Fair to say it's been raining today, was tipping it down when I left Norfolk earlier today and pretty much didn't let up for the entire journey. Now this was a case of deja vu as I've made this journey to Liverpool in the pouring rain to watch Lincoln Ladies take on Liverpool back in the WSL in 2012 thinking all the way 'this games going to get called off?' even stopped every hour to check twitter for info (don't tweet and drive people) only to arrive in the car park an hour before kick-off to discover it had finally been cancelled, it was a long way to go just to have a roast dinner let me tell you!
Back then though Liverpool Ladies played at Skelmersdale on grass, now is a different story playing at the Select Security Stadium in Widnes the pitch is 3G so there was little danger of the game being called off due to the wet. Another footballing weekender it was nice to check into the hotel and chill a bit before travelling onto the match.
The big games keep coming thick and fast in the WSL with Liverpool Ladies who had started their league campaign with a win and 2 draws hosting the team sitting in top spot following their mid-week victory over Arsenal Ladies.. Birmingham City Ladies (see previous match report). With 2 wins and a draw from their opening 3 league games Birmingham were leading the way on 7pts this match between the 2 is the last before the season takes a months break so both would be looking for the 3pts, Birmingham to extend their lead, Liverpool to over haul them and claim top spot themselves.
Liverpool Ladies starting XI - Libby Stout, Lucy Bronze, Becky Easton, Gemma Bonner (C), Corina Schroder, Fara Williams, Amanda Da Costa, Hannah Dale, Martha Harris, Gemma Davison & Natasha Dowie
Birmingham City Ladies starting XI - Becky Spencer, Chelsea Weston, Aoife Mannion, Kerys Harrop, Jess Carter, Jo Potter, Jade Moore, Remi Allen, Karen Carney (C), Melissa Lawley & Kirsty Linnett
As it turned out the Security Select Stadium was bathed in sunshine as Birmingham in their blue colours got the match under way against Liverpool lined up in red. In the last game I watched Liverpool play away to Notts County Ladies manager Matt Beard made a tactical switch in the 2nd half moving Lucy Bronze from the centre of defence out to right back with Becky Easton going the opposite way. This was how Liverpool started tonight with Bronze at full back looking to bound down the right side of the pitch.
Birmingham were unchanged from the team that beat Arsenal on Wednesday night, had put a lot into that performance would be interesting to see how well they had recovered. It was Liverpool with the opening chance Gemma Davison receiving the ball centrally has a driving run towards Birmingham's goal is closed down quickly scuffs her effort and the ball is deflected for a corner.
The start is high tempo as you'd expect the ball travelling quickly from one end of the pitch to the other, notably for Liverpool, Davison is starting from a deeper position on the pitch behind the front trio looking to get the ball and drive forwards with it.
Birmingham are working hard though to win it back, one move sees left back Jess Carter put a cross into the box Liverpool goalkeeper Libby Stout can't get to it as it comes to Melissa Lawley making contact with the ball the attacker puts it wide.
Fara Williams plays the ball into the path of the advancing Lucy Bronze, she in turn plays it into Natasha Dowie, the ball is taken from her by a great tackle from Birmingham central defender Aoife Mannion. The ball is won back though and Davison this time delivers a cross from the right touch line that Birmingham goalkeeper Becky Spencer takes at her near post.
Becky Spencer makes a save from a long range drive from Davison as she picks up the ball from the middle of the park once again. Liverpool are putting Birmingham under pressure with possession in and around their area with finding that cutting ball.
Melissa Lawley is working hard to win the ball back tracking back to win possession and then look to run with the ball has an opportunity to feed in a cross from the right in the box Remi Allen can't make enough contact as Liverpool half clear comes out to Jo Potter 30 yards out who tries to float it back into the box, too close to Stout however and she takes the catch.
Birmingham win a corner from a free kick delivered into the box, Jade Moore gets her head to the set piece but sends the ball wide of goal.
Amanda Da costa is fouled 20 yards from goal, Fara Williams takes the free kick delivered with pace and accuracy Spencer does well to save tipping it round the post for a corner.
Birmingham win a penalty as the ball is played long for Jade Moore to chase, Stout is off her line quickly looks to get to the ball with her legs but then takes out Moore, the referee points to the spot looked harsh as Karen Carney steps up to take powers the ball into the back of the net and Birmingham have the lead 0-1.
Soon after Stout makes a fantastic save from point blank range might not have known much about it as the ball comes in from a corner Kerys Harrop is there on the six yard line to connect, straight at Stout. The pace of the game is furious both teams have half chances a cross just over a head and the keeper kicking clear before the striker can pull the trigger.
Davison has another powerful run down the right puts a cross in the ball is cleared all the way to the halfway line, Gemma Bonner races onto it decides to have a strike from a good way out gets everything behind it is arrowing towards goal needs an outstretched glove from Spencer to push it over the bar.
The last chance of the half is another good one for Liverpool, Bronze not content to maraud down the right flank finds herself crossing the pitch puts a cross in from the left falling central to goal Natasha Dowie is racing to meet it makes contact but sends it wide.
Half-time Liverpool Ladies 0-1 Birmingham City Ladies
Liverpool get the 2nd half under way. Are looking to pressure Birmingham early on push them back, Amanda Da Costa has a shot from outside the box her effort is hit against team mate Martha Harris as spins away for a goal kick.
The game is getting a little scrappy determination to win the ball leading to fouls being given away on both sides. Jade Moore wins the ball in the middle turns and runs, plays the ball into Karen Carney running she shoots the ball going over the bar.. but not by much.
Hannah Dale for Liverpool has the ball 20 yards from goal has time to tee up a shot up, her effort going wide of the right hand post. Martha Harris is taken off, Kate Longhurst comes on for Liverpool.
Liverpool's turn to win a penalty, this time as Hannah Dale inside the box going away from goal is tripped by Aoife Mannion, like the 1st one given away by Stout it looked harsh, but given it was Fara Williams to take and she slots it wide of Spencer to level the scores 1-1.
Lawley on the run with the ball has a shot that is deflected comes back out to Moore who has a go her effort is deflected for a corner. Birmingham are enjoying a spell of pressure helped by Liverpool giving away free kicks one is delivered in dangerously from the left near the half way line to the far post where Kerys Harrop leaps to head the ball back into the danger area, Stout does well to jump in a crowd of players to claim the ball.
Birmingham make a change bringing off Kirsty Linnett for Hannah Keryakoplis. Birmingham have a similar free kick this time though the ball is cleared by Liverpool and the break is on Davison with the ball powers forwards into the box left of Spencers goal she tries to put it across the keeper but she drops quickly and gets a glove to it pushing it wide... at least that's what I thought she did although a goal kick was awarded?
Corina Schroder has a good run down into the left channel fires the ball into Davison inside the box, she plays it through to Hannah Dale at the far post who has an effort falling back however it is played into Spencer's arms.
Dale comes off soon after to be replaced by Ashley Hodson. Birmingham press late on another well delivered Potter free kick from the right comes in dangerously is high is almost past Stout as she jumps to claim it but does well to pluck the ball out of the sky. One final effort for Birmingham a late free kick from Carney played in from a central position near the centre circle, the ball going over and out.
Full time and the game ends 1-1, a tale of two penalties both seeming harsh but both converted a draw it is and both teams remain undefeated in the league going into the break with Birmingham still top on with 8pts and Liverpool moving into 2nd with 6pts.
A fan of the sport doing my small part to help promote the women's game
No comments:
Post a Comment