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Just as the Premier League got going this weekend, the Ladies had their own action. Liverpool Ladies traveled to Kellamergh Park to face Fylde Ladies in a preseason match ahead of the FA WSL campaign starting in September. Thankfully, there was more victory there to be had as the Ladies cruised easily to an 8-0 win.
The Reds dominated the first half, with Ashley Hodson opening the scoring for the visiting ladies. Kate Longhurst had an early shot rebound off the post towards Jess Clarke, but former Manchester City goalkeeper Alex Brooks was quick to scoop the ball for Fylde.
From then on it was Liverpool’s match to giveaway. Clarke set up Laura Coombs from the right wing only to have Combs fire over the bar, Tash Harding had a go at point blank range, just barely saved by Brooks. Jess Clarke had another chance with a cross from Harding, only to have it go unfortunately wide. Clarke would shortly score the second and third of the afternoon in succession, one with an assist from Longhurst to place it just beyond Brooks.
Clarke was then replaced with Scottish international Caroline Weir. It didn’t take long for her to find the back of the net, scoring Liverpool’s fourth of the afternoon with practically her first touch of the game. There was just enough time for one more goal in the first half, as Weir created space for herself and put the Reds up 5-0 at halftime.
The second half saw nine changes, including players from the Liverpool Ladies Development squad coming onto the pitch. The young Reds quickly found their footing and regained their control of the match, maintaining the threat from the previous half. Development squad player Annabel Blanchard went close to scoring the sixth of the afternoon, only to be denied by Brooks.
65 minutes into the match the Reds were awarded a penalty with Simran Jhamat was fouled inside the 18 yard box. Jhamat coolly stepped up to take the penalty herself, putting it just where it belonged to put the Reds up 6-0. Not long after nother penalty was awarded when Cassia Pike was fouled inside the box as well, and the forward taking her own kick and sending Brooks the wrong way to make it 7 for the ladies.
Fylde put up a good effort later in the match and would’ve had a consolation goal, if Bo Kearns hadn’t blocked and goalkeeper Jess Carberry hadn’t been there to deflect it from the post. As the match started to wind down Aimee Everett came off the bench and was able to score Liverpool’s eighth goal when a deflected shot from Pike found her feet.
This preseason rout was just the beginning for the Ladies as they look to keep their fitness before the start of the FA WSL campaign in September. The Reds play Watford on the 20th in a closed doors friendly before taking part in the Toulouse International Ladies Cup, facing Olympique Lyonnaise on the 25th.