by Ben Gilby based on the tweets of Daisy Wildsmith
This week, we review at the action of the Barclays FA Women’s Super League pair of Liverpool v Manchester clashes.
Manchester United v Liverpool
Why is Rinsola Babajide always on her own at the front? It was the same last season. I’d hoped she’d have been picked up by one of the top three in the transfer window, because with the right team, she will soar! All Babajide’s hard work just wasted by other players time & time again. Half of them can’t keep up with her, those who do don’t gel with her to make the most of the opportunities she creates.
During the first half yesterday, there simply seemed to be not enough co-ordination between the Liverpool players in front of goal, and no power on their shots. Consequently, it was only a matter of time before United scored.
The opening period of the second half saw Liverpool produce a really strong defensively performance allied with a couple of fantastic saves from Anke Preuss. Eventually though, United’s superior threat told. For United’s opening goal I think Lauren James was aided by the pitch. I suggest that Sophie Bradley-Auckland would have gotten to that if she weren’t playing on ice! The clincher came for the home side towards the end when Katie Zelem succeeded against Anke Preuss from the spot.
The result was inevitable really. Liverpool were strong in defence, but never posed a real threat on the attack. Rinsola Babajide the supernova sniper unsupported by her team mates which wasted the chances she created in the first half.
The allegations after the game of chants by Manchester United supporters directed to Liverpool about the Hillsborough disaster is a disgrace. If people know who was responsible, then rat them out. Don’t be complacent. They’ll bring the reputation of the squad and its fan base down. In my opinion, Casey Stoney as manager, should release a statement distancing herself and the club from this kind of behaviour. Even if the allegations are unfounded. Something about how they would never condone that behaviour and will co-operate fully with the investigation and hope that they find such serious allegations to not be true. Otherwise, those responsible will get the message that crossing the line is accepted and condoned by the club and its management.
Everton v Manchester City
Another wet day at Haig Avenue, which caused the players having to be mindful of the small quagmire on the edge of the box at Everton’s end. Somebody really should have put some cones out! Everton had an early opportunity with a beautiful warning shot which, if lower would’ve gone in. The Merseysiders’ start confirmed my feeling that they look much stronger and organised than they did last season. Despite this, it was City who took the lead, with a typical Steph Houghton free kick from the edge of the box. The England stalwart didn’t have a monopoly on efforts from this range as Everton’s Chloe Kelly fired several long range rockets. If only there was better accuracy or team mates in the box to pass to it could be more promising still for Everton. City were definitely the stronger side in this first half though.
Another goal from City felt inevitable, but try as they might it just didn’t come. Everton had a further chance when, after Jill Scott felled Kelly. She picked herself up and aimed her free kick uncharacteristically straight at the feet of City’s defensive wall. Other entertainment came from the feed via the FA Player which, at times lurched from being all faded which make me feel like I was watching it in the 1970’s. This later shifted to a nice orange tinge – progressing the footage a decade further forward to the 1980’s.
Daisy Wildsmith is a regular contributor to Impetus and is a women’s football fan based in the West Midlands.
impetusfootball.org 