Stanley Ladies v Haslingden Ladies - January 18th 2009

Accrington Stanley Ladies 2
Haslingden Ladies 2

STANLEY twice came from behind to earn a battling point against their local rivals - but it could have been all three. In shocking conditions, with a howling wind and ice-cold rain lashing across the pitch, the Reds showed they can roll their sleeves up and scrap, as well as play their passing football, against a direct Haslingden side.

With the wind in the visitors' favour in the first period, Stanley struggled to get the ball wide to Dawn Haczycki and Kiery Horne, but competed well against a physical Haslingden, with Abby Dowber, in the centre of midfield, putting in an energetic and assured display. Stanley fell behind, but bounced back to go in level at the break, with Haczycki embarking on a typical mazy dribble, before cutting inside the box and rifling the ball into the roof of the net.

The Reds produced some delightful one-touch stuff after the interval, but again went behind to a goal all their own doing. However, they responded well, and Horne, switched to the left after half-time, saw her corner cleared back to her, before looking up and flighting the ball over the keeper and inside the far corner.

Substitute Sarah Ronnan, making a welcome return after a long injury lay-off, was denied a winner by a miraculous save, while a glorious five-man move ended in Haczycki's left-foot shot flying just wide of the far post.

In what was a terrific advert for women's football, a point kept Stanley two above their local rivals in the LFA Women's County League First Division, with two games in hand, and extended their solid start to the campaign.

Next up is an extremely tough test against runaway leaders Curzon Ashton at Wilson's playing fields on Sunday 25th Jan 09, kick-off 2 p.m.

02/11/2008 -- Accrington Stanley Ladies v Preston Rangers

Accrington Stanley Ladies 6 Preston Rangers 5

STANLEY Ladies got their LFA Women's County League First Division campaign off to a flying start with a win in a thriller with Preston. Sophie Jones put the Reds ahead with an early poacher's finish after linking well with namesake Hannah Jones, before Dawn Haczycki doubled the lead just before half-time with a stunning solo effort. After the break, Kiery Horne found the top corner from a tight angle to make it 3-0, only for Rangers to mount a fightback, pulling it back to 3-2.

Haczycki scored a carbon copy of her first goal to give Stanley a cushion, but Preston refused to give up and scored again, before both Joneses found the net to make it 6-3. Still Preston came forward, and a 30-yard screamer reduced the deficit, and although they added a fifth in injury time, it proved the last kick of the game as Stanley held on.

The Reds face Sefton Perroni at Wilson's on Sunday (kick-off 2 p.m.)

30/1/2007 -- Accrington Stanley Ladies v Pendle Forest

It was a bitter battle, which brought these two competitive teams together for a game that had everything. Celebration, happiness, pain and disappointment were all felt throughout the game, which Stanley Ladies led until the last twenty minutes.

It was yet again a change of scenery for the girls with their home ground being moved to Wilson's Playing Fields in Accrington (where the remainder of their home fixtures will be played this season) due to a continued waterlogged pitch at King Georges. In the crowd their were a number of trialists who have been training with Stanley Ladies from Bolton Wanderers, Manchester Stingers, Clitheroe Ladies and Lammack Ladies, who they are hoping to sign in the upcoming week.

In the opening few minutes it was a sign of things to come with both sides creating great chances at both ends but just before half-time Pendle Forest were given an extremely dubious penalty decision when Stanley midfielder, Katharine Butler, was adjudged to have handled the ball in the area, Forest did not appeal for a penalty and initially walked away for a foul against one of the Stanley players, both teams seemed as surprised as each other at the resulting penalty which was dutifully scored by the Forest striker to make it 1-0 before the half-time whistle sounded.

After half-time Stanley were spurred into action with Sarah Worden, Katharine Butler and Hannah Jones all going close. It seemed that it was only going to be a matter of time before Stanley got the equaliser, which came from in-form striker Hannah Jones. She broke down the centre bypassing two defenders, she then rounded the keeper to slot the ball into the back of the empty Pendle Forest net, queue Michael Jackson style moonwalk celebrations.

The second came soon after and on the back of a 40-yard run down the left-wing by Sarah Worden who ran it out for an eventual corner. The resulting corner kick, which was in-swung by midfielder Ashleigh Broughton, fell to the feet of Jones yet again, who struck straight at the keeper who could only parry the shot for Jones to slot in the rebound for Stanley to take the lead for the first time in their League fixtures.

Unbeknown to the Stanley and Pendle Forest teams in the fracas of the goal, the Pendle Forest goalkeeper was injured. The resulting stoppage lasted 20 minutes due to the need for an ambulance. This was the catalyst that prompted the Pendle Forest side into action and they scored two goals in ten minutes to change the score dramatically.

Yet again in the 81st minute an extremely hard tackle by the Pendle Forest striker was taken full in the face by the Stanley Ladies goalkeeper, which left her knocked out on the pitch. The resulting injury led to another long stoppage and the need for another ambulance to be called. The foul led to a number of the players and management on both sides showing their anger and frustration for their teammates in an unsavoury way and it was decided that the game would be called off in the 81st minute by the referee. This meant Stanley forfeited the game 2-3 as it was after the 70-minute cut-off point for a replay.

The girls were immensely disappointed as they felt they should have got a least a replay from the game as the injuries had affected both teams but unfortunately rules are rules and you have to abide with what a referee says. Stanley Ladies proved today just what a great team bond they have and that their 90-minute win is just around the corner, hopefully against Carleton at home this Sunday 4th February at 2pm.

Both goalkeepers that were taken to hospital were released on the same day and will be fit to play within the week, which is a good job really as Stanley now do not have a weekend free until the end of the season at the end of March.

Stanley Squad: Carter, Kinsley, Robinson, Schofield, Geldard, Broughton, Shard, Jones, Butler, Worden, Newsome
Subs: Murray, Hindle, Wilson

MOM: Sarah Shard

Result: Accrington Stanley Ladies 2 Pendle Forest 3 (After 81 minutes)
Goals: Jones 2
Attendance: 39
Venue: Wilson's Playing Fields, Accrington

16/12/2006 -- Padiham v Accrington Stanley Ladies

The results are going to come! That is the overwhelming feeling after the ladies played in a pulsating encounter at Arbories in Padiham today in front of a great crowd of 93.

It is unusual for the girls to be playing at a ‘proper’ ground, they are used to playing on mud flats and wastelands, so it was a welcome relief to be playing a game on a good, if not wet pitch, after six weeks without having a game.

Within the first ten minutes new signings, Ashleigh Broughton and Hannah Jones went close as did lone striker Sarah Worden, but it was in the defensive areas that we were strongest. The return of Jamie Schofield after injury saw the best defensive display that Stanley have played since their formation just five short months ago.

The Stanley players knew that it was going to be a tough encounter, our previous game with Padiham left the players feeling angry and a need to beat them in the return match was in the minds of all the players today. It was unfortunate to see two goals go in before the half-time whistle but after half-time it was obvious that Padiham thought that Stanley were going to be a pushover for an easy win. The Stanley players did not sit back they wanted a win more than anyone in the match and maybe that took over somewhat in the minds of the players. Their concentration seemed to slip in the last quarter of the game, which let in two more fortunate goals for Padiham. The score did not reflect the effort put in by the girls at all, they deserved much more.

The game was slightly marred with an unsavoury atmosphere being seen throughout the match. Stanley Ladies Manager Karen Fazackerley commented: ‘Our girls, who are in their first season in this league are still getting used to the banter that is seen in a football match, but there is a MASSIVE difference between banter and nastiness and as their manager I feel I have to stick up for the girls, the nastiness seen today is not a good thing to see in women’s football.’ Karen continued: ‘I for one do not want to see it on any football pitch that Stanley Ladies play on again. Our girls do not deserve it when it has been noted by other managers in the league that Stanley Ladies have a great team bond with great characters playing for them and I can assure fans and opposing teams that it will not be broken by anyone, no matter how hard opposing teams try to break them it only makes them stronger as a team!’

They now have a three week break until January 3rd 2007 when they return to training and with the first game being against title favourites Rochdale, the games keep on coming stronger than ever!

Stanley Squad: McNaught, Geldard, Worden, Jones, Broughton, Doyle, Wilson, Schofield, Newsome, Robinson, Carter
Subs: Kinsley, Hindle
MOM: Jamie Schofield

Result: Padiham 4 Accrington Stanley Ladies 0
Attendance: 93
Venue: Arbories Stadium, Padiham

05/11/2006 -- Accrington Stanley Ladies v Carleton Rovers (League Cup)
One of the most pulsating matches since the establishment of Stanley Ladies, was the feeling amongst most Stanley fans who watched this game.

Stanley took the lead twice in the game with two fantastic solo goals from Sarah Worden and Suzanne Carter. But it could have been more with a number of dubious decisions taken by the referee, which allowed Carleton back into the game.

Carleton’s third goal should never have been, the goal caused Stanley’s goalkeeper, Sarah McNaught, to dislocate her thumb, it was scene from a football bloopers video, whereby the ball was tipped superbly onto the crossbar by McNaught only for it to bounce out. The next thing the Carleton and Stanley players knew was the referee blowing his whistle and pointing to the centre spot, having given a goal. This caused a number of Stanley players confronting the referee and getting cautioned.

The fourth came quickly after that after Stanley’s heads dropped after the third. McNaught, after having her thumb put back into place by coach Dan Jewell, continued playing only to be beaten by a fantastic solo goal by the Carleton striker.

It was an unfortunate result to what should have been Stanley’s first win of the season and one that was full of controversy.

Stanley Squad: McNaught, Kinsley, Robinson, Carter, Geldard, Bradley, Doyle, Newsome, Murray, Worden, Sowerbutts

Subs: Wilson, Fazackerley

Result: Accrington Stanley Ladies 2 Carleton Rovers 4
Goals: Worden, Carter
Attendance: 27
Venue: King Georges Playing Fields, Accrington
Referee: Adrian Rudgley

22/10/2006 -- Accrington Stanley Ladies v Rossendale Borough
Rossendale Borough came into this game as favourites for promotion and after this game it is hard to see them not being somewhere near the top come the end of the season.

Saying that though, Stanley showed true guts by holding the League Leaders to only a two-goal lead at half-time watched by a record crowd of 57. Rossendale showed their frustration in the second half with a number of miss-timed tackles causing horror injuries to some of the Stanley Ladies players.

Although Stanley defended strongly the game turned more physical and Stanley just could not compete with the very athletic Rossendale side and eight goals were scored in the last twenty minutes.

It was not what the Stanley team deserved after putting in a heroic performance and one of the best performances of the season. The Roseendale Borough manager commented on the positive team spirit that Stanley has as a team and that he thought that it would not be long before Stanley would be competing for top spot.

Stanley Squad: McNaught, Kinsley, Schofield, Carter, Geldard, Bradley, Doyle, Robinson, Murray, Worden, Sowerbutts

Subs: Newsome, Wilson, Fazackerley

Result: Accrington Stanley Ladies 0 Rossendale Borough 10
Attendance: 57
Venue: King Georges Playing Fields, Accrington
Referee: Peter McNaught

08/10/2006 -- Accrington Stanley Ladies v Preston Rangers
After scoring their first goal of the season in their previous match, Stanley were on a high coming against an extremely strong Preston Rangers side, that included a number of internationals.

Stanley were stretched in their team selection, due to a number of injuries sustained from the Padiham game and were pinned into their own half for the majority of the game. And with equal amounts of goals, five in each half, Stanley could not find any way back into the game.

The game was overshadowed somewhat with the injury to Jamie Schofield, who had to be taken to hospital during the game with an injured knee.

Stanley Squad: McNaught, Kinsley, Wilson, Bradley, Schofield, Doyle, Sowerbutts, Carter, Murray, Worden, Robinson

Subs: Newsome, Geldard, Fazackerley

Result:Accrington Stanley Ladies 0 Preston Rangers 10
Attendance: 28
Venue:King Georges Playing Fields, Accrington
Referee: Peter McNaught

01/10/2006 -- Pendle Forest S.C. v Accrington Stanley Ladies
Things can only get better! That was the feeling amongst the majority of the Accrington Stanley Ladies Team who played in the match on Sunday.

After the results from the past couple of weeks it was hoped that Stanley would turn things around against local side Pendle Forest.

It was a very young Pendle Forest side that started the game on Sunday, with the majority of the girls in the team being under-18. In the first ten minutes, two major defensive errors by the Stanley defense led to two easy goals for the Pendle Forest strikers to latch onto. By half time Stanley were starting to turn the game around until a blatant offside decision was not given by the very young and inexperienced linesman which led to a goal by the Pendle Forest Captain, which caused a few of the Stanley player’s to confront the referee about the decision.

The half-time whistle did not come soon enough and with a positive team talk from the one and only 2BR’s Dan Jewell, Stanley came out storming. But for fortuitous saves by the Pendle Forest goalkeeper the game could have been a draw, but again the linesman let Stanley Ladies down with two more goals going in through very dubious linesman’s positioning. The Stanley fans that had travelled were a little bit rattled to say the least!

But that all changed when in the 78th minute history was made when a superb ball from the centre of the park was met by Jodie Murray on the right wing who beat the last defender to unselfishly cross the ball to a marked Sarah Worden who beat two defenders to score Stanley Ladies first ever goal. The scenes that followed were immense, with all the Stanley players and fans joining in the celebrations.

After the goal Stanley held Pendle Forest easily in their own half for the remainder of the game and should have had a stonewall penalty when the Pendle Forest Captain handballed in the penalty area but the referee adjudged not to have seen it.

The game was slightly overshadowed when a 50/50 tackle between the Pendle Forest Captain and Stanley defender Charmaine Bradley, led to the Forest Captain being taken to hospital but we have been assured by the Pendle Forest management team that Katie is fine, she was released from hospital late on Sunday night but she will be out for a couple of weeks with an injured ankle. All of us at Accrington Stanley Ladies Football Club wish her well in her recovery.

Next up for Stanley Ladies is a home game against Preston Rangers on Sunday 8th October 2006 at 2pm at King George V Playing Fields in Accrington. Admission is free.

Stanley Squad:
McNaught, Kinsley, Carter, Schofield, Robinson, Bradley, Sowerbutts, Newsome, Murray, Worden, Doyle
Subs not used:
Geldard, Wilson,Fazackerley

Result: Pendle Forest 5 Accrington Stanley Ladies 1

Attendance: 43
Venue: Prairie Playing Fields, Burnley
Referee: Matthew Pope

24/09/2006 -- Accrington Stanley Ladies v Padiham
Stanley Ladies suffered another defeat at home against Padiham on Sunday. After holding the away side for 20 minutes it was Stanley who looked the stronger and were catching them on the break but were lacking the finishing touches. Stanley went 2-0 down at the break from the penalty spot and another a shot from 20 yards out. After a lacklustre start to the 2nd-half Stanley's heads dropped and they suffered severely from the very strong Padiham counter-attacks which unfortunately worked a treat for them scoring the majority of the remaining goals on the counter.

The girls have only been together as a squad for 8 weeks, so there is still time to remedy the situation and with a local derby away at Pendle Forest next Sunday at 2pm on Prairie Playing Fields in Burnley who knows what could happen, miracles cannot happen overnight!

Star Player Theresa Newsome:
Although suffering from a pulled thigh muscle, TJ had a fantastic game at Left-Back and it was only when she was subsituted that Stanley lost their way and heads dropped.

17/09/2006 -- Accrington Stanley Ladies v Preston North End Ladies
(Lancs County Cup)
Accrington Stanley Ladies exited the Lancashire County Cup yesterday after an emphatic 31-0 defeat against an extremely experienced Preston North End Women's side, which included a number of former international and Premiership players.

It was only Stanley's third game in what is their first season of existence and with a number of injuries Stanley, despite the result, put up a brave fight in front of a good crowd at Padiham Football Club.

Jaime Schofield and Charmaine Bradley were named as Stanley's player's of the match while both Suzanne Geldard (thigh) and Karen Fazackerley (knee) remained sidelined.

Stanley Squad:
McNaught, Kinsley, Robinson, Doyle, Wilson, Bradley, Schofield, Newsome, Murray,Sowerbutts (87), Worden
Subs:
Geldard (87), Fazackerley

Preston North End Squad:
Browne, Walker, Jones, Andrews, Martin, Nolan, Tweddle, Platt, Bartley, Kerr, Cafferkey, Davidson, Parr, Todhunter

Attendance: 76
Referee: Mark Whittaker