Match Report: AFC Oldham Women’s First Team vs Bury Reserves
Date: 14 January 2023
Venue: Hathershaw College
In a thrilling encounter between AFC Oldham Women’s First Team and Bury Reserves, the game delivered excitement, drama, and a remarkable comeback. The match started steadily, with both teams testing each other’s defences, but it took a pivotal moment to ignite the spark.
The turning point occurred when a needless challenge by a Bury forward sent AFC Oldham’s Laura Barlow crashing into the fence. As Barlow received medical attention on the bench, Bury capitalized on the momentum, taking the lead with a spectacular finish. They quickly doubled their advantage with an almost identical goal.
However, AFC Oldham showed resilience and character, fighting their way back into the game. They dominated possession and pressed for a goal, and their efforts were rewarded just before the end of the first half. Lucie Neild stepped up to take a free-kick from approximately 25 yards out, and despite the goalkeeper getting her fingertips to it, the ball found the back of the net.
The second half was a display of one-way traffic, with AFC Oldham Women’s First Team relentlessly attacking the Bury goal. The Bury goalkeeper showcased her skills, making two point-blank saves and a brilliant diving save from a long-distance shot by Paris Welsh. However, her efforts were in vain as Amy Marland chipped a delightful effort over the keeper, and Rachel Lawton secured the lead with a perfectly curved finish off the post from a tight angle outside the box.
AFC Oldham comfortably controlled the game in the last 30 minutes of the second half, ensuring the victory. Despite conceding two goals, the back four displayed a solid performance, keeping the Bury forwards relatively quiet. Right back Loz Mortimer particularly stood out, excelling in clearing crosses into the box and marking Bury’s wide players. The team’s youngest player, ‘little’ Aime, demonstrated maturity by tirelessly tracking back throughout the match.
Joint Managers Andy Steel and Lucy Schofield expressed their delight with the team’s performance, especially considering the early setback of going 2-0 down. The players exhibited a commendable level of resilience and character, a quality that had been lacking in large parts of the season. The victory marked a significant turning point for AFC Oldham Women’s First Team, showcasing their potential and determination to overcome challenges on the field.