Narrow defeat to United in latest pre-season test

New signing Martha Thomas made her first appearance in our colours against her former club, but ultimately it was Manchester United who escaped with a 1-0 victory from Sunday’s pre-season friendly at St George’s Park.

The forward, signed from the Red Devils on transfer deadline day this week, put in an impressive shift against her old employers before being withdrawn mid-way through the second half as we sought a way back into the game, following Lucia Garcia’s first-half goal for United.

Despite controlling proceedings for much of the latter stages of the contest, however, we couldn’t get back on level terms.

United had some early spells of possession, Luana Bühler forced to make a good block following a short corner routine, but for all their efforts, it was us who went close first as Olga Ahtinen’s shot rattled the crossbar mid-way through the first half.

Moments later, though, United were ahead as Garcia seized possession and fired into the net in the 26th minute.

Drew Spence caused the Red Devils problems, seeing a shot saved by Mary Earps shortly beyond the half-hour mark before winning a free-kick in a dangerous position after the interval, but nothing ultimately came of it.

Earps saved a subsequent set-piece from Eveliina Summanen but while we had some good spells of possession in the midfield and forward areas and made it difficult for United to mount any more meaningful attacks of their own, we were unable to find an equaliser and slipped to defeat.

Nevertheless, there were still several positives for Head Coach Robert Vilahamn to take as the players continue to make progress ahead of the first game of the Women’s Super League season at Chelsea in a fortnight’s time.