Zelem wins March Player of the Month Award
Manchester United midfielder Katie Zelem has been named the FA Women's Championship Player of the Month for March 2019.
Zelem was an unused substitute in the 6-1 win against Leicester City Women on 10 March, but made a vital contribution in the next league game against Charlton Athletic Women.
In the top-of-the-table clash, Katie’s penalty just after half-time set the Reds on our way to a vital 2-1 win. She even turned provider for our second, and ultimately decisive, goal of the game when her corner was nodded home by Jess Sigsworth.
The following week, our no.10 again played a starring role as we beat second-placed Tottenham Hotspur Ladies to extend our advantage at the league’s summit.
It took just three minutes for Zelem to break the deadlock at Theobalds Lane when she netted from long range and, just seven minutes later, she added a second from the penalty spot.
Katie rounded off proceedings that afternoon when her 87th-minute free-kick was parried by Spurs keeper Chloe Morgan, with Leah Galton reacting first to head home our final goal in the 5-1 demolition.
Unsurprisingly, after such an impressive month, Katie was nominated for the Player of the Month award alongside Kit Graham of Charlton and Sheffield United Women’s duo Jade Pennock and Maddy Cusack. Yet, it was the United midfielder who ultimately claimed the crown.
“It’s a really proud moment for me,” said Zelem. “It’s nice to get recognition from people and knowing that the fans have voted for this means even more.”
Happy to have won POTM😁😁
— Katie Zelem (@katiezel) 10 April 2019
Thank you to everyone who voted👹🙌🏼 big credit to the girls!! pic.twitter.com/Fb7RSjhulI
After such a superb March, the Reds begin April four points clear at the top of the table and with a game in hand over our closest chasers, Tottenham.
With just four matches left to play, Katie wants to end the season on a positive note by winning the league title in our inaugural season.
“The last four games for us are massive,” she said. “To be honest, award or no award, we need to win every one of them. I know that, the girls know that, and that’s the mentality we’re going into those games with.”
Next up for United is a home game against Aston Villa Ladies on 17 April, before playing Crystal Palace Ladies and Millwall Lionesses later this month. You can buy tickets for those matches here.
FA Women's Championship previous POTM winners this season
September: Lauren James (Manchester United)
October: Rianna Dean (Tottenham Hotspur)
November: Mollie Green (Manchester United)
December: Beth Hepple (Durham)
January: Sarah Wiltshire (Tottenham Hotspur)
February: Ella Toone (Manchester United)
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