Liverpool Ladies suffered a 1-0 defeat to Yeovil Town Ladies on Sunday afternoon at the Select Security Stadium in Widnes.
Matt Beard’s side went down 1-0 to the Somerset outfit following a second half goal from substitute Amy Wathan and despite threatening to score on numerous occasions, the Reds found visiting goalkeeper Charlotte Haynes in inspired form.
The reigning WSL champions made three changes from the 8-0 victory against Derby County Ladies with Ingrid Ryland and Becky Easton replacing England U23 international call ups Martha Harris and Satara Murray whilst Hannah Dale was replaced in midfield by Katie Zelem.
Midfielder Zelem was the first to go close to open the scoring but the England U19 international’s shot from 20 yards out flew just past the post before Danielle Hill threatened at the other end for Yeovil Town only for Danielle Gibbons to make a fine save.
Following Hill’s header, Yeovil Town squandered an opportunity to take the lead as the visitors captain Natalie Haigh headed inches over the crossbar from the resulting corner.
The Reds then threatened through German winger Nicole Rolser as an excellent ball over the Yeovil Town defence from skipper Gemma Bonner found the run of Natasha Dowie whose cross found Rolser only for her to be denied by a great last ditch block from Haigh.
England international Fara Williams then came close to opening the scoring as the midfielder’s brilliant 20 yard effort was superbly tipped onto the crossbar by Haynes before Asisat Oshoala was denied following a goalmouth scramble in the 6 yard box.
Reds striker Dowie then became the next Liverpool player to go close as her deflected 20 yard shot beat Haynes but cannoned back off the crossbar before Nigerian striker Oshoala was denied by a superb save from Haynes.
Record England cap holder Williams then tried to find the breakthrough but fired inches wide of the post following neat build up play from Zelem and Dowie as it remained goalless at half time.
Following the restart, Liverpool Ladies came close to opening the scoring as African Women’s Player of the Year, Oshoala, fired goalwards only for her effort to inadvertently hit teammate Dowie and go behind for a goal kick.
Despite constant pressure from the home side, resilient Yeovil Town took the lead fifteen minutes into the second half as substitute Amy Wathan rose highest to head home a corner unmarked to give Jamie Sherwood’s side a 1-0 lead.
Nigerian international Oshoala then threatened an immediate response for the home side but fired just past the post with Haynes beaten before Reds full back Corina Schroder tested the visiting goalkeeper from distance.
Matt Beard’s side then hit the woodwork for the third time through Rolser, as the Reds no.11 beat Haynes at the near post only for her effort to hit the crossbar before being scrambled away by Haigh.
Liverpool Ladies captain Bonner then threatened twice late on, having an initial effort from a corner blocked before heading over from another Williams set piece from ten yards out as Yeovil Town held on to pick up a 1-0 victory in Widnes.
Liverpool Ladies: Danielle Gibbons, Ingrid Ryland, Gemma Bonner, Becky Easton, Corina Schroder (Maz Pacheco), Fara Williams, Katie Zelem, Asisat Oshoala, Nicole Rolser, Kate Longhurst (Line Smorsgard), Natasha Dowie.
