MATCH REPORT: Agonising late leveller denies City the spoils

Wind ruins football. We know that and that was no different this weekend, though plenty did still happen as the Tigresses and Stockport County shared the spoils. A wonder goal from Helen Lynskey was cancelled out late by a County penalty with the last kick in the second half it was a tight affair.  Abi Wallace was called upon to make a couple of big saves to stop the hosts capitalising on defensive mistakes. For City, Thompson and Knight had the best of half chances’

Early in the second half there was far more promise from the visitors. Knight unleashed a powerful early drive that looped over the keeper, and just over the bar. It was then Knight again who was played in by Ackroyd, the winger then drove a dangers ball to the front post and Thompsons run was cut out. The loose ball fell to Tanser on the edge, her strike flew over as City asserted some dominance, Stockport struggled (much as the Tigresses did first half) to cope with the strong wind, that took the ball away and beyond forward passes.

The play built up well again on the left and excellent foot work from Lynskey created her the space. The dynamic midfielder then rifled in her 6th of the season from wide, with the ball looping in at the back post.

County were then reduced to 10. Brookes raced through on a flick on, beating all to the ball. As she raced through she was taken out by the advancing keeper. The last player. Red card.

The next best chance fell again to Lynskey. A 25 yard volley crashed off the under side of the crossbar and away – where was the wind for this one?

With 8 minutes of time added, the clock ticked in to the 11th minute. City allowed one lapse in concentration. A loose pass in midfield was picked off. The through ball set the striker away to finish but Gillin was fouled and penalty given. With the last kick of the game County equalised.

“I was all set to say how well I thought we had done in difficult conditions, against a good side. Unfortunately we didn’t see it through – which we should do – but we have to learn from that and make sure it doesn’t happen again.

It’s a tough game to analyse. I don’t think we played anything like how we would want to, the weather played a big part in that, and you do get days like that

We’re sore but not broken, we will all use this as a tool to make us better for the rest of the season”