Barnet Ladies hoped to gain a first league win of the season and avenge the 3-0 defeat from when they last played Manchester City on the opening day of the season but it wasn’t to be.

 

The Bees squad had new signing Laura Coombs starting who recently completed the Women’s Super League season playing for Chelsea. Promising young defender Vanna Lee, club record scorer Stacy Sowden and defender Leanne Reidy selected as captain all started too.

‘Keeper Cherie Rowlands was tested early with a City free-kick. Thankfully the Bees defence has been much improved of late as they were on the back foot for much of the first quarter of an hour although there were no real chances of note with Cherie Rowlands making a series of comfortable saves.  

On the half hour mark City’s pressure finally paid off with Krystle Johnson netting past the Bees’ keeper. The remainder the first half was mostly seen out in the middle of the pitch with the ball very rarely getting into the final third.

The Bees went in 1-0 down at half time despite looking much improved and City wishing they would have taken more of their chances.

The Bees were in control for the opening few minutes with the teams appearing to be much more evenly matched as the second half progressed and much of the game was played out in midfield. 

In the seventieth minute a Krystle Johnson corner was headed past the post by her teammate Sarah Danby. Johnson was attacking again two minutes later however she was successfully challenged by Vicky Boardman. 

Keeper Cherie Rowlands got a chance to show what she was made of when Sarah Danby forced her to quickly react and tip her shot over the bar with little over ten minutes of the game remaining.

She was called into action yet again shortly afterwards when yet another Sarah Danby shot forced her to make an excellent diving save.

The Bees came close to equalising a few minutes later when Vicky Boardman headed just past the post from a Chontelle Lawrence free-kick.

The game ended in a 1-0 defeat for the Bees who remain winless in the league. However, if that match was anything to go by, especially the second half performance, things are most certainly on the up.

Coming up next Sunday at Underhill for the Ladies is Premier Division (National) rivals Watford in the League Cup which kicks off at 2pm. Admission is free for season ticket holders and Bees members and just £3 for adults, £1 for concessions otherwise.