Athletic performance as FC women's team beat Wigan 2-1
FC United’s women’s team recorded their first victory yesterday with an energetic 2-1 win over Wigan Athletic Ladies at Garswood United’s ground near St Helens.
Both of FC’s goals came via the head of Kayleigh Catterall from left wing corners and FC’s women thoroughly deserved the win, which with a bit more composure in front of goal could and probably should have been by a much wider margin.
Playing a team several leagues higher than themselves, FC’s women set about their task with confidence and skill from the off. They pushed back the Wigan side with a number of attacks and held possession well on a difficult surface, which had surface water in parts due to a torrential downpour just before the game started. The weather did little to dampen the spirits of the crowd however, who turned out in good numbers from both teams to support the game which was being played in aid of cancer research and as a testimonial to support Wigan Athletic Ladies chairperson and former player, Carolyn Leach.
FC just shaded a tight first 45 in which both teams had chances, but the second half was a different story as the Reds turned in a classy performance that ultimately proved too much for their higher league opponents. Wigan found it particularly difficult to deal with FC’s marauding attacks, especially down the left flank and it was a left-wing corner from Claire O’Reilly that provided the opening goal as Kayleigh Catterall rose inside the six-yard box to put United ahead.
It was the least that FC deserved, as before the opener chance after chance had either gone begging or been saved by Wigan’s keeper. After taking the lead, FC pressed further forward and had chances to put the game out of the reach of Wigan, whose keeper was by far the busier of the two women between the sticks.
Mid-way through the second half, the visitors were made to pay for their profligacy in front of goal when Wigan levelled, after the referee awarded the home side a controversial penalty for an infringement in the area. This only seemed to spur on United who kept up wave after wave of attacks, with Kirsty Chambers looking especially dangerous down the left as she tormented Wigan’s defenders.
It was from a Chambers corner that FC got the winner - an almost carbon copy of the opening goal as Kayleigh Catterall again rose unchallenged in the box to power a header into the net. It was a deserved win for FC’s women who had worked hard all afternoon on a difficult surface. Their willingness to get forward at every opportunity, coupled with some solid defending and good organisation made the difference on the day, which saw Wigan restricted to counter attacking play at times such was FC’s possession. For FC, Olivia Smith created some good chances up front and Claire O’Reilly and Beth Tattersall were a nightmare at times for Wigan’s harassed defenders.
FC women’s team managers John Marsden and Lee Sutton were pleased with the team’s second ever game and first win. "It’s always good to get your first victory under your belt and we thoroughly deserved the win today," said John after the game. "It was pleasing to see us move the ball like we can do once we settled in. The changes we made in the second half showed what a strong squad we have and has given the team a great confidence boost going into what will be a very tough game this Wednesday night against Curzon Ashton," John said.
Following the game, both sets of players and supporters gathered in the club house to round off a great day and raise more money for Wigan’s chosen cause, the breast cancer charity Genesis. Thanks to Wigan Athletic Ladies for putting on the game and for their warm welcome and hospitality to FC’s players, staff and supporters. Just over 200 people attended supporting both teams and created a good atmosphere throughout. A magnificent £897 was raised for charity.
Man of the match: Kayleigh Catterall for two clinical finishes and an excellent all-round performance.
You can view video highlights of the game here.
FC United women’s team’s next game is an away friendly at Curzon Ashton this coming Wednesday evening, 8 August 2012. Kick off is at 8pm on the AstroTurf pitch at the side of Tameside Stadium.
Report by Andy Walker.
Both of FC’s goals came via the head of Kayleigh Catterall from left wing corners and FC’s women thoroughly deserved the win, which with a bit more composure in front of goal could and probably should have been by a much wider margin.
Playing a team several leagues higher than themselves, FC’s women set about their task with confidence and skill from the off. They pushed back the Wigan side with a number of attacks and held possession well on a difficult surface, which had surface water in parts due to a torrential downpour just before the game started. The weather did little to dampen the spirits of the crowd however, who turned out in good numbers from both teams to support the game which was being played in aid of cancer research and as a testimonial to support Wigan Athletic Ladies chairperson and former player, Carolyn Leach.
FC just shaded a tight first 45 in which both teams had chances, but the second half was a different story as the Reds turned in a classy performance that ultimately proved too much for their higher league opponents. Wigan found it particularly difficult to deal with FC’s marauding attacks, especially down the left flank and it was a left-wing corner from Claire O’Reilly that provided the opening goal as Kayleigh Catterall rose inside the six-yard box to put United ahead.
It was the least that FC deserved, as before the opener chance after chance had either gone begging or been saved by Wigan’s keeper. After taking the lead, FC pressed further forward and had chances to put the game out of the reach of Wigan, whose keeper was by far the busier of the two women between the sticks.
Mid-way through the second half, the visitors were made to pay for their profligacy in front of goal when Wigan levelled, after the referee awarded the home side a controversial penalty for an infringement in the area. This only seemed to spur on United who kept up wave after wave of attacks, with Kirsty Chambers looking especially dangerous down the left as she tormented Wigan’s defenders.
It was from a Chambers corner that FC got the winner - an almost carbon copy of the opening goal as Kayleigh Catterall again rose unchallenged in the box to power a header into the net. It was a deserved win for FC’s women who had worked hard all afternoon on a difficult surface. Their willingness to get forward at every opportunity, coupled with some solid defending and good organisation made the difference on the day, which saw Wigan restricted to counter attacking play at times such was FC’s possession. For FC, Olivia Smith created some good chances up front and Claire O’Reilly and Beth Tattersall were a nightmare at times for Wigan’s harassed defenders.
FC women’s team managers John Marsden and Lee Sutton were pleased with the team’s second ever game and first win. "It’s always good to get your first victory under your belt and we thoroughly deserved the win today," said John after the game. "It was pleasing to see us move the ball like we can do once we settled in. The changes we made in the second half showed what a strong squad we have and has given the team a great confidence boost going into what will be a very tough game this Wednesday night against Curzon Ashton," John said.
Following the game, both sets of players and supporters gathered in the club house to round off a great day and raise more money for Wigan’s chosen cause, the breast cancer charity Genesis. Thanks to Wigan Athletic Ladies for putting on the game and for their warm welcome and hospitality to FC’s players, staff and supporters. Just over 200 people attended supporting both teams and created a good atmosphere throughout. A magnificent £897 was raised for charity.
Man of the match: Kayleigh Catterall for two clinical finishes and an excellent all-round performance.
You can view video highlights of the game here.
FC United women’s team’s next game is an away friendly at Curzon Ashton this coming Wednesday evening, 8 August 2012. Kick off is at 8pm on the AstroTurf pitch at the side of Tameside Stadium.
Report by Andy Walker.
First Posted ~ 11:18 Mon 6 Aug 2012
News ID ~ 4344
Last Updated ~ 01:52 Tue 16 Feb 2021