London City Lionesses share spoils with Liverpool. 

 Sunday 11th January | BrewDog Stadium, St Helens 

London City Lionesses drew against Liverpool in their first Barclays Women’s Super League fixture, and Head Coach Eder Maestre’s first game in charge, at BrewDog Stadium, St Helens. 

Chances were few and far between as both sides cancelled each other out with solid defensive displays. The home side started brightly with new signing Alice Bergström threatening. The Swede was on the end of a half chance for Liverpool as she was played in by Cornelia Kapocs, her effort drifting out at the far post.

Both teams were organised in their defence throughout the opening period.

With 10 minutes of the first half remaining, Ceri Holland latched onto some hesitation in the visitors’ backline but the ball edged wide for a goal-kick. 

Bergström was again in the thick of the action at the start of the second half, found on the right of the box, her dinked cross almost sneaking in at the back post.

The visitors grew into the contest, Lucía Corrales threatening down the left-flank reaching byline and winning corner. Wassa Sangaré met the resultant delivery but her header was wayward.

On 78 minutes, the home side carved a glorious opportunity, Holland was found in space on the left but her strike from a tight angle edged over.

In the closing stages. London City pushed forward in search of a late winner. Jana Fernández showed strong skill and determination to keep in a Sangaré pass, the right-back’s cross then found substitute Izzy Goodwin who couldn’t divert goalwards. 

This weekend’s results mean London City sit seventh in the Barclays Women’s Super League. 

Speaking after the game, head coach Maestre said: “We wanted to win. We came here to win so it is disappointing. When you cannot win, at least don’t lose and we were strong defensively which is positive. 

“Liverpool are a strong team, who can cause problems and they showed that today. 

“Our second half performance was better but I know we can improve a lot. 

“We need to have a more punishing mindset in attacking terms. We need to recognise the spaces created and take advantage of them. 

“The WSL is a very strong competition. We have work to do on the training field in order to improve, particularly in those areas and we will do that.”

London City return to action next Saturday (17th January) where they travel to Sunderland in the fourth round of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup.

They then host Manchester City in the Barclays Women’s Super League at the CopperJax Community Stadium on Sunday 25 January.

Teamsheet: Lete, Fernández, Corrales (Pattinson 88’), Kumagai (Pérez 63’), Asllani, Linari, Godfrey (Franssi 77′), Roddar, Parris (Goodwin 63’), Sangaré, Geyoro.