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FC's Women in historic 23-1 Victory + HIGHLIGHTS



A five week enforced absence from competitive action only served to fuel a prolific backlash as FC’s Women recorded their highest ever victory and the joint highest ‘goals scored in a game’ record in the three year history of the Greater Manchester Women’s Football League when Atherton Ladies best Oldham Athletic 23-0 in October 2011.

Regular Captain Kirsty Chambers graciously handed the armband to Vice Captain Fran Davies who was playing her 23rd out of a possible 24 competitive games for the club and making a final appearance after taking a job as an air hostess, initially based in Dubai. Fran jets off at the end of the month with all our best wishes and grateful thanks for a priceless contribution to the development of the Women’s game at FC United.

Half time saw the Red’s leading 10-1 against the 11 players from Heyside. The game finished with 10 players against 7 resulting in a final score line of 23 -1: Kirsty Chambers notching 6; Jade Parker 4; a hatrick for Fran Davies; Lizzie Evans and Charlie Evans with 2 each, supplemented by single strikes from Shellby Wolstencroft, Gail Pennington, Beth Tattersall, Tasha Rowe, Aimee Cooke and Adora Yau. FC’s regular goal keeper problem still persists and a combination of Yau and Wolstencroft provided cover during the game in which both scored but not whilst on keeper duty.

The onslaught began in the fifth minute as Lizzie Evans converted following a delightful turn and pass by Kaya Janny and just a minute later Chambers fired hard and fast across Morgan Leach in the Heyside goal to double the FC lead. The 15th and 16th minutes saw Parker beating the offside trap and slotting her first of the afternoon past Leach before Lizzie Evans bagged her brace after a fantastic run and cross by Tattersall found the striker unmarked on the penalty spot to fire home unerringly. Parker and Chambers notched the next two in the 20th and 21st minutes before Heyside pulled one back just before the half hour. Rachel Davies picked up the loose ball as Chelsea Patient slipped in defence, leaving her unchallenged to clip the ball over the advancing Yau. FC pressed on - Janny and Pennington worked the ball out of defence and over to the right wing where two Angels clashed with each other on half way leaving Tattersall a free run on goal and she made no mistake slotting the ball past Leach for United’s 7th. Jade Parker scored her third as she returned a weak goal kick with interest and as the half neared its conclusion a great weaving run from half way by Wolstencroft saw her break beyond the defence to confidently despatch her shot for a 9-1 lead. In the 45th minute, Pennington carried the ball into the area where she was unceremoniously tripped and Referee Kevin Kay had no hesitation in awarding the penalty. The crowd called for Davies to take the kick and she duly obliged by firing her effort directly at Leach who couldn’t believe her luck. However a retake was ordered after encroachment and this time Davies made no mistake sparking an emotional celebration as the half was brought to an end. Heyside’s Rachel Davies was dismissed after the half time whistle and the Angels were reduced to ten from the start of the second half.

Heyside kicked off and United looked to carry on where they had left off but were guilty of missing three excellent chances within two minutes of the restart. However on 51 minutes Chambers squared along the bye line for Cooke to slide in and convert from very close range. Just a minute later and Tattersall was through on goal but being pulled back by Heyside’s Laura Beswick who saw red for her cynical attempt to prevent a goal scoring chance. Unfortunately Tattersall retaliated to the provocation leaving the referee no option but to dismiss her also. Up stepped Davies to take the penalty which was straight at Leach once again. No real harm done as Parker once more beat the offside trap before rounding the keeper to notch her fourth of the afternoon. Pennington scored the 13th with a well placed shot in off the underside of the bar in the top corner and Davies, now playing up front side footed the 14th home on 58 minutes before completing her hatrick on the hour with the dexterity of a seasoned striker, firing confidently past Leach whilst under pressure from a defender 8 yards out. Charlie Evans, growing into the right wing berth with every passing minute scored from close range following unselfish work by Chambers who herself went on a personal rampage scoring three goals in 4 minutes. Using her pace to break past the Angel’s backline and score twice in rapid succession before scoring from halfway after Leach had travelled forward to make up the numbers in the FC box for a rare corner. Wolstencroft, now in the FC goal, spotted the opportunity for a quick break clearing cleverly up field for Chambers to put enough pace on her shot to keep it just ahead of the retreating keeper all the way into the back of the net. Rowe fired into the roof of the net from close range for FC’s 20th before Chambers engineered her 6th of the afternoon inside the final ten minutes. Charlie Evans scored her second with a well struck half volley before Adora Yau wrapped up the goal fest slotting home the 23rd and final strike of an extraordinary afternoon.

As the light faded Fran was presented with a framed signed shirt and enjoyed a photo call with her team mates and a host of fans whilst, sitting silently in the back ground through the leafless tree line, the arms of two giant diggers reposing on the site of FC’s new home, embraced the historic Broadhurst scene.

Report by Rob Fullen

Player of the game: A difficult one this in such a dominant performance where all played their part and in particular Kirsty Chambers and Jade Parker were excellent all afternoon; but, in the context of the game the award goes to Fran Davies, a deserved hatrick heroine in her final appearance.

Teams 24th November 2013: Attendance: 40

FC United of Manchester Women: 23(10)
1. Adora Yau (Goal keeper and goal as an outfield player 85mins)
2. Aimee Cooke (right back and goal 51mins)
4. Gail Pennington (left back and goal 55mins)
5. Fran Davies (Captain, centre half and goals 45 (Pen), 58 & 60mins)
3. Chelsea Patient (centre half)
9. Jade Parker (centre midfield and goals 15,20,41 & 54mins)
12. Kaya Janny (centre midfield)
7. Beth Hayes (centre midfield)
10. Beth Tattersall (right midfield and goal 31mins) (Red Card 52 mins)
11. Kirsty Chambers (left midfield and goals 6,21,67,67,71 & 82mins)
15. Lizzie Evans (centre forward and goals 5 & 15mins)

Subs:
6. Tasha Rowe (for No9 70mins and goal 80mins)
16. Charlie Evans (for No15 46mins and goals 65 & 84mins)
14. Hannah White (for No12 67mins)
18. Leah Hartshorne (for No3 69mins)
17. Shellby Wolstencroft (for No7 38mins and goal 43mins – swapped places with A. Yau 61mins)
Roll on Roll Off changes:
On No7 for No4 76mins

Heyside Angels Ladies: 1 (1)
1. Morgan Leach
16. Laura Beswick (Red Card 52mins)
4. Lucy Shaylor (Captain)
7. Jessica Bromley
12. Anna Allport
9. Jennifer Smith (Red Card 85mins)
14. Danielle Martin
3. Rebbecca Smith
5. Rachel Davies (goal 28mins and Red Card 46mins)
8. Michelle Hewitt
11. Helen Clayton

Subs:
None available

Stats courtesy of Paul Hinson: liveteamstats.com
FC United: Shots on target 38, off target 13, corners 7, possession 58% and pass completion 73%
Heyside: Shots on target 1, off target 0, corners 1, possession 42% and pass completion 57%



First Posted ~ 22:29 Sun 24 Nov 2013
News ID ~ 5208
Last Updated ~ 01:52 Tue 16 Feb 2021