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United's women go fourth after 6-2 victory over Winsford in first outing of 2016

United’s women go fourth after 6-2 victory over Winsford  in first outing of 2016

Eight weeks after their last game, a 5-0 victory away to Leigh RMI in the Argyle Cup, FC United’s women made a welcome return to action hosting Winsford Ladies FC at Broadhurst Park last Sunday. The crowd of 68 were treated to a goal fest as the home team led 4-2 at the break with a brace from Beth Scholey sandwiching strikes by Shellby Wolstencroft and Kirsty Chambers. Winsford’s number 9, Amy Hughes gave the visitors a glimmer of hope with a penalty and long range strike but two second half goals, from Wolstencroft and Chambers closed out an excellent start to the second half of the season for Lee Sutton’s side.

Winsford, kicking towards the Lightbowne Road end, looked the busier of the sides in the opening minutes but it was United who earned three early corners, profiting from a short routine which saw Scholey take a return from Wolstencroft before curling a lofted effort from wide left over Hanna Hewitson in the visitor’s goal and in at the far post on 11 minutes.

In a bizarre five-minute spell leading up to the half hour the game swung first in Winsford’s favour then United’s and once again Winsford as the score stabilised at 2-2. Winsford striker, Hughes, was upended in the area by Fran Davies and she dusted herself down and fired emphatically passed Mary Priestner from the spot. United responded superbly and from a Chambers corner Olivia Gannon bravely challenged Walton in the air and the loose ball fell kindly to Wolstencroft who stabbed the ball home from eight yards to restore the lead. It was a short lived advantage however as just a minute later, Hughes unsettled the United defence and as they backed off, created the space to shoot from outside the ‘D’ with Priestner only able to slow the shot slightly as the ball nestled in the bottom corner of her goal.

The Scholey/Chambers combination that had almost paid off twice earlier in the half made it third time lucky and resulted in United taking the lead on 34 minutes. Scholey’s well judged pass over the top of the Winsford defence saw Chambers narrowly beat Walton to the ball and rounding the committed keeper, the FC captain blasted the ball into the roof of an unguarded net.

This time the Reds managed to hold the lead and in stoppage time at the end of the half extended their advantage as Gannon, battling through midfield, released Charlie Evans wide right who crossed superbly first time for Scholey to head home from six yards.

The second half saw United carve many chances as a depleted Winsford squad created few but defended resolutely to the very end of the contest. Having a full complement of substitutes available, United used them to good effect with Beth Tattersall, Jess Tonge and Lucy Bonner all showing the benefit of having strength in depth in all areas of the pitch.

Wolstencroft grabbed her second and United’s fifth of the afternoon after breaking beyond the high line that Winsford were employing and, spotting the keeper well off her line lofted her shot into the far corner from 35 yards.

Chambers wrapped up the scoring notching her second and United’s sixth with a penalty on 74 minutes following a foul on Gannon. Winsford kept going and but for Priestner, who had largely been a spectator for long spells in the second half, may have added a couple more goals themselves late on through the dangerous Hughes.

The Reds are back at Broadhurst this coming Sunday hosting Liverpool City Ladies Community FC and will be looking for another three points to maintain their push up the league.

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Report by Rob Fullen

FC player of the game: Beth Scholey – busy and creative in midfield with some decisive passing, scoring a spectacular opener and ending the first half with a close range header.

Teams 24 January 2016: Attendance: 68

FC United of Manchester Women: 6 (4)
1. Mary Priestner
4. Aimee Cooke
2. Fran Davies (cautioned 25 mins)
5. Chelsea Patient (cautioned 40 mins)
15. Jess McCarrick
20. Beth Scholey (Goals 11 & 45+2mins)
16. Charlie Evans
18. Leah Hartshorne
14. Olivia Gannon
11. Kirsty Chambers (Capt) (Goals 34mins, 74mins [Pen])
9. Shellby Wolstencroft (Goals 28 & 50mins)
Subs:
6. Lucy Bonner (for No9 66 mins)
7. Beth Hayes (not used)
8. Adora Yau (not used)
10. Beth Tattersall (for No16 46mins)
12. Jess Tonge (for No5 46mins)

Winsford Ladies: 2 (2)
15. Hanna Hewitson (GK – first half)
7. Jade Walton (GK – second half)
3. Amelia Greer
4. Emma Johnson (Capt)
5. Megan McGreavy
6. Kathryn Hulme
16. Nikita Halford
8. Danielle Lydiate
9. Amy Hughes
12. Kerry Ogden
10. Chloe James
Subs:
Non available

Referee: Kevin Moore
Venue: Broadhurst Park, Moston, M40








First Posted ~ 18:07 Thu 28 Jan 2016
News ID ~ 6642
Last Updated ~ 16:00 Fri 19 Feb 2021