Liverpool Ladies Find Winning Ways With The Return Of Gemma Bonner

After a string of defeats the Ladies find their footing, coming home with a 4-0 win against Yeovil Town.

It’s not an April Fool’s joke! Liverpool’s Ladies went down to Yeovil on Sunday and finally, FINALLY, came home with a win. After suffering a 4-0 defeat at the hands of Birmingham City last weekend, and similar defeats before that, the victory is a balm on some raw emotions.

The match came with the return of captain Gemma Bonner from injury as well as the manager Scott Rogers, having missed the last match for personal reasons. Maybe it was the boost from Bonner’s return that helped, because the Ladies came out ready to fight in front of 312 people at the Taunton Town stadium (that’s not a joke either it’s really called that).

All that excitement immediately led to Laura Coombs scoring within the first minute. Alex Greenwood’s cross was poorly cleared by the Yeovil defense, and Coombs picked it up and volleyed it home. That moment really set the tone for the match as Yeovil Town hardly started and they were already behind.

Yeovil fought back bravely, with their keeper Megan Walsh handling a shot from Caroline Weir well, but the Reds only needed sixteen more minutes to score again. Liverpool received a corner kick and Coombs’ shot caused enough chaos in the Yeovil box that Gemma Bonner herself was able to rifle it into goal and double the Reds’ lead. A fitting goal for the return of the captain.

Not even two minutes later, Megan Walsh just barely denied Ashley Hodson, only to have her score a third for the Reds seconds after with her left foot. It was pretty clear that Liverpool were completely in control of the match, with Sophie Ingle even attempting to score just before halftime, only to have her effort hit the post. Yeovil were able to stop the hemorrhaging for the most part, but by then it was halftime and they were down 3-0.

The Reds took possession early on in the second half, with Niamh Charles nearly in to make it 4-0, only to be sent out wide by Yeovil’s Hannah Miles. Charles is eager to add her name to the scoresheet in the second half, with another effort started by Weir sending her to the target, but her effort goes unfortunately over the crossbar. Megan Walsh is doing everything she can to stop the goals from happening at this point, and a fantastic job of it too.

The second half became more of a battle after leading goal scorer Bethany England made it 4-0 following a free kick from Greenwood that hit the woodwork. From there Yeovil were more settled and able to defend better but the damage was already done and the home side went back with nothing and the Ladies came home with three points.

The captain Bonner spoke praise following the match, reiterating how important the win was for everyone.

“Winning was the most important thing for us coming into the game today on the back of a few disappointing results. We’re delighted to get back to winning ways,” said Bonner.

“We knew we needed to get the performance right and the result would take care of itself.

“We created a lot of chances and we probably should have scored more, but ultimately the performance was there and the goals and the clean sheet.

“I was happy to get on the scoresheet today. I’ve had a long time away and it’s been tough but I’ve been working hard to get back as quick as I could and it was good to get back out there.”

No doubt will the Ladies be feeling all kinds of relief returning home on this Easter Sunday with four goals and a win in the books.

Source: liverpooloffside.sbnation.com