Clinical finishing was the difference between the sides as Cumbernauld United Ladies lifted the ScottishPower Regional League Plate at their first year in senior Scottish Women’s Football.
A brace each for Sarah Wardlaw and Frankie Fern either side of an unfortunate own goal left a 5-0 scoreline that perhaps didn’t reflect the industry of opponents Grampian Ladies, in front of a vocal support in Alloa.
It was a rumbustious start to the game, with both sides bringing a good support in full voice. Although full of effort and with considerable experience of higher level football in both sides, neither were able to get the ball down and play in the opening stages.
Grampian were awarded a free kick wide right on 13 minutes, but it sailed over, then at the other end Amy Somers looked free on goal after a clever Sarah Wardlaw flick, but the Grampian defenders had her beaten for pace and smothered the chance.
The first glimpse of what was to come came after 22 minutes, when a free kick from Cheryl Watt came off the inside of the post with Rose Norrie in Grampian’s goal well beaten. But at the other end, Leah Stephen had the ball in the net with a good finish into the far corner, only to be called back by the offside flag.
It would be Cumbernauld who opened the scoring, as former Rossvale player Wardlaw latched onto a through ball on the right, drifted into the box and finished well.
On the half-hour mark Wardlaw’s former Rossvale teammate Jane O’Toole entered the referee’s book with a challenge on Grampian skipper Lauren Boylan. The card may have been more related to the reaction to the free kick being awarded rather than the challenge itself which had no malice but did leave the veteran Grampian skipper in some discomfort.
Minutes later, some quick feet from Frankie Fern allowed a run through on goal and she curled it round the onrushing Norrie for her side’s second.
The second half kicked off with the same frenetic pace, both sides looking for early opportunities to get the ball forward. Grampian probably shaded it on chances without managing to get them on target, but Frankie Fern added a third on 57 minutes, brushing home a cross from Wardlaw.
Fern was growing into the game, and her trickery and strength forced an unfortunate own goal on 70 minutes, with Wardlaw grabbing a fifth shortly after. Cumbernauld United were keen to add to the scoreline, and were subsequently caught several times by the offside trap.
Grampian worked hard to grab a consolation and will have headed back to the Northeast disappointed in a scoreline that didn’t reflect their endeavour.
But for Cumbernauld United, winning silverware in an impressive first season in senior football will be seen as a foundation from which to grow.
