Carlisle women’s first team began their season with an early start at the Eden valley oasis of Kirkby Stephen and didn’t need a little time to wake up .They charged forward at supersonic speed and Holly Milbourn gave the city side the lead.
Kirkby, however, were not in the mood for acquiesce and bounced back with their force of nature Heidi Maughan equalizing following a mazy run.

The rest of the first half was a one way road in Carlisle’s favour as they attacked and stretched their opponent’s defence. Holly added another goal and Jenny Wright converted a penalty awarded after a full on shot struck the leg of the hosts ‘defender on the goal line.
With Carlisle being two goals to the good at half time, Kirkby came out at the beginning of the second half determined to keep the game alive and not let it slide away. They upped their tempo and pressed forward with greater urgency. The visitors’ wonderwall rearguard held out and little by little Carlisle regained control. Against the run of play a strange thing happened. Kirkby scored.
This only spurred the North Cumbrians into Champagne Supernova mode .They soon scored two more goals both from Jenny Wright to make it five for the team and completing a hat trick for Jenny.

With only ten minutes to go the city side were 5-2 up and cruising. Up stepped shakermaker Heidi Maughan who unleashed a vicious reverse stick shot toward the Carlisle goalmouth. Bethany Handley in a “be there now” moment wanting to live forever (or at least until the end of the match) defended herself with her stick and the ball flew into the visitors ‘net.
The game moved on .Now only five minutes to go .Carlisle were attacking looking to restore their 3 goal lead and bag the game up. The visitors had this one won and would not fade away. Definitely! Maybe?
Oops! Not a good idea to leave a home forward in acres of space. She received a long ball and advanced into the visitors ‘circle. She met Carlisle’s keeper Kristian and ended up in a heap. Penalty given and dispatched with aplomb by Carlisle’s tormentor Heidi.
In the last few seconds of the match Carlisle’s Bex Illidge was caught in possession by Lucy Potter who produced a last gasp equalizer for the home side. Stop crying your heart out, Bex! (Now transported to Australia for a spell.)

So the game finished 5-5.Sometimes you just have to roll with it .A good workout for both teams .Just the ticket as a warm up prior to the league season.