Match reportLFC Women edged out by Birmingham in first pre-season friendly

In an even contest at St. Andrew’s versus last season’s FA Women’s Championship runners-up, chances were very much at a premium before Lily Agg met a cross from the left late on to grab the winner.

Reds boss Matt Beard will have been disappointed to lose the clean sheet in the final moments but will take consolation from debuts for four of his summer signings, along with minutes for some promising youth players.

He began with a back three of captain Niamh Fahey – returning from World Cup duty with the Republic of Ireland – plus new arrival Grace Fisk and academy product Ava Pickard.

Another summer recruit, Natasha Flint, led the front line along with Sofie Lundgaard, who was pushed forward from her normal midfield berth.

The opening 20 minutes were typical of pre-season, with both sides trying to find their rhythm and neither goalkeeper really worked.

It was the home team who offered the first real threat with a cross from the left that Claudia Walker and Blues captain Remi Allen both challenged for in the middle, but the resulting header was gathered easily by Rachael Laws.

Flint offered the first effort from Liverpool, her low drive on the half-hour lacking the power to seriously trouble Lucy Thomas.

Jenna Clark arrived from the bench for her first Reds action alongside Gemma Bonner and Ceri Holland, and good work from the latter down the left quickly put Taylor Hinds into the box in a good position – but her cross whistled across goal without a touch.

PHOTOS

By Andrew Powell

Beard made another four changes at the break, including the introduction of Marie Höbinger for a notable debut, and the second period started with much more urgency from both sides.

Holland fired a powerful drive just over for the visitors before a minute later crossing for Flint to get another shot on target on the stretch.

Birmingham responded, Katie Dungate putting in a dangerous cross and Walker forcing a good save from Laws at her near post.

Höbinger caught the eye with some good passes and almost combined with Flint for a give-and-go to get in on goal but the return pass was blocked off.

Holland’s work-rate was as prodigious as ever and it needed two strong defensive blocks to deny her as she threatened to power in on goal 10 minutes from time.

A draw looked inevitable until the home team delivered a winner in the 90th minute through recent signing Agg, who met the cross from Dungate perfectly to give Laws no chance.

TEAM

LFC Women: Laws, Fisk (Mottershead, 62), Fahey (Bonner, 32), Hinds (Robinson, 62), Lundgaard (Daniels, 46), Flint (Chadwick, 62), Parry (Koivisto, 46), Taylor (Kearns, 46), Shaw (Höbinger, 46), Pickard (Clark, 32), Trialist (Holland, 32).

NEXT UP

Beard’s side continue their pre-season schedule by competing in the AMOS Women’s French Cup at Stade Michel Bendichou later this month.

The Reds will face Paris Saint-Germain Feminine in an 8pm BST kick-off on Monday August 28, with a second fixture to follow three days later.