Aston Villa 3-3 London Bees

7/1/18, 2pm, The Lamb, WSL 2

Goals – Salmon (2), N’Dow

It’s been a while since I did a full one of these for Villa, after a short one for Liverpool. I was looking forward to todays game, a new year, a new start. Seeing some old faces and some new faces. A decent attendance saw over 200 people at home for the game between Villa and Bees. Two teams have alot of love for since first started going to games. Tim was doing the MC’ing and good to see the old guard there, the sun played a major factor in the first half as the teams swapped end and Sian Rogers had to deal with the lowering sun during the first half which no doubt made things hard and came into Bees plans before the coin toss.

The game kicked off and Villa was all over Bees pressing them back to their own goal with corner after what seemed like corner. Bees broke out and the ball fell to Paula Howells on the counter and she hit a total peach that swerved past Rogers in the goal who couldn’t do anything about it at all. Totally against the play Bees took a shock lead. As Villa pressured again with Salmon causing troubles up front on a constant basis with her pace. But once again with Bees second shot would you believe it but another cruncher that Rogers couldn’t do anything about as the ball sailed in from an ex Villa player in Danielle Lea. Making it 0-2 to bees after only 2 shots and being on the back foot through most the opening exchange. A past Villa team may of crumbled under the way of the game but they didn’t as they fought back and showed character to get almost straight back into the game with Ebony Salmon placing the ball past the Bees keeper and into the net from Hurley’s great cross. The half time whistle came and the score was 1-2 so Villa knew they would be in it come the second half.

The first 10 minutes of the second half not alot happened until a counter attack where Beth Merrick sprinted forward and somehow managed to play Ebony Salmon through who slotted the ball past the keeper to make it 2-2 and game on. Ebony Salmon came close on a few occasions where the keeper just managed to get to the ball as she broke through or get a hand when she tried to slide it past her. A beautiful lofted ball into the box by Beth Merrick was nodded in by the on rushing Elisha N’Dow who always is dangerous on the set pieces. The substitution of Amy West saw the midfield be calmed and (I maybe biast) every time the ball went through the middle she would bring it down and look for pass to get Villa moving or put the tackle in to stop the attack becoming dangerous. Also the substitution of Katie Wilkinson made a huge change for Bees as she managed to get the equalizer from a corner, which looked alot like a foul from where we was sitting as Rogers was impeded from getting the ball. It ended a 3-3 draw and from being 0-2 down it doesn’t seem such a bad game to draw but just unfortunate not to hold on and take all 3 points away from the game.

Villa don’t have a game scheduled now until the 28th of January when they play Oxford United away. But the Development team are in action next week against Birmingham City at Coleshill Town FC. Also the FA Cup Draw will take place tomorrow to see who they will face on 4/2/2018. Was great to see the team come over after the game to say thank you to the fans as well as Katie Wilkinson also making an appearance to say goodbye.

Team

Rogers – Couldn’t be faulted for the goals and a suspicion of a foul on the third Bees goal. Good handling though throughout.

Crackle – Always puts it all in for the Claret and Blue, today was no exception winning the ball back constantly.

N’Dow – Scored and nearly had a second with Richards, made some important tackles at the back.

Richards – Always dependable, always there to help Villa stop an attack as well as dangerous on the ball.

Hurley – Put an effort in throughout and was big part of Villa getting the ball off Bees.

Hassell – Worked hard and gave alot of effort to the cause for Villa.

Hutton – Was in among the play alot, wether getting ball forward or getting back to tackle.

Merrick – Always chasing down the ball and trying to get Villa into the attacking third, to link with Salmon.

Jones – Captains effort as she got herself in the face of Bees to win the ball back.

Ejupi – Held the ball up well and helped link up with Salmon, had a really good game.

Salmon – Improves every game, 2 goals could of been more, my player of the match.

West – Always makes a huge difference for me, so calm and knows her game in and out.

Have to add as well….

Howells – Such a great player, always grafting away scored a total peach to put Bees 1-0 up.

Goddard – Might not be fully fit but always adds so much to the game, #GoddardForEngland.

Wilkinson – Nothing but love for Wilko, the script was written she’d score against us, but can’t even be mad at it.

Player Of The Match

Ebony Salmon

Scored two out of the 3 goals and was a constant threat throughout running off the last defender on a regular basis. Showing pure pace and skill with the ball at her feet was unlucky to only get two and not three if it wasn’t for the Bees goalkeeper rushing out. Every time i see her play she becomes a more rounded and better player.