A disappointing afternoon in Lancashire for United on Sunday, as they suffered defeat to Blackburn Eagles JFC.
Two goals in added time at the end of the second half rounded off a poor afternoon for the Blues.
Although the afternoon nearly started perfectly for Tracy Gannon’s side, Emma Blenkinship’s whipped corner found the head of Bessie Best on 3 minutes, but she could only divert her header narrowly wide of the bottom left corner of the Blackburn goal.
The Cumbrians were the better side in the early stages of Sunday’s clash. Neat play between Ella Porter and Heidi McMillan, on her first start for United, opened up an opportunity for Katie Barbour, after McMillan slotted her in behind the Blackburn backline, but Barbour’s chipped attempt was well saved by the ‘keeper on 10 minutes.
Porter was in the action again on 21 minutes, when tidy footwork from the Carlisle left-winger found Blenkinship in the penalty area, but her effort on goal drifted wide of the target.
The hosts created their first clear opening of the contest on 24 minutes, when United were left open at the back, but Kate Stainton was on hand in the United goal to save expertly from close range.
Blackburn didn’t pass up another attempt to go ahead from the resulting cornerwhen, after a ricochet in the United area, Heather Crook headed the ball into the top left corner from six yards out to give the hosts the lead.
McMillan nearly restored parity for United in the closing minutes of the first half, after intense pressure on the hosts’ goal from United, but after showing great composure to give herself enough space to shoot, her attempt was expertly held by the Blackburn ‘keeper.
HALF-TIME: Blackburn Eagles JFC 1-0 Carlisle United
Tracy Gannon’s side did not build on their momentum after the interval, and the second half was poor by United’s high standards.
Sarah Nixon’s exceptional goal-line clearance on 53 minutes denied Blackburn a certain goal and a comfortable lead, after effective wide play from the hosts gifted a guilt-edge chance to their striker, but fortunately for United, Nixon was on hand to head clear.
The Eagles doubled their lead on 55 minutes, when Abbi McAuley converted from close range after the hosts seized on United’s goal-kick.
Carlisle nearly responded instantly, after Emma Blenkinship’s pinpoint corner from the left found Sam Reekie in space in the box, but somehow her forceful header was cleared off the line by a combination of their ‘keeper and centre-half.
The Cumbrians tried to force a goal that would have made the final knockings of the contest a tense affair for Blackburn, but despite their efforts, their lack of composure in the final third thwarted their attempt to make the final stages interesting.
It was Blackburn Eagles who looked to put the contest beyond the Blues in the final minutes. They could have been three ahead on 85 minutes if it wasn’t for a fine double save from Stainton, who impressed on her first start between the sticks for United.
Eagles substitute Katie Smith made the hosts’ lead unassailable in the closing stages with an injury-time brace. Clinical finishing from the forward made the scoreline look more convincing than it was for Blackburn, but still a hugely disappointing afternoon for United. The Cumbrians will be looking to bounce back when they face Colne at Creighton on Sunday.
FULL-TIME: Blackburn Eagles JFC 4-0 Carlisle United
Teams:
Blackburn Eagles: Mather, Crook, Liversedge, Mallen, Manifold, McAuley, O’Kane, White, Winning, Wood, Woodrup
Used Subs: Smith.
Carlisle United: Stainton, Nixon, Best, Reekie, Thompson (Messenger 75’), Winter, Blenkinship, Porter, McMillan, Langan, Barbour
Goals:
Blackburn Eagles: (Crook 26’), (McAuley 55’), (Smith 91’, 93’).
Carlisle United: N/A
