Fans watch the game. Liverpool Women v Manchester City Women WSL football match, Prenton Park Stadium, Birkenhead, UK - 04 Nov 2018 Photo: Kunjan Malde for The FA

Liverpool defeat London Bees to record first victory under interim boss Whiteley

Liverpool have won for the first time under interim boss Amber Whiteley, beating London Bees 3-0 at Prenton Park this afternoon.

Both sides returned from the international break looking to rebound from poor runs of form but it was the hosts who returned to winning ways in the FA Women’s Championship.

A three-match winless streak which has included defeats to title rivals Durham and Leicester City has resulted in Liverpool losing significant ground in the promotion race. They began the day 10 points off league leaders Leicester City but faced a London Bees side who were winless in seven matches in all competitions coming into this fixture.

Liverpool had the lead inside the opening 10 minutes when Ashley Hodson drove to the byline with a powerful run before cutting the ball back in the area. She picked out right-back Becky Jane who was unmarked and slotted the ball into the net with a composed finish.

The Reds nearly had a second goal just before half-time when Jane picked out Missy Bo Kearns with a delightfully disguised pass. The midfielder aimed for the top corner but was somehow denied by the outstretched right hand of Sarah Quantrill.

London Bees were looking much better in the second period and nearly drew themselves level just after the hour mark. The ball was well-worked out Sophie Quirk on the left and the on-loan Reading midfielder let fly with a cross-cum-shot which rattled the frame of the goal.

However, possibly against the run of play, Liverpool established a two-goal advantage. The Bees were caught in transition which left them in a three-on-two disadvantage with Mel Lawley driving forward. She was able to pick out Ceri Holland with perfectly weighted pass and the Welsh international converted expertly.

The Merseyside club then put the game to bed when Amy Rodgers produced a faultless curving finish into the bottom corner after Rachel Furness laid the ball off. That goal from Rodgers rounded-off the scoring as the match finished 3-0 to the hosts.

The result, combined with Charlton Athletic’s 2-0 win at Coventry United, means that London Bees are just one point off the bottom of the FA Women’s Championship table. The Bees have played two games more than bottom side Coventry United.

As for Liverpool, they close the gap on third-placed side Sheffield United to just three points with a game in hand and they will therefore have their sights firmly set on breaking into the top three.

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