Birmingham City head coach Carla Ward said that her side simply didn’t turn up as they were defeated 6-5 on penalty kicks by FA Women’s Championship club Leicester City in the FA Women’s Continental League Cup this afternoon.
Mollie Green had a first half penalty saved as neither side were able to make the breakthrough in a goalless 90 minutes.
All 10 penalties were successfully converted in the shootout that followed before Connie Scofield missed the decisive spot kick in sudden death.
When speaking to FA Women’s Super League Full-Time after the match, Ward said that it was simply an off-day from her side, a team that have arguably overachieved against all odds so far this season.
“We didn’t turn up at all” said Ward. “The only saving grace is that we haven’t got another cup game because I don’t have the players to play another game.
“We weren’t at it, it is what it is. I’m not too bothered because I don’t have the players to play another game.
Ward has had just 13 players available to her on a matchday at times this season and this afternoon, she could only name three substitutes. The Blues head coach went on to highlight the effort that her players have put in this season in what have been extreme circumstances.
“This group of players, it is a small group, continue to give everything that they have got” Ward added. “Yes, the performance wasn’t there but we need help, these players need help as well, they need more players to turn to and for us to be able to bring more bodies on.
“Every single week we have two on the bench so with the January transfer window opening in a few weeks, we will be recruiting, we have to recruit.
“I will never, ever get after this group because they do everything they can do.”
Birmingham City return to Barclays FA Women’s Super League action on Sunday when they face Everton at The SportNation.bet Stadium. Despite The Blue Girls’ loss of winning form and injuries in their attack, Ward will not be taking them for granted.
When speaking about Sunday’s fixture, she said “There’s never a good time to play a top team and I class Everton as a top team, Willie (Kirk) has done an exceptional job and they have some great talent.
“We won’t be going in lightly on Everton as we know they are a fantastic side.
“We will do what we have been doing all season, going in as underdogs and will do the best that we can.”
Birmingham City could move to within two points of Everton with victory at The SportNation.bet Stadium on Sunday while they could also return to the top half of the Barclays FA Women’s Super League table should Reading fail to beat Manchester United.