MATCH REPORT: Carlisle United Ladies 1-0 Workington Reds Ladies

Laura Miller saved two penalties, yet still finished a loser, as Reds bowed out of the Cumberland Cup against the neighbours at Creighton.

The long-serving ‘keeper came to Reds rescue in the first half when, after a coming together of two players, the referee pointed to the spot.  Sharena Robinson’s penalty was well struck to Miller’s left but the keeper, diving full length, pulled off an excellent save.

But an even more dubious decision saw the referee award United a second penalty in the last minute of a closely-fought semi-final tie.

Miller faced Charlotte Murray for the second penalty and again kept out the spot-kick.  Luck was against her on this occasion, though, as the ball rebounded to Murray who smashed the ball into the net for a somewhat fortunate winner.

It was a tough one to take for Reds who had appeals for a penalty of their own turned down during the second half.

There was a frenetic start to the game with Reds moving the ball about well but it developed into a game of very few chances with not a lot between two evenly matched sides.

Reds didn’t do enough to test Carlisle’s ‘makeshift’ goalkeeper and Miller was certainly the busier of the two.

United will now meet Penrith in the final.

Workington will now concentrate on their remaining league programme with another encounter against United scheduled over the Easter weekend.

Team: Laura Miller, Alice Kemp, Naomi Foster, Hannah Fawkes, Natalie Hooper, Sophie Douglas, Hannah Ridgewell, Hannah Geen, Morgan McGrady, Kacey Rodgers, Sophie Nutter.  Substitutes – Linzi Donaldson, Keeley Holliday, Sydney Bragg, Zara Sandelands, Leah Cottier.