Reds beat Feds to keep Women's team in title contention

On a bright, breezy, bitterly cold Sunday afternoon United’s women kept the pressure on league leaders, Merseyrail Bootle ahead of next week’s top of the table clash, firing four second half goals against Liverpool Marshalls Feds Reserves, without reply.

In their most competitive league fixture in recent weeks the first half stalemate was broken with goals from Jade Parker, Chloe Wild and a brace from substitute Shellby Wolstencroft to give interim Manager Jay Astley and his team their 5th straight victory under his charge; a real vote of confidence on the club’s AGM day.

United started the game and from the kick off were on the front foot with good build up play working the ball from left to right for Morgan McWhirter to release Wild with the winger cutting inside and playing the ball into Parker whose shot went just wide in the first minute.

United carved out a few good chances in the opening ten minutes with shooting either being wayward or producing fine stops by visiting keeper Alex Caffrey and the Feds eased their way steadily into the contest.

Pressing well in midfield the visitors earned and almost profited from their first corner floated towards the back post by Aime Hand for Laura Hart to head just wide. United carved out several chances in response without finding the crucial breakthrough and arguably the visitors ended the half in the ascendancy.

United made a crucial tactical switch for the start of the second half, dropping Parker into an attacking midfield role with Wolstencroft taking her place up front; a move that was to prove pivotal to the outcome of the game.

With the half just three minutes old United pressed well through Wolstencroft and Wild, the winger finding Parker in the area who turned and fired through a crowd into the bottom corner to palpable relief around the ground.

Liverpool Marshalls almost forced their way back into the game as a corner was volleyed on goal beating Chloe Williams but crashing away from danger off the post. However United doubled their lead just past the hour as a Kirsty Chambers throw found Abbie Carrington who went to the bye line and laid the ball back to her Captain who floated a delightful cross through the hands of Caffrey as Wild raced in to volley home from point blank range on the back post.

Seven minutes later, Wild returned a goal kick first time and Wolstencroft gambled, charging between two defenders and as the ball dropped over her shoulder she fired a ferocious half volley over Caffrey for number three of the afternoon.

Wolstencroft bagged her second and the game’s fourth and final goal with ten minutes to go, Amy Vyas slipped the ball to Parker who sprayed a lovely pass wide to Wild and the winger’s sublime cross was met by the forehead of Wolstencroft six yards from goal; her header looping over Caffrey and into the back of the net.

United managed the game to a conclusion, keeping another clean sheet whilst maintaining their 11 game unbeaten run in the league this season.

Next Sunday United welcome fellow unbeaten side Merseyrail Bootle to Broadhurst Park, in a top of the table clash. Both sides have an identical league record going into the game having played 10, won 9 and drawn 1 with Bootle holding top spot courtesy of a +50 goal difference compared to FC’s +43. Come on cheer the girls and get yourself to our football ground.

Report by Rob Fullen
FC Player of the game: Jade Parker – a fine outlet first half without finding the back of the net then dropped back into an attacking midfield role second half, opening the scoring and driving United onto a decisive victory.

Teams 4th December 2016: Attendance: 56

FC United of Manchester Women: 4 (0)
1. Chloe Williams
20. Morgan McWhirter
17. Jess McCarrick
2. Fran Davies
3. Abbie Carrington
6. Mia Holden
4. Olivia Greenhalgh
12. Amy Vyas
18. Chloe Wild (Goal 61 mins)
11. Kirsty Chambers (Capt)
15. Jade Parker (Goal 48 mins)
Subs:
5. Chelsea Patient (for No20 77 mins)
8. Adora Yau
9/13. Shellby Wolstencroft (for No4 46 mins & Goals 68 & 80 mins)
10. Beth Tattersall
19. Allisha Marsh (for No11 67 mins)

Liverpool Marshalls Feds Reserves: 0 (0)
1. Alex Caffrey
2. Jo Edwards
3. Dan Riley
4. Amy Horne
5. Jess Walker
14. Ellie Moss (Capt)
7. Laura Hart
8. Aime Hand
9. Levi Wensley
10. Charlotte Apps
11. Emily Rizzotti
Subs:
12. Lauren Brown (for No4 68 mins)
16. Megan King (for No14 57 mins)
17. Ellen Thwaites (for No10 50 mins)

Referee: Steve Darlow
Asst Referee: N/A (Yellow Flag)
Asst Referee: Daniel Adelman (Yellow & Orange Flag)
Venue: Broadhurst Park, Lightbowne Road, Moston, Manchester M40