Match Report | West 0 - 3 Preston North End
North West Women's Regional League, Sunday 18 October
West Didsbury & Chorlton Women suffered a 3-0 defeat to Preston North End Women at Step Places Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
With 108 in attendance at Brookburn Road, West made a positive start and created early opportunities through Beth Wilson and Ava Bushell, who scored the late winner in the previous week’s fixture against Bury FC.
However, as the opening exchanges settled, the game became a more closely contested affair, with neither side able to establish a clear advantage. Preston eventually broke the deadlock just after the half-hour mark, with Madison Hanley putting the visitors ahead.
West remained competitive for the remainder of the first half, heading into the break just one goal behind and with the game still within reach.
West struggled to find the same rhythm after the restart, though, as Preston began to apply greater pressure. West spent much of the second half defending against the visitors’ attacks, and Preston doubled their lead shortly after the hour mark.
Ella Finch found the back of the net following a scramble in the penalty area from a free kick, leaving West with a two-goal deficit to overcome.
The task became more difficult in the closing stages when Ellie Caddick was shown a red card by referee Lee Scott for a trip on a Preston forward who was through on goal.
Laura Walker stepped up to slot the resulting direct free kick past Meg Dickin in the West net and converted in the 78th minute, putting the result beyond doubt.
Despite a promising start and a competitive first half, West were unable to recover after the interval as Preston left Chorlton with all three points.
West line-up:
1 Dickin, 2 Dolan (14 Ritchie, 59 mins), 3 Soñes Devally, 5 Caddick, 6 Rae (9 Anderson, 72 mins), 7 Wright (15 Bracegirdle, 56 mins), 9 Anderson (18 Myin, 46 mins), 11 Wilson, 16 Ruddock (10 Jacobson, 59 mins), 17 Edmondson (c) (4 Anwyl, 56 mins), 21 Bushell
Your Player of the Match: Nadine Ruddock chosen by Supporter of the Match Luke
Nadine is sponsored by Ollie & Jules
Photos by Jon Pidge