Report | West Women 0-1 Mancunian Unity

West Women 0-1 Mancunian Unity - 16 August 2026

West: Dickin, Dolan, Sones Devally, Mason, Wright, Lamberti, Wilson, Ritchie, Bracegirdle, Edmondson (C), Bushell.

Subs: Rae, Ruddock, Shenton, Howarth, Myin

West Women's 2026/27 season started with a 1-0 loss on Sunday to title contenders Mancunian Unity at Brookburn Road.

The match followed a strong pre-season for West in which we won three, drew one and lost one match. And whilst last season's runners-up and ADP Cup winners were always going to be a difficult opening day test, the early exchanges indicated that a statement result could well be on the cards for West.

With fewer than five minutes on the clock, West had already gone close twice - firstly after a free-kick in a dangerous area was deflected out for a corner, and then moments later when Ava Bushell fired a shot over from the edge of the penalty area.

The visitors then did control possession for a period afterwards, and arguably deserved the 1-0 lead they took in the 31st minute. The goal came when a ball was played through to visiting forward Ella Barnes, who rounded Meg Dickin in the West goal and slotted the ball home.

West did create more chances before the interval, with Bushell again being denied when through one-on-one, and then debutant Luci Lamberti hit the cross-bar in first-half stoppage time.

There were not as many big chances for either team in the second period, and whilst our visitors seemed to have a lot more of the ball, West did create the better chances. Grace Sones Devally had the best chance to secure an opening-day point when her header went just wide from a corner, but it wasn't to be and Unity left Brookburn Road with all three points.

West's next chance to get some points on the NWWRL Premier Division board will come on Wednesday night against FC St Helens, who were beaten 6-2 by Nantwich Town on the opening day.

It was better for West Women's Reserves, however, who played their first ever game at Step 6 of the National League System and kicked off in style with a 7-1 win over MSB Woolton FC Women.

Player of the Match: Rachel Mason, chosen by Supporter of the Match Maisie. Rachel is sponsored by the 18 Yard Line. For more information about sponsoring any of our Women's team, click HERE.