For the first time this year, the Ladies match took place on a warm and sunny afternoon. Unfortunately, that was the only good thing about the day.
Winsford started the match with a positive attitude and tried to take the game to the visitors. However, Birkenhead had other idea's and were by far the better side on the day. It wasn't that the visitors out played Winsford, nor did they play fancy football. They were just better organised and wanted the ball more.
The first half was a battle between two teams who desparately wanted to win. Winsford had a higher percentage of the possession, but were just unable to do anything with it, as the Birkenhead defence were rock solid and broke down each Winsford attack. Winsford's midfield of Vicky Jones, Kylie Kettle, Danielle Lydiate and Kathryn Hulme worked tirelessly, trying to create just one chance for either Sarah Lee or Jay Anderson to pounce on. But Birkenhead constantly pressurised any Winsford player who had the ball, to win it back or just break down the move.
It took until mid-way through the first half for the dead lock to be broken and it was the visitors who gained the upper hand. Winsford's defence of Rachel Robbins, Emma Johnson, Hanna Hewitson and Leanne Hudson did everything they could to hold off the Birkenhead number 10. The visitors goal didn't come from a mistake by the Winsford defence, but more from a mistake by the referee, as the Birkenhead striker was in an offside position when the ball was played. Their number 10 was already 2 yards ahead of the back four before they could even turn around and give chase. Jessica Moore, the Winsford keeper did all she could, but the shot was virtually unstoppable and almost burst the back of the net.
Winsford dug in and continued to press for an equaliser, but the visitors held firm til half time, not even allowing Winsford a single shot at goal.
The second half was pretty much the same as the first with Winsford having the lions share of the possession and Birkenhead remaining a brick wall that Winsford continued to struggle to penetrate, with any real substance. The ladies did managed a few shots on target, but none was sufficient to trouble the stand in Birkenhead keeper.
Final score was Winsford Ladies 0 - 1 Birkenhead Ladies.
The Ladies will host Macclesfield this Sunday and will have to think long and hard about their team performance, if they are to return to winning ways.