Tranmere Rovers Women return to winning ways with a hard fought victory over table topping Cheadle Town Stingers.
With Cheadle having a threatening front line, Rovers looked solid in defence as they managed to keep their attacking threat at bay for the afternoon.
Up the other end of the field, Ellie Doyle looked to open the scoring as she was through on goal for Tranmere, but the situation was well read by the Cheadle Town defender.
It was an even battle through the first half with both sides creating chances but no one could manage to break the deadlock. It was Tranmere who went the closest on the stroke of halftime as captain Lindsey Smith’s 40 yard freekick was tipped over the bar by the Cheadle keeper.
Ten minutes into the second half Cheadle Town’s number 6 hit an effort from about 40 yards out which dipped over the bar before Rovers responded with an attack of their own when Ellie Doyle picked up the ball and played in Laura Pennington who couldn't quite get to the ball as the keeper slide in to collect the ball and foil the attack.
Buoyed by that chance Tranmere went close again when Rachel Unsworth’s long range effort beat the keeper but cannoned back off the bar and Cheadle managed to clear their lines.
The battling finally paid off as Laura Pennington whipped in a delightful right footed cross and up rose Rachel Unsworth to power a header firmly into the back of the net to give Tranmere Rovers the lead.
In the closing stages of the game, Cheadle mounted pressure on the Tranmere Goal with a flurry of corners in an attempt to snatch a late equaliser but the Tranmere defence held firm securing an all important three points.
Up Next for the women’s team is Burnley at Home in the Vitality Women’s FA Cup on the 13th November at the Ellesmere Port Sports Village 2pm Kick off.