Carlisle United Ladies fell to a disappointing defeat in Lancashire on Sunday.
United travelled for two hours in Storm Darragh to face second-placed Accrington Stanley Women.
It was a day that never got started for the Blues. A mix of adverse weather conditions and huge delays waiting for a referee meant that preparation was far from ideal for the Ladies.
The game then got off to the worst possible start. In the opening minute, Stanley took a dubious one-nil lead. Both teams seemed to acknowledge that the ball had gone out, but the referee judged it to have stayed in and the Accrington striker put the ball into the back of the net.
Another contentious decision meant that the Cumbrians were two down within the space of two minutes. A converted Stanley penalty came about in controversial fashion, with the consensus from both teams being that the Accrington player was comfortably offside.
United thought they had a way back into the game on 15 minutes, when Best dispatched the ball past the Stanley keeper, but despite protests from United, it was decided she was offside.
A disheartened United couldn’t get momentum from here and Accrington punished them.
They managed to get in behind Carlisle’s high line several times and despite resilience from the Ladies, Accrington were clinical in front of goal.
The afternoon did not get any better for the Blues, who conceded further goals against ruthless opposition.
HALF-TIME: Accrington Stanley 5-0 United
Similarly to the opening 45 minutes, Stanley started with intent and added two in quick succession in the first four minutes of the second-half.
The Blues thought they had been awarded with the chance to score a consolation goal on 75 minutes, when Best was scythed down in the area, but the referee judged it to be a shoulder barge.
The Cumbrians were up against a well-established Accrington side that featured players that have played three leagues higher, including three having featured in their Women’s FA Cup round two tie against Huddersfield Town Women.
A sobering afternoon for United but one that they can learn from. Next Sunday provides them ample opportunity to do so when they face Blackpool Girls and Ladies at Creighton Rugby Club.
FULL-TIME: Accrington Stanley 11-0 United
United: Kenyon, Strutt, Beal, Norris, Defreitas, Winter, Murray, Birnie, Norman, Best, Nixon
Substitutes: Riddet
