FC United of Manchester FC United of Manchester FC United of Manchester Badge FC United of Manchester Pitch In

Women kick off their 5th season with 3-0 victory over Warrington

Women kick off their 5th season with 3-0 victory over WarringtonBroadhurst Park, bathed in early September warmth and sunshine had witnessed a fine pre season campaign and on Sunday, in front of a three figure crowd, the 3G was set to stage the opening fixture of the fifth season for FC’s Women with Warrington Wolverines providing the opposition.

Last season FC United finished runners up with Warrington in third place and United recorded a fine away victory on 15th November in Warrington but slumped to a rare home defeat in Moston a week later which leant a keen edge to this season’s opening fixture.

Despite the comfortable score line and clean sheet; courtesy of three first half goals from Olivia Gannon, Kirsty Chambers & Abbie Carrington in a blistering four minute spell mid way through the half and excellent defending and goal keeping throughout; the winning margin did flatter the home side in the final analysis.

Before kick-off there was a well observed minutes applause in memory of long term FC ‘Fan in the Hat’, Paul ‘Cav’ Cavanagh who sadly passed away in hospital last week and AFC Fylde & England Youth player, 18 year old Zoe Tynan, who tragically died in a rail accident earlier last week also.

FC Kicked off with Chambers delivering a couple of early crosses from the left but Warrington grew in confidence as an evenly matched first ten minutes elapsed. Nicola Chatterley went close for the visitors forcing a brave save at her near post by Chloe Williams and a minute later the same player saw her shot well charged down and cleared by Fran Davies.

On the quarter hour, Chambers controlled a cross in the area and lobbed Kim Jay in the Warrington goal but her effort nestled on the roof of the net. As the midpoint of a very open half approached, FC United finally broke the deadlock; Olivia Greenhalgh, rejoining the squad after three seasons away at university, slid a superb pass into the path of Chambers. The keeper dived bravely at the Captain’s feet and the ball squirmed away at an ever tightening angle. Chambers gave chase and fired the ball back across the face of goal where Olivia Gannon was rushing in to apply the decisive finish from close range.

Just two minutes later and United doubled their lead through Chambers as she collected a ball beyond the far post and half volleyed goalwards with the keeper unable to deal with the power of the shot at her near post.

Again, with United in the ascendancy, Abbie Carrington took full advantage curling her speculative shot goalwards from 35 yards with the bounce deceiving Jay in the Warrington goal as the ball went through her legs to leave the visitors with an uphill struggle and united to see out the half to go in at the break with a 3-0 lead.

A goal less second half ensued as Warrington looked the stronger side for long spells with United grateful for the interventions of their defence and positive keeping from Williams on numerous occasions with Chatterley Sam Hassall and Sophie Cowie going close for the visitors.

FC’s Gannon and Chloe Wild saw chances cleared off the line as the game ticked towards its conclusion with Danielle Xenophontos seeing her late effort trickle just past the post in the 90th minute and as referee Kevin Moore called time on the opening league encounter, all concerned with the women’s squad can reflect on a good start to the campaign.

With two away games in Liverpool coming up in the next week the Women will be back at Broadhurst Park to make their debut in the Women’s FA Cup when we play host to Bolton Wanderers on 18th September. Get yourself along to cheer the team into the next round.

Report by Rob Fullen

FC Player of the game: Fran Davies – despite the 3-0 winning margin FC’s defence and keeper had to be on top form for the full 90 minutes to keep the visitors at bay. Fran optimised the art of quality defending and Chloe Williams was also in excellent form pulling off a string of fine saves to preserve a clean sheet.

Teams 4th September 2016: Attendance: 106

FC United of Manchester Women: 3 (3)
1. Chloe Williams
17. Jess McCarrick
2. Fran Davies
5. Chelsea Patient (Capt; 2nd half)
3. Abbie Carrington (Goal 26 mins)
4. Olivia Greenhalgh
6. Mia Holden
8. Adora Yau
10. Chloe Wild
11. Kirsty Chambers (Capt; 1st half and goal 24 mins)
12. Olivia Gannon (Goal 22 mins)
Subs:
9. Danielle Xenophontos (for No6 76 mins)
14. Leah Dolan (not used)
16. Amy Vyas (not used)
19. Allisha Marsh (for No11 46 mins)
20. Beth Scholey (for No8 46 mins)

Warrington Wolverines: 0 (0)
28. Kim Jay
21. Rhian Heap
16. Gaynor Collins
4. Wendy Booth
5. Helen Dobson (Capt)
6. Laura Parkinson
19. Lauren Hood
26. Hayley Dias
23. Laura Faux
10. Nicola Chatterley
15. Sam Hassall
Subs:
7. Emma Ayrton (not used)
8. Kayd-Lise McHugh (for No21 63 mins)
11. Sophie Cowie (for No6 46 mins)
20. Gail Wilson (for No16 80 mins)

Referee: Kevin Moore
Assistant Referees: John Hampson & Jordan Dennett
Venue: Broadhurst Park, Lightbowne Road, Moston, Manchester, M40



First Posted ~ 15:09 Mon 5 Sep 2016
News ID ~ 7020
Last Updated ~ 16:00 Fri 19 Feb 2021