Birmingham City Ladies claim a hard-fought point on the road at Arsenal - The Solihull Observer

Birmingham City Ladies claim a hard-fought point on the road at Arsenal

Solihull Editorial 1st May, 2016 Updated: 21st Oct, 2016   0

BIRMINGHAM City Ladies came away from Arsenal with a hard fought point following a goalless draw at Boreham Wood on Sunday in the Women’s Super League.

Both sides had chances to snatch all three points in what was an entertaining Women’s Super League encounter but Dave Parker will perhaps go home the happier of the two managers as the Blues picked up what could prove to be a valuable point come the end of the season.

The visitors made a bright start on what was a sunny afternoon in North London with midfielder Chloe Peplow firing wide in the ninth minute and soon after Fred Ayisi was unable to get the all important touch after Emily Westwood had headed Jo Potter’s free kick back across goal.

On 21 minutes a neat move ended with Ayisi toe-poking the narrowly ball wide and the former Arsenal striker came close again moments later but her shot drifted over the bar.




The hosts registered their first attempt on goal shortly after the half-hour mark when the lively Dan Carter hit a free kick off target while at the other end a quick counter attack launched by Melissa Lawley ended with Ayisi hitting a shot high over the bar.

The best chance of the half came just minutes before the interval as Remi Allen thought she had beaten Sari Van Veenendaal but the Arsenal goalkeeper did well to push her attempt onto the crossbar.


After the break both sides enjoyed spells of possession in what proved to be an entertaining second period in which neither goalkeeper was beaten.

The visitors picked up where they left off by starting the second period brightly but it was Leah Williamson who registered the first effort on goal but her shot from the edge of the area on 51 minutes failed to test Baggaley in the Blues goal.

Just minutes later young midfielder Chloe Peplow demonstrated her ability by getting on the end of a cross from the left by Kerys Harrop and she hit the ball first time with plenty of power but was unlucky to see her effort whistle narrowly over the bar.

Arsenal introduced England midfielder Fara Williams with half an hour remaining but the hosts were struggling to break down a determined Blues ladies defence and it was the visitors who looked most likely to score.

Jo Potter struck a long range effort wide of the target and Lawley did well to break into the area but Remi Alen was unable to make contact by the penalty spot.

There was almost a twist right at the death in the final minute of injury-time when Dominique Janssen hit an almost perfect free kick from 25 yards out but her effort came back off the bar and Baggaley was able to gather the follow up to earn Blues their first point on the road this season.

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