LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Friday, April 26, 2013: Liverpool's Natasha Dowie celebrates scoring the first goal against Arsenal to level the score 1-1 in injury time of the first half during the FA Women's Cup Semi-Final match at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Natasha Dowie strikes twice as Liverpool Ladies sink Bristol Academy

Goal-machine Natasha Dowie helped Liverpool Ladies to grab an important three points as Matt Beard’s side beat Bristol Academy 2-0 on a cloudy evening at the Select Security Stadium in Widnes.

Liverpool Ladies 2-0 Bristol Academy
F.A. WSL
Saturday, 22nd August 2015
Select Security Stadium, Widnes

The first-half was rather quiet with the two sides were keeping the ball in the middle of the pitch. Both teams had their chances, but the goalkeepers at either end kept focus.

Lucy Stanifort’s effort from a long-range free-kick was well saved by Mary Earps five minutes into the game.

The opening goal came 16 minutes in when the reliable and unstoppable Natasha Dowie tapped in Ashley Hodson’s cross after the latter had made a wonderful run down the wing.

The Hodson and Dowie partnership started to gel pretty well and Bristol’s keeper was forced to stay focussed as Beard’s side began to control the game and had a great chance to double the lead just a few minutes after scoring.

Dowie produced a great ball to Kate Longhurst outside the box, but her shot was well saved by Earps. On the other side Libby Stout showed her skills on 25 minutes when she produced a great shot after Murray’s shot. Three minutes later Stout was forced to make a save again as she stopped Jade Boho-Sayo in one-on-one situation.

Dowie was seeking a second goal in the first-half having another good chance, but Earps again denied the Reds number nine.

Beard made a tactical switch introducing Satara Murray in place of Longhurst in the second half.

The second-half began in similar way to the first, with lots of midfield battles. Two debatable offside decisions denied Hodson and Dowie from scoring chances. But after 70 minutes it was 2-0 and again it was the Hodson and Dowie deadly partnership which punished Bristol.

Hodson produced another great run down the wing and crossed the ball to Dowie who needed no second chance to beat Earps and double her tally. The goal is Dowie’s seventh in her last six games for Liverpool Ladies

With five minutes remaining Hodson had her chance to be on the scoresheet, but Earps made another great save to deny young Reds winger.

The next Liverpool Ladies game will be in the Continental Tyre Cup on Wednesday 26th August 2015. Beard’s side host Sunderland at the Select Security Stadium in Widnes with kick-off at 6.30pm.

Liverpool Ladies: Stout, Harris, Pacheco, Easton, Bonner, Zelem, Longhurst (Murray 45), Hodson, Dowie (Smorsgard 80), White, Staniforth (Omarsdottir 60). Subs not used: Darbyshire, Ryland, Green, Dale.