Late, late show as FC's women battle through to cup semis

In their first ever cup tie, the FC United women’s team put on a late show for the 41 hardy spectators at Broadhurst against a strong AFC Oldham side, as Shellby Wolstencroft headed a late equaliser followed by a winner from Beth Tattersall in the closing minutes to set up a date in the league cup semi finals.

A bright, cold, frosty day had already put paid to the youth team game at Prescott Cables which fell foul of the weather, but after much discussion between club and match officials resulting in a Broadhurst pitch change, the afternoon league cup second round tie for the women’s team was given the go ahead and all parties deserve credit for making it happen.

At grassroots football level our DIY club despatched eager scouts Aidie and Peter to obtain a garden spade to make good a small midfield crater on our usual pitch that the referee deemed unsafe. They arrived back tooled up, just as referee Kevin Moore ordered a late change of pitch to a craterless alternative and our net team hurriedly relocated the onion bags.

The tie twice before postponed and seemingly in jeopardy right up to kick off, finally got underway at 2.05pm and AFC Oldham were quickly into their stride forcing a smart stop from Amy Gillingham in the first minute. Both teams battled hard and undeniably FC United had the lion’s share of chances in a very cagey first half; the best being a clever Beth Hayes’ chip from the edge of the area that Oldham’s Jo Smallwood tipped over brilliantly.

Both sides were well matched, sitting second and third in the league and having slogged out a physical 2-2 encounter at Oldham back in October, had a goal a piece chalked off for offside and unsurprisingly the deadlock remained unbroken as the first half ended goalless.

United, needing to capitalise on home advantage and looking the more likely to break through, changed formation at half time and went 4-4-2. However it was AFC Oldham who started the half brightest with Gillingham called into action almost immediately from the restart. United settled and Kirsty Chambers became more influential on the left as the half gathered momentum, then, as so often happens in football, AFC Oldham struck first against the run of play as Leigh Carnell slotted into an unguarded goal on the hour following a defensive lapse that left Gillingham and Jade Challender stranded with the latter picking up an injury that was to see her take no further part. Oldham looked to tighten their grip and defensively they were proving very difficult to break down.

The reds showed great character as the light began to fade and the first flurries of winter snow swirled amidst the action; increasingly FC were using the width of the pitch stretching the solid Oldham defence and creating space for the twin strike force of Wolstencroft and Hayley O’Hara. The tactics and patience paid dividends as Tattersall skipped over three challenges down the right, took the ball to the bye line and fired a cross to the near post as Wolstencroft just beat team mate O’Hara to the header across the front of Smallwood and into the back of the net to even things up on 82 minutes.

Oldham sought a response and FC’s defence came under increasing pressure that the central pairing of Fran Davies and impressive debutant Gail Pennington, signed on Wednesday from Blackburn Rovers, soaked up consistently. Up front, as extra time loomed large, FC United showed great spirit and belief and on 86 minutes the provider turned predator as Tattersall danced around a couple of lunges just outside the box before firing past Smallwood from the edge of the area to score a fantastic winner that FC’s second half performance thoroughly deserved.

The snow fell with greater intensity and the referee played on, as Oldham pressed forward. Two late efforts from Oldham deep into stoppage time had FC hearts in mouths but finally, after a 52 minute second half, referee Moore brought the game to a close to spark collective relief and celebrations on and off the pitch. FC’s reward is a semi final clash with Curzon in a fortnights time. Sandwiched between the two league cup ties is our first County Cup match at Hough End on Sunday 20 January versus City of Manchester Ladies.

You can view match highlights and interviews at https://vimeo.com/57327928

Report by Rob Fullen

Website player of the match: Many good performances in all areas of the team but for defensive solidity against robust Oldham attacks at critical periods in the game, vice captain Fran Davies edges this week’s vote.

Teams 13 January 2013: Attendance: 41

FC United of Manchester Women: 2 (0)

1. Amy Gillingham (Goalkeeper and captain)
16. Amy Vyas (right back)
2. Jade Challender (left back)
4. Francesca Davies (centre half)
8. Gail Pennington (centre half)
3. Adora Yau (Right midfield)
19. Olivia Greenhalgh (centre midfield)
17. Beth Hayes (centre midfield)
7. Kayleigh Catterall (centre midfield)
9. Shellby Wolstencroft (centre forward and goal 82mins)
11. Kirsty Chambers (left midfield)

Subs:
12. Hayley O’Hara (for No17 46mins)
10. Beth Tattersall (for No3 46mins and goal 86mins)
18. Claire O’Reilly (Unused)
17. Beth Hayes (for No19 84mins rolling sub rule)
3. Adora Yau (for No 2 61mins rolling sub rule)

AFC Oldham Ladies: 1 (0)

1. Jo Smallwood
2. Rachel Wells
3. Sam Millor
4. Lorna Brown
5. Shirley Boulton (Captain)
16. Lesley English
7. Sophie Barton
8. Leigh Carnell (Goal 60mins)
9. Kelly Sessman
10. Rachel Lawton
14. Tracey Blanchard

Subs:
12. Lisa Wood