Workington Town Women continued with their impressive run of away form, as they remain unbeaten on the road since the middle of September after Sunday’s win at Hindley.
Hindley have struggled to field a full squad of 11 players in several games this season and Sunday was no different as they took the field with only seven players. Fair admiration and appreciation should go to those that decided to take the field rather than cancel the fixture, a show of resilience that’s been apparent all season.
As you’d expect, the numerical mismatch gave Town a telling advantage and possession stats were stacked in their favour along with possession.
Pressure on the home defensive line was immediate, with Town going two goals up in the first 4 minutes with a strike from Keeley Chatters and a header from Hayley Bracken.
he opening strike was fashioned in the second minute after Helen Wagstaff displayed great control of a high ball to flick to connect with Bea Barber. The Striker laid the ball of to Kirsten Donald supporting, who in turn released Chatters on the edge of the area. Chatters spun and set before unleashing a strike past Keeper, Ella Travis, and in to the goal.
This was followed 2 minutes later after good work on the right by Linzi Donaldson who generated herself half a yard of space before delivering a clinical cross to find Bracken’s well timed run. The ensuing powerful header left Travis helpless to save and the visitors lead was doubled.
This early double set back resulted in the home side dropping deeper in a low block and this coupled with a prevailing wind, meant Town were camped in the final third but the telling penetration was hard to find.
Shots were aplenty from 25 yards out, but thanks to the intelligent positioning of Travis, or the flight of ball sliding past the goal, the visitors couldn’t capitalise further until the half neared an end.
The third goal came in the 44th minute after a corner on the right from Donaldson was partially cleared to just outside of 18 yard area.
Barber collected and linked with Donald, who in turn found Wagstaff. In a clear display of purpose, Wagstaff shifted the ball to wrong foot would be challengers before firing low across Travis to find the corner of the goal.
With the wind at their backs for the second half, Hindley adopted higher line and looked to push Town deeper, however, as you’d expect, the possession remained firmly in the visitors’ favour.
The lead was increased with a little over 5 minutes of the second half resuming, after Chatters laid the ball off to Donaldson 25 yards out on the right.
The midfielder scanned her options before opting for a driven strike at goal which flew past Travis and in to the back of the goal, much to the delight of her vocal travelling supporters standing close by.
In the 63rd minute, Donald was in possession and driving with intent at the back line, isolating the Hindley left back.
Having broken in to space, Donald delivered a cross to the left to pick out Nat Broad who had held a good position our wide. Broad cut back inside on her left before drilling home with her right with decisive decision making and impressive execution.
Morgan McGrady was introduced soon after to continue her staged return from injury and was accompanied by other long term absentee Sarah Smith, who was making her first appearance since October last year.
Smith was involved in the last action of the game in the 70th minute, as she crossed a quality ball in for Bracken to attack at full pace. Brackens instinctive strike had Travis rooted, but sadly the flight to the ball narrowly past the wrong side of the post.
Completion of the game had always been dependent on Hindley being able to field at least seven players. A suspected concussion to one of the Hindley defenders, left the referee no option but to ask the player to leave the field with her welfare, understandably his main priority and in doing so call the game to an end.
Linzi Donaldson was voted player of the Game by Hindley, for the quality of her scoring strike from distance and general positive influence on the game throughout.
After the game, manager Paul Mackenzie said: “Firstly, an incredible amount of respect must go to the Hindley players and coaches for showing up and getting the game played.
“The resilience they have shown today and throughout the season was and has been awesome and I applaud them for their actions and efforts.
“I asked our players to be respectful of the situation that we were facing and to make sure we delivered a controlled performance, which they absolutely delivered.
“We came here looking for a win and to build on the form we are currently displaying in our performances. We achieved both of these aims whilst conducted ourselves in an appropriate manner given the unusual circumstances.”
Town are away from home again this weekend when they travel to Fleetwood, before returning to the Fibrus on March 9 and March 16 in League Plate and County Cup action.
They face a tough test against Premier Division opposition in Bury FC Women on March 9 in the League Plate Quarter Final, before a replay of last season’s Cumberland County Cup Final against Penrith Ladies, in this season’s Semi Final.
Captain Naomi Foster said: “We would love to see as many people as possible down at the ground for these important games. From a players perspective on the pitch, to hear supporters backing us is huge and it gives us all a massive boost.
“The clubs aims are to represent the community and specifically female football, for many years to come.
“Everyone can play a recent important part in this and we’d urge people to come down and join us in our journey.”
