Manchester United Women secured their first win in the League Cup campaign on a bitterly cold night at Leigh Sports Village. However, we will not be progressing into the knockout stages despite having one more game left to play in the competition, due to other results. Aston Villa’s win away to Sheffield United means they will top the group, even if we beat the Blades in our final fixture on December 18th.
Dream Start
Needing the three points in the hope of progressing in the league cup, United made a dream start to the match and were in front within the first minute. We were on the attack immediately and the cross from Ona Battle who was made captain for the first half was met home by the head of Vilde Boe Risa.
Skinner’s side had doubled the lead in the 12th minute. Martha Thomas put the ball into the opposition box which was picked up by Lucia Garcia. She subsequently passed it to Rachel Williams whose first-time shot went past Everton’s goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan into the net.
The Reds continue their attacks on the opposition and we had our third goal of the game by the 20th minute. Martha Thomas played a key part in influencing play and put the ball into the box for Vilde Boe Risa to beat the goalkeeper and tap in for her second of the game.
In an action-packed first half, Everton pulled one goal back in the 25th minute. A ball over the top found Jess Park which caused confusion amongst the United defence who thought the offside flag would be raised. Park took the ball past Sophie Baggaley and score into the open net. Any thought of an Everton comeback was soon diminished. Two minutes later Jade Moore restored our three-goal lead after she scrambled the ball home following a corner.
Second Half Sees A More Quiet Affair
The second half was a more quiet affair compared to the first. Marc Skinner made a flurry of changes as Blundell, Le Tissier and Zelem replaced Batlle, Turner, and Jade Moore. Both teams were enjoying equal amounts of possession.
Jess Park nearly added her second of the game for Everton but her effort smashed off the crossbar. Substitute Nicoline Sorensen had her strike on goal saved by Sophie Baggaley, which went out for a corner. Nothing came of the resulting set piece. Everton did get one more goal in injury time through Karen Holmgaard.
Though United came away with the victory, results elsewhere mean we will exit the competition after our final league cup game against Sheffield United.
Head coach Marc Skinner said in his post-match interview he was happy with the way the team played against Everton.