MATCH PREVIEW: Notts County v Liverpool Ladies

> Previous match report: Manchester City Women 2 - 1 Liverpool Ladies <

 Four days after defeat in the Continental Cup away at Manchester City Women, Liverpool Ladies are on their travels again - this time to face Notts County Ladies on Sunday 18th May in a game that could see Liverpool go to the top of the league.

 The international break following the 6-0 demolition of Sunderland perhaps came at the wrong time for Matt Beard's side, as they struggled to break down the sturdy City defence. Similarly to Everton, Manchester City set up to defend against the reds and catch us on the counter attack; a tactic that Liverpool will have to get used to it seems following last seasons goal scoring exploits.

 Despite the team being disappointed following the loss at City, there were a number of positives to take from the game. The first being that Libby Stout returned following injury, Liverpool are lucky in that they have two good goalkeepers at the club with the more than capable Danielle Gibbons deputising well in her absence. Martha Harris also made her first appearance in almost a month, an undisclosed injury has limited the new signings appearances since her move.

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 Secondly Liverpool attacking movement following going a goal down was impressive, Gemma Davison working well down the right wing with Corina Schroder and Claudia Walker linking well down the left. Schroder's initial cross missed the waiting Natasha Dowie on the edge of the 6-yard box however just minutes later Davison was able to pick out Liverpool's number 9, Dowie heading home her 6th goal of the season and 25th overall for Liverpool in just 28 appearances.

 Coming up against Rick Passmoor's Notts County will be no easy task for Liverpool. Formerly Lincoln Ladies, Notts will likely also set up to defend against the reds with Passmoor's Lincoln deploying this tactic in last years Continental Cup semi-final - frustrating the reds into a 1-1 draw and eliminating us on penalties.

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 Notts County have lost striker Ellen White for the entire season, however have been boosted by the emergence of Jess Clarke who has hit the ground running this year with 9 goals in 8 games. Clarke is quick and supported by the likes of Desiree Scott and Katie Hoyle means County have a lot to offer in attack, not just defence. Courtney Sweetman-Kirk is also a threat, the young striker started the last game on the bench but Liverpool supporters will remember her for scoring the equalising goal against the reds in August's semi-final.

 With Carly Telford in goal and a back line that includes Dunia Susi and Sophie Bradley, County's defence will be hard to get past however as the 6-0 victory over Sunderland shows there is goals in this Liverpool side and an early goal on Sunday could be key.

 Victory here could see Liverpool top the WSL table for the first time this year, Liverpool and Notts County are both currently on 4 points each to sit top alongside Chelsea Ladies who are away at Everton. Kick off is at 2pm at Notts County's Meadow Lane Stadium.

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 There are a number of Liverpool supporters travelling to Nottingham for this game, if you are too get in contact via twitter!

 Finally I have begun writing a mid season review for the blog and I want to know who your Player of the Season so far has been! Let me know via twitter, facebook or in the comments section below!

 Thanks for reading,

 @LFCladiesfans

Match Report: Manchester City Women 2 - 1 Liverpool Ladies

 Tonight Liverpool Ladies fell to a 2-1 defeat away at Manchester City Women. This being a Continental Cup game means Liverpool have now won 1, drawn 1 and lost 1 of their opening group games.

 The set-up at City means supporters paying on the day have to go to a box office to purchase tickets, the printers broke leaving queues of people waiting for tickets minutes before kick-off.

Finally pitch-side! Or as close as can be!

 Liverpool lined up with the same side who beat Sunderland Ladies 6-0 in the game before the international break and it was the reds who had the first chance of the game; Amanda Da Costa finding Claudia Walker but her shot went over the cross bar.

 Manchester City sought to quickly regain position, pressing high up the pitch. Within 5 minutes City had the start they wanted, good build up play around the 18-yard box with Toni Duggan's header leading to a cross being cleared only as far as Abbie McManus who finished fantastically well from 30 yards.

 Following the goal Liverpool were quick to compose themselves, unlike when they went behind against Everton were they seemed to become frustrated. Natasha Dowie forced Steph Houghton into a clearance, Corina Schroder finding Da Costa with the throw but she couldn't find a red shirt.

 Gemma Davison continued to impress going forward, working mainly from the right wing Davison also cut across the box in one impressive run but again the final ball couldn't get through. Davison was then involved in the equaliser minutes later; Corina Schroder put a good cross into the box that just missed Natasha Dowie, it came out to Davison on the other side who put it back in and this time Dowie put it in the back of the net.

 Katrin Omarsdottir almost put Liverpool in front, Steph Houghton blocking the Icelandic's strike. Claudia Walker's rebound was also blocked by the England captain.

 For the remainder of the first half, play was end-to-end. Dowie clearing from a City corner for Walker to chase but Bardsley got there first. Liverpool then won a corner which was headed on by Gemma Bonner, cleared by City but Bonner got back quickly to the half-way line to win back possession; the referee deeming that she had however fouled Jill Scott and awarding the blues a free kick.

 Out for the second half, Manchester City began as they had the first. Looking to attack and catch the Liverpool defence out, Izzy Christianson putting them back in front shortly after the restart.

 Liverpool seemed to be lacking the fluid movement they had displayed against Sunderland just a week and a half ago, credit must be given to the City defence who put in a great performance.

 Liverpool playing a high line at the back meant in the second half City managed to catch us a number of times on the counter attack, Izzy Christianson beating Gemma Bonner and Lucy Bronze at one point but Libby Stout - on her return to the first team - bravely came out to brilliantly save from the striker.

 Another player returning to the Liverpool side was Martha Harris, who replaced Walker on the hour. Harris was immediately involved in the action with a shot on goal headed towards the top corner but punched away by Karen Bardsley. Ashley Hodson also made an appearance, after two starts for the development squad in the last week, to add some much needed fresh legs to the Liverpool side.

 For all Liverpool's possession and hard work on the wings, Corina Schroder linking well with Claudia Walker and Becky Easton pressing high up the pitch to support Gemma Davison, they couldn't break the defence down.

Katie Zelem should be returning from injury soon

 Manchester City were arguably the better team on the night, although Liverpool are disappointed with their performance there are positives with some play tonight - in particular the build up to Natasha Dowie's goal, youth players again playing with maturity and both Libby Stout and Martha Harris returning to the team.

 With Katie Zelem and Kate Longhurst both due to return in the coming weeks, Lucy Staniforth and Nicole Rolser of course out with long-term injuries, Liverpool should soon be back to full strength.

 POTM: Becky Easton

 XI: Stout, Easton (Hodson), Bonner (C), Bronze, Schroder, Omarsdottir, Williams, Davison, Walker (Harris), Da Costa, Dowie

 Next up we are away at Notts County in the league on Sunday 18th May, kick off is at 2pm.

 Thanks for reading,

 @LFCladiesfans

Match Preview: Manchester City Women v Liverpool Ladies

> Previous match report: Liverpool Ladies dev. squad 1 - 3 Manchester City <

 Liverpool Ladies will travel to WSL newcomers Manchester City Women on Wednesday night in their third group game of the 2014 Continental Cup.

 Liverpool beat Manchester City 1-0 in the opening game of the WSL season, despite having a first-half goal ruled out for hand ball. Natasha Dowie scored the only goal of the game and goalkeeper Libby Stout had a storming game between the posts.

 Liverpool have drawn one and won one of the group games so far, undeservedly drawing 0-0 with an Everton Ladies side that proved tough to break down before thrashing Sunderland Ladies 6-0 just days later.

 Reds striker Natasha Dowie bagged a hat-trick against the black cats, bringing her goals tally for 2014 up to 5 in 6 games. Gemma Davison also grabbed her first goal for the club following a string of impressive displays, while Corina Schroder and Katrin Omarsdottir rounded off the scoring.

 During the display the Liverpool attack linked well, with the front 3 of Dowie, Davison and Claudia Walker linking well to create opportunities. Walker has missed both the development squad games in the last week, which is possibly an indication that she will be involved again on Wednesday night.

 Since the Sunderland game a number of Liverpool players have been involved in World Cup Qualifiers; Katrin Omarsdottir was a second half substitute in Iceland's game in Switzerland, Iceland lost 3-0 and currently sit 2nd in their qualifying group on 9 points.

 England continued their unbeaten run in the qualifiers with a 4-0 victory over Ukraine in Shrewsbury, Lucy Bronze, Fara Williams and Natasha Dowie all started for the Lionesses with Dowie scoring twice.

 Manchester City have endured a mixed start to their first season in the top tier, currently sitting bottom of the WSL after two defeats in their opening games. City were also knocked out The FA Cup by Chelsea Ladies and lost their opening Continental Cup game after at Doncaster Belles.

 Striker Toni Duggan missed the victory over her former side Everton through injury, an injury that also kept her out of the England game. Duggan is the blues top scorer with 4 goals in 5 games, although in the opening WSL match in Widnes Lucy Bronze and Gemma Bonner dealt with her effectively.

 The game will played at Manchester Regional Arena, which is at the Etihad complex. Tickets can be purchased on the day, they are priced £6 adults and £4 under-16s, at either the box office or upstairs at the club shop at the ground. Kick off is at 7:30pm, Wednesday 14th May.

 Thanks for reading,

 @LFCladiesfans

Match Report: Liverpool Ladies 1 - 3 Manchester City (Development Squad)

 Liverpool Ladies development squad's season has been disrupted by the first-team injury crisis, with many players making the step up to fill the gaps. Claudia Walker, Ashley Hodson, Hannah Dale, Megan Alexander and Ellie Stewart have all made appearances while goalkeeper Gemma Jackson has been a substitute on a couple of occasions.

 Tonight with no first team games until next Wednesday, the team was back to full strength against Manchester City with Hodson, Dale, Alexander and Stewart all starting.

 Jackson started in goal, with Olivia Wild at right-back, Sophia Riccio captaining the team from left-back and Shannon Beckwith and Stewart the preferred centre-back pairing.

 In midfield Eve Kennerley started alongside Dale, with Megan Alexander playing on the right wing, Hodson on the left and Mollie Green, who has been playing for the under-17s, just behind Beth Donoghue who was playing as striker.

 Manchester City attacked from the opening whistle, Shannon Beckwith and Ellie Stewart immediately finding themselves under pressure and initially each making a clearance. A cross put in across the 6-yard box however eventually eluded the Liverpool defence and was headed home.

 Following the goal the reds began to grow more into the game, with Sophia Riccio in particular linking well with Ashley Hodson on the left wing. Riccio making one of many forward runs, picking out Hodson who crossed to Mollie Green but despite Green doing well to control her strike went over the bar.

 Green grabbed Liverpool's equaliser minutes later, Hodson again doing well to head the ball forward to Beth Donoghue. Donoghue made an excellent run to the edge of the 18-yard box, shrugging off the defender with ease to cut the ball back to Green who finished nicely.

 Beth Donoghue was a stand out player, particularly during the first-half where she caused the City defence all sorts of problems with her pace. Donoghue was playing up front however continually drifted out wide, bringing the central defender with her and creating space for Green and Megan Alexander to get forward.

 Donoghue linked well with the attacking trio of Green, Hodson and Alexander behind her, the trio providing great service but the City defence tightened following the goal making it tough for Liverpool to break them down.

 As mentioned in previous development match reports, the full-backs are just as important as the midfield in the attacking movement of the team. Olivia Wild constantly up and down the wings, with Megan Alexander just in front of her also comfortable playing at full-back meaning there is cover should City win the ball back.

 Eve Kennerley and Hannah Dale also kept things ticking over in the centre of midfield, Kennerley with an excellent ball forward midway through the first-half to Riccio but her cross was cleared.

 Manchester City found themselves back in front with a brilliant goal from 40-yards out, Liverpool were enjoying the majority of possession and limiting City to long range shots however the City midfielder spotted Jackson off her line.

 The blues then extended their lead to 2 goals in the second-half, catching Liverpool on the counter attack with the attacker drawing Ellie Stewart out and then squaring the ball to an oncoming team mate that had made a run past Shannon Beckwith who finished past Jackson.

 Ellie Stewart had a good game at centre-back, even almost scoring from a first-half free kick that was more than 40 yards out. The goalkeeper only just getting a hand to it and sending it out for a corner, Riccio fouled at the resulting corner but nothing was given. As Liverpool began to put more pressure on Manchester City, Stewart dealt well with yet another counter attack - comfortably shielding the ball and instead of passing back to Jackson, turning and bringing the ball back forward between two City players.

 With the reds 3-1 down and ten minutes to go, Liverpool ramped up the pressure with Olivia Wild in particular a driving force in the side finding herself far forward. Grace Vella came on for Eve Kennerley, Emilie Revitt replaced Sophia Riccio and Yasmin Swarbrick for Megan Alexander to add some fresh legs to the side but the City defence stood strong to defend their lead.

 POTM: Mollie Green. Recently making the step-up from the U17s, Green did not look out of place and was a crucial part of the Liverpool attack. Unlucky not to have at least one more goal to her name.

 XI: Jackson, Wild, Beckwith, Stewart, Riccio (C) (Revitt), Kennerley (Vella), Dale, Alexander (Swarbrick), Green, Hodson, Donoghue

JACKSON

WILD   BECKWITH   STEWART   RICCIO 

KENNERLEY    DALE

ALEXANDER   GREEN   HODSON

DONOGHUE

 With this defeat Manchester City remain top of the development league table, 7 points clear of Liverpool but the reds have 4 games in hand meaning they can still finish much higher than their current league position of 5th.

 Coming up next the development squad have 3 home games, starting with Durham this Sunday 11th May. All dev. squad games are free entry and a great way of seeing future (and current!) first team players with many talented players in every position.

 Thanks for reading,

 @LFCladiesfans

Match Report: Liverpool Ladies 6 - 0 Sunderland Ladies

 After 3 games with no goals, Liverpool Ladies ran riot against Sunderland Ladies tonight in their second Continental Cup group game.

 Matt Beard named an unchanged line-up from the side that started the midweek game against Everton, while it was good for Liverpool fans to see both Libby Stout and Martha Harris on the bench.

 Liverpool completely dominated the game from the opening whistle, immediately attacking down the wings and not allowing Sunderland to settle. The Sunderland keeper Helen Alderson, former reds stopper Rachael Laws was on the bench, made a few good saves early on but the reds continued to press and find openings in the defence.

 Gemma Davison has been a stand out performer in the side since her winter move from Arsenal Ladies, tonight her performances were finally rewarded with a goal with a brilliant strike from outside the box. Following her goal Davison continued to impress, putting cross after cross into the area and making great runs down the left wing.

 Another stand out performer has been Claudia Walker who again tonight did not look out of place in the reds starting 11, as well as helping out in attack Walker drops back further into midfield to help win the ball back and is quick to move back into position when Liverpool regain possession. Walker almost set Natasha Dowie up for the second after a great run forward and ball to Dowie, yet Alderson pushed it away.

 It was Corina Schroder who eventually made it 2-0 after sustained Liverpool pressure, the German defender hit the cross bar against Everton on Wednesday but made no mistake when Gemma Davison crossed the ball low into the box.

 Then it was Natasha Dowie's turn to get on the score sheet, a brace before half-time and then completing her hat-trick in the second half. Her first goal coming following a Fara Williams corner, the second an excellent finish to beat the keeper and the third a left-footed strike.

 Katrin Omarsdottir finished the rout with a tap-in after a scramble in the box, minutes later Katrin also had a strike ruled out for offside.

 Danielle Gibbons kept her second clean sheet in three games, Amanda DaCosta never stopped running and Becky Easton had another solid game at right-back as did Gemma Bonner and Lucy Bronze in the centre of defence. A couple of Sunderland forays forward were effectively dealt with.

 Ashley Hodson, Megan Alexander and Ellie Stewart were late substitutes, with Alexander showing her attacking quality from left-back continuing Schroder's work pressing high up the pitch.

 A brilliant all-round performance from Liverpool Ladies tonight, who just never allowed Sunderland the chance to get into the game.

 POTM: Natasha Dowie

 Liverpool XI: Gibbons, Easton (Stewart), Bonner (C), Bronze, Schroder (Alexander), Katrin, Williams, Walker (Hodson), DaCosta, Davison, Dowie

 Liverpool's next game is away at Manchester City in the next game of the Continental Cup, on Wednesday 14th May.

 The development squad have a home game on Thursday night, free entry vs Manchester City 7:30pm kick off - hope to see you there!

 Thanks for reading,

 @LFCladiesfans

Match Preview: Liverpool Ladies v Sunderland Ladies

> Previous match report: Liverpool Ladies 0 - 0 Everton Ladies <

 Liverpool Ladies' 2014 campaign is now well under way; over 3 weeks in April Liverpool played 5 games, winning 2, drawing 2 and losing 1. With the return of the new season comes my monthly round ups for This Is Anfield, so make sure you remind yourself of how the season has gone so far here: April round-up.

 Liverpool kicked off the Continental Cup group stages at home on Wednesday with a goalless draw against Everton Ladies, last year the reds also drew with Everton in the opening game before progressing on to the semi-finals after winning their next 2 group games.

 This season with the introduction of a second tier to the Women's Super League, there are more group games before the semi-finals with 3 groups of 6 teams. The team that tops each group will progress to the semis along with the best runner-up.

Liverpool celebrate Natasha Dowie's goal vs Man City

 Tomorrow evening Sunderland Ladies will make the trip to Widnes to take on Liverpool for the third time this year, in a pre-season friendly the reds ran out 2-0 winners with goals from Natasha Dowie and Amanda DaCosta then in The FA Cup quarter-final Dowie was on the score sheet again alongside Martha Harris.

 Since the game in Sunderland on the 13th April, Liverpool have found themselves hit by injury missing 6 first-team players. This has given players from the development squad a chance to step-up, Ashley Hodson and Claudia Walker have in particular impressed.

 Claudia Walker made her first first-team start on Wednesday night, her 3rd game in under a week. Walker worked tirelessly down the wing and went agonisingly close with a couple of efforts, missing a Gemma Davison cross by just seconds and then testing the keeper with a great effort from the edge of the area - the young Everton keeper only just tipping it over the bar.

Claudia Walker in action for the development squad

 Gemma Davison is another Liverpool player who has impressed during the mixed start to the season, impressing with her pace down the wings and surely is due a goal.

 Liverpool back four of Becky Easton, Gemma Bonner, Lucy Bronze and Corina Schroder have had their work cut out throughout the last few matches. Defending well against Everton on Wednesday and keeping the dangerous Nikita Parris quiet limiting her chances at goal. The one chance Everton should probably have scored from, Danielle Gibbons made an excellent save to keep a clean sheet.

Sunderland's Beth Mead

 Sunderland Ladies have surprised nobody with their great start to life in the second tier, last years Premier League champions sit joint top of the table alongside Doncaster Belles having played 3 and won 3 of their opening matches. Along the way they have scored 10 goals, conceding 4 with Beth Mead scoring 4 of those 10.

 Their last two outings have seen the black cats score 6 goals and concede 0 so Liverpool will not be underestimating their opponents on the night.

 Liverpool will want to use this game to get back to winning ways after 3 games with no goals, it will be no easy task against a tough Sunderland side however with the opportunities being created by the front four goals are surely due sooner rather than later!

 The game will kick off at 6:30pm, Select Stadium, Widnes. Liverpool Ladies and men's season ticket holders are guaranteed free entry to all cup games, alternatively you can pay on the gate for £5 adults and £2.50 concessions.

 Bring your best singing voices and wear red! Da da da da Da Costa!

 Thanks for reading,

 @LFCladiesfans

Match Report: Liverpool Ladies 0 - 0 Everton Ladies

 Liverpool Ladies took on Everton Ladies in their opening game of the 2014 Continental Cup last night just 4 days after being knocked out of The FA Cup by their blue neighbours.

 There was just the one change to the starting line-up with Claudia Walker coming in for Ashley Hodson. Liverpool were still without 6 first-team players through injury.

 Liverpool started this game much more brightly than the derby at the weekend, immediately retaining possession through Natasha Dowie and Amanda DaCosta. Everton set up this evening to defend with only Nikita Parris remaining past the half-way line for much of the game; the first time Parris tried to break clear of the Liverpool line she was comfortably dealt with by Gemma Bonner.

 Fara Williams had Liverpool's first strike of the game, after Natasha Dowie could find no way through on the edge of the 18-yard box she passed back out to Williams but the shot from distance went over the crossbar.

 Liverpool put cross after cross into the Everton box throughout the 90 minutes, first Dowie almost finding Claudia Walker but impressive blues defender Gabby George was first to the ball.

 A first-half corner also seen Amanda DaCosta header bounce just inches wide of the far-post, Williams finding Lucy Bronze on the edge of the 6-yard box who headed it on to DaCosta.

 Liverpool pressed Everton high up the pitch, with some brilliant build up play around the area, Becky Easton finding herself in the thick of it and almost setting up Corina Schroder but the ball was cleared and out for a corner.

  Corina Schroder had the games greatest chance in the closing minutes of the first-half when the left-back broke free of her marker and took a brilliant strike at goal, the ball crashing off the cross-bar to provide Everton with the let off.

 Out for the second half and with Everton making a couple of substitutions, they continued with the same gameplan from the first half but almost with more success. Parris managing to shake off Lucy Bronze and square the ball to Michelle Hinnigan who took a shot at the top corner, Danielle Gibbons did brilliantly to react quickly and punch away.

 Gemma Davison was the reds star player yet again, working tirelessly down the wing and creating chances. A fantastic ball across the box to DaCosta almost helped to open the scoring but her strike went over.

 Claudia Walker also impressed again on her third game in 4 days, an excellent late ball into the box was only just tipped over by the keeper.

 Unfortunately for Liverpool, as on Saturday, their efforts amounted to nothing as the blues defence stood strong and resisted everything thrown at them.

 POTM: Gemma Davison

 Liverpool: Gibbons, Easton, Bonner (C), Bronze, Schroder, Williams, Katrin, DaCosta, Davison, Walker (Hodson), Dowie

 For some pictures from this game visit SupportHerApp's Facebook page.

 Next up for Liverpool it's another Continental Cup game again at Select Stadium. This Saturday the reds will take on Sunderland Ladies at 6:30pm kick off! Apologies for the late upload of this match report, I had an exam this morning that I did some last minute revision for last night following the game!

 Thanks for reading,

 @LFCladiesfans