Manchester FA County Cup Final: FC United Women v City of Manchester Ladies

This Friday, 28th April kick-off 7pm, FC United’s Women Team travel to West Didsbury & Chorlton’s Recreation Ground to face City of Manchester Ladies FC in the Final of the Manchester FA County Cup.



This Friday, 28th April kick-off 7pm, FC United’s Women Team travel to West Didsbury & Chorlton’s Recreation Ground to face City of Manchester Ladies FC in the Final of the Manchester FA County Cup.

In the first of two Cup Finals, FC United Women face City of Manchester Ladies in the Final of the Manchester FA County Final. Having beat Didsbury Ladies (11-0) in the 2nd Round and Leigh RMI Ladies (7-1) in the Quarter Final, the Reds progressed to the Final following the withdrawal from Middleton Ladies who they were due to play in the Semi-Final.

Friday’s Final will be the 5th consecutive season FC United have played City of Manchester Ladies in the latter stages of Manchester FA County Cup, with City of Manchester winning on all occasions. City of Manchester Ladies compete in the North West Women’s Regional League Premier (the league above FC United Women), but are currently 2nd from bottom having won just 5 league games this season, compared to FC United who have won 18, drawn once and lost twice.

Last Sunday, FC United’s Women took the opportunity to go top of the league (on goal difference) with an 11-0 victory over Curzon Ashton and maintain their imperious end of season form. FC have just one league match left to play this season, away to Warrington Wolverines on Sunday 30th April, however MerseyRail Bootle who share top spot, have a game in hand and play Altrincham on Thursday followed by Liverpool City Ladies on Sunday.

In the Argyle (League) Cup, which includes all teams from the North West Women’s League (Premier, Division One North, Division One South), FC United’s Women play Bury Girls and Ladies in the Final on 14th May ko 4pm at New Bucks Park, Vesty Road, Bootle, Merseyside, L30 1NY. On route to the Argyle Cup Final, FC United were victorious against Warrington Wolverines, Blackpool FC Ladies, Sir Tom Finney Ladies and Wigan Athletic Ladies.

The free scoring reds have bagged over 100 league goals so far this campaign and enjoy a +81 goal difference in the league with several players threatening goal scoring records. Striker Shellby Wolstencroft has scored 99 goals from 97; and with three competitive games to go, Shellby could make the 100 appearance mark this season and you wouldn’t bet against her getting that elusive 100th FC goal too.

As the 5th season for our Women’s team reaches a thrilling climax, pitch side support has never been higher with a cumulative attendance in excess of 2,300 so far, not including friendlies.

So why not get yourself down to Chorlton on Friday and cheer the Women onto success in the County Cup; your support could make all the difference and help bring some more silverware back to Broadhurst Park.

Friday 28th April kick off 7pm
Manchester FA County Cup Final
FC United Women v City of Manchester Ladies FC
West Didsbury & Chorlton Recreation Ground
Brookburn Road, Chorlton, Manchester, M21 8FF

Admission is pay on the gate
£4 Adults, £2 Concessions (OAPs & 16-18), £1 ’Kids’ (U16)., it’s pay-on-the-gate.
Programmes: £1

Full live match commentary from Friday’s Final will be on FCUM Radio at www.fcumradio.co.uk

ROAD TO THE FINAL - written by Mikey Partington

The Reds started this season’s County Cup campaign in Round 2, drawn away at GMWFL Division 1 side Didsbury LFC. With the hosts asking to reverse the fixture in order to protect their South Manchester pitch after a recent wet spell, United took up the home advantage cruising to a competition opening 11-0 win.

Under the interim charge of Jay Astley following the resignation of long term manager Lee Sutton, the Reds eased into the quarter finals with Jade Parker getting a hat-trick and skipper Kirsty Chambers adding a double. Most noticeably, Shelby Wolstencroft came off the bench as a second half substitute to brilliantly score four goals with fellow subs Allisha Marsh and Danni Xenophontus also getting on the score sheet on a relatively chilly afternoon at Broadhurst.

The Reds then had to wait three months for their quarter final tie and this time they were to be away from home soil facing Leigh RMI at the impressive Leigh Sports Village in mid-February.

The girls headed into the tie off the back of a six game winning streak in all competitions following the appointment of new manager Luke Podmore which had clearly re-vitalised the squad on and off the pitch. This form continued to show against the side from the Northern section of the league.

After going behind inside the first minute, captain Kirsty Chambers produced once again with an outstanding hat-trick including a superb acrobatic strike for her individual second of the game. New signing Jess Battle impressively notched in her 9th goal in five games for the club with Chloe Wild, Beth Tattersall and Shelby Wolstencroft all finding the net too helping the Reds to an eye-catching 7-1 win in the village’s athletics stadium.

The win over Leigh RMI secured a place in the Semi Final of the Cup where we were drawn at home to Middleton Athletic LFC. However, due to the withdrawal of the visitors in the week after the draw, the Reds were handed an automatic bye into this year’s final. A game in which we will face City of Manchester LFC after their penalty kick win over Manchester Stingers following a 3-3 draw in normal time.

This brings us to now. FC go into the game in fine form winning their last five games scoring 39 goals, conceding just two. Luke Podmore and his side are flowing with confidence following the recent run with your support vital to the success. We hope to see as many Reds as possible in the stands on Friday Night to support the girls in pursuit of their first County Cup title in the club’s history!