Harris strikes late as Blues take point at Villa

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06 S

Harris strikes late as Blues take point at Villa

Match report: Aston Villa Women 1 - 1 Birmingham City Women (6-5 on penalties)

2026-10-28T22:00+00:00

Birmingham City Women were denied the bonus point following a dramatic penalty shootout defeat to Aston Villa in the Subway Players Cup on Wednesday evening.

Martha Harris struck a stoppage-time equaliser to cancel out Mathilde Harviken's second-half opener and earn Blues a deserved point at Keys Park, before the hosts prevailed 6-5 on penalties.

It was a cagey start at Keys Park, with both sides working hard to create opportunities. Villa threatened first on six minutes, working the ball back to Missy Bo Kearns on the edge of the box, but her effort sailed over the crossbar.

Lily Crosthwaite created Blues' first real chance of the evening. The forward drove into the box, creating space before sending an effort goalwards that forced a good save from Emily Ramsey.

On 22 minutes, Georgia Mullett looked to be clean through on goal for the hosts, with Lucy Thomas well off her line. However, some heroic defending from Shannon Cooke prevented what looked to be a certain goal, as the Blues defender slid in to dispossess Mullett.

Just after the half-hour mark, Villa won possession back following a promising Blues attack and broke quickly on the counter. Mia McAulay drove into the box, but her effort was well saved by Thomas.

There were appeals for a penalty on 39 minutes when Martha Harris' cross found Veatriki Sarri in the middle. The Greek international rose highest to meet the delivery but was brought down following a collision with Ramsey.

Blues emerged as the stronger side after the break, taking control of proceedings and looking increasingly dangerous in the final third. However, Cooke was still called into action early in the half, producing another excellent sliding challenge inside the box to cut out a dangerous cross.

Marie Levasseur made an immediate impact off the bench, winning possession deep inside Villa's half on 57 minutes. The Canadian international drove forward before cutting the ball back to Lee Geum-Min, whose well-struck effort was comfortably gathered by Ramsey.

Despite Blues' dominance, Villa broke the deadlock against the run of play on 69 minutes. Mathilde Harviken rose to meet a corner, directing her header back across goal and beyond the Blues defence to put the hosts ahead.

The hosts remained a threat on the counter, but more last-ditch defending from Blues saw Neve Herron slide in to win the ball and earn a goal kick, bringing another promising Villa attack to an end.

Merricks' side continued to push forward in search of an equaliser, and with 10 minutes remaining, Blues' substitutes combined to create one of their best opportunities of the evening. Herron's long ball found Océane Hurtré on the left, and the French forward drove forward before delivering an early cross towards Levasseur at the back post. The Canadian battled to reach the ball, but an onrushing defender did just enough to prevent a clean connection, allowing Ramsey to gather her effort.

Blues maintained the pressure as the game entered added time. Sarri's delivery found Harris inside the box, with the defender rising highest to meet the cross but sending her header over the bar.

With just a minute of added time remaining, Blues finally found the equaliser their second-half performance had deserved. Lee Geum-Min's cross picked out Harris inside the area, and the defender struck first time to draw Merricks' side level and send the contest to penalties.

Hurtré and Lee both converted their opening spot-kicks before Sarri was denied by Ramsey. Thomas responded with a save of her own to deny Rachel Maltby, while Cooke, Harris and Herron all found the net to keep Blues in contention.

However, Ramsey saved Asato Miyagawa's seventh penalty before Chastity Grant converted the decisive spot-kick, securing a 6-5 shootout victory and the bonus point for Villa.

Blues: Lucy Thomas (GK), Martha Harris, Jade Rastocle (Neve Herron 55), Shannon Cooke, Wilma Leidhammar (Lee Geum-Min 45), Suzu Amano (Asato Miyagawa 72), Rebecca Holloway, Lily Crosthwaite (Océane Hurtré 45), Rebecca McKenna (Marie Levasseur 55), Chelsea Cornet, Veatriki Sarri.

Subs not used: Sophie Baggaley (GK), Katie Startup (GK), Lisa Naalsund, Millie Turner.