Blues Women ended their run in  the WSL with a clean sheet and bragging rights after success in the Midland Derby at Villa Park. Blues Ladies went into the game with nothing to lose but alot to gain and you could see why Villa Ladies haven’t won a game at Villa park in 12^th games.

Blues started like a house on fire in the second city derby with a wonderful effort from Jade Pennock that hit the crossbar in the third minute which was then followed by Lucy Quinn’s attempt that was blocked.

Villa’s first chance came in the eighth minute when former bluenose Rachel Corsie header from very close range went over the bar.

Then the break through happened in the ten minute when Jade Pennock broke free from the Villa defence and played it to Veatricki Sarri. The Greek International and double season end award winner had a outrageous shot that went over former blues goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, The blues fans went wild for their first trip to villa park in the WSL.

Then the Swiss International Alisha Lehmann who looked a class apart from any another villa player had her attempt blocked from blues in the 15^th min. Villa finally were getting a hold into the game having a couple of corners the best coming from Ramona Petzelberger who’s right footed shot just went wide from Lehmann’s cross in the 25^th minute . Then in the 27^th Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah had her first attempt on goal for villa that just went wide of the right hand post.

Villa had three more chances before the break through Mayumi Pacheco, Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah and the third was from Petzelberger who had a header that missed from the left side of the goal.

1st Half ends 0-1

In the second half blues defence were made of the strong stuff even through we hade to ride are luck on a couple of times. Villa started of strong when Emily Gielnik  shot was saved from Ramsey. Blues first attempt in the second half was from Lucy Quinn which was blocked after an assist from Christie Murray in the 50^th minute .

The game came further to life and in the 52nd minute it was Villa’s turn with Laura Blindkilde right footed shot was blocked. Blues should have put the game to bed when Libby Smith did brilliantly on the left side of the goal to pick out Jade Pennock, her shot was blocked by Hannah Hampton. This was closely followed by what should have been the equaliser however Corsie’s shot hit the woodwork from the centre of the box.

Villa continued going forward looking for an equaliser, Ruesha Littlejohn’s right footed shot was saved comfortably by Ramsey. The pressure continued from Villa and Littlejohn had another chance in the 71^st minute that was easily saved in the centre of the box from Ramsey.

Blues come back into it in the 80^th minute when breakout star Gemma Lawley headed from Jamie Finn’s cross went high and wide. Veatriki Sarri could have made it a brace for her in the 87^th minute when her shot was blocked and this was quickly followed by another shot that went high and wide.

If this is her last time we see Veatriki Sarri in a Blues top then I just want to thank her for her brilliant professionalism and she has given us bluenoses some memorable moments in a blues shirt.

The match ended and it was a brilliant performance from the Ladies in Royal Blue. The ladies have been a credit to the club and at the end of the game you can see how much it means to them. They went across to celebrate with the fans and their families after a tough season. Soon teams would have just wanted to go to the dressing room but not ours. This shows the connection that the players have with the fans.

Darren and the Ladies in Royal Blue thank you for giving us fans some great memories after another difficult season.

So what’s next ?

On to next season and with everyone excited about the news on a possible takeover at the club we look on optimistically. Yes some players will leave in the summer but if we are gong to be successful in the championship we need investment on getting new players in and keeping the Nucleus of this squad, giving the players what their need and more importantly what the coach needs is a must.

Yes I have been critical of Coach Carts this season but what I cant criticise him about is what he has brought to the club, togetherness with in the group of players, Pride and passion. I am so proud of him his backroom staff and of course the players for their efforts at the end.

Yes we need investment but I don’t think we need much to mount a positive challenge in the championship. The experience of Libby Smith who got promoted last season with Leicester City and Jade Pennock who was with Sheffield United will help us if they stay.

Another challenging season yes but with a possible takeover hopefully their is some light at the end of this very very dark tunnel for the ladies team.

UNTIL NEXT SEASON KRO STEPHEN GILL