Nelson Ladies vs Haslingden Ladies

A very wet and miserable day greeted Haslingden Ladies as they made they way over the hill to Nelson for the first round of the Mercure Cup.
Haslingden were on a high from last weeks 7-0 win over Penwortham Town Ladies, and we’re ready to get back on the glory trail. Things looked ominous from the warmup when Webbe pulled up with a hamstring injury. Only having two substitutes for a cup game was going to be tricky enough, but having to use one of them before kick off was surly not the start everyone wanted. From the kickoff the Haslingden team set to Nelson, and within 5 minutes Drummond was on hand to slot home her first of the afternoon to make it 0-1 to Haslingden. A deft pass by Atkinson into her path and Drummond had rifled the ball past the onrushing keeper. Within 10 minutes Evans had made it 0-2 with one of her trademark shots from outside the box. Things looked ominous for Nelson. But a change in goals was to come, Nelson swapped they’re keeper with a defender which really worked for them, as the girl in goal was actually much better outfield. This seemed to steady the ship for Nelson and they put together some good pieces of play to try and bring the score line back. One shot rattled the underside of the Haslingden crossbar, and despite the pleas from the Nelson team, was adjudged not to have crossed the line by the referee. A quick change of formation was needed by Haslingden to try and stop the Nelson attacks. This worked and Haslingden made it to half time at 0-2. The second half was a fantastic display of passing and attacking football from Haslingden, quickly closing down they’re opponents and playing some fantastic football. Another goal for Haslingden came on the hour mark when Drummond was on hand to slot home another, and her second of the afternoon after a lovely through ball from Brierley in midfield. Drummond made her own luck for Haslingden fourth, when she hunted the ball from the Nelson defence, won the ball and once again rifled the ball into the back of the Nelson net to make it 0-4. Haslingden’s fifth and final goal was a stunning effort from the whole team. Some slick one and two touch football, switching play and fantastic movement off the ball lead to another through ball to Drummond who yet again finished with aplomb. The game wasn’t all one way, and Nelson produced some lovely passages of play too. But if they managed to get around the Haslingden defence, Lomax was in goal giving her all. Closing defenders quickly and diving at the feet of the Nelson forwards.

A fantastic team display and effort from the Haslingden Ladies team who have started this season exactly where they left off last season.

Well done ladies