Match Report - Birmingham City Ladies v Chelsea Ladies

  Last game of the season this Saturday afternoon, the winter leagues all concluded the 1st weekend in June sees the FAWSL 1 Spring Series come to an end and it couldn't be any tighter at the top as once again the league will be decided on the last day with 4 sides in the running. A second trip to Solihull Moors FC's Autotech Stadium in 3 days with Chelsea Ladies leading the table going into their final game away to Birmingham City Ladies

  Chelsea Ladies leading on 16 points with a strong goal difference over 2nd placed Manchester City Women both defeated just the once during the one off Spring Series campaign. A busy schedule 8 league games in 6 weeks just 2 points separate the top 4. Chelsea going top of the table with a comprehensive 7-0 win at home to previous leaders Liverpool Ladies last weekend maintained top spot with a midweek win away to Bristol City Women. Another away victory today will guarantee Emma Hayes' side the Spring Series trophy and lay down a marker for next season when the FAWSL returns to the winter scheduling to come back in line with the rest of the women's football pyramid. 

  Anything less than a win and it gives their rivals a chance, Manchester City are away to Liverpool Ladies now in 4th spot 2 points off the top having led for much of the Spring Series. Liverpool need other results to go their way but they know it is possible having been 3rd on the final day a couple of seasons back. Arsenal Ladies are the only undefeated side in the table in 3rd place a point behind the leading pair. Ideally they need to win away to Bristol City Women and hope Chelsea lose and Manchester City Women either draw or are beaten.

  Looking to stop Chelsea Ladies claiming the title, Birmingham City Ladies have had a frustrating Spring Series just the 2 losses have become the draw specialists in the league with 4 from their 7 games played so far. Just the one win have plenty of goal scorers in their squad it's just that they haven't found the net to often just the 6 scored. Creating plenty of chances were unfortunate not to get the 3 points at home to Yeovil Town Ladies as the league new comers battled for a goalless draw to get their 1st point of the campaign.

  Saturday afternoon for the final round of fixtures, a 3:30pm kick off and then my football is done for the season. The television cameras at the Autotech Stadium the game being shown on BT Sports. A decent sized crowd building too, Chelsea bringing plenty of travelling support with them. Another decent day weather wise too warm and bright with a little cloud cover.

 Birmingham City Ladies starting XI - Ann-Katrin Berger, Meghan Sargeant, Aoife Mannion, Kerys Harrop (C), Paige Williams, Sarah Mayling, Jess Carter, Marissa Ewers, Abbey-Leigh Stringer, Ellie Brazil & Rachel Williams.
 subs - Sophie Baggaley, Emily Westwood, Charlie Wellings, Adrine Hegerberg, Freda Ayisi, Chloe Peplow & Connie Scofield.

 Chelsea Ladies starting XI - Carly Telford, Millie Bright, Deanna Cooper, Gilly Flaherty, Katie Chapman (C), Maren Mjelde, Gemma Davison, Ji So-Yun, Crystal Dunn, Karen Carney & Fran Kirby.
 subs - Fran Kitching, Hannah Blundell, Beth England, Erin Cuthbert, Ramona Bachmann & Drew Spence.

  Both sides having been in action on Wednesday night make full use of their squads Birmingham making 4 changes from the starting line-up with manager Marc Skinner bringing Kerys Harrop, Jess Carter, Sarah Mayling and Rachel Williams into the starting 11 with Freda Ayisi, Adrine Hegerberg and Emily Westwood on the bench. Emma Hayes making 5 changes switching wing backs Hannah Blundell and Beth England for Crystal Dunn and Gemma Davison. Erin Cuthbert, Ramona Bachmann and Drew Spence also starting up top for Chelsea on Wednesday on the bench today with Karen Carney and Ji So-Yun joining Fran Kirby in the attack. 

  It's Birmingham to get the 1st half underway wearing their all blue home kit with Chelsea wearing their white away strip. Birmingham play the ball long out to the right Sarah Mayling looking to knock the all on into the area for Ellie Brazil, Chelsea goalkeeper, Carly Telford getting an early claim on the ball. 

  Bringing the ball forwards the pass finding Ji So-Yun for Chelsea the South Korean international plays the ball into Karen Carney making a run out to the right side is challenged by Birmingham captain, Kerys Harrop the ball put out for a throw in from which the 1st corner of the game is won. Fran Kirby comes out of the six yard box to receive the corner rolled into her by Carney plays it back to Davison top of the area to sweep a cross into the area, Birmingham's Jess Carter heads the ball clear.

  Positive build up play from Chelsea working the ball forwards Birmingham defending the final ball as the visitors attempt to play Kirby in behind on the right. Birmingham put the ball up through the middle, Rachel Williams looking to attack it, Millie Bright back across her run skies the ball high into the air, both give chase as it falls towards the left outside the area the Chelsea defender fouling the Birmingham attacker to give away the free-kick. Paige Williams on the set-piece plays it into the area, Chelsea clear, Birmingham regroup, gain possession and come forwards an intriguing start to the game an even contest so far.

Rachel Williams hurdling, Cooper's sliding challenge

  Aoife Mannion is busy in the heart of the Birmingham defence comes across to deal with Kirby as she looks to find a way in round the back down the left channel. Little goalmouth action in the opening 15 minutes. Carney getting hold of the ball on halfway pics out American International Crystal Dunn on the move down the left taking the ball on to the byline cuts the cross back into the area, falls for Carter back tracking to help her defence her stooping header running straight to So-Yun outside the area left connects with the 1st time hit her volley well over the crossbar.

Birmingham's Aoife Mannion beats Chelsea's Fran Kirby to the ball

  Kirby is fouled in the back by Meghan Sargeant on the left side outside the area as she attempts to hold the ball up the referee spotting it awarding Chelsea the free-kick. Carney over the ball hits it hard and inswinging ball flying in central towards goal Birmingham goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger coming through the crowd before her punches the ball away.

 GOAL! Penalty! In the 21st minute Chelsea are awarded a penalty. Deanna Cooper bringing the ball out from the back playing it long for Kirby making the run into the box, is taken down by Berger as the goalkeeper comes across to challenge the referee pointing to the spot shows Berger a yellow card. Carney up to take the spot kick no messing hits it hard, Berger guessing the right way dives can't get anywhere near the ball 0-1.

Karen Carney gives Chelsea Ladies the lead from the penalty spot

   Harrop does well defending for Birmingham on the right as Davison gets forwards to support Carney. Drifting across to the left as Birmingham attack, Brazil looks to try and knock the ball in behind the Chelsea defence, reading it Gilly Flaherty makes the defensive tackle for Chelsea winning the ball. Sarah Mayling is keeping tight to the wing on the right trying to get forwards to support the attack room to receive the ball if her team mates can find her. Rachel Williams picks her out the cross comes in high is Williams coming in, Telford keeps her eye on the ball claims it high.

  Chelsea are starting to see more of the ball patient and progressive in their build up play over loading one flank or the other, Birmingham's back three have dealt with thing's well so far, Harrop left, Sargeant right well backed up by Mannion in between. Great attacking build up from Chelsea the ball going right to left quickly Carney playing the ball across the face of the area into So-Yun 30 yards out on for captain Katie Chapman she picks out Dunn getting away down the left taking the ball on towards the line whips and inviting cross into the six yard box, Davison running onto it far post sends her bullet header over.

Karen Carney on the attack for Chelsea Ladies

   Maren Mjelde is allowed to come forwards with the ball through the middle the Norwegian International spots Berger off her line looks to send the shot in a distance over her, Berger back peddling does well to stop the ball high on her goal line bring it down safely. Chelsea ending the 2nd half strongly, Carney influencing the play brings the ball out to the left before turning inside producing a great reverse pass to release Dunn on the left, slices her cross behind. 

Chelsea Ladies, Maren Mjelde

   Bright has defended well at the back for Chelsea left side getting forwards when she can to support the attack down that side sends  a great ball on for Dunn an excellent 1st touch to bring the ball down into Carney who plays Dunn on down the wing, the cross bisecting the six yard box is too long for Davison coming in far post, retrieves the ball turning back in towards goal lifting the ball into the middle Mannion gets her head on the ball to clear for Birmingham.

Birmingham City Ladies, Ann-Katrin Berger

  Into the closing stages of the 1st half Chelsea dominating play towards the end of the 45, Carney with a fantastic ball up into the area central, both So-Yun and Kirby looking to steal in behind a deft header from So-Yun to drop the ball into Kirby's path she attempts to knock the ball past the advancing Berger, the goalkeeper denies her making a superb stop going to ground killing the ball with her right hand, Mannion quickest to react getting the ball out of the area.    

Half-time Birmingham City Ladies 0-1 Chelsea Ladies 

 An intriguing contest, Chelsea Ladies have the 1-0 lead enough as it stands to see them clinch the FAWSL 1 Spring Series title. An even start to the game little goal mouth action early on both playing 3 at the back winning the ball has been congested in midfield Chelsea beginning to find more room with the like of Carney moving across the pitch. Birmingham have defended well without creating too many opportunities up the other end the penalty the difference between the sides at the break.

  Chelsea to get the 2nd half underway in front of a revised crowd of 1171, no changes for either side during the interval. Carter winning the ball at the back for Birmingham as the visitors look to play Davison through into the area from the right. The ball played long into the left channel, Brazil gives chase, she is quickly closed down by Cooper who shields the ball well before rolling it into Telford to kick clear up the pitch. 

Jess Carter wins the ball for Birmingham City Ladies

  Great hold-up play inside the box by Rachel Williams as the ball is rolled into her feet from the right off Mayling, left of goal six yard outs spins off he marker and hits the cross/shot on the turn effort going over from the angle. Mjelde carries the ball forwards moving left supported by Davison as the ball is pushed on then cut inside for Kirby charging at the area left side her shot is charged down. Chelsea keep possession of the ball stroke it around the top of the Birmingham area before So-Yun wins the visitors a corner kick.

  Carney puts plenty of zip on the ball goes long headed back in across goal by Mjelde out of play wide of the far post another corner signalled. A strong start to the 2nd half for Chelsea in the opening 10 minutes as they look to double their lead. 

 GOAL! From that early 2nd half pressure Chelsea go on to double their lead the ball on the right with Davison powering forwards fires a vicious cross in along the goal face Berger getting down low to stop the ball spills it running on for Kirby at the far post for a simple tap in to make it 0-2.

Fran Kirby doubles Chelsea Ladies lead

  Birmingham push on from the restart Mannion prepared to bring the ball out from the back spots Rachel Williams looking to break through the middle of the Chelsea defence puts the ball on over the top, into the area, Telford back peddling gives herself the room to collect the ball cleanly on the bounce, rather than risk spilling it with Williams barrelling down upon her. A break in play a Brazil gets the full force of the ball driven into her stomach from close range by Bright as she goes to clear the ball. Both sides make a change Carter coming off for Birmingham just past the hour mark, Charlie Wellings coming on. Chelsea bring off Davison she is replaced by Swiss International, Ramona Bachmann. Brazil is okay to return to the action.

  Wellings has an early opportunity to drive with the ball at the Chelsea defence coming in from the right is stopped in her tracks by Bright. A mazy run with the ball on the left from Dunn for Chelsea bringing the ball inside across the top of the area, is leaning back as she goes to strike the ball causing her shot to swerve away from goal. A neat one two through the middle between Carney and Kirby the latter into the box, Harrop steps in to make the timely interception. A 2nd change fro Birmingham with 20 minutes left on the clock increasing their attacking options bringing on Freda Ayisi for Ewers.

Freda Ayisi coming away with the ball for Birmingham City Ladies

   Very nearly a 3rd goal for Chelsea, Flaherty joining the attack getting forwards laying the all into Kirby near post no room to turn lays it back to So-Yun who back heels the ball into Mjelde just outside the box strikes the bar flies narrowly over the bar. Chelsea notch up the passes building up another attack play inside the Birmingham half left rolled into So-Yun in a central position strikes the ball goalwards, taking a deflection on the way through the pace off the ball Berger gathers.

 Brazil has worked hard up front for Birmingham chasing lost causes getting the ball back in play going after it down the left wing lays the ball back to Paige Williams outside the box top corner, fires the diagonal ball long towards the far post brought down by Rachel Williams keeps hold of the ball turns and tries to lift it up towards the opposite post, Telford in between gets up to claim hold of the ball. Rachel Williams has another opportunity moments later striking the ball wide from 30 yards after Cooper's sliding tackle to deny Brazil runs into her path.

Chelsea Ladies, Deanna Cooper

  Chelsea make another change bring Kirby off sending on Drew Spence. Paige Williams carries the ball forwards for Birmingham turning in field puts a great ball on for Brazil making the run towards the top of the area the striker almost connects but is closely marked by Cooper the defender putting in the challenge before getting the ball away from danger. Birmingham win a corner as Brazil pressures Cooper in the left corner. The ball is fired in near post Flaherty gets her head down to the ball as Harrop comes in with a high boot, noses and studs work in some combinations but not that one the referee awarding the free-kick. Flaherty is okay. 

Birmingham City Ladies, Paige Williams

   A powerful run with the ball through the middle by Bachmann for Chelsea getting into the box but up against Mannion it's the defender who wins the tussle for control of the ball. 5 minutes of added on time to be played Chelsea are almost there, make their 3rd and final change So-Yun off, Erin Cuthbert the substitute almost finding herself through on goal following great work from Dunn on the left with the support in Carney on her inside right putting the ball on for Cuthbert in the area left of goal almost succeeds in knocking it past Berger as she comes to close her down the keeper grabbing the ball and pulling it into her body. 

Full time Birmingham City Ladies 0-2 Chelsea Ladies

  That's it the final whistle blows and Chelsea Ladies are the FAWSL 1 Spring Series Champions finishing ahead of Manchester City Women on goal difference. Arsenal Ladies go the whole Spring Series unbeaten clinch 3rd spot. Liverpool Ladies ending the Spring Series with 2 straight defeats end up 4th.

  A good display from Chelsea to end the season. Playing some good attacking football progressive in their build up patient too. Plenty of attacking options with Katie Chapman protecting a solid back three. Laying down the marker for next season. Conceding from 2 errors Birmingham will feel disappointed once again another solid performance again with another strong defensive trio at the back not creating as much going forwards, overall would have expected to pick up more points during the Spring Series campaign but that squad is more likely to be challenging the top half of the FAWSL table next season rather than looking down.

SWF Blog - Player of the Match

 The final SWF Blog - Player of the Season goes to Chelsea Ladies Karen Carney an impressive performance using the ball well, moving to find space and bring others into play. Hopefully she can take that on into this summers Euro's for England.

Karen Carney

  Congratulation's to Chelsea Ladies on winning the FAWSL 1 Spring Series.

 Last match report for a little while 140 games in 18 months not a bad run time to enjoy a break however but will be rearing to go come the new season.