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FC's Women come from behind to clinch victory ending Bootle's 29 game unbeaten run

FC’s Women come from behind to clinch victory ending Bootle’s 29  game unbeaten runOn Remembrance Sunday 2012, FC’s women famously defeated Manchester City 3-2 on the boggy parkland they called home back then; Broadhurst Playing Fields. Three years later Merseyrail Bootle, second in the league and on an incredible unbeaten run stretching back over 12 months, visited our state of the art facilities at Broadhurst Park and suffered a similar fate as FC United, 2-1 down at half time, came back to win 3-2.

Five of the squad who featured in the 2012 Remembrance Day derby played in this year’s fixture, two of whom, Beth Hayes and Shellby Wolstencroft, scored on Sunday sandwiching a debut goal from the returning Jade Parker who originally left FC in 2014 for a spell at Preston NE. Hayes slotted home a 10th minute penalty with Rachel Atherton equalising for the visitors on the half hour and the skilful Alice Whorton giving the blues the lead just before half time. Parker and Wolstencroft scored on 51 and 61 minutes respectively to seal a valuable third successive home league win.

After a respectful minute of silence, Bootle got the game underway in a stiffening breeze that carried more than a hint of rain. Aimee Cooke perfectly timed her tackle as Whorton threatened down the left and FC launched an attack of their own as Parker centred from the left with Leah Hartshorne and Kirsty Chambers challenging the visitors defence as the loose ball strayed to the edge of the area; Beth Scholey tried to thread a ball back into the danger area, her pass intercepted by a defenders hand and cleared away with the referee waving away strong penalty claims from the United players.

A late challenge on Adora Yau left her crumpled inside her own half as the ball broke to Parker, storming down the right. With the referee playing advantage, Parker squared to Wolstencroft, who under pressure fired over from 18 yards. Yau required treatment and was unable to continue as Hayes took to the field in her place; her first telling contribution, to slot home a penalty as Wolstencroft was tripped whilst jinking through the area.

Staging a good response to falling behind, the visitors were back on terms on the half hour after a deep cross from the left cleared the FC defence and was cleverly steered beyond Chloe Williams by Rachel Atherton. United weren’t phased by the visitors’ growing influence on the game and Chelsea Patient led the charge forward from defence with Hayes striking the bar from range and Scholey forcing Danni Platt into a good save.

However, Bootle were to have the last say in a gripping first half as Jess Hindley drifted right to left along the edge of the area, squaring to Whorton who touched the ball beyond her defender and fired a low drive across Williams into the bottom corner from just inside the box, three minutes from the break.

The second half was a tense and altogether scrappier affair than the preceding 45 minutes but was punctuated by moments of brilliance from both teams. On 51 minutes, a short clearance from Platt was headed back over the top of the visitors defence by Wolstencroft and Parker, timing her run perfectly reached the ball a fraction before the keeper, guiding her effort into the unguarded net to bring FC back on terms.

Ten minutes later, in an copy cat replay of the United equaliser, as this time Hayes returned another short clearance into the danger zone and Wolstencroft, provider turned poacher, caught Platt in two minds cheekily lobbing the keeper from 15 yards to give the reds a deserved 3-2 lead.

A nervy half hour followed by 6 minutes added time ensued and despite significant pressure from Bootle United held firm to see the game out to record a significant victory and send a strong message to the rest of the league that Broadhurst will be no easy place to visit. The result was well received by the vocal FC contingent in an excellent, appreciative crowd as the teams were warmly applauded from the pitch.

FC United’s Women are back on the road next Sunday, 15th November, to face Warrington Wolverines with the reverse fixture taking place at Broadhurst a week later. The extra support today against Bootle made a really positive difference and is always much appreciated by the squad and coaches.

Report by Rob Fullen

FC Player of the game: Jess McCarrick – in a match where everyone played their part against tough opposition, the defence in particular needed to be and were on top of their game and Jess, playing left back just edged out her defensive comrades.

Teams 8th November 2015: Attendance: 83

FC United of Manchester Women: 3 (1)
1. Chloe Williams
4. Aimee Cooke
2. Fran Davies
5. Chelsea Patient
17. Jess McCarrick
10. Jade Parker (Goal 51mins)
8. Adora Yau
18. Leah Hartshorne
20. Beth Scholey
11. Kirsty Chambers (Capt)
9. Shellby Wolstencroft (Goal 61mins)

Subs:
7. Beth Hayes (for No8 9mins and goal 14mins [Pen])
12. Jess Tonge (not used)
14. Millie Day (not used)
15. Hannah Dobie (for No10 78mins)
16. Charlie Evans (not used)

Merseyrail Bootle: 2 (2)
31. Danni Platt
2. Devon Riley
3. Lauren Williams
4. Tess Littler (Capt)
5. Rachel Atherton (Goal 30mins)
6. Jess Muirhead
17. Alice Whorton (Goal 42mins)
8. Jess Hindley
16. Gemma Lancaster
19. Rachel Miranda
11. Allisha Busby
Subs:
7. Emily Swindles (for No18 78mins)
10. Siobhan Cliff (for No19 53mins)
12. Danielle Riley (not used)
27. Meghan Westerside (not used)

Referee: Ollie Noonan
Venue: Broadhurst Park, Moston, M40

Match stats courtesy of Paul Hinson; United’s first:
Goals: 3 to 2
Shots on target: 9 to 4
Shots off target: 10 to 7
Corners: 5 to 2
Free kicks: 7 to 12
Possession: 54% to 46%


First Posted ~ 12:00 Thu 12 Nov 2015
News ID ~ 6502
Last Updated ~ 16:00 Fri 19 Feb 2021