Is a battle between the 2 clubs currently bottom of the FAWSL 1 league table. Birmingham City Ladies have just 2 points on the board following 2 0-0 draws at home to Manchester City Women and Notts County Ladies sandwiched in between was a 2-1 defeat away to Liverpool Ladies, whilst this Sunday a single goal won the match at the Autotech Stadium for early pace setters Chelsea Ladies.
Has been a lack of goals early on with just Aoife Mannion having her name in the league goals column to date haven't scored a league goal at home. Have been missing a few key players in attack however, captain Karen Carney was suspended for the start of the season, the club then lost new signing Freda Ayisi for 3 matches sent off for violent conduct in the opening day draw with Manchester City Women, had fellow striker Kirsty Linnett coming off injured in that match too. All three are back now Ayisi starting last weekend with both Carney and Linnett coming off the bench.
Bristol Academy come to the Autotech Stadium badly in need of 3 points themselves. Are bottom of the league have lost their opening 4 FAWSL matches. Well known they lost a host of players over the close season and player exodus' often have an impact on team morale. Have lost defenders Jemma Rose and Corinne Yorston at the back, but the loss has been felt more in attack where they have lost a lot of goals with Natalia Pablos Sanchon, Laura Del Rio and Natasha Harding all departing. Now their poor start to the season has also lead to the departure of manager Dave Edmondson last Thursday.
Know from speaking to a few Bristol fans they didn't think is tactics and style suited the team and there was some unrest in the dressing room. Whatever the reason losing players not only impacts morale it causes a period of transition, new faces have come in. Bristol chairman Simon Arnold though has wasted no time in bringing in a new manager. Willie Kirk has come in had originally applied for the post following Mark Sampson's departure to coach England. At the time didn't have the necessary coaching badges to meet FAWSL requirements has since gotten them has managed Hibernian Ladies before taking up a role developing women's football with the Scottish FA. Will take charge at the end of the month with Edmondson's former assistant Lauren Smith managing the team for her 2nd match following Bristol's 5-2 loss at home to Notts County Ladies at the weekend.
The pitch at the Autotech Stadium looks in very good condition the weather pretty gloomy and overcast dark clouds all around a possibility of some rain during the match getting cooler.
Birmingham City Ladies starting XI - Rebecca Spencer, Meaghan Sargeant, Jess Carter, Kerys Harrop, Aoife Mannion, Jo Potter, Jade Moore (C), Remi Allen, Alex Windell, Melissa Lawley & Freda Ayisi.
subs - Sophie Baggaley, Karen Carney, Kirsty Linnett, Abbeyleigh Stringer, Coral Haines, Christina Torkildsen & Emily Westwood.
Bristol Academy starting XI - Mary Earps, Loren Dykes, Jasmine Matthews, Grace McCatty (C), Georgia Evans, Frankie Brown, Angharad James, Sophie Ingle, Hayley Ladd, Nikki Watts & Christie Murray.
subs - Alice Evans, Gabriella Simmons-Bird, Alexandra Hurst, Isobel Dalton, Sharla Passariello & Nadia Lawrence.
It's Birmingham lined up all in blue to kick off the match against Bristol lined up opposite in red. The home side are making in roads into the Bristol half straight away Melissa Lawley running into space wide left as she receives the ball taking it to the by line looks to turn and fire a cross into the box, puts the ball straight into the gloves of Bristol goalkeeper Mary Earps.
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| Birmingham City Ladies Melissa Lawley |
Bristol press the ball hard in the Birmingham half with Angharad James winning it, passes it short into Christie Murray to her left outside the box on the right Murray looks to hit the ball high into the area, skies the ball Rebecca Spencer in the Birmingham goal has plenty of time to see it safely into her gloves.
A bright start from Bristol the pace of the game is rapid no surprise there, captain Grace McCatty winning the ball back brings it forwards from centre back rolls it into Sophie Ingle in the centre she drives on into the Birmingham half has Loren Dykes out on the left making a run plays the ball out to her she tries to go around Meaghan Sargeant playing at right back for Birmingham in the absence of the injured Chelsea Weston, can't get the ball past her but wins her team a corner. The ball is fired in low there are cries for hand ball from the Bristol players, the cries are ignored by the referee and Birmingham clear.
Up top for Birmingham, Freda Ayisi is looking to make herself available for the pass out from the middle of the park prepared to go out into space on the right her get on the ball and drive at the Bristol centre backs, isolates herself against McCatty on a couple of occasions but can't shake her off to get a shot away.
Murray and Nikki Watts are the strike pairing for Bristol are coming short to get the ball then look to spin off their markers and hold the ball up to bring others into play are enjoying some possession in front of the Birmingham box, the home side a little nervous early on rushing clearances hitting bodies and keeping themselves under pressure. It is notable that Bristol are leaving space out on the flanks for Birmingham to exploit particularly on left with Jess Carter able to come forwards as play is attracted across the pitch.
Jo Potter sees Carter in space a sprays a great pass out to her from the centre the ball put into the box is headed behind for a corner by Bristol's Jasmine Matthews. The set piece is delivery long into the six yard box, Earps makes the call and claims the ball. Ayisi with a chance at goal as the ball is put out to her peeling out into the right of the area, strong on the ball she charges into the area sends the shot away, beats Earps the shot though flies across the face of goal and out.
Ayisi again powers her way down the right with the ball puts a great cross into the box has Lawley coming into the penalty spot jumps looking to head the ball past Earps, can only get the merest of touches not enough to trouble Earps. In the centre Moore with good footwork to evade a challenge from Hayley Ladd, has Ayisi in front of her looks for the past to send her through on goal McCatty intercepts.
Birmingham are starting to get on top another attack this time Lawley with the ball at her feet pushes inside into the Bristol area fires her ball across goal, Potter is making up the ground at the but can't get on the ball, is retrieved out on the left the cross fired into the near post, Earps isn't fazed by having Moore closing in on her stays focused and punches the ball away as the Birmingham player clatters into her. Birmingham have more opportunities to cross the ball into the box but more often than not it is an easy claim for Earps.
Few chances at the other end Murray has a great chance to score as she makes a run to the near post with Dykes bringing the ball deep into the Birmingham on the left squared the low cross into Murray with Spencer coming to defend her goal Murray tries to turn the ball past her but Spencer blocks makes the save the ball goes behind for a corner.
Moore gets the ball out to Alex Windell on the right, she crosses early a deep ball sent into the near post, Lawley is making the run jumps in front of Earps to try and head it beyond her makes no contact, Earps isn't distracted by the jump keeps her eyes on the ball makes the save.
Half-time Birmingham City Ladies 0-0 Bristol Academy
Has been a fast paced 1st half, committed from both sides as you'd expect, play has been a little scrappy and rushed with little goal mouth action, build up play has been good the final deliveries not trouble either defence, Earps has been the busier of the goalkeepers but has commanded her box well.
Has gotten decidedly chilly since the sun has disappeared and the teams come out for the 2nd half, Bristol to kick off. Birmingham start on the offensive with Ayisi coming deep to win the ball, has Windell on the right ready to sprint into space, sees her lays the cross out to her, Windell hits the cross on the turn into the area, the outcome the same Earps calls and catches.
Early into the 2nd half and Birmingham make the 1st substitution with Karen Carney coming on to the pitch with Windell giving way. McCatty welcomes her back with a strong challenge on halfway. It's Potter to play the ball long into the area, Bristol get a header to it 1st the ball loops up high, keeping her eye on it Mannion gets her head on the ball trying to turn it towards goal is sent high again, Earps is under it to catch on her line.
Bristol attacks are limited in the 2nd half Carter handles the ball wide of the area on the right giving Watts a chance to play a ball into the area, hit low with plenty of pace it is send across the goal face and out of play.
Earps is called into action again to make a save this time as Carney her back to goal central spins off her marker ad bringing the ball on looks to play Lawley in on the ball to her left, Lawley has Earps closing her down gets her shot away, Earps is down to make the save. A few refereeing decisions are going against Birmingham a few Bristol challenges let go, the referee allowing play to continue the pace is fast. 2nd change for Birmingham as Remi Allen is replaced by Kirsty Linnett.
Adds to Birmingham's attacking options as they continue to surge forwards attack the Bristol box. Ayisi strong on the ball again rolls it out let for Lawley to run onto, she hits the ball on the run sends her shot narrowly over the bar. Linnett nicks the ball off Matthews as the defender dallies on the ball, Linnett taking the ball into the area, has Earps coming to close her down, Matthews coming in to recover the ball Linnett's shot hits Matthews goes into Earps as she collides with Linnett.
Lawley slides the ball through to carney inside the box she is a wide of the six yard box on the right as she gets hold of the ball, Earps has come across to challenge for the ball drops low as Carney shoots gets something on the ball as it is deflected behind. The set piece comes through to Ayisi at the far post attempts an over head kick with Earps closing her down the ball hits Earps loops back out to Sargeant she fires her shot wide from 15 yards out.
Change for Bristol as Sharla Passariello comes in up top with Hayley Ladd coming off. The cross is put in from the left by Birmingham fizzed into Ayisi at the near post she can't quite dig it out from under her feet under the close attention of Earps who slips does enough though to give her defenders a chance to close in and win the ball.
Shots are coming in from all angles by Birmingham most from outside the box and Bristol with numbers back determinedly put the blocks in as the game enters the closing minutes. Winning a late corner Birmingham make their 3rd change bringing on Emily Westwood to add an extra attacker with Carter coming off. The ball comes flying in deep to the far post between the defender and Earps who clatters into her post Bristol hold out.
Injury time one last chance for Birmingham to score and claim the 3 points Lawley on the left wraps her foot around the ball sends it in low and fast, Earps diving misses it with Carney racing in behind, she gets a touch but the ball screws away from the open goal leaving Carney sitting in disbelief on the floor, the final whistle blows and Bristol win their 1st point of the season 0-0.
Birmingham have had the Bristol defence penned in for virtually all of the 2nd half with Carney and Linnett coming off the bench creating chances, Ayisi too strong and agile, but for the 4th successive home game they fail to score, solid defensively you feel it's only a matter of time before that changes.
The point will help Bristol's confidence no end, had to work hard for it especially 2nd half, but were determined as a collective to keep their goal intact. Earps showed great form in goal but I understand she has been like that since the season began.
Both remain in the bottom 2 with 5 played and have one more chance to register a win before the FAWSL1 stops for 2 months with the World Cup in Canada on the horizon. Both playing on Saturday 9th May, Birmingham are away to Sunderland Ladies with Bristol at home welcoming Arsenal Ladies to the Stoke Gifford Stadium.
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