Report: Manchester City 0 United Women 0
Manchester United Women were held to a 0-0 draw by Manchester City in our second pre-season friendly.
Though the Blues started well, dominating possession in the opening 20 minutes, Marc Skinner's side grew into the game and came close to breaking the deadlock on several occasions.
Our new signing Julia Zigiotti got her first minutes in red and impressed, controlling the midfield and coming close to finding the target herself.
The derby also presented an opportunity for the likes of Emma Watson, Keira Barry and Safia Middleton-Patel to gain valuable minutes.
Our new signing Julia Zigiotti got her first minutes in red and impressed, controlling the midfield and coming close to finding the target herself.
The derby also presented an opportunity for the likes of Emma Watson, Keira Barry and Safia Middleton-Patel to gain valuable minutes.
The game was played over three 20-minute intervals. It may have been a pre-season friendly but it was still a Manchester derby and there's nothing friendly about that - neither side wanted to lose, fighting hard for every ball.
It was an evenly matched contest with both sides taking the opportunity to give new signings and Academy players a chance to get some action.
City saw more of the ball in the opening few minutes. United were patient and our first real chance came around 10 minutes in but there was a little too much on Jayde Riviere's cross.
Moments later, Simi Awujo picked the ball up on the halfway line and made a good run with Celin Bizet in support to her right and Lah Galton on the left. The Canadian's pass to Bizet was cut out by City's defence but fell kindly back to our no.13 and her powerful shot was blocked by Grace Prior.
Lily Murphy delivered an inviting cross but there was no one in the box for City and Hinata Miyazawa was putting in a good shift defensively and cleared it away.
The first corner for City came as the opening interval drew to a close and was the first test for our American shot-stopper. It was taken short and the resulting shot was well saved by Phallon Tullis-Joyce as she got down low to her left.
Lily Murphy delivered an inviting cross but there was no one in the box for City and Hinata Miyazawa was putting in a good shift defensively and cleared it away.
The first corner for City came as the opening interval drew to a close and was the first test for our American shot-stopper. It was taken short and the resulting shot was well saved by Phallon Tullis-Joyce as she got down low to her left.
In the second period, Zigiotti got her first minutes, having signed for Skinner's side less than a week ago and really made a difference to the midfield, an assured presence she turned well with the ball and created chances going forward.
Galton had a couple of opportunities to put us in front; a long-range attempt whistled just over the bar, while a lunging effort from closer in was also just off target.
City and England shot-stopper Khiara Keating was forced into a save following United's first corner. It was delivered towards the back post where Elisabeth Terland brought it down with her chest and smashed it towards the bottom corner.
Galton had a couple of opportunities to put us in front; a long-range attempt whistled just over the bar, while a lunging effort from closer in was also just off target.
City and England shot-stopper Khiara Keating was forced into a save following United's first corner. It was delivered towards the back post where Elisabeth Terland brought it down with her chest and smashed it towards the bottom corner.
A loose clearance from City's new signing, Eartha Cumings, found Barry on the edge of the box but Naomi Layzell was alive to the danger and perfectly timed her tackle.
Riviere burst down the right and delivered a lovely cross to the feet of Awujo but her shot was just a fraction wide.
Zigiotti won the ball back just inside United's attacking half and charged towards goal, finding space and taking the shot but it was a little high and wide. Nevertheless, she had impressed in her first outing as it remained goalless.
Riviere burst down the right and delivered a lovely cross to the feet of Awujo but her shot was just a fraction wide.
Zigiotti won the ball back just inside United's attacking half and charged towards goal, finding space and taking the shot but it was a little high and wide. Nevertheless, she had impressed in her first outing as it remained goalless.
MATCH DETAILS
United: Tullis-Joyce; Riviere, Rabjohn, Janssen, George; Bizet, Awujo, Miyazawa, Naalsund, Galton; Terland.
Subs all used: Middleton-Patel, Zigiotti, Barry, Watson, Sandberg.
United: Tullis-Joyce; Riviere, Rabjohn, Janssen, George; Bizet, Awujo, Miyazawa, Naalsund, Galton; Terland.
Subs all used: Middleton-Patel, Zigiotti, Barry, Watson, Sandberg.
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