Match Report: Manchester Unity Women 3 - 1 Chester FC Women

Chester FC Women took the stage for the final time this season in the Alliance Design and Print Cup Final, culminating in a narrow defeat against Mancunian Unity Women.

The Blues started brightly under the sun with a chance in the opening three minutes from Emma Clausen, who was denied by the crossbar.

Lola Smith was up next to try to snatch an early lead but she dragged her shot wide of the post.

Chester continued their relentless pace with Sasha Johnson and Sophia O’Neill each striking the ball into the side-netting from within the penalty area.

Mancunian Unity retaliated when a through ball tested Ava Elkerton, although her composure did not falter as she slid in and safely recovered the ball.

The deadlock was broken just minutes before the interval, following a corner headed home by Allison Wilson, to put the Seals in front.

Our number 10, hungry for a goal, attempted to chip the opposition’s goalkeeper from the left-hand side of the pitch, but her effort was palmed out for a Chester corner.

The final minutes of the original 90 were nervous for the Seals, as they desperately tried to maintain their one goal lead.

Unfortunately, the equaliser landed for Mancunian Unity in the sixth minute of second-half stoppage time, leading to 30 minutes of extra time.

Silence filled the first half of extra-time as neither team were able to find a second goal.

However, in the 108th minute, Mancunian Unity snuck in front with a powerful strike that flew into the net.

The third arrived 10 minutes later as the home side doubled their lead, securing them the Alliance Design and Print Cup title at the Deva Stadium, in front of 373 supporters.

Match Report by Rebecca Powell.