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FC women share the spoils in top-of-the-table clash

It was a bright autumnal day for the clash of first v second at Heywood Sports Village, where AFC Oldham were set to provide the sternest test of FC United’s women’s team to date. Strikes by Kirsty Chambers and Beth Hayes earned a well deserved point from a robust encounter that keeps FC United at the top of the league.

The home team began the game on the front foot, creating a number of chances that Amy Gillingham dealt with admirably in the United goal. However, it was Oldham who seized the initiative around the quarter hour mark, as good work through the middle saw the ball bounce kindly in front of Lisa Wood who struck a looping half volley over Gillingham from 30 yards to draw first blood.

In true FC fashion, just a minute after conceding at one end, a fantastic ball from Beth Hayes picked out the fine run of Kirsty Chambers cutting in from the left and after taking the ball in her stride unleashed a fierce drive from the edge of the area that left the Oldham keeper with no chance and drew the scores level at 1-1. A feisty first half drew to a close with no further addition to the scoreline and everything to play for in the second 45.

FC United continued with their footballing principles in the face of mounting physicality that eventually boiled over leading to the dubious dismissal of Kirsty Chambers 15 minutes into the second half. The ten players regrouped and on 72 minutes a flighted free kick into the Oldham area found Amy Battel who caused momentary confusion in the defence as the ball squirmed through for Hayes to coolly slot her effort under the keeper from six yards to give FC United a justifiable lead.

Unfortunately the lead wasn’t to last long. Five minutes later, a through ball down the right edge of the FC area to a player suspiciously offside, was hooked across the face of goal to be headed home from close range by Oldham’s Tracey Blanchard to level the score at 2-2. Centre half Olivia Smith had to retire injured from the game following a strong challenge and joins the ranks of sidelined players and we wish her and all others a speedy return to fitness.

A bruising encounter that the squad can take a lot of positives from in what is a steep learning curve for all connected with the women’s team. The team are already looking ahead to next Sunday’s home clash with fourth placed Manchester Rovers at Broadhurst Fields, 2pm kick off. Get yourselves along to Moston as we continue to demonstrate our commitment to the area and support for the women’s game.

You can view the highlights from the game here.

Report by Rob Fullen, with acknowledgements to: Neil ’film crew’ Boothman, Jade Challender, Kate Ramsey and John Marsden.

Player of the match: On her full competitive debut, central midfielder Kayleigh Catterall was this week’s player of the match.

Teams 7 Oct 2012: Attendance: 30

FC United of Manchester 2 (1)

1. Amy Gillingham (Goalkeeper and captain)
2. Amy Battel (right back)
4. Francesca Davies (left back)
5. Broghan Matthews (centre half)
6. Olivia Smith (centre half)
7. Kayleigh Catterall (centre midfield)
17. Beth Hayes (centre midfield and goal 72 mins)
10. Beth Tattersall (right midfield)
11. Kirsty Chambers (left midfield and goal 16 mins)
12. Hayley O’Hara (centre forward)
9. Shellby Wolstencroft (centre forward)
Subs:
18. Claire O’Reilly (not used)
8. Maya Germain (for No12 65 mins)
14. Jessica Wynne (not used)
19. Olivia Greenhalgh (for No6 80 mins)

AFC Oldham Ladies: 2 (1)

Lorna Brown
Lisa Wood (goal 15 mins)
Jo Pickering
Sophie Barton
Kerrianne Cummings
Rachel Wells
Sam Miller
Leigh Carnall
Stephanie Juszczyszyn
Rachel Lawton
Lesley English

Subs:
Kelly Sessman
Emma Ingham
Tracey Blanchard (goal 77 mins)



First Posted ~ 11:46 Wed 10 Oct 2012
News ID ~ 4490
Last Updated ~ 01:52 Tue 16 Feb 2021