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London City Lionesses and Blackburn Rovers played out a goalless draw on Sunday at Princes Park. There were chances, with the home side having more of those, good saves from both goalkeepers, the woodwork hit, but no goals. 

Jade Richards was making her 50th appearance for Blackburn, and they had the first effort of the match but Natasha Fenton sent her shot well over in the 4th minute.  London City Lionesses first chance came in the 9th minute when Hayley Nolan shot wide after some nice build up play.  The Lionesses had a good chance four minutes later but Atlanta Primus was denied from close range when Blackburn’s goalkeeper Shanell Salgado made a good save with her feet.

The game became a bit stop, start with a couple of stoppages for head injuries.  Blackburn had the next opportunity in the 21st minute when Saffron Jordan saw her free kick blocked by the wall then her follow up shot saved. 

London City Lionesses had the next chance five minutes later when they broke and Lois Heuchan saw her shot deflected wide.  In the 29th minute, Blackburn’s Farah Crompton saw her effort blocked then the rebound saved by Shae Yanez.  There were to be no more chances during the remaining 15 minutes or so of the first half and the sides went in level at the break.

The away side had an opportunity to go ahead in the first minute of the second half when Crompton was played through but her lobbed effort was caught by Yanez.

London City Lionesses then had a few chances in quick succession.  In the 48th minute, Primus’ dipping shot was tipped by Salgado onto the post then the rebound was blocked.  A minute later, Sarah Ewens saw her shot from 30-yards saved.

On the hour mark, a looping shot from Ewens caused problems and a scramble before being cleared by Blackburn.  Second half substitute Lois Joel had the home sides next chance but shot over in the 63rd minute.  Salgado made another save from a Joel cross four minutes later as London City Lionesses were getting on top.

Shanade Hopcroft sent a free kick from distance over in the 69th minute for the Lionesses.  Jamie-Lee Napier then saw her shot go over three minutes later.  Salgado made a fantastic save to tip over Nolan’s shot in the 73rd minute as the chances kept coming for the home side.

Blackburn survived an almighty scramble in front of goal in the 83rd minute when at least four London City Lionesses efforts were saved or blocked by defenders.

The away side had a couple of late chances of their own.  Jordan saw her shot from 18-yards saved in the 85th minute.  Two minutes later, Yanez made a great save to tip over Millie Chandarana’s 20-yard lob.  In between these Blackburn chances, Joel had shot over for the Lionesses. 

So, it finished 0-0.  London City Lionesses stay in second place in the league but are now five points behind Bristol City after the weekend’s results.  They play Birmingham at home on Sunday.  Blackburn move up a couple of places to eighth after the draw.  Their next game is also on Sunday when they play Sunderland at home.

Line ups

London City Lionesses (3-4-3): Yanez (c), Neville, Girasoli, Nolan, Fitzgerald (Muya 68’), Rodgers, Hopcroft (Kitching 90’+1), Heuchan (Joel 59’), Napier, Ewens, Primus

Unused substitutes: Cull, Pedersen, Shepherd

Blackburn Rovers (3-5-2): Salgado, Seed, Richards, Coan, Nokuthula, Worthington, Fenton (c), Chandarana (Hornby 90’), Murphy, Crompton (Leek 81’), Jordan

Unused substitutes: Brooks, McDonald, Smith, Dixon, Williams, Thomas

Booked – Leek 90+2’

Referee – Aimee Keir