FC United of Manchester FC United of Manchester FC United of Manchester Badge FC United of Manchester Pitch In

Match Report

3rd February 2013

Manchester FA Women's Cup

Broadhurst Playing Field, Moston Lane, Moston, Manchester, M40 5QD


FC United of Manchester Women

2 - 3

City of Manchester Ladies

 
Attendance: N/K

FC United of Manchester Women 2

City of Manchester Ladies 3

Attendance: N/K



Match Report
City of Manchester Ladies, formerly GMP Ladies, who ply their trade in the North West Women’s Regional League, Premier Division; two steps and 18 league places higher than FC United, let slip a two-goal cushion as the reds hauled them back with second half strikes from Kirtsy Chambers and Amy Vyas only for the visitors to snatch the tie in the very last minute as the prospect of penalties loomed large.

Despite a frosty start, Moston-based referee Barry Potter gave the go ahead for the first foray into County Cup action for FC United’s women, who by luck of the draw came straight in at the quarter final stage. City of Manchester Ladies had played two qualifying rounds to reach this stage, seeing off Middleton Athletic and Blackpool to set up Sunday’s clash.

City, as they abbreviate themselves, in their Royal Blue attire got the game underway at the earlier time of 1.30pm, just in case penalties were required, kicking towards Moston Cemetery end. On just three minutes they gave Amy Gillingham her first test of a busy afternoon as Chantel Daniels latched onto a long throw from the left to volley goal wards from 12 yards. Gillingham was well positioned to thwart the danger and release the speedy Beth Tattersall who broke through the City midfield to feed Shellby Wolstencroft who bore down on goal only for Charlotte Haywood to race from her line to smother the danger at the feet of the United striker.

Whilst it was initially obvious that City were well organised and used to playing at a higher level, it didn’t take long for FC United to bridge the gap and on the quarter hour Chambers fired over a cross from the left that caused a desperate scramble in front of Haywood in the City goal and only a last ditch clearance kept the scores level. Just minutes later City recorded their best chance of the early exchanges when a Gillingham clearance from the left of her area caught on the strengthening breeze, inadvertently finding the unmarked Natalie Robinson centrally placed in space 25 yards from goal. Her instinctive lobbed half volley beat the back-peddling FC keeper but cannoned off the upright and away from danger.

On the half hour, Olivia Greenhalgh tested Haywood from eight yards following a decent spell of FC pressure that had forced successive corners, and the game settled into a period of attrition on the heavy surface as both sides looked to carve an opening. The stalemate was broken on 37 minutes as a long ball over the top beat the FC United backline and fell to the lively City number nine, Fionnulla Andrews, cutting in from the right to fire past Gillingham for the opening goal of the game. Chances remained at a premium as Mr Potter brought the first half to a close after Gillingham comfortably held a floated City corner under her crossbar.

City got the second half underway and looked to extend their advantage when Andrews rounded Gillingham just three minutes in and looked certain to fire home only for Fran Davies to keep FC in the game, putting her body on the line with a superb last ditch block which Gillingham tided up quickly releasing an FC counter attack down the left. Offensively, Chambers was superb all afternoon and in this latest incursion fired a superb low cross into the City box which Wolstencroft agonisingly missed by inches as she slid in at the far post.

The game once more settled into a midfield struggle until City’s Rachel Williams broke down the right, crossing deep beyond the far post where FC only half cleared the danger. Andrews collected the loose ball on the left angle of United’s box and chipped a superb effort over Gillingham into the far corner of the goal to double City’s lead on 56 minutes. Just a minute later, virtually straight from the restart, FC United halved the deficit as the superb Chambers broke free, rounded the keeper and slotted home. The quick response unsettled City and reinvigorated the touchline choir as United came into the ascendancy although the next clear-cut chance fell to city’s Vicky Moore whose close range free header narrowly cleared the FC crossbar. United dug in and tactically moved Amy Vyas alongside substitute Hayley O’Hara to better engage the City defence and the move paid dividends on 75 minutes. Greenhalgh and Chambers combined well on the left, crossing early for Vyas to power through the City backline and coolly slot the ball to Haywood’s left as the keeper rushed out in a vain attempt to block the strike.

The equaliser stung City of Manchester into a rapid response with Andrews looking to notch her hatrick goal only for Davies to once again foil her with another superb block. Both sides looked to consolidate and just when penalties looked imminent, a wonder strike from the left edge of the FC box by No. 11 Robinson looped over Gillingham to settle the tie in City’s favour in the last minute of normal time. Despite a few minutes of added time the visitor’s solid backline, superbly marshalled all afternoon by City’s number two Faye Dunlop, held FC at bay and ensured that for this season at least, United’s brief encounter with the County Cup came to an end.

Both teams were respectfully applauded from the pitch and United’s women can be rightly proud of their performance which in no way looked out of place against higher opposition. They can look forward with optimism as they return to league action next Sunday with a visit to Stockport to face Manchester Rovers before returning to Broadhurst a week later to face Royton’s Heyside Angels. Get behind the team as their first season draws to an exciting climax with the league still to play for and a League Cup semi-final to look forward to.

Report by Rob Fullen

Website player of the match:Many good performances in all areas of the team particularly in defence against a highly fluid and mobile City front line but vice-captain Fran Davies edges this week’s vote with an outstanding defensive display that included two goal-saving blocks.

Teams 3 February 2013: Attendance: 51

FC United of Manchester Women: 2 (0)
1. Amy Gillingham (Goalkeeper and Captain)
2. Amy Battel (right back)
8. Maya Germain (left back)
4. Francesca Davies (centre half)
5. Broghan Matthews (centre half)
19. Olivia Greenhalgh (centre midfield)
17. Beth Hayes (centre midfield)
7. Amy Vyas (centre midfield and goal 75 mins)
9. Shellby Wolstencroft (centre forward and goal 82mins)
10. Beth Tattersall (right midfield)
11. Kirsty Chambers (left midfield and goal 57 mins)

Subs:
12. Hayley O’Hara (for No10 51mins)
18. Sophie Cummings (not used)

City of Manchester Ladies: 1 (0)
1. Charlotte Haywood
2. Faye Dunlop
3. Katie Wilman (Captain)
4. Zoe Shaw
5. Claire Young
6. Vicky Moore
7. Rachel Williams
8. Chloe Starling
9. Fionnulla Andrews (goals 37, 56 mins)
10. Chantel Daniels
11. Natalie Robinson (goal 90 mins)

Subs:
12. Siobahn Hilditch (for No5 30 mins)
Match Report
City of Manchester Ladies, formerly GMP Ladies, who ply their trade in the North West Women’s Regional League, Premier Division; two steps and 18 league places higher than FC United, let slip a two-goal cushion as the reds hauled them back with second half strikes from Kirtsy Chambers and Amy Vyas only for the visitors to snatch the tie in the very last minute as the prospect of penalties loomed large.

Despite a frosty start, Moston-based referee Barry Potter gave the go ahead for the first foray into County Cup action for FC United’s women, who by luck of the draw came straight in at the quarter final stage. City of Manchester Ladies had played two qualifying rounds to reach this stage, seeing off Middleton Athletic and Blackpool to set up Sunday’s clash.

City, as they abbreviate themselves, in their Royal Blue attire got the game underway at the earlier time of 1.30pm, just in case penalties were required, kicking towards Moston Cemetery end. On just three minutes they gave Amy Gillingham her first test of a busy afternoon as Chantel Daniels latched onto a long throw from the left to volley goal wards from 12 yards. Gillingham was well positioned to thwart the danger and release the speedy Beth Tattersall who broke through the City midfield to feed Shellby Wolstencroft who bore down on goal only for Charlotte Haywood to race from her line to smother the danger at the feet of the United striker.

Whilst it was initially obvious that City were well organised and used to playing at a higher level, it didn’t take long for FC United to bridge the gap and on the quarter hour Chambers fired over a cross from the left that caused a desperate scramble in front of Haywood in the City goal and only a last ditch clearance kept the scores level. Just minutes later City recorded their best chance of the early exchanges when a Gillingham clearance from the left of her area caught on the strengthening breeze, inadvertently finding the unmarked Natalie Robinson centrally placed in space 25 yards from goal. Her instinctive lobbed half volley beat the back-peddling FC keeper but cannoned off the upright and away from danger.

On the half hour, Olivia Greenhalgh tested Haywood from eight yards following a decent spell of FC pressure that had forced successive corners, and the game settled into a period of attrition on the heavy surface as both sides looked to carve an opening. The stalemate was broken on 37 minutes as a long ball over the top beat the FC United backline and fell to the lively City number nine, Fionnulla Andrews, cutting in from the right to fire past Gillingham for the opening goal of the game. Chances remained at a premium as Mr Potter brought the first half to a close after Gillingham comfortably held a floated City corner under her crossbar.

City got the second half underway and looked to extend their advantage when Andrews rounded Gillingham just three minutes in and looked certain to fire home only for Fran Davies to keep FC in the game, putting her body on the line with a superb last ditch block which Gillingham tided up quickly releasing an FC counter attack down the left. Offensively, Chambers was superb all afternoon and in this latest incursion fired a superb low cross into the City box which Wolstencroft agonisingly missed by inches as she slid in at the far post.

The game once more settled into a midfield struggle until City’s Rachel Williams broke down the right, crossing deep beyond the far post where FC only half cleared the danger. Andrews collected the loose ball on the left angle of United’s box and chipped a superb effort over Gillingham into the far corner of the goal to double City’s lead on 56 minutes. Just a minute later, virtually straight from the restart, FC United halved the deficit as the superb Chambers broke free, rounded the keeper and slotted home. The quick response unsettled City and reinvigorated the touchline choir as United came into the ascendancy although the next clear-cut chance fell to city’s Vicky Moore whose close range free header narrowly cleared the FC crossbar. United dug in and tactically moved Amy Vyas alongside substitute Hayley O’Hara to better engage the City defence and the move paid dividends on 75 minutes. Greenhalgh and Chambers combined well on the left, crossing early for Vyas to power through the City backline and coolly slot the ball to Haywood’s left as the keeper rushed out in a vain attempt to block the strike.

The equaliser stung City of Manchester into a rapid response with Andrews looking to notch her hatrick goal only for Davies to once again foil her with another superb block. Both sides looked to consolidate and just when penalties looked imminent, a wonder strike from the left edge of the FC box by No. 11 Robinson looped over Gillingham to settle the tie in City’s favour in the last minute of normal time. Despite a few minutes of added time the visitor’s solid backline, superbly marshalled all afternoon by City’s number two Faye Dunlop, held FC at bay and ensured that for this season at least, United’s brief encounter with the County Cup came to an end.

Both teams were respectfully applauded from the pitch and United’s women can be rightly proud of their performance which in no way looked out of place against higher opposition. They can look forward with optimism as they return to league action next Sunday with a visit to Stockport to face Manchester Rovers before returning to Broadhurst a week later to face Royton’s Heyside Angels. Get behind the team as their first season draws to an exciting climax with the league still to play for and a League Cup semi-final to look forward to.

Report by Rob Fullen

Website player of the match:Many good performances in all areas of the team particularly in defence against a highly fluid and mobile City front line but vice-captain Fran Davies edges this week’s vote with an outstanding defensive display that included two goal-saving blocks.

Teams 3 February 2013: Attendance: 51

FC United of Manchester Women: 2 (0)
1. Amy Gillingham (Goalkeeper and Captain)
2. Amy Battel (right back)
8. Maya Germain (left back)
4. Francesca Davies (centre half)
5. Broghan Matthews (centre half)
19. Olivia Greenhalgh (centre midfield)
17. Beth Hayes (centre midfield)
7. Amy Vyas (centre midfield and goal 75 mins)
9. Shellby Wolstencroft (centre forward and goal 82mins)
10. Beth Tattersall (right midfield)
11. Kirsty Chambers (left midfield and goal 57 mins)

Subs:
12. Hayley O’Hara (for No10 51mins)
18. Sophie Cummings (not used)

City of Manchester Ladies: 1 (0)
1. Charlotte Haywood
2. Faye Dunlop
3. Katie Wilman (Captain)
4. Zoe Shaw
5. Claire Young
6. Vicky Moore
7. Rachel Williams
8. Chloe Starling
9. Fionnulla Andrews (goals 37, 56 mins)
10. Chantel Daniels
11. Natalie Robinson (goal 90 mins)

Subs:
12. Siobahn Hilditch (for No5 30 mins)

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