Another hard earned victory on Wednesday evening got the girls in royal blue in with a outside chance of returning to the WSL but results still need to go are way with Bristol City Playing Charlton this weekend at Ashton Gate. Tara Bourne’s 60^th minute header got Blues over the line and put us into second place in the Championship. I know it wasn’t the best performance but Blues found a gritty and determined performance to get us over the line.

FIRST HALF 

The first opportunity came for the visitors when Sarah Robson played a lovely ball over the top but it was gathered up by Lucy Thomas in the 4^thminute.

Blues first opportunity came a minute later when Harris & Walker played a one two but was fired wide of the post.

In the 16^th minute it was Durham’s turn when Sarah Robson cross field pass was chest down from Saoirse Noonan but Lucy Thomas was brave to clam the ball.

Blues should have taken the lead in the 11^th minute when Walker went round the Goalkeeper Nadisha Mcaloon but her effort dropped wide.

The first real chance for Durham came in the 20 minute when Mollie Lambert ran towards the by-line and cut it back to Noonan, her shot was well blocked but fell to Beth Hepple who shot went over the bar.

Durham were in control of this first half and 4 minutes later another chance came when Hepple played it back to Lauren Briggs who’s shot also went over the bar.

Blues were under the cosh and a terrific save from Lucy Thomas from Sarah Robson’s shot kept us on par. From the following corner it could have been 0-1 with a header off the post .

The last chance of the half came for Jade Pennock with a shot from outside the area  but it was easily saved from Mcaloon .

SECOND HALF

The first chance of the second half came for Blues when Jade Pennock profit from a mistake from the back line but her shot went wide.

Blues almost took the lead in the 50^th  minute from direct from a corner from Lucy Quinn but Dee Bradley cleared it of the line.

Ten minutes later the goal came when another corner from Quinn was headed from Louise Quinn which was saved from Nadisha Mcaloon but her save was rebounded to Tara Bourne who scored her first senior goal get in .

Durham continued on the front foot and another wonderful save from Lucy Thomas denied Georgia Roberts to keep us in line for the important three points in the 68^th minute .

In the 76^th minute Charlie Devlin had long range shot which was easily picked up from Mcaloon.

Blues yet again had the chance to double the lead through Olivia Mcloughlin shot, but it went over the bar in the 83^rd minute.

The last chance of the game came for Blues when substitute Libby Smith crossed to Claudia Walker who brilliantly improvised a cheeky  flick but went across the face of the goal in the 92^nd minute.

FULL TIME BLUES 1-0 DURHAM

MY THOUGHTS ON THE GAME

Like I said earlier a hard gutsy performance from the girls in royal blue. The girls grit and determination to get past a strong Durham side was what I liked about the performance. Together the Blues squad was not going to let Durham intimate them with their strong presence, everyone was fighting for the cause. Sometimes it was nervous especially in the first half but the second half it was a much better performance from Blues, they were more aggressive and playing the lines really well. If we want to got out of this league you need performances like this you can’t always play attractive free flowing football you need to fight for the cause and grind out a result.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH

Only one person Tara Bourne that goal could be the most important goal in Blues Women’s recent history that goal with results going for us elsewhere on Sunday could get us back to the WSL well done Tara.

NEXT UP

Part two of the Durham double this Sunday afternoon 2:00 safe trip to Blues fans going up.

KRO STEPHEN GILL