Andy Spence believes Everton Ladies’ clean sheet against Liverpool represents a “good start” in his side’s bid to compete with the country’s best teams.
The Blue Girls’ pre-season clash with their Merseyside rivals ended in stalemate, although Simone Magill and Angharad James, twice, came close to breaking the deadlock after half-time.
Rhiannon Roberts’ had Liverpool Ladies’ best attempt when she thudded the crossbar with a blockbuster shot from distance midway through the second half.
“I was really pleased with the display, both with and without the ball,” Spence told evertontv.
“We had good control of the game and created a number of chances across the 90 minutes, it was just unfortunate we could not convert one of those into a winning goal.
“But our general play was pleasing. It is very much about building blocks to get us where we want to be at the start of the season.
“And to pick up a clean sheet as well was pleasing, the best teams do that on a consistent basis. If we want to be one of those best teams, then we have to do that and it is a good start.”
Chloe Kelly’s direct running created Everton’s clearest opportunity of the opening half. The forward surged through the middle of the park, leaving a clutch of Liverpool defenders trailing, before steering the ball right for Claudia Walker.
Her shot from the right of the box travelled narrowly past Anke Preuss’ near post.
Walker’s intelligent movement was proving a constant thorn in the Reds’ side. The former Liverpool player, back in action following a 2017/18 ruined by a serious hamstring problem, was inches from latching onto a through ball from Gabby George after the defender had stepped out from the back to inject some urgency into the Blue Girls’ play.
And Liverpool left-back Leighanne Robe was on her toes shortly before half-time to get across and intercept with Walker poised to stride clear onto the excellent James’ threaded pass.
Robe had the game’s first effort on eight minutes when she blasted narrowly off target from 25 yards. And James was alert to the threat soon after when Christie Murray’s audacious sleight of foot at the edge of the box fashioned a shooting opportunity – repelled when James charged down the strike.
Kirstie Levell saved easily from Courtney Sweetman-Kirk’s volleyed attempt, the former Everton striker not making the contact she envisaged as the ball dropped invitingly in the box.
Liverpool winger Rinsola Babajide could not tame Jasmine Matthews’ cross five minutes before the break when a sure touch would have presented her with a clear sight of goal.
Substitute Magill’s arcing drive – which dipped a fraction too late to trouble Preuss – signalled Everton’s intent following the restart.
"We felt we worked the ball into good areas in the first half but did not have that end product in terms of the shot,” said Everton Ladies boss Spence.
“The message [at half-time] was clear in terms of, ‘Keep the work and get us into those areas again, but now take a touch less… be a bit more direct’.
“And you saw that with a number of good shots in the second half. I felt we probably deserved a goal in our favour – but I was pleased overall.”
James twice came close with blasts from distance. The first, on 50 minutes, a rasping strike which clipped the outside of Reds goalkeeper Preuss’ left post, the second six minutes later a looping effort from similar range which skimmed the top of Preuss’ net.
The Wales international’s two close-run things sandwiched a forceful run down the left from Taylor Hinds, ended when the wing-back was bundled over by Satara Murray.
James, the architect of so much of her side’s best work, sent in the resulting free-kick and saw it headed narrowly off target.
The Blue Girls enjoyed something of a let off when Roberts’ powerful 25-yard drive bounced out of harm’s way after smashing into the underside of Levell’s crossbar.
But Everton – and Magill in particular – were swiftly back on the front foot. Industrious Northern Irish striker Magill set up Inessa Kaagman for a shot that was blocked by Matthews, Magill then having a pop herself but seeing her hard-hit effort deflect off centre-back Sophie Bradley-Auckland and into Preuss’ grasp.
George received a significant blow to the head from Preuss with four minutes remaining as the pair fought for Kaagman’s deep right-wing corner.
And Spence claimed his captain’s bravery in the midst of the game's final penalty-box action perfectly summed up the Blue Girls’ display on a day when his side were the first to represent Everton sporting the Club’s new away kit.
“Gabby is fine. That [incident] tells you everything about the players’ commitment all round today,” added Spence. “They were prepared to put their heads in where, potentially, they were going to be hurt.
“I think she knew she was going to get a right hook from the goalkeeper and she did.
“But she got back up and that demonstrates the character and good qualities of the team.
"The whole week has been excellent. It [the kit launch] has received really good coverage. We are a club of firsts and to be the first club to use its ladies team to launch the kit is brilliant.
“I know the girls have really enjoyed supporting the Club… and most importantly the kit looks brilliant.
“We hope there are good signs from today, we have had a good performance, so hopefully it is a kit we will enjoy lots of wins in.”
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