Birmingham City Ladies 1-0 Notts County Ladies.
Women’s Super League
A HARD fought 1-0 victory over Notts County saw Birmingham City extend their unbeaten run in the Women’s Super League to five match and move within just one point off second placed Chelsea.
Remi Allen scored what proved to be the only goal of the game six minutes after the break and despite soaking up lots of pressure, Dave Parker’s side managed to hold out for a third league win this season.
England striker Ellen White had the first attempt on goal with six minutes gone but her shot from the edge of the area was comfortably taken by Sophie Baggaley.
For the Blues striker Freda Ayisi was picked out by the penalty spot and her deflected volley was wide of the target, while minutes later Kerys Harrop headed towards goal at the back post but the ball was eventually cleared.
The best chance of the half came in the 22nd minute when Rachel Yankey delivered a deep corner to the far post where White connected with an acrobatic volley but Baggaley did superbly well to but her body in the way and the ball went out for corner.
The visitors came close again shortly before the half hour mark. Ellen White picked out Aivi Luik unmarked inside the area but the Notts County player dragged her shot wide when it looked easier to score.
Notts County were enjoying their best spell of the match but they were unable to find a breakthrough, with Aoife Mannion demonstrating the home side’s fighting spirit by putting her body on the line to block an effort on goal by Angharad James.
Parker’s side did end the half strongly with Ayisi shooting narrowly wide and Allen had a penalty shout turned down but the two sides went into the break level at 0-0.
Clarke had the first chance of the second half five minutes after the break but her 25-yard shot was beaten away by Baggaley before just one minute later the home side opened the scoring.
First Potter was denied from close range by an excellent save from Telford but the Notts County goalkeeper could do nothing about the rebound which fell nicely for Allen in front of goal and the Blues midfielder fired home from close range.
It could have been 2-0 just four minutes later but skipper Emily Westwood’s volley was well saved by Telford and she had to be alert again to keep out another Westwood volley on 65 minutes before Potter hit the rebound wide.
The visitors made three changes in the second period to try and find an equaliser but the closest they came was through substitute Aileen Whelan but her long range shot was easy for Baggaley as Parker’s side held on for all three points.
Attendance: 735
Team: Baggaley, Carter, Harrop, Ayisi (Brazil 87), Allen, Potter, Stringer, Moore, Lawley, Westwood, Mannion
Subs not used ?Wellings, Peplow, Brown
