Stern tests appear to be this year's norm as yet another opponent gave a good account for themselves before finally succumbing to the Reds in the opener for this season's league cup.
The Vixens hadn't posed too many problems for FC, but went into the break a goal to the good after Jennifer Jaques had taken a nice cross and converted it into an early lead.
United didn't struggle for possession, with Caitlin Clancy turning in some excellent run and crosses from the right wing, but they weren't able to break through the Northwich lines until after the restart.
With two subs on, the FC players started to link up more cohesively and the goals only looked like a matter of when not if, as Aimee O'Keeffe and Natalie Richardson proved too much to handle for the green and whites.
Two minutes after coming on Richardson evaded three Vixens and smashed a superb effort into the top corner for her first FC goal.
The ever-powerful O'Keeffe kept harassing the visitors and when her side-swiping volley hit the bar, the striker was the first to pounce on the ball and knocked it into the nets, and United into the lead.
That was on 72 minutes and less than eight later Maxine Smith also got her first for the club, taking a cross from Clancy and calmly hooking it into the bag for the third.
Best player: Caitlin Clancy
Best goal: Natalie Richardson
11 сен 2024
