FC United rue missed chances as Tranmere see out three-goal win
FC United fell to a frustrating 1-4 loss at Broadhurst Park against Tranmere Rovers on a cold Sunday afternoon. The visitors scored three in the space of about nine minutes which left it very hard for a comeback to be staged, Naomi Lawrence did strike back early into the second half but unfortunately the damage was already done – especially after Tranmere added a fourth.
The hosts came into this game unbeaten in their last three, meanwhile Tranmere had not tasted defeat in their last two – in the reverse fixture between these sides, FC United were defeated 4-0 and were eager for revenge.
It was an edgy affair for the opening 10 minutes with neither side threatening too much in the early stages.
That was until around the 16th minute, Tranmere took the lead after a dangerous ball was swung in by Anya McCready, Cara Bickett slides in to try and prevent any lurking attackers from scoring but she inadvertently turns the ball into her own net.
The away side then struck again soon after, a great in swinging cross from a corner which Lorna Stratton headed home beyond Sophie Donald in goal, a misery compiler for FC United.
Tranmere could smell blood and unfortunately for FC United, they struck again not too long after the quickfire double, as Stratton tapped home into an empty net after two previous efforts were saved by Donald – there were appeals from FC United that the ball went out but the referee was unmoved.
The home side struggled to get into the game in the first half with Tranmere creating lots of chances whilst FC United were only really having shots from range, struggling to get striker Ash Tiripke into the game.
Half-time came and went with both sides coming out for the second half swinging, FC United almost scored after the visiting keeper spilled a ball from a corner into the path of Rachel Lloyd but she could only drag her effort wide.
Tranmere then responded with a chance of their own as Shannon once again broke away down the left flank and she played a great ball into hattrick hunting Stratton who was denied by a fantastic save from close range.
FC United did pull a goal back early in the second half, after the visitors left Lawrence unmarked in the box who had plenty of time to fire a good finish into the bottom corner.
Unfortunately for the hosts, Tranmere regained their three-goal advantage soon after, Anya McCready firing home a ferocious strike from the edge of the box after she intercepted an FC United clearance – so unlucky for the girls in red.
For the remainder of the second half, FC United made plenty of chances for themselves but just struggled to convert any of them and on another occasion, it could have been a very different game.
Lawrence had a great chance for her second as she met a looping cross at the back post with a header, but she was denied by the inside of the post, the ball rebounded to Keunna Dill whose effort was blocked by a crowd of white shirts.
A wonder save from Amelia Size in goal for Tranmere summed up FC United’s day, after she kept out Abby Lester’s strike with a wonderful reflex save – the home side just struggled to find the net.
The referee blew for full time which meant that the home side’s three match unbeaten run had come to an end, a frustrating game for the girls which could have been a very different story if there was better finishing from the FC United frontline.
FC United will now turn their attention to a big game away at bottom of the league Bury in a relegation six pointer, whereas Tranmere play host to top of the league Darwen next.
Match Report by Fin Gaynor
FC United rue missed chances as Tranmere see out three-goal win
FC United fell to a frustrating 1-4 loss at Broadhurst Park against Tranmere Rovers on a cold Sunday afternoon. The visitors scored three in the space of about nine minutes which left it very hard for a comeback to be staged, Naomi Lawrence did strike back early into the second half but unfortunately the damage was already done – especially after Tranmere added a fourth.
The hosts came into this game unbeaten in their last three, meanwhile Tranmere had not tasted defeat in their last two – in the reverse fixture between these sides, FC United were defeated 4-0 and were eager for revenge.
It was an edgy affair for the opening 10 minutes with neither side threatening too much in the early stages.
That was until around the 16th minute, Tranmere took the lead after a dangerous ball was swung in by Anya McCready, Cara Bickett slides in to try and prevent any lurking attackers from scoring but she inadvertently turns the ball into her own net.
The away side then struck again soon after, a great in swinging cross from a corner which Lorna Stratton headed home beyond Sophie Donald in goal, a misery compiler for FC United.
Tranmere could smell blood and unfortunately for FC United, they struck again not too long after the quickfire double, as Stratton tapped home into an empty net after two previous efforts were saved by Donald – there were appeals from FC United that the ball went out but the referee was unmoved.
The home side struggled to get into the game in the first half with Tranmere creating lots of chances whilst FC United were only really having shots from range, struggling to get striker Ash Tiripke into the game.
Half-time came and went with both sides coming out for the second half swinging, FC United almost scored after the visiting keeper spilled a ball from a corner into the path of Rachel Lloyd but she could only drag her effort wide.
Tranmere then responded with a chance of their own as Shannon once again broke away down the left flank and she played a great ball into hattrick hunting Stratton who was denied by a fantastic save from close range.
FC United did pull a goal back early in the second half, after the visitors left Lawrence unmarked in the box who had plenty of time to fire a good finish into the bottom corner.
Unfortunately for the hosts, Tranmere regained their three-goal advantage soon after, Anya McCready firing home a ferocious strike from the edge of the box after she intercepted an FC United clearance – so unlucky for the girls in red.
For the remainder of the second half, FC United made plenty of chances for themselves but just struggled to convert any of them and on another occasion, it could have been a very different game.
Lawrence had a great chance for her second as she met a looping cross at the back post with a header, but she was denied by the inside of the post, the ball rebounded to Keunna Dill whose effort was blocked by a crowd of white shirts.
A wonder save from Amelia Size in goal for Tranmere summed up FC United’s day, after she kept out Abby Lester’s strike with a wonderful reflex save – the home side just struggled to find the net.
The referee blew for full time which meant that the home side’s three match unbeaten run had come to an end, a frustrating game for the girls which could have been a very different story if there was better finishing from the FC United frontline.
FC United will now turn their attention to a big game away at bottom of the league Bury in a relegation six pointer, whereas Tranmere play host to top of the league Darwen next.
Match Report by Fin Gaynor
