Chelsea ended a run of four straight defeats with victory over manager-less Liverpool.
Liverpool 0-2 Chelsea
The FA WSL
Sunday 1 July 2012
Skelmersdale United FC
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Chelsea Ladies ended a run of four straight defeats as second half goals from Kate Longhurst and Gemma Bonner helped them produce a comfortable victory over manager-less Liverpool at Skelmersdale.
Taking over in the wake of Robbie Johnson’s surprise midweek departure, caretaker boss Andy Williams was looking to build on Liverpool’s first league win of the season at Doncaster Rovers Belles last weekend.
But they failed to pick up where they left off at the Keepmoat Stadium and were well beaten by the Blues.
Chelsea dominated the first half. Helen Lander, captain Dania Susi and Kate Longhurst all wasted good chances to press home their superiority and they had to settle for going in all square at the break.
Liverpool started the second half far sharper. Hannah Keryakoplis went close with a looping shot, while Lynda Shepherd saw her rasping drive tipped over by Sarah Quantrill.
But it was Chelsea who finally achieved the breakthrough on 63 minutes. Lander picked up the ball on the left-hand edge of the box and fired in a low centre which picked out Longhurst who converted from close-range.
Ten minutes later Vicky Jones cleared off the line to deny Longhurst a brace, but the second goal arrived almost immediately as the impressive Bonner headed powerfully home.
Chelsea boss Matt Beard was delighted to finally end their barren run: “I am really happy with the response, we were conceding goals," he said. "It was great to get a clean sheet first and foremost, and the most important thing today was to get the clean sheet.
“It was pleasing to get three points on the board and stop the rut of games that we’ve had.”
His Liverpool counterpart Williams felt the managerial events of the week were a factor in his side’s defeat.
“Obviously the last few days have been emotional for everybody and I think in terms of the performance that showed. The girls looked drained and lacking in energy.”
In the weekend's two other Super League fixtures, Bristol Academy won 3-1 away at Lincoln Ladies on Saturday thanks to strikes from Jess Fishlock, Natasha Harding and Nikki Watts. Then on Sunday Everton returned from Birmingham City with the three points after goals from Natasha Dowie and Fara Williams helped them to a 2-1 victory.
Liverpool
Davies; Chappell, V Jones (c), Twohig, Brusell, Foster, K Jones, Evans, Shepherd, C Jones, Keryakoplis (Gielnik 60)
Subs not used: Harding, Clansey.
Chelsea
Quantrill; Spence (Lappin 78), Bonner, Sherwood, Buet, Lander (Bleazard 69), Ingle, Susi (c), Coombs, Longhurst, Williams
Subs not used: Telford, Perry, Hincks, Rafferty.
Bookings (Sherwood 66)
Attendance 307
Referee Helen Byrne
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
