Manchester United Women 1 Everton 0
Manchester United Women secured a first pre-season win with a 1-0 victory over Everton at Carrington on Saturday afternoon.
Leah Galton scored the only goal of the game after being given plenty of time in the box and finding the back of the net after a superb cross from new signing Emma Watson.
Marc Skinner utilised the players in his squad, making sure that vital minutes were played as the side continue the preparations ahead of the new Women’s Super League season.
The Reds started confidently with Hannah Blundell and Maya Le Tissier putting in important tackles at the back.
The best chance of the opening half an hour came from Nikita Parris whose shot hit the crossbar. The rebound fell to Galton but her attempt curled to the left of the goal.
Following a quick water break, Lisa Naalsund came on for Vilde Boe Risa and the hosts continued to press Everton.
Watson, who joined United this summer from Glasgow Rangers, looked dangerous in attack but on 35 minutes her cross couldn’t find a connection in the box.
When a cross came into the box from Watson once again, Galton had plenty of time to find the back of the net and put the Reds 1-0 up.
United looked to double the lead immediately with an excellent run from Lucia Garcia. Galton was on the ball again but her shot was saved by former team-mate Emily Ramsey.
Half-time saw a couple of changes for Skinner’s side with Garcia and Jayde Riviere making way for Martha Thomas and Gemma Evans respectively.
A mistake from Everton early in the second half led to Watson having a chance but her curling shot was saved by Courtney Brosnan, who had come on at half-time for the visitors.
Just minutes later, Parris found Naalsund in the box but her shot went soaring over the crossbar.
Shortly before the hour mark, Everton found a way through our defence but nobody could get on top of the ball and Baggaley easily collected.
United kept searching for a second but they could not find the back of the net. Another excellent cross from Watson found Parris on her own. Her initial shot was saved by Brosnan before her second went over the top of the crossbar.
Twenty minutes to go, there were multiple changes for United. Galton, Parris, Watson, Hayley Ladd, Millie Turner, Le Tissier and Blundell came off; Evie Rabjohn, Geyse, Ivana Fuso and Alyssa Aherne were joined by academy players Olivia Francis, Crook and Holly Deering in coming on.
Everton looked strong in the closing stages but Baggaley was on fine form to keep them out and secure the victory. The Reds' next game will be against Bayern Munich, after the squad fly out to Germany on Monday for a training camp.
Speaking after the game, Ladd said: “I think we can be really pleased with the performance. It’s great to see the new players getting some minutes and fitting in.
“They are doing really well off the pitch and it’s great to see them fitting in on it as well.
“Everton are a good side and they gave us a good challenge but it was great to get a victory. We are ready and hungry for the next challenge.”
Galton added: “We were a lot more connected today than last week so it’s great to see the improvements we are making.
“It’s nice to get back into the rhythm of the game, we had a lot of chances, we just need to get more of them into the back of the net.”
United: Baggaley, Blundell (Crook), Turner (Deering), Le Tissier (Rabjohn), Riviere (Evans), Boe Risa (Naalsund), Ladd (Francis), Watson (Aherne), Galton (Fuso), Garcia (Thomas), Parris (Geyse).
Goal: Galton 37.