West advanced into the Semi-Finals of the Manchester Women’s Cup with a comfortable 6-0 win away to GMWFL side Urmston Meadowside.
Taking to the field for the first time in a month West fielded four changes from the side that lost at home to FC United last month with Debbie Price, Emily Croasdale, Amy Friel and Lauren O’Neill all returning to the starting line-up. There were also places on the bench for Leanne Joyce and Jessica Hartley.
West started brightly on the Partington Sports Village 3G and the Urmston goalkeeper Harriet Lawson did well to save a long-range effort from Captain Shauna Edmondson after only a minute. In form Elizabeth Livesey also went close firing just over the bar from the edge of the area after three minutes. Urmston would soon be breached as a terrific through ball from Edmondson released Sophie Bracegirdle on the right, the West winger raced towards goal before sliding in a cross to tee up Livesey to make it 1-0 after eight minutes; a terrific team goal.
West continued to create chances s Livesey did superbly to win the ball back at the edge of the penalty area before forcing another top save from the Meds goalkeeper. From the resulting corner Edmondson headed just wide from Caddick’s cross.
The second would arrive on the half hour mark as Vicky Kerr’s through ball found Emily Croasdale, her first-time flick on put Livesey through and she reacted quickest to finish between the keepers legs to add her second goal of the day.
The third arrived seven minutes before the break when Jami Hodges burst down the left before drilling a low cross into the path of the impressive Croasdale who finished first time into the bottom right hand corner. Croasdale might have made it four before the break but her over-the-shoulder half-volley bounced agonisingly wide of the post.
With West in a comfortable lead; the second half saw West ring the changes as all five substitutes were introduced amid the freezing conditions. It took 12 minutes for West to extend their lead when Kerr picked out Livesey on the left; the West striker was given the freedom to turn, racing into the area before drilling it into the bottom left hand corner. The fifth arrived on 68 minutes when Lyndsey Turner collected a loose ball in midfield before picking out Livesey with the pass as the West striker collected her fourth drilling into the bottom right hand corner. It was Livesey’s 15th goal of the season, arriving in just 13 appearances.
As the temperatures plummeted West continued to make changes and reshuffle the side. West continued to create chances with the Meds keeper again being called into action; first to tip over a 30-yard Edmondson effort before kicking over a long-range effort from Kerr. Friel came even closer still, now playing in the centre forward role, as she was picked out by Edmondson before curling her effort onto the crossbar. Nat Callaghan almost made it six when she was put clean through, but she fired a left footed effort just wide of the post.
Friel would have the last say as the sixth came in stylish fashion as Jo Turner drove from deep picking out Jess Hartley; her first-time flick on played in Friel whose first touch took her round the keeper before the ball rolled into an empty net.
West will now play FC United of Manchester in the Semi-Final’s of the Manchester Women’s Cup. The game will take place at Broadhurst Park this Sunday, 2pm KO.
