Manchester City Women 2, Birmingham City Women 1
Ellen White scored her first goal for Manchester City against her former club Birmingham City in the Continental Cup as City won for the first time in five games in all competitions.
Rachel Williams levelled the scores for the visitors but Caroline Weir’s unstoppable swerving 30 yard shot beat Hannah Hampton in the Birmingham City goal.
The result meant City topped Group C of their Continental Cup group on goals scored, joining visitors Birmingham City and Manchester United on six points although the Reds have a game in hand.
After the disappointment of the midweek defeat at Atletico Madrid to exit the Women’s Champions League, City were looking to get their Continental Cup campaign back on track against Birmingham City.
City looked vulnerable on the break without Keira Walsh who was suspended after her red card in the Continental Cup against Manchester United and both Caroline Weir and Jill Scott sat back to cover for her.
Pauline Bremer was partnered up with Ellen White as they looked to score more goals – and they had their chances early on.
White, Weir, and Lauren Hemp created early chances which weren’t converted despite Bremer’s best efforts.
Janine Beckie’s cross/shot was collected by Hannah Hampton as City still looked shot-shy.
Harriet Scott blocked White’s shot while Hemp and Stanway had long range efforts dealt with by Hampton while Bremer headed over after White found her with a cross.
Ellie Roebuck had a shot to save after 29 minutes when Lucy Whipp found Rachel Williams who shot tamely at the City ‘keeper.
Brianna Visalli’s shot was parried by Roebuck and Abbi Grant forced the City keeper into a flying save just before the break
City pressure finally told as White finally managed to break the deadlock after the restart, scoring her first goal for the club after 51 minutes after Lauren Hemp had beaten Sarah Mayling and put in a cutback which which was instantly rifled into the back of the net off the crossbar.
Hemp’s shot whistled past the back post and Stanway had a shot blocked as the weight lifted from City’s shoulders.
Rachel Williams equalised after meeting Brianna Visalli’s cross with a stooping header to level things up.
But Caroline Weir saw Hampton off her line 4 minutes later after Birmingham lost possession and unleashed a swerving shot to beat her from 30 yards out.
City saw out the remaining minutes of the contest without drama, with substitute Jess Park shooting wide after Beckie had put in a good cross for her in the final minutes.
Park also saw another late effort saved by Hampton as she made kept the visitors on their toes till the end.
GOALS – Manchester City Women 2, Birmingham City Women 1
Man City Women 1, Birmingham City Women 0: 51. Ellen White opens the scoring after rifling home Lauren Hemp’s cutback off the underside of the crossbar.
Man City Women 1, Birmingham City Women 1: 65. Rachel Williams equalised after meeting Brianna Visalli’s cross with a stooping header from 6 yards out.
Man City Women 2, Birmingham City Women 1: 69. Caroline Weit with a swerving shot from 30 yards to beat Hannah Hampton.
MATCH STATS – Manchester City Women 2, Birmingham City Women 1
Man City Women: Roebuck, Beckie, Houghton, Bonner, Campbell (Stokes 81), Weir, Scott, Stanway, White (Lee Geum-min 65), Hemp, Bremer (Park 79)
Man City Women Subs not used: Benameur, Toland, Wullaert, Fidalgo
Goals: White 51, Weir 69
Birmingham City Women: Hampton, Mayling, Scott, Arthur, Williams (Brown 89), Visalli, Grant (Scofield 77), Jordan, Whipp, Hollway, Staniforth
Birmingham City Women Subs not used: Brooks, Walker
Goal: Williams 65
Referee: Elizabeth Simms
Attendance: 1,178