MATCH REPORT: Workington Reds Ladies 2-1 Haslingden Girls & Ladies

A strong finish to their North West Women’s Regional League fixture saw Reds Ladies topple the Division One North leaders, securing their first win of the season in the process.

They had taken the lead inside two minutes, conceded an equaliser two minutes into the second half before snatching a late winner, sparking jubilant celebrations at the final whistle.

And there was a match winning performance from one of the many talented youngsters in this season’s evolving squad.

Morgan McGrady (inset) scored both goals and tormented the Haslingden defence with her pace, taking both chances with a calm confidence.

The first was an opportunist goal but her ability to be in the right place at the right time paid dividends.  Haslingden’s goalkeeper and a defender got themselves in a muddle and McGrady darted between them to collect the loose ball and place it into the unguarded net.

But the visitors regrouped and created several chances as they went in search of an equaliser.

Megan Smith just missed the target twice with shots from distance and Laura Miller then thwarted Sophie Evans on two occasions with important saves.

Reds came close to doubling their lead just before half time and it was McGrady who created the opening.  She skipped past two defenders and cut the ball back to Emi Rudd but her low shot was gathered by Leah Jackson.

Just like the first half, there was a goal two minutes after kick-off in the second.  Although looking suspiciously offside, Smith scored with a well taken lob to level matters with Miller, although getting a hand to the ball, unable to complete the save.

Miller then made another crucial save to deny Evans before Haslingden had a goal disallowed.  Liv Smith got the ball in the net but their celebrations were curtailed when the assistant referee raised his flag for offside.

Reds went close when Linzi Donaldson saw her shot-cum-cross cleared off the line by the outstanding Sian Atkinson.

Tormentor McGrady then netted the winner six minutes from time, accelerating into the area before finishing confidently with a similar goal to her first.

Team: Laura Miller, Eleanor McDonald, Naomi Foster, Holly Redmond, Sophie Birkett, Megan Yarnold, Linzi Donaldson, Ellie Ritchie, Emi Rudd, Laura Ivison, Morgan McGrady.  Substitutes – Hannah Ridgewell, Paige Johnstone, Alice Kemp, Leah Cottier and Kacey Rodgers.