BLUES WOMEN VS BRISTOL CITY WOMEN PREVIEW

Blues Women start off the WSL2 campaign against one of the teams that beat us at home last season in Bristol City. With a new Manager in Charlotte Healy Bristol will be looking to improve on last season’s disappointing six place finish. For Amy Merricks Blues it’s looking to go one step further after the heartbreak of drawing to London City Lionesses in the final day showdown which gave the Lionesses promotion into the WSL.

MATCH PREVIEW

Like I said Blues are trying to go one step further and there has been a lot of change in the Blues Women’s squad Amy letting go fourteen players and that doesn’t include the retirements of both club legend Louise Quinn and fans favourite Siobhan Wilson . So, there is a lot of gaps to be filled for Amys team but the signings she has brought in are quality. Three players I’m looking forward to seeing are Lily Crosthwaite from Durham Chelsea Cornet from Rangers and the return of Veatriki Sarri and also  I’m looking forward to seeing how our first pro contract defender Ebonie Locke will play. Another good thing to see was some of the contact extensions of especially Lucy Thomas, Martha Harris, Lily Agg, Lucy Quinn & my player of the season from last season Rebecca Holloway. Blues have brought in some really exciting players in from the premiere Ligue in France bringing in forward Batacheba Louis from FC Fleury 91 & French Under-23s International Oceane Hurtre from Paris Saint-Germain on a three-year deal. Finally the announcement on Friday morning bringing in South Koren International Ji Soyun on a short-term loan deal from Seattle Reign. I think Amy wants a small squad full of quality thats why there were so many realises in the summer.

Bristol City are looking to compete for the WSL2 Championship after their disappointing six place finish last season. Charlotte was appointed as Robins Manager replacing Stephen Kirby who has gone on to be Rehanne Skinner Assistant Manager at West Ham United. I think Charlotte could be a real fan’s favourite for the robins’ fans and she has recruited really well bringing in two stand out signings in former Blues player Gemma Lawley and one of my favourite players in the championship in former Sheffield United player Maria Farrugia. One player she needs to get the best out of after her fantastic season last season is Lexi Lloyd-Smith, she hit the net ten times last season, and I think she will be key for the robins to have successful season. But one downside for Charlotte was losing Jamie Lee-Napier going to fellow WSL2 side Crystal Palace.

PLAYERS TO LOOK OUT FOR 

My first pick is of course Lexi Lloyd-Smith like I said netted ten times for the robin’s last season and will cause any defence in the championship nightmares.

My second pick I hate to say this is Gemma Lawley a great servant for Blues Women and from set pieces she is always a danger and a fantastic signing for Bristol City.

And my third player is Rio Hardly an experienced forward who City brought in from Rangers in the summer.

LAST TIME WE MET

We met back on the 26^th of January at St Andrews which the robins beat us 1-3 with goals from Lexi Lloyd-Smith in the third minute Fflon Morgan just before half time and Jamie Lee-Napier finished the game of in the 47^th minute.

WHO IS REFEREEING THE GAME

The people who are in charge of Sundays game are Referee Alice Parker, Assistant Referee Joseph Karram and David Mitchell along with Fourth Official Jason Smith.

WHATS HAPPENING ON SUNDAY

You can still buy your alcohol drinks and drink them in the stadium there are food vendors outside the stadium and you can buy your matchday programmes from Stacey in the ground or club shop for two pounds. After the successful euros the club have arranged for the trophy to be present on Sunday and you can get pictures along with the usual pre match entertainment for the family

BIRMINGHAM CITY WOMEN OSC 

The brilliant Stacey will be around talking about the Women’s OSC and what you can get by joining them. The group do loads of work and benefits of joining are fantastic. To find out more or join the visit the link is below.

https://www.bcfcosc.com/club/birmingham-city-women-supporters-group/

HER GAME TOO

Also at the game will be Her Game Too the club announced in June that my friend Claire Barrett will be the ambassador for Birmingham City Women Her Game Too and Clarie fully deserves this opportunity . Clarie has always been passionate about Blues Men and Women’s teams meeting her for the first time last year at the Portsmouth game and I’m so pleased for her, and she will nail this opportunity. There also have a page for Blues fans the link is below.

https://twitter.com/HGTXBCFC

TICKET AVAILABILITY

You can still buy your tickets for are first home game of the season the link is below.

https://www.eticketing.co.uk/bcfc/EDP/Event/Index/5261?position=14

STEPHEN GILL KRO