Glasgow City defeated Doncaster Rovers Belles 2-0 this weekend at Petershill Park, in their final warm up match before the domestic season begins in two weeks time.
Hit by last minute injury problems, Doncaster were without their keeper, so City’s Claire Johnstone deputised in nets for the visitors as Laura Williamson played in goals for the home team. It proved to be a decent work out for Johnstone as she was called into action on a number of occasions.
The game started brightly, coming to life almost immediately as both teams hit the cross bar in the opening five minutes - Jane Ross as the unlucky City striker to see her effort cannon off the woodwork with a shot from Vicky Exley for Doncaster meeting the same fate.
Doncaster then had a chance to shoot at target when Becky Hall cut inside, but her effort shot right at Laura Williamson in the City nets from the edge of the box.
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On 15 minutes, City’s Lisa Evans had a good effort which flew just over the bar. Ten minutes later City almost opened the scoring when Captain Rachel Corsie flicked a near post corner just wide.
A few moments later and City did take the lead when Christie Murray fired home from another City corner.
With less than ten minutes to go before the break, City almost doubled their advantage when Jo Love hit a powerful effort on target but it was not enough to challenge Johnstone who saved the attempt at point blank range. Murray then had another shot from distance and right on half time sent a clever pass into the box to meet the run of team mate Jo Love. Love controlled brilliantly and was denied only by an expert last minute tackle as she was about to pull the trigger.
Half time 1-0.
Just after the restart, Doncaster had the opportunity of a set piece when Corsie was deemed to foul at the edge of the box. However, the Belles hit dead ball effort just wide.
A few minutes later, City full back Emma Mitchell played in Jane Ross, but Johnstone pulled off a great one on one stop to deny Ross.
City were, however, to go two goals up only moments later when Christie Murray was brought down in the box and Leanne Ross converted the resultant penalty.
City dominated the remainder of the second half and were desperately unlucky not to add to their lead, with Emma Mitchell in particular coming agonisingly close. After stealing the ball from the visitors, she beat one defender, but her powerful drive went inches past the post.
Reflecting on the match, City Head Coach Eddie Wolecki Black said: “We won’t get too carried away with today’s result, the same as we didn’t get too downhearted after losing to Birmingham last week.
“The season is not yet underway, so we cannot read too much into these matches, but what was pleasing today was the fact that we were able to build this week at training on the errors against Birmingham and come out a stronger side today.
“I thought we dominated the match and controlled possession and that was pleasing. Disappointingly now, we lose all of our players to international commitments, when it would have been ideal to be able to work with the team for the remaining two weeks before the season starts. But we understand the importance of Scotland’s commitments and we wish them the very best at the Cyprus Cup and the La Manga Ten National Tournament.”
Jessica Whittington, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine
