FC United of Manchester FC United of Manchester FC United of Manchester Badge FC United of Manchester Pitch In

Match Report

10th May 2015

Greater Manchester Women's Football League - Challenge Cup

Moor Lane, Moor Lane, Kersal, Salford, M7 3PZ


FC United of Manchester Women

3 - 0

Little Lever

 
Attendance: 403

FC United of Manchester Women 3

Little Lever 0

Attendance: 403



Match Report
Over 400 supporters thronged into Salford City’s Moor Lane for this season’s Challenge Cup Final and at the third time of asking United triumphed over worthy opponents, Little Lever Sports Club, by three goals to nil.

A goalless, evenly matched first half was followed with a more dominant second period for the reds with Leah Hartshorne opening the scoring on 55 minutes. However it was two goals from Shellby Wolstencroft inside the last five minutes that finally settled the nerves and sealed victory.

Little Lever got the game underway but it was FC United who started the brightest with Kirsty Chambers and Feiruz Abdullahi going close in the first five minutes. The second division side, who defeated division one Beechfield United in the semi final, launched a counter attack as Kim Wood beat the offside trap to bear down on Mary Priestner’s goal but scuffed her shot across the area for Amy Battel to clear the lines.

Eight minutes in and FC thought they had achieved a break through as Chambers fired in a dangerous free kick that Abdullahi slid home at the far post only to be adjudged offside. Chelsea Patient launched United’s next attack breaking purposefully from defence, through midfield to release Chambers whose shot was well parried by Little Lever keeper Amy Walker.

Little Lever were proving stubborn and worthy opponents thwarting FC United attacks whilst looking to break behind the reds’ backline as opportunities arose. Patient, alongside Jess McCarrick remained a solid defence for the reds and Patient in particular was positive throughout a patchy first half and on the half hour injected some urgency into United’s play. The centre half began a move deep in her own territory that resulted in Abdullahi almost breaking the deadlock and as the half drew to a close she once again marauded forward releasing Abdullahi who returned the compliment as Patient continued her run into the box forcing a good save from Walker.

From the kick off in the second half, United showed their intent and within a minute of the restart, Battel surged into the Little Lever area and saw her shot blocked by a defender’s arm leaving referee Stephen Watson no option but to award a penalty. Chambers took responsibility and saw her spot kick clear the bar to the delight of the Little Lever players and supporters.

However, the setback spurred the reds on and Little Lever defended resolutely but were increasingly unable to launch any threats of their own. On 55 minutes the deserved breakthrough arrived, as Abdullahi latched onto a long throw from Battel and cut the ball into Hartshorne on the right edge of the area. The midfielder swept her effort goal ward deceiving Walker, who was expecting a cross and who had left her line in anticipation as the ball rippled the net behind her sparking red celebrations on and off the pitch.

Little Lever’s one real chance of the half saw Jess Leigh fire in a free kick forcing a good save from Priestner whilst at the other end, Charlie Evans hit the bar and Hartshorne almost had her second as she found herself through on goal but was beaten by the uneven surface as she tamely shot wide.

As the game neared its conclusion, Wolstencroft finally settled the nerves and put the game out of reach as she collected the ball with her back to goal in midfield, turned and beat three challenges with excellent close control before curling an unstoppable shot into the top corner of Walker’s goal from inside the ‘D’. An inspirational moment of individual brilliance that was followed by an instinctive striker’s goal in the final minute as Hartshorne flicked on a Shauna Ward corner for Wolstencroft to head home from close range at the far post.

Although far from a classic, both teams attracted deserved cheers and applause at the final whistle and FC United’s women were presented with their second trophy of a memorable season.

United, now on course for a potential treble, face this season’s closest rivals Chorltonians LFC in the semi final of the Division 1 League Cup next Sunday, 17 May, at Our Lady’s Sports Centre in Blackley with a 2pm kick off. In a season that just keeps giving, give the team all your support next week and cheer them in their bid for another trophy.

Report by Rob Fullen

Player of the game: Chelsea Patient – an excellent progressive performance launching several attacks from centre half whilst not compromising her defensive duties. Special mentions also to goal scorers Leah Hartshorne and Shellby Wolstencroft.


Teams 10 May 2015: Attendance: 403

FC United of Manchester Women: 3 (0)
1. Mary Priestner (Goalkeeper)
4. Amy Battel (right back)
17. Jess McCarrick (centre half)
5. Chelsea Patient (centre half)
12. Jess Tonge (left back)
16. Charlie Evans (right midfield)
8. Adora Yau (centre midfield)
4. Aimee Cooke (centre midfield)
9. Shellby Wolstencroft (centre midfield) (Goals 85, 89mins)
11. Kirsty Chambers (captain, left midfield)
14. Feiruz Abdullahi (centre forward)
Subs:
1. Chloe Williams (Not Used)
3. Nicole Worthington (for No17 73 mins)
6. Shauna Ward (for No4 39mins)
18. Leah Hartshorne (for No9 39mins) (Goal 55mins)
Roll on Roll off changes:
Off No12 on No4 60mins
Off No11 on No9 73mins
Off No16 on No11 86mins

Little Lever Sports Club Ladies: 0 (0)
1. Amy Walker
2. Charlotte Humphreys
3. Steph Juszczyszyn
4. Gemma Smith (Captain)
5. Sue Carney
6. Hollie Deasey
7. Matty Thompson
8. Ellen Thornton
9. Stacey Bunn
10. Jess Leigh
11. Kim Wood
Subs:
12. Becky Steen (for No6 25mins)
14. Holly Taylor (for No 11 38mins)
15. Danielle Davidson
16. Laura Carney

Referee: Stephen Watson
Other Officials: Lewis Walters, Martin Jones, Russell Hoyte
Venue: Salford City, Moor Lane.
Match Report
Over 400 supporters thronged into Salford City’s Moor Lane for this season’s Challenge Cup Final and at the third time of asking United triumphed over worthy opponents, Little Lever Sports Club, by three goals to nil.

A goalless, evenly matched first half was followed with a more dominant second period for the reds with Leah Hartshorne opening the scoring on 55 minutes. However it was two goals from Shellby Wolstencroft inside the last five minutes that finally settled the nerves and sealed victory.

Little Lever got the game underway but it was FC United who started the brightest with Kirsty Chambers and Feiruz Abdullahi going close in the first five minutes. The second division side, who defeated division one Beechfield United in the semi final, launched a counter attack as Kim Wood beat the offside trap to bear down on Mary Priestner’s goal but scuffed her shot across the area for Amy Battel to clear the lines.

Eight minutes in and FC thought they had achieved a break through as Chambers fired in a dangerous free kick that Abdullahi slid home at the far post only to be adjudged offside. Chelsea Patient launched United’s next attack breaking purposefully from defence, through midfield to release Chambers whose shot was well parried by Little Lever keeper Amy Walker.

Little Lever were proving stubborn and worthy opponents thwarting FC United attacks whilst looking to break behind the reds’ backline as opportunities arose. Patient, alongside Jess McCarrick remained a solid defence for the reds and Patient in particular was positive throughout a patchy first half and on the half hour injected some urgency into United’s play. The centre half began a move deep in her own territory that resulted in Abdullahi almost breaking the deadlock and as the half drew to a close she once again marauded forward releasing Abdullahi who returned the compliment as Patient continued her run into the box forcing a good save from Walker.

From the kick off in the second half, United showed their intent and within a minute of the restart, Battel surged into the Little Lever area and saw her shot blocked by a defender’s arm leaving referee Stephen Watson no option but to award a penalty. Chambers took responsibility and saw her spot kick clear the bar to the delight of the Little Lever players and supporters.

However, the setback spurred the reds on and Little Lever defended resolutely but were increasingly unable to launch any threats of their own. On 55 minutes the deserved breakthrough arrived, as Abdullahi latched onto a long throw from Battel and cut the ball into Hartshorne on the right edge of the area. The midfielder swept her effort goal ward deceiving Walker, who was expecting a cross and who had left her line in anticipation as the ball rippled the net behind her sparking red celebrations on and off the pitch.

Little Lever’s one real chance of the half saw Jess Leigh fire in a free kick forcing a good save from Priestner whilst at the other end, Charlie Evans hit the bar and Hartshorne almost had her second as she found herself through on goal but was beaten by the uneven surface as she tamely shot wide.

As the game neared its conclusion, Wolstencroft finally settled the nerves and put the game out of reach as she collected the ball with her back to goal in midfield, turned and beat three challenges with excellent close control before curling an unstoppable shot into the top corner of Walker’s goal from inside the ‘D’. An inspirational moment of individual brilliance that was followed by an instinctive striker’s goal in the final minute as Hartshorne flicked on a Shauna Ward corner for Wolstencroft to head home from close range at the far post.

Although far from a classic, both teams attracted deserved cheers and applause at the final whistle and FC United’s women were presented with their second trophy of a memorable season.

United, now on course for a potential treble, face this season’s closest rivals Chorltonians LFC in the semi final of the Division 1 League Cup next Sunday, 17 May, at Our Lady’s Sports Centre in Blackley with a 2pm kick off. In a season that just keeps giving, give the team all your support next week and cheer them in their bid for another trophy.

Report by Rob Fullen

Player of the game: Chelsea Patient – an excellent progressive performance launching several attacks from centre half whilst not compromising her defensive duties. Special mentions also to goal scorers Leah Hartshorne and Shellby Wolstencroft.


Teams 10 May 2015: Attendance: 403

FC United of Manchester Women: 3 (0)
1. Mary Priestner (Goalkeeper)
4. Amy Battel (right back)
17. Jess McCarrick (centre half)
5. Chelsea Patient (centre half)
12. Jess Tonge (left back)
16. Charlie Evans (right midfield)
8. Adora Yau (centre midfield)
4. Aimee Cooke (centre midfield)
9. Shellby Wolstencroft (centre midfield) (Goals 85, 89mins)
11. Kirsty Chambers (captain, left midfield)
14. Feiruz Abdullahi (centre forward)
Subs:
1. Chloe Williams (Not Used)
3. Nicole Worthington (for No17 73 mins)
6. Shauna Ward (for No4 39mins)
18. Leah Hartshorne (for No9 39mins) (Goal 55mins)
Roll on Roll off changes:
Off No12 on No4 60mins
Off No11 on No9 73mins
Off No16 on No11 86mins

Little Lever Sports Club Ladies: 0 (0)
1. Amy Walker
2. Charlotte Humphreys
3. Steph Juszczyszyn
4. Gemma Smith (Captain)
5. Sue Carney
6. Hollie Deasey
7. Matty Thompson
8. Ellen Thornton
9. Stacey Bunn
10. Jess Leigh
11. Kim Wood
Subs:
12. Becky Steen (for No6 25mins)
14. Holly Taylor (for No 11 38mins)
15. Danielle Davidson
16. Laura Carney

Referee: Stephen Watson
Other Officials: Lewis Walters, Martin Jones, Russell Hoyte
Venue: Salford City, Moor Lane.