Manchester City continued our relentless pursuit of the Barclays Women’s Super League title across the month, winning all four of our league assignments.
It means we sit at the division’s summit approaching our final four games of the season, albeit having played a game more than second-place, Chelsea.
Gareth Taylor’s team began with a hard fought 2-1 victory over Everton at the Joie Stadium where goals from Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw and Lauren Hemp helped secure the success.
Although we then suffered narrow cup defeats to Chelsea (Continental Cup) and Spurs (FA Cup) we bounced back magnificently with a 4-1 victory away at Brighton and Hove Albion.
The Blues followed up our fine Seagulls success with a memorable 3-1 win over Manchester United in front of over 40,000 supporters at the Etihad Stadium.
A week later, we closed the month with a strong 4-1 victory over Liverpool at Prenton Park.
But which individual stood out for you across March?
JESS PARK
Continuing her fine progress in central midfield, Jess Park was at the centre of much of City’s electric attacking displays in April.
The England international bagged a brilliant brace in the Manchester derby before providing an assist to Bunny in the 3-1 success as we collected three points over our cross-city rivals.
Her first at the Etihad Stadium saw her finish off a clinical team move when she expertly volleyed home Leila Ouahabi’s cross before showing her poacher’s instinct before half time to poke home and extend our lead.
After netting her first two WSL goals for the Club during the clash, she continued her fine form in front of goal on Merseyside by scoring City’s second against Liverpool in the 4-1 triumph.
Yet again rounding off an expertly crafted attack, she danced into the box and fired home via the post.
KHADIJA ‘BUNNY’ SHAW
A historic month for the Jamaican, Bunny became the Club’s all-time leading women’s scorer in March and raised her total for City to 70 in all competitions.
She opened the scoring in our victory over Everton at the Joie Stadium before drawing level with Georgia Stanway’s overall City tally of 67 by heading home away at Brighton.
The clinical forward then etched her name into our history books when breaking into the box and firing home our third against Manchester United in front of over 40,000 fans at the Etihad.
Buoyed by surpassing Stanway’s total and reaching 68 for the Club, she scored twice more in our final March assignment against Liverpool – with her first goal perhaps one of her most memorable in sky blue.
After flicking the ball past an onrushing Gemma Bonner, she unleashed a venomous effort into the top corner of the net from 25-yards before heading home Taylor’s team’s fourth at Prenton Park after half-time.
LAUREN HEMP
With three goals and an assist to her name, Hemp completes our shortlist for March’s Joie Player of the Month.
Once again, the England international has been a creative force on the left-hand-side which was perfectly demonstrated by her strikes against Everton, Brighton and Liverpool and her assist against the Seagulls.
Hemp was at her scintillating best in our superb 4-1 win at Broadfield Stadium where she opened the scoring with a cool, improvised finish to break the deadlock.
She then turned provider for Mary Fowler’s strike as the former drilled the ball low across goal for the Australia international to poke home.
Who will get your precious vote from the above three?
The competition is now open, so make sure to pick your favourite, with the winner announced next week!
Have your say by clicking here.
