United's Women dominate Egerton to stay top with victory in Knutsford

Interim Manager Jason Astley and his team dominated Knutsford’s ‘plucky’ Egerton FC Ladies who resorted to a 90 minute rear guard action making the reds work hard for their 2-0 victory on Sunday.

A first half lead, courtesy of Jade Parker ten minutes before the break, was supplemented by a goal ten minutes from time from the boot of Allisha Marsh. In a game, for large spells resembling attack v defence, the home side were content to sit deep in numbers, frustrating United’s dominance of possession and thwarting countless attempts on goal; home custodian Laura Sheedy enjoying a busy and effective game between the posts.

In a blistering first five minutes following the home side kick off, United quickly assumed possession with Kirsty Chambers racing down the left onto a slide rule pass from Olivia Greenhalgh and earning a corner with the game just 15 seconds old. Within 2 minutes the FC Captain punished the frame of the goal with a fierce drive after gathering a great pass from Mia Holden and 20 seconds later Adora Yau’s low shot was cleared with her feet by Sheedy. Still inside five minutes Beth Tattersall played a superb ball into the feet of Parker inside the ‘D’; the striker held the ball up well and played a return pass to Tattersall who snatched her shot just wide as Sheedy rushed to block the danger.

The home side settled into an entrenched approach that rarely altered for the duration as United dictated play almost at will. Despite this and several ineffective chances the breakthrough took a while to materialise as Jess McCarrick combined well down the left with her captain and Chambers delivered a superb low drive to pick out the clever run of Parker who met the ball ahead of Sheedy at her near post to score from close range.

The relentless reds could not add to their tally before the break and indeed had Chloe Williams to thank for making a great save as Sabrina Egerton, arguably the home side’s best player on the day, intercepted a complacent pass between the back four; powering into the area to be denied by Williams, preserving FC’s narrow advantage.

United changed formation to a traditional 4-4-2 for the second half in an attempt to add more cutting edge to their continued dominance of possession. However, the plucky home side started the second period with a glimmer of progressive ambition as Katie Race looked to connect with a ball over the top into the FC area but Williams was quick to thwart the danger and gather well.

United settled and pressed once again as Yau found Parker who clipped a pinpoint ball into the area where Chambers controlled on the penalty spot and looped the ball over the on-rushing Sheedy but her effort came back off the woodwork for the second time in the game and was cleared from danger.

Chance after chance came United’s way with efforts from Shellby Wolstencroft, Marsh, Chambers (who struck the bar for a third time), Parker, Greenhalgh and Yau coming to naught as a resolute, combative Egerton side stood firm with substitute, Tuesday Porritt snatching a shot wide of Williams’ goal as a reminder that 1-0 is a tenuous and fragile lead.

An old adage, but one is never enough and on 80 minutes the lead was finally doubled after excellent work by Parker tricking her way into the area from the right and firing her shot towards the near post. Sheedy blocked well with her feet; the ball rebounding kindly for FC with Marsh on hand to rifle the ball into the roof of the net from six yards.

United continued to control the closing minutes extending their unbeaten league run to seven games and remaining top of the league going into next Sunday’s Broadhurst Park clash with Ellesmere Port Town. As ever, your support for our Women is encouraged and always appreciated.

Report by Rob Fullen

FC Player of the game: Adora Yau – wave after wave of attacks came through a congested midfield and Adora proved an excellent conduit, probing and reading the game superbly, linking well with those around her.

Teams 30th October 2016: Attendance: 57

FC United of Manchester Women: 2 (1)
1. Chloe Williams
17. Jess McCarrick
2. Fran Davies
5. Chelsea Patient
15. Morgan McWhirter
4. Olivia Greenhalgh (Goal 67 mins)
6. Mia Holden
8. Adora Yau
19. Allisha Marsh
11. Kirsty Chambers (Capt) (Goal 85 mins)
15. Jade Parker (Goal 62 mins)
Subs:
9. Shellby Wolstencroft (for No6 34 mins and goals 56 & 60 mins)
12. Amy Vyas (for No8 67mins)
14. Leah Dolan (not used)
18. Chloe Wild (for No19 60mins)


Egerton FC Ladies: 0 (0)
1. Laura Sheedy
14. Chelsey Dempsey
3. Sabrina Egerton
4. Alicia Derby
5. Jayne Goldie
6. Charlotte Rawcliffe
7. Becky Goodier
8. Sophie Bracegirdle
9. Katie Race
10. Bev Wright
17. Jess Hughes
Subs:
11. Tuesday Porritt (for No5 46 mins)
15. Sarah Carbutt (for No 8 77 mins)
16. Gina Adams (for No17 46 mins)

Referee: Eddie Beresford
Asst Referee: Adam Goldie (Yellow Flag)
Asst Referee: Daniel Adelman (Yellow & Orange Flag)
Venue: Mereheath Lane, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 6SL