From the start Salford were eager to hit the ground running,and play on the front foot. moving the ball forward trying to give the strikers plenty to feed off. It didn't take long for the home side to break down the oppositions defence. Wave after wave of attack rained down on the Stockport goal, which the visiting side's keeper, to the home side's spporters frustration was equal to. Finally the breakthrough. Thirty minutes in and a long punt forward by the Salford keeper skillfully brought under control by Caroline Price who cleverly found strike partner Alicia Cain who clinically finished first time past the unfortunate Stockport keeper. 1 - 0.
Salford continued to pile on the pressure with the away side pegged back in their own half it was only a matter of time before a second goal came. With some neat football in the Salford defence, the ball found its way to Abbie Wynn who's exquisite pass pierced the Stockport rear guard yet again for Alicia Cain to gather and deliver a quality cross from the right flank across the face of goal for Caroline Price to tap in Salford's second. 2 - 0.
The home side continued to flood forward creating more opportunities only to be thwarted by the continuously impressive Stockport keeper. The visitors were hanging on as the half time whistle couldn't come quick enough. HALF TIME 2 - 0
The second half kicked off where the first had finished. Salford continued to dominate with still no threat from Stockport. The home side continued to pass and move. Creating more and more chances but still the away side's keeper kept Stockport in the game. As the game wore on, Salford's input into the match began to show as the home side started to tire. The passing game which had been so effective began to slow and breakdown. And through that lack of retention of the ball Stockport began to get involved in the match. After a poor defensive clearance by the home side the Stockport forward somehow scuffed the ball past the Salford keeper. Much to the surprise of the Stockport forward and everyone else the away side were back in the game. 2 - 1.
Salford's players began to feel the strain for their positive enthusiasm in the match so far and again after another soft clearance from the heavy legged Salford defence the ball somehow found its way to the Stockport winger who's deflected shot hit the back of the Salford net much to the despair of the Salford last ditch blocker Charlotte O'Connor. The whole ground was shell shocked, the home support couldn't believe Stockport had equalised. 2 - 2.
The home side had to find another gear to rectify this unjustly score line. And with the home support urging their side on, Salford began to create again. From a corner Rebecca Owen almost grabbed a late winner only to see her shot bobble agonisingly wide of the near post. Stockport survived again. With minutes remaining Salford were awarded a controversial free kick from a back pass inside the area. Rosie Havelin was poised and ready. And showing all the class, concentration, and experience of a senior international smashed in the diverted set piece to give Salford much deserved lead. 3 - 2.
Tempers flared and a Stockport player was given her marching orders for descent, there was no way back this time for the away team. FULL TIME 3 - 2.
Phillips 7, Meredith 7, Abrehart 7, Owen 7, O'Connor 8, Scholes 7( Mundell 7 ), Havelin 8, Wynn 8, Ryan 7( Howden 7 ), Price 10 ( Lee 7 ), Cain 9.
Player of The Match
Caroline Price
Match Summary
Salford were deserved winners in the end. But for a fantastic performance from the Stockport keeper it could've been double figures for the home team. Overall a good performance to kick off the campaign.
