Albion pick up a point on return to WSL action

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Hope Powell’s side hold Birmingham to a 0-0 draw.

Paul Camillin

2021-01-17T16:00:00Z

Kayleigh Green takes on a Birmingham defender.

Albion kicked the New Year with a statement in the West Midlands; on the plus side it was a hard-earned and useful away point against Birmingham City, but in a game they pretty much dominated from start to finish, Hope Powell will feel her side should have made a winning start to 2021.

It was a belated return to January action for both teams, with injuries and illness putting paid to the two clubs’ FA Women’s Super League games, due to take place last Sunday.

For the Birmingham it was their first competitive action since a derby win over Aston Villa on 6th December; while Albion hadn’t played since their home defeat against Reading on 20th December.

Beth Roe started for the first time since her recall from Charlton Athletic.

As expected each side featured several changes. Fliss Gibbons, Victoria Williams, Lee Geum-Min and Rebekah Stott were all absent for Albion, while Denise O'Sullivan has since returned to America at the end of her loan spell. Beth Roe, recalled from her loan spell at Charlton Athletic, started her first WSL match of the season.

Both teams looked to shake off the rustiness of a month or more without matches, and Albion front pair Rianna Jarrett and Kayleigh Green both took advantage of a couple of early lapses from the home side. Each got behind the Blues defence in quick succession, but both fired straight at Hannah Hampton in goal for Birmingham.

Captain Dani Bowman used the ball well throughout the match.

Shortly after the half-hour mark Hampton gathered Inessa Kaagman’s attempted lob, after excellent work from skipper Dani Buet in the middle, before Buet was pulling the strings again to send Roe chasing into the box. She took a tumble under a challenge, but half-hearted penalty shouts went ignored.

Just before the break Buet’s quick pressing gave her an opening, as she nicked the ball off Mollie Green on the edge of the box and drove forward. She didn’t get the contact she’d have liked on her shot, and the low drive was saved by Hampton.

Albion had been the more dominant and they continued to press and probe after the break, looking to capitalise on their superiority. Ellie Brazil coming in from a wide position on the left and looked to float a shot into the opposite side of the goal, but the impressive Hampton was able to save comfortably.

Danique Kerkdijk shepherds away a Birmingham attack.

On the hour mark, a sweeping move down the right and across the box presented a shooting chance to Roe, she saw her shot blocked, but felt she was fouled in the action, but appeals were again waved away.

Green played in Jarrett after pinching possession midway into the opponents half. Jarrett aimed low, but again Hampton saved. That was the Irish international’s final action of note, as she made way for Nora Heroum.

Heroum was quickly involved and tried her luck with a free kick just outside the Birmingham box, but the wall stood tall, and try as they might frustration reigned as Albion couldn’t break down a stubborn Blues defence.