Salford Ladies Blues 1 - 2 Penwortham
......... Both sides were eager to get a foothold on the game and the early exchanges were fairly competitive.
Penwortham took the lead after catching Salford on the break. Salford was unlucky in their response creating a few chances but were unable to convert. The away side began to dominate, Salford were put on the back foot, but for some good defending from Louise Wakefield, Jodie Warburton and Michelle Jibson before the half time whistle Salford could have found themselves further behind. HALF TIME 0 -1
Picking up an injury in the first half Michelle Jibson could not return for the second half and Salford had to make changes to their defence. Penwortham started the second half much the same has the first creating more chances for themselves the best brilliantly saved by Salford's keeper Sam Chesters.
With more excellent work from Jodie Warburton and Louise Wakefield along with midfielders Lyndsey Newman and Debbie Wright Salford were able to keep Penwortham contained. A quick break from defence sent Michelle Wilkinson towards the Penwortham goal, she ran through the defence struck the ball cleanly only to see her shot tipped round the post by the goalkeeper earning Salford a corner.
Lyndsey Newman stepped up and delivered the perfect corner which found the head of Louise Wakefield who rose way above everyone to blast the ball into the back of the Penwortham net. 1-1.
Penwortham where even more determined to score a second goal but Salford held firm. With five minutes to go Penwortham lobed the ball over the Salford defence from the full back which caught Salford on the backfoot the Penwortham forward struck the ball in to the back of the net. FULL TIME 1-2
Chesters 8, Warburton 9, Wakefield 10, Jibson 7 (Motevalli 7), Newman 8, Wright 8,
Daly 8, Wilkinson 8, Whyte 7, Knowles 7, Akinniran 7
Player of the Match
Louise Wakefield
Match Summary
A tough test for Salford Blues in the first match of the season that showed they have the confidence to stay focused and the quality to make things happen.
