Goals from Izzy Christiansen, Toni Duggan and Steph Houghton secured the victory as Nick Cushing’s side stepped up their preparations ahead of the big kick off on 23 March.
The 1,027 fans in attendance at the Academy Stadium were treated to a fantastic display of football by City, who handed debuts to new signings Jane Ross and Kosovare Asllani.
Both debutants came close to opening the scoring in the early stages of the game as Asllani smashed an effort off the crossbar before Ross saw a header cleared off the line.
However, it wasn’t long until City took the lead through Christiansen. The 24-year old, who was playing on the two-year anniversary of her joining MCWFC, latched onto a Ross cross and applied the finish in the 22nd minute to give City a one-goal advantage.
Set piece specialist Houghton nearly added a second shortly before half time but Rosengard ‘keeper Zecira Musovic was alert to the danger and palmed her free kick around the post and out for a corner.
At the other end, Karen Bardsley was called into action for the first time with almost the last kick of the first half as she saved down low to prevent Rosengard levelling the scores.
Manager Nick Cushing made three changes at the interval as Marie Hourihan, who appeared in front of the City faithful for the first time, Nikita Parris and Megan Campbell came on for Bardsley, Asllani and Lucy Bronze.
Parris had an immediate impact on the game as her dynamic style of play caused havoc for the away side’s defence before setting up Duggan, who placed the ball in the back of the net from close range on her comeback from injury.
Rosengard reduced the deficit in the 57th minute when Houghton diverted Alexandra Lowe Riley’s cross into her own net.
City responded well to the goal and created a chance almost immediately through Scottish international Ross. She prodded the ball goalwards from six yards out, only to see her effort cleared off the line by Emma Berglund.
The third goal didn’t take too long to arrive though as England international Houghton headed home from Christiansen’s free kick in the 70th minute to restore the two-goal advantage.
Rosengard pushed for a way back into the game as time ticked on but City prevented them from getting close to Hourihan and the game finished 3-1 to the hosts.
Next up for MCWFC is a friendly against Pitea IF on Wednesday 25 February, 1pm kick off at the Academy Stadium.
