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A tough test for FC’s Women in pre season opener for new boss Kamran Hussain

A tough test for FC’s Women in pre season opener for new boss Kamran Hussain Mid July saw the start of a new season and indeed era for FC United’s Women under the new management of Kamran Hussain replacing Luke Podmore who resigned after the spectacular Argyle Cup Final victory over Stockport County back in May.

As with any pre season, there are comings and goings in terms of playing personnel and today proved no exception with three players lining up for the first time in FC United colours and one more, Lucy Golding, playing for the club for the first time since September 2012. In respect of goings, Liv Greenhalgh was lining up for Burnley against FC today which was strange for all concerned, not least Liv I’m sure.

Burnley, who sit two divisions higher than FC United and have invested heavily in new players this pre season, many from clubs higher up the pyramid and ultimately finished the game as 4-2 victors, leading 1-0 at half time adding another on 79 minutes sparking a flurry of late goals, as the game became stretched.
Shauna Jein halved the deficit on 88 minutes after Ruth Whipp targeted Samantha Ball with a long throw into the Burnley area, Ball flicking on skilfully to Jein who connected superbly to fire home from six yards.

Just a minute later Burnley attacked swiftly from the restart cutting through to that point, a resolute FC defence, with a combination of slick passes to restore their two goal lead. However, straight from the restart, in the 90th minute, Samantha Ball spotted the Burnley keeper off her line and lofted a superb effort from half way that the back peddling keeper could only help into her own net as she was stretching backwards. The deficit was back to just one goal once again.

The referee played two minutes of added time and some superb individual skill saw Burnley score from close range to restore their two goal cushion in the last significant action of a great work out, in humid conditions, for both sides.

Most sides usually begin pre season with a straight forward fixture, but FC’s Women are not most sides and whilst results at this stage do not matter of course, Kamran will have learnt a lot from the performance of his side against illustrious and ambitious opposition. Next Sunday there will be no fixture as the Club will be holding trials at Broadhurst Park to supplement the remaining experienced core of last season’s squad. The first home friendly will be against Doncaster Belles on 4th August and please keep an eye on social media and the website for confirmation of other fixtures.

Report by Rob Fullen

FC Player of the game: Chloe Ainsworth – A string of superb saves throughout the game kept FC in touch with their higher placed opposition and Chloe could do nothing about the goals scored against her as all were crafted and taken very well.

Teams 14th July 2019: Attendance: 108

FC United of Manchester: 2 (0)
1. Chloe Ainsworth
2. Fran Davies
3. Emily Marsh
15. Ruth Whipp
4. Samantha Ball
6. Cara Fields
7. Corie Mather
8. Kate O’Gara
20. Lucy Golding
14. Yvette Loukes
11. Kirsty Chambers (Capt)
Subs:
12. Shaunna Jein (for No7 46 mins)
16. Lucy Ashworth (for No3 46 mins)

Roll on Roll off:
On No3 for No15 55 mins
On No7 for No11 60 mins
On No11 for No8 67 mins
On No8 for No6 70 mins
On No6 for No4 79 mins
On No15 for No12 79 mins
On No4 for No7 84 mins
On No12 for No20 85 mins

Burnley Ladies FC: 4 (1)
Not known other than Olivia Greenhalgh of course.

Official FC photography by Mark Lee
Film Footage from Neil Boo









First Posted ~ 11:15 Mon 15 Jul 2019
News ID ~ 8439
Last Updated ~ 16:00 Fri 19 Feb 2021