Stockport came close to the equaliser a number of times

Didsbury Northern 2s were Stockport's very first opponents in the first division and completely over-ran us in that game. The return fixture was a very different story, with Stockport pretty much getting everything right except the final score. Didsbury didn't have it all their own way at any stage and the 2-0 score line at half-time - achieved through unhelpful deflections at a short-corner about 15 minutes in and then from open play about five minutes later - didn't reflect our solid work in defence or the great awareness and energy in cover from our midfield.

Despite being down Stockport continued to play our own game and, instead of letting our heads drop, held our position and built up attacks with patience and intelligent passing moves. Chloe Egerton, Sam Piggin and Clare Atherton were excellent in continuing to frustrate many of Didsbury's attempts to build up their own attacks and turning them into threatening counters of our own. Five minutes into the second half our efforts were rewarded when Jenny Worth picked up the ball and flew towards Didsbury's D. The initial shot was deflected off the keeper and, with the ball pinging around, it was Lisa Horbury's dogged determination that ensured it ended up where it belonged: in the back of the Didsbury net.

Stockport continued to press throughout the half and our attack clearly had Didsbury rattled a few times, while the defence made sure that Didsbury couldn't close out the game. Stockport came close to the equaliser a number of times especially with Jenny Worth's excellent lifted shot which forced a great save from the Didsbury keeper to keep us from the draw our performance deserved.

POM - Sam Piggin