Ruislip & Eastcote & Northwood Gazette
Blues close in on table toppers
REITEN AND ENGLAND THE GOAL HEROES FOR CHELSEA
GURO REITEN and Bethany England earned Chelsea Ladies three crucial points with victory over Birmingham City on Wednesday last week, leaving their side just one point behind Barclays FA WSL leaders Manchester City.
It took 46 minutes before Reiten poked her side into the lead from a loose ball and England managed to double the advantage 12 minutes later.
Lucy Staniforth had Birmingham’s clearest opportunity in the 36th minute when her stunning strike dipped just over the crossbar.
After a strong first-half, Birmingham were unable to replicate their successful 3-2 result last time they travelled to Kingsmeadow.
Erin Cuthbert had Chelsea’s first attempt on goal in the 20th minute, but Hannah Hampton comfortably knocked the ball out for a corner.
Staniforth failed to give her side the lead nine minutes before the break with a stunning shot that went over the net, after a promising City attack down the left wing.
On the stroke of half-time, a cross from Jonna Andersson resulted in Reiten netting a loose ball to put Chelsea in the lead.
A poor clearance from the visiting defence in the 52nd minute forced Hampton into a stunning save to deny Drew Spence’s shot from the corner of the box.
It was not until the 58th minute that England broke free of the City defence and doubled Chelsea’s advantage with ease against the Birmingham stopper.
England was denied a second by the post in the 76th minute from a left-footed shot low towards the right corner of Hampton’s goal, but the Blues comfortably held on for the win.
Chelsea’s Sophie Ingle said: “They set up really well compared to the last time we played them – I think they’ve changed a lot.
“It was tough for us, we had to move the ball a lot and try and tire them out basically.
“I think our fitness showed in the second half.
“They didn’t play like a team towards the bottom of the table and credit where credit’s due, they defended really well and luckily we got the goal just before half-time, which killed their momentum.”
Birmingham’s Lucy Staniforth said: “I felt we battled well – we showed that we’ve grown up a lot since the last time we played them. We’re not a pushover.
“I’m just so proud of how well we competed and in the first-half we played some good football. We showed that we have a bit of grit and personality about us to take the game to Chelsea at times.”
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