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FCUMW beat Oughtibridge to advance in Women's FA Cup

FCUMW beat Oughtibridge to advance in Women’s FA CupFC United’s Womens Team continued their strong start to the new season by beating Oughtibridge WMFC Ladies 4-0, in the Second Qualifying Round of the 2018/19 SSE Women’s FA Cup. A Jess Battle brace, either side of half time, along with a Rebecca Foster penalty and a Kirsty Chambers strike sent Luke Podmore’s side comfortably into the Third Qualifying Round of the competition, maintaining their 100% start to the campaign.

Having eased past Didsbury FC Ladies in the previous round, the Reds travelled to South Yorkshire for a first ever meeting with Oughtibridge WMFC Ladies. The hosts had yet to make an appearance in the competition this season, with their War Memorial ground the home for their competition opener. United went into the game having made three changes from last weekend’s opening day league win over Fleetwood Town Wrens; Ainsworth and McCarrick coming into the side with defender Nicole Malpus making her FC debut, having signed for the club in midweek.

The game got underway surrounded by the clear blue skies on a crisp afternoon, over the other side of the Pennines. Despite being the visitors, FC quickly attempted to assert a home-like dominance. Hannah Dale’s long range effort flew just over the bar before Jess McCarrick had an early strike well-blocked.

Despite the intent-filled start, United had to be on their guard in order to not go behind. The hosts’ created early problems, winning a free-kick on the edge of the box that was drilled over the bar. Moments later, Podmore’s side had rapidly turned defence into attack. Cara Fields showed a trademark first touch to bring down a long Chloe Ainsworth kick, before playing in Corie Mather who fired across the goal but wide, from the right side.

FCUMW’s early pressure was to pay dividends, on the 25th minute mark. Hannah Dale’s over-the-top ball exquisitely found the run of Kirsty Chambers, who drove forward before unselfishly rolling it to Jess Battle who tapped into an empty net from close range.

Podmore was then forced into his first change of the afternoon, straight after the goal, with Hannah Dale being replaced by Shaunna Jein for FC.

The opener was nearly repeated to the Reds’ delight, just moments later, Chambers squared to an open Battle inside the box but the striker was denied on this occasion, by a smart save from the on-rushing Oughtibridge goalkeeper. The home defence were continuing to be worked after Rebecca Foster found Kirsty Chambers in-behind, only for a vital interception to keep the score-line as it was.

With the last chance prior to the half time whistle, Olivia Greenhalgh showed great composure to get a bouncing ball under control before distributing into the path of Corie Mather who saw her low shot saved by the foot of the keeper. That was to be the last chance of the half, as the Reds took a narrow lead into the break at the War Memorial Sports Club.

Despite kicking uphill and against the wind, in the second half, it was FC who played with authority in the second 45’s early exchanges. Jess Battle continued to cause the Oughtibridge defence problems, having a trio of attempts denied, including an effort that was cleared off the line.

Battle and Fields then both went close before last-ditch blocks from Nicole Malpus and Fran Davies preserved the one-goal lead. Rebecca Foster was then rewarded with the chance to double that advantage from the spot after captain Kirsty Chambers was wiped out just inside the box by the goalkeeper, with Foster duly converting the spot-kick to give the Reds some breathing room.

From then on, it was FCUMW that took full control of the tie. Sarah Chadwick replaced Corie Mather, just before the penalty, with the Reds continuing to push forward for a third, after it. Jess Battle produced another fine strike that took a good save to stop the tie being all-but-over, moments before United had another strong penalty appeal turned down by the referee, on this occasion.

The Reds’ luck may have been out on that attack but it wasn’t in the one launched on 66 minutes. A superb flowing move saw Rebecca Foster pick out the run of Jess Battle, who rounded the goalkeeper before bending the ball back inside the near post and into the net. The finish took Battle’s tally to six in just three games this season, as she scored her third consecutive brace in 2018/19.

Battle didn’t want to finish there either, being denied a FA Cup hat-trick on a further two instances by the home goalkeeper. After having her first attempt saved by the foot, her second strike was tipped around the post despite it heading powerfully for the bottom corner.

The striker may not have been able to get her third of the afternoon, but she quickly turned provider, flicking a bouncing ball into the path of Kirsty Chambers who superbly found the bottom corner, having lobbed the goalkeeper on the half-volley, with her weaker foot. The goal all-but sealed the result with FC just looking to see it out from there. McCarrick had a shot well charged down with Chambers and Fields both firing straight at the keeper, shortly after.

The action may have been over at that end of the pitch, but Chloe Ainsworth was called into action once more, in stoppage time. The Reds’ goalkeeper superbly tipped a long range effort on to the post, on the stretch, to preserve the clean sheet with more or less the last kick of the game.

That capped off the perfect afternoon for Luke Podmore’s side, in South Yorkshire, as they advanced to the next round of the SSE Women’s FA Cup. On Monday afternoon, FCUMW were drawn at home to Bridlington Rovers LFC in the Third Qualifying Round of the competition, with the tie scheduled to be played on Sunday 7th October. Stay tuned to our social media channels for further details, in due course.

Twitter: @FCUnitedWomen
Instagram: @fcunitedwomen
Facebook: FC United Women

Before then, the Reds return to league action as they host Merseyrail Bootle LFC, at Broadhurst Park, next Sunday (30th September) - 2pm KO. We hope to see you there!

FCUMW Player of the Match: Rebecca Foster - Both the midfielder and centre-back Fran Davies were more than deserving of this week’s accolade after equally impressive showings on the afternoon. Foster narrowly edges the award following a controlled performance from the heart of the midfield, showing intelligence, composure and confidence that saw her step up in place of an injured Kirsty Chambers, to convert from the spot and make it 2-0 at a crucial time in the game. Throughout the afternoon our no.8 was at the centre of all proceedings as part of a Player of the Match showing that helped her team into the next round of the SSE Women’s FA Cup.

Oughtibridge WMFC Ladies: 0 (0)

1. Coran Wright
3. Chloe Rodgers
4. Abigail Towns
8. Francesca Godbehcre
17. Emma Wall
10. Millie Kenyon
5. Jenny Selman
6. Laura Watton
9. Becky Shaw
12. Lauren Turner
11. Codi Melia

Subs:

15. Dionne Lawton
7. Annie Longmore

FC United of Manchester Women: 4 (1)

1. Chloe Ainsworth
14. Nicole Malpus
2. Fran Davies
17. Jess McCarrick
7. Corie Mather
4. Olivia Greenhalgh
8. Rebecca Foster (Goal (pen) 59 mins)
11. Kirsty Chambers (c) (Goal 79 mins)
6. Cara Fields
10. Hannah Dale
9. Jess Battle (Goals 25,66)

Subs:

19. Gemma Jackson (GK)
12. Shaunna Jein (On for No10 26 mins)
16. Sarah Chadwick (On for No7 56 mins)
18. Emily Marsh
20. Emilie Revitt

Venue: Oughtibridge War Memorial Sports Club, Waterside Gardens, Oughtibridge, S35 0JS
Attendance: 149
Referee: Ross Kette
Competition: SSE Women’s FA Cup Second Round Qualifying

Match stats from Paul Hinson (FC second column):

Goals: 0.....4
Shots on target: 1.....18
Shots off target: 9.....12
Completed passes: 129.....373
Posession: 26%.....74%

Report by Mikey Partington




First Posted ~ 11:39 Wed 26 Sep 2018
News ID ~ 8058
Last Updated ~ 16:00 Fri 19 Feb 2021