Ladies score six to end South Africa tour in style
Liverpool Ladies ended their Discovery and Liverpool Ladies FC Tour 2016 with a 6-2 win against Mamelodi Sundowns at the Nike Training Centre on Wednesday evening.
Despite trailing 2-0 at half-time, the Reds bounced back to secure a convincing pre-season friendly victory in Soweto.
After a bright start from the visitors, Shanice Van De Sanden and Caroline Weir were both denied the opening goal by two good saves from the home side’s goalkeeper.
Swedish international Emma Lundh began the game brightly and fired wide when played through by Katie Zelem before Mamelodi took the lead against the run of play.
A free-kick from the left appeared to be tipped onto the bar by Siobhan Chamberlain only for the Mamelodi midfielder to take full advantage by tapping in the rebound to give the hosts the lead.
Having gone behind to the Sundowns, a slip in the Reds defence allowed the hosts to double their advantage with the Mamelodi striker finishing cleverly over Chamberlain.
Scott Rogers’ side had a host of chances to get back into the game before the break but Weir and Van De Sanden were again denied by good goalkeeping.
The visitors began the second half brightly and pulled a goal back when a fantastic move ended with the impressive Van De Sanden picking out Scotland international Weir, who finished well into the bottom corner.
A minute later, the Reds were back on level terms as England full-back Alex Greenwood was felled in the area and picked herself up to finish confidently into the bottom corner.
England U20 international Zelem nearly gave the Women’s Super League side the lead but her excellent free-kick from 25 yards out cannoned back off the post and away to safety.
Liverpool Ladies finally took the lead for the first time in the game several minutes later as Greenwood’s superb crossfield pass picked out Lundh, who controlled and crossed brilliantly for Van De Sanden to tap home.
It was soon 4-2 to the Reds as Weir’s pinpoint cross picked out Natasha Harding, who headed expertly into the far corner to give the goalkeeper no chance.
Good pressure from substitute Rosie White then led to a fifth for Rogers’ side as Lundh grabbed a deserved goal as her fierce strike took a slight deflection.
Another excellent passing move from the visitors then ended with Weir putting Kate Longhurst through on goal, with the Reds’ No.7 making no mistake to slide the ball past the ‘keeper to make it 6-2.
Liverpool Ladies: Chamberlain (Gibbons), Hodson (Pacheco), Bonner, Van Den Berg, Greenwood, Ingle, Zelem (Coombs), Weir, Harding (White), Van De Sanden (Longhurst), Lundh.