United Ladies progressed to the next round of the League Cup, after an extra-time win against GT7 Academy Ladies at Creighton Rugby Club on Sunday.
The Cumbrians came into Sunday’s game looking for revenge against a GT7 side that had beat them twice in the league season.
The opening 45 minutes lacked any real momentum for either team, with it being a cagy affair with neither side looking to give anything away.
Carlisle’s main threat came from the left-wing through Phoebe Langan, who looked a constant threat in behind the opposition backline.
GT7 managed to make slightly more clear-cut chances than United in the opening half and notched themselves ahead on 44 minutes, when a pinpoint corner found their oncoming defender in space, and she made no mistake placing her header into the top corner.
HALF-TIME: United 0-1 GT7 Academy
The half-time interval rejuvenated the Cumbrians, and they came out an improved side in the second-half.
United developed a stranglehold over the second-half and were dictating the momentum of the game.
Their pressure paid off on 70 minutes, when the Blues went from back to front with pace and Chloe Scott’s ball found Ella Porter in space, who managed to loop her shot over the oncoming 'keeper to get Carlisle back on level terms.
The Blues then looked for a winner to seal their place in the next round.
United looked far more likely to score in the remaining twenty minutes, as the Cumbrians’ backline were quick to thwart any signs of GT7 momentum.
Corners from both Sammi Norman and Chelsea Norris in the last five minutes threatened the GT7 goal, but the winning goal just evaded United and extra-time was needed to separate the two sides.
FULL-TIME: United 1-1 GT7 Academy
Carlisle started the extra-time period with real energy and gusto to maintain the momentum that they had gained in normal time.
Wonderful link up play between Norman and Langan was a fixture of United’s attacking threat and the latter managed to knock the ball past the right-back to put herself in on goal on 94 minutes, she then steadied herself to expertly place her shot into the top corner to give Carlisle a deserved lead.
Things got even better for United on 97 minutes, when Langan doubled her tally and Carlisle’s lead with a deft chip over the ’keeper after great work between Norman and Norris on the left wing.
The Cumbrians’ task for the remaining 23 minutes was to hold out a determined GT7 frontline.
The visitors responded with increased intensity after Carlisle’s third goal and their striker drew a world-class save from Emma Kenyon, who got down sharply to her right to divert the ball wide of the post to protect United’s two goal advantage.
HALF-TIME (ET): United Ladies 3-1 GT7 Academy Ladies
The second-half of extra-time didn’t muster any real chances for the visitors, due to the brilliant defensive work of United.
The heart of United’s display was summed up by Bessie Best, who put in another stalwart performance despite suffering with illness and her centre-half partnership with Jade Beal was instrumental in United’s solidity at the back.
Carlisle’s backline consistently engaged a precise offside trap, which meant that GT7 grew more frustrated as the final whistle drew closer.
The Blues looked like they had made their lead unassailable on 113 minutes,when Norris hit the inside of the post directly from a corner, but the ball somehow found the grateful arms of the ’keeper.
United eased through the final seven minutes to secure their place in the next round of the League Cup.
An unbelievably spirited and professional performance from the Ladies and one that each and every one of them can be very proud of as they secure their place in the latter places of another cup this season.
FULL-TIME (AET): United 3-1 GT7 Academy
United: Kenyon, Strutt, Beal, Best, Norman, Porter, Winter, Norris, Murray, Scott, Langan,
Subs: Riddet, Cleasby.
United Goals: (70’ Porter), (94’, 97’ Langan).
POM: Phoebe Langan
