FC women reach Challenge Cup semi-final in sunny Salford

After reaching the County Cup final with a 4 -0 victory at Urmston last week, this Sunday’s action for the FC United women’s team was all about a quarter final clash with Beechfield United in the Champion Accountants Challenge Cup, which involves clubs from the Greater Manchester Women’s Football League first and second divisions.

In contrast to last September’s rain-soaked 4-0 victory on the banks of the River Irwell in a league fixture against Beechfield, the cup clash was bathed in early spring sunshine as FC United were victorious by the same margin, with Molly Wood giving the Reds a slender half-time lead before the side dominated the second period adding three more goals from Kirsty Chambers, Shellby Wolstencroft and Jade Parker.

But for the efforts of referee Kevin Moore and some of the players in decanting a small but deep puddle from one of the corner quadrants in discarded drinks bottles, the game may well not have been played, despite the glorious weather. It was proper grassroots football and admirable pragmatism from all concerned.

The sky blue-shirted hosts got the game underway but it was the Reds who started on the front foot and inside two minutes Chambers rampaged down the left, her cross laid back to Lizzie Evans who fired goalwards with her effort well fielded by Melissa Clive in the Beechfield goal. It was the start of a busy afternoon for the home custodian who would go on to be Beechfield’s player of the game as she had in our previous meeting back in September.

The hosts carved a chance on eight minutes as their forward burst beyond the FC defence, only for Beth Hayes to recover superbly and turn defence into attack freeing Parker who in turn fed Molly Wood whose effort bobbled agonisingly wide of the keeper’s left upright. Parker and Wood combined again two minutes later with Wood’s effort being well held by Clive.

Beechfield threatened from a set piece as Sue Howard launched her kick into the United area with the headed clearance landing at the feet of Wright who fired high and wide from 25 yards. On the quarter hour mark, Chambers drove a 35 yard free kick from a central position that seemed destined for the top corner but Clive denied her with a fine two handed save and Beechfield cleared the danger briefly only for FC to steal back possession and set up Charlie Evans whose fine strike was well saved once again.

After a scare following a Beechfield corner causing Parker to clear Wright’s effort off her own goal line, United had efforts from Parker and Lizzie Evans who were denied by Clive as they pushed forward incessantly.

The visitors’ pressure was building and just before the half hour FC United finally had their breakthrough. Charlie Evans pounced on a defensive sliced clearance, progressed into the area and slid the ball beyond the far post where Wood was arriving to convert skilfully from a tight angle.

Then Aimee Cooke charged down a Beechfield forward ball on half way and purposefully headed goalwards interchanging passes with Lizzie Evans resulting in a chest and volley from just inside the area that Clive smothered well. Further efforts as the half drew to a close were denied by a combination of fine saves and good defensive blocks particularly from right back Gemma Winterburn and the Reds had to be content with a slender lead at the break.

FC made a couple of personnel changes from the start of the second half with Wolstencroft replacing goalscorer Wood and Jemma Doyle coming on for Leah Hartshorne. Wolstencroft was involved straight away, skilfully guiding a Charlie Evans cross into the path of Lizzie Evans whose effort was well held by Clive. Beth Tattersall replaced Charlie Evans ten minutes into the half for her first appearance in over three months following a protracted four-match suspension due to lack of games since her sending off back in November.

Tattersall was straight into action and her cross from the right just after the hour was flicked on deftly at the near post by Wolstencroft and under pressure from Chambers at the far post, Joanna Malcolmson was adjudged to have handled. Chambers made no mistake with the spot kick although Clive guessed right and got something on the effort but not enough to keep United from doubling their lead. Just two minutes later and the game was all but over as Parker took the ball to the bye line and crossed from the left for Wolstencroft to acrobatically steer a volley past the wrong-footed keeper from five yards out.

With ten minutes left of a half totally dominated by the Reds, Parker had her reward for a superb afternoon’s work as her speed of thought and anticipation saw her prod home United’s fourth from close range after Kaya Janny’s drive had pin-balled around the six-yard box.

Report by Rob Fullen

Player of the game: Jade Parker – tireless, skilful performance from first whistle to last with one assist and a goal into the bargain.

Teams 9th March 2014: Attendance: 48

Beechfield United: 0 (0)
1. Melissa Clive
2. Gemma Winterburn
16. Catherine Mooney
4. Rebecca Watkins
15. Joanna Malcolmson
9. Debra Wright
12. Nicola George
10. Sue Howard
7. Gill Wallis
37. Kelly Bulger
19.
Subs:
22. Stacey C (for 19 27mins)
20.Jade Macdonald (for 9 27mins)

FC United of Manchester women: 4(1)
1. Mary Priestner (goalkeeper)
14. Aimee Cooke (right back)
2. Jess Tonge (left back)
8. Adora Yau (centre half)
7. Beth Hayes (centre half)
4. Leah Hartshorne (centre midfield)
9. Jade Parker (centre midfield and goal 80mins)
16. Charlie Evans (right midfield)
11. Kirsty Chambers (captain, left midfield and goal 63mins [Pen])
15. Lizzie Evans (centre forward)
6. Molly Wood (centre forward and goal 29mins)

Subs:
3. Jemma Doyle (for 4 46mins)
5. Shellby Wolstencroft (for 6 46mins and goal 65mins)
10. Beth Tattersall (for 16 54mins)
12. Kaya Janny (for 8 33mins)
Roll on Roll off subs:
On No8 for No2 60mins
On No6 for No11 65mins
On No11 for No6 77mins