West Women kick-started 2018 in thrilling style as they came from two goals down to win 4-3 in their first ever meeting against Northwich Vixens.
Manager Paul Caddick made one change from the sides 3-0 win over Curzon Ashton in November, the last time West took to the field, as Jo Turner came in for the flu-ridden Ellie Caddick with Debbie Price taking Turner’s place on the bench.
Under the lights at Cheshire FA headquarters, West started brightly as Leigh McFadyen and Chaneece Reeves combined inside the opening minute as the West number 9 showed great strength to hold the ball up before Reeves first an effort just wide from the edge of the area. West would come closer again on 10 minutes when Reeves cross from the left found Sophie Bracegirdle at the far post whose half-volley rebounded off the outside of the post.
Despite their early dominance West fell behind on 15 minutes when Michelle Lee did superbly to bring down a Claire Jefferson goal kick and return her effort over the head of the West keeper and into the net from 35 yards; an excellent finish from the Vixens number 10.
West responded four minutes later as Elizabeth Livesey rolled an effort wide from 20 yards out after a terrific flicked-on header from McFadyen. West came close again on 26 minutes when Lyndsey Turner saw her header rebound off the cross bar from a Bracegirdle corner with the Vixens eventually clearing the ball following a desperate goal mouth scramble. A minute later a low cross from Jami Hodges found McFadyen who forced a terrific block from Abigail Hignett in the Vixens goal.
On 29 minutes West were finally on level terms as McFadyen and Reeves again combined with the latter driving a first time effort into the bottom corner from the edge of the area.
Despite West’s dominance they went into the break 3-1 down as the home side broke the offside trap with a long ball over the top allowing Michela Thompson to lift her effort over the onrushing Jefferson to restore Vixens lead on 39 minutes. Worse was to come on the stroke of half time as West tried to take a quick corner but, with their defenders still getting into position, left no one at the back allowing Sorcha Bramall to race through unopposed and score at the second attempt despite Jefferson initially making a terrific save six yards out.
West rang the changes at half time as Vicky Kerr and Sophie Bracegirdle were replaced by Lauren O’Neill and Emily Croasdale with Caddick switching West to a back four. The difference was instantaneous with West moving the ball much quicker and almost finding an immediate way back into the match on 50 minutes when Croasdale’s cross from Kerr’s pass (back on in place of the injured Shauna Edmondson) found McFadyen who volleyed into the near post side netting.
West dominated the opening stages of the second half but it took until 61 minutes to get the breakthrough when an incredible perfectly weighted pass from the right by Croasdale picked out McFadyen who finished first time into the bottom corner.
Four minutes later West struck the woodwork for a third time as Shauna Edmondson, back on the field, struck the base of the post with a terrific volley with the outside of her boot. With 15 minutes remaining West were level as another excellent pass found Kerr on the right, her cross was pinpoint perfect onto the head of substitute Nat Callaghan who drilled home her header to make it 3-3.
With eight minutes remaining West were ahead as substitute Debbie Price found space down the right, her cross found Reeves at the far post who slotted home to complete the terrific turnaround.
West didn’t let up as they continued to attack in search of a goal to kill the game off. They came close five minutes from time as Jess Hartley’s free kick caused havoc inside the six yard box as another scramble saw the ball cleared off the line before the rebound struck the woodwork for the fourth time in the game. Lyndsey Turner came close again in the final minute as she fired over from a corner but West were able to see the game out to register their first win in 2018.
Next up for West is league leaders FC United of Manchester whom they welcome to Brookburn Road on Sunday 14th January, 2pm KO.
Team: Jefferson, Friel, L.Turner, J.Turner, Bracegirdle, Hodges, Kerr, Edmondson, Reeves, McFadyen, Livesey. Subs: O’Neill, Croasdale, Callaghan, Hartley, Price.
Goalscorers: Reeves (2), McFadyen, Callaghan.
Attendance: 30
