EWES SECURE SIXTH WITH DUFFY DOUBLE

AFC STOCKPORT LIONESSES 1
RAMSBOTTOM UNITED WOMEN 2
Sunday 19th April 2026

With Stockport sitting just one point below them in the table, The Ewes were determined to continue their excellent recent form and not allow their opponents to overtake them. Despite a convincing 4–0 victory in the home fixture just a few weeks earlier, they did not expect this reverse encounter to be easy – and they were right. Playing on a challenging grass surface, both sides struggled to produce any real fluency or rhythm in their play.

Stockport took the lead early on thanks to a corner that deflected in off a Rammy player. Not to be deterred, Rammy pushed forward and were soon rewarded when Duffy’s in-swinging corner found the net directly. Subsequent efforts from Westerman, Woods, Howarth and Duffy were either saved or went wide, so the score remained level until half time.

HT 1-1

The introduction of Kirk, who adapted to the playing surface better than most, did prompt the Ewes to be more creative in the second half so it was somewhat surprising that there was only one further goal. This came in the 64th minute when Downey’s cross was met with a defensive header which only went as far as Duffy who volleyed the ball decisively into the net.

Stockport pushed three players forward for the remainder of the match, but the Rammy back line – well marshalled by centre-half Roberts – dealt with the threat efficiently. At the other end, the Stockport goalkeeper produced several fine saves to prevent the Ewes from extending their lead. In the end the solitary second-half goal proved enough to secure Rammy a hard-fought victory and confirm their sixth-place finish.

FT 1-2

PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Nicole Duffy

RAMMY WOMEN: Hill, Worsick (c), Barlow, Roberts, Downey, Albo-Elliott, Pearson, Howarth, Woods, Duffy, Westerman, Hodcroft, Skinner, Kirk

NEXT MATCH: Sunday 26th April 12pm HOME v Crompton at Top Park, Bolton Road West, Ramsbottom, BL0 9PJ

Photos kindly supplied by AFC Stockport.