All you need to know ahead of this weekend's Conti Cup final between Arsenal and Chelsea Conti Cup: Bumper Guide Friday, 29 March 2024 By Paul Donegan All you need to know ahead of this weekend's Conti Cup final between Arsenal and Chelsea Getty ! Widget Didn’t Load Check your internet and refresh this page. If that doesn’t work, contact us.

Patten's time at Aston Villa comes to an early end Back Anna Patten returns to Arsenal Patten's time at Aston Villa comes to an early end Getty Images 7 May 2022 By Charlotte Stacey Defender Anna Patten is set to miss the remainder of the season after suffering with glandular fever. Patten, who joined Aston Villa on loan from Arsenal in January, has made eight appearances for the Villans this season, however has not featured since mid-March. An Aston Villa statement commented that “the decision has been taken in the best interest of Anna's long-term health.” News

Elise Hughes reflects on an incredible season with the Eagles as they go up to the top flight Back "Every person in there means more to me than my right knee at the minute" Elise Hughes heaps praise on Palace personnel as they lift the Women's Championship trophy Elise Hughes reflects on an incredible season with the Eagles as they go up to the top flight Ryan Asman 28 April 2024 By Charlotte Stacey Crystal Palace forward Elise Hughes caught up with the media after the Eagles lifted the trophy and earned promotion into the Women's Super League. As Selhurst Park was jumping and emotions were running high, here's what the supreme goalscorer had to say... Summing up her feelings after the final whistle: "One of the hardest days of my life, but I couldn't be more proud so its the happiest day of my life as well!" On her teammates and management: "So proud of the girls that they went out there and got the job done. I had no doubt in my mind that they'd be able to do that because they've been class all year. The whole team, the staff, the players, I wouldn't want to be a part of any other group. "I know it's a cliche, but the togetherness of this group if you step on the pitch or you don't, everyone's in it together. We all wanted the same goal, although we didn't know that would be promotion until it happened. We're on a fast moving train and we got there quicker than expected. It's because of how good these girls are and how good this staff group is." On her recent ACL injury: "It's part of the game. We play and we know there are consequences through injury, sometimes it just happens. sometimes we're unlucky and other times it's mechanical. We will work through it, I've seen people come back stronger and that's the statistic I want to fall under. I want to fall under the statistic that comes back better and that's my plan... starting from tomorrow because tonight I'm celebrating!" On the Palac'es academies mixing and their whole club philosophy: "The togetherness at Palace is beyond anything I've ever known. I'm from a small village in North Wales and I've come to South London and felt at home. Never did I think I would ever get that. It's mainly down to the club, down to every staff member that walks into the building, no one goes past anyone without saying 'hi' and there's always a smile. There's always a reason to smile in that building and I hope we brought a bigger reason for the staff to smile [today]." On her partnership with fellow goal scorer Annabel Blanchard: "To be back on the pitch with Annabel is class, she's an unbelievable player, we know that. We know that in-house and I think the league know that. We tried to get to forty goals and assists between us and then I go an get injured! I've told her that she can have a six month headstart next year and then I'll catch her up again. "We've scored a lot of goals between the two of us but we couldn't do that without the rest." On making history and taking Palace to the top: "It's unbelievable. I said in the changing room before the game that if you'd have written my story and told me that this is how the season's going to end, as upsetting as it [ACL] was for me personally, I would've taken it because every person in there means more to me than my right knee at the minute. "The amount of people that are happy because of this trophy is more to me than what I'm about to go through and the reason I'm about to go through it with such a brave face is because of the amount of people I've got behind me. I couldn't do it without them." On leaving a legacy and inspiring young girls and boys: "Sometimes you have a 'why' in-house, something such as winning the league, and you realise how big your 'why' is outside of just the football pitch. We know that we can inspire the next generation. Me growing up, did I think I was going to do that? No. Then I see fans everyday with Hughes - 9 on the back or I see girls chanting or I see different players names and I think, 'wow, ok we are making a difference'. As small or as big as it is, we are, and if girls get opportunities that we never got growing up then we're all winners. We can lift a trophy in the end, but girls can play football, and they can play it just as well as boys." News

Get to know every member of the current Lionesses squad. Lionesses Squad Jess Carter Chelsea’s Jess Carter is now a regular addition in the national squad after being out of the fold for a few years. However, the defender has broken out once again with consecutively outstanding seasons with Chelsea and consistently impressive performances for England. Carter is a well-rounded and functional defender who is able to slot in anywhere across the backline. One-v-one situations and man marking is where Carter truly excels, demonstrating her insightful timing. She is also deceptively quick, which makes her a challenging opponent in a footrace. Carter is intuitively defensively minded and offers the Lionesses a stable marshal, thus allowing her fellow defenders to progress and support in attack. Photograph courtesy of the FA.

Back Nikita Parris Club Lyon Position Forward D.O.B 10/03/1994 Bio Instinctively attacking Parris is a player that is able to function well across the front line. The Lyon forward is arguably best placed in a wide area where she is able to decoy defenders by cutting on the inside with a quick shift of the ball. However, Parris can adapt her skillset to play centrally when needed and boasts a fine scoring ability. Parris is a workhorse and has no problem in chasing down a ball or tracking back to retrieve. Her positive energy drags a simmering momentum out of hiding. via Nikita Parris Twitter D2

Tottenham Hotspur boss is confident in her bolstered side as they head to Manchester this weekend Back Skinner hails the return of Kit Graham ahead of Man City clash Tottenham Hotspur boss is confident in her bolstered side as they head to Manchester this weekend 3 March 2023 By Finley Chung Ahead of Spurs’ weekend trip up north to Manchester City, boss Rehanne Skinner says the whole team “feels they’re close to a result” with Spurs still chasing their first win of 2023 and their first win in eight, since the eight goal thrashing of Brighton and Hove Albion at the back end of October. Specifying the last three games; a penalty shootout loss to Reading in the FA Cup, the 2-1 defeat to Manchester United at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and the 3-2 defeat to Chelsea, Skinner said, "it’s felt within the entire team, everyone feels they’re contributing to a way that plays to their strengths and causes issues for the other teams. We’ve scored goals in those games against (Man) United and Chelsea and it’s just the fine margins we aren’t just quite getting over the line at the moment." The trouble for Spurs is that fine margins are often a key deciding factor within football, especially when you are slugging it out at the bottom of the league, and with bottom club Leicester having cut the gap to safety to just three points. All in Lillywhite will be looking over their shoulder precariously if they don’t start quickly picking up points. Team News for Spurs is also something the fans will be keeping an eye out for, with Skinner confirming that she’s “hoping to have Bethany England back for the weekend” after the star forward suffered an injury in the defeat to Manchester United. A couple of positives for Spurs will be the return of Cho So-hyun to the squad, who is one appearance shy of 50 WSL career appearances, and the return to the pitch of Kit Graham, after she had been out since November 2021 with a ACL injury. On Graham’s return, Skinner added “i’m delighted for her, it’s been such a long process and she’s worked so so hard, I am incredibly proud of her. Even since she’s been back in training she just lifts the energy of what we do and the competitiveness of it, it’s a positive for the whole team.” It embodies the team spirit that Rehanne has built at Spurs too, with the boss saying “I think it tells you everything when every single member of the squad, injured or not was at the game because they thought that she (Kit) was going to be able to get back on the grass at the weekend. I think that tells you how well she is thought of within the group." On the challenge that the Citizens pose, “every game we have is a tough game, the result we have has eluded to us and we need to try and get it back on track, it’s not going to be easy to do this weekend at all, but we’ll get results sooner rather than later, whether its this weekend or not, we’re going to travel to Manchester to make life really difficult for them and try and get points out of the game, that’s the focus for us”. Tottenham Hotspur face Manchester City on Sunday at 2pm (GMT) at the Academy Stadium. News

Carla Ward talks January transfers, progress and goals and the ambition of her opponents ahead of Aston Villa's match against Spurs Back Carla Ward notes heightened competition within her Aston Villa squad Carla Ward talks January transfers, progress and goals and the ambition of her opponents ahead of Aston Villa's match against Spurs Girls on the Ball 13 January 2023 By Paul Donegan Aston Villa take on Tottenham Hotspur in the WSL on Saturday at 12:30pm. Here is what Carla Ward had to say in her pre-match press conference. How important are the signings of Jordan Nobbs and Lucy Staniforth for the club? "It is massive, I think it is important we keep progressing in the way that we want to and think it is important to have got a couple of experienced heads in the building”. She added they “will probably have to slightly adapt to the way they do things, they're used to winning football matches for fun, used to having the ball a lot”. “You can’t underestimate a winning mentality, a hunger and desire but most importantly an experience of winning football matches” “They have been exceptional this week, a breath of fresh air, positive, lively but most of all they are winners”. Ward also spoke about the pair bringing competition for an eleven that arguably didn’t have much competition for the first half of the season as they played the same players for most games. If bringing experienced players to the club helps improve the younger players? Ward said she suggests that the youngsters go and sit next to the experienced players, “soak up, ask them went well, ask about their failures, ask them how they got to where they got to, how they won trophies”. Is there pressure on you to get results after bringing in players of this calibre? Ward noted there is pressure everyday in the job and that is what she loves, to have to think everyday might be your last day in the job. Ward said she always wants more and bringing these players in allows you to grow and “pressure is a privilege”. If there is no pressure then you're not doing things well. Is progress at the club since you joined where abouts you expected? Ward said she believes it is and believes they are on track. She said “I like to think we are in a good place”. Thoughts on opponents Tottenham Hotspur? “Spurs are a good side, they have some great players, signing Beth England is a massive statement” Also said the England signing shows their ambition and intent and will help them massively as maybe been missing that cutting edge. Ward added that a lot of eyes will be on this fixture due to transfers both sides have made in January, and hope it is a good game of football with two teams with very good players and should be an exciting one. How is everyone after the break and team news? "The break came at the right time and everyone had a decent amount of time off. They have come back in recharged and refreshed and ready to go”. She added there are sixteen available players for the weekend which will put uVilla in a good position. Emily Gielnik is back and a couple more that are touch and go and will look at today (Friday). How much more competitive is the transfer market? Ward said that they will not be drawn into some of the big fees, Villa have spent pennies but have been clever with recruitment and what they need and getting the right players in. “We have a clear strategy and vision, and will continue to do things the way we feel best for the club and women’s football”. Are you revising the ambitions of the club or keeping them the same? “We want to be better every day, we want to win as many matches as possible, but we do want to keep on improving” Ward said, but also said she “will not come out and say something like they are going to finish really high, but want to improve everyday and finish as high as possible by doing things the right way and playing a brand of football I believe in”. Thoughts on the January transfer window? Ward said that this is an interesting window and she thinks there will be a lot more movement than most due to the World Cup in the summer and players wanting to play before that. She added they have done some summer business early by bringing in two midfielders. News

Back Sophie Ingle Club Chelsea Position Midfielder D.O.B 02/09/1991 Bio Wales captain Ingle acts as an added layer of protection in the defensive third. She is able to cover well and sweep away threats before they become a problem. However, Ingle’s excellence lies firmly in her passing ability. Ingle is able to accurately spray long balls which travel between lines, passes that subsequently play a role in creation. On top of this Ingle has also successfully played as a centre-back for Chelsea this season, another useful string to add to her bow. Girls on the Ball C1

Aston Villa held Arsenal right to the end but couldn't do enough to stop the Gunners two late efforts Back Match Report Two late goals from the Arsenal sees the Emirates rock Aston Villa held Arsenal right to the end but couldn't do enough to stop the Gunners two late efforts Arsenal FC Women 15 October 2023 By Finley Chung 35,829 people were in attendance at a battery cold yet sunny Emirates Stadium as Arsenal competed a stunning turn around with two injury time goals from Katie McCabe and Alessia Russo to wipe out a Maz Pacheco header in the first half to give The Gunners their first win of the season. Arsenals Jonas Eidevall named a side with five changes to the one that got a last gasp draw with Manchester United last weekend. Manuela Zinsberger returned in goal and there were starts for Lotte Wubben-Moy, Katie McCabe, Caitlin Foord and Frida Maanum. Perhaps the biggest news however, was the return of Beth Mead to a match day squad, taking her place on the bench for the first time in over a year after her injury hell. For Villa, Carla Ward made three changes from the team that lost to Liverpool, bringing in Maz Pacheco, Laura Blindkilde and Simone Magill from the start, in place of Adriana Leon, Alisha Lehmann and Jordan Nobbs. A fresh anticipation gripped the North London air with both sides awaiting their first win of the campaign. Arsenal got the game underway and had the first goalbound effort of the match, after some neat interplay between Katie McCabe and Kim Little saw the former’s low effort roll towards Daphne van Domselaar with it being an easy collection for the Dutch keeper. Kim Little and Lia Walti in Arsenal’s engine room were patrolling the middle of the park well and not allowing their Villa counterparts. Lucy Parker and Lucy Staniforth any room. Some high pressing from The Gunners saw the ball worked its way out to Caitlin Foord on the left, who’s low effort was deflected on it’s path to goal, forcing van Domselaar into a brilliant low save, which Maz Pacheco was then on hand to clear. The Gunners continued to pepper the Villa goal early on but two Katie McCabe efforts were well blocked and seen out well by the visitors. Bellowing home shouts for a penalty followed from a short Arsenal corner when Simone Magill challenged Katie McCabe in the area, but replays showed Magill took all of the ball with a brilliant tackle on the Arsenal Number 15. A huge miscommunication in the Arsenal backline saw Kim Little smash a ball out for a corner when it seemed Manu Zinsberger had all to herself and Aston Villa took full advantage. Maz Pacheco steamed in to connect beautifully with a Lucy Staniforth corner to power a header past the helpless Zinsberger and give The Villans the lead with their first effort on goal of any kind in the game to stun The Emirates into silence as Arsenal conceded from a set piece again. Villa went in search of a quiockfire second as Lucy Parker set up Rachel Daly, but the former’s effort was blocked well by Amanda Ilestedt, redeeming herself from letting Pachecho free to open the scoring moments later. The moment was even sweeter for the Villa left back, her first goal since 2016 and her first ever in the WSL. Aston Villa's Maz Pacheco | Photo: Aston Villa FC Women Arsenal responded well with Frida Maanum nipping infrtont of the Villa defender at the near post but her effort didn’t trouble Van Domselaar in the Villa goal. Russo had been kept well quiet by the home defence but spun away from her marker with her left footed cross almost catching Van Domselaar out, but the Dutch stopper was alert to the danger. Some desperate defending from Villa was needed to preserve their lead as we ticked towards half time, with Lia Walti nodding a deep free kick back across goal with Amanda Ilesdet waiting seemingly for a tap in, Rachel Daly steamed in and took the ball off the toes of the waiting Swede who seemed destined to prod home her first Gunners goal. Some really strong running from Frida Maanum, showing the Norwegian had shaken off the earlier head injury following a clash with the Villa goalscorer Pacheco, saw her shot had all the sting taken out of by a Villa body and become an easy collect for Van Domselaar. Half Time - Arsenal 0-1 Villa The Gunners pretty much started the second half like they started the first, controlling possession but not creating anything in the realms of clear cut. Russo unleashed a fierce goal bound effort that struck Rachel Corsie in the face leading to the referee stopping the game to administer treatment to the stricken Scot who was gladly back on her feet moments later. Simone Magill continued to have an impact on proceedings at both ends of the pitch, putting g in a brilliant last ditch challenge to block an Alessia Russo goal bound effort from inside the area. As the game tickled over into it’s last half hour, movement was aplenty on the Arsenal bench with Jonas Eidevall rolling the dice by introducing the hero from the draw at United, Cloe Lacasse and Victoria Pelova in place of Frida Maanum and Amanda Ilestedt. In the 65th minute, some way, somehow Arsenal didn’t level the scores, a brilliant turn by Caitlin Foord saw her left footed effort fly across the keeper and smash back off the post to the waiting Alessia Russo who seemed for all the world like she was going to tap in her first WSL goal for the Gunners, but some desperate defending from Aston Villa allowed their lines to be cleared and somehow, the ‘nil’ mark on the Arsenal side of the scoreboard to stay. Everything the Gunners were trying, cross wise were just being plucked out the air by the imperious Daphne van Domselaar who was coming to collect, Marshall and clear almost every ball that went into the Arsenal box. The tactical reshuffle that was required when Lacasse and Pevlova came on allowed Kim Little to occupy a pocket further upfield behind Russo and become that link that seemingly Arsenal had been lacking prior into the feet of Russo and and Foord. Villa then hit their first throw of the dice, Carla Ward bringing on Gunners legend, Jordan Nobbs in place of the very impressive Simone Magill. Every bounce seemed to be going Villa’s way which was epitomised a the game entered its final quarter, some. Brilliant closing down by Alessia Russo looked for all the world like it was going to loop into the path of Little, but low and behold there was a Vil;a shirt there read to clear the danger. Jonas Eidevall then rolled the dice once more, bringing off a central midfielder in Lia Walti and introducing forward, Stina Blackstenius for the final quarter. Another turn of penalty box pinball infant of the Clock End saw Katie McCabe’s effort well blocked and out for an corner which was eventually worked back in towards the taker Steph Catley, who’d taken up a brilliant position in the area, but the Arsenal Number 7’s header bounced wide of the post. Aston Villa looked to sure up proceedings, bringing on Ebony Salmon and Olivia McLaughlin coming on in place of goalscorer Maz Pacheco and Laura Blindkilde-Brown. Eidevall then threw his fairytale switch on, introducing Beth Mead for her first WSL appearance since November last year with four minutes to go at one down, you can probably tell what everyone with an Arsenal persuasion inside the Emirates wanted to happen. As the board went up for twelve added minutes, a huge roar around The Emirates went for the Arsenal players which seemed to work an absolute treat, Katie McCabe drove forward with intent, got the ball back on the run and smashed the ball into the roof of the net infront of The Clock End to bring Arsenal level. Late drama was clearly the order of the day as Stina Blackstenius was sent racing away with her effort bouncing back off the post. Arsenal tails were up and they wanted more. Beth Mead slipped the ball to Alessia Russo on the edge of the box and the latters low effort squirmed past Van Domselaar to take the roof off of The Emirates and give Arsenal the lead when they looked dead and buried. Carla Ward sent on Adrianna Leon and Alisha Lehmann to try and steal back a point for the crestfallen Villa players, Arsenal were denied a late third however with the ball falling to Stina Blackstenius after being picked out Foord, but a brilliant goal-line block from a Villa defender to prevent the hosts from making it three. That was the final action of a game that had everything, Beth Mead registering an assist on her return to allow Alessia Russo to score an injury time winner which gifts Arsenal their first win of the season. Full Time - Arsenal 2-1 Aston Villa Arsenal - Katie McCabe 90+2, Alessia Russo 90+4’ Aston Villa - Maz Pacheco 27’

England international Karen Bardsley calls time on a twenty year term between the posts Back Bardsley hangs up her gloves England international Karen Bardsley calls time on a twenty year term between the posts Girls on the Ball 22 May 2022 Charlotte Stacey Manchester City and England goalkeeper Karen Bardsley has called time on her 20-year spell between the sticks and will retire from professional football at the end of the season. Bardsley, who stands as the Lionesses most capped goalkeeper with 82 appearances, also represented Team GB in the Olympics in 2012 and has won eight domestic trophies with City since joining in 2013. The 37-year-old will remain as one of the most important figures of women’s football, not only for her career on the pitch, but for her dedication to the sport off of it. Bardsley hopes to develop a goalkeeping mentoring programme in the future. “I'm really excited about the next steps and what's to come in the future. I'm just looking forward to giving back to the football community” the shot-stopper commented. News

Reading star ruptures PCL Back Emma Harries suffers season ending injury Reading star ruptures PCL Neil Graham 7 May 2022 By Charlotte Stacey Reading’s Emma Harries has announced that she has ruptured her posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) and will be out of action for the remainder of the season. The 20-year-old forward picked up the injury whilst on international duty with Lionesses U-23s in their fixture against the Netherlands. Harries has enjoyed a fruitful season and proven herself a crucial figure within Kelly Chambers’ side having registered three goals and two assists this campaign. News

Stevenage lose out to visitors Sudbury in first fixture of the New Year Back Match Report Stevenage FCW v AFC Sudbury Women Stevenage lose out to visitors Sudbury in first fixture of the New Year Edward Payne 9 January 2023 By Edward Payne Goals from Kelsey Millen and Emily Schofield were not enough for Stevenage FCW this weekend as AFC Sudbury avenged their narrow defeat in the reverse fixture last August. The weather may have been a foreshadow of events to come as the ladies came out to a deluge of rain. However despite the dark and gloomy weather, Stevenage provided a bright start. Amy Makewell broke free into the left side of the box and rolled a tasty ball across goal for Millen to slot home at the far post. Jodie Bellinger, Vicky Neal and Millen all saw chances come and go whilst Celine Ray kept the impressive Holly Kennard at bay down the other end. Boro’ would come to regret those missed chances. After a superb piece of defensive covering from Neal in the early stages of the second half, Sudbury had to settle for a corner. Sophie Jeffery sent that in and Kaylee Dodd rose at the far post to level the scores. Neal saw a volley from a Hannah Nebbitt corner saved before another Jeffery corner was awarded. This time the ball cleared most players, but Jess Allen was at the far post to take the ball and strike it home. Just after the hour mark, Becky Shephard hit the bar from a floated effort from the right side of the pitch and Millen sent the ball just wide once it was worked back to her. Sudbury took advantage of the let off and when Kennard had the ball on the left flank she attempted to cut inside only for the ball to land at the feet of Leonie Bezant who shifted the ball and fired the ball high over Ray for the third of the game. That was the end of the game for Ray who was hurt and with no substitute goalkeeper, Webster needed to fill in. Stevenage fought hard and narrowed the deficit with a superb bit of work from Makewell who again teed up the goalscorer – this time Schofield – by sending the ball to the far post for her to fire home. Any dreams of a comeback were dashed with just under ten minutes remaining. Boro’ failed to deal with a ball sent to the left and Kennard topped off her performance with a lofted effort that Wesbter had no chance of saving. Susan Uwaifo and Schofield both had late opportunities to get Stevenage back in the game, but Sudbury held on for a win that will be hard for the Stevenage players to swallow with Luton only able to draw at King’s Lynn. Stevenage XI: Ray, Re, Webster (c), Neal, Nebbitt, Swarres, Bodily, Shephard, Millen, Makewell, Bellinger Subs: Schofield, Farmer, Uwaifo, Greenwood Goals: Millen, Schofield Sudbury XI: Weller, Provan, Egan, Bezant, McHale, Harrison (c), Kennard, Newley, Jeffery, Allen, Dodd Subs: Creaton, Smith, Edwards, Donley, Lambe Goals: Dodd, Allen, Bazant, Kennard