The jubilation of Wednesday night’s derby triumph was quickly forgotten on a sobering Sunday for Bradford City Women.
Despite being buoyed by that win, Blackburn Rovers arrived at Eccleshill United in top form – form they continued with a 4-0 victory.
It was 3-0 by the break for the visitors, who enjoyed a terrifically clinical first half before Natasha Fenton rounded things off in the dying moments with a screamer from 25 yards.
The final goal simply capped off a fine display by Rovers, who played some lovely stuff at times on a day where things just didn’t click for City.
Though there was some nice football on show, most of it came in the second half, while the first was very scrappy.
Charlotte Oates was faced into some early saves, but nothing too strenuous as Blackburn looked for ways to unlock their opponents’ defence.
They managed to just before the 20 minute mark, albeit in what was disappointing fashion for the home side. Faye McCoy was the scorer, heading home a corner from six yards out to put City on the back foot.
The Bantams’ chances tended to come from sharp, short passing, but Rovers just didn’t allow them to play like that often. They read play well and intercepted crucially to thwart the hosts, making for a frustrating afternoon.
Danielle Whitham had a terrific game against her former side, and she won the foul that led to Rovers’ next goal.
Another set piece, leading to disappointing goal to concede, was delivered by Kayleigh McDonald for Lynda Shepherd to head goalwards, her effort taking a deflection to loop up and over Oates for 2-0.
Blackburn couldn’t have double their lead at a better time either, with 42 minutes on the clock, and it spurred them on to add a third before the interval.
Having established a cushion, they were enjoying their football now, with Saffron Jordan’s backheel finding Ella Toone who drilled home with composure.
A half time change saw City come out positive – winger Jade Brindle on for centre-half Faye Boshell, the hosts looking for a way back into the game.
Hannah Campbell had an early chance but was denied by a good block from McDonald, this City’s first real chance in open play after Abi Lee fired a free-kick over in the first half.
However, the old sense of ‘unlucky’ came back, with some penalty shouts waved away before Brindle, who had been a real livewire since her half time entrance, twisted her knee on a marauding run and had to return to the bench after only 20 minutes of action.
The pressure continued to be ramped up by City though, who were after just that once opportunity that could potentially give them that glimmer of hope of getting a result.
Campbell had a half chance that she fired wide, while Keavy Smith had an effort just clear the crossbar - the teenager making her debut off the bench.
Blackburn did continue to create though, and were it not for Shauna Legge’s bicycle kick on the line, they would have made it four with 20 to play.
Oates was not done for the day either, making a few more strong saves to add to her collection for the day as Rovers took advantage of City stretching the game and committing bodies forward.
The visitors did add a fourth though, Fenton arrowing an effort into the top corner with moments remaining from all of 25 yards out.
It was a quality way for them to round off a quality performance, while for City it showed them that bit of brilliance in the final third they had lacked all game.
The frustration will be that the Bantams know they are better than this display, but it just didn’t come off today. Time to put this one behind them then, and turn their attentions to Stoke at home next week.
Pictures courtesy of George Woods
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