Vixens out foxed as FC's Women maintain winning start in the league

Just over a month into the new campaign and United’s women make it three from three in the league with a consecutive 13-0 victory; this week over Northwich Vixens at Broadhurst Park.
A six goal haul from Fran Sullivan, a hatrick from Yvette Loukes and a pair each for Rebecca Foster and Kirsty Chambers framed a comprehensive team performance in front of 96 fans on a pleasant autumnal afternoon in Moston.
Northwich started the game on the front foot and indeed striker Sorcha Bramhall tried a speculative effort which drifted well wide of Gemma Jackson’s goal in the opening 20 seconds. Without exaggeration, there ended the visitor’s goal threat; largely due to the dominance of possession and performance by the red’s that didn’t let up for the full 90 minutes.
Whilst Northwich failed to threaten again they defended resolutely with Katie Jones, their superb custodian, enjoying an outstanding game and it wasn’t until midway through the first half that United made their initial breakthrough.

Nicole Hatcliffe forced another good save from Jones earning a corner in the process. Chambers dangerous set piece avoided all immediately in front of goal but Sullivan anticipated well arriving at the back post to tap home from close range.

Two minutes later and the Chambers Sullivan combination struck again; the Captain surged down the left and along the bye line cutting back a low cross to Sullivan who fired low beyond the dive of Jones to double her and FC’s tally.

The half ended with a five minute four goal frenzy as Jess McCarrick raided with intent to the edge of the area sliding a pass into the path of Chambers who fired hard and low across Jones into the bottom corner on 42 minutes. On 45 minutes Sullivan had her hatrick, again ably assisted by Chambers once more and her shot this time was curled superbly into the top corner from 20 yards. A minute later and a spell of pinball in the box was finished by Loukes who deflected a wayward shot from Foster past Jones with Sullivan wrapping the half up in the second minute of stoppage time as Loukes’ determined run and final ball resulted in Sullivan blasting an 18 yard drive into the roof of the Vixen’s net.

Within three minutes of the restart Foster sprayed a ball wide to Chambers whose dangerous low cross was turned home by Sullivan at the near post; that combination again. Just a minute later Hatcliffe burst between the centre halves rounded the keeper but under pressure squared unselfishly for Loukes to tap into an unguarded goal.

Just before the hour Chambers was tripped 25 yards from goal and up stepped Sullivan to curl a fantastic free kick over the wall in to the top corner to round off a personal six goal haul converted in a little over half an hour.

Goal number ten was possibly the best individual goal of the game as Loukes collected the ball wide on the left and instinctively travelled in field; once central and thirty yards, out she changed direction jinking her way goalwards through challenge after challenge finally finding herself one on one with the advancing Jones and calmly slotting home into the bottom corner from ten yards.

Shear determination saw Foster break through on goal and poke her shot past Jones fractionally ahead of the keeper’s attempted block; the ball rolling over the line for number 11 of the afternoon and a minute later Chambers somehow dug out a shot from a congested ‘D’ arrowing accurately into the top corner.

Deep into stoppage time and with virtually the last move of the game, Foster latched onto a pass from Fliss Winters and shot across Jones into the bottom corner to ensure the game finished with the same score line as last week; 13 -0 with the league campaign stats so far reading Played 3 Won 3 goals for 43 goals against 0. Credit to Northwich Vixens; in particular their outstanding goal keeper Katie Jones and determined Captain Kirsty Sherratt who never gave up and led by example despite the overwhelming odds she and her team encountered on a day when FC’s Women were in rampant form.

Next Sunday, 15th October, the women welcome Stockport County Blues to Moston and your support as always, will be much appreciated. A week later Penrith AFC make the trip to Broadhurst as United begin their defence of the Argyle Cup with the game being played inside the stadium; their first ever competitive game to be played on our main pitch. Again KO is 2pm and this really is one not to be missed. Full details on the website www.fc-utd.co.uk
Report by Rob Fullen

FC Player of the game: Fran Sullivan – 6 goals in one game in a little over half an hour from one of our talented midfielders and benefitting from five assists from Kirsty Chambers.

Teams 8th October 2017: Attendance: 96

FC United of Manchester Women: 13 (6)
1. Gemma Jackson
2. Fran Davies
3. Abbie Carrington
12. Fliss Winters
4. Cara Fields
7. Fran Sullivan (Goals 22, 24, 45, 45+2, 48, 58 mins)
8. Rebecca Foster (Goals 74, 90+3 mins)
17. Jess McCarrick
11. Kirsty Chambers (Capt) (Goals 42, 75 mins)
16. Yvette Loukes (Goals 45+1, 49, 65 mins)
9. Nicole Hatcliffe
Subs:
6. Mia Holden (for No8 60 mins)
10. Beth Tattersall (for No11 60 mins)
14. Amy Vyas (for No3 51 mins)
Roll on Roll Off:
Off No7 on No8 67 mins
Off No9 on No11 73 mins
Off No4 on No9 80 mins

Northwich Vixens FC Ladies: 0 (0)
1. Katie Jones
2. Abigail Hignett
3. Nicole Ronan
4. Hayley Agnew
5. Dawn Prestidge
6. Sue McGrath
7. Kirsty Sherratt (Capt)
8. Jessica Salamel
9. Sorcha Bramhall
10. Beth England
11. Kia Crawford
Subs:
Emily Done

Referee: Steve Darlow
Asst Referee: Daniel Adelman (Yellow & Orange Flag)
Asst Referee: Simon Swift (Yellow Flag)
Venue: Broadhurst Park 3G, Lightbowne Road, Moston, Manchester M40
Official photography by Samantha Coates
Film Footage from Neil Boo
Match Stats by Paul Hinson from: click here
FC United stats first column:
Goals: 13...........0
Shots on target: 34...........0
Shots off target: 25...........1
Corners: 20...........0
Completed Passes: 491.........96
Possession: 84%........16%