfortunate to find the woodwork and ricochet behind for a goal kick.
Morecambe’s desire to gain parity meant that there was some serious late pressure on the visitors’ goal, but the Reds were determined to keep a clean sheet and take all three points on offer.
The final whistle was met with obvious relief by all associated with the Reds players and travelling supporters alike.
Megan Hay was awarded the Player of the Game vote for the visitors as she had impressed in her first outing at left back, with both her defensive and attacking duties.
After the game, manager Paul Mackenzie said: “The resolve of all 16 players was immense and for their efforts to be rewarded with all three points on a very testing surface is just reward.
“Credit should also be given to Morecambe for their part in what was a really entertaining game of football.
“The conditions were tough for both teams and it’s fair to say that neither was able to play the style of football they normally do.
“We found a way to put ourselves ahead and we showed great character in defending that advantage through to the final whistle.”
The Ladies now turn their attention to this coming Sunday when they face Fleetwood Town Wrens first team in the Alliance Design and Print League Plate at the Fibrus Community Stadium.
On the fixture, midfielder Chloe Henderson said: “This Sunday is the last weekend of February and we are pretty much entering the run in to the end of the season.
“It would be amazing to see supporters down at the Fibrus cheering us on in our final few home games. Their support really does make a big difference to us all.”
Team: Laura Miller, Sophie Birkett, Naomi Foster, Holly Redmond, Megan Hay, Keeley Holliday, Chloe Henderson, Bea Barber, Hayley Bracken, Morgan McGrady, Sarah Smith, Linzi Donaldson, Alice Kemp, Olivia Paice, Lauren Campbell, Hannah Geen.
