General view during the Belgium v Spain UEFA European Under-17 Championship 2018 Quarter Final football match at Walsall FC Stadium, Walsall, UK on the 14th May 2018. Photo: Paul Currie for FA

Manchester United move four points clear with victory at Aston Villa

Manchester United recorded a 2-0 victory over a compact and resolute Aston Villa side at The Banks’s Stadium this afternoon to go four points clear at the top of the Barclays FA Women’s Super League table.

The visitors’ goals came early and late in the game, as Villa fought to keep United’s many attacking threats at bay. Leah Galton struck early for Casey Stoney’s side and despite a spirited and resilient performance from The Villains, they were unable to find an equaliser before Ella Toone put the game to bed in the closing minutes following a mistake from home keeper Lisa Weiss.

United’s early pressure almost paid off inside the first minute, as Lauren James, fresh from her first senior Lionesses camp, picked up the ball just inside the box and blasted it just wide of the near post.

The chances continued to come in quick succession for Stoney’s side, with James continuing to look dangerous up front. Amy Turner, Leah Galton and Ella Toone also had chances to open the scoring, the latter forcing a fantastic fingertip save from Weiss, and if it wasn’t for Villa’s organised defensive display, United certainly would’ve been ahead earlier.

In the 25th minute, United got the goal that their early pressure deserved. Villa lost possession in a dangerous position and Galton made them pay, receiving the ball from Hayley Ladd just inside the box and slotting it into the bottom left hand corner past the outstretched hand of Weiss.

As the half went on, Villa grew into the game more and more, hitting United on the counter attack and producing some slick passing moves, as Gemma Davies’ side fought the in-form visitors toe-to-toe. Villa were determined to find an equaliser and should have got it through Shania Hayles on the half-hour mark. The young attacker was sent through on goal, one-on-one with Mary Earps but she couldn’t convert, sending her shot straight at the United keeper in what was a golden chance for The Villians.

Villa continued to apply the pressure in a high tempo and physical end to the first half but despite further chances for both sides, another goal did not materialise.

The second 45 minute picked up right from where the first half left off, with Weiss almost immediately denying Toone from close range and minutes later, the woodwork was struck at both ends in quick succession. First Hayles’ close range effort flew off the bar after Emma Follis’ initial shot had to be palmed away by Earps and then in the opposite penalty box, James’ powerful shot smashed against the underside of the bar and bounced out.

The rest of the half was a much more cagey affair as United looked to defend their lead and the hosts’ counter attacking opportunities were diminished. Though much like the first half, they did create their fair share of chances, it was a familiar problem for Davies’ side as once again they struggled to make good use of those opportunities and despite showing great determination and resolve against a strong United side, they looked to be running out of ideas.

Finally, in the dying moments of regulation time Toone found the back of the net to seal the win for United, capitalising on a misplaced pass from Weiss who sent the ball straight into the midfielder’s path. Toone took it first time, lobbing the ball over the Villa keeper who was left too far off her line to do anything about it.

It was a disappointing end for the home side who despite being unable to find that all important goal, pushed the league leaders all the way in a game that they can certainly take confidence from. As for Stoney’s United side, it is another away win and another step in the right direction for the league’s most in-form side.

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