Everton notch up first league of the season over YeovilCourtney Sweetman-Kirk and Chloe Kelly help Everton secure first league win of the seasonEverton secured their first Women's Super League 1 win of the season after beating Yeovil Town 2-0 at Huish Park.
Both teams went into the game having picked up no points in 2017/18, but the Blues left with all three thanks to goals from Courtney Sweetman-Kirk and Chloe Kelly.
The visitors enjoyed the early pressure and made the breakthrough on 17 minutes as Sweetman-Kirk was played in behind as she lifted it over the onrushing Megan Walsh and into the back of the net.
The striker should have made it 2-0 six minutes later when again she broke clear of the home defence but this time Walsh did enough to put her off and the shot drifted just wide.
At the other end, Yeovil had a great opportunity themselves shortly afterwards as an Ellie Curson cross found Ella Pusey, but despite being unmarked she put her downward header inches wide.
In the second half, the away side continued to enjoy the majority of the possession and chances, with Angharad James stinging the palms of Walsh with an effort that was gathered at the second attempt.
The Toffees' second goal did eventually arrive from the penalty spot in the 60th minute when Nicola Cousins brought down Sweetman-Kirk in the box and Kelly stepped up to convert from 12 yards.
Everton kept their composure to see out the match, while for the Glovers that is now five WSL outings this term without any points or any goals.
England face Bosnia & Herzegovina in a FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifier at Walsall FC on 24 November, KO 7.05pm. Buy tickets (£10 Adult/£1 Under-18) at
www.thefa.com/ticketsEverton goalscorer Chloe Kelly, said:
"It was time that we got our first three points. We've been having good performances but not the points on the board.
"I think in this game we got the early goal and proved that we deserve to be in this league. It's not just how we got promoted but we deserve it and I think we showed that on the pitch.
"We were confident because we've had great performances the first few games against tough opposition and we deserved to get a bit more out of the games and were a bit disappointed we hadn't.
"Against Yeovil was always going to be a tough game and more of a fight than a game of football but we got the three points.
"I was really happy to get on the score-sheet. It's nice to get a goal and when we got the penalty I thought 'I'll take it' and I put it in the bottom corner."
Yeovil midfielder Ellie Curson added:
"We're obviously disappointed but I feel we did try our best and that's the best performance we've had all season.
“We went out there and we tried to play and I don't think you can fault the girls, I just think we were unlucky. Everton took their chances and we unfortunately didn't.
"I would say Everton deserved to win the game but it was a narrow defeat and I'm happy with the overall performance and hopefully it's upwards from now.
"I think work rate and work ethic was something we needed to go out and show today and I think we did a good job of that.
"I think a little bit of luck is needed to come our way and we owed a bit and I think once we get that first goal they will continue to come, but it's getting that first goal. If we continue to work as hard as we did today it will come."
Yeovil Town 0
Everton 2
Sweetman-Kirk 17, Kelly 60
Yeovil Town (3-4-3): Megan Walsh; Bow Jackson, Gemma Evans, Nicola Cousins; Ellie Curson, Georgia Evans, Chloe Lloyd, Nadia Lawrence; Jessie Jones, Paige Sawyer, Ella Pusey
Substitutes: Leah Burridge for Jackson 57, Chloe Melton for Sawyer 60, Kelly Aldridge for Pusey 79
Substitutes not used: Beth Howard, Harriet Lambe, Rachel Hignett
Bookings: Curson 52
Red Cards: None
Everton (4-2-3-1): Lizzie Durack; Faye Bryson, Georgia Brougham, Gabrielle George, Danielle Turner; Angharad James, Megan Finnigan; Claudia Walker, Simone Magill, Chloe Kelly; Courtney Sweetman-Kirk
Substitutes: Olivia Chance for Sweetman-Kirk 65, Jodie Brett for Kelly 84, Marthe Munsterman for Magill 86
Substitutes not used: Kirstie Levell, Siri Worm, Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah
Bookings: None
Red Cards: None
Referee: Marc Whaley
Attendance: 683
Source: FAWSL.com
