Our Women’s First Team claimed their first point of the North West Women’s Regional League Division One South season last night, after a ferocious derby battle against Altrincham.
The opening exchanges were characterised by both sides looking to stamp their authority on the game, and the noticeably high tempo which ensued straight after the very first whistle was blown.
The first chance of note came in the ninth minute, when Nicole Ronan creatively made space on the edge of the penalty area before stinging the palms of Olivia Kaleta in the Altrincham goal with a low drive.
Six minutes later, Macc forged the next opportunity to break the deadlock, when Rhia Pollard pounced on a loose ball and unleashed a venomous effort from 30 yards out, which Kaleta did well to tame.
The game started to evolve into a full-blooded derby affair, with both sides visibly giving their all for the badge they so proudly represent.
Whereas the home side may well have enjoyed the bulk of the early chances, there could be no doubt that Altrincham remained a potent offensive threat.
The speed and agility of Kira Saycell proved to be a constant menace, yet this was diluted by Bethany Cameron, who marshalled her with consummate professionalism.
With 21 minutes on the clock, Macc were desperately unlucky not to take the lead when Ronan broke free down the right before seeing her looping effort across the face of goal fall agonisingly wide of the far post.
Nicole Ronan proved to be a constant threat last night. (Credit: Luke Reynolds Photography)
Pollard then tested the Altrincham ‘keeper from distance once again, before Kayleigh Newman’s fizzing drive was parried away from goal as the hosts began to dominate.
The Robins rallied in the period immediately before the interval as they forced a succession of corners, and in the 43rd minute, the ball broke to Ashley Jones, who forced Ella Woodman into a comfortable save from distance.
The final action of the first period saw Macc handed a free-kick on the right-hand side of the area, from which Ebony Stewart drilled the ball across the face of goal – yet inches wide of the far post.
Despite the interlude, the tempo of the game was unaffected when the teams returned for the second half.
The deadlock was broken in the 53rd minute, when a teasing Newman free-kick was seized upon by Caitlyn Gloor, and after initially being denied by Kaleta, she confidently dispatched the rebound from close range.
Our lead barely lasted two minutes, however.
A rapid Altrincham move saw Elise Jones break free down the left, and after threading the ball through to Saycell, she slid it past the advancing Woodman and joyfully watched it nestle into the far corner of the net.
Undeniably, the goals ignited the contest even further, as it evolved into a full-blooded derby fixture.
For a time, the occasion limited the number of chances that both sides were able to create, as a war of attrition within the midfield ensued.
Adora Yau exemplified our fighting spirit with another superb performance last night. (Credit: Luke Reynolds Photography)
It wasn’t long before Macc carved out the next opportunity though, as Ronan burst down the right before firing a rasping drive marginally wide of the near post.
Shortly after, Newman was unlucky to see her free-kick from 30 yards out scream just over Kaleta’s bar, and Ronan was to suffer the same fate in the 77th minute when her nonchalant lob proved to be inches too high.
As the game entered its closing stages, The Robins committed greater numbers to their offensive charge, and in the 84th minute, Woodman was forced into a fine save as she tipped Grace McArdle’s forceful effort around the far post at full stretch.
McArdle tried her luck once again three minutes later, yet her driven shot across the face of goal flew wide of the far post.
Despite the fact that Altrincham visibly threw everything at Macc in the dying seconds, it was a testament to Dane Jones and Jenna Lea’s side that they dealt with it so resiliently.
The performance oozed character, passion and belief, which can only bode well for the rest of the campaign.
Our Women’s Team return to the Leasing.com Stadium this coming Sunday, as they face Liverpool Feds Reserves.
Kick off is at 2pm, with admission prices at the Club Reception set at £3 for adults, and £1 for Under-18s / Concessions.
Season Ticket Holders are also able to enjoy 25% off all drinks with up to three guests in Bar Twenty Seven throughout the game.
