Durham fall to a narrow defeat in The Subway Women’s League Cup following Liverpool winger Sam Kerr’s late winner.
Regardless, the girls kept their heads held high with a performance to be proud of against elite WSL opposition.
While the visitors made minimal alterations from their recent league team sheets, Durham showcased a wholesale 8 changes from Sunday’s WSL2 matchup with Nottingham Forest, with youngster Lucy Watson making her first start for the club.
Opening the scoring with the only real half chance of the fixture up to that point, midfielder Ceri Holland picked the ball up 25 yards from goal, firing a quite brilliant effort into the top corner beyond Anna King’s reach to earn the visitors the lead in spectacular fashion in the 28th minute.
It would not take Durham long to respond. Firing in from the corner, Michaela Foster’s pristine cross evaded the heads of everyone around the 6 yard box, sailing into the far corner of the net to seal the “Olympico” and a deserved equaliser heading into the break.
Defensively sound over the course of the second half, Liverpool’s quality began to shine as attacks grew more frequently. After half an hour of pressure, in the 75th minute, it seemed the visitors had finally retaken the lead, but an outstanding save from King rose to the occasion, palming Liverpool’s point-blank header over the bar to safety.
But, unfortunately for Durham, their defensive efforts were all in vain. Offered too much time to drive into the box, Sam Kerr’s low effort sealed the win and 3 points for the travelling fans.
Not our day this evening in terms of the result, but by all means an encouraging performance from the girls, going toe to toe with the best.