Chorltonian Ladies were left waiting on their first points of 2017 thanks to 58^th minute Laura Hart wonder strike in a narrow 1-0 defeat at home to Liverpool Marshall Feds Reserves.

Chorlts were without no less than five senior players as Manager Paul Caddick, who recently confirmed his summer move to West Didsbury & Chorlton, was able to name a bare starting 11. Despite this, the home side started on the front foot as they took the game to Feds in the opening stages played in extremely cold and windy conditions.

The game’s first chance didn’t arrive until 18 minutes into the game as Ellie Caddick superb cross field pass found Jamil Hodges on the left hand side, muscling Karen Gunn off the ball, driving into the penalty area but the winger could only fire into the keeper’s hands at the near post.  Two minutes Feds responded with their first chance as Napia Trampnow raced through on goal hitting the outside of the near post. Hodges seemed the best route to goal as she continued to take on Gunn but was denied by several big blocks.

Chorlts might have had a penalty on 34 minutes when the combative Debbie Price was pushed from behind in the penalty area but the referee waived away the decision allowing Feds to counter as Amie Hand forced goalkeeper Claire Jefferson into a strong save at her near post to ensure the sides went into the half all square.

With the wind behind them Marshall Feds started the stronger of the two sides in the second half as central defender Ellie Taylor was twice called into action to make last ditch diving tackles with the visitors baring down on goal.

However Taylor was powerless to stop Marshall Feds going ahead on 58 minutes when Laura Hart picked the ball up on the right hand side and fired an unstoppable shot into the top corner from 20 yards out, a goal of the highest quality. Leigh McFayden and Price look the most likely with driving runs deep from midfield however they couldn’t force Abbie McKay in the Feds goal into a save.

Chorlts pushed forward in search of a leveller however the Marshall Feds defence remained resolute and it was the visitors who might have added a second as Hannah Dobis was called into action to clear a header from a corner off the line before Jefferson saved well from Danni Maidment’s run and shot from the edge of the area. Despite the lack of second half chances it was a determined and gutsy performance from Chorlts.

It was Liverpool Marshall Feds first win of 2017 keeping them within touching distance of Ellesmere Port Town in fourth place.  Chorlts remain in 11^th, handicapped by their 2 point deduction as they head to Stockport County Blues next week where a victory will see them leapfrog the Cheshire side.