Manchester City Women claimed just their second win of the season, as England’s Toni Duggan scored the only goal of the game to leave Birmingham City Ladies still searching for their first three points in the WSL 1.
Four other Lionesses joined Duggan in the starting line-up for Manchester City, and it was fellow World Cup bronze medallist Jill Scott that set up the attacking midfielder for her second goal of the season after 55 minutes.
The goal came after a first half of few chances for either side although the hosts should have been in front within two minutes of the kickoff as Tash Harding found herself through on goal with only the goalkeeper to beat. But the Welsh international could only find the gloves of Becky Spencer who looked alert to the early threat.
Jenny Beattie then went close after confusion from an Izzy Christiansen corner left the defender unmarked in the box but her header was cleared off the line.
Freda Ayisi had Birmingham’s best chance of the first 45 following some great build up play by the Blues, but her shot in the end was comfortably saved by England’s number one Karen Bardsley.
After the restart Manchester City looked to make an impact down the left as full back Demi Stokes pushed forward and whipped in some dangerous crosses. And eventually the deadlock was broken when midfield maestro Scott showed her strength against Birmingham’s Melissa Lawley on the edge of the box before taking the ball to the by-line and pulling it back for Duggan for the easiest of tap-ins six yards out.
The visitors went on the attack in the search for an equaliser, and nearly pulled one back through Lawley whose effort hit the side netting, before bringing on reinforcements in the form of Karen Carney and Jo Potter but neither Lioness could make a breakthrough.
With ten minutes to go Manchester City also made a substitution giving new signing Daphne Corboz her first taste of WSL action. The American will be hoping for slightly more game time next week in City’s game against bottom of the table Bristol Academy.
Birmingham’s next fixture is against Arsenal who sit joint second in the table following their defeat to Liverpool Ladies.
