Dixon at the double clinches Reds semi-final spot
FC United women secured a place in the Argyle Sports Plate semi-final and a home tie against Tranmere Rovers with a 3-0 win over Preston North End on the Broadhurst Park 3G pitch. Two early goals from Libby Dixon set the pace and the job was finished by an FC10 wonder strike just past the hour mark.
It was almost the visitors who struck first but fortunately Reds’ keeper Sophie Donald was on her game in the very first minute to make a standing save to a shot from outside the area.
Just four minutes in, Dixon gave FC United the lead with a shot on the run well placed out of the keeper’s reach into the top right hand corner. The lead was doubled ten minutes later with Dixon again on the spot to bundle the ball in at the far post from a Kirsty Chambers left wing cross.
Dixon had a couple of chances to get a third hat-trick in as many games. However Preston seemed to get their act together and, with some well-organised defensive work, kept further chances to a minimum. Jess Battle made her first start for FC since returning to the club from Stockport and, while not managing to get on the scoresheet this time, certainly proved a handful for the opposition with her trademark tireless running. The closest she came was in the dying minutes of the first half, just unable to stretch enough to get a touch onto a low cross from Libby Dixon.
FC were almost caught napping early in the second half with Preston looking determined to find a way back into the game. Striker Madison Hadley managed to get a clear sight of goal but her low shot was well covered by Donald who came off her line to smother the ball. However almost within seconds, Preston were back on the attack – Bethany Wilson sent a shot from outside the area looping over the advancing Donald only to see it come back off the crossbar falling to Hadley who blazed her shot over in front of an unguarded goal.
The issue was put beyond reasonable doubt on 63 minutes when Ellie Kelly found herself in space and backed herself with a 30 yard attempt practically out of the blue that sailed into the net way out of the keeper’s reach.
In the closing minutes Kate O'Gara tried her luck with an effort from similar range that was just too high.
FC United women’s next game is a potentially crucial home game against fellow title challengers Cheadle Town Stingers at Broadhurst Park on Sunday March 5th, kick off 2pm.
The Plate semi-final tie against Tranmere is currently scheduled for Sunday April 2nd at Broadhurst Park, again with a 2pm kick off.
Report by Phil Bradbury
Full line ups and stats on http://liveteamstats.com/fixtures/63fb665452cc4d2b596d76b7 (compiled by Paul Hinson)
Dixon at the double clinches Reds semi-final spot
FC United women secured a place in the Argyle Sports Plate semi-final and a home tie against Tranmere Rovers with a 3-0 win over Preston North End on the Broadhurst Park 3G pitch. Two early goals from Libby Dixon set the pace and the job was finished by an FC10 wonder strike just past the hour mark.
It was almost the visitors who struck first but fortunately Reds’ keeper Sophie Donald was on her game in the very first minute to make a standing save to a shot from outside the area.
Just four minutes in, Dixon gave FC United the lead with a shot on the run well placed out of the keeper’s reach into the top right hand corner. The lead was doubled ten minutes later with Dixon again on the spot to bundle the ball in at the far post from a Kirsty Chambers left wing cross.
Dixon had a couple of chances to get a third hat-trick in as many games. However Preston seemed to get their act together and, with some well-organised defensive work, kept further chances to a minimum. Jess Battle made her first start for FC since returning to the club from Stockport and, while not managing to get on the scoresheet this time, certainly proved a handful for the opposition with her trademark tireless running. The closest she came was in the dying minutes of the first half, just unable to stretch enough to get a touch onto a low cross from Libby Dixon.
FC were almost caught napping early in the second half with Preston looking determined to find a way back into the game. Striker Madison Hadley managed to get a clear sight of goal but her low shot was well covered by Donald who came off her line to smother the ball. However almost within seconds, Preston were back on the attack – Bethany Wilson sent a shot from outside the area looping over the advancing Donald only to see it come back off the crossbar falling to Hadley who blazed her shot over in front of an unguarded goal.
The issue was put beyond reasonable doubt on 63 minutes when Ellie Kelly found herself in space and backed herself with a 30 yard attempt practically out of the blue that sailed into the net way out of the keeper’s reach.
In the closing minutes Kate O'Gara tried her luck with an effort from similar range that was just too high.
FC United women’s next game is a potentially crucial home game against fellow title challengers Cheadle Town Stingers at Broadhurst Park on Sunday March 5th, kick off 2pm.
The Plate semi-final tie against Tranmere is currently scheduled for Sunday April 2nd at Broadhurst Park, again with a 2pm kick off.
Report by Phil Bradbury
Full line ups and stats on http://liveteamstats.com/fixtures/63fb665452cc4d2b596d76b7 (compiled by Paul Hinson)
