Match Report: Blackburn Rovers 1-2 London City Lionesses (15/09/24)

London City Lionesses produced a dominant performance on their first away trip of the season, with Lucy Fitzgerald and Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah firing Jocelyn Prêcheur’s side to a convincing 2-1 win over Blackburn Rovers in the Barclays Women’s Championship.

Prêcheur made two alterations to the side that drew with Newcastle United last time out, with Grace Neville replacing Maddi Wilde in defence and Fitzgerald filling the hole left by Lotta Lindström’s absence.

The Pride started on the front foot and controlled possession for long periods, with Julia Roddar and Charlène Meyong combining confidently in midfield.

Shortly before the half-hour mark, London City’s pressure tolled.

Cameroon international Meyong received the ball on the half-turn, saw Fitzgerald in a yard of space, and threaded a perfectly weighted pass into the penalty area.

Fitzgerald, with only Alex Brooks left to beat, aimed for the bottom corner and found it with aplomb.

Prêcheur’s side continued to buzz in the minutes that followed, with Fitzgerald heavily involved in London City’s second of the afternoon.

The 23-year-old seized possession in the final third and quickly passed to Asllani.

The Swede, sensing an opportunity to drive into the penalty area, was felled on her travels and therefore awarded a free-kick in a central position.

Asllani’s 30-yard effort rattled the crossbar, but fell kindly to Boye-Hlorkah, who smashed the loose ball home from close-range in the 36th minute.

Blackburn Rovers found their footing in the second-half, with substitute Farah Crompton converting on the half-volley eleven minutes after the restart, but were unable to wrestle away control of the match and somewhat fortunate to see Asllani’s 48th minute penalty drift wide of the post.

Maddi Wilde and Isobel Goodwin replaced Neville and Fitzgerald with half-an-hour left to play, helping the Pride secure three important points on the road.

---

London City Lionesses XI: Emily Orman, Grace Neville, Teyah Goldie, Georgia Brougham, Corinne Henson, Emma Mukandi, Julia Roddar, Charlène Meyong, Kosovare Asllani, Lucy Fitzgerald, Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah

London City Lionesses Substitutes: Maddi Wilde (62’), Isobel Goodwin (62’), Connie Scofield (85'), Grace Moloney, Gesa Marashi, Cerys Brown