FC UTD OF MANCHESTER 1

ALTRINCHAM 0

ALTRINCHAM FC Ladies lost their first game of 2017 by a single goal at FC United of Manchester at Lightbowne Road in the North West Women's Regional League Division One South.

It may have been a defeat but there were plenty of positives for the Robins against a side that beat them 6-1 in the same fixture last season.

Although the hosts were at times smarter and slicker, the Robins players put in a shift and did the club proud.

FC did carve out the opportunities but they were either off target or hit straight at goalkeeper Lizzie Brereton.

The first real strike of note came from Alty's Megan Wright but her long-range effort was pushed wide by the alert FC goalkeeper.

Jade Hesketh also had a chance, dropping her shot just over, before the hosts again came close to scoring when they struck the upright as both goals remained intact come the interval.

After the break, United kept pouring forward and twice they struck the framework, while defender Heather Scott headed clear off the line.

Despite Alty defending magnificently, the hosts broke through on 70 minutes when Jenna McCarrick was the recipient of the through-ball and dispatched an angled shot across goal.

Altrincham did come close to equalising when Laura Dodds had a long-range free kick saved but they just could not get back on level terms.