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Match Report

31st March 2014

Greater Manchester Women's Football League Open Age League Cup

Tameside Stadium, Richmond Street, Ashton-Under-Lyne, OL7 9HG


City of Manchester Ladies

2 - 1

FC United of Manchester Women

 
Attendance: 350

City of Manchester Ladies 2

FC United of Manchester Women 1

Attendance: 350



Match Report
In a game that was an absolute credit to the clubs involved and a superb advert for women’s football in the Manchester region, City of Manchester Ladies edged a very close encounter beating FC United women’s team 2-1 in the Manchester FA County Cup Final sponsored by Robinson’s Brewery in front of around 350 spectators.

In a clichéd game of two halves reds’ captain Kirsty Chambers scored a superb goal with the game barely a minute old as United played the better football against significantly higher-placed opposition throughout the half, having a Lizzie Evans effort ruled out for offside and holding a slender lead going into the break.

In contrast to a pleasant dry first half, the rain poured incessantly from the start of the second period as City of Manchester began asserting themselves on proceedings, pulling a bizarre goal back on 51 minutes before their captain Vicky Moore nodded home the eventual winner late in the game.

Straight from the kick off returning right back Amy Battel intercepted a forward ball and turned defence into attack picking a pass to Lizzie Evans who took a touch before lofting a cross field ball over the ‘City’ (as they are referred to) central defence into the stretching stride of Chambers who purposefully drove into the area and fired a ferocious drive from a tightening angle over the despairing hand of Ellie Stanford and into the back of the net off the underside of the bar to give the reds a fantastic start to the final.

The pattern of the half was soon established as FC looked to play the ball on the floor, stretching the play well with wide players Beth Tattersall and Chambers causing problems for their respective full backs. City of Manchester resorted to high long balls for the most part looking to catch out United’s defence and this presented them with some success with Aimee Cooke making a superb last ditch block in her own six-yard area as Isha Mundell looked to pull the trigger for the blues.

Good FC approach play saw Shellby Wolstencroft feed the Chambers supply line whose cross found Lizzie Evans to slot home from eight yards on 21 minutes only for the effort to be ruled offside.

City of Manchester began to feel their way into the game in the latter stages of the half and Mary Priestner became the busier of the two keepers denying Mundell bravely diving at her feet to smother the ball and prevent a strike on goal. On the stroke of half time, the blues were once again denied by Priestner as she held Claire Young’s drive from distance, but there was still time for City to force a couple of corners that were well defended as referee Jess Lawson brought the half to a close.

The rain descended as City of Manchester started the second period with much more purpose, looking to emulate FC’s style of play from the first half. However it was United with the first real opening of the half as Cooke sprayed a delightful pass to Chambers who blind-sided the defence and squared to Lizzie Evans beyond the far post who in turn placed her pass just behind the on rushing Cooke forcing her attempt to be easily cleared up field.

On 51 minutes following a goal kick clearance the ball was presented to Young who returned it with interest over the stranded Priestner and into the back of United’s net for an equaliser that was definitely coming.

FC United fought back from the disappointment of conceding and on 70 minutes forced a corner that Stanford spilled with the loose ball falling agonisingly unkindly for the reds as first Lizzie Evans’ strike was well blocked with the follow up effort from Tattersall finding the recovered Stanford who this time held on gratefully.

A quarter of an hour from the end crucially, the superb Beth Hayes who had expertly read and marshalled the game from her central defensive berth alongside Chelsea Patient, was injured and could take no further part. This coincided with City winning a series of corners two of which were placed right under Priestner’s bar but lacked the killer touch as they sailed harmlessly passed the far post. However, just inside the last ten minutes City’s captain Vicky Moore did connect from a yard out on a third such corner giving the blues the decisive 2-1 advantage.

United were far from finished and in a final flourish Chambers forced two excellent match-winning saves from Stanford before being a lick of paint away from forcing a penalty shootout, firing another magnificent effort off the upright in the closing moments. City of Manchester Ladies hung on for the victory but the reds of FC United did themselves proud and the vast red majority of the largest crowd to watch our women’s team cannot fail to be impressed by their endeavours. Both teams did the cause of the women’s game no harm whatsoever and they certainly appreciated the excellent support from all those in attendance.

This coming Sunday, 6 April, FC’s women play their last home league game of the season on Broadhurst Park and with the advent of our ground, hopefully their last game ever on the swamp. Come and give them a lift as they entertain Beechfield United with a 2pm kick off - weather permitting of course!

Report by Rob Fullen

Player of the game: Kirsty Chambers – tireless, leading from the front scoring an emphatic opener and almost clinching a late equaliser in the dying moments.

Teams 31 March 2014: Attendance: 350

FC United of Manchester Women: 1(1)
1. Mary Priestner (goalkeeper)
2. Amy Battel (right back)
5. Chelsea Patient (centre half)
7. Beth Hayes (centre half)
14. Aimee Cooke (left back)
8. Adora Yau (centre midfield)
18. Leah Hartshorne (centre midfield)
10. Beth Tattersall (right midfield)
11. Kirsty Chambers (captain, left midfield and goal 2mins)
15. Lizzie Evans (centre forward)
17. Shellby Wolstencroft (centre forward)

Subs:
4. Jemma Doyle (for 8 59mins)
6. Molly Wood (for 17 56mins)
12. Jess Tonge (for 2 81mins)
16. Charlie Evans (for 18 85mins)
Roll on Roll off subs:
On No8 for No7 75mins

City of Manchester Ladies: 2 (0)
1. Ellie Stanford
3. Grace Whitaker
4. Bev Howarth
5. Claire Young (goal 51mins)
6. Vicky Moore (Captain and goal 80mins)
8. Alicia Cain
9. Isha Mundell
10. Vicky Lomas
11. Natalie Robinson
17. Faye Dunlop
16. Michelle Upton

Subs:
7. Rachel Williams (for 11 11mins)
15.Zoey Shaw
12. Siobahn Hilditch
14. Cory Hallam
21. Jenny Grey

Referee: Jess Lawson
Assistant referees: Rebecca Gregory & Joanna Kaye
Fourth Official: Sarah MacManus
Match Report
In a game that was an absolute credit to the clubs involved and a superb advert for women’s football in the Manchester region, City of Manchester Ladies edged a very close encounter beating FC United women’s team 2-1 in the Manchester FA County Cup Final sponsored by Robinson’s Brewery in front of around 350 spectators.

In a clichéd game of two halves reds’ captain Kirsty Chambers scored a superb goal with the game barely a minute old as United played the better football against significantly higher-placed opposition throughout the half, having a Lizzie Evans effort ruled out for offside and holding a slender lead going into the break.

In contrast to a pleasant dry first half, the rain poured incessantly from the start of the second period as City of Manchester began asserting themselves on proceedings, pulling a bizarre goal back on 51 minutes before their captain Vicky Moore nodded home the eventual winner late in the game.

Straight from the kick off returning right back Amy Battel intercepted a forward ball and turned defence into attack picking a pass to Lizzie Evans who took a touch before lofting a cross field ball over the ‘City’ (as they are referred to) central defence into the stretching stride of Chambers who purposefully drove into the area and fired a ferocious drive from a tightening angle over the despairing hand of Ellie Stanford and into the back of the net off the underside of the bar to give the reds a fantastic start to the final.

The pattern of the half was soon established as FC looked to play the ball on the floor, stretching the play well with wide players Beth Tattersall and Chambers causing problems for their respective full backs. City of Manchester resorted to high long balls for the most part looking to catch out United’s defence and this presented them with some success with Aimee Cooke making a superb last ditch block in her own six-yard area as Isha Mundell looked to pull the trigger for the blues.

Good FC approach play saw Shellby Wolstencroft feed the Chambers supply line whose cross found Lizzie Evans to slot home from eight yards on 21 minutes only for the effort to be ruled offside.

City of Manchester began to feel their way into the game in the latter stages of the half and Mary Priestner became the busier of the two keepers denying Mundell bravely diving at her feet to smother the ball and prevent a strike on goal. On the stroke of half time, the blues were once again denied by Priestner as she held Claire Young’s drive from distance, but there was still time for City to force a couple of corners that were well defended as referee Jess Lawson brought the half to a close.

The rain descended as City of Manchester started the second period with much more purpose, looking to emulate FC’s style of play from the first half. However it was United with the first real opening of the half as Cooke sprayed a delightful pass to Chambers who blind-sided the defence and squared to Lizzie Evans beyond the far post who in turn placed her pass just behind the on rushing Cooke forcing her attempt to be easily cleared up field.

On 51 minutes following a goal kick clearance the ball was presented to Young who returned it with interest over the stranded Priestner and into the back of United’s net for an equaliser that was definitely coming.

FC United fought back from the disappointment of conceding and on 70 minutes forced a corner that Stanford spilled with the loose ball falling agonisingly unkindly for the reds as first Lizzie Evans’ strike was well blocked with the follow up effort from Tattersall finding the recovered Stanford who this time held on gratefully.

A quarter of an hour from the end crucially, the superb Beth Hayes who had expertly read and marshalled the game from her central defensive berth alongside Chelsea Patient, was injured and could take no further part. This coincided with City winning a series of corners two of which were placed right under Priestner’s bar but lacked the killer touch as they sailed harmlessly passed the far post. However, just inside the last ten minutes City’s captain Vicky Moore did connect from a yard out on a third such corner giving the blues the decisive 2-1 advantage.

United were far from finished and in a final flourish Chambers forced two excellent match-winning saves from Stanford before being a lick of paint away from forcing a penalty shootout, firing another magnificent effort off the upright in the closing moments. City of Manchester Ladies hung on for the victory but the reds of FC United did themselves proud and the vast red majority of the largest crowd to watch our women’s team cannot fail to be impressed by their endeavours. Both teams did the cause of the women’s game no harm whatsoever and they certainly appreciated the excellent support from all those in attendance.

This coming Sunday, 6 April, FC’s women play their last home league game of the season on Broadhurst Park and with the advent of our ground, hopefully their last game ever on the swamp. Come and give them a lift as they entertain Beechfield United with a 2pm kick off - weather permitting of course!

Report by Rob Fullen

Player of the game: Kirsty Chambers – tireless, leading from the front scoring an emphatic opener and almost clinching a late equaliser in the dying moments.

Teams 31 March 2014: Attendance: 350

FC United of Manchester Women: 1(1)
1. Mary Priestner (goalkeeper)
2. Amy Battel (right back)
5. Chelsea Patient (centre half)
7. Beth Hayes (centre half)
14. Aimee Cooke (left back)
8. Adora Yau (centre midfield)
18. Leah Hartshorne (centre midfield)
10. Beth Tattersall (right midfield)
11. Kirsty Chambers (captain, left midfield and goal 2mins)
15. Lizzie Evans (centre forward)
17. Shellby Wolstencroft (centre forward)

Subs:
4. Jemma Doyle (for 8 59mins)
6. Molly Wood (for 17 56mins)
12. Jess Tonge (for 2 81mins)
16. Charlie Evans (for 18 85mins)
Roll on Roll off subs:
On No8 for No7 75mins

City of Manchester Ladies: 2 (0)
1. Ellie Stanford
3. Grace Whitaker
4. Bev Howarth
5. Claire Young (goal 51mins)
6. Vicky Moore (Captain and goal 80mins)
8. Alicia Cain
9. Isha Mundell
10. Vicky Lomas
11. Natalie Robinson
17. Faye Dunlop
16. Michelle Upton

Subs:
7. Rachel Williams (for 11 11mins)
15.Zoey Shaw
12. Siobahn Hilditch
14. Cory Hallam
21. Jenny Grey

Referee: Jess Lawson
Assistant referees: Rebecca Gregory & Joanna Kaye
Fourth Official: Sarah MacManus

Previous Matches
28/04/2017 1-5W
20/03/2016 1-2L
22/02/2015 1-4L
03/02/2013 2-3L