The Ladies were at home to Kendal Wattsfield, who they had knocked out of the cup the week before and they received a welcome boost with Faye available, having been stretchered off the previous week.
KW started strongly, without causing too much problem and for the first 5 minutes or so, the ball became encamped on their right wing, just inside the Newlaithes half as repeated throw-ins were kicked back into touch. Newlaithes began to pressure the KW defence and Emma was unlucky when on several occasions, she looked like she had broken free only for the ball to run unkindly. The pitch was firm and the extra bounce caused problems for both teams. Pat, Emma, Laura W, Stacey and KT O all came close before Katie O scored the opener in the 36th minute. The ball came across awkwardly from the right and Katie knocked it up into the air before thumping a spectacular volley into the back of the net from just inside the box. KW tried to attack on the counter but any danger was snuffed out by the home defence. Sarah was running the show in midfield and is looking stronger with each game. KW came close just before half time but Newlaithes went into the break with a deserved lead.
Newlaithes started the 2nd half in similar fashion and Faye was unlucky when she smashed the ball against the bar having shaken off the close attention of the marking defenders. However KW drew level in the 49th minute. A wall of three defenders stood and watched as the ball bounced in front of them. 'After you...' came the invitation which allowed the KW striker space and time to lob the defenders and Katie M with a neat finish from just inside the box. Newlaithes started to lose their shape as KW began to get more success beating the off-side trap and Katie M was forced into action to keep Newlaithes in the game, particularly with a good diving save to her left. Newlaithes were conceding too much space in midfield and lost possession when in good positions as passes went astray and clearances were mis-kicked. As the match progressed, both teams began to look scrappy which led to half chances at both ends although KW were still looking slightly sharper. In the 85th minute a sliced Newlaithes clearance resulted in a corner on the right. The ball sailed across and was bundled into the net from 2 yards off the back of a KW forward. Newlaithes seemed to wake up and clicked back into gear. Four minutes later, Pat layed the ball up to Faye on the edge of the box. Laura W made a great run off the ball to the right but Faye turned the defenders then cut back inside to smash the ball home with her left foot. Final score 2-2.
Definitely a game of two halves - Newlaithes had the best of the first half but struggled to retain possession in the 2nd as they lost their composure. All credit to KW for fighting back and in the end the draw was a fair result.
Katie M made some good saves in goals and Jade was also outstanding in defence with Pat, Katie O and Laura W looking sharp in attack. Special mention to Faye for another battering ram performance up front and so soon after a bad injury but player of the match was Sarah for yet another composed and creative performance in midfield.
Next week the Ladies are at home to Harraby in the cup semi-final. Good luck ladies!!!!!
Crown Newlaithes Ladies
Katie Ostridge (36) Faye Comber (89)
2 v 2
Kendal Wattsfield
Goal (49) Goal (85)
League Match played at home on 14/03/2010
Kick Off: 2pm, Attendance: 25
Refereed by: Andrew Harvey
As the season enters its final phase, we are already looking ahead to next season. It is the club's aim to be able to field two teams in the Cumbria Women's League and we are looking to recruit new players.
Whether you (or someone you know) are playing now or used to play and would like to get back into football, we would like to hear from you.
From the end of this month, we will be training on Wednesday nights at Rickerby Park, Carlisle and we would welcome enquiries from any player who will be aged 16 or above on 31st August. All we ask is that you have enthusiasm and commitment.
If you are interested please use the 'Contact Us' link on this website.
The Ladies continued their recent good progress against a strong Kendal Wattsfield team at the Lakeland Radio Stadium, Parkside Road, Kendal. Newlaithes were without, Abbie, Beth, Holly, Jemma and Katie J but welcomed back Emma and Carly after her brief sabatical...
Newlaithes started kicking down the slope but it was KW who looked stronger at the start. They had Newlaithes pegged back for most of the first 10 minutes but Newlaithes defended resolutely and for all their possession, KW didn't really threaten the Newlaithes goal. Newlaithes then settled down and began to fight back. Their pressure was rewarded with a penalty after 14 minutes when a KW defender handled in the box. Stacey stepped up to tuck away the penalty. KW's frustration was evident as Newlaithes continued to match them toe to toe in what was becoming a tough physical contest. After 22 minutes, KW won a penalty when Emma was adjudged to have fouled in the box, which they duly blasted home. Three minutes later, Newlaithes' lead was restored when the KW keeper fumbled Stacey's free-kick under pressure from Emma and Claire mopped up the loose ball. Newlaithes came close soon after when Laura W's long range effort clipped the top of the bar. Then KW came close when they beat the offside trap but Katie M won the 1 on 1 challenge. Newlaithes got their 3rd in the 44th minute when Laura W shot from the edge of the box. The keeper saved well but Claire followed up - only for the keeper to save again but Laura W finally forced the loose ball home from close range. 3-1 at half time.
KW came out fired up for the 2nd half but any intentions of a quick goal evaporated as Newlaithes were dogged as ever. The 2nd half became a tough midfield battle and chances were few and far between as both defences were strong. Laura O had a shot well saved but despite good pressure, Newlaithes were unable to add to their total. At the other end, KW pushed more players forward and Newlaithes suffered a blow when Faye had to be stretchered off after a crunching tackle with the KW winger (she was taken to hospital for an X-Ray and thankfully nothing is broken). Katie M then saved well from a stinging shot from the edge of the box. KW's frustration was still evident as time ticked away. In the fourth minute of injury time, two KW forwards broke free and as everyone waited for the offside whistle, they scored for a consolation goal. Final score 3-2.
This really was a tough match and Newlaithes came out deserved winners although it was never easy. This was Kendal Wattsfield's first home defeat of the season (their only two defeats have been away to the top two teams, Whitehaven and Harraby) which again is evidence of how far the Newlaithes team has progressed.
Player of the match was split between Katie M for making some crucial saves and Laura W, who's movement and touch were top quality.
Next week the Ladies are at home to Kendal Wattsfield in the league. Keep it up!!!
Kendal Wattsfield
Goal (22) Goal (94)
2 v 3
Crown Newlaithes Ladies
Stacey Harkness (14) Claire Blakey (25) Laura Webster (44)
Cup Match played at Lakeland Radio Stadium, Kendal on 07/03/2010
Kick Off: 1pm, Attendance: 20
Refereed by: Andrew Harvey
