Match Report
On a bright, breezy afternoon in Childwall, Liverpool last Sunday, FC United’s women gained three points to take them second in the league after notching four goals against Liverpool City Ladies Community FC. Coach Jason Astley was overseeing his final game of the season after landing a coaching opportunity in Southern China for three months and the team were determined to give him the right send off but for 80 minutes, battling a determined Liverpool side, in-form goal keeper and a ‘sponge bobble’ of a surface the Red’s held a slender one goal advantage, courtesy of a 40th minute header from Lucy Bonner.
The incessant red pressure told in the final ten minutes as Shellby Wolstencroft headed the game’s second goal, Bonner bagged the third and her brace and late substitute, Charlie Evans fired the fourth with only her second touch, on 90 minutes.
The first half proved a story of constant Manchester pressure versus resolute Liverpool defending, particularly Jess Lomax in the last line between the posts. Time after time United worked dangerous positions with Bonner and Wolstencroft spurning several chances on a surface not conducive to the flowing football the team like to produce. Kirsty Chambers, in an unfamiliar left back role proved dangerous coming forward with Leah Hartshorne and Beth Scholey breaking up any rare Liverpool attacks whilst launching offensive counter thrusts at every opportunity.
When the dangerous front three of Emily Swindells, Antonia Goudie and Michelle Lee did break through United’s midfield they ran into a well organised if unfamiliar back four of Aimee Cook, Fran Davies, Jess Tonge and captain Chambers with Mary Priestner in goal coming to the rescue superbly on three occasions including a brilliant double save, before United finally made the breakthrough.
As the half neared its conclusion, good pressure down the left between Beth Tattersall, Chambers and Hartshorne, resulted in a throw down by the corner flag which Bonner received on the bye line just inside the area. With a defender paying her close attention the striker flicked the ball over her head high into the air then rounded her opponent and looped a header from her own flick, over Lomax and in at the far post from an impossible looking angle.
The introduction of Chelsea Patient alongside Davies at the start of the second half allowed Tonge to resume her normal left back duties freeing Chambers to maraud up the left wing time after time hitting the post and finding it impossible to get past Lomax who grew in confidence with every block, parry, dive and save. Though frustrating for the dominant reds, the team showed character, patience and maturity and eventually reaped their rewards as the game entered the final ten minutes.
Given the playing surface it was no surprise that the second goal, like the first, came via a header. Chambers crafted a superb, dangerous cross from the left finding the head of Wolstencroft who timed her leap just right; heading over a crowd of players in the six yard area and beating Lomax to fly in off the underside of the bar.
The introduction of Beth Hayes proved instrumental and on 84 minutes Chambers, on the left, played the ball inside for Cook to find Hartshorne who sprayed the ball wide right for Hayes. The No7 measured a brilliant low cross right into the six yard danger area and the feet of Bonner who had time to control, swivel and fire past the dive of Lomax for FC’s third and her own second of the afternoon.
Two minutes from the end, in a precautionary move, Chambers, who’d enjoyed a vintage performance, was withdrawn and Charlie Evans introduced. With only her second touch the winger received another pin point Hayes cross this time beyond the back post and ten yards from goal. Without hesitation, catching Lomax by surprise, Evans half volleyed her shot in at the near post and referee Ray McLaughlin brought proceedings to a close shortly afterwards.
The reds host City of Manchester Ladies in the semi final of the Manchester FA Cup this Sunday (20th) at Broadhurst with a 2pm KO. City of Manchester are reigning cup holders after beating United in the final in 2014 retaining the trophy last year, beating Middleton in the final after knocking FC out enroute. Back in 2013 on Broadhurst Playing Fields they also knocked FC United out of the cup with a narrow victory. Could this be fourth time lucky for the reds; your support could make all the difference and is always much appreciated by the squad. Get yourself to our football ground and cheer the team onto the final.
Report by Rob Fullen
FC Player of the game: Aimee Cooke – great defending at right back and pushed on to support the attack at every opportunity; showing superb energy, tenacity and endeavour from minute one.
Teams 13 March 2016: Attendance: 32
FC United of Manchester Women: 4 (1)
1. Mary Priestner
4. Aimee Cooke
2. Fran Davies
12. Jess Tonge
11. Kirsty Chambers (Capt)
18. Leah Hartshorne
20. Beth Scholey
10. Beth Tattersall
8. Milly Day
9. Shellby Wolstencroft (Goal 81mins)
6. Lucy Bonner (Goals 40 & 84mins)
Subs:
5. Chelsea Patient (for No8 46mins)
7. Beth Hayes (for No10 73mins)
13. Chloe Williams (not used)
16. Charlie Evans (for No11 88mins & Goal 90mins)
Liverpool City Ladies Community FC: 0 (0)
1. Jess Lomax (GK)
2. Ann Marie Wilde
3. Fran McCarthy
4. Jess Nielson
6. Wendy Brereton
7. Danielle Riley
8. Kate Keane
9. Emily Swindells
20. Sue Keers
10. Antonia Goudie
16. Michelle Lee
Subs:
5. Rachel Lamb (for No2 68mins)
12. Danielle Hynes (for No 8 24mins)
Referee: Ray McLaughlin
Venue: Childwall School, Liverpool, L15
Match Report
On a bright, breezy afternoon in Childwall, Liverpool last Sunday, FC United’s women gained three points to take them second in the league after notching four goals against Liverpool City Ladies Community FC. Coach Jason Astley was overseeing his final game of the season after landing a coaching opportunity in Southern China for three months and the team were determined to give him the right send off but for 80 minutes, battling a determined Liverpool side, in-form goal keeper and a ‘sponge bobble’ of a surface the Red’s held a slender one goal advantage, courtesy of a 40th minute header from Lucy Bonner.
The incessant red pressure told in the final ten minutes as Shellby Wolstencroft headed the game’s second goal, Bonner bagged the third and her brace and late substitute, Charlie Evans fired the fourth with only her second touch, on 90 minutes.
The first half proved a story of constant Manchester pressure versus resolute Liverpool defending, particularly Jess Lomax in the last line between the posts. Time after time United worked dangerous positions with Bonner and Wolstencroft spurning several chances on a surface not conducive to the flowing football the team like to produce. Kirsty Chambers, in an unfamiliar left back role proved dangerous coming forward with Leah Hartshorne and Beth Scholey breaking up any rare Liverpool attacks whilst launching offensive counter thrusts at every opportunity.
When the dangerous front three of Emily Swindells, Antonia Goudie and Michelle Lee did break through United’s midfield they ran into a well organised if unfamiliar back four of Aimee Cook, Fran Davies, Jess Tonge and captain Chambers with Mary Priestner in goal coming to the rescue superbly on three occasions including a brilliant double save, before United finally made the breakthrough.
As the half neared its conclusion, good pressure down the left between Beth Tattersall, Chambers and Hartshorne, resulted in a throw down by the corner flag which Bonner received on the bye line just inside the area. With a defender paying her close attention the striker flicked the ball over her head high into the air then rounded her opponent and looped a header from her own flick, over Lomax and in at the far post from an impossible looking angle.
The introduction of Chelsea Patient alongside Davies at the start of the second half allowed Tonge to resume her normal left back duties freeing Chambers to maraud up the left wing time after time hitting the post and finding it impossible to get past Lomax who grew in confidence with every block, parry, dive and save. Though frustrating for the dominant reds, the team showed character, patience and maturity and eventually reaped their rewards as the game entered the final ten minutes.
Given the playing surface it was no surprise that the second goal, like the first, came via a header. Chambers crafted a superb, dangerous cross from the left finding the head of Wolstencroft who timed her leap just right; heading over a crowd of players in the six yard area and beating Lomax to fly in off the underside of the bar.
The introduction of Beth Hayes proved instrumental and on 84 minutes Chambers, on the left, played the ball inside for Cook to find Hartshorne who sprayed the ball wide right for Hayes. The No7 measured a brilliant low cross right into the six yard danger area and the feet of Bonner who had time to control, swivel and fire past the dive of Lomax for FC’s third and her own second of the afternoon.
Two minutes from the end, in a precautionary move, Chambers, who’d enjoyed a vintage performance, was withdrawn and Charlie Evans introduced. With only her second touch the winger received another pin point Hayes cross this time beyond the back post and ten yards from goal. Without hesitation, catching Lomax by surprise, Evans half volleyed her shot in at the near post and referee Ray McLaughlin brought proceedings to a close shortly afterwards.
The reds host City of Manchester Ladies in the semi final of the Manchester FA Cup this Sunday (20th) at Broadhurst with a 2pm KO. City of Manchester are reigning cup holders after beating United in the final in 2014 retaining the trophy last year, beating Middleton in the final after knocking FC out enroute. Back in 2013 on Broadhurst Playing Fields they also knocked FC United out of the cup with a narrow victory. Could this be fourth time lucky for the reds; your support could make all the difference and is always much appreciated by the squad. Get yourself to our football ground and cheer the team onto the final.
Report by Rob Fullen
FC Player of the game: Aimee Cooke – great defending at right back and pushed on to support the attack at every opportunity; showing superb energy, tenacity and endeavour from minute one.
Teams 13 March 2016: Attendance: 32
FC United of Manchester Women: 4 (1)
1. Mary Priestner
4. Aimee Cooke
2. Fran Davies
12. Jess Tonge
11. Kirsty Chambers (Capt)
18. Leah Hartshorne
20. Beth Scholey
10. Beth Tattersall
8. Milly Day
9. Shellby Wolstencroft (Goal 81mins)
6. Lucy Bonner (Goals 40 & 84mins)
Subs:
5. Chelsea Patient (for No8 46mins)
7. Beth Hayes (for No10 73mins)
13. Chloe Williams (not used)
16. Charlie Evans (for No11 88mins & Goal 90mins)
Liverpool City Ladies Community FC: 0 (0)
1. Jess Lomax (GK)
2. Ann Marie Wilde
3. Fran McCarthy
4. Jess Nielson
6. Wendy Brereton
7. Danielle Riley
8. Kate Keane
9. Emily Swindells
20. Sue Keers
10. Antonia Goudie
16. Michelle Lee
Subs:
5. Rachel Lamb (for No2 68mins)
12. Danielle Hynes (for No 8 24mins)
Referee: Ray McLaughlin
Venue: Childwall School, Liverpool, L15
