Match reportRoman Haug scores as Liverpool are held by Bristol City in WSL
Liverpool came back from a goal down to secure a 1-1 draw at home to Bristol City in the Barclays Women’s Super League on Sunday.
Sophie Roman Haug’s second-half header salvaged a point for Matt Beard’s side at Prenton Park, after former Reds striker Amalie Thestrup’s instinctive finish had given Lauren Smith’s visitors the lead.
In a game of few real chances, Liverpool were thankful to goalkeeper Teagan Micah, who denied Abi Harrison a winning goal with a smart save, while Missy Bo Kearns came closest to a stoppage-time winner for the hosts.
During a cagey opening period, it was captain Taylor Hinds who had the game’s first effort, with her right-footer from 25 yards skidding wide of the post after five minutes. Ceri Holland just failed to pick out the run of Shanice van de Sanden soon after.
Van de Sanden, making her 50th Reds appearance, almost dispossessed Bristol City ’keeper Olivia Clark in the 13th minute, and her cross then found Roman Haug, who was crowded out as she attempted to get a shot away.
Bristol City’s first effort of note came after 28 minutes, Naomi Layzell firing into the side-netting after a long ball into the box was allowed to bounce.
And it took a good clearance from Grace Fisk to deny Layzell another opportunity seconds later, as neither side were able to create anything clear-cut before half-time.
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The away team started the second half strongly, forcing a series of set-pieces, and one of those paid off in the 50th minute as Liverpool were unable to clear, allowing Harrison to smash in a shot that was diverted home by Thestrup from close range.
The Reds’ response was to send on Melissa Lawley for Emma Koivisto, and they were level within seven minutes of the concession.
Hinds delivered a superb cross from the left and Haug was able to beat Clark to the ball and head home from the middle for her third WSL goal of the campaign.
Kearns and Leanne Kiernan were both introduced after the hour mark, but Beard’s charges needed Micah to make a brilliant save to deny Harrison late on, with Hinds bravely blocking Emily Syme’s follow-up effort.
Liverpool continued to push for a winner, but despite some lively moments from Lawley and Kiernan, in particular, there was to be no way through, with the Reds’ last promising chance the Kearns 25-yard curler that was turned over the bar by Clark in stoppage time.
TEAM
Liverpool: Micah, Koivisto (Lawley, 54), Clark, Bonner, Fisk (Parry, 85), Hinds, Höbinger (Kearns, 64), Holland (Lundgaard, 85), Nagano, Van de Sanden (Kiernan, 64), Roman H.
Unused subs: Laws, Fahey, Taylor, Daniels.
NEXT UP
The Reds return to action on Wednesday December 13 as they take on local rivals Everton in the Continental League Cup. It’s a 7pm GMT kick-off at Walton Hall Park.
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