5th find their form  

This was the 5ths first meeting with the Manchester Uni team and definitely one to remember. From the whistle Stockport looked hungry for the ball and never let Manchester settle. Ten minutes in Viv Hudson made the first of many solo runs up the wing. Justina latched on to her pass and as calm as you like played a reverse stick pass to Romana who slotted the ball home 1-0 (did we do that one at training Jax, it certainly looked good).

The distribution of the ball was brilliant and a pleasure to watch (so the spectators said) and something we seem to have been lacking prior to last week’s game. A short period of pressure from Manchester saw some good defensive work from Sharon and Bernadette at the back and produced a number of good saves from Julie Gavin who had stepped into Jeannes keeping kit at the last minute when she wasn’t well enough to play.

A quick break from Stockport produced a corner at the other end and 18 years after her last goal, Nikki Barker finally ended the drought. Well done Nikki!

Manchester pulled a goal back making it 2-1 but before the restart Stockport made a change to the midfield pushing Beth Kirkham into the centre forward position and Nikki Barker moved from sweeper to centre half. This proved to be an important change as Beth became the link that Stockport had been missing and it wasn’t long before she became provider for Justina who slotted home number three. Half time 3-1.

The half time talk consisted of three words ‘I am knackered’!! Sorry no that was what I was thinking they were actually ‘Keep it up’ and they did. No sooner had the 2nd half started and Romana (watched by her twin sister, who is now signed up for Stockport) was off on one of her weaving runs cutting through the Manchester defence. Having laid off the ball she continued her run and following some slick passing between Justina and Beth, Romana found herself in the right place again to slot home her 2nd and Stockport’s 4th.

Another period of pressure saw Manchester score their second goal but Stockport were always in control and having been awarded another short corner Beth popped up (keen as ever) to take it. A shot from Hilary was well saved by the keeper but followed up by Justina for her 2nd of the game, well done another drought over.

Stockport’s 6th goal was possibly the best. Having cleared the ball off her own line Lesley Bradley found Viv with the clearance, some quick thinking from Viv who had noticed the Manchester defence out of position found Hils with a pin point pass leaving her with only the keeper to beat, eek! Thankfully Beth had sprinted with her and when the ball was played across Beth capped a brilliant performance by planting the ball firmly in the back of the net.

Player of the match was Beth Kirkham but there were 13 players of the match, a brilliant performance.