Bristol woe for Reds ladies
Liverpool Ladies' forwards again failed to fire as they went down to a Jess Fishlock brace in a feisty encounter with Bristol Academy at Skelmersdale on Sunday.
The Reds were unchanged from the team that lost to Everton in the Merseyside derby for the clash with their FA Cup semi-final conquerors.
Prior to the game, Robbie Johnson had called on his side to be more ruthless in front of goal, and they certainly started with some intent.
Michelle Evans's powerful surge down the left-wing resulted in a corner which Evans herself swung in. Her delivery found a stooping Nicky Twohig, who directed her header just wide.
Bristol's Welsh striker Fishlock then had a goal disallowed for pushing, before Sam Chappell came within inches of giving the home side the lead.
Her cross-shot looked to be creeping over Siobhan Chamberlain until the England goalkeeper reached out a hand to turn the ball onto the post.
Her opposing number was tested minutes later, but Danielle Gibbons was equal to Ann-Marie Heatherson's header.
Evans's set pieces were proving a constant danger to the Bristol defence but it was the visitors that took the lead mid-way through the first half.
Defensive hesitancy presented the ball to Fishlock just inside the area, and when Katie Brusell attempted to win the ball back she only succeeded in tripping the diminutive striker, who then picked herself up to slot the ball to Gibbons's right.
Fishlock could have had a second on the half hour when she fired into the side netting after Gibbons mis-judged a through ball.
The remainder of the half was a scrappy affair with Liverpool only threatening from distance. Brusell's effort on 38 minute was comfortable for Chamberlain, and, on the stroke of half-time, Gemma Watson shot just over after nice play between Kelly Jones and Ruesha Littlejohn.
Fishlock almost doubled her tally immediately after the re-start with a fierce volley. She made a perfect connection with a back post corner, only to see her effort cannon off the near post.
Liverpool were unable to take advantage of that good fortune as they squandered their best chance of the game moments later.
The ball fell kindly to Watson 12 yards out, but a plunging Chamberlain managed to get a strong hand on the ball to keep her side in front.
Twohig's name then went in the book when she chopped down Heatherson, and from the resulting free-kick, Bristol skipper Corinne Yorston curled just wide after a well-worked training ground routine.
Johnson made a double change mid-way through the half, but substitutes Cheryl Foster and Chloe Jones had barely had chance to settle before Fishlock netted her second to wrap up the points.
Dutch international Anouk Hoogendijk broke down the right wing before pulling back for Fishlock who finished clinically from eight yards.
Helen Bleazard, who had earlier been booked, then went close to adding a third after a powerful run and shot which struck the crossbar.
Substitute Nicki Harding provided the home side's best moment of the second half, firing just wide after a neat one-two with Littlejohn.
In truth though, Bristol always looked more dangerous and replacements Loren Dykes and Lillie Billson both went close to extending the lead before Chloe Jones was booked for a high challenge that typified Liverpool's frustration in the final minute.
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