Parris secures point against United in front of record WSL crowd

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Former United striker nets in 1-1 draw.

Charlie Hanson

2024-10-19T14:25+01:00

A brilliant moment in front of the record crowd. 📷 by Paul Hazlewood.

Nikita Parris ensured a record WSL crowd of 8,369 at the Amex went home with something to celebrate as Albion drew 1-1 with Manchester United.

The carrot of top spot was an incentive for both teams but ultimately the spoils were shared after Grace Clinton's opener was cancelled out by former United forward Parris.

The early signs suggested that Marc Skinner's team would be heading top though. Albion were given an early warning when Hinata Miyazawa's low drive was well kept out by Sophie Baggaley, but the keeper could do little to stop Clinton’s effort after ten minutes.

Celin Bizet got a decent cross in from the right and the United forward was afforded too much space as she poked into the bottom corner.

The chances kept coming for the visitors with former Albion striker Elisabeth Terland driving a shot straight at Baggaley from an angle, before Clinton’s curler smacked the underside of the crossbar and it was only an alert Baggaley that stopped Miyazawa from finding a second with the follow up.

Madison Haley looked certain to equalise, but her effort was deflected wide. 📷 by Paul Hazlewood.

Pauline Bremer’s afternoon came to an early end when she went off injured with five minutes of the first half to play, but her replacement Madison Haley should have equalised.

United skipper Maya Le Tissier was caught in possession in her own half by Bruna Vilamala, who played it down the side of the box for Fran Kirby to cross in. Haley was waiting in the middle and sent it goalwards from ten yards, but a United defender flicked it behind for a corner.

Sensing the tide was turning in Albion’s favour, Dario Vidosic made two half-time changes with Michelle Agyemang and Maisie Symonds replacing Marisa Olislagers and Vilamala.

Nikita Parris has scored two goals for Albion since her summer move from Manchester United. 📷 by Paul Hazlewood.

While Agyemang’s physical presence made life difficult for the United defence, it was Symonds who played a vital role in Albion equalising. With United struggling to clear their lines as Albion poured forward, Symonds’ rocket from 20 yards was flicked in by Parris with 52 minutes played. It was the first goal the Red Devils had conceded in the WSL this season, as well as the first points they have dropped.

Chances were then hard to come by until the game exploded back into life in the final five minutes.

Kirby's effort from 25 yards was just kept out by Phallon Tullis-Joyce at full-stretch, before Terland's arrowed drive was tipped away by Baggaley down at the right-hand post.

Ultimately though both teams would have to settle for a point, which sees Albion go second ahead of Sunday's fixtures.

Albion: Baggaley, Thorisdottir, Bergsvand, Carabali, Pattinson, Kirby, Losada, Olislagers (sub: Symonds 46), Vilamala (Agyemang 46), Bremer (Haley 41), Parris.

Unused subs: Poulter, Loeck, Masaka, Auee, Seike, McLauchlan.