Stockport County 0 - 1 Salford Ladies
....... 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.
