Kit Launch 2013

This past Friday St Andrews was host to the Birmingham City Ladies official kit launch ahead of the eagerly anticipated 2013 season, and the club was kind enough to invite us along to the event. Four Blues Ladies players made the trip to parade the new outfit: Captain Laura Bassett, England duo Karen Carney and Rachel Unitt, as well as new signing and youth international Mel Lawley. Sadly for not only the shoot, but also for the team, Carney appeared with an ankle injury sustained on international duty with England which, we later discovered, would lead to an estimated six weeks on the sidelines. The three England girls wore the new home kit, manufactured by Legea, whilst Lawley displayed the one off, commemorative pink FA Cup kit which, following the girls' FA Cup tie away to Cardiff, will be auctioned off to raise money for the Help Harry Help Others charity, in memory of young Harry Moseley, a cause close to the hearts of many involved with Birmingham City. On what was a typically miserable March afternoon, photographs of the girls were restricted to inside the ground and in the stands. The day also honoured the partnership once again between the club and official sponsor Hollywood Monster, and they were represented by MD of the company Tim Andrews, along with the Monster himself! It was confirmed to us that the official away kit would also be pink, but in the design of the home kit, as opposed to the FA Cup kit design. The kit has also added a new sponsor this season, with Aspen Cooling Limited having their logo portrayed on the shorts. 

After the photo shoot, we caught up with the players and asked them a few questions about the season ahead. First up was Rachel Unitt, and we asked her what she thought about the new kit, which teams would challenge this season, and her goals for the season:

Skipper Laura Bassett followed, answering questions on time away from football, the new signings and the aspect of social media in the womens game:








Karen Carney was next in the chair, and she told us about her latest injury setback, the challenges ahead for Blues, and her career highlights:








We also asked young Mel Lawley about her move from Bristol Academy in the close season, her main strengths as a player, and her opinion on the commemorative kit she was wearing:








Finally, manager David Parker was kind enough to give us his thoughts on the season ahead, the plan for the future of Blues Ladies, and the impending battles with new faces in the WSL:








For more photos from the day's kit launch, visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/94083446@N05/sets/72157633010183804/

Update on the Women's game

Charge of the Red Brigade

The 2013 FAWSL season looks like it is going to be as competitive as the previous two seasons, what with the recent acquisitions of Liverpool Ladies. The arrival of England internationals Gemma Bonner, Fara Williams and Natasha Dowie, from Chelsea and Everton respectively, has raised eyebrows among their fellow WSL sides, and is a serious signal of intent from Matt Beard’s outfit that they are keen to change their reputation as the league’s whipping girls. USA international defender Whitney Engen has also joined the Reds, and the bright young talent of Welsh winger Hannah Keryakoplis, the spine of the team looks one of the strongest in the WSL on paper. The Merseyside team released ten players at the end of the recent season, so there is sure to be more additions to come, and with the quality of those already brought in, Liverpool look the side to watch next season.

Euro 2013 Groups decided

England have been drawn alongside France, Russia and Spain in Group C for the Women’s Euro 2013 tournament to be held in Sweden. Their opening match will be against Scotland’s qualification conquerors Spain on July 12^th, followed by Russia on the 15^th and the French on the 18^th. England will be fourth favourites according to the FIFA rankings, behind group rivals France, hosts Sweden and holders Germany, whom England lost to in the 2009 final. England will be hoping to avoid missing out on top spot in their group, as this would lead to quarter final opponents of Germany or Sweden. Recent results have been promising for Hope Powell’s side, with draws in friendlies against France and Sweden, and a qualification win over a good Netherlands side, so confidence will be high going into the tournament.

Youngsters defeated for first time of season

Blues’ u-17 girls were beaten for the first time this season last week, on the end of a 4-1 scoreline away at Leicester, leaving them third in the Midlands Girls Centre of Excellence league behind Leicester on goal difference. Weather permitting, the girls are in action against League leaders and main rivals Villa Ladies on December 1^st at Wast Hills, and with Villa currently top with 7 wins from 7, Blues will be hoping to put a stop to that run.

End of Season Awards - The Winners

The end of season awards dinner was held recently for Blues Ladies, and after the most successful season in their history, it was a night to remember and celebrate the magnificent work everyone involved with the club has done over the past 12 months. There was much to look back on with pride and pleasure, and we have picked the top three moments in the past season:

3. FAWSL Continental Cup Final

A strange inclusion considering the pain it caused at the time, but the performance of the girls in this seasons curtain call must give great confidence looking into the future. When you compare this match with the previous Continental Cup final, a 4-1 defeat again at the hands of Arsenal, a similar team showed much more confidence, much more belief that they could beat the leading team in the English game, and overall showed that next season, with a bit more luck and the same determination, there could be much more success on the horizon.

2. UEFA Women's Champions League debut

A moment many people doubted would ever come. A club which, without the help of players' parents, would have gone out of existence only a decade ago, mixing it with the cream of European women's football. The debut of Blues, a home tie against Italian side Verona, was in incredible moment for players, fans and all those connected to the club, and although this season's journey came to a premature end in the second leg of that tie, the home leg showed that we can perform against some of the best teams in Europe, and the 2-0 victory was a benchmark in where the club has come from, and the endless places it can go.

1. FA Women's Cup Final

But of course, the magic moment of 2012 has to be that gloriously hot Bristol Saturday on the 26th May, a day that will certainly live long in the hearts and memories of everybody associated with Blues Ladies. The ups and the downs, the agony and the ecstasy, all culminating in Gemma Bonner blazing the final penalty into the Atyeo stand to send Blues into raptures on and off the pitch. The lasting images of the players sprinting towards Becky Spencer, and the champagne soaked Laura Bassett lifting the cup for her side, our side, for the very first time. For fans young and old, this was the ultimate success, a major trophy for Blues, and the stepping stone for hopefully many more days like this. In the words of the great Guy Garvey, one day like this a year will see me right.

Young Player of the Year Award

This award could have gone to a number of people, not least the group of youngsters who have made a breakthrough into the first team squad from the youth groups and also other clubs. Emily Simpkins came in from Coventry and showed no sign of being phased, making a number of first team appearances, aswell as scoring her first goal in the 1-1 draw against Arsenal. Anna Wilcox, Harley Simpson and Hannah George have all been part of matchday squads, and no doubt when their time comes, the experience of being part of these groups will give them much confidence. The winner of the award has developed into an intergral member of the first team, this being epitomised by her only missing one game all season, and Chelsea Weston was a very worthy winner of the award. Defensively, she has made the right back position her own, and has a great understanding between her defensive partners, and this season she has displayed her attacking threat to deadly effect, with her right wing crosses creating numerous goal scoring opportunites, mostly leading to Jodie Taylor finishing them off. WIth England right back Alex Scott being 6 years her senior, the Worcester girl who has represented England at u17, u19 and u20 level must surely be pushing Scott for that national berth.

Player's Player and Manager's Player of the Year

After such a successful season on the pitch, you could be forgiven for thinking it would have been a tough choice for Player of the Year award. A string of international stars combined with the industrious and talented group not recognised by their international managers could leave people thinking hard about who to award this to. Notable nominations must go to midfield duo Jo Potter and Jade Moore, who have displayed a superb level of consistantly good performances throughout the season, and also to Jodie Taylor, not only the club's top goalscorer but the top goalscoring English player this season, who has blossomed into one of the most feared strikers in the game, and who we dearly hope will return next season. But then you look carefully and notice that, in reality, there is only one winner of this award, and both the players and David Parker voted captain fantastic Laura Bassett to win the award. The true epitomy of the words "inspirational leader", Bassett has been at the forefront of every success for Blues over the last year, and you never see her have a bad game. One of the best reader's of the game we have seen, in men's and women's football, the Blues skipper wears her heart on her sleeve, and always gives everything she has on the pitch. But it is not just her efforts on the pitch that makes the fans warm to her, off it she is the digital ambassador for Blues Ladies, and she always has time to talk to the fans, and makes efforts to show her support to the youth groups by visiting the games. The travesty of justice is that Bassett has not represented her country enough, as she is arguably England's best centre back, and no doubt she would display the same courage and will to win in the white of England as she does for her Blues side. Never has a winner of Player of the Year been more just and deserved. Well done Laura.

Losing The Battle, Winning The War

Blues Ladies were knocked out of the UEFA Women’s Champions League in heart-breaking fashion last night, losing 3-0 on the night to ASD CF Verona, meaning a 3-2 defeat on aggregate. A hat-trick from Cristiana Girelli, the winner coming in extra time, saw the former semi-finalists of this competition through to the last 16 phase. The Italian scored her first of the evening from the penalty spot in the first half, after being brought down by Blues centre half Emily Westwood. Her second came 11 minutes from the end, slotting the ball past a crowd of players and leaving Marie Hourihan with no chance in the Blues goal, and with penalties looming, Girelli scored a magnificent free kick to see the hosts through to face Swedish outfit Malmo in the next round.

Girelli’s match winning hat-trick aside, there was nothing between the two teams, with Blues creating as many, if not more goal scoring opportunities than their opponents, but where they are often so strong and lethal, their finishing touch deserted them on a night which should be remembered fondly by all involved with the club. For many within the team, this was their first match played for the club outside the British Isles, but nobody shirked away or looked fazed or daunted by the task ahead. Potter and Westwood were unlucky to hit the woodwork, and Izzy Christiansen was inches away from scoring the vital goal with a fabulous second half drive which was well tipped over by the Verona keeper Ohrstrom.

With the inexperience in the side, it needed a calm head to keep Blues fighting when their backs were against the wall, and it was an incredibly inspirational performance from captain Laura Bassett, who read the game superbly and showed passion and spirit in abundance, epitomised by her goal line clearance late in the game, which kept her side level at the time. It was the type of performance fans on BCLFC have come to recognise of the 29 year old, one which should see the leader as an England team regular, as opposed to a squad regular.

 There was plenty of effort and spirit from the team, but maybe a recent gruelling campaign took its toll as the game wore on, but on a night when, in the end, Blues came away heartbroken and defeated, the experience of the last week will be invaluable for the team, and once the disappointment has died down, hopefully players and fans alike can take stock and think back with positive thoughts over what has been a magnificent season for them.

 It was less than 6 months ago that Bassett lifted the club’s first ever F.A. Women’s Cup aloft at a sun-soaked Ashton Gate, and barring a goal difference swing of epic proportions, Bassett and her side will be once again pitting their wits against Europe’s finest next season. They have competed on all fronts this season, have taken Arsenal to the penultimate game of the season in the WSL, and they still have the chance to win their second silverware of the season when they take on the Gunners at Underhill on Wednesday night for the Continental Cup.  This is a re-run of last season’s final, in which Laura Harvey’s team ran out 4-1 winners, so Blues will be very keen to exact revenge and come out on top in terms of trophies won this season against their main rivals.

So with two games left of the 2012 season, whatever happens, the season has been a huge success for a club which very nearly went out of business seven years ago. With a number of promising youngsters making first team squads this year, and more developing their skills in the club’s centre of excellence, the future looks very bright for Birmingham City Ladies Football Club.

FAWSL - Birmingham Ladies vs Lincoln Ladies

Birmingham Ladies returned to action following the summer break for the Olympics with a well deserved 3-1 win over WSL rivals Lincoln Ladies. Goals from Jodie Taylor, Chelsea Weston and the returning Karen Carney sealed the victory for the Midlanders, despite Bonnie Horwood pulling a goal back for the Lady Imps.

The hosts welcomed back Team GB duo Carney and Rachel Williams to the starting line up, but were without the third member of the Olympic Quarter Finalists Eni Aluko, as she was out preparing to sit her exams. Rachel Unitt and Becky Spencer were also out for Blues with injuries, but youngsters Anna Wilcox, Harley Simpson and Hannah George were all on the bench. Lincoln had Sophie Bradley available after coming back from GB duty, but captain Casey Stoney missed out on the game due to suspension following her dismissal in the previous WSL game against Liverpool.

Lincoln settled early in the game and kept possession very well, Remi Allen pulling the strings in the middle of the park, but the chances came the way of the FA Cup Winners. Carney bent a 25 yard free kick goalwards which was tipped wide by Imps keeper Nicola Hobbs, and from the resulting Jo Potter corner, the England winger hit the bar with a shot into the ground. As always, Potter's set pieces were causing the visiting defence problems, and another corner found the head of Williams, but her effort drifted just wide. Shortly afterwards, Carney swung in a corner from the opposite side which Emily Westwood headed towards goal. Taylor guided the ball goalwards but Hobbs was well positioned to make a good save on the line, but the pressure continued and on 18 minutes Blues opened the scoring.

Right back Chelsea Weston has provided a number of assists this season, and she added another with a tremendous diagonal pass over the top of the Lincoln back line, and there were no surprises to see the deadly Taylor race onto it, poke the ball past the onrushing Hobbs and comfortable poke home to make it 1-0 to take her into double figures for the season, an achievement only matched by Arsenal's Kim Little.

Lincoln were finding it hard work to slow down the wave of attack after attack from the home side, and Jade Moore was next to test the busy Hobbs, racing through the defence but firing straight at the keeper. 2 minutes before half time, another Potter corner was cleared out to Izzy Christiansen, whose shot from the edge of the area was blocked, but only into the path of Weston, who drilled a stunning shot through the mass of bodies and past Hobbs who stood no chance to score her first goal of the season. The goal was reminiscent of her goal last season away at Bristol, and she displayed her ability once again here.

Ex-Birmingham forward Precious Hamilton replaced midfielder Sophie Walton at half time, but again Blues were the brighter of the two teams, Potter going close with a shot from distance, and the home side continued on the front foot. On the hour mark, Remi Allen brought Christiansen down 25 yards out, a tackle for which she was booked. Carney took responsibility of the set piece and curled a wonderful effort into the bottom corner of Hobbs' net, giving the keeper no chance and making it 3-0 to last years WSL runners up.

Almost immediately Lincoln pulled a goal back, Hamilton turning and sending an inviting cross into the box and found Bonnie Horwood at the back post, he stabbed the ball past Hourihan in the Blues goal to give Lincoln a lifeline. Blues went about trying to regain their 3 goal gap straight away, Williams and Taylor both forcing saves out of Hobbs after great work from Carney, who was growing into the game with devastating effect. Horwood had a shot cleared off the line by the ever impressive Moore, and Taylor was unlucky not to grab her second of the day when she broke clear one on one, beat Hobbs but saw her effort bobble back off the far post, but there was to be no comeback from Lincoln and Blues ran out 3-1 winners.

The win closed the gap on the teams above Blues in the league, with Everton holding Arsenal to a 2-2 draw, meaning Blues are now 6 points behind leaders Arsenal, and only one point behind the Merseyside outfit, but with a game in hand over them. This win over Lincoln will give David Parker's side great confidence for the rest of the season, and if Aluko and Unitt are available for those games, it will add good strength in depth, but the spine of the side is crucial to their success, which was evidently on display against Lincoln, and at the top of that spine is perhaps the pivotal piece of the jigsaw.

Jodie Taylor has performed wonders this season, not only with her goals but her all round general play, and in particular her incredible work rate, all of which was on full show against Lincoln, and for which she was voted player of the match in Birmingham's epic FA Cup Final victory over Chelsea. Her movement has been too good for the majority of defences this season, and she has struck up a formidable partnership with Rachel Williams up front for Blues, who compliment eachother very well. The short one touch passing and link up play between these two and the midfield has been instrumental in some of the goals scored this season, but she showed on Sunday that she can also use her pace and intelligence off the ball to latch onto long balls. Her 10 goals have been crucial for Blues, and she is in a rich vein of form which hopefully will continue for the remainder of the season. She will continue to get chances with the quality of service coming from around her, and there is undoubtedly more to come from the 26 year old, hopefully not just in a Birmingham shirt, but also the national shirt.

Birmingham: Hourihan, Weston, Bassett (c), Westwood, Harrop, Christiansen, Moore, Potter, Carney, Williams, Taylor

Subs not used: Simpkins, George, Wilcox, Simpson, Ballard, Torkildsen

Lincoln: Hobbs, Alleway (Sergant 79), Daly, Bradley, Barker, Clarke, Allen, Walton (Hamilton 46), Horwood, Cantrell, Staniforth (Megan Harris 68)

Subs not used: Martha Harris, Emily Roberts

Attendance: 362

Player of the match: Jodie Taylor

FAWSL Continental Cup - Birmingham Ladies vs Doncaster Rovers Belles

Birmingham Ladies reached the semi finals of the FAWSL Continental Cup after a 2-0 home victory over Doncaster Rovers Belles on Sunday. Goals either side of half time by Eni Aluko and in form Jodie Taylor meant Blues moved to 7 points out of 9 in the group and finish second, as Bristol Academy's superb 4-0 win over Everton meant they topped the group on goal difference.
It was very much a developmental squad selection from boss David Parker, with Centre of Excellence stars Anna Wilcox, Hannah George and Harley Simpson all rewarded with a place on the bench, and hopefully valuable experience of being in the first team environment for a big game. All in all there were three changes to the side that beat Chelsea 4-2 in their last game, Marie Hourihan replaced Becky Spencer in goal, Kerys Harrop came in for Emily Westwood alongside captain Laura Bassett at centre half, and Jo Potter made way for Izzy Christiansen in the centre of midfield. There two sides met earlier in the season, Blues running out emphatic 4-0 winners in the league encounter at the DCS Stadium, and the hosts went about trying to emulate that scoreline early on, and only an offside flag prevented striker Taylor from opening the scoring on 11 minutes after a fine finish.

England under 19 goalkeeper Mary Earps was in for a busy afternoon, and she was tested by Taylor again after a clever turn on the edge of the area, but she shot was well held by the Belles keeper, and she did even better to hold onto a rasping drive from Rachel Williams from the edge of the box before 20 minutes were up. The visitors were clearly more confident than their last trip to the Midlands following their superb away win at Lincoln in their last fixture, and they were causing the Blues side a few headaches, Alyssa Lagonia and Aine O'Gorman working well on both flanks to support Millie Bright and Jess Sigsworth up front, but it was to be the girls in blue who opened the scoring on the half hour mark.

Clever, sharp passing between the Blues' front line culminated in a delightful flick from Taylor into the path of the on rushing Aluko, whose pace drove her past the Doncaster defence and after a touch to control, she placed her shot perfectly into the bottom corner of Earps' net to make it 1-0. The link up play between the attacking players in the Birmingham side must have been a joy to behold for the watching England at Team GB manager Hope Powell, with Aluko, Williams, Carney and Taylor all in fine form ahead of the summer's olympics.

The second half was very much a similar story to the first, Blues attacking at will and Doncaster trying to soak up the danger and attack on the counter, and the visitors introduced tricky winger Bethany England in place of O'Gorman at half time, but it was Blues with the major chances still. Taylor was perhaps unlucky not to be awarded a penalty as she went down under a challenge in the area, but the referee waved away her claims. Williams, Taylor and Aluko all had efforts on goal but the score remained 1-0 until the 71st minute. Substitute Emily Westwood, on for Chelsea Weston, played a sublime ball over the Belles defence which Taylor latched onto, twisted and turned out of a couple of challenges and calmly planted the ball past Earps for her 6th goal of the season, and surely she must be in serious consideration for an international call up. Despite Jade Moore limping off late on, Blues eased the game out and could look forward to their next game, a massive top of the table clash away at Arsenal. The victory, and second place in their group, meant a semi final away to Lincoln Ladies at the beginning of September, whilst Arsenal will travel to Bristol Academy in the other semi final.

Player of the game: Jade Moore. Was missing her partner in crime Jo Potter for today, but again put in an outstanding shift in the middle of the park, winning tackles, never shy to receive a pass in a tricky area, and moving it on quickly and efficiently to the danger players. In the second half, she was asked to play out of position at right back after Weston went off, but again she worked hard to win possession and showed her class in front of Hope Powell. Unfortunately for Powell, England and Blues she limped off before the end with what looked to be a recurrence of a knee injury, and all three will be hoping it does not sideline her for too long because she is fast becoming a very integral player to club and country.

Blues: Hourihan, Weston (Westwood 59), Bassett (c), Harrop, Unitt, Carney (Potter 64), Moore, Aluko, Christiansen, Taylor, Williams (Ballard 74)

Subs not used: Wilcox, George, Simpson, Torkildsen

Doncaster: Earps, Little, Oxtoby, Cunningham, Chadwick (Hills 72), Lagonia, Holtham (c), Lipka, O'Gorman (England 46), Bright (Russell 64), Sigsworth

Subs not used: Sowerby

Attendance: 464

FAWSL - Birmingham Ladies vs Chelsea Ladies

Birmingham Ladies made it three league wins in a row as they beat Chelsea Ladies 4-2 on Thursday night, their second victory over the Londoners in the space of 5 days after their victorious FA Womens Cup final. Blues raced into a two goal lead in the first 15 minutes of the game, with striker Jodie Taylor and winger Karen Carney putting the hosts into a strong position, but goals from Gemma Bonner and the in-form Helen Lander pulled a resilient Chelsea side level, but Rachel Unitt and Jo Potter ensured the three points would be staying in the Midlands.

The hosts made one change to the team that started the final in Bristol at the weekend, Eni Aluko coming in for Kerys Harrop, whilst Chelsea made three changes, Laura Coombs dropping to the bench and Helen Bleazard and Emma Sherwood missing out all together, to be replaced by Drew Spence, Ashlee Hincks and Kate Longhurst. Any worries of fatigue were banished early on the home side, and they burst out of the traps, opening the scoring on just 6 minutes when Chelsea Weston added another assist to her tally this year, her arcing ball over the top released Taylor, and when she manouvered the ball away from the onrushing Carly Telford, Saturday's player of the match notched her 6th goal of the season by calmly sliding the ball into the vacant net.

Chelsea certainly appeared to be the team who were feeling the effects of 120 minutes in the heat of the final, and they were two down shortly afterwards on 11 minutes. Taylor was again instrumental in the build up, jinking her way past Dani Buet's tackle and finding space before spreading the ball wide to Carney, who then stole the show with a goal of the season contender, cutting inside Claire Rafferty and bending an unstoppable strike into the corner of Telford's goal, nothing the England stopper could do with her compatriot's effort.

The home side were in complete control and full of confidence, but Matt Beard's side came back into the game as the half wore on, with Buet in central midfield pulling the strings and making Chelsea play, and pressure began to build as the visitors forced a number of corners. On 24 minutes one of those corners, taken by Hincks, was headed home by centre half Bonner, who ironically was the player to miss the all important penalty in the final, and this goal spurred Chelsea on, Hincks forcing a smart save from Spencer and Bassett blocking bravely from the follow up, and it was David Parker's team who may have been slightly relieved to hear the half time whistle, although Telford was forced into action just before the break, smartly denying Carney her second of the game.

7 minutes after the break, the visitors had their equaliser, and it came from a familiar source when Kate Longhurst's inswinging cross was stabbed home cleverly by Welsh international Lander, who added to her impressive tally this season. Chelsea tails were not up for long, however, as just a minute later, Blues were back in front. Jo Potter's set pieces had once again been a constant threat to Chelsea, and her in swinging corner was whipped in and Rachel Unitt scored her first Birmingham goal, scrambling the ball home from under the cross bar. As the natural light slowly started to be replaced by the light of the floodlights at the DCS Stadium, both sides continued to look for goals, Rachel Williams and Potter both shooting narrowly over for Blues, whilst Chelsea threatened through Dunia Susi and Lander, but the all important 6th goal of the game came with 8 minutes remaining, when Jo Potter's thunderous free kick flew past Telford and into the bottom corner to make it 4-2 to Blues. The Londoners seemed to run out of steam in the closing stages of the match, and it ended 4-2, moving Blues back to within two points of leaders Arsenal.

Special praise has to go to both sides for putting on another entertaining game only 5 days after the energy sapping cup final, but it shows the quality and strength of the two teams, and for Blues in particular to come away from the week with another 3 points in the league and the FA Womens Cup is a fantastic achievement. Not for the first time this season they have not let their heads drop after conceding goals, and just when it appears that they are in trouble, the heart and determination of the squad shines through, and when you have the attacking threat that Blues possess, it is no suprise that they have the belief that a match is never lost, and that it is always possible to grab a goal.

The front 6 that started the league game vs Chelsea all have a touch of class that can win any game against any side, as Taylor and Carney's goals proved, but after being pegged back, it was the set piece quality of midfielder Potter that proved the difference, her corner was found impossible to deal with by the Chelsea back line, allowing Unitt to regain the lead, and of course her wicked free kick at the end sealed the three points, and to think Rachel Williams and Aluko didn't find the net, Blues have arguably the most potent attack in the league, and this is one of the reasons the side have the belief that on their day they can beat anybody, and this fight and ability will be key in their quest to continue their trophy winning ways in WSL and Continental Cup action this season.

Player of the game: Jo Potter

Blues: Spencer, Weston, Bassett (c), Westwood, Unitt (Harrop 57), Aluko (Christiansen 73), Moore, Potter, Carney, Taylor (Ballard 84), Williams

Subs not used: Hourihan, Torkildsen

Chelsea: Telford (c), Fay (Gwilliam 82), Bonner, Ingle, Rafferty, Susi, Buet, Spence, Hincks (Lappin 66), Lander, Longhurst

Subs not used: Quantrill, Perry, William, Coombs

Attendance: 756