Bruising encounter for Ladies

IF ANYONE ever doubted the physically competitive side of women's football, they should have been watching this tough top of the league clash at Charnock Richard on Sunday.

Both teams started the game with maximum points from their previous games, and it turned out to be a bruising encounter played in scorching heat with both teams determined to maintain their 100 per cent records.

Chorley started like a storm and had three clear chances in the first ten minutes with Sarah Dufrese again looking lively on the left wing. Unfortunately, her startling pace and astute runs were wasted, and when Chorley did beat the Liverpool keeper on 11 minutes, the goal was disallowed for offside.

Liverpool played an aggressive formation and saturated midfield trying to deny the home team space and time to settle. The tactics nearly worked when, half way through the first half, Chorley were forced to clear three point blank saves off their goal line.

However, the scare seemed to increase their resolve and the home team adapted their play to catching their opponents on the break.

The change in tactics was rewarded on 31 minutes when Debbie Sharrock shrugged off two defenders and expertly dispatched a right foot shot past the advancing keeper.

With temperatures rising both on and off the field, the half-time whistle should have given the teams a chance to cool off and calm down.

However within seven minutes of the restart, Chorley were awarded a penalty when Janine Jones was brought down in the area. The spot kick, taken by Karen Browne, was blocked by the Liverpool keeper who then had to perform a second save by diving at the feet of Browne trying to score from the rebound. The visitors were clearly upset by the challenge and their manager was shown the red card for comments made to the referee.

With only a 1-0 lead Chorley could not afford to relax and maintained their pace and commitment throughout the second half.

Although they were appreciably the better side, they had to work hard to keep their lead. It took until 67 minutes for them to assert their superiority when Cath Anderton, one of their youngest players, scored the second goal.

It was a fine individual shot which cannoned off the keeper. She was then able to pounce on the rebound and push the ball past the diving hand of the keeper.

Although the home team should have won by a greater margin, manager Karl Rigby will be more interested in a league table which shows Chorley on top having played four and conceded only one goal this season.

Chorley's next home game is against Poulton on September 27. Kick-off is 2pm at Charnock Richard.

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