Blues grab late equaliser against impressive Imps

A deflected Kirsty Linnett strike five minutes from time gave Blues their second successive 1-1 draw in the FAWSL, this time at home to Lincoln Ladies. England winger Jess Clarke put the away side in front in the second half, and it looked like that would be enough for the three points, until Linnett was first to react to Mel Lawley’s excellent cross minutes from the end. Lawley herself could have snatched the win for Blues, but she blazed over in the dying stages of the game.

Blues started with the same eleven that began their WSL campaign away at Chelsea the previous week, and the early stages of the game was very scrappy, the vast majority of the game being a midfield battle between the two sides. Jo Potter tested England keeper Karen Bardsley twice from similar free kicks early on, but Lincoln grabbed a foothold and began to control the tempo, Remi Allen impressing in the centre of midfield. Blues were forced into a change midway through the first half, Lawley coming on to replace a dazed Izzy Christiansen, who suffered a nasty looking blow to the face after closing down a clearance in the Imps half. The young winger tried to carry on but it was clear she was suffering, and Lawley was brought into the action just before the half hour mark. Jade Moore hit a 20 yard effort just over the bar, but the best chance of the opening 45 minutes fell to Rachel Williams just before half time. England and Lincoln Captain Casey Stoney failed to react to a ball over the top which fell to Williams, but the striker dragged her shot harmlessly wide.

Linnett was introduced at half time for her home debut, replacing Emily Westwood and moving over to the right wing, with Lawley left and Williams down the middle. However it was the visitors who started the second half better. Blues struggled to keep possession on what was a blustery day in Stratford, which made it difficult for the likes of Potter and Moore to control the game as they did so often last season against teams at the DCS. Jess Clarke was looking dangerous up against Rachel Unitt, and she almost broke the deadlock on the hour, cutting inside from the right onto her left foot and bending a shot which looked destined for the bottom corner, until Hourihan pulled off a superb save low down to turn it round for a corner, from which the opening goal came. Carla Cantrell’s corner was headed back into the danger zone from ex Blue Precious Hamilton, and Clarke was quickest to react to the loose ball, swiveling and turning the ball past Hourihan. Hamilton forced another good save from the Blues stopper, and Cantrell put a free header from 8 yards wide in a spell where Lincoln could have been out of sight, but at 1-0 Blues always had a chance. Potter’s set pieces were proving to be threatening as always, and two in quick succession almost brought Blues level. The first was a cheeky attempt to catch Bardsley out from range, but the keeper was alive to her efforts. The second was floated into the area, and Linnett got to the ball before the onrushing Bardsley, but unfortunately for the home side the flick on just evaded Unitt at the back post. Katie Wilkinson was brought on for her home debut on 68 minutes in replace of Emily Simpkins, as Blues went for the goal to bring them level.

With time running out, it looked like Lincoln would hold on for an impressive victory, but as ever Blues kept going and got their rewards with five minutes remaining. Lawley, who had ran at Lincoln right back Sophie Walton a number of times during the second half, finally got the better of her, twisting inside the full back skilfully before delivering a tempting cross which Linnett was first to, and her shot deflected off Stoney’s shin before flying past a helpless Bardsley. The ever tireless Williams was again a devilish threat to the Lincoln back line, and on the stroke of full time she nipped in ahead of Amy Turner, before laying in Lawley inside the box. The England youth international steadied herself but sadly for the hosts her shot was off target, in which was the final action of a tight game. After an opening day defeat to Liverpool, the visitors will be disappointed not to have held on for all three points, but relieved that they are off the mark. In what will surely be a very tight season ahead, Blues will be relieved to have not been beaten, but will hope they are not looking back on missed chances in the opening two games of the season.

The next Blues fixture is a Continental Cup fixture, away to Bristol Academy on May 2^nd, a 7pm kick off. The next home game for Blues Ladies is also a Continental Cup group game, which is a repeat of this match, with the Lady Imps revisiting Stratford on May 19^th, a 2pm kick off.

Blues: Hourihan, Weston, Bassett (c), Harrop, Unitt, Christiansen (Lawley 27), Moore, Simpkins (Wilkinson 68), Potter, Westwood (Linnett 46), Williams. Subs not used: Earps, Torkildsen, Ballard, Haines.

Lincoln: Bardsley, Walton, Stoney (c), Turner, Martha Harris, Clarke, Allen, Megan Harris, Roberts (Bowden 69), Cantrell, Hamilton. Subs not used: Horwood, Kay, Bradley

Player of the match: Rachel Williams

Blues open league season with away draw

Photos taken by Ville Vuorinen - BCLFC Club Photographer

Blues Ladies got their new FAWSL season off to a steady start with a 1-1 draw away at Chelsea. A superb long range Rachel Williams strike pulled the girls level after the Londeners opened the scoring through debutant Sofia Jakobsson turned in Dunia Susi’s right wing cross. Both sides had opportunities to increase the scoring, Edda Gardarsdottir smashing the bar for the hosts and Jade Moore also hitting the woodwork for the away side. Blues had the better of the chances to win the game late on, Williams skying a great chance in the second half, and sub Kirsty Linnett, on her first Blues appearance, forcing a save from Davies in the Chelsea goal.

Photos taken by Ville Vuorinen - BCLFC Club Photographer

After being dumped out of the FA Cup at the hands of Arsenal just five days earlier, Blues knew this game was important in getting their season off to a positive start, and proving the result against The Gunners was a flash in the pan, and this was a good point to pick up against an unpredictable Chelsea outfit who have brought in a number of new players in the close season. Swedish star Jakobsson was always going to be a threat, as well as ex Blues striker Eni Aluko, but Blues showed they are still capable of pitting their wits against strong teams in this league. Chelsea are one of the teams to introduce a more disciplined training regime this season, with new manager Emma Hayes determined to make her side improve on their disappointing sixth place finish in last season’s WSL. The inclusion of international stars such as Jakobsson will make Chelsea a much tougher opposition to previous years, as it gives them a much stronger squad depth, which should prevent them from dropping off towards the end of the season.

Photos taken by Ville Vuorinen - BCLFC Club Photographer

With this considered, Blues will be pleased to have taken a point from the game, and also showing a positive attitude with the substitutions made. Wingers Mel Lawley and Linnett came on in the second half as the girls went for all three points, and arguably the most positive outcome of the trip to London was the successful comeback of Linnett. After suffering a series of frustrating long term injuries, the former Arsenal youngster replaced Emily Westwood for her Blues debut, and came through the final twenty minutes of the game. Blues fans will be desperately hoping this will lead to a run of games for Linnett, and that she will be able to rediscover the talent she showed in her early years at Arsenal.

Blues’ next fixture is a WSL fixture on Sunday 21^st April against Lincoln Ladies at Stratford Town’s DCS Stadium, 2pm kick off.

Chelsea: Davies, Susi, Vidarsdottir (Rafferty 46), Holtham, Ingle, Spence (Coombs 69), Buet, Gardarsdottir (c), Ward, Jakobsson, Aluko (Longhurst 78). Subs not used: Telford, Cole, Davies, Bleazard.

Blues: Hourihan, Weston, Bassett (c), Harrop, Unitt, Christiansen, Moore (Lawley 75), Simpkins, Potter, Westwood (Linnett 67), Williams. Subs not used: Earps, Torkildsen, Ballard, Lawley, Wilkinson, Haines.

Blues reign ends as Arsenal dismiss Holders

Photos by @girlsontheball - https://www.facebook.com/GirlsontheBall

Blues Ladies crashed out of the Women’s FA Cup last night at the hands of rivals Arsenal, losing 6-0 in London. Doubles from Gemma Davison and Ellen White, along with strikes from midfield duo Kim Little and Jordan Nobbs, saw off the current Holders in style, and set up a semi-final tie away at Liverpool. After a relatively even opening twenty-five minutes, Arsenal took control of the tie when attacking winger Davison opened the scoring, followed shortly after by a goal of individual quality by England midfielder Nobbs, setting herself and firing home from twenty-five yards. It was three before half time, Rachel Yankey dispossessing fellow England international Rachel Unitt, before crossing for striker White to loop a header past Hourihan in the Blues goal. The same duo combined for the fourth goal of the evening shortly after half time, Yankey releasing England striker White to stroke home and effectively ended the contest, and it didn’t take long before it was five, this time Davison setting up Scottish starlet Little to smash past a helpless Hourihan. By the time Davison made it six, Hourihan had been replaced by young debutant Mary Earps, and she could do nothing to prevent the winger rounding her and completing the humiliating defeat.

Photos by @girlsontheball - https://www.facebook.com/GirlsontheBall

On an evening like this, there cannot be many positives to come out of the game, but occasionally you have to hold your hands up and admit that the opposition were simply far superior, and I feel that this is one of those occasions. Some may see the margin of victory as a shock, considering Blues have been Arsenal’s closest challengers in the past two seasons, and although David Parker and his team will be thoroughly disappointed to have surrendered their FA Cup reign with such a result, there are numerous factors behind the defeat that went against Blues, mainly the preparation both teams have had in the build up to this game. Blues’ only meaningful game this season came three weeks ago with their cup tie away to non-WSL Cardiff, whereas in that time Arsenal have come through a very competitive two-legged Champions League Quarter Final, as well as brushing aside Forest Ladies in their previous FA Cup round only last week. Players such as Nobbs, White, Yankey, Little and Alex Scott have been heavily involved in international tournaments and matches in addition to their club games, so on closer inspection it is clear to see Arsenal have had much more preparation for this big game compared to Blues’ girls.

Photos by @girlsontheball - https://www.facebook.com/GirlsontheBall

When all is said and done, Arsenal are comfortably the best side in England, and in reaching the Semi-Finals of this year’s Champions League they have shown they can cut it with the best in Europe too, so losing to them is no disgrace, but Blues will no doubt be upset at how easily the London outfit swept through them. With two more fixtures expected within the next month against the current WSL champions, Parker will be hoping his side can gel quickly, and that this result will not be repeated in the upcoming games. The big challenge ahead of Blues is to get over this result quickly, and be ready for the test of Chelsea Ladies in their opening league fixture of the season on Sunday. Should they win that, it will soften the blow of this exit from the FA Cup.

Arsenal: Byrne, A Scott (Beattie 57), Flaherty, Grant, Fahey, Houghton (c), Nobbs, Little, Yankey (Carter 69), Davison, White (Ludlow 75). Subs not used: Spencer, Tracy

Blues: Hourihan (Earps 69), Weston, Bassett (c), Harrop, Unitt, Christiansen, Simpkins, Moore, Potter (Torkildsen 63), Westwood (Wilkinson 65), Williams. Subs not used: Haines, Linnett, George

Weather improves as teams prepare for fixtures congestion

As the weather finally appears to be easing on the early season fixtures, Blues Ladies will hopefully begin a run of tough fixtures, commencing with our re-arranged FA Women’s Cup Quarter Final tie, away to Arsenal Ladies, on Tuesday 9^th April, with our opening league fixture being away to Chelsea the following Sunday. Although the weather cannot have helped the girls’ preparation, at least we are in a situation where we know what the requirements are to achieve glory in the FA Cup for a second successive season. Should we achieve the near impossible feat of overcoming Arsenal on their home turf, Liverpool Ladies await in the Semi-Final, with the Merseyside team having home advantage, so the road to the final will certainly be the hardest possible route. The full Semi-Final draw is as follows:

Bristol Academy or Everton v Lincoln

Liverpool v Arsenal or Birmingham

These games will take place on Sunday 28^th April, with the Final of this year’s competition being held at Doncaster Rovers’ home ground The Keepmoat Stadium on Sunday 26^thMay.

Five to Watch

With the third season of the FAWSL upon us, here are five players to keep an eye out for this season:

1 - Jordan Nobbs – Arsenal Ladies 

Nobbs has been involved with the Arsenal Ladies squad since 2010, joining from Sunderland.  Despite her young age, she has progressed through the England youth system all the way to the seniors, making her mark in this year’s Cyprus Cup, in which she shone for Hope Powell’s team. Nobbs is a very skillful, hardworking player, and is very similar to her likely central midfield team mate Kim Little, with plenty of creativity and goals. She has not held down a regular starting position for the Gunners in the past two seasons, but with the Katie Chapman missing for the majority of the season due to her pregnancy, Nobbs will more than likely start more often, and no doubt she has the potential to take Arsenal to another level.

2 - Natalia – Bristol Academy

27 year old Spanish striker Natalia has joined Bristol Academy this season, joining from Spanish side Rayo Vallecano, and will link up with her international colleague Laura Del Rio, who impressed last season. Natalia has scored over 300 goals for her former club side, at a rate of over a goal a game, and her partnership with Del Rio could well see Bristol be a major force this season. Boss Mark Sampson has likened his new signing to Swansea superstar Michu, relating to her work ethic and style, and Bristol will be hoping she has a similar impact.

3 - Karen Bardsley – Lincoln Ladies

Lincoln Ladies made the audacious move to sign England goalkeeper Bardsley in the close season, and she will bring a great solidity to the Lincoln defence this season, especially playing behind her England team mates Casey Stoney and Sophie Bradley. Bardsley joined Lincoln from Swedish side Linköpings FC this close season, and the 24-cap stopper will add to Lincoln’s reputation as a team that is hard to beat.

4 - Louise Fors – Liverpool Ladies

Swedish attacking midfielder Fors was one of the many international stars to join Liverpool Ladies this winter, but she has already settled in well at her new club, scoring against Villa on her debut, as well as grabbing the goal in the recent derby against Everton. Like Bardsley, she joined from Linköpings, and she will be hoping to continue her form in the coming months.

5 - Kirsty Linnett - Birmingham City Ladies

Youngster Linnett signed for Blues from Arsenal Ladies in the close season after spending the majority of the last year out injured, but the attacking winger has proved in her short time in football that she has plenty of ability, and will be desperate to get her career back on track at Blues. Having represented England at every youth level, as well as captaining the side, Linnett has devastating potential, and if Blues are to make a step up alongside the other WSL teams this season, Linnett may well be pivotal in helping them achieve success.