Manchester United 4-0 Reading
Manchester United made a great start to the new season in front of a record crowd at Leigh Sports Village.
It's always great to score on your debut, but it's not something you'd expect of a centre back. You certainly wouldn't expect a debutante to score two on their debut - but that's what Maya Le Tissier (no, not one of those Le Tissiers) did. Maya was born in Guernsey (yes, so was the other Le Tissier, but they're still not related) so I believe she could play for Wales. If she would like to, that's absolutely fine with me. (I'm a Wales fan. I'm good at dreaming. And some of my dreams come true.)
Maya's first goal was a curling volley that looked like it was heading over the bar, but it sneaked in, to the disbelief of Reading keeper Grace Moloney. Maya's second was a powerful header into the bottom corner. Both goals came from corners and the scoreline does seem to suggest Maya didn't neglect her defensive duties. Manager Marc Skinner didn't seem all that surprised, but he expects Maya to be a big part of Manchester United's future. She could become a star.
Reading were unlucky when Manchester United were awarded a debatable penalty (a very familiar half-sentence in match reports) following a possible foul by Grace Maloney. On her 100th appearance, Katie Zelem stepped up and scored with a well-taken penalty. Reading were also unlucky when the referee waved away appeals for a penalty of their own after the ball struck Hannah Blundell's hand.
Alessia Russo scored the winning goal with a header. It wasn't her most memorable goal, but if her most memorable goal is still to come, we really have got a treat in store. (Just don't score it against Wales, please. That's all I ask.)
Reading's Rachel Rowe managed to scare the pants off Mary Earps a bit when she put her under pressure with an inswinger, but the chance came to nothing. Fine defending from Gemma Evans and Lily Woodham probably didn't quite 'keep them in the game', but it does suggest not every week will be like this for Reading. It was not their best day, but they didn't give up.
There were lots of England players on display for Manchester United, but Wales had a representative too in Hayley Ladd. She was named in the starting line-up and was substituted after 72 minutes, but I can't find any mention of an injury so presumably, it was tactical.
No comments:
Post a Comment