Blackburn Rovers showed determination in opening the campaign with a narrow 1-0 victory over a dominant Sheffield United.
Twenty four hours earlier the male counterparts of Blackburn Rovers Ladies had slumped to a 3-0 defeat at Sheffield Utd but at least the Ladies extracted some sort of revenge with a fortunate success at Ewood Park.
Rovers finished 10th in the League last season winning only five and losing 15 but perhaps more worryingly they were the lowest scorers in the Championship and conceded the second most goals.
The home side went in at the interval with a narrow 1-0 lead after Sheffield Utd had dominated the first half but squandered a host of chances, denied by the woodwork and had a strong penalty appeal turned down.
Courtney Sweetman-Kirk, Chene Muir and Bex Rayner all should have put the Blades ahead. Sweetman-Kirk looked to have been tripped but the referee waved play-on, Rayner flashed a near post header wide before her long range effort was palmed on to the cross bar by Alex Brooks.
Blackburn looked to counter on the break but rarely threatened until first half stoppage time when the Sheffield defence allowed a Natasha Fenton free kick to bounce inside the penalty area and Saffron Jordan reacted quickest to head home.
Blackburn continued to soak up pressure in the second half but looked more resilient in defence as United searched for an equaliser. The Blades performance was summed up during a three minute period when Rayner flashed an effort wide before curling another just over, Rayner then had a chance before substitute Tamara Wilcock failed to force the ball over the line from close range with the Sheffield players also claiming for a handball in the goalmouth scramble.
The Rovers goal was leading a charmed life as Sweetman-Kirk tried from distance but clipped the crossbar. But this was not to be the Yorkshire teams day and despite their constant pressing plus five minutes of added time they failed to find a leveller and just like last season they fell to an opening day defeat to Rovers.
Full Time
Blackburn: 1 (Jordan 45)
Sheffield Utd: 0
Att: 1,001
Venue: Ewood Park
