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Honours even in a story of two games - FC's Women & Warrington Wolverines

Honours even in a story of two games - FC’s Women & Warrington WolverinesA broody, moody sky over a freezing Broadhurst Park on Sunday was in contrast to the wild, tempest conditions over Warrington the week before as the teams clashed in consecutive league fixtures. Going into their home fixture, the Red’s held the advantage after leaving Warrington with the spoils last weekend with two goals from Kirsty Chambers sandwiching a Shellby Wolstencroft strike after the home side had taken a fifth minute lead through Nicola Chatterley. Chloe Williams kept the home side at bay with two superb saves providing a platform for victory, the first on the road this season, ensuring the reds extended their unbeaten run to five games, moving up to 3rd in the league going into the reverse fixture this Sunday.

With revenge on their mind, Warrington arrived at Broadhurst Park with an air of determination to overturn last weekend’s home defeat but, United dominated the first half and probably could and should have taken a lead into the break. It wasn’t to be however and the second half was completely the opposite as Warrington pressed, harried and disrupted United’s rhythm inflicting a 1-0 defeat, United’s first at home this season, as a scuffed shot from Chatterley deceived Williams on the hour.

The Wolverines kicked off towards Lightbowne Road and chapter 2 was underway with United soon in control of the early exchanges as Kirsty Chambers and Beth Scholey tested Kim Griffiths in the visitor’s goal inside the first couple of minutes. Gemma Savage tried a speculative effort from range that didn’t trouble Williams’ goal but soon after the visitors forced their first corner headed clear by Fran Davies and helped on by Charlie Evans for Wolstencroft to chase down field resulting in a corner for the reds. As Chambers swung over the set piece, chaos ensured in the Warrington defence but United couldn’t take advantage and the ball was hacked clear from danger.

Just past the quarter hour, good interplay between Evans, Aimee Cooke and Wolstencroft gave Lucy Bonner a half chance as she raced through on goal with Griffiths quickly off her line to smother the danger in the nick of time. Warrington responded with the dangerous Chatterley breaking at speed down the right with Fran Davies timing an excellent challenge at the expense of a corner which cannoned off the FC cross bar with Chelsea Patient clearing the rebound.

On the half hour, good possession and passing across the pitch resulted in Jess McCarrick slotting a pass through the Warrington defence and once again, Griffiths was first to the ball as Wolstencroft threatened. With FC in the ascendancy, a well organised Warrington were holding firm and in the last action of a very tight first half United almost found the breakthrough their play largely deserved. Good exchanges between forwards, Wolstencroft and Bonner, saw the former beating Griffiths at last and as the ball rolled agonisingly beyond the keeper towards the gaping goal everyone present held their collective breath as a defender cleared off the line just ahead of the stretching Evans on the back post and the half ended goalless.

Warrington, taking heart from their resilient first half display were on the front foot from the restart and a combination of Leah Hartshorne and Williams thwarted the first blue wave attack just a minute into the half. Beth Tattersall, on for Evans after the break, provided a regular outlet down the right but a frustrated United were only able to play in sporadic patches throughout the half as the organised Wolverines grew in confidence, cohesion and resilience.

Just before the hour, perhaps the chance of the game, from a United perspective, fell to Wolstencroft who was played through with a deft flick from Bonner. Eighteen yards from goal, completely unmarked, the striker opted to chip Griffiths who had raced from her line and finding herself in no-man’s land just managed to take the sting out of the shot with a strong one handed parry as a covering defender cleared from the goal line inadvertently launching another blue wave. The visitors broke down the right and a cross was floated over the top of United’s defence for Chatterley to turn and scuff her shot across Williams deceiving the keeper as the ball nestled in the corner of United’s net. From almost being a goal in front United found themselves a goal down with less than 30 seconds between the chances.

Rather than sitting on their lead the visitors pressed forward and on more than one occasion Williams had to race from her goal to rescue the situation and prevent Warrington extending their lead. Meanwhile, the blues were quickest to the ball in almost all areas of the pitch as the game wore on with the reds finding some joy down the left with McCarrick breaking forward whenever the opportunity presented itself. As the game entered stoppage time, Bonner saw a speculative half volley dip just too late as her effort found the roof of the net with moments remaining. Patient shot from 20 yards and Griffiths held well as referee David Burton called time on a frustrating afternoon for the home side leaving the spoils shared with 3 points apiece from consecutive fixtures.

In a break from league action next weekend, FC United’s Women, in a nod to where it all began, visit Leigh RMI Ladies in the first round of the League Cup. If you fancy a trip down a decade old Memory Lane why not head west and support the girls away at Leigh? Kick Off 2pm at the Leigh Sports Village.

Report by Rob Fullen

FC Player of the game Warrington (Away) 15/11/15: Chloe Williams – excellent keeping in very difficult conditions created a platform for United’s first away victory of the season.

FC Player of the game Warrington (Home) 22/11/15: Jess McCarrick – not only superb in her defensive duties but effective going forward all game even when the general level of team cohesion dropped in the second half. Special mention once again to Chloe Williams for some fantastic second half blocks and a tireless display in midfield from Leah Hartshorne.

Teams and match stats from 15th November 2015: at www.liveteamstats.com

Teams and match stats 22nd November 2015: Attendance: 63

FC United of Manchester Women: 0 (0)
1. Chloe Williams
4. Aimee Cooke
2. Fran Davies
5. Chelsea Patient
17. Jess McCarrick
16. Charlie Evans
18. Leah Hartshorne
20. Beth Scholey
11. Kirsty Chambers (Capt)
6. Lucy Bonner
9. Shellby Wolstencroft (caution 66mins)
Subs:
3. Georgie Tindell (not used)
8. Adora Yau (for No9 73mins)
10. Beth Tattersall (for No16 46mins)
14. Millie Day (for No11 73mins)

Warrington Wolverines: 1 (0)
1. Kim Griffiths
2. Sarah Sheldon
11. Sophie Cowell
4. Julie Crooks
5. Helen Dobson (Capt)
6. Laura Parkinson
27. Gemma Savage
20. Gail Wilson
9. Becky Lee
10. Nicola Chatterley (Goal 61mins)
26. Hayley Dyas
Subs:
8. Kaydi McHugh (for No27 37mins)
21. Kim Jay (for No14 82mins)

Referee: David Burton
Venue: Broadhurst Park, Moston, M40

Match stats courtesy of Paul Hinson; United’s first:
Goals: 0 to 1
Shots on target: 6 to 6
Shots off target: 6 to 5
Corners: 2 to 3
Free kicks: 5 to 9
Possession: 70% to 30%


First Posted ~ 14:50 Mon 23 Nov 2015
News ID ~ 6532
Last Updated ~ 16:00 Fri 19 Feb 2021