Match Report
Four times in six weeks FC’s women have played Chorltonians, with one cup game won by the reds but later voided, replayed and won again and added to by a league win for United with Chorltonians eventually prevailing at the fourth time of asking this Sunday. The 3-1 defeat still leaves the reds in touching distance of top spot with both games in hand now being must-wins.
United took the lead in a close first half through Aimee Cooke but the home side scored three without reply in a frenetic second period where chances fell to both teams but Chorltonians proved the more clinical. Vice-captain Amy Battel, who turned captain for the day due to Kirsty Chambers’ precautionary move to the bench following a midweek training injury, set United on the attack inside two minutes releasing Feiruz Abdullahi down the left who in turn won the game’s first corner resulting in an effort from range by Shellby Wolstencroft that only narrowly missed the target.
Throughout all previous encounters between the sides, Jordanna Shaw had proved the main threat for Chorltonians and today was to be no different as the pacey striker pounced on sloppy defending and bore down on goal only for FC custodian Mary Priestner to hold the resultant shot comfortably. After a spell of United pressure the predatory Shaw once again ran at the reds’ defence skipping past debutant Nicole Worthington and as the goal beckoned Jess Tonge covered superbly across from the opposite full back position and did enough to ensure Shaw’s shot was again comfortable for Priestner.
In rushing to collect the ball Priestner felt her hamstring tighten and put the ball out of play to allow physio Sue O’Brien on to assess treatment. Priestner battled on bravely but on the quarter hour withdrew from play and having had three fit keepers just three weeks ago, United were suddenly down to none. To cheers of encouragement, defender Adora Yau left the bench and assumed responsibility of custodian for the remainder of the game.
Immediately, the home team looked to unsettle the new keeper and after Tonge saw out one corner at the expense of another, the second nestled harmlessly on the netting of Yau’s goal. The pressure didn’t let up as the hosts earned a free kick in the centre circle that was launched goalward and Shaw beat the offside trap but Yau read the situation perfectly; rushing from her line and parrying the shot to safety to appreciative cheers and applause.
United now exerted some pressure of their own and good work deep in the opposition half between Battel and Abdullahi forced a scramble in the Chorltonians area and Cooke turned smartly and steered her shot home from eight yards just before the half hour. The home side responded well and another free kick from half way was menacingly lofted into the six-yard area where a fantastic stretching block from Captain Battel denied Charlay Walton a certain goal. After catching a shot from Shaw, Yau launched United’s best move of the game as she cleared upfield where Abdullahi collected and fed Wolstencroft and ran onto the back-heeled return feeding Cooke, who forced Callaghan into an excellent save with her feet in the last significant action of a close first half.
Kirsty Chambers joined the fray for Shauna Ward five minutes after the break as United looked for the elusive second goal. The home side also sensed they could get something from the game and FC struggled to string any meaningful spells of possession together in the early stages of the half and just past the hour Shaw brought the hosts level beating Worthington on the right angle of the penalty area and firing unerringly low and hard across Yau’s goal and into the bottom corner.
Minutes later and Chorltonians were gifted an ideal opportunity to take the lead which they duly took from the penalty spot as Jayme Leigh–Blake slotted calmly past a wrong footed Yau from 12 yards after Tonge had clumsily halted Shaw’s foray into the United area. FC tried in vain to get back on terms with the talismanic Chambers twice coming close with one shot hitting the inside of the post pinging back along the goal line and spinning out for a goal kick. With United pressing forward at every opportunity inevitable gaps appeared at the back and into added time Shaw sealed the points and bagged her brace going one on one with Yau and this time seeing her effort ripple the back of the net. Yau prevented further damage saving brilliantly from Walton in the dying seconds and referee called time on the reds’ first defeat of the season shortly afterwards.
United now have a two-week break before entertaining Reddish North End at their home from home, Abraham Moss, Crumpsall on 30th November, giving them time to heal some injuries and an opportunity to get back to winning ways.
Report by Rob Fullen
Player of the game: Beth Hayes – superbly assured at centre half alongside debutant Nicole Worthington. Beth made some well-timed tackles and distributed the ball well from the back. Special mention too to stand-in keeper Adora Yau who could have done no more in the circumstances.
Teams 16th November 2014: Attendance: 44
Chorltonians: 3 (0)
1. Natalie Callaghan (Captain)
10. Ellie Caddick
6. Elizabeth Livesey
26. Judy Henson
3. Joy Windle
20. Jaymie Leigh-Blake (goal 65mins [Pen])
8. Ellie Taylor
23. Sarah Leigh-Bergin
27. Fleur Durham
9. Charlay Walton
7. Jordana Shaw (goals 61 and 90+1 mins)
Subs:
18. Jamila Hodges (for No9 46mins)
11. Denicha Wellington
22. Natalie Dawson
15. Mary McMahon
13. Alice McNaughton- Marshall
Roll on Roll off:
No9 for No8 63 mins
FC United of Manchester Women: 1(1)
1. Mary Priestner (Goalkeeper)
2. Amy Battel (Captain & right back)
12. Jess Tonge (left back)
3. Nicole Worthington (centre half)
7. Beth Hayes (centre half)
6. Shauna Ward (centre midfield)
4. Aimee Cooke (centre midfield and goal 26mins)
18. Leah Hartshorne (centre midfield)
15. Ainsley Strickland (centre midfield)
14. Feiruz Abdullahi (centre forward)
9. Shellby Wolstencroft (centre forward)
Subs:
16. Charlie Evans (for No18 63 mins)
11. Kirsty Chambers (for No6 50mins)
8. Adora Yau (for No1 15mins)
Referee: Graham Warner
Venue: The Hough End Centre.
Match Report
Four times in six weeks FC’s women have played Chorltonians, with one cup game won by the reds but later voided, replayed and won again and added to by a league win for United with Chorltonians eventually prevailing at the fourth time of asking this Sunday. The 3-1 defeat still leaves the reds in touching distance of top spot with both games in hand now being must-wins.
United took the lead in a close first half through Aimee Cooke but the home side scored three without reply in a frenetic second period where chances fell to both teams but Chorltonians proved the more clinical. Vice-captain Amy Battel, who turned captain for the day due to Kirsty Chambers’ precautionary move to the bench following a midweek training injury, set United on the attack inside two minutes releasing Feiruz Abdullahi down the left who in turn won the game’s first corner resulting in an effort from range by Shellby Wolstencroft that only narrowly missed the target.
Throughout all previous encounters between the sides, Jordanna Shaw had proved the main threat for Chorltonians and today was to be no different as the pacey striker pounced on sloppy defending and bore down on goal only for FC custodian Mary Priestner to hold the resultant shot comfortably. After a spell of United pressure the predatory Shaw once again ran at the reds’ defence skipping past debutant Nicole Worthington and as the goal beckoned Jess Tonge covered superbly across from the opposite full back position and did enough to ensure Shaw’s shot was again comfortable for Priestner.
In rushing to collect the ball Priestner felt her hamstring tighten and put the ball out of play to allow physio Sue O’Brien on to assess treatment. Priestner battled on bravely but on the quarter hour withdrew from play and having had three fit keepers just three weeks ago, United were suddenly down to none. To cheers of encouragement, defender Adora Yau left the bench and assumed responsibility of custodian for the remainder of the game.
Immediately, the home team looked to unsettle the new keeper and after Tonge saw out one corner at the expense of another, the second nestled harmlessly on the netting of Yau’s goal. The pressure didn’t let up as the hosts earned a free kick in the centre circle that was launched goalward and Shaw beat the offside trap but Yau read the situation perfectly; rushing from her line and parrying the shot to safety to appreciative cheers and applause.
United now exerted some pressure of their own and good work deep in the opposition half between Battel and Abdullahi forced a scramble in the Chorltonians area and Cooke turned smartly and steered her shot home from eight yards just before the half hour. The home side responded well and another free kick from half way was menacingly lofted into the six-yard area where a fantastic stretching block from Captain Battel denied Charlay Walton a certain goal. After catching a shot from Shaw, Yau launched United’s best move of the game as she cleared upfield where Abdullahi collected and fed Wolstencroft and ran onto the back-heeled return feeding Cooke, who forced Callaghan into an excellent save with her feet in the last significant action of a close first half.
Kirsty Chambers joined the fray for Shauna Ward five minutes after the break as United looked for the elusive second goal. The home side also sensed they could get something from the game and FC struggled to string any meaningful spells of possession together in the early stages of the half and just past the hour Shaw brought the hosts level beating Worthington on the right angle of the penalty area and firing unerringly low and hard across Yau’s goal and into the bottom corner.
Minutes later and Chorltonians were gifted an ideal opportunity to take the lead which they duly took from the penalty spot as Jayme Leigh–Blake slotted calmly past a wrong footed Yau from 12 yards after Tonge had clumsily halted Shaw’s foray into the United area. FC tried in vain to get back on terms with the talismanic Chambers twice coming close with one shot hitting the inside of the post pinging back along the goal line and spinning out for a goal kick. With United pressing forward at every opportunity inevitable gaps appeared at the back and into added time Shaw sealed the points and bagged her brace going one on one with Yau and this time seeing her effort ripple the back of the net. Yau prevented further damage saving brilliantly from Walton in the dying seconds and referee called time on the reds’ first defeat of the season shortly afterwards.
United now have a two-week break before entertaining Reddish North End at their home from home, Abraham Moss, Crumpsall on 30th November, giving them time to heal some injuries and an opportunity to get back to winning ways.
Report by Rob Fullen
Player of the game: Beth Hayes – superbly assured at centre half alongside debutant Nicole Worthington. Beth made some well-timed tackles and distributed the ball well from the back. Special mention too to stand-in keeper Adora Yau who could have done no more in the circumstances.
Teams 16th November 2014: Attendance: 44
Chorltonians: 3 (0)
1. Natalie Callaghan (Captain)
10. Ellie Caddick
6. Elizabeth Livesey
26. Judy Henson
3. Joy Windle
20. Jaymie Leigh-Blake (goal 65mins [Pen])
8. Ellie Taylor
23. Sarah Leigh-Bergin
27. Fleur Durham
9. Charlay Walton
7. Jordana Shaw (goals 61 and 90+1 mins)
Subs:
18. Jamila Hodges (for No9 46mins)
11. Denicha Wellington
22. Natalie Dawson
15. Mary McMahon
13. Alice McNaughton- Marshall
Roll on Roll off:
No9 for No8 63 mins
FC United of Manchester Women: 1(1)
1. Mary Priestner (Goalkeeper)
2. Amy Battel (Captain & right back)
12. Jess Tonge (left back)
3. Nicole Worthington (centre half)
7. Beth Hayes (centre half)
6. Shauna Ward (centre midfield)
4. Aimee Cooke (centre midfield and goal 26mins)
18. Leah Hartshorne (centre midfield)
15. Ainsley Strickland (centre midfield)
14. Feiruz Abdullahi (centre forward)
9. Shellby Wolstencroft (centre forward)
Subs:
16. Charlie Evans (for No18 63 mins)
11. Kirsty Chambers (for No6 50mins)
8. Adora Yau (for No1 15mins)
Referee: Graham Warner
Venue: The Hough End Centre.
