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FC's women score magnificent seven to cement top spot

Sun and cloud in equal measure presided over a pleasantly dry autumnal afternoon at Broadhurst as FC United’s women fired seven without reply past a resolute Manchester Rovers. First half goals provided by Amy Battel and Olivia Greenhalgh and five second half strikes from Kirsty Chambers (2), Maya Germain, Kayleigh Catterall and Amy Vyas proved too much for Rovers cementing top spot for FC United; although City move ominously into second place with a couple of games in hand following a 14-0 away thrashing of Heyside Angels.

United kicked off and within the first two minutes Kirsty Chambers, skipping past opponents with ease down the left wing, had fashioned two decent crosses that Beth Tattersall and Kayleigh Catterall respectively were unlucky not to convert. Despite another couple of chances it wasn’t until the 13th minute that FC United broke the deadlock as right full back Amy Battel profited on the overlap. Winger Beth Tattersall collected the ball from a strong challenge to release Battel whose cross-cum-shot sailed over the keeper to bounce over the line off the foot of the far post to mark her first goal for the club.

United were two up inside 20 minutes as once again another quality cross from Chambers picked out the late surge into the area from midfielder Olivia Greenhalgh who calmly slotted the ball past Amanda Hull in the Rovers goal. The remainder of the half followed a very similar pattern as FC United enjoyed the majority of possession and fashioned several chances but, to no avail as the score remained 2-0 at the break.

Manchester Rovers, in their green and white kit began second half proceedings but it was the red shirted FC United that picked up possession and continued their siege of the Rovers goal. A decent cross from the left was flicked on by the industrious Hayley O’Hara to Tattersall who just steered her shot wide at the far post. Just a minute later and five into the second half, Chambers sent in another high cross which evaded everyone on its way into the goal at the far post. If there was an element of fortune about FC’s third goal there can be no doubting the intention of left back Maya Germain who fired hard and low across the keeper from the edge of the 18 yard box to notch United’s fourth on 54 minutes.

With half an hour to go playmaker Catterall picked up the ball on the edge of the box took a touch and unleashed a fierce drive that was too hot for Hull to hold as it smashed through her palms on its way into the back of the net for United’s fifth of the afternoon.

With the game effectively won, a flurry of activity from the bench saw all four of United’s substitutes join the fray over the next 20 minutes and interspersed with the changes, Chambers collected her second of the afternoon and FC’s sixth. Good work down the right between substitute Jessica Wynne and centre half Broghan Matthews had resulted in the latter’s shot cannoning behind off the keeper’s knees. Chambers’ corner was smashed against the bar by Catterall; the loose ball finding its way back to Chambers who danced past a couple of defenders on the bye line inside the area before smashing a left foot drive past Hull at her near post from a very tight angle.

Although Rovers, largely through Rachael Myers, Rachel Grindrod and Chantelle Denby offered a couple of forays forward in the second half there was little to trouble the centre half partnership of Matthews and Fran Davies who increasingly joined in the action at the other end as FC United persevered, working the ball through and around a very resolute and organised defence at every opportunity. Just four minutes after coming on Amy Vyas, seeing her first action in several weeks following injury, latched onto a long throw from Chambers that was well left by O’Hara for Vyas to steer past Hull unchallenged on 82 minutes.

Further chances were carved out in the final minutes of the contest with Chambers and O’Hara coming closest to adding to the afternoon’s tally but Rovers held firm and the score line remained 7-0 as referee Graham Andrew, who had an excellent game, blew for time.

FC United lock horns again with Manchester Rovers next Sunday (21st) as they meet at Hough End in the League Cup; this after many of the team has participated in the Minithon down in Chorlton during the morning. Why not get along to support the club, all participants and our charity partner at the Minithon and recover on the Hough End side lines supporting our Women’s team as they strive for a place in the next round of the cup from 2pm? The next home game for FC’s women is a top of the table clash on Remembrance Sunday, 11 November v Manchester City Ladies - well worth getting that one in the diary.

Report by Rob Fullen

Player of the match: Unanimously from both teams, this week’s FC United player of the match with two goals and several assists is Kirsty Chambers.

Teams 14th Oct 2012: Attendance: 75

FC United of Manchester Women: 7 (2)

1. Amy Gillingham (Goalkeeper and captain)
2. Amy Battel (right back and goal 13 mins)
8. Maya Germain (left back and goal 54 mins)
4. Francesca Davies (centre half)
5. Broghan Matthews (centre half)
7. Kayleigh Catterall (centre midfield and goal 60 mins )
17. Beth Hayes (centre midfield)
19. Olivia Greenhalgh (centre midfield)
10. Beth Tattersall (right midfield)
11. Kirsty Chambers (left midfield and goals 50 and 66 mins)
12. Hayley O’Hara (centre forward)

Subs:
18. Claire O’Reilly (for No8 80 mins)
6. Amy Vyas (for No17 78 mins and goal 82 mins)
14. Jessica Wynne (for No 10 61 mins)
15. Adora Yau (for No19 69 mins)

Manchester Rovers Ladies FC: 0 (0)

1. Amanda Hull
2. Sonia Devons
3. Christina Constantinou (Captain)
4. Alison McGonagle
6. Rachael Myers
7. Rachel Wells
8. Rachael Brown
9. Chantelle Denby
11. Jess Heaney
12. Kath Rodgers
15. Lena Miah

Subs:


First Posted ~ 22:47 Sun 14 Oct 2012
News ID ~ 4500
Last Updated ~ 01:52 Tue 16 Feb 2021