Manchester United hold their nerve to defeat Durham on penalties | OneFootball

Manchester United held their nerve to defeat Durham 5-3 on penalties following a 2-2 draw in normal time at Maiden Castle in their opening FA Women’s Continental League Cup group match this evening.

A see-saw match saw the visitors twice lead before the hosts roared back. Following a thrilling draw in 90 minutes, Manchester United held their nerve to convert all five penalty kicks in the shootout.

The first half was a keenly-contested affair with both sides not scared of putting in some committed challenges. Alessia Russo tested home keeper Megan Borthwick after just six minutes before Beth Hepple scuffed an effort on goal at the other end with the ball being easily claimed by Manchester United debutant Sophie Baggaley.

The visitors took the lead soon after the half-hour when Carrie Jones was played in and she squared the ball for Ivana Fuso to tap in from a few yards.

Despite having trailed the Barclays FA Women’s Super League side 1-0 at the break, Durham came out for the second half in determined fashion.  Sarah Robson found herself through on goal in the 53rd minute but she was denied by a last-ditch tackle.

Durham levelled matters from the resulting corner kick. The ball was driven in from the right and Dee Bradley found the corner of the net with a looping header.

A wave of substitutions then looked to have disrupted the flow of the game, that was until one of those players who had been brought on nearly broke the Durham net. England international Ella Toone took aim from at least 30 yards out and her shot flew like a bullet into the top corner as Manchester United regained the lead.

Manchester United looked set for three points, that was until Hepple curled home a sublime free-kick with just minutes remaining to bring Durham back level again.

Both sides threw absolutely everything at it in the closing stages with Russo going closest when she rounded Borthwick but she blazed wide. A goal would have been harsh on Durham with the forward seemingly committing a foul to gain an advantage.

In the shootout, Manchester United held their nerve to convert all five of their penalties while Becky Salicki fired wide for Durham as the visitors claimed the bonus point.