Women's Report: Birmingham 1-2 Saints

Birmingham started the game on top and took the lead after just five minutes through Ivana Fuso.

Saints gradually grew into the contest and levelled thanks to a moment of magic from Molly Pike just before first half stoppage time.

In a much-improved second half, a bundled goal from Katie Wilkinson proved to be the eventual winner.

There was one change and a tweak in formation for Saints as they returned to league action with Megan Wynne handed a start.

Atlanta Primus in action against Birmingham. (Photos: Isabelle Field)

Marieanne Spacey-Cale’s side started on the back foot at St. Andrew’s Stadium, and found themselves behind early on.

The hosts capitalised on their strong opening when Lily Agg slipped a pass in between the defence for Fuso to latch onto and fire across goal into the bottom corner.

Birmingham’s early dominance persisted as Saints struggled to get into the game; Kayla Rendell needed to be alert to gather a cross before Claudia Walker could connect.

Rendell was tested twice more either side of the half hour mark, gathering speculative shots from distance by Ellie Mason and Charlie Devlin.

With limited chances for either side in the first half, Saints began to grow into the game as Pike appeared to be an outlet on the left wing.

She had two similar surges forward but couldn’t find a teammate in space with her crosses, but she was able to go one better with her third attempt.

Picking up the ball on the edge of the box, the forward cut in on her right and curled a shot over Lucy Thomas’s despairing reach and into the top corner.

Molly Pike celebrates her equaliser.

There was almost a quickfire turnaround before half-time as well when Atlanta Primus met a whipped free-kick delivery but couldn’t convert from close range.

After heading into the break level, arguably against the run of play, Saints started the second half with a much improved sense of urgency.

A dangerous corner from Jemma Purfield wasn’t dealt with by Thomas in goal but Alice Griffiths skewed her shot wide as she met the loose ball in the 55th minute.

Just after the hour mark, Saints had appeals for a penalty were contentiously waved away after Wilkinson was brought down in the area, before she then rattled the crossbar two minutes later.

Wilkinson stepped up to take a free-kick that was tipped onto the woodwork, as Birmingham scrambled the ball clear before Lucia Kendall could tap the ball home. 

The Blues then rallied and had two chances of their own when substitute Libby Smith headed over with her first action from a corner, before an impressive passing move led to Mason firing straight at Rendell.

The next goal was going to be crucial and, in the 69th minute, it was Saints who found it in fortuitous fashion.

Primus sent an inswinging cross into the area that was tipped away by Thomas only onto the legs of an unmarked Wilkinson who bundled the ball home to turn the game around.

Wilkinson celebrates her goal.

Birmingham did come close to an equaliser of their own when Pike headed a corner onto her own crossbar, just about clearing the danger.

However, after that Saints were able to manage the game with confidence during the tight closing stages.

Spacey-Cale’s side saw out a crucial win and, after dropping to fifth in the table at one point in the afternoon, they end the day in third place just one point off the top spot.

Birmingham: Thomas, Mason, Lawley (Harrison-Murray 84), Finn, Agg, Fuso (So-hyun 84), Walker (Smith 65), Devlin, Moore (captain), Yu-Ri (Quinn 65), Herron.

Subs not used: Clarke, Dungate.

Goals: Fuso 5.

Saints: Rendell, Collett, Mott, Peake, Purfield, Griffiths, Kendall (captain), Wynne (Lloyd-Smith 46), Primus (Morris, Wilkinson, Pike.

Subs not used: Haaland, Milne, Rafferty, Thompson, Pharoah.

Goals: Pike 45, Wilkinson 69.

Yellow Cards: Wilkinson 66.

Attendance: 1710.