County Ladies made it double delight for the Hatters this weekend, beating local rivals FC United of Manchester 3-0 in front of a record crowd at Edgeley Park.
737 supporters were in attendance on Sunday as the Ladies team returned to Edgeley Park for the first time in almost two years – smashing the previous record of 310 set against Leeds United in 2022.
Those in attendance witnessed a dominant display from Steve O’Hara’s side, who were 2-0 up at the break thanks to two well-taken goals from Levi Rathburn before captain, Kenedy Owen rounded off the victory in stoppage time.
County made just one change from the side that drew 1-1 at promotion-chasing Barnsley last time out, as striker Kenzie Bentley came in for Jess Gillin, who dropped to the bench.
Faye Bowness started in goal behind a back four of Em Lysons, Fran Davies, Olivia Wilson and Lily Weston. Goalscorers Rathburn and Owen were in midfield alongside Olivia Greenhalgh, with Bentley, Harriet Houghton and Emma Bradshaw forming an attacking front trio for the Hatters.
Faye Bowness started in goal behind a back four of Em Lysons, Fran Davies, Olivia Wilson and Lily Weston. Goalscorers Rathburn and Owen were in midfield alongside Olivia Greenhalgh, with Bentley, Harriet Houghton and Emma Bradshaw forming an attacking front trio for the Hatters.
Looking to impress on home turf, County started the game on the front foot, Houghton coming close on 12 minutes as she got on the end of Lyson’s cut-back and poked an effort goalward, but into the gloves of goalkeeper Sophie Donald.
The breakthrough goal eventually came on 26 minutes, and it was a strike worthy of the occasion from midfielder, Rathburn. Good pressure initially from Houghton saw County win the ball back high up the pitch, with Levi unleashing a dipping effort from 20 yards that sailed over the head of Donald in goal to give County a deserved lead.
The first half continued with County dominating the ball, but still looking to make it count against a stubborn FC United side currently rooted to the bottom of the table.
The second goal finally arrived eight minutes before the break, another good move down the right-hand side leading to Bradshaw cutting back hard and low for Rathburn, who arrived late in the box to pick out the top corner – another brilliant finish to give O’Hara’s side some breathing space.
Half-Time: County 2-0 FC United of Manchester (Rathburn, 26’, 37’)
The start of the second half was something of a slow burner, with a County backline led by Davies dealing comfortably with anything that FC United threw at them.
It was the substitutions of manager Steve O’Hara around the hour mark that reignited County’s spark, with Gillin and fellow sub Chloe Fisher both coming on to great effect up front.
Another substitute, Gemma Lancaster, came close when heading Owen’s free-kick into the gloves of the goalkeeper, before Fisher sent an effort from range swerving just over the crossbar.
Gillin was then denied by Donald after racing in behind the FC United back line, before Fisher came close to grabbing what would have been the goal of the game, and potentially the goal of the season.
Getting on the end of a long ball into the penalty area, the forward brought the ball down beautifully on her chest, before hitting a stunning volley on the turn that cannoned back off the crossbar with the goalkeeper nowhere near it.
County were creating chances every time they came forward at this stage, Fisher finding her route to goal blocked again by Donald before the skipper made sure of the points in stoppage time.
Stepping forward from midfield to intercept a loose ball out from the back, Owen drove towards goal before arrowing an effort across the goalkeeper and into the bottom corner to cap a perfect afternoon, and weekend, at Edgeley Park.
The Ladies are back in action at Stockport Sports Village on Wednesday night as they take on Chorley in the FA Women’s National League Division One North, before a big Cheshire Cup semi-final against Crewe Alexandra at SSV this Sunday.
