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Blues’ Ladies Thrash Villa

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In recent weeks, one goal has been hard to come by for Birmingham Ladies. The goal-scoring drought was drier than the Sahara Desert. Even when they did manage to win, it was by a 1-0 scoreline.

But place them against their arch rivals Villa in the ‘Continental Tyres Cup Match’, and the goals flood in as though we were present at the time of Noah’s Ark. A brilliant performance and with it; the bragging rights of the city!

According to the official Birmingham Ladies website, the attendance was 963 which is definitely higher than what was expected before the World Cup. We can see a legacy unfolding certainly for the better.

The official website also showed the team: Spencer, Windell, Carter, Harrop, Mannion, Lawley, Carney (Westwood 82), Moore (Wellings 82), Potter, Allen (Haines 82), Linnett.

It was a pleasant night at Sutton Coldfield Central Ground on Thursday 30th July. Both teams were hoping for victory in order to progress to the next round.

The game started in a lively fashion, with both teams creating half chances. Spencer was called into action early on, but the shot wasn’t powerful enough by the Villa striker, N’Dow.

Spencer’s opposite number one was also called upon in the opening ten minutes. Carney hit a wicked free kick from about 30 yards which stung the palms of the ‘keeper, Myers. Myers then had her palms stung from a Mel Lawley fizzed cross but she did well to hold onto the ball.

Carney was using this game as shooting practice. Despite not being close to goal, she was fearless. Another long range effort was again saved by Myers before Lawley caused havoc with another powerful cross only for the ball to fly past the onrushing Linett.

Approaching the half hour mark, the Blues’ made the break through. Carney was the provider this time as she whipped in a delicious cross which was stabbed home by Allen. A well worked goal and it gave Birmingham an advantage.

The away sides tails were up; Carney and Allen were both shooting at will but the elusive second goal was proving tricky.

It eventually came in the form of Linett. Her link up play with Lawley is a real asset to the team and the pair combined nicely after great pace by the latter. 2-0.

Half time was approaching and the Blues’ Ladies were looking comfortable in terms of both the scorelines and possession wise. This was to get even better as just before the break Carney was tripped and the referee awarded a penalty.

Carney dusted herself down and stroked the ball home. 3-0 at the half time interval.

Villa started the second half brightly and in the opening exchanges, they rattled Spencer’s crossbar. A real let off for Birmingham Ladies.

Potter, who had been quiet in the first half, was seeing a lot more of the ball in this second period and she saw her shot saved by Myers in the first few minutes after the restart. Lawley also going close.

The difference between the two sides was intensity. The visitors kept the high tempo all the way through the game and this was rewarded on the 60 minute mark. Allen grabbed her second of the game with a well timed run and neat finish.

The crossbar was then rattled again. This time Myers’ bar was shaking after a thunderous volley from Carney almost shattered it. Carney did have her say in the next goal though. Her jinking run allowed her to assist another goal with Potter on the end of her cross. 5-0 and looking very comfortable.

The penetration on the Villa goal continued. Lawley had a shot blocked on the line before Potter netted her second of the game. She slotted the ball perfectly into the bottom corner to extend the lead further.

In the last 5 minutes, despite having nothing to do for most of the game, Spencer remained alert and saved well from a Merrick drive. But the resulting corner was nodded home by Wilinson to give the home crowd something to cheer about.

The last goal of what was a very exciting game came from the substitute Wellings deep into stoppage time. Lawley again sprinted down the wing with lightening pace before picking out the sub who calmly placed the ball home.

7-1 the full time score and hopefully this will give confidence to the Blues’ in order to kick on with the league. A thrilling game and it definitely ensured that the city stayed Blue!




Source – Official Birmingham Ladies Site


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