Workington Town Women’s defence of the Women’s Cumberland County Cup came to an end at the Frenchfield stadium, with Penrith Ladies progressing to the final as a result of a 1-0 win.
It’s fair to say the cagey encounter was in stark contrast to the seven-goal spectacle two weeks earlier.
A single first half goal was all that split the sides this time as containment was the preferred option as opposed to free flowing football in the earlier league encounter.
The first look at goal came after Penrith’s Poppy Sinden, took control on the halfway line on the right.
The young attacker drove with purpose before striking for goal and forcing Town keeper Laura Miller into a fine save as she pushed the ball over the crossbar.
Town’s Bea Barber had the next look at goal several minutes later after collecting a cross from Cassie Donald on the right.
The striker cut in behind the home back line before firing across Hope Lawson and past the outside of the far post.
Penrith took their unassailable lead 10 minutes later after being awarded a free kick deep inside Town’s half on the left.
Kayleigh Wharton stepped up and whipped in a dangerous cross towards the back post which was bundled across the line after a determined run from Charlotte Smith.
Wharton and Sinden combined soon after with Wharton splitting the back line and Sinden firing against the crossbar.
The majority of the remaining first half was consumed by a tussle in the middle of the park and with neither side assuming any commanding control.
However, with five minutes of the half remaining, Barber was offered a half chance on the right. She closed in before firing a low drive to Lawson’s left with the home keeper reacting well to save.
Restructuring at the interval saw Penrith setting up to defend their slender lead and Town looking for width to break the home resolve down.
In fact the home resolve throughout the half remained firm and as a result Town’s chances to level were mainly speculative efforts from distance which either were off target or were collected comfortably by Lawson.
Town did manage to create two good chances and were left to wonder what if, as both were unable to be converted.
Strong running from Hayley Bracken had seen her pass Lawson and with only a covering Cara Dudson between her and the goal.
Unfortunately for Bracken and Town, the striker lost her footing as she was about to strike and the opportunity was lost.
The second came with only minutes of the game remaining as Morgan McGrady cut in from the right to meet a dangerous delivery from Cassie Donald from the left. Unfortunately, McGrady was unable to latch on to the ball and the home advantage remained intact.
The final whistle came soon after and with it came the end of Town’s run in the Cup this season.
After the game Town manager Paul Mackenzie said: “We are all obviously disappointed to exit the cup at this stage. The competition means a lot to us and to have been able to hold it over the past twelve months was something really special for everyone.
“Compliments must go to Penrith on how they managed the game. The game wasn’t a free-flowing display of football, it was more of a battle of attrition, which Penrith shaded and the spoils are theirs.
“We gave a decent account of ourselves, but sadly we couldn’t replicate the same quality we displayed two weeks ago. The margins were fine and a goal for us might have helped us settle a find a rhythm, but that was not to be.
“Taking the lead and then committing to defend it for long periods of the game clearly paid dividends for Penrith.
“This would have taken a tremendous amount of discipline and concentration and that should be applauded. We congratulate and wish both teams well in the final.”
