Penrith came out on top in the first Cumbrian derby of the season, beating Workington Town Women 2-0.
Playing with a strong wind in their favour, the home side’s direct approach paid dividends as they claimed all three points at Newton Rigg, with two first half strikes proving to be decisive.
Town Women had started off strongly and spells of impressive passing had given them control of the game in the early exchanges.
Clean links between Nat Hooper, Morgan McGrady and Bea Barber had carved the home side open in the first minute of play with a strike from Barber testing the Penrith keeper.
More dominance and creativity in the middle of the park from Kirsten Donald, Helen Wagstaff, Sarah Smith and Cassie Donald had enabled the visitors to take control of the game and Barber and McGrady were forcing the home defence to work hard.
Lawson was by far the busier of the keepers on the night and had it not been for her performance, backed up by the defensive organisation from captain Kim McCormick, the result may well have been different.
Abbie Forster opened the scoring in the 12th minute after good pressure from the visitors throw in on their left had regained possession high up the field.
The ball was played in to the area before somewhat fortuitously finding the feet of Foster having taking a deflection on route. Forster reacted quickly to find the top right corner with a sweetly taken strike to leave Town’s keeper Laura Miller helpless.
This was followed 10 minutes later, with Forster involved again, only this time as provider. Having collected the ball 25 yards out, Forster was guided wide by Towns captain Naomi Foster, before striking an attempt on goal which came of the crossbar and fell to Jodie English to finish off close in and extend the lead.
Solid building from the middle before directing play to the flanks, was increasing the pressure on the home defence. The returning Sophie Douglas had filled in at right back and was linking well with Cassie Donald down the right, who in turn was finding McGrady’s keen running.
Chances had fallen to Barber, McGrady, Cassie Donald and Smith, with the latter lifting the ball over Lawson only to see it travel agonisingly close to the keeper’s left post.
The visitors were unable to claim any reward for the high quality football they had provided in the first 45 minutes and the half finished with the home side two goals to the good.
Territory was dominated by the visitors in the second half with the exception of the odd ball delivered over the top out wide in an attempt to relieve pressure on the home defence.
An early strike from McGrady was unlucky to ricochet to safety after hitting the cross bar and similarly efforts from Cassie Donald and Barber had either been saved well by Lawson or flashed past her posts to safety.
Second half substitute Olivia Paice, unfortunately lasted less than 35 seconds having received a strong and somewhat unnecessary challenge in her back as she looked to regather the ball. The challenge resulted in the youngster taking a heavy tumble with the brunt of it being absorbed by her shoulder, forcing her from the field of play.
Laura Ivison was introduced to the action and added energy and intelligent runs which occupied the home defence up until the final whistle. Similarly defensive solidity had been provided when Linzi Donaldson and Hannah Ridgewell had taken the field.
Penrith held out to the final whistle and claimed the points after what had been a keenly contested encounter and great advertisement for women’s football at the highest level in the county.
