Last season saw Manchester United participate in their first-ever campaign in the Barclays FA Women’s Super League.
After eight games, Casey Stoney’s side found themselves sitting in fifth position in the Barclays FA Women’s Super League table with the opportunity to move up to fourth with victory over Everton at the Leigh Sports Village.
FA Women’s Super League Full-Time look back at that fixture, an occasion that was one to remember for the ever-improving Manchester United attacker Lauren James.
United got off to the worst possible start in Leigh when a corner from the right was fumbled into her own net by goalkeeper Mary Earps after being put under pressure from Simone Magill.
Stoney’s side responded well to that setback and two minutes later, James tapped home the equaliser from a Jess Sigsworth cross.
It soon got better for United with Katie Zelem firing home a penalty kick after James had drawn a foul from Everton defender Megan Finnigan in the area before James completed her brace with a thumping effort from 16 yards on the verge of half-time.
After an action-packed first half, the second period produced no further goals. Everton’s Inessa Kaagman couldn’t beat Earps when gifted possession on the edge of the United box while Leah Galton fired wide at the other end following some sloppy play at the back from the visitors.
The 3-1 victory for United saw them go into fourth place in the Barclays FA Women’s Super League table after collecting 15 points from their opening nine games, a solid return for the newly-promoted side.