Birmingham City
Blues Trust
Blues 4 All
On Saturday evening Blues ladies were second best to much more aggressive and ruthless Blackburn Rovers side. Credit should go to Simon Parker and his team who were excellent scoring a goal full of quality from Megan Hornby. Blues started with five debutants with Mason, Herron, Agg, Dungate and the returning Remi Allen who captained the side, a proud moment for her.
On a down side Blues ended with even more injury concerns with Lucy Quinn and debutant Neve Herron but no word yet on how serious the injuries are.
FIRST HALF
Blackburn started of the better of the two sides with Chole Williams strike that went wide of the goal after just 48 seconds .
Blackburn had another chance in the first minute with Hornby’s shot which was deflect by her teammate Williams that just rolled wide of the goal.
Then in the 7th minute controversy when a Blackburn corner came into the box, and it was rebounded and then it hit Jade Pennock’s hand, but the referee waved the protests away from the Blackburn players.
In the 17th minute Blues should had have a penalty of their own following a corner into the box, it fell to Gemma Lawley, and she was brought down in the box, but the referee Jane Simms yet again waved it away.
Blues first chance of the game came in the 25th minute from last week’s match winner Lily Agg, but her shot was saved comfortably by former Blues goalkeeper Alex Brooks .
A minute later Blackburn Rovers had a chance with Georgia Walters went for outrageous shot from distance, but Lucy Thomas gathered it up well.
In the 37th Blues could have taken the lead when Remi Allen had a shot but rebounded of the post, but it was called back for offside .
The last chance of the half came for us when the debutant Ellie Mason had a shot, but it was saved from Brooks in the 46th minute.
HALF TIME BLACKBURN ROVERS 0-0 BLUES
SECOND HALF
Blues were nearly off the mark straightaway in the second half but Claudia Walker’s shot went over the bar.
The deadlock was broken in the 48th minute, the Host’s took the lead with a goal of real quality with Georgia Walters picking up the ball, playing a wonderful pass through the Blues defence and Meg Hornby calmly put the ball past Lucy Thomas to make it 1-0 to Rovers.
Blues reacted with a corner from Lucy Quinn and fell to Allen, but it went wide.
Rovers could have doubled the lead in the 58th minute with a shot from Lauren Thomas but it went wide.
Blues had a chance in the 61st minute with Lily Agg but her header was easily saved from Brooks. Three minutes later the player of the season Jade Pennock had a shot that also went wide.
Rovers went back on the attack in the 66th minute but the shot from Nokuthula was saved from Lucy Thomas.
Blues continued to push and in the 76th substitute Christie Harrison-Murray had a shot that went over the bar. The last chance of the game came for Blues from Louise Quinn’s header, but it was saved from Brooks.
FULL TIME BLACKBURN ROVERS 1-0 BLUES
MY THOUGHTS ON THE GAME
A disappointing start to the season for the ladies in royal blue, but we have to give credit to the hosts who played with a really impressive press giving no time for us and we couldn’t get our game going . Yes, we could have had a penalty, but Blackburn should have had one also from Jade’s handball . The goal was quality and it was good enough to win any football match . There were a lot of positives for Blues, a full 90 minutes for Remi, Lily Agg showed some good touches and Mason who played well to. The worrying thing is the injuries, hopefully they are not too serious for Lucy Quinn and Neve Herron .
Our unbeaten run has come to a endso now it’s time to start another one as remember all good things have to come to an end.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH
Yes, I could go for the match winner Hornby, but I have to go for Jade Richards her performance was what a defender all about clearing things last minute, hard tackles Infact an all round brilliant performance .
NEXT UP FOR BLUES
Our first home game of the season against Crystal Palace and its a 3pm kick off on Sunday. So come on get down to St Andrews and support the ladies in Royal Blue. Mens Season tickets holders go free just call to claim your ticket 72 hrs before kick off, you can purchase tickets via BCFC.com priced at £8 for Adults, £5 Senior 65+/16-22 and £2 Under-16s
Hope to see you there
KRO STEPHEN GILL