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The team celebrate with Sarah Ewens after her goal opened the scoring
It was a game to remember for the fans at Princes Park today, as the Lionesses picked up their first win over Durham in style, with a 3-0 win.
Heading into the game, it was a rotated side, with Sarah Ewens and Lois Heuchan making their return to the starting 11.
Indeed, for the former, it could have been goal number one for London City within the first 10 minutes, as Ewens made a run into the box and put her shot across goal, but it was just inches wide.
Yet just five minutes later, Ewens made amends, getting her shot off just outside the box, with a slight deflection taking it past Durham keeper Tatiana Saunders.
The goal gave the Lionesses' attack even greater confidence, with the home side controlling the ball in the middle of the park for large portions of the game.
Durham proved to be a danger though, with Rio Hardy putting keeper Shae Yanez under pressure between the sticks on a couple of occasions.
For LCL, Jame-Lee Napier once again proved to be a real threat, with her constant runs in behind, leaving the Durham defenders in her wake.
Yet it was Amy Rodgers who got the second of the day.
As the corner was played in, a scramble in the Durham box ensued and it was Rodgers who was able to poke it home.
The second half continued in similar fashion, with the Lionesses continuing to make life difficult for the visitors.
SETL Player of the Match, Atlanta Primus, looks to set the team away on the counter attack
Indeed, Atlanta Primus and Napier continued to link well and caused problems for the Durham backline.
Yet it was Lucy Fitzgerald who made it three for the Pride as she found herself some space in the box to get her shot away.
Durham were never going to simply sit back though, with the North-East side attacking with continued determination.
But the visitors' day took another turn for the worse, when Georgia Robert was shown a red card after the referee judged the ball to have struck her hand in the box.
However, whilst the penalty from Ewens was struck well, Saunders, was equal to it.
City maintained the attack though, with a good chance falling to Hayley Nolan, yet her shot was sent just over the bar.
Whilst Durham maintained a strong attacking presence, the City backline held firm to come away with the clean sheet, and all three points.
Head Coach, Melissa Phillips
After the match, we spoke to Head Coach, Melissa Phillips, to get her thoughts on the game:
“Fantastic team performance throughout. Really nice to see us find our rhythm in possession which led to a few really good goals.
“The movement of our front line was brilliant. And yet again another resolute performance to keep a clean sheet.
“We have so much strength in the depth of our squad which really shined through today both in the starting line up and with players impacting the game coming in.
“Today was a feat for us as it’s the first time we picked up 3 points against Durham in club history.”
Remember London City fans, we're back at Princes Park this weekend, for our Continental Cup clash against West Ham! Click the link to get your tickets now!
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