Match Report: Points shared in Manchester
FA Women’s National League Division One North: FC United of Manchester Women vs Norton & Stockton Ancients Ladies
Norton hit the road for the second consecutive league game. The opening games saw Norton draw 0-0 with Middlesbrough while the hosts FC United suffered a 7-1 home defeat to Doncaster. Both teams also suffered defeats in the cup last week to higher league opposition.
Norton had a number of players returning after missing out last week. Kelsie Moore returned in goal, Georgia Rae and Kate McGuire came back into to the back three and both Sophie Tierney and Sophie White returned to the midfield. FC United were relegated from the National League two seasons ago but in that season they beat Norton both home and away by the same scoreline; 2-0 in both games.
The game was even in the first 15 minutes with both teams having spells with the ball but neither side creating any chances. Norton were sloppy in possession and were giving the ball away in attacking areas allowing FC the chance to counter attack but the back three of McGuire, Burton and Rae defended well preventing any shots other than a couple from long range that were easily dealt with by Kelsie Moore. At the other end Norton won a free kick in a very dangerous position. Up stepped Katie Ormerod but her tame effort was easily dealt with by the FC ‘keeper.
FC were first to most of the balls and seemed like the team that wanted to win more but they could find no way to carve out any chances. Norton continued to give the ball away and were becoming more frustrated the longer the half went on.
Norton then won a corner and Burton won the header to put it goalwards but FC managed to scramble it clear.
Next big chance came Norton’s way. A Vicki Burton free kick was flicked on by Anna McArthur into the path of Ash Coyle but Ash Coyle volleyed the chance over the bar. The assistant referee had his flag up to spare Coyle’s blushes.
Half Time: FC United of Manchester Women 0-0 Norton & Stockton Ancients Ladies
Norton sent the same team out for the second half looking for an improved performance from the first. Norton had the first chance when a quick throw sent Chloe West running down the wing. West cut inside but her tame shot was easily dealt with by the FC ‘keeper.
55 minutes in and Norton made a change with Maddie Myers replacing Sophie Tierney. Anna McArthur went into the middle three and Myers went up top. Myers almost made an immediate impact. She raced onto a through ball and fired a low shot that was tipped wide by the FC keeper for a Norton corner.
Norton made another change with Kate McSorley replacing Ash Coyle. McArthur moved back along side Myers, Katie Ormerod moved wide and Kate McSorley moved into the middle three. With the game being a midfield battle both FC and Norton had a few shots from distance but neither side caused either keeper any problems.
Norton had another big chance when a Burton free kick found Myers completely unmarked 8 yards out but Myers was unable to the ball and the chance went begging.
With 10 minutes remaining Maddie Myers had the biggest chance of the game. Myers raced onto a through ball and was one on one with the FC keeper. Myers broke into the penalty area and as she tried to roll it into the corner, put it agonisingly wide instead.
Minutes later Norton won another free kick in a good position. Burton stepped up again but her effort was easily saved by the FC ‘keeper.
Despite a lot of good chances Norton almost came away with nothing when a long ball caught the Norton defence napping and the FC forward looked to be in on goal but Kelsie Moore was quick off her line and won the 50/50 challenge with the FC forward and the danger was cleared.
Full Time: FC United of Manchester Women 0-0 Norton & Stockton Ancients Ladies
Norton Team: Kelsie Moore, Izzy McEwen, Ash Coyle (Kate McSorley 62’), Vicki Burton, Georgia Rae, Kate McGuire, Sophie Tierney (Maddie Myers 55’), Sophie White, Chloe West, Anna McArthur, Katie Ormerod
Subs Unused: Jess Robinson
Player of the Match: Sophie White