Wilma Liedhammar was the hero has Blues close the gap on top spot to three points and have a game in hand over Charlton Athletic the swede capitalised on a mistake from the impressive Sophie Ingle she took her time and fire it home to give Blues a vital win to keep are automatic promotion hopes alive. Amy put in Martha Harris has a centre back with Neve Herron with Wilma Liedhammar in midfield and Veatriki Sarri up front.
FIRST HALF
The first chance of the game came for the host in the 11th minute when Lexi Lloyd-Smith out battle Rebecca Mckenna the ball fall to Robinson and Franch saved it but it was at a cost has she was replaced by Lucy Thomas.
In the 22nd minute a ball played found its way to Sarri whose shot was weak.
In the 31st minute some quick thinking from Hurtre and Cornet from a corner found its way to Harris whose effort just clipped the crossbar.
In the 37th minute a great ball from Sophie Ingle put Jess Gale through one on one with Thomas but her shot was saved by Lucy Thomas when it was easy to play Lexi Lloyd-Smith in.
In the 38th minute an Oceane Hurtre cross was found Lily Crosthwaite but her effort went wide.
HALF TIME BRISTOL CITY WOMEN 0-0 BLUES WOMEN
SECOND HALF
The first chance of the second half should have been the opening when a Lily Crosthwaite cross was flicked on by Hurtre which landed onto the head of Sarri but couldn’t have guided it home in the 47th minute.
In the 50th minute Blues should have token the lead when Miyagawa played a ball to the wing to Crosthwaite who droved into the box but her shot goes wide of the post.
In the 65th minute a poor clearance from Neve Herron landed at the feet of Sophie Ingle and her shot was brilliantly saved from Lucy Thomas.
But in the 69th minute Sophie Ingle gave the ball away to Astro Miyagawa it fell to Wilma Leidhammar who slot it away to give Blues the lead .
In the 77th minute a poor header from Holloway landed at the feet of Sophie Ingle whose effort went over the bar.
In the 79th a brilliant run from Lexi Lloyd-Smith run into the edge of the box and her curling effort just went past the far hand post.
In the 83rd minute some good interplay found Lotta Lindstrom in the box but her shot was well saved from Sian Rodgers.
Blues in game management towards the end of the game was brilliant especially Lotta Lindstrom whose hold up play in the corner was brilliant and Blues got over the line and now three points off Charlton Athletic with a game in hand.
FULL TIME BRISTOL CITY WOMEN 0-1 BLUES WOMEN
MY THOUGHTS ON THE GAME
Like I said in my other blogs we needed to show are metal today, but we also showed are quality and I’m so proud for Amy & her team when the pressure was on, we delivered with a goal from Wilma Liedhammar. But there is still a lot of work to do get us into the WSL. The only downside was the injury of Adrianna Franch, and it looked like at the end of the game she was on crutches. But it was great to see Lucy Thomas back in goals and kept us in it at times. Blues still need to show that ruthlessness when on top and I think that will come in time and like I said in last week’s blog at this time of the season it’s all about getting the results and more importantly getting promoted into the WSL.
Another positive was Martha Harris today playing in centre back when her prefer role is a full back and she was magnificent her timing her leadership with and without the ball was spot on.
MY PLAYER OF THE MATCH
Like I said Martha Harris was are leader today her composure on and off the ball was brilliant.
UP NEXT
Its are game in hand against Sunderland this Wednesday night at 19:00pm at StAndrews@KnightheadPark.
STEPHEN GILL KRO