Beechfield United Ladies played the first of a series of games in the Women’s Summer League officially organised by Manchester FA.
As per competition rules the match against Cadishead Rhinos was 9v9 and both teams quickly had to adapt to playing on a large Astroturf Pitch.
The contest was a keenly fought affair with play moving rapidly from end to end but Beechy struggled to adapt to the pace of the game.
Vicky Kerr took no further part in the match after suffering a knee injury then United’s keeper Rachel Howarth was injured following a collision with a team mate and an opponent but after treatment she managed to carry on.
Neither side managed to dominate possession in the first half and both keepers were rarely tested but when in action coped well when under pressure. Ten minutes into the second half Cadishead Rhinos were awarded a penalty and the resulting spot-kick was converted for what proved to be the only goal of the game.
Beechy worked hard in an attempt to find an equaliser but chances were few and far between with the best efforts from distance fired in by Gillian Wallis and Sophie Wainwright.
United were forced to make another substitution when keeper Rachel Howarth suffered breathing problems and was replaced by Shauna Smith who had to make a visit to hospital for an x-ray following a rib injury.
Also in the second half a Cadishead player needed hospital treatment after rupturing the ligaments in her ankle. Beechy who will be looking to bounce back after this 1-0 defeat are hoping for an injury free match next Sunday. Player of the Match was Crystal Barker.
Beechy’s squad was: Rachel Howarth, Lauren O’Neill, Gemma Winterburn, Shauna Smith, Crystal Barker, Vicky Kerr, Sue Howard, Gillian Wallis, Sophie Wainwright, Faye Cassidy, Rachel Griffin.
