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Middleton knocked for six as FC United’s women hit their strid

Just two months and one day since FC United’s women made their public bow in a 4-3 reverse at the Mayfield Sports Centre, Castleton against a strong, combative, organised Middleton Athletic Ladies side that had finished the previous season in a creditable third place, FC were back in town with a score to settle. Back on 8 July, the FC squad; less than a month old following successful trials in mid-June; signalled their intentions by almost overhauling a 4-1 deficit. The seeds were sown on a worn, patchy surface that day and the emergent shoots of another FC United team, proud to wear the shirt and embrace the best of footballing traditions, began to take root.

A raft of pre-season friendlies and a fantastic 10-0 victory in their opening league game last week and it was clear to all connected with the women’s game in Greater Manchester, that FC United had arrived. With their male counterparts, busy demolishing a Cammel Laird side 5-0 in the FA Cup a few miles up the road at Gigg Lane, the women set about going one better with a comprehensive 6-0 thrashing of their Middleton opponents in the league.

Inevitably, the FA Cup tie had an effect on the women’s crowd but nevertheless an audience of approximately 50 were treated to an entertaining game at the Mayfield as Claire O’Reilly built on last week’s hat-trick by setting FC on their way with a ferociously driven free kick from the edge of the area that left Claire Jefferson in the Middleton goal with no chance inside the first five minutes. A dominating FC side continued to press throughout the first half but the break arrived with Hayley O’Hara’s strike, following a scramble in the Middleton penalty area, being the only other addition to the scoreline.

Last weekend there was the incident of a supporter being locked in the toilets at Broadhurst and this weeks off side moment involved several cars blocking a coach en-route back to the Mayfield following a rugby match in Blackpool. The main culprit being none other than team manager John Marsden who clearly couldn’t leave the touchline as the second half got underway and it fell to the mum of star striker Hayley O’Hara to rummage through John’s clothing in the changing room for keys and move the offending vehicle.

It’s a good job John didn’t desert his post as he would have missed the pick of the day’s goals as former MUFC player Beth Hayes smashed a sublime volleyed lob over the on rushing defence and stranded keeper into the back of the net from fully 35 yards. FC’s fourth came courtesy of a firmly struck Lucy Golding penalty following a foul on Beth Hayes which resulted in a caution for keeper Jefferson.

Middleton changed keepers which served to provide FC United with their fifth of the afternoon as the new custodian inexplicably played the ball straight into the path of Beth Hayes who returned it first time with interest leaving the keeper hopelessly stranded as the ball rolled across the line.

The late summer warmth of the afternoon that heralded the teams’ arrival in bright sunshine, witnessed a thundery shower during the warm up and remained sultry and overcast throughout the match, took its toll as FC seemed to settle for a healthy 5-0 scoreline.

The coaches however, had other ideas and freshened things up by first introducing Kirsty Chambers for her competitive debut; who was only denied a goal by the upright and then, striker Shellby Wolstencroft who went one better after a couple of near misses smashing her debut goal into the roof of the net to round off an impressive team display and demonstrate the quality and strength in depth possessed by this embryonic addition to the FC United family.

Played 2, won 2, for 16 against 0 - impressive stats at any level and only bettered in the Greater Manchester Women’s Football League at this early stage of the season by AFC Oldham, whose stats read: played 2, won 2, for 26 against 0. No more Sunday clashes with the first team are anticipated for a while so why not, when able, double your FC weekend dose by following the fortunes of our women’s first team in their inaugural season? Big games against early pace setters AFC Oldham and Manchester City are looming large and it promises to be an entertaining journey. Check the website for up to date match information.

Report by Rob Fullen
(with significant contributions from eye witnesses John Marsden & Kate Ramsey)


Player of the match

No2 Amy Battel - in a game witness to a strong all-round team performance, where a solid defence laid the foundations for the midfield and forwards to do the damage at the opposite end, Amy enjoyed a superb performance at right full back on her competitive debut.

Teams & scores / scorers September 9 2012:

Middleton Athletic Ladies: 0 (0)

1. Claire Jefferson
2. Shauna Hurndall
3. Rachel Jefferson
4. Joanna O’Connell
5. Danielle Zenzuon
20. Charlotte Vining
17. Chelsea Cook
8. Chantelle Henshall
9. Shevaughn Hurndall
18. Bellinda Carter
11. Gemma Booth

Subs:
12. Sam Chesters
15. Holly Golding

FC United of Manchester Women: 6 (2)

1. Amy Gillingham: Goal keeper (Captain)
2. Amy Battel: right back
3. Lucy Golding: left back - scored FC’s fourth (pen)
4. Francesca Davies: centre half
6. Jade Challender: centre half
8. Maya Germain: left midfield
10. Beth Tattersall: right midfield
12. Hayley O’Hara: centre forward - scored FC’s second
17. Beth Hayes: centre midfield - scored FC’s third and fifth
18. Claire O’Reilly: centre midfield - scored FC’s first
19. Olivia Greenhaugh: centre midfield

Subs:
5. Broghan Matthews
11. Kirsty Chambers (for No 10 later in 2nd half)
14. Jessica Wynne
20. Shellby Wolstencroft (for No 12 later in 2nd half0 - scored FC’s sixth



First Posted ~ 11:39 Mon 10 Sep 2012
News ID ~ 4419
Last Updated ~ 21:49 Thu 18 Feb 2021