Hassy Ladies closing in on league title

STEPHEN FELINSKI HASLINGDEN Ladies played a third away game on the bounce last weekend, when they travelled to Fleetwood Wrens, again with a patched up squad and only two subs.

They started well with Fleetwood penned in their own half, but Haslingden couldn’t force the breakthrough.

The home side eventually got going and had Haslingden on the back foot in a good 20 minute spell, but the visitors, with Mallabourn and Prestage in the centre of defence, didn’t give an inch.

The second half was much better, switching the ball across field, and playing like a team at last.

Chadwick made one of her telling midfield runs, only this time the defenders stood off her and she got through into the box, now surrounded by defenders she chipped the ball over the on rushing Fleetwood keeper and into the net

Webb was played through on goal by Pusey, only for the defender to slide tackle, miss the ball, and bring down Webb for a penalty to Haslingden.

Webb stepped up and put the ball low and to the right. 0-2 to Haslingden.

A lovely finish from the Fleetwood striker left it 1-2 to Haslingden.

Unfortunately for Fleetwood, from the restart Evans played a through ball for Prestage who powered passed her marker, rounded the keeper and finished with a superb low shot to make it 1-3 to Haslingden. Yet another three points on the road for the ladies, this now puts them eight points clear at the top of the Lancashire Open League division 1.

A win next week away again at Barrow will mean Haslingden Ladies can’t be caught in the league, and will be crowned champions in their first season in this league.