Aston Villa 0-1 Durham

NICKI GEARS believes Durham put in a defensive performance for the ages after she scored the only goal in a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Aston Villa in FA WSL 2.

Gears capitalised on Villa goalkeeper Jess Myers’ mis-kick to slot into an empty net in the first half and despite the hosts throwing everything at their opponents after the break, Durham held on.

Olivia Fergusson, Bethan Merrick and Abi Cottam all missed chances to equalise but Gears, who joined Durham earlier this season after four years in America, insists her side’s fast start ultimately proved to be key.

“We started the game well and pressured their goalkeeper early on but took a step back afterwards and half-time came at a good time for us,” she explained.

“Villa also dominated the second half but we defended well.

“For my goal, I had to anticipate the goalkeeper making a mistake and the ball bounced up kindly in front of me.

“You do think when you’re presented with an open goal and time went into slow motion as I watched the ball bounce into the net.”

Villa goalkeeper Jess Myers had a rollercoaster first half – twice denying winger Jordan Atkinson in one-on-one situations before her error allowed Gears to steer the ball into an empty net in the 21st minute.

Full-back Jess Havelock also tested Myers with a long-range shot before Merrick shot disappointingly over in the 39th minute and Katie Wilkinson saw her effort deflected wide from ten yards.

Myers nearly repeated her error in the 48th minute but Lauren Haynes cleared off the line from Amelia Pereira while Fergusson sliced a shot wide after 74 minutes.

Abbeyleigh Stringer and Cottam went close for the increasingly frustrated hosts in the closing stages but Durham held on to avenge their 4-1 defeat earlier in the FA Women’s Super League with BT Sport season.

The resolute Durham back four was commanded by Northern Ireland international Julie Nelson and she is adamant the display was symptomatic of how improved her side are in recent weeks.

“It was a very scrappy game. We could have been more than one goal up early on but then Villa piled on the pressure,” she explained.

“It’s a sign of how we are improving. We didn’t have a great start to the season but we’ve got new players in and are getting stronger.

“Our aim is the top four – and with Yeovil and Everton to play twice, that’s still possible.”

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Aston Villa (4-3-3) Jess Myers, Maddy Cusack, Lauren Haynes, Elisia N’Dow, Laura Cooper (Abbeyleigh Stringer 75), Olivia Fergusson, Sherry McCue, Alicia Robinson (Abi Cottam 68), Mollie Rouse (Amy West 83) Katie Wilkinson, Bethan Merrick. Subs (not used): Chloe Beattie, Hayley Crackle, Hannah George, Emily Owen

Durham Women (4-3-3) Helen Alderson, Lauren Jordinson, Julie Nelson, Sarah Wilson, Jess Havelock, Chloe Macek, Beth Hepple, Natalie Gutteridge (Vic Linsey 90+3) Jordan Atkinson (Jess White 90) Amelia Pereira (Erin Kelley 79), Nicki Gears. Subs (not used): Anna Moorhouse

Attendance: 264