Middlesbrough Women fell to a 1-0 defeat against Liverpool Feds on Sunday afternoon in a match where Joe Lillie's side created opportunities but failed to find the back of the net.
The hosts started with sustained pressure, keeping Boro under siege early on with balls into the channel and deep throws into the Middlesbrough area. Boro weathered that initial spell and gradually found their rhythm in the game.
Chances at both ends
Armani Maxwell had two chances to put Boro ahead. First, a pass from Becky Ferguson sent Maxwell in behind the Liverpool Feds defence, but her shot at the near post went over the bar. Shortly after, Abby Towers' deep cross found Maxwell again, but this time her effort was tame and saved by the goalkeeper.
Ferguson went close twice before half-time. Her shot from outside the box went over, and later a snapshot from inside the box forced a quick reaction save from the Feds goalkeeper. Liverpool Feds had their chances too. Thompson was unmarked at the back post from a free-kick but headed wide, and Walters' smart turn in the box created space to shoot, only for goalkeeper Borthwick to make an equal save.
Borthwick made two more crucial saves before the interval — tipping a ranged shot round the post that looked set for the top corner and forcing another fierce effort over the bar.
Second half breakthrough
The second half began with Towers getting an early chance from an overlapping run, but her shot went over. Boro thought they had the breakthrough when Leanna Giles played a splitting pass to Ferguson, who slotted under the goalkeeper, but the offside flag went up and the goal did not count.
On the hour mark, manager Joe Lillie made two substitutions, bringing on Bridget Galloway and Niamh Boothroyd for Maxwell and Robson. Shortly after, Liverpool Feds scored. A free-kick delivery bobbled in the box and fell to a Feds player, who finished easily to put the hosts ahead.
Lillie responded by bringing on Ellen Turnbull for Millie Bell as Boro pushed to get back into the game. Galloway headed just wide from an Ellie Christon free-kick, and with less than ten minutes remaining, Turnbull struck the post from another Christon free-kick.
