MATCH REPORT: Workington Reds Ladies  2-0  Bolton Wanderers Girls

Reds Ladies saved their best till last with an excellent display ending a long, miserable sequence without a win in Division One North.

They emerged worthy winners at Derwent Park following, arguably, their best home performance of the season to collect a first victory in twelve outings.

Many of the recent defeats have been harsh, to say the least, with a lack of fire power proving to be their downfall.

But they played very well against Wanderers and were much more potent in the final third.  Indeed, a two-goal winning margin was scant reward for their efforts – it could have been more.

Wanderers’ goalkeeper, Frankie Williams, kept her team in contention with a string of fine saves but was helpless on the hour mark when she was beaten by a wonder goal from Helen Wagstaff.  She collected the ball fully thirty yards from goal and a sublime, sweetly struck shot sailed over the ‘keeper to give Reds a deserved lead.

They had gone close to grabbing a first half advantage with Morgan McGrady narrowly missing the target and Liv Bennett’s shot drifting inches wide of the far post.

Wagstaff’s goal boosted confidence and, soon after, it looked as though they had doubled their lead only for McGrady’s effort to be disallowed for offside.

Linzi Donaldson then had two free-kicks superbly saved by the Bolton ’keeper and skipper, Naomi Foster, also went close with two fine headers.

The visitors did have a chance to equalise but it was Workington who got the second goal of the afternoon, seconds before the final whistle.  Hannah Geen’s shot deceived Williams and found a way into the net to secure a long overdue win for Paul Mackenzie’s side.

Reds knew they were well clear of relegation before the game but wanted to finish on a high and they certainly did that with a vibrant performance.

They finished in 9th position, just below county neighbours, Penrith and Carlisle United.

Team: Laura Miller, Sophie Birkett, Naomi Foster, Alic Kemp, Natalie Hooper, Chloe Henderson, Sophie Douglas, Emi Rudd, Keeley Holliday, Olivia Bennett, Morgan McGrady.  Substitutes – Linzi Donaldson, Kacey Rodgers, Helen Wagstaff, Leah Cottier, Hannah Geen (all used).

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