13/12/18, Boldmere, Conti Cup

The final competitive game of 2018 for Aston Villa Ladies and the final game of the Conti Cup saw us take on the WSL 1 outfit in Manchester City. Last time we played them was also in the Conti Cup when we lost 8-0 at Coles Lane. Two changes were made before the game with Ashlee Brown stepping in for Hollie Gibson and Tanisha Smith stepping in for Kerri Welsh. Man City brought a fair few with them with the attendance going up to 421 for a very cold and bitter Thursday night. Man City brought big stars like Gemma Bonner, Georgia Stanway, Keira Walsh, Tessa Wullaert, Janine Beckie, Abbie McManus, Claire Emslie, Pauline Bremer with Lauren Hemp and Melissa Lawley on the bench also.

As expected Man City had the most of the possession early on but as a unit our players were up for the game and didn’t seem under any real pressure as defensively we stayed compact and read what City were trying to do. Sophie Haywood was working hard on the wing to win the ball back and get Villa going on the front foot as her chant seemed to be on replay for a little while as she worked and worked for us. Man City created a chance but Sian Rogers was there to get down to the ball to keep the game at 0-0. After some great defensive work between Asmita Ale, Ashlee Brown, Jade Richards and Elisha N’Dow it was a corner that would be the undoing for Villa as the ball lofted into towards England International, Gemma Bonner who used her skill and experience to direct the ball up and over Sian Rogers in the Villa goal giving Man City the 0-1 lead on the 21st minute with the first real chance they had. It didn’t take long for that lead to be doubled as another cross into the box came into the box for Canadian International, Janine Beckie to head the ball into the net on the 26th minute givng a 0-2 lead to Man City. One of the big positives in the game was even though 2 goals in 5 minutes Villa didn’t let their heads drop or worry as Nadine Hanssen had an effort outside the box but just couldn’t get the direction on it as the City keeper took the ball, Villa were starting to play some beautiful football though with some great passing as it wasn’t too long before Jodie Hutton worked some of her magic as she picked out a beautiful pass for Sophie Haywood in nearly the same position as her goal against Sheffield United, and as she took a touch and fired it at the goal, the Man City keeper was up to the effort on goal. But so many good signs as last time we played Man City we didn’t have a shot until the 92nd minute when our last #17 had an effort. Sophie Haywood was working incredibley hard on the wing tracking back and going forward as well. The game was quite even not what you would expect from a full time team vs a part time team but our Ladies worked and worked breaking up Man City attacks and trying to build their own for us to cheer. Just before half time we once again created an effort on goal as Ashlee Brown whipped the ball into the box but Nadine Hanssen couldn’t create the power on her header as it went straight to the keeper. The half time whistle went with Man City having a 0-2 lead but we had matched them on the pitch as well, couldn’t of been prouder and couldn’t wait to see how we did in the second half as well. Every single player was pulling their weight on the pitch and working so hard for each other.

With no substitutions as the second half started for Villa but Lauren Hemp came on for Man City, again another player with International credit and one for the future after smashing it in WSL 1 the season before for Bristol City. After 10 minutes of the second half Villa made their first Substitution as Sophie Haywood had given everything once again for the Claret and Blue cause (Found out in the bar afterwards she took a knock really early one when a player had trode on her foot, which makes her performance even better to be playing with a knock). Kerri Welsh came on to replace her to help push us on for the last 35 minutes of the game. Around the 65th minute Man City made their second substiute bringing on England International Melissa Lawley (Ex Villa too as we tried to remind her haha) and Phoebe Warner came on to replace Nadine Hanssen who had worked hard in the middle of the pitch. On the 68th minute some great play by Villa saw the ball fall to Alice Hassall who took a cracking shot as she drove the ball goal wards making the Man City keeper dive to keep the ball out with a great save to keep it at 0-2. On the 70th minute Alison Hall came on to replace Tanisha Smith, who had worked so hard all game giving a great 70 minutes for the Villa Ladies. On the 75th minute another cross was the undoing for Villa as young talent Jess Park put away the ball as it fell to her making it 0-3 to Man City. Couple of minutes later yet another great piece of play by Villa saw the ball break to Alice Hassall on the edge of the box but she couldn’t quite keep her effort down as it sailed over the bar. On the 84th minute it was to be Lauren Hemp who added a fourth for Man City with a delicate chip that Sian Rogers could do nothing with as Man City put together a perfect counter attack. In the meele of the second half Jodie Hutton kept pushing and pushing trying to get Villa forward but you could see Man City had done their best to try and keep her quiet. The final whistle went with a 0-4 win for Manchester City but once again our team had done us so proud right up to the final whistle.

I still have my piece writing up to come on what was going to be Sheffield to Sheffield but I will add in Manchester City as well, but just a little something that as fans we were so proud and so happy of giving Manchester City a good game, in all honesty they was ruthless scoring pretty much most of their chances with Sian Rogers keeping out the others on target. Our defence, midfield and attack all worked so hard together. From the pitch to the bench every single player played for the badge and as we’ve been told to give us something to cheer to which we will sing as much as we can for them. We adore our team in victory and in defeat because we know they give all they can on the pitch and tonight was no different at all. In a match where it was Part time vs Full time and against international players we held our own and caused them a few problems in what was a great way to end our 2018 before travelling up to Durham on 13th January to kick start our season once again in which will no doubt be a tough but great game.

Team

Sian Rogers – As always Sian made some great saves and came to claim the ball on many occasions when Manchester City hit Villa on the counter attacks.

Ashlee Brown – Used her pace well and grew into the game with the hard task of keeping Man City of keeping the counter attacks down to a minimum.

Jade Richards – Solid at the back as always, made some great interceptions and showed her class against some of the best players in the world with such calm and determination.

Elisha N’Dow – Boom Pow, as always Elisha is always in the running for POTM and today no difference, worked so hard in defence and also at getting Villa up all through the game.

Asmita Ale – 16 years old, I only mention this because it is incredible that Asmita is this good already, had a stormer of a game as always. Man City would wish they had a player like Asmita.

Sophie Haywood – Sophie in the second half of the year has become one of our most important players and drove Villa forward giving everything and nearly adding a goal to her great game as well.

Alice Hassall – Got stuck into Man City as they tried to attack and control the middle but Alice didn’t let this happen, had a wonderful strike as well but unfortunately didn’t go into back of the net.

Nadine Hanssen – You know Nadine will work hard for you in middle to chase what seems a lost cause and won the ball back on many occasions to break up Man City’s play.

Amy West – Alot of Amy’s work used to go unnoticed because it comes so natural but her work rate and effort is something that is unmatched from game to game, battling away with WSL 1 players.

Jodie Hutton – Man City had a plan to try keep Jodie quiet it seemed but Jodie wouldn’t take it lying down as she battled and battled up to the final whistle pushing forward.

Tanisha Smith – So happy to see Tanisha get the start and as we know she never fails to impress as she battles so hard and ran the line so well against Gemma Bonner.

Kerri Welsh – You know Kerri will always play with her heart on her sleeve and it was no different as she came on to push us forward in the later stages of the game.

Phoebe Warner – Came on in second half and battled away with the Man City centres to try and push Villa forward to create a few chances for us to get a goal.

Alison Hall – Even though didn’t have to many minutes still always makes a great impact as in every single appearance in a claret and blue shirt she gets stuck in and never gives anything up.

Player Of The Match

Elisha N’Dow

We always have a chat after the game on who we believe Player Of The Match was and where it goes game to game, one name comes up every single game and that is Elisha N’Dow and it was no different against such a great attack that Manchester City had bringing a massive challenge to our defence. Her partnership with Jade is something to behold because at times in the past we’ve struggled at the back but can say with Elisha and Jade at the back feel safe in any game and against any attack. One thing for me as to why Elisha was POTM too was when we conceded she rallied everyone around her, like in the first half when she ran from our own box into the Man City half before finally being fouled to stop her bringing us forward.