Newlaithes Second Best

<p>The Ladies started their first game in three months already on the back foot as four key players had withdrawn due to illness in the 24 hours leading up to kick-off. Nevertheless the remaining twelve were up for the battle as they kicked off into the teeth of a howling gale.

<p>Newlaithes started brightly as the visitors still had their travel legs on and Pat Currie was unlucky when one on one with the keeper. Chelsea Norris also saw a shot curl just wide as the wind got hold of the ball. However it didn't take long for Cramlington to get into their stride forcing several corners and they took the lead on 9 minutes when a corner from the left was whipped in fiercely and keeper Vicki Rudd could only help the ball onto the cross-bar and into the net. There then followed a calamitous three minutes as Cramlington ran amok through the Newlaithes defence scoring three more in quick succession. Newlaithes pulled themselves together and battled bravely but they struggled to make headway into the strong wind and the visitors grabbed two more before half-time. Newlaithes continued to battle and they got their reward when Pat Currie was adjudged to have been fouled in the area and she blasted the resulting penalty home in assured style on the stroke of half-time. 6-1.

<p>With the wind behind Newlaithes the game evened out but it was the visitors who increased their lead when a through ball wasn't cleared and they finished with quality. They then made another quick break down the left and fizzed in a low cross but their striker just failed to make contact as she slid in at the near post. Credit to Newlaithes though as they continued to work hard with several shots just off target and again they got their reward when a through ball found Chelsea Norris who showed good strength to battle her way past the defence and slot the ball into the bottom corner to complete the scoring. Final score 2-7.

<p>This was a rude awakening for Newlaithes after such a long lay-off. Yes there were key players missing and yes they were playing into a very strong wind in the 1st half but the marking was awful, players were slow to track back and they failed to pressure the ball in dangerous areas making life all too easy for the visitors who on the day, were a class apart. The second half was a big improvement and hopefully we can take that into the next game.

<p>Next week we are away to Blakelaw United in the League Cup semi-final, 1pm ko at Blakelaw Park.