Birmingham City Ladies were held to a goalless draw by Notts County Ladies today in what was a feisty encounter at the Autotech Stadium. While on paper the Lady Pies should have undoubtedly been on top the reverse happened on the pitch with Remi Allen missing a penalty which would probably have won the game.

Chances in the game were fairly few and far between, with Allen’s penalty miss coming in a dominant spell for Blues Ladies that also saw Coral-Jade Haines and Emily Simpkins go close. The visitors had probably had the upper hand in the first half but struggled to impose themselves after the break despite having seven current England internationals on the pitch.

Blues by contrast were shorn even further of experience with Jade Moore missing out following a shin injury picked up against Manchester City, joining Kirsty Linnett (ankle) Karen Carney (back), Chelsea Weston (ACL), and Freda Ayisi (suspension) on the sidelines.

Blues managed well however, with Haines coming in for Moore showing some real flair on the ball alongside Jo Potter who was the engine room and heartbeat of the side.

Blues were forced into a further change at the start of the second half when Alex Windell was forced off with a knee injury, but her replacement Emily Simpkins was more than capable and became a constant threat down the Blues right.

Former Blues player Rachel Williams was a threat for Notts County Ladies in the first half and it took a brilliant Meaghan Sargeant challenge to stop her from scoring after she had burst through the Blues defence.

In a feisty game, both Williams and Blues centre half Kerys Harrop were booked as the challenges flew in and at times it looked doubtful that the ref would be able to keep the red card in his pocket. It did calm down in the second half – particularly after Williams was subbed off.

Blues Ladies would probably have been happy with a point before the game and the hope is that they can push on further now against Chelsea – particularly with Ayisi and potentially Linnett to come back into the team.

Player of the match – Coral-Jade Haines. A box of tricks in the middle for Blues Ladies.

Team:

Spencer, Sargeant, Carter, Mannion, Harrop, Allen, Potter, Lawley, Westwood, Windell (Simpkins 48), Haines

Subs not used Baggaley, Wellings, Stringer, Torkildsen.

Attendance 438

Tags: Coral-Jade Haines, Emily Simpkins, Jo Potter, Meaghan Sargeant, Notts County Ladies, Rachel Williams