Workington Town Women exited the League Plate on Sunday afternoon after harshly conceding two first half goals in an evenly contested quarter final.
However, a battling performance against their opponents from a league higher will give great optimism for a strong run in to the end of the season.
Before proceedings got underway, a minute’s silence was impeccably observed by everyone at the Fibrus Community Stadium, as a mark of respect for the desperately sad passing of young Kendal footballer, Poppy Atkinson.
We join the rest of the Cumberland footballing community in offering our deepest condolences to Poppy’s family and friends.
Town could have went ahead in the fifth minute when Hayley Bracken nearly latched on to a free kick from Linzi Donaldson.
Donaldson’s delivery was on point as too was Bracken’s reaction, but unfortunately the striker was unable to convert.
Georgia Payton, looked lively up front for Bury and in the 16th minute found enough space to rifle a shot off from the edge of the area which fortunately flashed over the cross bar.
Bury took the lead soon after, when good work down the visitors left resulted in a ball driven across to find Payton on hand to tap home.
Their lead was doubled just after the half hour mark when Lily Metcalff was found in space on the left. The striker finished clinically into the top corner leaving Laura Miller no chance.
Town crafted another chance soon after, again from a Donaldson free kick with Nat Broad’s strike being blocked before an effort from Keeley Chatters was saved well by Lilly Groves.
Broad and Chatters were in action again minutes later, when Broads deliver from a corner was met by Chatters, but again Groves was on hand to save well.
A rear mistake from Groves followed as a scuffed clearance ricocheted off a Bury defender and fell to Broad. Unfortunately, Broad’s lifted effort tracked agonisingly past the post to safety.
The final notable act of the half came from Miller with a fine diving save to her right to deny a strike from close in and push the ball behind for a corner.
The second half was as equally contested as the first and it took around 10 minutes for the first sight of goal to appear.
An attempt from Broad on the edge of the area was handled by a Bury defender. Broad stepped up to take the free kick, but sadly her strike on goal was a shade too high and the danger was over.
Town were applying the majority of the pressure and went close again through Bracken at the far post.
Laura Ivison had lofted a ball across the area and Bracken was able to dominate, however the ensuing header ended travelling agonisingly past the wrong side of the post.
Bury hit back with good work again down their right resulting in a ball being flashed back across the six-yard area, however this was only turned behind for a goal kick.
Town threatened again late on with two corners from the right from Donaldson. The first being met by Bracken who found Groves well positioned again, and the second resulted in a collision with Bracken leaving the field.
The game finished with Bury taking the victory, but with Town drawing much hope from a strong performance against a higher ranked opponent.
Linzi Donaldson was awarded the Player of the Game for a strong defensive performance and from creativity in her deliveries going forward.
Tiegan Hargrave was given the Sponsors Player of the Game vote by Westlakes Demolition after another polished performance from the youngster in her debut season.
After the game, Manager Paul Mackenzie said: “I am extremely proud of the performance the team delivered today. We had to reshuffle because of availability and the response across the squad was superb.
“Bury looked very lively going forward, as you’d expect from a team playing a step higher.
“However, I thought our defensive efforts across the park nullified their threat to a couple of opportunities which unfortunately for us they took. On another day the score could quite easily have been level or in our favour.
“It was International Women’s Day on Saturday and I believed the performances today from both ourselves and Bury, really showcased how the game is progressing.
“Over the past 12 months, we have set ourselves a trajectory which is driven by the fundamentals of IWD and offering a stronger future for the players we represent in our community. We are definitely in a stronger position now than ever before and are looking to build on this each year.”
Town will hopefully have a few players back for consideration for next weekend’s squad, as they prepare for the County Cup Semi Final against Penrith on Sunday.
The game will kick off at 1.30pm on Sunday at the Fibrus and will be followed by screening of the Carabao Cup final after the game.
