Benson brace pushes Kirkby Stephen Ladies past league leaders Crewe Vagrants (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Benson brace pushes Kirkby Stephen Ladies past league leaders Crewe Vagrants

3:08pm Monday 16th November 2009

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Crewe Vagrants 2 Kirkby Stephen Ladies 3 A BRACE from Nic Benson helped Kirkby Stephen Ladies 1st team defeat league leaders Crewe on Saturday.

The girls got off to a great start and gained early possession, forcing the home side deep.

With strong, attacking play the Crewe defence grew confused and conceded a penalty corner.

Debbie Barr received it and slipped it to Lucy Potter who found Benson in space in the goalmouth.

Player of the match Benson calmly slotted home to give Kirkby the lead.

Kirkby kept the pressure on and suffocated any attempts by Crewe to get back in the game through quick movement and smart play on the flanks.

Benson doubled the lead after a quick free hit by Jen Sayer in right defence. Sayer found Soph Metcalfe down the right who linked up with Andrea Dixon who fed to Benson for number two.

Crewe responded and began cutting out passes and their efforts were rewarded with a goal before half-time.

In the second half both teams battled for possession but the defences would let nothing through.

Kirkby then stretched their lead thanks to superb solo play by Debbie Barr from a corner.

Side-stepping three players she accurately placed the ball into the bottom corner.

Crewe responded again and the game became more physical as the league leaders tried to salvage something from the game.

Scoring a late goal they gave themselves hope but Kirkby remained composed and secured the three points, with the final score 3-2.

Kendal Ladies 1 Wakefield Ladies 1 Kendal Ladies had to settle for a point in a tough clash with Wakefield.

The home side started well as skipper Nicola Martindale dominated midfield, but it was Wakefield who took the lead after a strong spell of pressure.

In the second half Kendal upped their game with Nicola Conway and Vicky Jones playing well up front.

Good play across the pitch by Kendal led to an equaliser though, when Sophie Garne picked up a rebound to beat the Wakefield keeper .

Ulverston Ladies 1 Penrith 2 Ulverston’s unbeaten start to the season was brought to an end in dismal weather on Saturday.

Both teams started brightly with the ball moving from end to end.

Eventually Ulverston began to get the upper hand with Bridget Brooks and Niki Satterthwaite tracking well in midfield, and Katy Walker tackling hard at left back.

The pressure finally told when Ulverston forced a long corner, taken by Helene Burrow.

After rounding the Penrith defence, she passed to centre forward Rachael Roberts who opened the scoring.

Penrith took the game to Ulverston in the second half, who struggled to regain their first-half rhythm.

The away side were rewarded for their determination with a good equaliser.

Ulverston then held off strong attacks as Carolyn Metcalfe and Rachel Smith battled through injuries and keeper Steph Sykes making vital saves.

However the breakthrough came for the visitors with five minutes to go, and it proved to be a winner at 2-1.

Ulverston would like to thank match officials Marion Roberts and John Stewart and the Kings Arms for supplying refreshments.

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