Won in convincing style 

Stockport 1's took on their nearest rivals in the division this weekend, and won in convincing style.

Right from the starting whistle the midfield unit of Clare Atherton, Lisa Dalby, Lucy Cook and Rachel Dunley worked hard to slow down the opposition in attack. This drew the opposition players up the pitch in numbers and when Stockport got the ball they used speed and quick passes to the forwards, who had the university's defence isolated. Within five minutes Lisa Horbury got the first goal when she dribbled around the last defender and beat the keeper. Five minutes later, Lisa turned provider when she linked up with Amy Nicklin on the right wing, and placed a cross in front of the goal for Jenny Worth to slot home for Stockport's second.

Lisa then got a third midway through the half. At 3-nil down the University started to lift their game and put pressure on the Stockport defence. Stockport closed down the play well. However we did have some difficult short corners to defend as the University varied their routines to keep us guessing when and where the shot was coming from. Gemma Cook saved one on the line, but eventually the University got a breakthrough on a short corner. Goalie, Angela Fuggle dived and saved, but the ball rebounded to a forward. Louise Preston saved the follow up shot but couldn't clear the ball to safety (as Angela's head was in the way) and the university scored. The opposition had a couple of other good chances towards the end of the half but were undone, yet again, by committing too many players forward, and when Jenny Worth won the ball in the tackle she moved up the pitch at lightening speed and within 2 passes, Lisa Horbury had the ball at the top of the circle and slotted home for her hat trick just before the half time whistle.

Stockport had more defending to do in the second half, but the university forwards struggled with their accuracy and their attacks lacked pace. That allowed Stockport's defence and midfield to remain well organised. Jenny Plant and Nicola Adamson worked hard up the wings and towards the end of the game as Amy Nicklin switched position to become centre forward. Nicola drove the ball forward and released it to Amy who out-manoevred the defenders and fired a reverse stick shot to score Stockport's fifth. A super win and Stockport are looking good at the top of the second division.

POM Lucy Cook