Six of the best as FC's Women defeat Rhyl Ladies

Women’s Welsh Premier League side, Rhyl Ladies, became the latest pre season opponents by which to measure progress towards season six proper which starts in earnest on 3rd September. Luke Podmore’s side continued their positive trajectory scoring three in each half without reply on a bright summer afternoon at Broadhurst Park.

The traditional tones of a brass band floated across adjacent playing fields from the Broadhurst Park Summer Festival as Rhyl got the game underway and had a long range effort comfortably fielded by Gemma Jackson in the opening minute.

United soon settled however and after Kirsty Chambers had tested Yasmin Mills from range Fran Sullivan and Jess Battle combined superbly for Battle to slot home the opening goal on 3 minutes.

Sullivan released Beth Tattersall down the left, the winger cut inside on her favoured right foot firing on target with Mills smothering well. United weren’t to be denied a second for too much longer building from the back as Chelsea Patient fed Rebecca Foster who clipped a ball over the Rhyl backline into the path of Chambers. The Captain took the ball in her stride and fired across Mills in to the bottom corner.

Mills made several good saves from Sullivan, Tattersall and Chambers whilst Emily Jones and Paige Williams looked to make inroads for the visitors down United’s right; ultimately to no avail as the reds looked to build again from the back. Fran Davies played a clever ball into Sullivan in the centre circle. The midfielder turned and released Battle who surged into the area clipping the ball inside for Foster to sweep home United’s third on 39 minutes.

Rhyl looked for a way back into the game in the closing minutes of the half with Jackson saving comfortably from Amy Webster and Laura Williams firing high over the United bar but it was the reds who almost added to their lead as Olivia Greenhalgh centred a superb corner headed goalwards by Davies who was denied by some blanket defending on the goal line.
United were straight on the offensive from the restart with Ella Schickhoff earning a free kick on the edge of the ‘D’ after driving at the heart of the Rhyl defence. Sullivan stepped up and curled her effort agonisingly past the angle of bar and post.
Moments later and debutant Sarah Chadwick forced Mills into an excellent save with the rebound falling to Schickhoff who displayed good composure to curl her shot beyond the despairing dive of the Rhyl keeper for United’s fourth on 49 minutes.

The fifth arrived courtesy of an excellent side foot volleyed finish across the keeper from Chadwick, connecting brilliantly with a Sullivan corner.

Anya Donelan, Chadwick and Schickhoff were causing constant problems for the Rhyl defence with Donelan firing over the bar and also forcing Mills into a good save at her near post. Schickhoff it was who ended the afternoon’s scoring on 79 minutes, guiding home a close range effort at the back post after a telling cross from debutant Melissa Shepherd.

Six wins from Six and pre season preparations enter their final third as the reds visit Victoria Park, home of Nelson FC, this coming Wednesday, 16th August with a 7.30pm KO. For those with fond recollections of our club’s North West Counties days, why not venture down the M65 and make some new memories. Next Sunday, in a change to the original fixture, the reds will face Crewe Ladies away with a 2pm KO before rounding off pre season back at Broadhurst Park, welcoming Doncaster Belles on Sunday 27th August. Thanks for all your support so far which is much appreciated by the Women’s squad and staff.

Report by Rob Fullen
FC Player of the game: Anya Donelan, whether at left wing back or further up field, Anya grew into the game and showed excellent skill and composure in only her second game for the reds.

Teams 13th August 2017: Attendance: 93

FC United of Manchester Women: 6 (3)
1. Gemma Jackson
2. Fran Davies (Capt 2nd half)
14. Anya Donelan
5. Chelsea Patient
6. Olivia Greenhalgh
7. Fran Sullivan
15. Rebecca Foster (Goal 39 mins)
17. Jess McCarrick
10. Beth Tattersall
11. Kirsty Chambers (Capt 1st Half) (Goal 9 mins)
9. Jess Battle (Goal 3 mins)
Subs:
3. Abbie Carrington (For No10 46 mins)
12. Ella Schickhoff (for No11 46 mins) (Goals 49, 79 mins)
16. Sarah Chadwick (for No9 46 mins - debut) (Goal 57 mins)
19. Melissa Shepherd (for No5 46 mins)
20. Fliss Winters (for No6 53 mins)

Rhyl Ladies: 0 (0)
Selected Players:
1. Yasmin Mills – impressive performance in goal
4. Emily Jones
6. Paige Williams
7. Tanisha Dickens
10. Laura Williams
11. Rachel Natrass (Capt)
12. Amy Webster

Referee: Steve Darlow
Asst 1: Daniel Adelman (Yellow & Orange)
Asst 2: N/K (Yellow)

Match Stats courtesy of Paul Hinson from:click here
FC United stats first column:

Goals: 6...........0
Shots on target: 16...........4
Shots off target: 12...........3
Corners: 3...........0
Completed Passes: 496.........162
Possession: 75%.........25%