Convincing 13-0 away victory over league leaders for FC's Women

After Saturday’s fantastic FA Cup comeback by the Men at Edgeley Park to force a replay on Tuesday at Broadhurst Park (7,45 KO), the women were looking to round off a feel good FC weekend away to league leaders, Liverpool Marshall Feds Reserves on Merseyside, as September 2017 ticked into October.

On a spongy surface United started superbly and found themselves 4-0 up after just 11 minutes. Playing with cohesive freedom on a wide pitch, they exploited the space, particularly down both flanks, adding a further five without reply before half time.
After the break, against a more determined opponent, the reds were able to score a further four with stand in keeper Amy Vyas preserving a clean sheet.
Nicole Hatcliffe top scored with four goals, Fran Sullivan bagged a hatrick, Yvette Loukes a brace with Kirsty Chambers, Beth Tattersall, Rebecca Foster and debutant Cara Fields all netting once each.
Under overcast skies accompanied by a brisk breeze the home side kicked off earning an early free kick which skimmed its way through to Vyas giving her a confident early touch between the sticks as she launched United forward via Chambers whose cross was only partially dealt with; Foster recycled the ball playing in Hatcliffe to slot past Abi Mckay with the game just 4 minutes old.
Just a minute later and United doubled the lead after a Sullivan corner caused chaos underneath the cross bar with Loukes on hand to poke home from a yard out.

On ten minutes Chambers broke well down the left taking on full back Jess Walker squaring a low cross to the back post for the unmarked Foster to slot home. United regained possession straight from the restart and Mckay was forced into a hurried clearance intercepted by Loukes who unselfishly squared to the unmarked Hatcliffe to tap into the empty goal.

The next twenty minutes saw United squander a host of chances whilst limiting their hosts to a speculative effort from range which Vyas once more held confidently. Just past the half hour Abbie Carrington, overlapped with Chambers and delivered a cross to the far post where Hatcliffe controlled well seeing consecutive shots blocked with Fields on hand to fire the loose ball into the roof of the net from 10 yards.

Sullivan fired against the angle of bar and post but wasn’t to be denied much longer scoring two in 3 minutes; the second, a sublime chip over McKay from the edge of the area with both her goals being set up by intelligent assists from Hatcliffe. Inside the last five minutes of the half Hatcliffe completed her hatrick after sliding home a Chambers cross at the back post and the Captain herself added her name to the score sheet from 30 yards picking out the top corner beyond the stranded keeper with the last kick of the half.

A solid and combative start to the second half saw the home side in more determined mood pressing with better effect and as a unit and it wasn’t until the 54th minute that United were able to break through for their 10th goal of the afternoon scored by No10 Beth Tattersall after a clever exchange of passes with Field inside the Fed’s penalty area.

Hatcliffe scored her fourth of the afternoon on 65 minutes after a deep cross found Tattersall beyond the far post with the winger picking out FC’s No9 to cleverly scoop her shot over the diving McKay from 8 yards. Heading into the last quarter hour Olivia Greenhalgh slotted a searching pass into the path of Loukes who burst into the area to see McKay save her initial effort with the loose ball falling kindly for the striker to make no mistake at the second time of asking.

The home side forced Vyas into two good catches firstly from a free kick and secondly from a fierce long range effort by Georgia Murphy and to their absolute credit never gave up on the game. As it looked like the game was stalemating to its conclusion, Hatcliffe was bundled over in the area and referee Terry Roberts pointed straight to the spot. Up stepped Fran Sullivan to stroke home her spot kick to McKay’s left with less than 4 minutes remaining and the game ended a short time later with United’s cup interrupted league campaign off and running; played 2 won 2; goals for 30, goals against 0.

Next Sunday, 8th October, the women entertain Northwich Vixens at Broadhurst Park and why not come along and see if they can maintain their impressive 100% start in the league; Kick Off 2pm on the 3G. Full details on the website www.fc-utd.co.uk
Report by Rob Fullen

FC Player of the game: Nicole Hatcliffe – building on her excellent performance last week against Didsbury, Nicole led the line superbly scoring 4 with at least 3 assists and really looks as though she’s enjoying her football. In a good all round team performance today, special mention to Amy Vyas, who stepped into the emergency keeper role; preserving a clean sheet.

Teams 1st October 2017: Attendance: 57

FC United of Manchester Women: 13 (9)
1. Amy Vyas
2. Fran Davies
3. Abbie Carrington
12. Fliss Winters
4. Olivia Greenhalgh
7. Fran Sullivan
8. Rebecca Foster
15. Cara Fields
11. Kirsty Chambers (Capt) (Goal 45 mins)
14. Yvette Loukes (Goals 5, 74 mins)
9. Nicole Hatcliffe (Goals 4, 11, 42, 65 mins)
Subs:
6. Mia Holden (for No8 50 mins)
10. Beth Tattersall (for No14 50 mins) (Goal 54 mins)
Roll on Roll Off:
Off No4 on No8 59 mins
Off No11 on No14 59 mins
Off No9 on No11 65 mins
Off No7 on No4 65 mins
Off No15 on No7 78 mins
Off No12 on No9 78 mins
Off No6 on No15 89 mins

Liverpool Marshall Feds Reserves: 0 (0)
Full team not noted; key players referenced in the match report.

Referee: Terry Roberts
Asst Referee: John Hampson (Yellow & Orange Flag)
Asst Referee: N/K (Yellow Flag)
Venue: IM Marsh Sports Centre, Barkhill Road, Aigburth, Liverpool, L17 6BD
Official photography by Mark Lee & Samantha Coates
Film Footage from Neil Boo (assisted by Darnell)
Twitter Feed by Mikey Partington
Match Stats by Paul Hinson from: click here
FC United stats first column:
Goals: 13...........0
Shots on target: 19...........3
Shots off target: 14...........1
Corners: 6...........1
Completed Passes: 441.........285
Possession: 69%.........31%

Historical Facts from Neil Boo:
Today was game competitive game 117
Amy Vyas became the 14th keeper to represent the Women’s team since they started back in 2012.
Nicole Hatcliffe becomes the 8th woman to score 4 goals in a game
Cara fields becomes the 22nd FC United woman to score on her debut