Carlisle played their first home fixture for over two months against a combative Clitheroe team who had become more resilient since being beaten by the Cumbrians way back in September.

Carlisle soon showed their intentions from the first whistle when they gained a short corner with less than a minute on the clock. The short corner was not converted and that frustratingly proved to be a pattern throughout the game.

The home side continued to press their opponents back with both full backs Amy and Anna venturing high towards the away team’s goal line. It was the former who opened the scoring when she strode into the opponents’ circle to be followed by the sound of a double bang as if a fire cracker had been ignited. The first noise was the sound of Amy’s stick striking the ball. The second, a blink of an eye later, was the sound of the ball crashing into the Clitheroe backboard.

No great celebration. The Cumbrians were focused and determined to take care of business. Carlisle continued to press their opponents back. More short corners were gained without further success.

The back line had had little to do. They must have been an intimidating sight for their opponents as all three Amy, Hannah and Anna were not lacking in height and must have presented a spectacle akin to the pioneers on the Oregon Trail who first viewed the Rocky Mountains on their way west.

Out of the blue a long ball out of the Clitheroe defence,from deep in their own territory surprised the Carlisle back line who failed to control it and it deflected to a lone Clitheroe attacker who proceeded to bear down on goal. Whilst anxious teammates looked on the Cumbrians’ goalkeeper Freya, who was making her first team debut, calmly advanced and dispossessed her opponent.

Up to this point Clitheroe had had little controlled possession but this incident should have been a warning. It encouraged the Lancashire team who saw merit in a bash and dash tactic. From their next isolated attack they caught a Carlisle defender in possession before transferring the ball into the home circle and scoring with a well-placed shot into the corner of the Carlisle goal.

The Cumbrians took a deep breath. Perhaps things were not going to be easy!

Then up stepped Katie. She could be likened to a vivacious terrier who whilst diminutive in stature would hurry, scurry and worry, forever chasing a ball and she leapt up to score from close range on the volley.

Carlisle were back in front and remained in control. The central midfield of Bex, Rachel and the imperious Alice dominated play with Flight Commander Holly (known for her aerial skills) on the right and Nic chugging up and down on the left line like a tank engine constant, steady and reliable happy in her work as she covered the tracks from station to station.

Up front Katie was joined by Jenny who was always ready to pounce on any balls close to the opposition goal like a tarantula stalking prey albeit with quarter the number of legs.

The youthful Freya and Hattie supplemented the midfield and forward line respectively.

Carlisle tried hard to make possession and number of short corner count but there was no further score by the interval.