Match Report

FC United of Manchester Women 3

Manchester City Ladies FC 2

Attendance: 290

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FC United’s women’s team gained the upper hand in the championship race going four points clear at the top with a stunning display of passion and commitment to overcome Manchester City’s development squad by 3 goals to 2. Unanswered first half strikes by Olivia Greenhalgh and Amy Vyas were followed by an early second half reply from City’s Emma Massey before Claire O’Reilly restored FC’s two goal cushion until the 96th minute when Feiruz Ahmed snatched a very late consolation for the blues.

It’s not the first time FC United have scored three against City. Back in October 2007 Nick Platt, Peter Thomson and Rory Patterson scored against an MCFC youth team in front of a small audience of 38 behind closed doors at City’s Platt Lane complex. The creditable 3-3 result on that day is recorded in Steve Wood’s book chronicling the 2007/08 season ‘Trips on Glue’. However, Sunday 11 November 2012 was our club’s first competitive encounter with our illustrious East Manchester neighbours, as FC’s women took to the boggy parkland they call home this season; Broadhurst Fields, M40.

A large turnout was expected and Manchester County FA installed a ‘respect barrier’ down both sides of the pitch in anticipation whilst our usual muddy ‘main stand’ was adorned with not one but two large gazebos. The preparations were well founded as just under 300 spectators (a record crowd, higher than most attendances in the Northern Premier League the previous day) turned out to give admirable and respectful support to the players of both teams and souvenir match day programmes sold out before kick off. The gravity of the occasion was further underlined as referee David Cryer was accompanied by two assistants – a very unusual occurrence at this level of the women’s game.

FC United lost the toss and City opted to change ends; putting the low autumn sun in the reds’ faces for the first half. A well observed silence, fitting of Remembrance Sunday, was pierced by referee Cryer’s whistle and FC United got the game underway kicking towards the cemetery end. From the off it was clear the reds were ‘up for the match’ and were quickest into the challenge throughout the game, constantly unsettling their opponents.

Beth Tattersall surged forward down the right inside the first minute and her shot from range was comfortably held by Elizabeth Seasmen in the City goal. Only minutes later and City showed their attacking credentials forcing an early corner, partially cleared by O’Reilly before a rash challenge 30 yards from goal saw the resultant free kick comfortably fielded by Amy Gillingham in the FC goal. A surging run down the left by O’Reilly resulted in an excellent cross that Vyas only narrowly missed connecting with and City were back on the attack once more. The game ebbed and flowed and both defences held firm with United’s being the more stretched. Well timed last ditch tackles and clearances from Broghan Matthew’s and Amy Battel in particular, saved the day on numerous occasions and when City did break through Gillingham, the busier of the two keepers, pulled off three fantastic first half saves showing great courage and dexterity.

The dynamics of the game shifted in United’s favour on 27 minutes when an O’Reilly corner from the left found the head of Greenhalgh who rose to score from close range in a very crowded six yard area. City were wounded and came straight on the attack from the restart and the superb Ahmed, who was a constant threat throughout the match, forced Gillingham into a fine save. The resultant corner saw Adora Yau, a late call up to the starting 11, clear a corner from underneath her own bar with a powerful header. The clearance fell to Kayleigh Catterall in midfield who in turn swept the ball wide right for Tattersall to surge forward, hurdle a challenge and cross for Vyas to steal between defender and keeper to double the lead on 31 minutes. This, by and large took the sting out of the blues’ attack and United took a two goal cushion into the half time break.

City began the second half very much on the front foot looking for a way back into the match as soon as possible and just three minutes after the restart their endeavours paid off; Charlotte Hadfield floated a superb cross from the right for Emma Massey to head home unchallenged at the far post.

City were in the ascendancy as they went in search of the equaliser; the next goal was always going to be vital in such a tight game and after weathering a series of City attacks and corners arguably the best move of the game resulted in FC’s third and ultimately decisive goal on 54 minutes. Gillingham‘s over arm throw to the right caught City off guard high up the pitch and Tattersall sprinted over half way before cutting the ball in field for Vyas to chip a first time pass over the retreating blue backline as O’Reilly outstripped the defence to fire past Seasmen from 15 yards - A classic United-style counter attack that was very much appreciated by the large crowd.

With the two goal cushion restored, United spent most of the remainder of the game hemmed in and stoic defending from the whole team restricted City to very few chances most of which came from free kicks as United’s robust defending increasingly drew more fouls as understandable fatigue kicked in. Fresh legs were introduced to help keep the blue tide at bay and Kirsty Chambers proved a valuable outlet on several occasions in the closing stages reminding City that FC still carried a threat going forward. It wasn’t until the 96th minute that City finally broke through with Ahmed heading home from a late corner. Still the game went on and FC United kept the ball away from danger until, on 98 minutes, the referee blew for time and the roar of relief from the majority FC crowd was both audible and palpable. Both teams were applauded from the field and for now at least FC United hold the upper hand in the championship race. It was a very proud and historic day for all who were privileged to be involved both on and off the pitch. Football and Fans United.

The women’s team only have two more scheduled fixtures in 2012 - 18 November away to Uppermill Ladies and the week after at home to AFC Oldham in their first ever cup match. The support played a huge, positive part in Sunday’s victory and a similar turnout for the cup game on 25 November would be fantastic. The first game of 2013 will be away to Manchester City on 6 January and if the first encounter was title defining the second could well prove title deciding.

Report by Rob Fullen

Player of the match: A very close call between so many of the team with excellent performances all round. In particular, the defence and goalkeeper held firm under often intense pressure and this week’s player of the match goes to centre half Broghan Matthews for her uncompromising display and numerous well timed challenges. City gave Broghan’s centre half partner Fran Davies as our player of the game.


Teams 11 November 2012: Attendance: 290

FC United of Manchester Women: 3 (2)

1. Amy Gillingham (Goalkeeper and captain)
2. Amy Battel (right back)
3. Adora Yau (left back)
4. Francesca Davies (centre half)
5. Broghan Matthews (centre half)
7. Kayleigh Catterall (centre midfield)
18. Claire O’Reilly (centre midfield and goal 54 mins)
14. Olivia Greenhalgh (centre midfield and goal 27 mins)
10. Beth Tattersall (right midfield)
8. Maya Germain (left midfield)
16. Amy Vyas (centre forward and goal 31 mins)

Subs:
12. Hayley O’Hara (unused)
6. Shellby Wolstencroft (for No16 80 mins)
9. Olivia Smith (for No 18 67 mins)
11. Kirsty Chambers (for No8 57 mins)
17. Beth Hayes (for No10 55 mins)

Manchester City Ladies FC: 2 (0)

1. Elizabeth Seasmen
2. Maddy Gresty
17. Kye Brown
4. Olivia Chao (Captain)
5. Rachel Mason
6. Molly Coombes
7. Lois Daniels
8. Beth Mellor
9. Emma Massey (Goal 48 mins)
10. Charlotte Hadfield
11. Feiruz Ahmed (Goal 90+5 mins)

Subs:
12. Aimee Armsden
14. Louise McGilligan
15. Ellen Bergin
16. Holly Marshall