Mary Fowler’s late header secured a dramatic 3-2 victory for Manchester Metropolis in opposition to St Polten within the Ladies’s Champions League to proceed their unbeaten begin to the season.
Metropolis started strongly in Austria as Alanna Kennedy netted the opener in type with a shocking long-distance strike in simply the seventh minute.
The guests then got here near doubling their lead by way of Laura Blindkilde Brown, who was denied by the fingertips of Carina Schluter, earlier than Aoba Fujino’s effort crashed off the put up shortly after.
Regardless of their dominance, Metropolis fell quick of their seek for a second and have been finally left shocked by a shock equaliser for St Polten simply earlier than the break.
Alex Greenwood needlessly gave away a nook – after being caught in possession inside her personal penalty space – and the Metropolis captain was made to pay for her error.
The ball pinballed across the field from the ensuing set-piece and, with Metropolis failing to clear their strains, Melanie Brunnthaler wasted no time in poking residence previous Khiara Keating to degree proceedings.
St Polten’s sturdy play continued after the interval with Kamila Dubcova turning properly and lashing an effort in simply after the restart – however her aim was rapidly cancelled out by Fujino’s volley on the again put up.
Lauren Hemp, Khadija Shaw, Jill Roord and Laia Aleixandri have been all known as upon from the bench however it was Fowler, who additionally hit the woodwork within the first half, who finally headed Metropolis right into a late lead from an in-swinging nook.
Set-pieces determine the sport
Sky Sports activities’ Patrick Rowe:
“Both of St Polten’s goals came from City failing to clear their lines from set-pieces but, ironically, it was a corner that rescued Gareth Taylor’s side in this one.
“The defending for the primary aim was comical in their very own space and captain Greenwood won’t be joyful along with her decision-making previous to the second aim stepping into.
“There are lessons to be learned – with clearing the ball and preventing second phases of playing being the main one – but City escape this game with all three points.”
Schluter: Defeat to Metropolis hurts
St Polten goalkeeper Carina Schluter:
“Right now it’s quite frustrating and it hurts. You should be able to be happy about a result like this, but maybe it’ll take a few days.
“You simply need to win each recreation and we have been shut, we did very well, we performed two wonderful halves. I do not suppose anybody anticipated that from us forward of the sport.
“We now know that we can make it difficult for the big teams and that we don’t have to make ourselves as small as many say. We’re super excited for the next challenges and we’ll see how it will go.”
What subsequent within the Champions League group stage?
Listed here are Man Metropolis’s remaining fixtures:
- Hammarby (H) (November 12)
- Hammarby (A) (November 21)
- St Polten (H) (December 12)
- Barcelona (A) (December 18)
