Everton Ladies 1-1 Millwall LionessesSecond-half goal from Kelly Jones ensures Blues remain unbeaten.Everton Ladies remain unbeaten in the league after securing a 1-1 draw against Millwall Lionesses at the Select Security Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
After a below-par first-half showing from the Blues, Millwall took a deserved lead into the break after Rinsola Babajide netted on 25 minutes.
But in a much-improved second half, Kelly Jones brought the Toffees level just before the hour mark when she fired home following good work from Michelle Hinnigan and Dan Turner.
Everton looked the most likely to go on to grab a winner but despite creating a handful of opportunities, they would have to settle for a share of the spoils.
Everton Ladies went into their meeting with Millwall sitting top of the table following four victories from their opening five league fixtures, but it was in fact the 7th-placed visitors that started the brighter.
Millwall showed attacking intent in the early exchanges and nearly opened the scoring within the first ten minutes only for the woodwork to deny Ashlee Hincks from scoring straight from a corner.
The Blues slowly grew into the game with D. Turner looking a threat down the left-hand side but Andy Spence’s side was dealt a blow when a Millwall counter-attack resulted in the opening goal on 25 minutes.
Kirstie Levell saved well from Lilli Maple when she raced through on goal but there was nothing the Everton goalkeeper could do when Babajide stroked home the rebound to give her side the lead.
The Toffees responded well following the goal but despite having the main share of possession, they were unable to conjure up any real opportunities and headed into the interval a goal down.
Throughout the opening half, Everton failed to trouble Sarah Quantrill in the Millwall goal but the former Liverpool stopper had to get down low to keep out K. Jones just minutes after the restart before saving, albeit comfortably, a long-range effort from skipper Hinnigan.
But it wasn’t long before Quantrill was picking the ball out of her net as the Blues got a deserved leveller just before the hour-mark.
Hinnigan and D. Turner was both involved before the latter whipped in a low and dangerous cross into the box and K. Jones was on hand to net her second league goal of the campaign.
Momentum was with the Toffees and it could have got even better just minutes later when Claudia Walker raced into the box and fired straight at Quantrill before Simone Magill poked an effort agonisingly wide of the post.
The Blues had now taken full control of the contest, pinning the visitors into their own half as they searched for that all-important winner.
And it was Hinnigan who had the best chance to clinch victory for her side when she was found unmarked in the box but the midfielder headed over the bar meaning it would end all square.
Everton Ladies remain unbeaten in the league and will head into the break second in the league table before returning to action against Watford Ladies on 26 June.
Attendance: 317
