Boost for Reserves in promotion race
AN emphatic 9-1 victory against Euxton Girls FC saw Haslingden Ladies and Girls Reserves leapfrog their opponents and move up to third in the league.
With the top two teams – Whitehaven AFC Ladies and Wigan Athletic Ladies Girls and Development – both dropping points, it puts the reserves firmly in the promotion hunt with three games to go.
In windy conditions, Haslingden took control of the game early on, when Jess Harrison chased down a long ball and prodded it home. Seven minutes later it was two nil after Haslingden won a free kick thirty yards out.
Kerry Reeves stepped up from defence and curled it over the keeper.
Kerry completed her brace less than ten minutes later heading in a Charlotte Whalley corner and by half-time it was four nil thanks to a Nadian Mason strike.
The free scoring continued after half time thanks to wingers Nell Edmundson and Phoebe Barker. Nell’s speed and perseverance saw her complete a second half hat-trick and Phoebe bagged a brace including a fabulous twenty-five yard strike.
Euxton did grab a consolation goal late on - with a long range shot looping over the keeper.
But it was a dominant display from Haslingden, with great passing and movement.
The result puts the Reserves six points behind top of the table Whitehaven, but crucially they have two games in hand, putting them in the three way battle for the league title.
The Easter holidays and bad weather meant not many junior games went ahead, but the U14 Blues won 2-0 against Denton in a cup tie.
In a strong display the girls controlled possession but couldn’t find the finishing touch. But the deadlock was broken midway through the half when Kayley Harris volleyed home an Emmie Carter corner.
The second half was a
similar story as the blues failed to turn their possession into goals until Lexi Carter broke clear and coolly put the ball past the keeper.
Player of the match went to Freya Jenkinson for what coach Kerry Reeves called: “A solid defensive performance and for brilliant organisation
and communication. All the girls worked incredibly hard.
“At training we had a big emphasis on first touch and it was amazing to see this implemented in the game. This group of players are an absolute pleasure to coach and watching them develop week on week is a pleasure.”