By Charlie Hopper | Image by Ian Parker
A double either side of half-time from Molly Wood as well as a first-half strike from Ella Ritchie helped Chorley Women FC pick up a 3-0 win over Chris Holloway’s side on the opening day of the FA Women’s National League Division One North season.
The MinsterBelles turned up to York Sport Stadium following a positive pre-season with wins over Harrogate Town Women, Rotherham United Women and Salford City Lionesses and a hard-fought draw against Newcastle United Women Development. Both sides settled well into the game, with neither side able to carve out an opportunity in the early exchanges. The visitors were the first to try their luck when Molly Wood fired over, and Milly Fitzpatrick saw her shot saved by Becky Sidwell. The deadlock was broken in the 15th minute when Ella Ritchie found the top corner after the ball had rolled to her feet in the area. The one-way traffic continued, and the visitors doubled their advantage just before the half hour mark through Wood. The cross caused problems at the back and Wood capitalised on a loose ball to find the back of the net. The final action of a fairly one sided first-half came in the form of a chance for Sophie Tinson. The striker took the ball down before curling just over the crossbar.
Holloway made two changes at the break, in need of a way back into the game. But it was the visitors who were pushing for their third of the afternoon with Wood and Ritchie both striking the crossbar. Sidwell continued to keep alert in the MinsterBelles goal and made two sharp saves midway through the second half. Tinson came close to picking up her first of the season when she curled towards goal only for Mollie Finch to make a save and push clear of the goal. Chorley rounded off an impressive performance when Wood finished off a well worked team goal in the 89th minute,
The MinsterBelles are on the road on Sunday, as they travel to newly promoted Cheadle Town Stingers in search of their first points of the season.