Despite a spirited performance with only 12 fit first team players available, Workington Town Women’s Adobe Women’s FA Cup journey came to an end on Sunday afternoon.
The fixture against Chester-le-Street was always going to be a tough test for the West Cumbrians as their opponents are unbeaten in the league so far this season.
They also operate in a higher league having recently dropped out of the National League structure.
The home side’s advantage was further boosted by the inclusion of three Sunderland AFC Women Academy players on their team sheet as substitutes, all of whom featured in a telling second half performance.
The first half was a quite even affair with both sides testing their opposition’s keeper, but only on the odd occasion.
A strike from Bea Barber early on produced a superb finger-tip save from home keeper Ellie Jardine to deny the visitors.
Nat Broad followed soon after as she tried to capitalise on a half cleared corner, but was unfortunate with her attempt from distance which went the wrong side of the post.
Laura Miller was in good form for Town Women, as she produced a string of good saves over the 90 minutes, especially a spell of three to four in as many seconds in the second half as the hosts applied good pressure.
Showing similar quality at the opposite end of the pitch was Rowan Williams, as she led the line for the home side linking well to release others and keeping the home side’s back line honest with keen pressing.
The visitors managed to contain their opponents up until the 40th minute when a loose ball was picked up in the middle of the park.
The ensuing threatening carry was rewarded by the keen running of goal-scorer Jenny Ashton, who’s run broke the line before the striker fired past Miller from close range.
This single goal was all that separated the sides at the interval and both teams hit the changing rooms believing that the game was there for the taking.
A half time substitution for the home side saw Niyar Dunbar introduced to the action and the young Sunderland Academy player didn’t take long to get involved and show her quality down the left.
Showing great ability and control in and out of possession, Dunbar threatened every time she received the ball. Had it not been for the tenacity of full back Keeley Chatters, her impact may well have been greater.
However, two moments of quality gave the exciting winger a brace of goals as she found the back of the net with two rifled strikes displaying great precision.
Her brace of goals was split by a tap in from close range by Katie Ellison having reacted well to take advantage of a ball rebounding off the crossbar and into her path.
The game ended with the home side worthy winners after a strong second half performance, which was boosted by the involvement of three Sunderland Academy players.
Manager Paul Mackenzie said: “Obvious congratulations go to Chester-le-Street for what was a well deserved win.
“We all knew it was going to be a very difficult challenge for us and the team was disappointed at the end, but we have to put everything in to perspective before we start to analyse our performance.
“Despite the odds being stacked against us, I thought we gave a really good account of ourselves, especially in the first half and a bit more composure on occasions might have seen us threaten a bit more.
“The quality they had available in the second half made a big difference and some of the players that were brought on will be looking to make a career in the game.
“I was impressed with the fight that we showed over the 90 minutes. We were beaten in some areas, but definitely not in our fight and willingness to work right up to the final whistle.”
Team: Miller, Henderson, Chatters, Donaldson, Hooper, Donald, Wagstaff, Williams, Smith, Broad, Barber. Subs: O’Nions, Paice and Bracken (the last two both unused due to injury).
