Workington Town Women were left to rue missed opportunities as they failed to capitalise on a plethora of good chances in their final league game of the season at home to Haslingden Girls and Ladies.
In contrast, Haslingden were efficient in their conversion rate, scoring three of the six chances they had crafted on the day on their way to a 3-1 win.
The game had been switched at short notice to Lakes College at Lillyhall, after a late morning pitch inspection had found the Fibrus Community Stadium soaked from heavy rain that morning.
The earlier heavy rain had thankfully subsided by the time the game got underway, however, continuous gusts of 45mph winds, meant that a display of free flowing football would certainly be difficult to fashion for either team.
The visitors took the lead just after the first quarter of an hour had lapsed. A speculative punt into the area had forced an error and with Madison Purdy on hand to convert the visitors went ahead.
Town rallied and arguably played the more controlled football to offer good chances to Hayley Bracken and Cassie Donald. Sadly, these were unable to be converted with the Haslingden keeper influencing a strike onto the woodwork and the others failing to find the target.
Purdy doubled her tally for the day and extended the visitors lead just before the break after she had reacted well to a second ball lifted in behind the line. The striker steadied before striking across Laura Miller and into the far corner.
Town were obviously disappointed at the break, having done enough to be at least level but with an uphill second half battle ahead of them.
Playing with the wind, Town were dominant and chances were developed with increasing frequency. However, the clinical prowess displayed by Purdy remained absent in the attacking intentions of the home side and in vital areas of the pitch.
Further promising chances fell to Bracken and Bea Barber, but sadly, Town’s opening goal continued to be illusive and score line remained in the firm favour of the visitors.
Instead it was Haslingden that found the back of the net next and it’s fair to say against the run of play.
Grace Mills had collected the ball on the left and just in Town’s half. She drove towards the home line before crossing into the area. An outstretched Keeley Chatters leg could only partially deflect the delivery which kindly fell to Megan Rodriguez who dispatched with due diligence.
With a half hour of play still available, Towns fate was not sealed, however the task had obviously increased. Pressure continued on the visitors defence with play now camped in their half.
The home side’s efforts were eventually rewarded with a little over 10 minutes remaining and after creative work by Barber on the right. Barber carried with intent before crafting a yard and firing home to set up a tense finish.
Soon after, Kirsten Donald came close to reducing the deficit after a header from close in seemed to be goal bound.
However, the Haslingden keeper was alert to produce the save of the game and push the effort initially onto the crossbar and then to safety.
The game finished in a disappointing loss for Town Women and with that, an end to the North West Women’s Regional Football Division One 2025/26 season.
Laura Miller was awarded player of the game by Haslingden and Kirsten Donald was awarded the sponsors player of the game by M&I Travel.
There is a league cup quarter-final against Mancunian Unity who are flying high in the division higher. This game is scheduled for this weekend and support would be greatly appreciated at the Fibrus Community Stadium on Sunday, with a 2pm kick off.
