Ladies again draw a blank with a loss against the Addicks

Blues are still looking for the first win of the season as Charlton Athletic grabbed all three points on Sunday after a rare mistake from Goalkeeper Lucy Thomas. Lucy slipped in the 58^th minute which let the ball run free and then she brought down Kayleigh Green trying to regain control. The striker then calmly stepped up to place the ball into the top corner to give the Addicks their first win of the season . There was also a controversial sending off Super Jade Pennock which to me was harsh. It was not all negative though, a first start for Brazilian Ivanna Fuso who looks quite the player and Ellie Mason is getting better and better.

This also came on the day that our very own Lucy Quinn celebrated 100 appearances in the royal blue of Birmingham. Congratulations Lucy.

FIRST HALF

The first opportunity of the game came for Blues in the second minute from a corner from Lucy Quinn which was curled just over the bar.

Charlton Athletic’s first opportunity came in the 8^th minute when Carly Humphrey had a shot from long range but it went wide of the goal.

In the 9^th minute the debutant Fuso could have scored but it was well saved by the very impressive Jessica Gray .

Blues were on top in this period of the game I the 18^th minute of the game Ellie Mason freekick went over the bar. This was followed by a mistake at the back by Blues causing Charlton to almost take the lead but Kayleigh Green’s shot went wide.

In the 35^th minute Blues had a free kick, but Lucy Quinn’s effort went over the bar.

In the 40^th minute some great play from Mary Bashford when she intercepted a pass but curled her effort towards goal but went wide.

Then in the 43^rd minute it’s probably one of the best saves I seen following all my time watching women’s football with a great counterattack from Blues with Ivanna Fuso who then rolled it to Libby Smith and her shot was going to the corner, but a world class save from Jessica Gray kept it 0-0.

HALF TIME BLUES 0-0 CHARLTON

SECOND HALF

The first opportunity of the second half came for the visitors when Melissa Johnson cut in from the right-hand side, but her effort was saved from Thomas in the 54^th minute.

4 minutes later disaster struck for Blues when our reliable Goalkeeper Lucy Thomas slipped outside the box and Kayleigh Green nicked the ball of her before being brought down. Green dusted herself down and placed the penalty beautifully past Lucy Thomas into the top corner to make it 0-1 for the visitors.

Then in the 63^rd minute even more trouble when Jade Pennock got her second yellow card of the game and was harshly sent off .

Blues were still creating chances even with 10 players in the 73^rd there was some brilliant play from Ellie Mason. She cut in and fired a fierce shot, but it was tipped over from Gray.

Mason had another shot two minutes later, but it went over the bar.

Charlton were looking to finish the game and could have in the 77^th minute with Freya Godfrey with a brilliant shot that hit the top of the crossbar .

The last chance of the game came for Charlton with former Bluenose Freda Ayisi who hit the post in the 90^th minute.

FULL TIME BLUES 0-1 CHARLTON ATHLETIC

MY THOUGHTS ON THE GAME

What can I say we tried everything but yet again we cannot finish our chances. Alot has been said for the men’s team get James Beattle in for the lack of scoring the same can been said for the girls, but it isn’t for any lack of trying maybe we need to get a new voice with a couple of sessions with a finishing coach brought in to bring a new voice to give the strikers a bit of confidence into their mindset.

The sending off yes it was harsh for Jade but don’t give the referee Amy Fearn the chance to give a second yellow. We all know it’s unfortunate but with new rules any contact and you be asking for trouble. I’m not blaming the refs it’s the referees association, they introduced the rules. The penalty actually had a foul committed before it got the goalkeeping error, this lack of consistency then resulted in the pen being given. If the foul has been picked up the pen would not have happened.

The problem is the lack of confidence around the Club. At the moment we can see if we can’t score first, we are hanging on to a point that is not the Blues Women I know we fight to the end to get all three points.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH

This was tough as there were players across both teams who deserved it. I have decided to name two. I have to go for Jessica Gray from Charlton her saves especially from Libby Smith and Ellie Mason were world class. For Blues it’s Remi Allen. Remi put in a tenacious performance nullifying the midfield play and her passing was brilliant throughout.

Well done both.

UP NEXT

A tricky away trip to the south against Southampton after the International break .

KRO STEPHEN GILL