SENIORS Stockport County Ladies home match to league leaders and champions-elect Rochdale Ladies was switched to an unfamiliar grass pitch at Stockport Georgians FC rather than the familiar 3G surface at Woodley.
County's unbeaten league run stretched back to September 27and Rochdale's September 6. County drew first blood on nine minutes with a superb strike from outside the penalty area by Vicky McConnell, who saw the ball loop over the keeper's head and into the net.
County keeper Laura Bowater had to make two crucial saves in quick succession as Rochdale came in search of the equaliser; firstly she came off best in a one-on-one with the attacker bearing down on goal having cut through the County defence, then having to use both hands to palm away a swirling shot which looked destined for the top corner for save number two. Both sides carved out more chances before the break but neither side could find the quality finish to beat two keepers in fine form.
Rochdale came out for the second half all-guns-blazing as County had done in the first, and scored after four minutes with a well-struck drive that left keeper Bowater stranded. Worse was to come for County as, on the hour, Rochdale were awarded a penalty which they duly converted to take the lead, 2-1.
County enjoyed a 10-minute spell when it looked as if the equaliser could be on the cards but instead suffered a set-back on 76 minutes when a long-range shot swirled in the wind and into the top corner to give the Hatters an uphill task to save something from the game that their efforts deserved.
A late challenge on Vicky McConnell saw the referee award a free-kick just outside the corner of the penalty area, Vicky took the kick and, reminiscent of Beckham, curled it into the top corner for her second of the match in the 80th minute (photo courtesy of Gary Gomersall).
Sadly for County, try as they might, the equaliser proved elusive and they suffered their first league defeat in almost six months.
Next Sunday (March 21), County play hosts at Woodley Sports FC to Crewe Alexandra Ladies FC in a mouth-watering Cheshire Cup semi-final clash, kick-off 2pm FREE admission.
The Reserves faced Manchester Rovers for the second time in three weeks, and goals from Emily Maher, Jemma Pratt and Cheryl Burns gave them a 3-0 win and an eight-point lead at the top of Division 2 (East) with three games to play.
HNR's match to Oldham Athletic was abandoned after 52 minutes.
JUNIORS Hillgate Blues postponed the County Under-16s group match in the League Cup for the 2nd time to add to their backlog of fixtures.
After back-to-back wins, the Under-15s lost away to Rochdale Ladies, Jodie Moir and Laura Dunn scoring both County goals in a 3-2 defeat. Charlotte Salt was player of the match.
The Under-13s, Under-12s and Under-11s DMS all had a day-off whilst County Under-11s enjoyed a resounding defeat of Poynton, 6-1. Leading 4-0 at half time thanks to Rebecca Ollerenshaw, Leahanna Jones, player of the match Hannah Bardsley and Melissa Baxter, who christened her new boots, County added two second-half strikes, both from Rebecca for her first hat-trick of the season.
Although there is still plenty of football left to be played this season, (thanks to the snow!) we are now looking ahead to next season and invite potential new players to come along and enjoy training with us at Woodley Sports FC, Neil Rourke Stadium, Lambeth Grove, Woodley SK6 1QX. We need more players to supplement existing squads and to help create new ones.
Coaching sessions take place every Wednesday; Under-8 to Under-13s from 6 -7.30pm, Under-14s to 16s from 7.30 - 9pm. We also have opportunities for young coaches who have passed, or are working towards, gaining their Level 1 Coaching Award.
For more details please visit our website:
www.stockportcountyladiesfc.co.uk or contact Audrey on 0161 612-5005 or
audrey_porteous@sky.com
