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

FC’s Women reach Manchester Cup Final after defeating West Didsbury & Chorlton

FC’s Women reach Manchester Cup Final after defeating West Didsbury & ChorltonFollowing a solid 3-0 victory over West Didsbury & Chorlton; for the second successive season, in parallel with the men’s team, FC’s Women reach the final of the Manchester FA Cup. Jess Battle opened the scoring in the 24th minute with debutant Chelsea Flanagan and Abbie Carrington wrapping up the result in the second half.

A statement of red intent was posted within 30 seconds of kick off as good work through midfield resulted in Fran Sullivan playing in Cara Fields who clipped a pass to the far post where Battle controlled superbly laying a pass into the stride of Sullivan who arrived to just nick the ball wide of the goal.

A good response followed from ‘West’ as they pressed and harried high up the pitch working an opening for Sophie Bracegirdle whose shot found the side netting of Gemma Jackson’s goal. Similar application from the visitors resulted in a defensive lapse being seized upon by the dangerous Chaneece Reeves whose speculative 20 yard shot crashed back off the bar with Carrington and Fran Davies combining to clear the danger.

United then began asserting themselves more productively and Lauren O’Neill did well to block a goal bound attempt from Battle before the striker eventually opened the scoring on 24 minutes. Good work down the left saw Sullivan curl a majestic effort on target with her dipping shot beating keeper Claire Jefferson before crashing off the underside of the bar and bouncing out for Battle to sweep home a half volley from 8 yards out.

On the half hour, but for the finest of margins, United almost doubled their lead as Kirsty Chambers fired across the keeper only to see her shot cannon off the inside of the far post to be scrambled away; Battle followed up and her shot was well cleared off the line with Fields snatching the rebound across goal and agonisingly beyond the post.

The visitors threatened once more through Reeves clipping a shot goalwards from the edge of the area that was well fielded by Jackson beneath her bar as the half ended with a corner to each side where respective defences acquitted themselves well.

West Didsbury & Chorlton got the second half underway and it was FC’s debutant striker joining the fray after the break who made an instant impact releasing Chambers whose powerful drive was well parried away by Jefferson. The danger was cleared up field for Lyndsey Turner to test Jackson with the FC custodian holding the ball comfortably.

In a tight encounter the next goal was always going to prove pivotal and it arrived for FC United just seconds after a ‘West’ corner was headed clear and away from danger by the imperious Davies. Not content with heading the danger out towards the right wing, the centre half charged after the ball and covering opponent preventing a throw, sliding the ball up the line to half way where Battle shielded well and surged into ‘West’s’ half spotting the run of Flanagan who outpaced the covering Ellie Caddick to loft a skilful, curling shot over the advancing Jefferson; doubling the lead on 52 minutes.

The goal noticeably affected the game’s dynamic as United visibly relaxed and dominated possession and chances with ‘West’ expending all their energies on defending; which they managed to good effect until the 89th minute when Carrington charged in to the six yard box to connect with a Sullivan corner, heading powerfully into the roof of the net and cementing United’s place in the Manchester FA Women’s Challenge Cup Final.


Next weekend, the Women venture to Bootle to face Merseyrail in the quarter finals of the Argyle (League) Cup. Another tough encounter awaits no doubt and get yourself to that football ground to cheer the girls on.
Report by Rob Fullen
FC Player of the game: Fran Davies – As always a stalwart at the back and marshalled the defence with skill and endeavour largely nullifying the West Didsbury and Chorlton threat all afternoon. This provided a platform for an excellent all round team performance and victory.

Special mentions and thanks to three players who have recently left the club, Beth Tattersall, Beth Hayes and Mia Holden all of whom go with our grateful thanks and very best wishes for the future.

Teams 18th February 2018: Attendance: 153

FC United of Manchester: 3 (1)
1. Gemma Jackson
2. Fran Davies
3. Abbie Carrington (Goal 89 mins)
17. Jess McCarrick
12. Fliss Winter
4. Olivia Greenhalgh
18. Cara Fields
7. Fran Sullivan
8. Rebecca Foster
10. Beth Tattersall
11. Kirsty Chambers (Capt)
9. Jess Battle (Goal 24 mins)
Subs:
6. Mia Holden (For No7 90+1 mins)
10. Chelsea Flanagan (for No12 46 mins) (Goal 52 mins)
13. Gemma Jackson (GK)
14. Amy Vyas (for No10 70 mins)
15. Jennifer Lomax (for No18 85 mins)

West Didsbury & Chorlton FC: 0 (0)
1. Claire Jefferson
10. Ellie Caddick
4. Lyndsey Turner
6. Elizabeth Livesey
7. Lauren O’Neill
8. Chaneece Reeves
15. Sophie Bracegirdle
17. Shauna Edmondson (Capt)
18. Jamila Hodges
21. Vicky Kerr
12. Emily Croasdale
Subs:
2. Debbie Price (for No8 68 mins)
3. Joanna Turner
5. Natalie Callaghan (for No6 81 mins)
9. Leigh McFadyen (for No4 57 mins)
16. Amayha Hanley (for No15 86 mins)

Referee: Justin Walton
Asst Referee: Declan Dunn
Asst Referee: Lee Robinson
Venue: Broadhurst Park, Lightbowne Road, Moston, Manchester M40
Official FC photography by Mark Lee
Film Footage & Historical Stats from Neil Boo
Social Media Updates from Mikey Partington

Match Stats by Paul Hinson from: www.liveteamstats.com
FC United stats first column:
Goals: 3.............0
Shots on target: 13...........5
Shots off target: 11...........4
Corners: 8.............3
Completed Passes: 337........110
Possession: 75%.......25%

‘Stats the way I like it’ historical Stats and Facts from Neil Boo:

- Crowd pleaser: In 125 competitive games for FC’s Women since forming in 2012, today’s attendance takes us through the combined 10,000 crowd barrier; averaging just over 80 per game. This season our average is 109, our best ever and first in three figures.
- Clean Sheet: today was the first clean sheet in a cup tie against West Didsbury & Chorlton (previously Chorltonians) having suffered two previous defeats and one other victory.
- Scoring Debut: Chelsea Flanagan becomes the 7th FC debutant scorer from the bench and the 23rd debutant scorer overall.
- Scoring Charts: Jess Battle’s strike today places her 3rd on the all time scoring list for FC’s Women behind Shellby Wolstencroft and Kirsty Chambers.
- Appearance Charts: Beth Hayes and Beth Tattersall, both having left us very recently, are joint 7th on the all time appearances list with 73 outings each. Well played and thanks to you both.







First Posted ~ 13:28 Wed 21 Feb 2018
News ID ~ 7792
Last Updated ~ 16:00 Fri 19 Feb 2021