City edge five-goal thriller in derby to march into the next round of FA cup

NICK Cushing’s long goodbye continued in perfect form as his City side beat United in the FA Cup fourth round.

Any concerns that emotion would affect Cushing’s team’s performance in his final week were put to bed as the current Women’s Super League leaders put on a professional display at Leigh Sports Village yesterday in a tightly contested encounter.

The Blues enjoyed the majority of the possession in the opening exchanges with Mary Earps having to produce a good save to deny Ellen White.

United were happy to allow City to have the majority of the ball and Cushing rubbed his head in despair as his side struggled with their final ball in the opening half an hour.

While City had looked to be the more dangerous going forward, creating more clear cut chances, they looked fragile at times at the back with United’s high press putting them under pressure.

Gemma Bonner bailed out Ellie Roebuck on 25 minutes after the England goalkeeper had cleared straight into the path of Jess Sigsworth. The United forward’s shot was goal bound only for Bonner to head clear. And it was a huge defensive mistake at the other end that allowed City to break the deadlock in the 29th minute.

Former Blue Abbie McManus fluffed a backpass to Earps and Ellen White jumped on the loose ball and chipped her finish into the net.

The United manager had spoken about the difference in level of experience between the two sides ahead of kick off but for the third time this season the Reds had given

City a test with little between the sides.

Chances fell to Jackie Groenen and Kirsty Smith early in the second half but while the hosts pushed it was the visitors who got the second of the game.

Tessa Wullaert fell to the floor in despair minutes earlier after spurning a golden opportunity to put daylight between the two sides but White was on hand in the 56th minute get her second.

Lauren Hemp with the ball into the area and White was there with a first time finish past Earps.

United got the goal they had been pushing for in the 69th minute through substitute Lauren James.

The teenager, with a lovely piece, of skill before tucking her strike past Roebuck at her near post. Three minutes later and the majority of the 1,948 fans inside Leigh Sports Village thought United had got their equaliser.

Katie Zelem’s free-kick was turned in at the far post by McManus only for the referee to deem the ball hadn’t gone over the line.

Jill Scott restored a two-goal cushion for the visitors but a late own goal from Lauren Hemp gave the hosts a glimmer of hope.