Match Report |
26th January 2020
North West Women's Regional League – Premier Division
Lancaster University, Bailrigg, Lancaster LA1 4YW
Morecambe Ladies First |
2 - 3 |
FC United of Manchester Women |
| Attendance: 38 | ||
Morecambe Ladies First 2
FC United of Manchester Women 3
Attendance: 38
Kate’s late strike keeps Reds Women on top
FC United Women, like their male counterparts, seem to have developed a useful knack of finding late goals to steal vital points in their chase for the North West Women’s Regional League title.
Their persistence paid off again to maintain their position a point clear of Tranmere Rovers Ladies at the top of the table with two games in hand. A Kate O’Gara goal two minutes from time won the points for FC after Morecambe had twice pegged their visitors back.
There were a couple of welcome returnees in the FC United squad.
Abbie Carrington, slotting back into her old left back position, rejoins the Reds after spells with Stockport and Bolton and, although on this occasion she wasn’t called upon, it was also good to see Corie Mather on the bench as she continues her recovery from a lengthy injury lay off.
The teams traded early blows with FC United taking a 5th minute lead with Jordon Bailey latching onto a mis-placed back pass to go round keeper Katie McTague to the right and score with a low angled shot that found the net despite the efforts of defender Laura Callis to clear off the line.
However Morecambe were back on terms five minutes later. Natalie Broad sent a ball from the byline all the way back to Charlotte Higginson who smashed in a shot over FC keeper Chloe Ainsworth for the equaliser.
The Reds looked to strike back quickly with Maxine Smith sending Natalie Richardson away on the left. A ball into the area found Kaylea Cunliffe but the FC no. 9’s touch deserted her in the moment and the chance was lost. The home side could have cashed in moments later but for an excellent Ainsworth save, going low to her left to deny Katherine Oldfield who hooked in a shot following a corner kick.
FC United were without Kirsty Chambers for ten minutes after she was sin-binned for dissent in the 25th. However numerical deficit didn’t appear to hamper her team too much. Richardson was sent clear on the right to whip a ball into the area, which Cunliffe teed up for a shot on the volley that was just too high.
Unfortunately it just wasn’t Kaylea Cunliffe’s day on this occasion. Shortly before having to be substituted late in the first half, she was on the end of another chance as Richardson, latching onto a lay-back from Maxine Smith, sent a ball towards the far post from the right that just eluded Cunliffe’s attempt to connect with a header.
Chambers returned to the action and was soon causing problems for Morecambe again with a dangerous cross from the left that eluded keeper McTague but was cleared by Charlotte Gray on the far side of the area.
It took only 3 minutes of the second half for FC to retake the lead. Richardson picked up a loose ball in her own half and sent a long ball downfield that fell perfectly for Cara Fields, eluding Morecambe’s hitherto effective offside trap, to latch onto and score with a powerful angled shot from the right side of the area.
With Morecambe now looking to get back on terms, Higginson found herself with a similar chance to shoot on the run but fired wide across goal from the right. Within a minute though, FC were a whisker away from doubling their lead as Richardson’s shot from a Cara Fields’ cross hit the underside of the bar and bounced down to be gratefully gathered by McTague.
Chances appeared to be coming thick and fast with Oldfield letting fly from outside the area but Ainsworth was well-positioned to get fully behind the ball. Action then quickly switched to the other end as a Maxine Smith shot was blocked by McTague from close range.
A free kick gave Morecambe another chance to level the scores as the ball was floated across the area from the left. Hannah Paling managed to improvise a shot off the outside of her right foot but Ainsworth made another good save.
Richardson struck the underside of the bar for the second time in the afternoon, this time with a shot driven in from over 30 yards. And FC United’s frustration was compounded when a ball over the top gave Natalie Broad a shooting opportunity on the run, which she made full use of by beating Ainsworth with a right foot shot, making the score 2-2.
With 20 minutes remaining, it was anybody’s game. Richardson was again denied the chance to get her name on the scoresheet, seeing McTague dive to her right to beat a shot away. However FC stayed on the attack with Chambers cutting in from the right but forced back wide as the home side’s defence scrambled across to cover. The skipper still got in an effort that was saved by McTague but then needed attention from the physio after being caught by a defender’s challenge in the act of shooting.
However, with just two minutes remaining, FC found a winner. Maxine Smith slipped a ball inside from the right and Kate O’Gara finished clinically with a fierce looping drive from the right side of the area that had the keeper beaten for pace.
As the game moved into injury time, there was one last chance for FC to increase the margin of victory as O’Gara laid back a ball from the byline for Beth Hayes to get in a shot that passed just over the bar. However the Reds hung on to secure another vital three points.
This coming Sunday, February 2nd, FC Women travel to Admiral Park, Liverpool to renew acquaintance with Merseyrail Ladies before returning to Broadhurst a week later on the 9th and face West Kirby Ladies in the last 16 of the Argyle Cup. Both games will kick off at 2pm.
Report by Phil Bradbury
FC Player of the game: Cara Fields - a dynamic performance in midfield both in setting up attacks for her own team and breaking up the opposition’s.
Teams 26th January 2020: Attendance: 38
Morecambe Ladies 2 (1)
1. Katie McTague
2. Robyn Hodkin
16. Sophie Fish
4. Laura Callis
5. Emily Hutton
6. Katherine Oldfield
7. Hannah Paling (Capt)
11. Charlotte Gray
9. Natalie Broad (⚽???Goal 64 minutes)
12. Beth Fisher
8. Charlotte Higginson (⚽???Goal 10 minutes)
Subs:
10. Shannon Primrose-Smith (for No2, 65 minutes)
14. Megan Doherty (for No11, 79 minutes)
FC United of Manchester Women: 3 (1).
1. Chloe Ainsworth
2. Fran Davies
26. Abbie Carrington (Yellow card 90+3 minutes)
20. Kate O’Gara (⚽???Goal 88 minutes)
5. Chelsea Patient
6. Cara Fields (⚽???Goal 48 minutes)
25. Natalie Richardson
8. Maxine Smith
9. Kaylea Cunliffe
10. Jordon Bailey (⚽???Goal 5 minutes)
11. Kirsty Chambers (Capt, sin-bin 25 minutes)
Subs:
4. Samantha Ball (for No9, 43 minutes)
16. Robyn Hartley (for No10, 63 minutes)
23. Beth Hayes (for No11, 79 minutes)
7. Corie Mather
Referee: David Boston
Venue: Lancaster University 3G
Official FC photography: Mark Lee
Video footage & historical stats: Neil Boothman
Their persistence paid off again to maintain their position a point clear of Tranmere Rovers Ladies at the top of the table with two games in hand. A Kate O’Gara goal two minutes from time won the points for FC after Morecambe had twice pegged their visitors back.
There were a couple of welcome returnees in the FC United squad.
Abbie Carrington, slotting back into her old left back position, rejoins the Reds after spells with Stockport and Bolton and, although on this occasion she wasn’t called upon, it was also good to see Corie Mather on the bench as she continues her recovery from a lengthy injury lay off.
The teams traded early blows with FC United taking a 5th minute lead with Jordon Bailey latching onto a mis-placed back pass to go round keeper Katie McTague to the right and score with a low angled shot that found the net despite the efforts of defender Laura Callis to clear off the line.
However Morecambe were back on terms five minutes later. Natalie Broad sent a ball from the byline all the way back to Charlotte Higginson who smashed in a shot over FC keeper Chloe Ainsworth for the equaliser.
The Reds looked to strike back quickly with Maxine Smith sending Natalie Richardson away on the left. A ball into the area found Kaylea Cunliffe but the FC no. 9’s touch deserted her in the moment and the chance was lost. The home side could have cashed in moments later but for an excellent Ainsworth save, going low to her left to deny Katherine Oldfield who hooked in a shot following a corner kick.
FC United were without Kirsty Chambers for ten minutes after she was sin-binned for dissent in the 25th. However numerical deficit didn’t appear to hamper her team too much. Richardson was sent clear on the right to whip a ball into the area, which Cunliffe teed up for a shot on the volley that was just too high.
Unfortunately it just wasn’t Kaylea Cunliffe’s day on this occasion. Shortly before having to be substituted late in the first half, she was on the end of another chance as Richardson, latching onto a lay-back from Maxine Smith, sent a ball towards the far post from the right that just eluded Cunliffe’s attempt to connect with a header.
Chambers returned to the action and was soon causing problems for Morecambe again with a dangerous cross from the left that eluded keeper McTague but was cleared by Charlotte Gray on the far side of the area.
It took only 3 minutes of the second half for FC to retake the lead. Richardson picked up a loose ball in her own half and sent a long ball downfield that fell perfectly for Cara Fields, eluding Morecambe’s hitherto effective offside trap, to latch onto and score with a powerful angled shot from the right side of the area.
With Morecambe now looking to get back on terms, Higginson found herself with a similar chance to shoot on the run but fired wide across goal from the right. Within a minute though, FC were a whisker away from doubling their lead as Richardson’s shot from a Cara Fields’ cross hit the underside of the bar and bounced down to be gratefully gathered by McTague.
Chances appeared to be coming thick and fast with Oldfield letting fly from outside the area but Ainsworth was well-positioned to get fully behind the ball. Action then quickly switched to the other end as a Maxine Smith shot was blocked by McTague from close range.
A free kick gave Morecambe another chance to level the scores as the ball was floated across the area from the left. Hannah Paling managed to improvise a shot off the outside of her right foot but Ainsworth made another good save.
Richardson struck the underside of the bar for the second time in the afternoon, this time with a shot driven in from over 30 yards. And FC United’s frustration was compounded when a ball over the top gave Natalie Broad a shooting opportunity on the run, which she made full use of by beating Ainsworth with a right foot shot, making the score 2-2.
With 20 minutes remaining, it was anybody’s game. Richardson was again denied the chance to get her name on the scoresheet, seeing McTague dive to her right to beat a shot away. However FC stayed on the attack with Chambers cutting in from the right but forced back wide as the home side’s defence scrambled across to cover. The skipper still got in an effort that was saved by McTague but then needed attention from the physio after being caught by a defender’s challenge in the act of shooting.
However, with just two minutes remaining, FC found a winner. Maxine Smith slipped a ball inside from the right and Kate O’Gara finished clinically with a fierce looping drive from the right side of the area that had the keeper beaten for pace.
As the game moved into injury time, there was one last chance for FC to increase the margin of victory as O’Gara laid back a ball from the byline for Beth Hayes to get in a shot that passed just over the bar. However the Reds hung on to secure another vital three points.
This coming Sunday, February 2nd, FC Women travel to Admiral Park, Liverpool to renew acquaintance with Merseyrail Ladies before returning to Broadhurst a week later on the 9th and face West Kirby Ladies in the last 16 of the Argyle Cup. Both games will kick off at 2pm.
Report by Phil Bradbury
FC Player of the game: Cara Fields - a dynamic performance in midfield both in setting up attacks for her own team and breaking up the opposition’s.
Teams 26th January 2020: Attendance: 38
Morecambe Ladies 2 (1)
1. Katie McTague
2. Robyn Hodkin
16. Sophie Fish
4. Laura Callis
5. Emily Hutton
6. Katherine Oldfield
7. Hannah Paling (Capt)
11. Charlotte Gray
9. Natalie Broad (⚽???Goal 64 minutes)
12. Beth Fisher
8. Charlotte Higginson (⚽???Goal 10 minutes)
Subs:
10. Shannon Primrose-Smith (for No2, 65 minutes)
14. Megan Doherty (for No11, 79 minutes)
FC United of Manchester Women: 3 (1).
1. Chloe Ainsworth
2. Fran Davies
26. Abbie Carrington (Yellow card 90+3 minutes)
20. Kate O’Gara (⚽???Goal 88 minutes)
5. Chelsea Patient
6. Cara Fields (⚽???Goal 48 minutes)
25. Natalie Richardson
8. Maxine Smith
9. Kaylea Cunliffe
10. Jordon Bailey (⚽???Goal 5 minutes)
11. Kirsty Chambers (Capt, sin-bin 25 minutes)
Subs:
4. Samantha Ball (for No9, 43 minutes)
16. Robyn Hartley (for No10, 63 minutes)
23. Beth Hayes (for No11, 79 minutes)
7. Corie Mather
Referee: David Boston
Venue: Lancaster University 3G
Official FC photography: Mark Lee
Video footage & historical stats: Neil Boothman
Kate’s late strike keeps Reds Women on top
FC United Women, like their male counterparts, seem to have developed a useful knack of finding late goals to steal vital points in their chase for the North West Women’s Regional League title. Their persistence paid off again to maintain their position a point clear of Tranmere Rovers Ladies at the top of the table with two games in hand. A Kate O’Gara goal two minutes from time won the points for FC after Morecambe had twice pegged their visitors back.
There were a couple of welcome returnees in the FC United squad.
Abbie Carrington, slotting back into her old left back position, rejoins the Reds after spells with Stockport and Bolton and, although on this occasion she wasn’t called upon, it was also good to see Corie Mather on the bench as she continues her recovery from a lengthy injury lay off.
The teams traded early blows with FC United taking a 5th minute lead with Jordon Bailey latching onto a mis-placed back pass to go round keeper Katie McTague to the right and score with a low angled shot that found the net despite the efforts of defender Laura Callis to clear off the line.
However Morecambe were back on terms five minutes later. Natalie Broad sent a ball from the byline all the way back to Charlotte Higginson who smashed in a shot over FC keeper Chloe Ainsworth for the equaliser.
The Reds looked to strike back quickly with Maxine Smith sending Natalie Richardson away on the left. A ball into the area found Kaylea Cunliffe but the FC no. 9’s touch deserted her in the moment and the chance was lost. The home side could have cashed in moments later but for an excellent Ainsworth save, going low to her left to deny Katherine Oldfield who hooked in a shot following a corner kick.
FC United were without Kirsty Chambers for ten minutes after she was sin-binned for dissent in the 25th. However numerical deficit didn’t appear to hamper her team too much. Richardson was sent clear on the right to whip a ball into the area, which Cunliffe teed up for a shot on the volley that was just too high.
Unfortunately it just wasn’t Kaylea Cunliffe’s day on this occasion. Shortly before having to be substituted late in the first half, she was on the end of another chance as Richardson, latching onto a lay-back from Maxine Smith, sent a ball towards the far post from the right that just eluded Cunliffe’s attempt to connect with a header.
Chambers returned to the action and was soon causing problems for Morecambe again with a dangerous cross from the left that eluded keeper McTague but was cleared by Charlotte Gray on the far side of the area.
It took only 3 minutes of the second half for FC to retake the lead. Richardson picked up a loose ball in her own half and sent a long ball downfield that fell perfectly for Cara Fields, eluding Morecambe’s hitherto effective offside trap, to latch onto and score with a powerful angled shot from the right side of the area.
With Morecambe now looking to get back on terms, Higginson found herself with a similar chance to shoot on the run but fired wide across goal from the right. Within a minute though, FC were a whisker away from doubling their lead as Richardson’s shot from a Cara Fields’ cross hit the underside of the bar and bounced down to be gratefully gathered by McTague.
Chances appeared to be coming thick and fast with Oldfield letting fly from outside the area but Ainsworth was well-positioned to get fully behind the ball. Action then quickly switched to the other end as a Maxine Smith shot was blocked by McTague from close range.
A free kick gave Morecambe another chance to level the scores as the ball was floated across the area from the left. Hannah Paling managed to improvise a shot off the outside of her right foot but Ainsworth made another good save.
Richardson struck the underside of the bar for the second time in the afternoon, this time with a shot driven in from over 30 yards. And FC United’s frustration was compounded when a ball over the top gave Natalie Broad a shooting opportunity on the run, which she made full use of by beating Ainsworth with a right foot shot, making the score 2-2.
With 20 minutes remaining, it was anybody’s game. Richardson was again denied the chance to get her name on the scoresheet, seeing McTague dive to her right to beat a shot away. However FC stayed on the attack with Chambers cutting in from the right but forced back wide as the home side’s defence scrambled across to cover. The skipper still got in an effort that was saved by McTague but then needed attention from the physio after being caught by a defender’s challenge in the act of shooting.
However, with just two minutes remaining, FC found a winner. Maxine Smith slipped a ball inside from the right and Kate O’Gara finished clinically with a fierce looping drive from the right side of the area that had the keeper beaten for pace.
As the game moved into injury time, there was one last chance for FC to increase the margin of victory as O’Gara laid back a ball from the byline for Beth Hayes to get in a shot that passed just over the bar. However the Reds hung on to secure another vital three points.
This coming Sunday, February 2nd, FC Women travel to Admiral Park, Liverpool to renew acquaintance with Merseyrail Ladies before returning to Broadhurst a week later on the 9th and face West Kirby Ladies in the last 16 of the Argyle Cup. Both games will kick off at 2pm.
Report by Phil Bradbury
FC Player of the game: Cara Fields - a dynamic performance in midfield both in setting up attacks for her own team and breaking up the opposition’s.
Teams 26th January 2020: Attendance: 38
Morecambe Ladies 2 (1)
1. Katie McTague
2. Robyn Hodkin
16. Sophie Fish
4. Laura Callis
5. Emily Hutton
6. Katherine Oldfield
7. Hannah Paling (Capt)
11. Charlotte Gray
9. Natalie Broad (⚽???Goal 64 minutes)
12. Beth Fisher
8. Charlotte Higginson (⚽???Goal 10 minutes)
Subs:
10. Shannon Primrose-Smith (for No2, 65 minutes)
14. Megan Doherty (for No11, 79 minutes)
FC United of Manchester Women: 3 (1).
1. Chloe Ainsworth
2. Fran Davies
26. Abbie Carrington (Yellow card 90+3 minutes)
20. Kate O’Gara (⚽???Goal 88 minutes)
5. Chelsea Patient
6. Cara Fields (⚽???Goal 48 minutes)
25. Natalie Richardson
8. Maxine Smith
9. Kaylea Cunliffe
10. Jordon Bailey (⚽???Goal 5 minutes)
11. Kirsty Chambers (Capt, sin-bin 25 minutes)
Subs:
4. Samantha Ball (for No9, 43 minutes)
16. Robyn Hartley (for No10, 63 minutes)
23. Beth Hayes (for No11, 79 minutes)
7. Corie Mather
Referee: David Boston
Venue: Lancaster University 3G
Official FC photography: Mark Lee
Video footage & historical stats: Neil Boothman
| Previous Matches | |
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| 27/10/2019 | 2-1W |
| 06/10/2019 | 4-1W |
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