Salford Put To The Test By Liverpool
Salford travelled to Liverpool with last seasons early F.A. Cup exit at the hands of the hosts fresh in their minds.
Salford started brightly, putting Liverpool on the back foot from the start. Salford struck first blood after some good work down the left flank. Isha Mundell eased past two defenders, cut inside and from the edge of the area fired a shot, hard and low toward the Liverpool goal. The home side’s keeper some how managed to get a hand to the ball but could only parry to the feet of Sarah Howden who followed up brilliantly to smash in the rebound and give Salford the lead, 1-0. Salford began to sit back and invite pressure which suited the home team who deservedly equalized after a misjudged tackle by the Salford defender left the Liverpool forward one on one with the Salford keeper Joanne Phillips who was helpless to deny the forward the goal, 1-1.
Liverpool began to take control of the game putting more and more pressure on the travelling team. Salford tried to get their passing game flowing but with no success. Continuously playing the ball long, and as the half drew to a close the Salford frustration began to show. In truth the away side were lucky to be going in level at half time. Half Time 1-1.
Salford began the second half nervously. Ten minutes into the half a much needed change was made by the away side who were lacking tempo. Instantly the game changed with Salford going on the attack. Abbie Wynn played a neat pass through to Caroline Price who cut in from the right flank, with a lack of support the Salford forward had one option, to go for goal, and what a finish it was, the Liverpool keeper had no chance and Salford took the lead, 1-2. The balance of power began to change as Salford started to take control of the game. Moments later Sarah Howden’s neat pass through the Liverpool defence left Caroline Price one on one with the keeper, once again the forward clinically finished to extend the away side’s lead, 1-3. Salford never looked like letting up from that point and continuously caught Liverpool on the counter attack, with Isha Mundell coming closest to adding a fourth only to see her shot drag past the post. Full Time 1-3.
Player of the Match
Charlotte O’Connor
Solid performance from the Salford defender, who stood toe to toe with the opposition and battled to the final whistle.
Match Rating
Phillips J (6), Daly C (7), Mundell I (7), Wakefield L (6), Abrehart F (7), O'Connor (9)*
Howden S (7), Harrop C (7), Price C (8), Wynn A (7), Newman L (5)
Subs: Llewellyn C (6)
