Liverpool Ladies traveled to Brescia and suffered a 1-0 defeat, while Chelsea were at home to Glasgow Ladies and won by the same margin.
Liverpool went into their game without inspirational first choice goalkeeper Libby Stout, which meant Danielle Gibbons started in goal. (Gibbons only underwent surgery in July on a benign brain tumour – fantastic that she is fit and playing again so quickly.)
They were also without Fara Williams, Becky Easton, Kate Longhust and Corina Schroder, who are all injured but Nigerian star Asisat Oshoala was back on the bench.
It was a game of few chances but Brescia scored on 27 minutes through Sara Gama and managed to hold on till the end. Matt Beard and his team will be hoping to overturn the deficit when they play the return leg next week. They will also be hoping that the injury suffered by captain Gemma Bonner is not serious and that she will be playing again soon. Although the WSL1 is finished for the season Liverpool play Notts County at home in the Continental Cup semi-finals on Sunday.
In Thursday’s match at Staines Chelsea took on Glasgow Ladies. Chelsea still on a high from their league winning exploits struggled to break down the determined Glasgow defence until Fran Kirby, always a lively player, broke free and hit a thunderbolt to score on 39 minutes. Glasgow were left to regret their failure to capitalise on the few chances they created, as were the Blues.
At just 1-0 in both ties there is all to play for in the second leg.
