FURY SEE OFF EVERTON

Everton started well with good technical passing, but it was the Fury who exerted the pressure. Unfortunately, they were unable to convert this into a goal in the first half. First, Rhian Wilkinson fed Diana Matheson, but her cross in front of goal was saved by Danielle Hill. Then Rhian Wilkinson shot over the bar before Robyn Gayle worked herself into a good position, but again the shot was high.

In the 36th minute, Kelly Parker continued the litany of misses, when she headed a Wilkinson cross over the bar, and three minutes later a Leah Robinson free kick was saved at the foot of the post by Hill. Everton’s English international Fara Williams worked tirelessly to contain the strong Fury midfield of Diana Matheson, Stacey Stocco and Leah Robinson. A score looked likely just as the first half was coming to an end. First, the Fury's Robyn Gayle went close. Then Fara Williams made Everton's first notable strike from 20 metres which flew over the bar. However, at half time the game remained scoreless.

In the second half, the match seemed more of the same. Everton’s back line of England Women's Player of the Year Rachel Unitt, Jayne Eadie, and Fern Whelan continued to repel the Fury attacks, but most of Everton's opportunities remained from long range.

As the game wore on the pace of Rhian Wilkinson, in particular, began to trouble the Everton defence. In the 50th minute Matheson put Wilkinson clear on the left, but her shot drifted wide of the far post. Then, in the 58th minute, Parker fed Stocco who shot wide. However, in the 59th minute the same two players broke the deadlock. The ball was brought down the right flank and Diana Matheson controlled the ball at the top of the 18 metre area. She slotted the ball through to Kelly Parker, who crossed the ball in front of the net and Stacy Stucco came sliding through to put the ball in the net. It was a good team goal.

The Fury continued to press home their advantage and lead, with Hill saving from Wilkinson and Kelly Parker in quick succession.Two minutes from full time Amy Vermeulen found Leah Robinson on the box and her first-time volley was brilliantly saved by Hill.

In the last seconds of the game, there was just time for Everton to fashion a decent chance and give the Fury a scare, as a flicked ball from Fara Williams fell to Everton substitute Amy McCann, but her volley was straight at the Ottawa's Taryn Swiatek qwho handled the shot well. Swiatek shared the shutout with Leisha Alcia. The Fury out shot the Everton squad by 14 to 3.

Rhian Wilkinson enjoyed the match as "Everton is a really well-organized, and a good team. They were awesome as great competition for us, which lets us see where the Fury ranks by international standards."