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Mid-Week FAWSL1 Results

July 18, 2024
Women’s Champions League Final 2013

This week more clashes took place in FAWSL1 as teams continued to fight for high places in the table.

Birmingham City -Bristol Academy 2-1

In one of the FAWSL1 matches televised on BT Sport 1, Birmingham City defeated Bristol Academy 2-1. Before the match, Birmingham Manager David Parker said of his team’s lead: “destiny’s in our hands at the moment and we need to keep it that way”. The weekend before this matchup saw these two teams face each other in the WSL Continental Cup, where Bristol triumphed with an impressive 5-0 victory. From it’s opening, this game demonstrated each teams resolve to prove themselves against the other. Play was fast paced and aggressive, and continued to be so throughout.

The first goal was not far from kick off as in the tenth minute Karen Carney sent a free kick on the edge of the box over the wall into the top corner of the net. Bristol also had several chances in the first half, often in the form of a cross into Nicola Watts, but the team were unable to equalise before half time to the credit of goalkeeper Rebecca Spencer.

In the second half, Birmingham kept up the pressure and within ten minutes of this half scored another goal. This came from Emily Westwood who was fed the ball in the box after Jo Potter chased down a weak pass from defender Jemma Rhodes to the Bristol goalkeeper. Westwood had enough room, after cutting behind the keeper who had run out to slow down Potter, to send a quick short strike into goal making it 2-0.

The final goal of the match was Bristol’s. Laura Del Rio Garcia took a free kick for the team which was deflected off the head of Birmingham defender Hannah George to the underside of the crossbar, resulting in a goal for Bristol. Their Manager, Dave Edmonson was disappointed with the performance, especially in light of their performance the weekend before: “we didn’t adapt to the faster pace they played today”.

Chelsea - Arsenal 2-1

Chelsea kept pressure on table leaders Birmingham after defeating Arsenal 2-1. The scoring in this match did not kick off until the second half. In the forty ninth minute, Yuki Ogimi scored after an impressive chip over Emma Byrne. This was followed with a goal from Ji So-Yun who curled in a free kick after Ogimi suffered a body check on the edge of the box. Two minutes later, Arsenal was given a penalty as a result of a handball from Chelsea. Kelly Smith took this and delivered a low ball past the line to keep Arsenal in the running. Unfortunately, an equaliser never came for Arsenal despite a late booking for Chelsea defender Gilly Flaherty.

Chelsea Boss Emma Hayes spoke after the match of her aims for the team as competition within the table heats up, these included aspirations to “keep the pressure on Birmingham” as well as an ultimate goal of “a top-four finish this year”.

Liverpool - Everton 1-0

Liverpool earned their first win this season in FAWSL1 after beating Everton 1-0 this week. The goal of this matchup came from Kate Longhurst. This Liverpool player side footed a long range shot into goal, the only successful finish of the game. Other chances for Liverpool included a misdirected header from Natasha Dowie and a further shot from Longhurst that went wide. Everton saw opportunities to score from players Simone Magill and Nikita Parris but found no equaliser.

Manchester City - Notts County 1-0

The final game this week was Manchester City versus Notts County. The hosts scored with their first real opportunity in the seventeenth minute as Natasha Flint found space to hit a fierce drive from the edge of the box – giving Lady Magpie’s goalkeeper Carly Telford no chance. City kept up the pressure, and Telford had to keep out Toni Duggan’s half-volley before dashing off her line to deny Jill Scott. Telford’s opposite number Karen Bardsley then had to be alert to preserve City’s lead into half-time, making a smart stop from Jess Clarke. Clarke then looked to have equalised on the hour-mark, only for Bardsley to pull off an excellent fingertip save.

The visitors continued to press but they wasted an excellent chance as Rachel Corsie’s free-kick from the edge of the box sailed over the bar. And Bardsley was called into action with ten minutes remaining, saving Dunia Susi’s low shot after the England international had cut in from the right. Man City boss Nick Cushing said after the match: “We’re starting to get more confidence in our playing style. This style of play is evident in the academy and our men’s team, and it’s successful. If we keep concentrating, working hard and sticking to the plan, we’ll get some more wins on the table.”

Alison Mailloux, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine

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