Manchester United shootout victory in vain as Conti Cup elimination confirmed

Manchester United have been eliminated from this season’s FA Women’s Continental League Cup despite beating Manchester City 4-3 on penalties at The Leigh Sports Village this evening.

A goalless draw after 90 minutes resulted in the winning side being decided by a penalty shootout with the hosts coming out on top.

The second Manchester derby in six days promised to be an intriguing affair as both bosses could show what they learnt from the weekend and also how the new circumstances of the FA Women’s Continental League Cup could affect matters. In addition, United’s dramatic comeback on Saturday demonstrated that Casey Stoney’s side are capable of much more than their first half display suggested.

It was a much more even contest in both halves as the two sides threatened to cancel each other out.

Lauren James had the first really good chance of the match when Tobin Heath cut back for the teenager who struck first time at goal. Karen Bardsley had to re-adjust her position quickly to change direction and get a strong pair of gloves on the shot to turn it round the post.

City had the ball in the back of the net late on in the half when Jill Scott flicked on and Georgia Stanway volleyed in at the near post, however, the assistant referee had their flag raised and the goal was ruled out for offside.

In the second period, United had a superb opportunity to take the lead. Bardsley scuffed a clearance and the ball went straight to Heath in the City area. As the American winger looked for the perfect finish, City defender Gemma Bonner recovered to make things more difficult and the player could only put her shot into the side-netting.

The Red Devils then had a great opportunity to take all three points when substitutes Ella Toone and Jess Sigsworth combined for the United number nine to run through on goal. However, her low effort was kept out by the outstretched leg of Bardsley who kept her side level.

That save consequently condemned United to elimination from the competition as they needed a win to have any chance of progressing beyond the group stage but the match was to end in a draw.

There was still the formality of the penalty shootout to decide the destination of the bonus point. United keeper Emily Ramsey had a nervy 90 minutes but stepped up and saved Laura Coombs’ penalty which gave her side the advantage. Then in a dramatic twist of fate, Alex Greenwood cannoned her spot kick off the bar, meaning her former side took home the bonus point.

United must now focus their attention on the league and the Vitality Women’s FA Cup and given the injury troubles they’ve had this season, fewer games might not be a bad thing.

As for City, they are still in the running to add more silverware to their cabinet to go with the 2019/2020 Vitality Women’s FA Cup which they won earlier this month. Gareth Taylor’s side have their eyes on the Barclays FA Women’s Super League title, UEFA Women’s Champions League, FA Women’s Continental League Cup and this season’s Vitality Women’s FA Cup in what is becoming a very exciting season for the club.