Rowley’s strike nets win spoils

KAREN Rowley’s second-half goal, followed by a solid defensive performance, earned Oldham’s first team a 2-1 opening-day victory at Manchester University in Division Two South-West.

Employing a different formation under new captain Fran Lees, the visitors started brightly but lacked penetration, with the final pass often going astray.

Oldham took a deserved lead when Rowley combined with her strike partner, Louise Howard, who found herself in space to reverse-stick the ball low into the net.

A defensive mix-up allowed Manchester to equalise before the break, and the second period saw the Oldham midfield take control, with Fran Barlow and Johnson working tirelessly to break-up play and set their side on the attack.

Barlow instigated Oldham’s match-winner. Robbing Manchester of possession, the ball fell to Johnson, who played a sublime long pass.

Howard avoided the attentions of the home side’s centre back and slipped a pass to Rowley, who fired home into the corner of the net beyond the advancing goalkeeper.

The Oldham defence then came under sustained pressure, but Daisy May Ward, Donna Tindall, Amy Broadbent and skipper Lees stood firm to repel the attacks.