Stockport started the 2nd half the stronger side

Missing a few key members of the defence and the goalkeeper injury crisis meant 4 games for Andrea Getcheffsky which did nothing more than confirm how unfit she is - boy was I aching Sunday night! A very keen 3rd team pulled in Natasha Getcheffsky from the 5th team squad and Amy Nicklin from the 2nd team squad. Manchester Uni started the stronger side and Kerry Roberts was drawn into action very early cutting out play preventing the Manchester Uni side getting in a shot on goal. When they did an aching Andrea Getcheffsky was there to save their attempts on goal.

Manchester Uni successfully secured a number of short corners and were initially unable to convert with Natasha Getcheffsky and Kerry Roberts secured on the posts and Amy Nicklin running out with Adele White covering the slip shot. Then a dubious goal, it saw the ball played from a short corner touching the line of the circle and then fired in the goal, the decision was given that the ball doesn't have to come all the way outside the circle - news to me! Anyhow, Stockport were 1-0 down but had everything to play for. The goal spurred the team on and it wasn't too long before there was a build up of play from Hannah Meadwell, left half to Kelly Shore on the left wing finding Amy Nicklin who dodged the Manchester Uni defence and scored an equaliser. Half time score 1-1.

A stiff talking too and some guidance on positions and being first to the ball rather than waiting for it to come all the way paid off. Becks Evans with Claire Lumsden started putting pressure on the Manchester University defence and Stockport started the 2nd half the stronger side with a couple of efforts going wide. Manchester Uni counter attacked down the right crossing the ball into the circle and miraculously crossing in front of the goal with no one able to get a stick on the end of it. There were scrambles in the circle and Julie Gavin was clearing the ball for Stockport and man marking the Manchester Uni players putting pressure on them to keep the play out wide. Elisa ? had a strong game at right half and got the ball out to Kelsey Redwood who drove the ball up the right wing, finding Becks Evans. The ball got hit in the circle and then came out to Amy Nicklin who went left and managed to get a shot on goal, scoring her 2nd. The positioning of the Stockport team was developing as the game progressed and forcing players to take hits proved this is an area in need of some practice as we were giving the ball away far too easily to Manchester Uni who were raising their game looking for that equaliser. They managed to secure a couple of short corners and Stockport put everything into getting the ball clear determined to keep ahead.

The final effort came from Amy Nicklin who picked the ball up in midfield and made a sole run into the Manchester Uni circle, making the final score 3-1 to Stockport 3rds - well played everyone as you all gave 100% and made an enjoyable game to play and watch ;-)