FA WSL: Bristol Academy 0 - 0 Chelsea Ladies

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Bristol Academy were left to rue Helen Bleazard’s second-half penalty miss as Chelsea escaped with a point on 4 May.

The home side had by far the better of the chances, especially after the break, but the Blues held firm to make it seven points from their last three away games.

The visitors almost took an early lead when an attempted clearance from Kylie Davies’ second-minute free-kick rebounded off Gemma Bonner, forcing Bristol keeper Siobhan Chamberlain to dive to her left to push the ball around a post.

But that was to be the only clear chance they had until the final moments of the game as Bristol dominated proceedings without finding the net.

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FA WSL: Bristol Academy 1 – 1 Liverpool Ladies

FA WSL: Chelsea 1 – 1 Lincoln Ladies

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Jess Fishlock’s hooked forward pass almost put Loren Dykes clear on Chelsea’s goal after 16 minutes, but the winger was muscled off the ball by Claire Rafferty before she could create time for a shot.

Moments later, Chelsea ‘keeper Carly Telford made a fine close-range save at her near post to prevent Dykes firing home from Helen Bleazard’s cross.

Midway through the opening period, Fishlock released Bleazard down the left and the resulting cross caused problems in Chelsea’s defence. But Dykes was just unable to turn the ball home – and Telford had to make another good near-post save to deny the same player shortly afterwards.

Bristol thought they had a good shout for a penalty just before the interval when Ann-Marie Heatherson’s cross was handled by Sophie Perry, but the ball had gone out of play before striking the Chelsea defender’s arm.

The home side were awarded a spot-kick seven minutes into the second half though when Bleazard’s cross from the left was handled by Kylie Davies. Bleazard took the kick herself – but blazed the penalty over the bar.

Telford made a brave save at Fishlock’s feet to prevent the midfielder putting Academy in front just after the hour and Chelsea then had to withstand a spell of heavy pressure, Telford rescuing them again as she kept out a fierce Bleazard drive from the edge of the box.

Bleazard then saw a looping header from substitute Lillie Billson’s cross strike the underside of the bar and stay out eleven minutes from time as the Londoners continued to ride their luck.

Yet Chelsea almost pulled off a late smash-and-grab act when Drew Spence smashed a shot against the bar and Chamberlain made a fine save to deny Emma Plewa from the rebound.

Bristol Academy: Chamberlain, Yorston, Jones (Culvin 73), Rose, McCatty, Bleazard, Hoogendijk, Fishlock, Clark (Green 90), Dykes, Heatherson (Billson 69). Substitutes not used: Windell, Radburn.

Chelsea Ladies: Telford, Rafferty, Bonner, Davies, Perry, Bird, Champ (Spence 58), Morwood, Buet, Lander, Jane (Plewa 73). Substitutes not used: Fay, Hincks, Quantrill.

Referee: Rob Ellis Attendance: 371

Sportsister,
The Women’s Sports Magazine

Image credit: The FA via Getty Images

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