Salford Ladies Football Club

Salford Ladies 3 - 1 Mossley Hill

Salford entertained newly promoted Mossley Hill on a windy Sunday afternoon at the Salford Sports Village. The away side had made an impressive start to the season with a 4 - 1 win away to Wakefield, and a good point away to Stockport County.

Salford were forced into a number of changes before the match much to the frustration of the Manager. Salford started the game, playing against a strong wind. The home side were a little subdued in the early exchanges, but still maintained control of the match with good possession football. After some quality interplay between debutants Michelle Lee and Michelle Wilkinson, Salford broke down the right flank. Michelle Ryan cut the ball back only for Michelle Wilkinson to stab wide when it looked a certain goal.

Mossley rarely threatened, but after a poor pass in the Salford defence the Mossley Hill forward was left one on one with the keeper. The forward kept her cool and slotted in the opener. 0 - 1.

Salford replied instantly. A cross from the right was bravely converted with the head by Michelle Ryan. The perfect response. 1 - 1.

The home sides confidence grew as they began to settle the match down, creating several half chances, but couldn't find the killer finish to give themselves the lead before the break. Half Time 1 - 1.

Salford started the second half brightly, pegging back the visitors and maintaining possession in their opponnets half. Isha Mundell picked up the ball in the Mossley defensive third and after wriggling through a couple of challenges turned and lofted a shot into the top corner of the net to give Salford a deserved lead. 2 - 1.

The home side continued to mount pressure on Mossley, but the visitors couldn't respond. Salford were just too strong.

A poor clearance by the Mossley defense could only find Chelsea Scholes who struck a first time thirty yard shot into the top corner of the goal. A fantastic finish. 3 - 1.

There was no way back now for the away team as Salford continued to dominate. Several chances were squandered by the home side as they tried in vain to add to their lead. Full Time 3 - 1. 

Phillips 7, Meredith 7, Wynn 10, Owen 7, Havelin 7, Howden 7(O'Connor 8), Lee 7(Daly 7), Scholes 8, Wilkinson 7(Mundell 8), Ryan 8, Cain 7.

 Player of The Match
Abbie Wynn

Match Summary
Salford started slowly but once the home side drew level there was only going to be one winner. A comfortable win in the end.

Stockport County 0 - 1 Salford Ladies

With tensions still high from last weeks meeting between the two teams, a tough and highly competetive match was expected and Salford would have to match their opponents in every aspect to gain any advantage.

Salford were eager to put the home side on the back foot right from the start and opened the match at blistering pace. Passing, moving, and picking holes in a stuttering Stockport defence.

With five minutes on the clock, a deflected shot earnt Salford a corner. Alicia Cain delivered a perfect cross for Salford to attack to which Abbie Wynn obliged. Powering the header into the roof of the net, giving the keeper no chance. 0 - 1

Salford continued to pile on the pressure, Michelle Ryan scuffing a shot just wide, Alicia Cain dragged her shot across the goal and Isha Mundell could only watch the keeper parry her shot away.

Michelle Ryan broke through the home side's defence and was one on one with the keeper. But the Salford forward miscued her shot and the lofted effort bobbled harmlessly wide.

Another Salford corner, this time Stockport cleared, only as far as the edge of the box where Isha Mundell picked up the loose ball and drilled a hard low shot towards goal. Three Stockport players managed to throw themselves in front of the ball and successfully block the forwards effort and desperately clear the ball. Half Time 0 - 1.

The second half kicked off and Stockport looked brighter of the two teams.The home side began to grow in confidence and force Salford in to making errors.

Salford were under pressure for the early start of the half but to the travelling side's credit they managed to contain the home team and restrict Stockport to the occasional shot from long range.

Rosie Havelin came close to scoring, with a looping shot which just crept over the cros bar.

Stockport won a corner which was excellently delivered and met by an attacking header which was heading for the back of the net. Somehow Fay Abrehart managed to clear the ball off the line with a magnificent header away from goal to keep Salford in the lead.

Moments later a snap shot from the Stockport winger was superbly saved by the Salford keeper Joanne Phillips. The pressure began to mount on Salford.

Salford picked their game up, as Alicia Cain came close with a free kick as did Abbie Wynn.

Chelsea Scholes blazed over the bar and Isha Mundell saw her shot narrowly go wide of the post.

Salford held out for a hard fought well earned victory over rivals Stockport, the home side pushed hard as expected but were never a match for Salford on the night. 0 - 1.
Full Time 0 - 1. 

Phillips 8, Meredith 7, Abrehart 8, Owen 7, O'Connor 10, Wynn 7, Havelin 7, Scholes 7, Mundell 7, Ryan 9( Hollins 7), Cain 7( Lee 7).

 Player of The Match
Charlotte O'Connor

Match Summary
A tough test for Salford in their first away trip of the season. Never the less another deserved win. A professional no nonsense performance.