Workington Reds Ladies progressed in the Alliance Design and Print Plate competition with a 4-0 win over Fleetwood Town Wrens.
On paper it should have been a tough ask for the Reds as they took on Premier Division opposition from Fleetwood Town.
Despite the difference in league standings, the Reds emerged as well-deserved winners and now face an home tie against Hindley Juniors Women FC on March 10.
It was Fleetwood who were forcing the early pressure and creating the majority of chances.
Their lively attackers were repeatedly testing the defensive resolve of the Reds back line compromising of Sophie Birkett, Naomi Foster, Holly Redmond and Lauren Campbell, with all having to work hard to contain their quality.
This pressure might had paid off halfway through the first half had it not been for the quick reactions of keeper Laura Miller and Birkett, with Miller initially saving a close range strike and Birkett followed up to clear off the line.
The home side grew into the game as their opponents’ frustration started to spill over and connections in the middle of the park through Helen Wagstaff, Chloe Henderson, Bea Barber and Hayley Bracken were starting to show promising signs of releasing Sarah Smith and Morgan McGrady up front.
The first half finished level with the Wrens having had the better of the chances, but with the home side’s belief in their ability to cause a Cup upset increasing.
The second half was only five minutes old when the first of three defensive errors leading to goals changed the course of the game.
Smith was keen to apply pressure as the visitors tried to play across their back line 35 yards from goal. This pressure saw the ball fall to Bracken who quickly connected with McGrady.
She released her into space and McGrady’s lightening pace off the mark gave her the advantage as she closed in on goal before unleashing a strike across keeper Holly Scanlan into the net.
Alice Kemp, Hannah Geen, Rowan Williams and Hannah Ridgewell replaced Campbell, Smith, McGrady and Henderson after the hour mark had passed in order to replace energy levels after the departing four had given their all and contributed impressively.
Barber capitalised on the second error in the 78th minute to bag the first of her brace of goals.
Fleetwood were looking to work the ball from their left to right, but Barber read the play and intercepted on the halfway line and intelligently pushed the ball into the space behind to take the defender out of the equation.
She then drew Scanlan off her line before lifting the ball over her and doubling the lead.
Williams’ great run of form was rewarded two minutes later when she converted from the left.
The visitors were attempting to dig themself out of a home press on their right and had played a loose ball backwards.
Williams read the situation well and applied pressure and showed good physicality before clinically dissecting a covering defender and Scanlan to find the back of the net.
Barber rounded the scoring off with two minutes remaining after reacting quickly and reading the play before the visitors defence could recover.
Wagstaff’s flicked header found Geen on the right and her instinctive cross into the area around the penalty spot found Barber whose alertness ensured that she was the first on the scene and she buried the ball into the net.
Morgan McGrady was awarded the Player of the Game vote for the home side after her constant threat on the visitors back line had impressed throughout.
After the game, manager Paul Mackenzie said: “I am absolutely delighted for the squad and what they delivered on the field.
“They were superb, especially in the second half and the defence was justly rewarded for their solidity with a clean sheet and the alertness up front to punish mistakes was as equally impressive.
“Facing opposition from the league above us was always going to be a good test for us and this performance shows that we are capable of playing in that division.
“Earning promotion in to the Premier Division is something that we are ultimately aiming for. We are working extremely hard both on and off the field to push ourselves forward and to help us to achieve the ambitions we have.”
Team: Laura Miller, Sophie Birkett, Naomi Foster, Holly Redmond, Lauren Campbell, Helen Wagstaff, Chloe Henderson, Bea Barber, Hayley Bracken, Sarah Smith, Morgan McGrady, Linzi Donaldson, Hannah Ridgewell, Alice Kemp, Hannah Geen, Rowan Williams.
