Over the second half of the season, Workington Town Women have been steadily delivering improved performances each week.
So it probably came as no surprise that Sunday’s game against second in the league Accrington Stanley saw Town produce one of their strongest displays this season.
Accrington have been in great form since August last year, with only the unstoppable Bolton Wanderers being the other team to have managed to have taken any points off them this season.
Harbouring feint hopes of being crowned champions themselves, Accrington needed to win against Town and Bolton to be beaten at home against Preston.
Before the main action got underway, supporters of junior girls football were served up a treat when Workington Town Juniors Under 11s Meerkats played a friendly against Maryport Athletic Under 12s.
After a highly entertaining game, the players received Easter Eggs from the Town players and repaid them by waving the Town flags as the teams took to the field.
Town set off the game well and took the initiative to Stanley, forcing an early corner from the right. Keeley Chatters commanded aerially as she directed a header goal bound before an Accrington defender cleared to safety.
However, a couple of moments of indecision in the 4th minute, gave Town a punishing taste of the front line threat of the visitors. Grace Hindley jumped on the loose ball, before rounding Keeper Laura Miller and slotting home to give Accy the lead.
Despite the set back, Town were in the ascendancy, with Hayley Bracken and Helen Wagstaff offering attempts from distance and Chloe Henderson industrious in support.
Town were awarded a free kick in the 16th minute, which was slightly right of centre and around 25 yards out from keeper Justine Elliott’s goal.
Cassie Donald stood over the dead ball and set her sights before unleashing a thunderbolt strike in to the Accrington goal with Elliott firmly rooted to the spot and unable to react.
With parity restored and in all fairness, that was the least Town should have rewarded with for the intent in which they had started the game with.
A little over ten minutes later, Town found themselves in the lead and again Donald was involved. Having picked the ball up on the left 35 yards out, Donald played a simple ball to Bracken who in turn picked out Bea Barber.
Barbers intelligent flick round the Accrington defender was met by Donald’s keen running, but as she cut back inside she was taken out by a covering defender.
Within a split second the ball was at Barber’s feet and having the foresight to carry on amid penalty claims. Barber fired home leaving Elliott no chance of saving.
Thanks to the efficiency of the Town back four of Tiegan Hargrave, Naomi Foster, Keeley Chatters and Lauren Campbell, Laura Miller was seldomly called in to action throughout the game. Most duties being what would be best described as regulation saves from distance.
However, on one rare occasion the Stanley attack were able to break through, but they found Miller alert to deal with the danger as she dived to smother with the ricochet rebounding off the Stanley striker and crossing the byline to safety.
The pack was reshuffled soon after half time with Kirsten Donald making way for Rowan Williams. Donald had picked up a yellow card earlier in the game and with the County Cup Final at risk if she collected a second, the sensible move to make was to replace her.
Kirstens sibling; Cassie, followed soon after when she picked up a knock that required further look at with Linzi Donaldson replacing.
Town extended their lead soon after with a flowing passage of play that came right off the training pitch.
Williams had protected the ball well around the half way before the ball eventually found Helen Wagstaff bursting from midfield.
Wagstaff linked with Barber who returned and hit the line. Wagstaff remained in control as she evaded a would be tackler, before lifting the ball to meet Barber’s run with the striker finishing with deft control to lob Elliott and into the empty goal.
Accrington rallied and fought to the end, but were unable to break the home side resolve to protect their lead. Fresh legs were introduced when Olivia Paice replaced Helen Wagstaff and Ella O’Nions was introduced for Barber.
Town were able to hold strong and soak up this late pressure from Accy. In doing so they collected all three points on offer and secured fifth place in the league with a game spare.
Keeley Chatters received a hat trick of accolades as she was awarded both sponsors Player of the Game votes as well as the recognition from Accrington too.
After the game, Manager Paul Mackenzie said: “For me, today’s game was as much about the occasion as it was the performance from ourselves.
“We’ve had a lot of youth footballers with us all day and to see them engaging with our players and vice versa was immense.
“I’ve no doubt that players from these teams will end up representing the club in years to come and if today helps them to dream about their futures then we are all on the right track.
“With regard to our performance and the improvement we’ve seen over the season, I couldn’t be more happier.
“We have hit a rich vein of form and with the County Cup Final coming up I feel like we couldn’t be in any better shape.
“It’s been a growing season for certain, but what we have ended up with is something that we are all hugely pleased with and proud of.
“We are already excited for the potential that we have to take forward in to next season and this one hasn’t really finished yet.”
