There hasn’t been a great deal of goals in my games of late. This game, which turned out to be goalless, was my third goalless draw in the space of a week. And, in the three games in the past week which have had goals, there has been no more than 3 in any of them. My average goals per game for the past six games is just 1.33! London Bees are a side who I’ve seen quite a bit of really. I’ve only ever seen them play at Durham but today was the fourth time I’ve seen them at Durham. The coming midweek could be quite a busy one for me. I was planning on doing Sunderland U23s vs Legia Warsaw II on Wednesday and then Easington Colliery vs Washington on Thursday. But, Sunderland RCA now have an FA Vase replay against Runcorn Linnets on Tuesday night so I’ll probably go there too.

Match report:

London Bees claim first point of WSL season at Durham

London Bees claimed their first point of the 2017-2018 WSL season with a hard-fought 0-0 at Durham Women on Sunday afternoon.

Durham had the better of the chances with Abi Cottam hitting the post and Jordan Atkinson’s cross being cleared off the line but they couldn’t find the breakthrough and the point were shared.

Durham made three changes from last weekend’s draw with Liverpool with Atkinson, Nicola Worthington and Cottam coming in for Ellie Christon, Nicki Gears and Lauren Briggs.

The Wildcats created a chance within the opening two minutes when the ball dropped to Beth Hepple on the edge of the penalty area but her effort was deflected for a corner. The resulting corner was cleared as far as Worthington but her effort was charged down too.

Chances were aplenty for Durham in the opening exchanges and another came with four minutes played. Emily Roberts burst down the wing and picked out Zoe Ness who whipped a teasing cross into the penalty area. Cottam got onto the end of it but her glancing header bounced agonisingly wide.

Ness fired just wide for Durham before the Bees created their first chance. Good football from the Bees worked the ball to Paula Howells and her cross found Lucy Loomes but her rather tame effort was saved by Helen Alderson.

Another tame header from the visitors forced an easy save from Alderson before Durham stopper was forced into a more impressive save. Bees captain Emma Beckett picked out Loomes and she helped it onto Howells but Alderson saved well to prevent the former England Under-19 international.

In the 24th minute, the woodwork proved to be London Bees’ saviour. Brilliant build-up play saw Hepple, Worthington, Roberts and Atkinson link up well with the latter finding Cottam. The former West Bromwich Albion striker hit a first time volley but it bounced back off the post.

As the Wildcats continued to search for an opening goal, Sarah Wilson skewed wide after a Hepple free-kick had hit the wall before Hepple cut in from the left only for her eventual shot to be saved by Nicola Hobbs.

Further efforts from Ness and Hepple just say evaded Hobbs’ goal and despite there being plenty of chances, it was a stalemate at the break.

Durham looked dangerous early in the second half as Atkinson’s dangerous cross wasn’t fully dealt with by Hobbs. Cottam and Ness were both looking to pounce but Hobbs was able to recover deny the danger.

A quiet spell followed with the wind having a big impact on the game. London Bees enjoyed a good spell of possession but the final ball was letting the visitors down.

Just after the hour mark, Roberts cut in from the wing for the hosts but Hobbs held her effort before Atkinson’s good work gave her room to cross where she drilled a ball across goal. The slightest of touches would have put Durham ahead but it wasn’t to be and London Bees cleared.

Quarter of an hour from time, Ness did well to weave a way through two defenders on the edge of the penalty area but Hobbs saved well to prevent the Scotland international.

Durham substitute Nicki Gears fired over before a goal line clearance prevented the Wildcats. Atkinson’s low cross took the ‘keeper out of the game and Cottam’s prodded effort was destined for the net but Rosie Lane cleared off the line.

In the 84th minute, Loomes could have, and possibly should have, snatched a winner for London Bees. The former Millwall Lionesses forward was played in but with only Alderson to beat, she could only fire wide.

Alderson picked up an injury late on and couldn’t continue meaning Lauren Briggs was forced to go in goal.

The Wildcats had numerous set pieces in injury time but failed to carve out any real chances and the points were shared.

Full-time: Durham Women 0-0 London Bees

Next up for me is probably Sunderland RCA vs Runcorn Linnets on Tuesday night.

Durham Women: Alderson, Johnson, Wilson (c), Hill, Atkinson (Christon, 86′), Cottam, Worthington (Briggs, 67′), Lee, Hepple, Roberts (Gears, 67′), Ness

Unused subs: Borthwick, Gibson, Dalgliesh

London Bees: Hobbs; Weston, Lea, Lane, Fogarty, Howells, O’Leary, Anderson, Loomes (Fisher, 86’), Beckett (c), Toussaint

Unused subs: Clarke, Rolandsen, Lalani, Huggins

Admission: £5 adults, £2 concessions

Programme: £2

Attendance: 401

Teamsheet: Free

Chips: £1.80

Can of Coke: £1

Referee: Dean Holme