Match Report: Liverpool Ladies 1 - 1 Birmingham City (Development Squad)

 Until the final whistle this game seemed to be going the same way as last weekends victory away at Sunderland, with a last minute winner surely on the way. Unfortunately for Liverpool they did everything but score a second goal.

 Liverpool started the game brightly, both Rebecca Hillman and Claudia Walker spotting early openings in the Birmingham defence and trying their luck from range.

 Ashley Hodson had another fine game up front and was extremely unlucky not to get on the scoresheet, an early run into the box only halted by the oncoming Birmingham keeper.

 Ellie Stewart has also been in great form so far this season, assured at the back when the defence is under pressure and dangerous when attacking the ball at corners - today going close with two headers.

 Both of the games goals came during the first half, Claudia Walker working well just behind Hodson cutting in from both wings and deservedly grabbing her fourth goal of the season.

 Birmingham's goal was against the run of play, a long range effort caught Danielle Gibbons just off her line to equalise for the blues.

 Shortly before half-time and after nearly putting Liverpool back in the lead following a corner, Olivia Wild picked up a wrist injury that looked to be quite painful and was replaced by Emilie Revitt. Revitt coming on forced a change at the back, going to left-back meaning Sam Chappell moved across to right-back and Sophia Riccio to centre-back.

 With the teams out for the second half it was once again Liverpool controlling the game and dominating the possession, Birmingham set themselves up a bit more defensively attempting to catch us on the counter attack.

 Despite the Birmingham attacks being few and far between, reds keeper Danielle Gibbons produced a number of crucial saves. Doing well on one occasion to get down to her left to stop a goal-bound strike.

 Liverpool had many chances throughout the second half, Bethany Donoghue almost putting Katie Zelem through on goal, Emilie Revitt also with a brilliant cross into the box that only just skimmed the top of Ashley Hodson's head.

 Holly Yates then came on for Donoghue as the chances kept on coming. Katie Zelem the driving force behind many of the Liverpool attacks, a pass to Hodson who's cross went just behind Yates and then unlucky not to find Hillman with a low pass on the edge of the box.

 With 5 minutes to play Liverpool continued to press but to no avail, the second goal simply not coming. Zelem this time on the end of a couple of chances, first with a shot intercepted and then heading over.

 In the final minutes it was Hodson who almost claimed the late winner, the ball coming to her just outside the six-yard box just a little too fast giving her no time to control it and the shot over the crossbar.

 Team: Gibbons (C), Chappell, Stewart, Riccio, Wild (Revitt), Dale, Zelem, Donoghue (Yates), Hillman, Walker, Hodson

 POTM: Danielle Gibbons



 Liverpool will be disappointed to not have won all 3 points this afternoon but should not be disheartened by their fighting performance. Today was the final time this year Liverpool will play at home, next Sunday they are back away at Sunderland before breaking over Christmas. The next home fixture will be against Doncaster Belles on 2nd February 2014, for full fixtures and results click here & follow @LFCLadiesFans on Twitter for any news between now and then!

Thanks for following!