WSL victory for Blues as Arsenal draw at Everton.
The FA WSL
Sunday 19 August 2012
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Karen Carney was glad to be back in FA Women’s Super League action after helping Birmingham City Ladies to a comfortable 3-1 victory over Lincoln Ladies on Sunday afternoon.
Carney was one of three Blues players to represent Team GB at the London Olympic Games, and put in a player of the match performance at the DCS Stadium on her return to league action.
But it was Jodie Taylor who got the hosts off to a flier when she latched on to Chelsea Weston’s long ball, rounded goalkeeper Nicola Hobbs and poked home, before Weston doubled the lead with a fine half volley on the stroke of half time.
Carney popped up 15 minutes into the second period with a fine low free-kick to put the game to bed, and she said that she has not been affected by the lack of a summer break.
“I’m excited to be back, it would have been nice to have a little bit of time off but I wouldn’t have it any other way,” she said. “I’m really glad to be back with Birmingham and to restart today with another three points was really important for us.
“I thought I was a bit sloppy today really. Birmingham play a different style of football [to Team GB] so it’s just getting back into that. Hopefully I’ll keep getting better and better.”
Lincoln pulled one back three minutes after Carney’s free-kick thanks to Bonnie Horwood’s crisp finish at the far post, but it was a disappointing afternoon for the visitors.
Lady Imps left-back Rachel Daly felt that they missed the presence of captain and Team GB representative Casey Stoney, who missed out through suspension.
“We didn’t deserve to win, it was not our day,” she admitted. “In the first half we were shocking, in the second I think we put them under a bit more pressure. It’s always a physical game against these and we didn’t match them.
“I’m hopeful for the rest of the season but we’ve got a lot to work on. We’ve got a lot of players in the squad, we need to stop all the rotation and get a set base. Obviously we’ve lost Casey today with the ban.
“We train hard, work hard, we’ve got a great base of the squad it’s just pulling it all together and knowing each other as a team, we should be doing that by now. It’s what’s letting us down.”
In the day's other game, leaders Arsenal took on title hopefuls Everton at Marine's Arriva Stadium and returned home with their unbeaten record intact after a hard-fought 2-2 draw
The Gunners came from behind twice in the second half to maintain their lead at the top of the table. England and Team GB midfielder Fara Williams put the hosts ahead in the first half but her Olympic team mate Kim Little levelled from the penalty spot after the break.
Defender Lucy Bronze headed Mo Marley's side back in front but Jordan Nobbs equalised to give both sides a point.
For more details on all of these games, and to keep up to date with The FA WSL throughout the season visit the official League website: www.FAWSL.com
