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Match Report

27th March 2016

North West Womens Regional League, Division One South

Whitby Sports & Social Club, Dunkirk Lane, Ellesmere Port, CH65 6QF


Ellesmere Port Town

1 - 3

FC United of Manchester Women

 
Attendance: 20

Ellesmere Port Town 1

FC United of Manchester Women 3

Attendance: 20



Match Report
FC United’s women kept up the pressure on league leaders MSB Woolton with a fine 3-1 victory away to Ellesmere Port Town Ladies on Easter Sunday. The mixed, stormy one moment, sunny the next, Easter weekend weather was always going to make this a difficult fixture and both sides deserve tremendous credit for the way they approached the game on a difficult pitch on the Wirral.

A late first half strike by Shellby Wolstencroft gave the Reds a slender half time lead with Katie Priest levelling things for the hosts just after the restart. Beth Hayes restored the lead for United and Olivia Gannon created a two goal cushion on 68 minutes. A harshly awarded penalty gave the home side a lifeline but Kerry Brown’s strike cannoned off the crossbar and Chloe Williams made a fantastic close range double save from the follow up to keep the 3-1 lead intact until the end.

The home side began the game on the front foot and a good cross from the right bobbled on the boggy uneven surface just as striker Kerry Sampson was about to shoot and the ball drifted away from danger. FC’s early success came down the right with Charlie Evans and Gannon combining well on several occasions but Ellesmere Port’s defence held firm. United’s first effort on target came in the tenth minute after a good spell of pressure ended with a twenty yard drive from Hayes which Rebecca Galbraith tipped around her post.

The hosts responded earning a free kick on their left in a dangerous position with the threat ultimately cleared by a combination of Leah Hartshorne and Jess Tonge. On the quarter hour Evens fed a ball inside from the bye line to Hartshorne whose cross was well cut out sparking a quick break by the home side which ended with Katie Priest firing her shot across Williams but wide of the far post. From the goal kick Ellesmere Port Captain, Kerry Brown, was first to the ball but the pace of Fran Davies enabled the United centre half to shepherd the ball back to her keeper.

Consecutive corners for FC around the half hour saw Evans testing Galbraith who held on well as United looked to capitalise on their increasing possession. Kirsty Chambers came off the left touch line and found Hayes in midfield who crossed for Hartshorne to fashion a shot producing another good save from Galbraith. Undoubtedly the red pressure was building and on 37 minutes United broke the deadlock from a set piece. Wolstencroft was fouled 35 yards from goal and fired in the free kick through a congested area with her shot bouncing just in front of Galbraith a yard from goal. The unfortunate keeper totally misjudged the trajectory as the ball went through her legs and over the line.

United looked to create a two goal cushion before half time and with five minutes left Chambers carried the ball beyond the defence and was through on goal unleashing a fierce left foot drive forcing a superb save out of Galbraith that kept her side in contention going into the break.

United were straight on the attack from the restart with Hayes finding Gannon in space but the home defence closed down the threat and cleared a long ball over the top for Katie Priest to break beyond Chelsea Patient and Davies and with Jess McCarrick closing in as cover the Ellesmere Port striker shot early deceiving Williams and levelling the scores with the half only three minutes old.

A fantastic response by FC United saw them restore the lead just two minutes later as Gannon held the ball for Hayes to flick wide to Tonge who calmly played a pass down the line to Chambers who tricked her way past three defenders and fired her cross beyond the back post. Evans recovered the ball and flighted a superb cross back into the danger area that just cleared the leap of Gannon but fell kindly to Hayes who unmarked, half volleyed into the bottom corner from eight yards with the keeper rooted.

For the second game in a row Gannon registered her goal in the 68th minute after Galbraith had saved a powerful Wolstencroft strike that came out to Hartshorne who found Wolstencroft who had retreated into space on the right. The tricky striker played in a dangerous low cross that sped through the six yard area fooling everyone except Gannon who tapped home FC’s third unopposed from five yards out.

Ellesmere Port were not finished and Sampson broke into the left edge of United’s area as a combination of Patient and McCarrick looked to have thwarted the danger but were harshly adjudged to have fouled the striker resulting in a spot kick. The home captain took responsibility and her effort cannoned back off the bar and as she received the rebound without another player having touched the ball, the referee should have blown for a foul. However it all happened so fast, the referee didn’t blow and Brown fired in the rebound with Williams pulling off a stunning save, getting back to her feet and blocking again from three yards before the ball was eventually cleared.

Both sides fashioned half chances in the closing stages without adding to their respective tallies and at the final whistle all players received generous applause for a hard fought contest.

The Reds have a chance to go top at Broadhurst Park this coming Sunday and avenge an opening day defeat away to MSB Woolton. The team really appreciate the support and encouragement from the sidelines and this could make all the difference and potentially influence the title race in our favour on Sunday. Spread the word and let’s get a three figure crowd down to our football ground for this top of the table clash.

Report by Rob Fullen

FC Player of the game: Leah Hartshorne – so many times this season, Leah has anchored the FC midfield, broken up opposing attacks and set the reds on the front foot going forward. This game was no exception and in very difficult conditions on a heavy pitch, Leah was outstanding.

Teams 27 March 2016: Attendance: 20

FC United of Manchester Women: 3 (1)
1. Chloe Williams
12. Jess Tonge
2. Fran Davies
5. Chelsea Patient
17. Jess McCarrick
7. Beth Hayes (Goal 50mins)
18. Leah Hartshorne
16. Charlie Evans
11. Kirsty Chambers (Capt)
9. Shellby Wolstencroft (Goal 37mins)
19. Olivia Gannon (Goal 68 mins)
Subs:
10. Jade Parker (for No7 60mins)
14. Milly Day (for No16 70mins)

Ellesmere Port Town Ladies FC: 1 (0)
1. Rebecca Galbraith
2. Amy Jones
6. Lindsey Taylor
14. Katie Priest (Goal 48mins)
16. Jenna Mape
3. Lauren Stringer
15. Natalie Neary
8. Helen Cann
9. Kerry Sampson
10. Kerry Brown (Capt)
11. Debbie Traynor
Subs:
7. Sian Clowes (for No6 53mins)
12. Kasey Tidswell (not used)
17. Emily McCubbing (not used)

Referee: Les Weston
Venue: Whitby Sports & Social Club, Dunkirk Lane, Ellesmere Port, CH65
Match Report
FC United’s women kept up the pressure on league leaders MSB Woolton with a fine 3-1 victory away to Ellesmere Port Town Ladies on Easter Sunday. The mixed, stormy one moment, sunny the next, Easter weekend weather was always going to make this a difficult fixture and both sides deserve tremendous credit for the way they approached the game on a difficult pitch on the Wirral.

A late first half strike by Shellby Wolstencroft gave the Reds a slender half time lead with Katie Priest levelling things for the hosts just after the restart. Beth Hayes restored the lead for United and Olivia Gannon created a two goal cushion on 68 minutes. A harshly awarded penalty gave the home side a lifeline but Kerry Brown’s strike cannoned off the crossbar and Chloe Williams made a fantastic close range double save from the follow up to keep the 3-1 lead intact until the end.

The home side began the game on the front foot and a good cross from the right bobbled on the boggy uneven surface just as striker Kerry Sampson was about to shoot and the ball drifted away from danger. FC’s early success came down the right with Charlie Evans and Gannon combining well on several occasions but Ellesmere Port’s defence held firm. United’s first effort on target came in the tenth minute after a good spell of pressure ended with a twenty yard drive from Hayes which Rebecca Galbraith tipped around her post.

The hosts responded earning a free kick on their left in a dangerous position with the threat ultimately cleared by a combination of Leah Hartshorne and Jess Tonge. On the quarter hour Evens fed a ball inside from the bye line to Hartshorne whose cross was well cut out sparking a quick break by the home side which ended with Katie Priest firing her shot across Williams but wide of the far post. From the goal kick Ellesmere Port Captain, Kerry Brown, was first to the ball but the pace of Fran Davies enabled the United centre half to shepherd the ball back to her keeper.

Consecutive corners for FC around the half hour saw Evans testing Galbraith who held on well as United looked to capitalise on their increasing possession. Kirsty Chambers came off the left touch line and found Hayes in midfield who crossed for Hartshorne to fashion a shot producing another good save from Galbraith. Undoubtedly the red pressure was building and on 37 minutes United broke the deadlock from a set piece. Wolstencroft was fouled 35 yards from goal and fired in the free kick through a congested area with her shot bouncing just in front of Galbraith a yard from goal. The unfortunate keeper totally misjudged the trajectory as the ball went through her legs and over the line.

United looked to create a two goal cushion before half time and with five minutes left Chambers carried the ball beyond the defence and was through on goal unleashing a fierce left foot drive forcing a superb save out of Galbraith that kept her side in contention going into the break.

United were straight on the attack from the restart with Hayes finding Gannon in space but the home defence closed down the threat and cleared a long ball over the top for Katie Priest to break beyond Chelsea Patient and Davies and with Jess McCarrick closing in as cover the Ellesmere Port striker shot early deceiving Williams and levelling the scores with the half only three minutes old.

A fantastic response by FC United saw them restore the lead just two minutes later as Gannon held the ball for Hayes to flick wide to Tonge who calmly played a pass down the line to Chambers who tricked her way past three defenders and fired her cross beyond the back post. Evans recovered the ball and flighted a superb cross back into the danger area that just cleared the leap of Gannon but fell kindly to Hayes who unmarked, half volleyed into the bottom corner from eight yards with the keeper rooted.

For the second game in a row Gannon registered her goal in the 68th minute after Galbraith had saved a powerful Wolstencroft strike that came out to Hartshorne who found Wolstencroft who had retreated into space on the right. The tricky striker played in a dangerous low cross that sped through the six yard area fooling everyone except Gannon who tapped home FC’s third unopposed from five yards out.

Ellesmere Port were not finished and Sampson broke into the left edge of United’s area as a combination of Patient and McCarrick looked to have thwarted the danger but were harshly adjudged to have fouled the striker resulting in a spot kick. The home captain took responsibility and her effort cannoned back off the bar and as she received the rebound without another player having touched the ball, the referee should have blown for a foul. However it all happened so fast, the referee didn’t blow and Brown fired in the rebound with Williams pulling off a stunning save, getting back to her feet and blocking again from three yards before the ball was eventually cleared.

Both sides fashioned half chances in the closing stages without adding to their respective tallies and at the final whistle all players received generous applause for a hard fought contest.

The Reds have a chance to go top at Broadhurst Park this coming Sunday and avenge an opening day defeat away to MSB Woolton. The team really appreciate the support and encouragement from the sidelines and this could make all the difference and potentially influence the title race in our favour on Sunday. Spread the word and let’s get a three figure crowd down to our football ground for this top of the table clash.

Report by Rob Fullen

FC Player of the game: Leah Hartshorne – so many times this season, Leah has anchored the FC midfield, broken up opposing attacks and set the reds on the front foot going forward. This game was no exception and in very difficult conditions on a heavy pitch, Leah was outstanding.

Teams 27 March 2016: Attendance: 20

FC United of Manchester Women: 3 (1)
1. Chloe Williams
12. Jess Tonge
2. Fran Davies
5. Chelsea Patient
17. Jess McCarrick
7. Beth Hayes (Goal 50mins)
18. Leah Hartshorne
16. Charlie Evans
11. Kirsty Chambers (Capt)
9. Shellby Wolstencroft (Goal 37mins)
19. Olivia Gannon (Goal 68 mins)
Subs:
10. Jade Parker (for No7 60mins)
14. Milly Day (for No16 70mins)

Ellesmere Port Town Ladies FC: 1 (0)
1. Rebecca Galbraith
2. Amy Jones
6. Lindsey Taylor
14. Katie Priest (Goal 48mins)
16. Jenna Mape
3. Lauren Stringer
15. Natalie Neary
8. Helen Cann
9. Kerry Sampson
10. Kerry Brown (Capt)
11. Debbie Traynor
Subs:
7. Sian Clowes (for No6 53mins)
12. Kasey Tidswell (not used)
17. Emily McCubbing (not used)

Referee: Les Weston
Venue: Whitby Sports & Social Club, Dunkirk Lane, Ellesmere Port, CH65

Previous Matches
10/08/2023 2-1W
02/04/2017 0-4W
06/11/2016 6-1W
04/10/2015 2-1W