Glasgow City V BIIK-Shymkent – UEFA Women’s Champions League First Round Group 2 Final (21/08/2021)
Got the train to Croy which is the nearest station to Broadwood Stadium, then the 25 minute walk from the train station to the stadium in some nice rainy weather. Not the safest of routes I’ve ever walked to a game if I’m being honest as the majority of the walk was alongside a pretty busy road and crossings several large roundabouts. Decided to cut through the retail park next to Broadwood Stadium as the rain eased off, almost slipping on my arse as I walked down the shiny and super slippy path. Made it with no broken bones or bruises at the stadium with it pissing down again and the stewards making us wait outside rather than wait inside.
Took a seat as close to the halfway line as I could but still maintaining a good view and far enough back that I was keeping dry, alright the first seat I sat in has a leak coming from the roof so moved in a bit as the black clouds over the stand opposite looked like the rain would be here for the duration.
I’ve been to Broadwood Stadium twice before and it’s a good stadium for a lower league Scottish team in Clyde, an Astro turf pitch and only 3 stands, with a sports centre behind one of the goals. Glasgow City used Broadwood as their home last season but have returned to their usual home or Petershill Park this season but used Broadwood for their Chanpions League games.
Picked up a prematch pie and 2 waters for £3.50 which in football stadium pricing was a pretty good price. A nice full steak pie with plenty of meat which was tender and not chewy like some football pies, throughly enjoyed said pie.
Chinchilla who can creat magic at any point for City did just that in the 3rd minute as she created some great space on the edge of the box and hit the bar after having the keeper beat. Then followed a moment of madness from the referee as she booked Fulton for from what it looked like in the stand for taking a free kick before the whistle was blown but was then allowed to take the free-kick again, I’ve never seen a player booked for that before in all the years I’ve watched football. Captain Jo Love went close after some great passing and moving in the box, but shot just wide and then Shymkent went up the other end and created a great chance as the ball was flashed across the six yard box.
City had the ball in the back of the net and a chunk of the crowd thought it was a goal but unfortunately the ball had just gone out before the cross, some good pressure from City though against a physically strong team. Shymkent then went close shooting inches wide from the edge of the box, then minutes later but for some good goalkeeping and defending they could have taken the lead.
Glasgow City had the upper hand for the majority of the first half and were unlucky to not go into the break ahead, but Shymkent looked more dangerous in the last five minutes before the half time whistle.
The second half was an end to end start with both sides testing the keeper, but nothing quite good enough to break the deadlock. Following a lapse of concentration at the back, Chinchilla beat the defence and the keeper from just inside the box on 60 minutes. After falling behind Shymkent were putting in some reckless challenges and picking up several stupid yellow cards.
Both defences were solid and making some great last ditch tackles during the second half and neither looked like adding to the 1-0 score line. But the Kazakh side almost did with five minutes left after a poor clearance but the attacker shot high and wide. There was a late shout for a penalty from the crowd as the ball seemed to hit Shymkent’s number 5 on the arm but no penalty given. Shymkent had a great chance in injury time, flashing the ball across the face of the goal from the edge of the box.
The game finished 1-0 to Glasgow City, who progress to the second round of the UEFA Women’s Champions League. The right result in the end as City dominated the majority of the game but Shymkent put in a good performance and made City work for the win.
So onto my ratings…
Ticket Price – £12.50
Programme Price – N/A
Programme Rating – N/A
Refreshments – 8/10
Stadium Facilities – 8/10
Getting To Stadium – 3/10
Stadium Rating – 7/10
Thanks for reading my thoughts on Glasgow City against BIIK-Shymkent.
Daz Carding
Football Days With A Salopian Jambo 