Blues Ladies kicked off their WSL league campaign with a goalless draw at home to Everton on Wednesday night at The Autotech Stadium.
The home side made several changes to their starting line up, with Saturday's UEFA Champions League semi final very much in the minds of players and management. Allen, Potter, Lawley and Linnett were left on the bench, while Weston was rested all together from the squad. This meant starts for Torkildsen, Simpkins, Wilkinson and a first start for pre season signing Keryakoplis. For the visitors, Danielle Turner made her debut, and Nikita Parris started up front, filling the gap left by England striker Toni Duggan who has joined Man City.
During a quiet first half, Blues' best chance fell to Wilkinson, who was unlucky to be denied twice by Brown-Finnis in the Everton goal. The former Villa striker met a left wing cross with a good header, and after the England stopper kept that out, she was their to deny Wilkinson from the follow up shot. Becky Spencer saved well following an Everton corner, but goalscoring opportunities were few and far between for both sides.
Parker made a double change at half time, Linnett and Allen replacing Torkildsen and Wilkinson, but if anything it was the Merseyside outfit who came out stronger after the break, and it took a superb save from Spencer to deny Billie Murphy the opener. Everton looked comfortable in possession, belying their tag as favourites for relegation this season, and it took Jo Potter's inclusion on the hour mark, replacing Simpkins, to drag Blues back into the game. Her usual nonchalance and composure in possession was much needed, and with the midfield back to how it has been for the start of the season Blues seized control. The best cross of the match from Keryakoplis was inches away from a decent Linnett connection, and Allen shot straight at the keeper following a right wing cross. The closest either team came to a winner was with ten minutes remaining, Linnett escaping her marker before crashing a 25 yard effort off the bar, leaving Brown-Finnis stranded.
Neither side could find the winner, and in terms of the start of the league both teams will be pleased with their respective points and clean sheets. This is a very impressive feat for Blues, who can add this clean sheet to the two they achieved against Arsenal in the Quarter Finals. Considering the loss of Laura Bassett from the back line, and with Emily Westwood recovering from injury, the young defenders have displayed maturity and confidence beyond their years. Harrop and Mannion have set up a good understanding at the heart of the defence, while Sargeant has looked equally at home at left back (Doncaster) or right back (Everton). I would guess that Jess Carter will make the left back berth her own as the season progresses, it is incredible to see a sixteen year old with so much composure, something Parker must be delighted with considering the lack of experience Blues have at the back.
The draw was a better result for both teams taking into consideration the other result of the night, where Notts County drew 1-1 with Arsenal, which confirms the expectations of many WSL supporters that this season will be the most competitive league yet. Liverpool and Chelsea will be the two teams most likely to break away and challenge for the title, but the remaining six teams will take points off each other throughout the season, so not losing the first game was very important for all four sides.
Attentions now turn to Saturday's history making tie with Tyreso, and the defence will have to stay strong against some of the best players in the world, while hopefully the rests given to the attacking players will do them good, and they can come out firing against the Swedish giants.
Blues: Spencer, Sargeant, Mannion, Harrop, Carter, Moore, Torkildsen (Allen 46), Simpkins (Potter 60), Carney (c), Keryakoplis, Wilkinson (Linnett 46)
Subs not used: Baggaley, Haines, Lawley, Brown
Everton: Brown-Finnis, Murphy, Whelan, Johnson, Greenwood, Handley, Jones, Chaplen, Turner (Magill 77), Hinnigan (c), Parris
Subs not used: Jones, Whipp, George, Turner, Walsh, Hayes
Thursday 17 April 2014
Tuesday 15 April 2014
Timely reality check as Blues edge into FA Cup Quarters
Blues Ladies made hard work of their progression into the FA Cup Quarter Finals this weekend, eventually defeating WSL 2 side Doncaster Rovers Belles 3-1 thanks to goals from Remi Allen, Kirsty Linnett and a wonder strike from Jo Potter.
This was the first game to be held at Damson Park, the home of Solihull Moors, and Blues fielded a strong starting line up, with only two changes being made from the Champions League Quarter Final success over Arsenal. Both changes came in defence, Christina Torkildsen and, making her debut, Meaghan Sargeant replaced Aoife Mannion and Jess Carter. Belles also put out a strong side, the vast majority of which played a significant part in their previous WSL season.
It did not take long until Blues broke the deadlock, the first goal at their new home, and it was the impressive Allen who opened the scoring. A neat turn from Linnett on the edge of the box allowed her room to cross and, after evading the reach of Nic Hobbs in the Belles' goal, Allen timed her run to perfection to be in the right place at the right time to score her third Blues goal in as many matches, and increased her burgeoning reputation as a goal scoring midfielder.
If anything the goal led Blues to rest on their laurels a touch, and the fast, high pressing game the team displayed in the two Arsenal games was missing. As the first half went on, Doncaster enjoyed their fair share of possession, but rarely got into the final third due to the presence of Blues' midfield trio. Their best chance of the half came on the half hour, when Mille Bright found herself with what seemed an unguarded net to place the ball into, but her goalbound effort was superbly blocked on the line by Kerys Harrop.
Blues should have gone into the break two up. Potter's diagonal ball found Carney on the right wing, and following an excellent first touch her cross found Linnett inside the box, with Hobbs nowhere to be seen, but unfortunately for the former Arsenal forward she was leaning back as she connected with the volley, and her effort went harmlessly over the bar.
The second half played out very much the same as the first, both sides losing possession to easily and the game mainly being battled out in the middle of the park, but with fifteen minutes remaining Doncaster equalised. Jess Sigsworth rounded a couple of challenges to find herself inside the area, and her shot-come-cross was side-footed home by captain Leandra Little, a goal which the lower league outfit deserved, if only for their determination and hard work.
Following the goal, Blues appeared to wake from their slumber and began to regain control of the game. Carney found space following a good link up with Linnett, and the skipper's square ball fell to Mel Lawley, but the winger took one touch too many and allowed Hobbs to parry her shot behind for a corner.
Potter had wasted a couple of good set piece opportunities during the second half, but Belles conceded one foul too many two minutes from time when Jade Moore was bundled over on the edge of the area. Potter chipped the cross in which caused all sorts of confusion inside the area, and as the Belles defence attempted to clear their lines, an attemped clearance ricocheted off Linnett and looped over Hobbs to put Blues back in front, and they wrapped the tie up in injury time thanks to a piece of solo genius.
Hobbs raced out of her goal to prevent a Blues corner, and her clearance eventually fell to the left foot of Potter, the last place they would have wanted it to land, and the former Everton and Charlton midfielder fired home a tremendous effort into the top corner.
Blues will know they have to be better if they are to steer clear of trouble in the upcoming WSL season, but they will also know they are capable of much better, and will be hoping to get back to business in their opening league game of the season against Everton on Wednesday evening.
Credit to Doncaster, nobody could have begrudged them of their equaliser, and they should take great confidence from this game, as they strive for an immediate return to WSL 1 this season.
Blues: Spencer, Weston, Torkildsen, Harrop, Seargant, Potter, Moore, Allen, Carney (c), Lawley, Linnett. Subs not used: Baggaley, Carter, Mannion, Keryakoplis, Simpkins
Doncaster: Hobbs, Cunningham, Little (c), Roberts, Cresswell, Smith, Lipka, Bright, Chadwick (Williams 70), England (Mills 55), Sigworth. Subs not used: Knight, Johnson
This was the first game to be held at Damson Park, the home of Solihull Moors, and Blues fielded a strong starting line up, with only two changes being made from the Champions League Quarter Final success over Arsenal. Both changes came in defence, Christina Torkildsen and, making her debut, Meaghan Sargeant replaced Aoife Mannion and Jess Carter. Belles also put out a strong side, the vast majority of which played a significant part in their previous WSL season.
It did not take long until Blues broke the deadlock, the first goal at their new home, and it was the impressive Allen who opened the scoring. A neat turn from Linnett on the edge of the box allowed her room to cross and, after evading the reach of Nic Hobbs in the Belles' goal, Allen timed her run to perfection to be in the right place at the right time to score her third Blues goal in as many matches, and increased her burgeoning reputation as a goal scoring midfielder.
If anything the goal led Blues to rest on their laurels a touch, and the fast, high pressing game the team displayed in the two Arsenal games was missing. As the first half went on, Doncaster enjoyed their fair share of possession, but rarely got into the final third due to the presence of Blues' midfield trio. Their best chance of the half came on the half hour, when Mille Bright found herself with what seemed an unguarded net to place the ball into, but her goalbound effort was superbly blocked on the line by Kerys Harrop.
Blues should have gone into the break two up. Potter's diagonal ball found Carney on the right wing, and following an excellent first touch her cross found Linnett inside the box, with Hobbs nowhere to be seen, but unfortunately for the former Arsenal forward she was leaning back as she connected with the volley, and her effort went harmlessly over the bar.
The second half played out very much the same as the first, both sides losing possession to easily and the game mainly being battled out in the middle of the park, but with fifteen minutes remaining Doncaster equalised. Jess Sigsworth rounded a couple of challenges to find herself inside the area, and her shot-come-cross was side-footed home by captain Leandra Little, a goal which the lower league outfit deserved, if only for their determination and hard work.
Following the goal, Blues appeared to wake from their slumber and began to regain control of the game. Carney found space following a good link up with Linnett, and the skipper's square ball fell to Mel Lawley, but the winger took one touch too many and allowed Hobbs to parry her shot behind for a corner.
Potter had wasted a couple of good set piece opportunities during the second half, but Belles conceded one foul too many two minutes from time when Jade Moore was bundled over on the edge of the area. Potter chipped the cross in which caused all sorts of confusion inside the area, and as the Belles defence attempted to clear their lines, an attemped clearance ricocheted off Linnett and looped over Hobbs to put Blues back in front, and they wrapped the tie up in injury time thanks to a piece of solo genius.
Hobbs raced out of her goal to prevent a Blues corner, and her clearance eventually fell to the left foot of Potter, the last place they would have wanted it to land, and the former Everton and Charlton midfielder fired home a tremendous effort into the top corner.
Blues will know they have to be better if they are to steer clear of trouble in the upcoming WSL season, but they will also know they are capable of much better, and will be hoping to get back to business in their opening league game of the season against Everton on Wednesday evening.
Credit to Doncaster, nobody could have begrudged them of their equaliser, and they should take great confidence from this game, as they strive for an immediate return to WSL 1 this season.
Blues: Spencer, Weston, Torkildsen, Harrop, Seargant, Potter, Moore, Allen, Carney (c), Lawley, Linnett. Subs not used: Baggaley, Carter, Mannion, Keryakoplis, Simpkins
Doncaster: Hobbs, Cunningham, Little (c), Roberts, Cresswell, Smith, Lipka, Bright, Chadwick (Williams 70), England (Mills 55), Sigworth. Subs not used: Knight, Johnson
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