Workington Town Women’s run of unbeaten away games continued on Sunday afternoon, but a levelling strike from Wrens with 3 minutes remaining ensured that the honours were shared evenly.
A spirited performance from both teams ensured that the game was filled with entertainment throughout.
No half measures were offered or expected as the teams battled with gusto over the 90-minute encounter.
Chloe Henderson had put the visitors ahead in the 29th minute after making an intelligent defence splitting run from the right in to the Wrens’ penalty area.
The run was picked out by Kirsten Donald as the pairs reading of the potential aligned. Such was the quality of the pass, Henderson only had to time her run to collect before passing the ball past the Wren’s Keeper with deadly precision.
The Wrens levelled just before halftime after a long throw from the right after the visitors defence were unable to deal with the danger.
Brooke Mullholland was alert to the danger and latched on to the loose ball from close in to fire home passed Laura Miller.
Town were able to reset over the half time interval and started the second half in a dominant fashion.
Fleetwood showed great character to withstand lengthy periods of good pressure from the visitors and with 15 minutes remaining they were rewarded when they capitalised on a rare second half attack.
Good pressing on the halfway line had seen the Wrens gain possession and the ensuing quick thinking placed the home side on the front foot.
Mullholland found herself in possession just inside the Town half and in identical fashion to Town’s opening goal, she picked out Emerald Parker running a good line in behind. Parker timed her run to meet the ball and slotted past Miller to take the lead.
Six minutes later and the game was back to all square after Keeley Chatters displayed great calmness defusing a Wrens advance before releasing Hayley Bracken in behind.
Chatter had gained possession 20 yards from the halfway line inside her own half and carried away from danger.
Bracken had sensed an opportunity unfolding and attacked the Wrens’ back line, Chatters obliged and delivered to meet the run. Bracken closed in on goal and finished with great composure despite the ball taking a awkward bobble as she pulled the trigger.
Town were piling on the pressure in an attempt to reward their second half efforts and went ahead 2 minutes later.
Bea Barber had been busy in the middle of the park gaining possession in space. She linked to find Ella O’Nions in an advanced position who in turn squared to find Henderson 25 yards out.
Bracken was again alert to the danger as Henderson dinked the ball over the defensive line to find her run. Bracken showed great strength to evade would be tacklers and was fearless to poke the ball home before being taken out by the Wren’s Keeper.
The final act of the game came in the dying stages with only 3 minutes remaining and the home side earned a free kick centrally a little over 25 yards out.
Mullholland stepped up and shot for goal and Miller got hands on but was unable to gather. Isabella Hendry was first to react and fired home from close range to the dismay of the Town Women.
Bea Barber had threatened all afternoon for Town Women, with runs in behind causing the Wrens back line great concern. This earned her the Player of the Game nod from the Wrens with Mullholland being selected in return.
Town Women are at home this weekend in the Alliance Design and Print League Plate quarter finals against Premier Division opposition in Bury.
All support, new or existing wold be greatly received, said the club.
