Goals from Katie Barbour and Phoebe Langan either side of half-time, fire United Ladies into the next round of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup.
A promising performance from a young United side sees them through to the First Round Qualifying Round, where they will face Northallerton Town Women on 7thSeptember.
The Blues got off to an energetic start at Creighton, testing the GT7 keeper on several occasions in the early exchanges.
Phoebe Langan’s low shot from inside the area was well held by the ’keeper on 3 minutes. This early pressure was a sign of what was to come from United throughout the ninety minutes.
The first clear-cut chance of the game fell to Carlisle on 33 minutes, when a chipped through ball from Charlotte Murray set Jess Cleasby in on goal, but her shot was well-saved.
United would make no mistake on 34 minutes though, when a flighted ball from Carlisle keeper, Chelsea Norris, found Barbour in space behind the ’backline, and she made no mistake driving her shot home to give the Cumbrians the lead.
The rest of the opening period passed by with no chances for both sides, but United could be satisfied with their play in the first half.
HALF-TIME: Carlisle United Ladies 1-0 GT7 Academy Ladies
The Blues came out for the second period with the same intensity that they started the first half with, and were rewarded for their efforts on 49 minutes, when Phoebe Langan doubled their advantage.
A Sarah Nixon long throw-in caused chaos in the ’area, and Langan was quickest to react to nod the ball into the back of the net and make United’s lead more comfortable.
Charlotte Murray threatened to increase United’s lead further on 58 minutes, when her venomous strike from distance forced the ’keeper into a smart save.
Another pinpoint lofted pass from Norris set Barbour free again on 67 minutes, but her effort crept the wrong side of the bottom right corner to save GT7’s blushes.
The resulting corner was whipped in with precision by Emma Blenkinship, who found Langan at the back post, but she could only poke the ball over the bar from close range.
The visitors threatened to make it a nervy end for the Blues on 73 minutes, when their striker looked destined to find the back of the net, but a huge block from debutant Sam Reekie retained United’s advantage.
The final notable action of the game came when Norris was on hand to make a leaping save on 82 minutes, after intricate play from GT7 down the right wing.
A hugely positive Sunday afternoon from United, who can now dream of a cup run, thanks to their efforts. This result can hopefully be the springboard to a very positive season for the Ladies, who have bolstered their young squad with the returns of Ciara Bland and Emma Blenkinship, and the arrival of Sam Reekie.
FULL-TIME: Carlisle United Ladies 2-0 GT7 Academy Ladies
Carlisle United Ladies: Norris, Nixon, Best, Reekie, Matthews, Blenkinship © (Stainton 90’), Bland, Murray, Barbour, Langan, Cleasby (Messenger 90’).
Goals:
Carlisle United Ladies: (Barbour 34’), (Langan 49’).
GT7 Academy Ladies: N/A
