Ladies suffer County semi-final exit
It was a night of bitter disappointment for an injury hit Liverpool Ladies as their Continental Cup dreams are over after a 2-0 semi-final defeat to Notts County at the Select Security Stadium on Sunday night.
County will now face Arsenal in the final at the AESSEAL New York Stadium, home of Rotherham United on Sunday November 1.
Going into the game, Matt Beard was without the influence at the back of captain Gemma Bonner, who is ruled out for the remainder of the season after sustaining ankle ligament damage during the midweek Champions League encounter in Brescia.
With Becky Easton, Libby Stout and Kate Longhurst still out, the manager was also without Asisat Oshoala and latest injury casualty Martha Harris, but there was the welcome sight of Fara Williams back on the bench after missing the last 14 games with a hamstring injury.
In striker Natasha Dowie, Liverpool Ladies had the tournament’s top scorer as she had fired nine goals in just six Continental Tyres Cup games.
Beard’s charges made a blistering start to the proceedings and Rosie White almost scored in the opening two minutes when she hit the bar direct from a left-wing corner, but when the loose ball fell inviting to Satara Murray she could only send her header over the bar.
County then took the lead after five minutes when Ellen White turned in a left-wing free-kick, It would prove to be a decisive moment as Rick Passmoor’s side never looked back.
With Stout still recovering from a shoulder injury, Danielle Gibbons was again in goal and she showed her capabilities with a brilliant save to keep out Rachel Williams goalbound header.
It was 2-0 on 23 minutes. Liverpool Ladies gave the ball away cheaply and Danielle Buet broke down the right flank and found White with a perfectly executed pass, and the clinical No.9 made no mistake,
Beard’s side at this point were rattled as County threatened more goals.
It was nearly 3-0 on 27 minutes when Jess Clarke wriggled her way past Maz Pacheco before firing a shot just wide.
Liverpool Ladies were struggling to put meaningful pressure on their visitors but they did carve out a decent chance on 38 minutes when Katrin Omarsdottir drilled a low shot wide from the edge of the box.
Beard’s side came out after the break with a renewed determination and they nearly got a goal on 53 minutes.
Superb work in midfield from Katie Zelem saw her release Ashley Hodson down the right-flank. Her cross caused havoc in the County backline and they just cleared the ball as Dowie threatened to pounce.
Beard introduced Lucy Staniforth and debutant Mollie Green for the second-half, but County continued to be resolute at the back and dangerous on the counter-attack.
Dowie, who had been starved of any decent service all night, at last had a chance on 75 minutes but she was denied at close range by a good block from County stopper Carly Telford.
Williams then made her entrance on 81 minutes when she replaced Zelem.
Overall, it was a frustrating evening for Liverpool Ladies but ultimately the absence of key personnel through injury proved to be a big factor.
Beard will be keeping his fingers crossed now that a few players can return in time for Wednesday night’s Champions League second leg decider with Brescia – a game you can watch exclusively live on LFCTV from 6pm BST.
Liverpool Ladies: Gibbons, Ryland, Murray, Beckwith, Pacheco, Dale (Staniforth 60), Omarsdottir, Zelem (Williams 81), Hodson, White (Green 71), Dowie. Subs not used: Darbyshire, Wild, Smorsgard.