London City Lionesses 2, Aston Villa 1.

Godfrey’s late winner seals a memorable final-day victory for London City

Saturday 16th May | CopperJax Community Stadium

London City Lionesses came from behind to defeat Aston Villa in the final match of the club’s maiden Barclays Women’s Super League campaign.

Freya Godfrey’s late winner sealed victory with the result and scores elsewhere meaning the club finish in the top half of the table in sixth place.

Lynn Wilms’ first half strike was cancelled out by Daniëlle van de Donk’s leveller. 

The match saw head coaches Natalia Arroyo and Eder Maestre, who worked together at Real Sociedad, where the London City coach was assistant to Arroyo in opposite dugouts. 

In this one, Maestre’s side were on the front foot in the open stages and came close to taking the lead soon after kick-off, Isobel Goodwin rounded goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck but was unable to finish from a tricky angle. 

Australia international Alanna Kennedy showed brilliant skill to lift the ball over the visitors’ backline but couldn’t keep her shot down as London City continued to knock on the door.

The claret and blues grew into the contest and only a brilliant tackle from captain Saki Kumagai just inside the box denied the visitors an opener, the Japanese defender thwarting Miri Taylor who would have been through on goal.

Five minutes before the interval, the home side could have opened the scoring courtesy of a fine run from Godfrey, who picked out Goodwin but she could could not find the target.

Villa took the lead on the stroke of half-time against the run of play, Wilms' shot from the edge of the box beating Elene Lete. 

Substitute Lucía Corrales was introduced after the break and almost fashioned an immediate leveller, her cross found Kumagai whose header was well held. 

After coming off the bench at half-time, Malou Marcetto was stretchered off after a heavy clash with Taylor. 

As the game entered its later stages, the home side kept pushing forward, winning set pieces. They equalised from a corner, Daniëlle van De Donk, back in the squad following an injury absence, prodding in after Villa failed to clear a corner. 

With their tails up, the hosts searched for a winner and piled on pressure, Jana Fernández’s driving run and shot edged wide of Roebuck’s goal. 

In the next attacking move, María Pérez tried to pick out Nikita Parris but a Villa defender just nipped in ahead. 

They were not to be denied, though and in the 93^rd minute, Parris then played in Godfrey who calmly slotted past Roebuck to secure a win and spark jubilant scenes at the CopperJax Community Stadium. 

Head coach Eder Maestre said: "I'm excited to be honest.

"The way we finished the game, it was very important for us, finishing the competition strong.

"We had good energy, bringing a win and a good performance for the fans, so I'm very pleased.

"We finally finished in sixth position, so this feels amazing. I think since I come in, it was difficult for me as we had strong foundations and I am very respectful for the work that was already done.

"It has been challenging, but I am very happy. I want to be an aggressive team, who wants to win every game and score as much as we can.

"We need to have the performances and the results too, dreaming big creates realities."

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Teamsheet: Lete, Fernández, Pattinson (Corrales 46'), Kardinaal, Pérez, Kumagai, Godfrey, Cascarino, Goodwin (Parris 66'), Kennedy, Geyoro (Marcetto 46', van de Donk 66') 

London City fans, THANK YOU for your incredible support this year. You have made our first season in the top division unforgettable.