Workington Town Women brought their season to an end with a determined display against high flying Mancunian Unity Women.
The league cup quarter-final tie had seen Town drawn at home to the highest ranked team of those remaining in the competition.
Unity sit in second place in the division above Town and were firm favourites to advance to the semi-final.
Unity went on to secure their place in the last four next weekend, but were made to work extremely hard over the 90 minutes to do so and after an extremely closely fought out contest.
Easter commitments had taken several players out of contention for the late rearranged fixture.
Millie Teare was called up for her first team debut along with new signing Lucy Walker who has recently left the junior football ranks.
Eden Stainton was given her second senior outing of the season along with fellow Reserve team regular Teare.
Teare was given a starting nod and slotted in at centre back alongside Linzi Donaldson and Keeley Chatters in what started off as a fluid back five.
As was to be expected, Unity were out of the blocks quickly and looked to take an advantage while Town were adjusting to a different shape and new personnel.
However, the adjustment was seamless from the home side as they set about their business with intensity and purpose.
This restricted Unity to speculative efforts from distance which was convincingly taken care of by Laura Miller in the Town goal.
Adjustments to the formation midway through the first half saw Bea Barber return to her usual position in the front line with Ella Beadsmoore slotting in at right back for the first time in her career.
The youngster adapted admirably throughout the game and grew in stature to dominate the left flank of Unity.
As the game passed its first half hour, Unity were somewhat fortunate to be awarded a free kick 10 yards in off their right touchline and 20 yards into the Town half.
Millie Jardine’s delivery was initially headed away by Donaldson before Jardine crossed again with Ellie Russell reacting well to turn the ball home for what proved to be the only goal of the game.
Town responded by introducing Stainton soon afterwards to make her home debut and replenish energy levels in the home attack.
The last two chances of the half fell to Town and both from range. Initially from Cassie Donald which travelled wide of target and later from Barber, who unfortunately found the safe hands of keeper, Olivia Reid.
The second half followed the same pattern as the first, in that the battle was focused in the centre of the park with the effort and guile evident throughout the season from the Donald sisters and Chloe Little, being supported by the graft and determination of Hayley Bracken.
The quartet served to clearly frustrate their counterparts and repel their creative advances. Equally, the same compliment could be made of the Unity midfield who were as keen to close down the attacking desires from Town.
Walker was given her home debut with around a quarter of an hour or so remaining as she replaced Teare in the back line.
Further chances from distance were all that troubled Miller, that was up until the final five minutes or so when she reacted well low and right to push an attempt to safety.
Olivia Beattie was completing her maiden season for the Town club and, along with Helen Wagstaff, had been introduced to the action earlier in the half.
As the game entered its final stages, Wagstaff was on hand in the centre circle to collect a clearance before delivering with perfect execution to release Bracken in behind the Unity back line.
Bracken closed in on goal before setting herself to strike, however sadly for this season’s top goal scorer, the ball travelled slightly high and the opportunity to take the game to extra time was gone.
Unity preserved their one goal lead up to the final whistle and in doing so advanced to the next round of the cup but in the knowledge that they were made to battle hard to do so.
Keeley Chatters was awarded the Player of the Game and also collected the sponsors vote from the Teasdale Family.
Hayley Bracken received the same recognition from the Friends of Barry McGuirk and Barry Fisher, whilst Millie Teare marked her debut by receiving the same recognition from the loyal supporters of the club, Janice and Paul Moore from Allhaver.
After the game, manager Paul Mackenzie was eager to praise the efforts and spirit of his players and how they had risen to the challenge that faced them.
He said: “I thought we were magnificent and really showed that we are capable of mixing it with some of the best that’s out there.
“The players should be extremely proud of themselves and each other. The coaching staff and myself have an immense amount of belief in this squad and I think today showed exactly why.”
Speaking about the players making their debuts, he added: “I thought the lasses that came into the squad couldn’t have done anything more to impress to be honest.
“Millie obviously started and was at it from the off, putting her stamp on the game. Both Eden and Lucy offered great energy and enthusiasm when they came on and really showed what they are capable of.
“The biggest compliment I could pay them, along with the rest of the squad, is that they did not look out of place against a team that is operating at the very top of Tier 5 of the Women’s Football Pyramid.
“The club has worked very hard over the past few years to push boundaries and make improvements in what we can offer players.
“We are driven to do the right thing for our players and over the past two years we have seen an influx of quality players arrive at the club.
“I think we have seen the benefit of our hard work in the performance from a squad against a very good team.
“This season may have came to an end but we are already eagerly looking towards next season and further establishing ourselves as the club of choice for the best players that are out there.”
