Lancaster 1 vs Kirkby Stephen 1

Lancaster 1s      3-3        Kirkby Stephen 1s

Lancaster welcomed Kirkby Stephen in what was their first home match of the 2022-2023 season.

Lancaster started quickly putting pressure on the Kirkby Stephen defence from the get go. Holly Hunter linked up well with Ali Standeven-Johns running rings around the Kirkby Stephen defence. Rebecca Worthington broke the deadlock with a powerful drag flick into the top left-hand corner.

Kirkby Stephen responded with their own darting runs and had two goals disallowed due to a foot and back stick before the hitting the back of the net. VAR was not needed as both umpires were on good form. Kirkby Stephen eventually did equalise though after following up a rebound after an initial save by Leighan Bleasdale.

Into the second half Lancaster had to change formation due to an injury to defender Angie Evans-Hill which created 4 minutes of mayhem where Kirkby Stephen scored two quick goals.

Lancaster looked like there was no way back but the spirit of the team never faded. Player of the match Ali Standeven-Johns covered every part of the pitch attacking and covering the defence.

Against the run of play Nicola Conway used her skill to bypass a player, the ball was crossed to Worthington who managed to flick the ball passed the goalkeeper. The comeback was on!

Conway continued to be the queen of distribution and fed the ball through to Standeven-Johns, who ran onto it and crossed to Katie Oliver who was waiting in the D. As the ball was crossed the goalkeeper tried to cut the ball out but it was Oliver who wanted the ball most and fired the ball through the smallest of gaps into the left-hand side of the goal. The Lancaster supporters were back at full voice.

Lancaster defended solidly in the last 10 minutes to earn a well-deserved point. The team welcome Longridge next week. 15:15 push back at Lancaster University

Team: Leighan Bleasdale (GK) (C), Nina Helme, Zoe Oswald, Nicola Conway, Angie Evans-Hill, Sarah Kettlewell, Hayley Standeven-Johns, Ali Standeven-Johns, Rebecca Worthington, Izzy Finley, Holly Hunter and Libby Thwaites

Goal Scorers: Rebecca Worthington x2 and Katie Oliver

Player of the Match: Ali Standeven-Johns

Team Sponsor: Sue Bridges Estate and Letting Agents

Match Sponsor: Jeff and Sue Standeven