BLUES WIN A HARD FOUGHT BATTLE OVER THE WILDCATS WITH MAGILL ON FORM

Blues are now two points away to London City Lionesses after defeating Durham in a hard-fought game at StAndrews@Knightheadpark two goals from Northern Ireland international Simone Magill and a debut goal on Blue for Aussie International Emily Van Egmond gave Amy’s first win over the wildcats for Blues it definitely wasn’t all plane sailing for the girls in royal blue after we came from behind from a Mollie Lambert strike in the 23rd minute and reacted the way we did was really impressive. Something Amy would have been so pleased with. Team news Neve Herron retuned into the starting line-up Louise Quinn returned onto the bench and one of the PGA Cup winners made the bench today in Ebonie Locke.

FIRST HALF 

The first big chance of the game came from the visitors with Mollie Lambert had a chance to put the wildcats in front, but her effort was saved from Adrianna Franch in the fourth minute.

Blues first chance of the game came from Ivanna Fuso when her shot was easily saved from Rylee Foster in the eleven minute.

Then in the eighteenth minute Simone Magill shot was saved from Foster.

Then in the 21st minute some great play from Rebecca Holloway found Ivanna Fuso but her shot went wide.

But in the 23rd minute the wildcats took the league when a corner was whipped into the blues box wear it was punch away from Adrianna, but it felled to Mollie Lambert who strike it into the back of the net to give Adam Furness team the lead.

Then in the 25^th minute Shannon Cooke had a shot that went over the bar.

But a minute later the girls in royal blue equalized when the inform Rebecca Holloway delivered it onto Lee’s head and her header found Simone Magill to head home with the best efforts from Rylee Foster trying to keep it out of the net a great response.

Then in the 29^th minute a great ball from Christie Harrison-Murray finds Choe Yuri but her effort was catched from Foster.

Then a minute later a great ball into the Durham box but Magill couldn’t get onto the ball for her second of the game.

Then a moment of controversy when Rebecca Mckenna was brought down in the box, but the referee Megan Wilson gave a free kick just outside of the area in the 42nd minute.

The last chance of the half came for Rebecca Mckenna but her shot was saved from Foster.

HALF TIME BLUES WOMEN 1-1 DURHAM WOMEN

SECOND HALF 

The first chance of the second half fell for Blues in the 45^th minute when Holloway did some brilliant work to find Lee Geum-Min her cross found Simone Magill, but her effort went just wide.

Then in the 50^th minute a Rebecca Mckenna shot was deflected but brought out the best in Durham’s goalkeeper Rylee Foster.

But in the 57th minute Blues should have retaken the league when a ball was driven across the box by Cooke it felled to Yuri her attempt was cleared, before Lee’s follow up goes wide.

Then in the 62nd minute Rebecca Holloway had a shot that was easily saved from Fosters.

Then in he 72nd minute a dangerous free kick for the wildcats which was well struck from Beth Hepple which was well saved from Franch who turned it away for a corner.

Then in the 82nd minute Blues took the lead when Neve Herron played a young ball over the top for Ava Baker who chased down the goalkeeper the ball rebounded to Simone Magill who placed it into the top of the net.

Then in the 85^th minute a corner from Christie Harrison-Murray was headed away from Durham defence but it landed to Emily Van Egmond whose volley went into the back of the net to kill the game of.

The last chance of the game landed for Simone Magill to make it a hat-trick, but her shot was straight at Rylee Foster. 

FULL TIME BLUES WOMEN 3-1 DURHAM WOMEN 

MY THOUGHTS ON THE GAME 

So finally, Amy has got her first win over the wildcats, and she would be ecstatic over the performance coming from a goal down to overcome one of are bogey sides in Durham not beating them since are first season in the championship when we done the double over them. But it shows how far the wildcats have come under Adam Furness where there are seating at the right end of the table seating in fourth position and with the backing there got its only going to be better for the wildcats . For Blues the first part of the Birmingham job was nervous, but we got over the line with another tough game against Newcastle United coming up next week. But today there showed their guts determination and more importantly their quality on the ball and the goals there scored especially the first one from Magill was delightful.  And someone who deserves credit especially the second goal is Ava Baker with her determination to get the ball back and get Simone a chance to get her second goal of the game was brilliant from the young Lionesses player. It was great to see Neve back in the starting line and the returning Gemma Lawley coming off the bench to we are getting are injured players back at the right time. And also, Emily getting her first goal in a blues shirt was brilliant with a well placed volley lets hope its the first of many.

MY PLAYER OF THE MATCH

It has to been Simone Magill with her outstanding display she is coming into form at the right time of the season with her brace and is loving life in a Blues shirt.

UP NEXT 

We travel up to the northeast to face Newcastle United and its a 14:00 kick off time.

KRO STEPHEN GILL