Birmingham City Women 0 - 1 Women - Match Report

0 1

WHAT HAPPENED

We secured Champions League football for the first time since 2013 on Sunday with a well-earned 1-0 win over Birmingham City.

Katie McCabe scored the game’s only goal with a low left-footed strike, just five days on from signing a new long-term contract with the club. Tabea Kemme made her return from injury as a substitute.

The opening exchanges proved to be a cagey affair with the hosts disrupting our attacks at every opportunity.

This reduced us to testing the Blues’ defence with a number of hopeful crosses, one of which created our first chance of the afternoon.

Lisa Evans beat her marker on the right and picked out Vivianne Miedema inside the area, who forced Hannah Hampton into a fine save from close range.

Shortly after Dominique Bloodworth’s scuffed effort bounced off a defender and rattled the woodwork. Moments later, McCabe took a heavy touch inside the area and failed to convert a one-on-one.

Having gone into the break with a goalless draw, the Blues were full of confidence for the second 45 and started as the stronger side, holding their shape throughout.

Frustrations were starting to grow as chance after chance went begging.

But in the 79th minute, McCabe cut inside from the right, beat her marker and found the bottom left corner with a powerful strike, guaranteeing Champions League football at Meadow Park next season.

This means that ahead of our final three Women’s Super League fixtures, we only need six points to secure the league title.