West suffered their first defeat of pre-season in an entertaining game at St Bedes School Blackburn.
Manager Paul Caddick reflected on several positives and steady debut performances from Emily Croasdale and Anna Carson Parker.
Again set up as 3-5-2 West found the initial exchanges challenging as Blackburn kept the ball well and switched play probing for an opening.
On 3 minutes a cross from the left was bundled in at the near post by keeper Jefferson whilst attempting to keep the ball out.
West went straight on the attack and Livesey finished coolly to level the scores less than two minutes later only for a late flag to rule the player off side.
West were now starting to compete well with their higher league opponent and created another chance on twenty two minutes when Livesey created an opening but could only lift the ball over both keeper and cross bar.
On 36 minutes Bracegirdle was teed up and struck a venomous effort from 35 yards that the Blackburn keeper held well.
Slightly against the run of play Blackburn doubled their lead when West were over run on their left and a cut back from the by line was side footed into the net.
Carson – Parker replaced Hanley on 35 minutes and held the ball well whilst providing an additional physical threat up top.
Caddick with a customary strike from 25 yards hit the bar and Livesey struck the bar and post before a third Blackburn goal gave the hosts a flattering 3-0 ht lead when West were caught square on 43 mins.
Joyce replaced Price at half time and joined Carson – Parker up front with Livesey dropping to midfield alongside Bracegirdle and Croasdale.
West pressed higher and hunted in packs culminating in the keeper being put under pressure from the on rushing Joyce who responded first to the loose ball and cooly finished from an acute angle on 50 mins.
West were lucky when, on 53 mins, Jefferson was caught on the ball, but unlike the Blackburn keeper she atoned for her error.
The game became stretched and Friel Edmondson and Turner worked hard at keeping the opponent at bay, whilst Hodges and Caddick provided a continual threat from the wide areas.
On 74 mins, and again after good pressing, Joyce latched on to a loose bouncing ball, and seeing the keeper off her line finished from fully 35 yards.
Final changes saw Price replace Hodges and Hanley Caddick.
91st minute and Price smashed a volley from 12 yards out which seemed destined to make things equal when the keeper pulled off a stunning save diving full length high to her right.
Next Sunday West host higher league opponents again versus Burnley.
Kick off is 2pm, entrance is free, and the bar will be open, so get yourself down and cheer on the Women as their pre season continues.
