Own goal condemns Albion to defeat

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Nikita Parris scored her sixth goal of the season but Albion lost 2-1 to Liverpool in the WSL.

Bruce Talbot

2025-01-17T20:50+00:00

Former Everton player Nikita Parris celebrates after equalising against Liverpool. 📷 by Kyle Hemsley.

Albion's return to WSL action ended with a narrow 2-1 defeat against Liverpool in St Helens on Friday night.

Albion had gone behind to a fine individual goal by Olivia Smith after 31 minutes and Liverpool might have extended their lead as they played with confidence.

But Dario Vidosic's side stayed in the game and Parris scored her sixth goal of the season with a deflected effort midway through the second half.

That looked to have been enough to secure a hard-earned point but nine minutes from time Jorelyn Carabali, facing her own goal, turned Grace Fisk's powerful shot into her own net for an unfortunate own goal.

Poppy Pattinson challenges Olivia Smith. 📷 by Kyle Hemsley.

Albion had settled into a familiar routine at the start, trying to dominate possession and play through Liverpool’s press but it proved to be a cagey first half hour with neither goalkeeper forced into a meaningful save.

That all changed on 31 minutes when Smith scored a fine individual goal for the hosts. Collecting possession just inside Albion’s half the Canadian international burst down the right-hand side, fended off Guro Bergsvand’s challenge and surged into the box before thrashing a left-foot shot into the far corner.

Albion responded and Kiko Seike hit the side netting from a good position on the right although the unmarked Parris was unmarked inside the six-yard box had she been spotted by her teammate.

Kiko Seike faces up to Liverpool captain Taylor Hinds. 📷 by Kyle Hemsley.

Smith threatened again six minutes before the break but this time drove a powerful effort wide of the far post as Liverpool finished the first half on top.

Vidosic brought on Maisie Symonds and Madison Haley early in the second half and while Albion again had good spells of possession they still hadn't tested Liverpool keeper Teagan Micah with an hour played.

Mia Enderby dragged a shot wide of the far post from a great position after beating the offside trap. It was a let-off for Albion who made the home side pay when they conjured up an equaliser on 65 minutes.

Marisa Olislagers attacks the Liverpool defence. 📷 by Kyle Hemsley.

Seike made it with a strong run down the left to leave Gemma Evans in her wake and when her ball into the box dropped to Parris 12 yards her shot from ten yards looped over Micah with the aid of a deflection. The former Everton player enjoyed both the goal and silencing the Liverpool fans in the stands.

Albion sensed they might go on and win it as the game opened up but with nine minutes to go they fell behind in unfortunate circumstances. Guro Bergsvand's clearance cannoned off Fisk back towards goal and went in off Carabali as she tried to clear. A cruel way to lose but Liverpool probably felt over the 90 minutes they had earned that bit of luck.

Albion: Baggaley, Bergsvand, Carabali, Pattinson, McLauchlan, Losada (Rayner 76), Olislagers, Cancovic (Symonds 58), Bruna (Haley 58), Parris, Seike (Bremer 89).