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Match Report

26th August 2012

Friendly

Alexandra Soccer Centre, Crewe Road, Shevington, Crewe, CW2 5AF


Crewe Alexandra Ladies FC

4 - 0

FC United of Manchester Women

 
Attendance: N/K

Crewe Alexandra Ladies FC 4

FC United of Manchester Women 0

Attendance: N/K



Match Report
After a tight first half which ended goalless, Crewe Alexandra Ladies benefited from a couple of FC United defensive lapses to build a second half platform and secure a 4-0 victory over FC’s women’s team in their final pre-season friendly.

The artificial surface at the Alexandra Soccer Centre aided some good passing play from both sides as each spurned good chances throughout an end-to-end first half. Both keepers were kept busy with FC more than matching their higher-placed opposition chance-for-chance throughout the first half. Centre forward Shellby Wolstencroft came closest to giving FC United a lead when the Alex keeper spilled a free kick but recovered enough to distract Wolstencroft’s attempted lob which narrowly cleared the bar on 10 minutes. Just minutes later, good work down the FC left saw winger Kirsty Chambers cut into the area and curl a shot just over the angle of bar and far post.

At the opposite end, captain Amy Gillingham was forced into a fantastic save and follow-up goal line clearance to thwart the Alex No 9. As an entertaining half drew to a close FC forced a corner following good work by Hayley O’Hara down the left. Chamber’s corner to the far post saw the Alex keeper left stranded and Beth Hayes sent a cross into the 6 yard area narrowly evading the FC forwards as the half time whistle sounded.

FC United got the second half underway and forced an early corner, following some good work down the right by full back Jessica Wynne. FC’s attacking intent was clear as fine work in the midfield by the skilful Kayleigh Catterall released Chambers on the left wing, who forced and then took the ensuing corner which again left the keeper stranded and led to a Wolstencroft volley narrowly missing the right hand upright. This seemed to spur Crewe into life and the FC defence, solid until this point, saw a double effort by the Alex forwards clear the FC bar only for the ensuing goal kick to cause confusion in the defence which the Alex left back latched onto chipping the ball over Gillingham to give Crewe a 1-0 lead on 55 minutes.

FC responded well and from the restart attacked down the left with good work by Claire O’Reilly and Chambers leading to a good effort from the latter which tested the Alex keeper. Unfortunately Chambers was injured in the act of shooting following a strong challenge and could take no further part in the game. Her replacement Maya Germain, had FCs next effort, when again good combination work involving Catterall and O’Reilly down the left saw the ball collected in the box by Wolstencroft who laid a pass into the path of Germain whose shot from just inside the area shaved the top of the bar.

If there was some doubt about whether the first Crewe goal was a fluke the second was a real gift on 69 minutes when a speculative pass into the box along the floor from the Crewe No 8, saw a defensive mix up allowing the ball to squirm through the melee of legs and despite the best efforts of Francesca Davies to clear the danger, the ball crept agonisingly into the unguarded FC goal. Crewe sensed the victory was theirs and defensively made life very difficult for the FC forwards in their determination to keep a clean sheet.

On 75 minutes, following a Hayes cross which narrowly evaded the on rushing Germain at the far post, Crewe sprang forward on the counter attack and the No 10, who had threatened all game, beat the offside trap and defensive attentions of Broghan Matthews to coolly slot the ball past the advancing Gillingham to put the game beyond reach for FC. Despite this United continued to carve out chances which inevitably left them vulnerable at the back and the best goal of the game was comprehensively converted from the Alex No 7 on the half volley from the edge of the area on 80 minutes giving Gillingham no chance.

Both teams cancelled each other out for the remainder of the game and when the referee blew the final whistle on FC United women’s team’s first pre season, there was time to reflect with pride on just how well the team has gelled and come together in only a matter of weeks; playing well-established opposition from higher leagues and securing good victories against Wigan Athletic and Irlam Town along the way. Next Sunday their league season starts in earnest with a home fixture at Broadhurst Playing Fields, Moston against Uppermill Ladies, 2pm kick off.

Report by Rob Fullen

Match Details

Crewe Alexandra Ladies 4 (Goals 55, 69, 75 and 80 mins)
FC United of Manchester 0

FC United Team:
1 Amy Gillingham - captain - goalkeeper
14 Jessica Wynne - right back
3 Claire O’Reilly - left back
4 Francesca Davies - centre half
6 Jade Challender - centre half
7 Kayleigh Catterall - centre midfield
2 Adora Yau - centre midfield
10 Beth Hayes - right midfield
11 Kirsty Chambers - left midfield
9 Shellby Wolstencroft - centre forward
12 Hayley O’Hara - centre forward

Subs:
5 Broghan Matthews (for No6 35 minutes)
8 Maya Germain (for No11 55 minutes)
18 Olivia Greenhaugh (for No2 67 minutes)

Match Report
After a tight first half which ended goalless, Crewe Alexandra Ladies benefited from a couple of FC United defensive lapses to build a second half platform and secure a 4-0 victory over FC’s women’s team in their final pre-season friendly.

The artificial surface at the Alexandra Soccer Centre aided some good passing play from both sides as each spurned good chances throughout an end-to-end first half. Both keepers were kept busy with FC more than matching their higher-placed opposition chance-for-chance throughout the first half. Centre forward Shellby Wolstencroft came closest to giving FC United a lead when the Alex keeper spilled a free kick but recovered enough to distract Wolstencroft’s attempted lob which narrowly cleared the bar on 10 minutes. Just minutes later, good work down the FC left saw winger Kirsty Chambers cut into the area and curl a shot just over the angle of bar and far post.

At the opposite end, captain Amy Gillingham was forced into a fantastic save and follow-up goal line clearance to thwart the Alex No 9. As an entertaining half drew to a close FC forced a corner following good work by Hayley O’Hara down the left. Chamber’s corner to the far post saw the Alex keeper left stranded and Beth Hayes sent a cross into the 6 yard area narrowly evading the FC forwards as the half time whistle sounded.

FC United got the second half underway and forced an early corner, following some good work down the right by full back Jessica Wynne. FC’s attacking intent was clear as fine work in the midfield by the skilful Kayleigh Catterall released Chambers on the left wing, who forced and then took the ensuing corner which again left the keeper stranded and led to a Wolstencroft volley narrowly missing the right hand upright. This seemed to spur Crewe into life and the FC defence, solid until this point, saw a double effort by the Alex forwards clear the FC bar only for the ensuing goal kick to cause confusion in the defence which the Alex left back latched onto chipping the ball over Gillingham to give Crewe a 1-0 lead on 55 minutes.

FC responded well and from the restart attacked down the left with good work by Claire O’Reilly and Chambers leading to a good effort from the latter which tested the Alex keeper. Unfortunately Chambers was injured in the act of shooting following a strong challenge and could take no further part in the game. Her replacement Maya Germain, had FCs next effort, when again good combination work involving Catterall and O’Reilly down the left saw the ball collected in the box by Wolstencroft who laid a pass into the path of Germain whose shot from just inside the area shaved the top of the bar.

If there was some doubt about whether the first Crewe goal was a fluke the second was a real gift on 69 minutes when a speculative pass into the box along the floor from the Crewe No 8, saw a defensive mix up allowing the ball to squirm through the melee of legs and despite the best efforts of Francesca Davies to clear the danger, the ball crept agonisingly into the unguarded FC goal. Crewe sensed the victory was theirs and defensively made life very difficult for the FC forwards in their determination to keep a clean sheet.

On 75 minutes, following a Hayes cross which narrowly evaded the on rushing Germain at the far post, Crewe sprang forward on the counter attack and the No 10, who had threatened all game, beat the offside trap and defensive attentions of Broghan Matthews to coolly slot the ball past the advancing Gillingham to put the game beyond reach for FC. Despite this United continued to carve out chances which inevitably left them vulnerable at the back and the best goal of the game was comprehensively converted from the Alex No 7 on the half volley from the edge of the area on 80 minutes giving Gillingham no chance.

Both teams cancelled each other out for the remainder of the game and when the referee blew the final whistle on FC United women’s team’s first pre season, there was time to reflect with pride on just how well the team has gelled and come together in only a matter of weeks; playing well-established opposition from higher leagues and securing good victories against Wigan Athletic and Irlam Town along the way. Next Sunday their league season starts in earnest with a home fixture at Broadhurst Playing Fields, Moston against Uppermill Ladies, 2pm kick off.

Report by Rob Fullen

Match Details

Crewe Alexandra Ladies 4 (Goals 55, 69, 75 and 80 mins)
FC United of Manchester 0

FC United Team:
1 Amy Gillingham - captain - goalkeeper
14 Jessica Wynne - right back
3 Claire O’Reilly - left back
4 Francesca Davies - centre half
6 Jade Challender - centre half
7 Kayleigh Catterall - centre midfield
2 Adora Yau - centre midfield
10 Beth Hayes - right midfield
11 Kirsty Chambers - left midfield
9 Shellby Wolstencroft - centre forward
12 Hayley O’Hara - centre forward

Subs:
5 Broghan Matthews (for No6 35 minutes)
8 Maya Germain (for No11 55 minutes)
18 Olivia Greenhaugh (for No2 67 minutes)


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