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Kelly Chambers looks forward to Reading's upcoming WSL season Back “I wanted to create a challenging environment” says Reading boss Kelly Chambers Kelly Chambers looks forward to Reading's upcoming WSL season Reading FC 29 August 2022 By Finley Chung Reading boss, Kelly Chambers spoke glowingly of her new signings and the ‘challenging environment’ that she wanted to create as the Royals are now only just over a week away from getting their 2022/23 WSL season underway. Looking to build on an eighth place finish last season it was vital the club strengthened in the market. Chambers has certainly made good here and brought in six new faces. American defender, Brooke Hendrix was first through the door back in July, along with fellow defender, Becky Jane. Goalkeeper, Jacqueline Burns, midfielders, Lauren Wade and Diane Caldwell and forward Charlie Wellings have all since joined. Chambers chuckled and mustered “I’m done” , with regard to any more potential signings for her side. “I haven’t had a big turnover of players this season," said the Royals manager referring to the clubs single outgoing, Chloe Peplow, going on loan to Women’s Championship side Crystal Palace. “They’ve really fit into the group like they’ve all been here for a while if I’m honest”, beamed Chambers who is now heading into her seventh year of management with the Berkshire outfit after being appointed back in 2015. Chambers is under no illusion the size of the challenge that Reading face this season with the signings and the budgets all across the WSL growing ever larger. “First and foremost, we want to stay in this league, we are the only Championship club in the league and we know it’s going to be a challenge year on year competing with the budgets other sides have got, but we also want to finish higher than we placed last year”. Reading kick off their season against newly promoted Liverpool on September 11th at the Select Car Leasing Stadium and the anticipated crowd is set to be a record for the team. “Off the back of the Euros, everyone is so excited to have the season to start. The work that’s been put in behind the scenes to make it a record attendance has been phenomenal and we are so excited to open the season at home and step out in-front of our fans.” The success of the Lionesses at the European Championships this year is certainly being felt across the game with Chambers adding, “we want it to grow, we want these pressure that comes with it, we’re going to see a jump now off the back of the Euro’s but for us, it’s the enjoyment of people coming to watch the team in person and it’s up to us to keep the crowds coming.” Fran Kirby celebrating a goal for Reading An integral member of the national side is former Reading star Fran Kirby, who, after signing for the club at the age of seven played 42 times across three years. Kirby is at the forefront of the Reading Player Pathway, which for both the Men’s and Women’s sides, has a history of producing talented footballers. Chambers revealed she text Kirby the words ‘dreams do come true’ after Kirby's selection for, and subsequent performance in, the Euro’s. A dream of both Kirby's and her late mother. The player pathway has brought several talented players into the first team set up, such as Tia Primmer, Emma Harries and Bethan Roberts in recent years, with fellow academy graduate and goalkeeper, Grace Moloney clocking up over 200 appearances for the club. The Royals will be making use of the player pathway again this season with Chambers confirming that Maddie Perry and Freya Tuson-Meadows will be part of the first team squad for the forthcoming season. It’s clear to see that both manager and club are aligned in their vision, with Chambers signing off “now I’ve got the squad to have challenges, first and foremost we want to build on last season and see how far we can go”. News

Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Becky Spencer signs two year deal Back Becky Spencer pens new deal Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Becky Spencer signs two year deal Tottenham Hotspur 22 May 2022 Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Becky Spencer has signed a new deal that will see her remain with the North London club until 2024. The 31-year-old has been a regular starter between the sticks for Spurs having made over 50 appearances across the last three seasons. On her new contract, Spencer said, “the direction the Club is going in, the staff, players, and fans made the decision really easy for me. I feel comfortable here, it’s like a home. Where we are now is incredible and I can’t wait to see what is to come.” News

Demi Stokes Position Left Back D.O.B 12/12/1991 Club Manchester City via Sky Sports

Lionesses allow Canada to skip ahead with two errors. Friendly: England 0 - 2 Canada Back Lionesses allow Canada to skip ahead with two errors. Lionesses Tuesday, 13 April 2021 By Charlotte Stacey On the 10th Anniversary of the Women’s Super League the Lionesses lined up to play their final friendly before the selection for the upcoming Olympic games. After their 3-1 defeat to France, England had to prove themselves, not only for their places in Team GB, but to their supporters who have been patiently waiting for, and intently willing, their team to regain their confidence after a poor run of form. The Canadian side they were to face was one that would be challenging, not only due to the quality their players possess, but also as former England assistant coach Bev Priestman was at the helm. Captain for the night, Millie Bright, led the Lionesses out of the tunnel ahead of the game in which a convincing performance was sought. It was a mere 180 seconds after the opening whistle blew when England found themselves chasing the game. Canada’s Janine Beckie made a driving run through the middle before releasing a pass that was collected by England left back, Demi Stokes. Stokes took a heavy touch towards goalkeeper Carly Telford, as Canadian forward Eveylne Viens muscled through on the mis-controlled ball. Viens made no mistake in taking advantage of the error and put the visitors in front early on. England, needing an equaliser to rid the effect of beginning a game on the back foot, begin to press as Georgia Stanway took the first of her three long range strikes. A free kick on the right side of the area then gave Jordan Nobbs the opportunity to float in a decent cross, and she did just that. Yet no one is able to connect with the delivery and Canada cleared the ball away from Bethany England’s threat. By the twenty-five-minute mark England had begun to build some more promising packages of play. Passes in triangles through the middle between Fran Kirby, Lauren Hemp and Nobbs allowed a time of possession, and Georgia Stanway, playing in an unfamiliar holding midfield role, was able to begin to springboard play out to either side. Yet, as was to occur until the very end, Canada’s resolute defensive play did not give England an inch to manoeuvre anything much further than that. Another set piece for England and Nobbs stepped up to the plate once again. This time the Arsenal midfielder fired in a tasty shot that was ultimately tipped over the crossbar by goalkeeper, Stephanie Labbe. Canada then roused with a dangerous spell of their own as the pacey Deanne Rose managed to beat out Rachel Daly and Bright down the right-hand side to feed a ball into Chelsea’s Jessie Fleming. In reaction, England substitute, Alex Greenwood, sent a curling ball down the line to meet a well-positioned Kirby. Although Kirby was unable to do much with the intended play, it was refreshing to see England move the ball with some imagination as little had been created so far. The half drew to a close with Canada still leading from their early goal. The Lionesses started the second half brighter than the first. Within five minutes, and after some quick passes around the ‘D’, Nobbs had sent a high ball into the box that was met by England, however the resulting header was collected comfortably by Labbe. The visitors then switched it up and brought a tirade of attacking play to the hosts. Notably, Leah Williamson put in a timely challenge to deny Canada breaking through, yet a number of aerial balls remained undealt with by the English defence. England, then with an attacking play of their own, called for a penalty after Nobbs toppled over in the area. Penalty denied and the Lionesses, as in their previous match, were caught out in transition. Nichelle Prince was able to drive the ball down the field, eventually she was closed down by Williamson and Karen Bardsely collected the loose ball. Nobbs, sensing a Canadian dominance, then took the opportunity to stretch their line. After picking up the ball in her own half, Nobbs carried it forward before lining up her pass into the area. Ella Toone was unable to pick the ball up as projected and the chance fell away. The next real chance of the game came with just ten minutes to go. Hemp pinched the ball from the midfield and ran it through the middle toward goal. Hemp was just about able to strike the ball before Vanessa Gilles blocked the shot. Just a couple of minutes later Hemp was on the receiving end of a nasty head collision. The winger remained down whilst being checked over by medical staff as the Lionesses took this time to take on some needed tactical advice from the touchlines. However, as play resumed another blunder at the back meant Canada doubled their lead. A pass back to Bardsley from Bright was not cleared quick enough by the keeper and Prince softly tapped the ball across the line from under Bardsley’s feet. Full time, England 0 – 2 Canada. Once again supporters were to end up disappointed with their team’s performance. Despite positive spells of possession and a working midfield with some quick and intricate passing, the Lionesses did not take the opportunities they grafted to create. Canada’s holding double pivot, made up of Desree Scott and Quinn, made it increasingly difficult for England to progress any higher than the middle third. Lauren Hemp did have some luck along the wing. Yet once experienced defender, Ashley Lawrence, caught wind of Hemp’s tendency to take play on the outside, crosses that would usually channel in from the left became few and far between. In fact, it seemed that Alex Greenwood’s long curling ball toward Fran Kirby was about the most creative play that England could muster. This is not to say that there were not other pleasing aspects of the game. Georgia Stanway put in an excellent shift as a defensive midfielder and remained positionally disciplined to allow partner, Jordan Nobbs, to push forward. Similarly, centre back’s, Millie Bright and Leah Williamson looked to be working as a more unified partnership in holding a firmer back line than they did in the previous fixture. However, defensive mistakes were once again made. Aerial threats were not dispelled and mindless mistakes cost a game, that for the most part, remained a fairly even match. It is these disconcerting errors that if permitted to continue, will creep in to and become the very bones of this capable team. England Team: Telford (45’), Daly (64’), Bright (C), Williamson, Stokes (31’), Nobbs, Stanway, Kirby (45’), Parris (79’), England (64’), Hemp England Substitutes: Bardsley (GK) (45’), Roebuck (GK), MacIver (GK), Bronze (64’), Turner, Charles, Wubben-Moy, Morgan, Greenwood (31’), Walsh, Scott, Toone (45’), Kelly (64’), White (79’), Mead Canada Team: Labbe (GK), Chapman, Zadorsky, Gilles, Lawrence, Scott (C) (65’), Quinn (81’), Beckie, Fleming, Rose (58’), Viens (58’) Canada Substitutes: McLeod (GK), Foster (GK), Grosso, Riviere (65’), Huitema (58’), Schmidt (81’), Carle, Prince (58’), Listro, Rose, Agnew, Chang, Lacasse, Stratigakis, Hellstrom Goals: Viens – 3’ Prince – 86’ Yellow Cards: Zadorsky

Thoughts on: Daniëlle van de Donk Thoughts on: Daniëlle van de Donk van de Donk Back 21 June 2021 By Charlotte Stacey van de Dangerous Edward Payne After six successful seasons with the Arsenal, Daniëlle van de Donk has confirmed her move to French giants Olympique Lyonnais. The Dutch midfielder lifted one WSL trophy, an FA Cup and two Conti Cups during her time in England, establishing herself a key figure in the gunner’s intricate midfield. Van de Donk scored a fair 45 goals in 142 appearances, the largest number of appearances of any overseas player in Arsenal’s history. Crafty. This is the word that immediately springs to mind when one pores over van de Donk’s guileful game. She is crafty, in every sense. A wreaker of havoc with all the tricks and flicks to assure she is so without hesitation. Weaving in and out of oppositions with the intent to cause some damage, van de Donk reinforces her clever movement with a surprise or two up her sleeve. Brazen in her approach, van de Donk teases games of cat and mouse, riling the calmest of feathers on her wily warpath. There is a feistiness, an almost scrappy determination to stamp her impression and an antagonistic audacity to leave in the poison after she has stung. Yet this fiery nature can sometimes result in trouble and van de Donk has been known to argue the toss when she deems decisions unfair. Perhaps it is a red mist, perhaps not, but there is certainly a fire within that keeps all those around her on their toes. Yet, in a twist as unpredictable as those perilous feet, when another suffers a dangerous challenge, it is van de Donk that so firmly stands beside them. Teammate, opposition, even an official, it does not matter, van de Donk personally ensures the wellbeing of those around her. Perhaps that red mist is not so red after all. Despite her gutsy nature van de Donk is not a troublesome player. Although the blindingly obvious passion she radiates may get her hot under the collar every now and again, van de Donk offers far more than the ability to bring it both barrels each and every time. Her attacking skillset lends her nicely to build-up play with her movements often key to the creation of chances. Girls on the Ball Excelling when located high in the middle third, van de Donk is able to unlock defences with her astute positioning. Whether she is on the ball or not, van de Donk works to draw to in opponents which in turn opens up space for her teammates. Tirelessly putting in the ground work to swoop in on loose balls and dispossess high up the pitch, van de Donk uses her pace to quickly break lines and take oppositions off balance. Van de Donk is also notable for her visionary intelligence. With just a quick glance she is able to sweep the blueprint of the pitch and pick out the most valuable pass or progressive carry. She is slick with her dribbling and is able to cover significant distances with the ball at her feet before releasing it with accuracy. Her contribution to shot and goal creation cannot be downplayed. With an obvious attacking flair, it has perhaps been slightly disappointing that in her final season with the Arsenal van de Donk has not been able to fully practice this, having been stationed in a deeper role. It has also been quite apparent she has not received the game time she likely sought and plausibly deserved. When accumulating these factors alongside a contract termination and an offer from one of the world’s most prolific clubs, Lyon, it is not wholly unexpected that van de Donk took the decision to leave North London. What van de Donk leaves behind at the Arsenal is more than just a number on a team sheet. She leaves a never-ending appetite, a lust for success, as well as some hypothetically big shoes to fill. Lyon have landed themselves an excellent recruit and one can bet in their bid to retake France. With van de Donk on side, their midfield just became a little more dangerous.

Get to know every member of the current Lionesses squad. Lionesses Squad Leah Williamson Arsenal centre-back and England captain Leah Williamson will most likely adopt her traditional centre-back role going forward. After trialling a period in midfield, it looks as though Williamson will be positioned in the backline for the time being. With that being said, her progressive nature and exceptional ball playing skill, could see her assume a variation of the number 6 role alongside Keira Walsh depending on Wiegman’s tactics for each game. By and large, what Williamson offers Wiegman is flexibility. Having a player that can be used equally well in the backline and in midfield means a greater number of formations become realistically usable. Williamson is decisive and rational; a player who is largely purposeful with every touch. The Arsenal thoroughbred harbours quality passing abilities, so much so that in fact, she could easily be regarded as one of the best in the world at filtering progressive passes from back to front. The benefits of having Williamson on the field are endless; from leadership and tact, to playmaking and quality possession. Photograph courtesy of the FA.

Willie Kirk on the challenge of Manchester City, lengths of added time, sitting joint top and more Back Leicester City are "moving in the right direction" says Kirk Willie Kirk on the challenge of Manchester City, lengths of added time, sitting joint top and more Leicester City FC 20 October 2023 By Finley Chung Leicester City boss Willie Kirk spoke to the media on Thursday afternoon ahead of his sides game this Saturday evening against Manchester City, The Foxes have made a blinding start to life this term following their great escape from relegation in 2022/23. A 4-2 hammering of Bristol City, a narrow 1-0 win over Everton and a brilliant point in a 1-1 draw with Manchester United last weekend, The Scot’s side have certainly got off to a good start this time around. Naturally, Leicester weren’t expected to be sat joint top even this early into the campaign with the draw against United a particularly eye opening result and one that Kirk wasn’t going to get carried away with. “The United game in isolation was a lot of good things but it also gave us a lot of working on points. We found a way to hang in there, the players changed the approach and the second half we were much, much better. “It’s a great reference point for us in that we need to start games like that and sustain it for ninety minutes if we want to get a result.” Last weekend more than most, added time was a topic of discussion, with twelve added minutes at The Emirates and seventeen added on overall at Leigh Sports Village. Kirk, however: appeared encouraged by the new rule. “I’m all for it, sometimes last season we were playing games where the ball was in play for 55 minutes, that’s not what I want. I guess the directive has changed in terms of getting exact timings which I am fine with, it;’s what the fans want too as they want value for money. We can’t be having a world where 55 minute matches are acceptable.” Alongside Leicester, their opponents on Saturday, Manchester City have had a blistering start to life in the Women’s Super League. Conceding just once, in the eventful draw with Chelsea, City have beaten Bristol City 5-0 and West Ham 2-0 either side of that with their only new recruit from the summer, Jill Roord relentlessly pulling the strings in the middle for the Cityzens. “We’ve prepared for lots of quality, physically good. I think they’ve slightly changed and they’ve become a bit more direct at times. It’s been difficult to fully analyse them because of the sending offs, the first 70 minutes against West Ham. The Chelsea game was really difficult to analyse, which we only could do up until the Alex Greenwood red card and the Bristol (city) game was just waves of attack, I don’t think Man City had a goal kick. “It’s hard to analyse the basis of those three games, but what we do know is that they’re a top team and Gareth’s a top manager and I’ve got a lot of respect for him. It’s about nullifying their patterns and threats and bringing our strengths to the table and seeing what we can do.” With the greatest respect, what Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa have shown everyone in the last two seasons is that the so called ‘smaller sides’ can really mix it with the WSL big boys and even though the seasons race is only a few furrows in, Leicester could be the next in that line, but Kirk isn’t carried away. “I think the only message it’ll send is that we’re moving in the right direction, Yeah, we’ll be aiming to win the game first of all and if we don’t win it, how can we get a draw. That’s what we’re setting down as a bare minimum of trying to get points from every game. It’s difficult to do that all the time but it’s something we’re adding into our routine. In terms of sending messages out to the top four, we’re probably not in the position to do that yet.” News

Manchester City book their place at Wembley with a convincing 3-1 victory over the Hammers Back Match Report FA Cup Semi-Final: West Ham v Manchester City Manchester City book their place at Wembley with a convincing 3-1 victory over the Hammers Getty Images 17 April 2022 By Paul Donegan Manchester City reached their fourth FA Cup Final in the last six seasons as Gareth Taylor’s side won 4-1 against West Ham on a sunny and pleasant afternoon in Dagenham. In what was a repeat of the 2019 final, City’s goals came from Ellen White, Chloe Kelly and a brace from Lauren Hemp whilst Lisa Evans got West Ham’s goal. West Ham started well but it was City who had the first chance when White just couldn’t get enough of her head on a cross from Kelly in the 6th minute. White had another chance a minute later which she put over from 6 yards out. West Ham’s best early opportunity came in the 13th minute when Dagny Brynjarsdottir saw her effort blocked by the legs of Manchester City’s goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck. At the other end three minutes later, Caroline Weir saw her low shot deflected wide. City did take the lead in the 22nd minute when Keira Walsh’s thunderous shot from distance hit the bar and bounced down with White diving in to head in the rebound. Five minutes later, City had the ball in the net again when White headed in but the ball was judged to have gone out of play before Lucy Bronze crossed. Lauren Hemp then sent a shot over from an angle. City were really pushing for a second now with West Ham captain, Gilly Flaherty, making a great tackle to stop White before she could get a shot at goal. It was 2-0 in the 37th minute when Flaherty’s pass across her own penalty area found Kelly who finished with a low shot for her first goal since returning from an ACL injury that kept her out for eleven months. West Ham got a goal back before half time when Adriana Leon’s nice through ball found Evans who went around Roebuck and finished low into the net in the 42nd minute. There were no further chances before the break with City going in leading 2-1. White had the ball in the net for the third time in the 52 nd minute but this time it was ruled out for offside. The next chance came in the 63rd minute for West Ham when Tameka Yallop shot just wide after some nice build up. Hemp made it 3-1 to City in the 66th minute when she beat a couple of West Ham players and finished with a shot that went in off the far post. Four minutes later, Bronze shot over for City and in the 77th minute, West Ham’s Katerina Svitoka saw her effort pushed away by Roebuck. A minute later, City’s Khadija Shaw was unable to control a pass as both sides went looking for goals. City went close to scoring a fourth in the 86 th minute when Mackenzie Arnold tipped Filippa Angeldahl’s powerful shot onto the crossbar. From the resulting corner, Alex Greenwood’s acrobatic overhead kick was saved by Arnold. Arnold made another good save in the 89th minute when she palmed away Georgia Stanway’s effort low down. Hemp scored her second and City’s fourth in injury time with a low finish into the corner of the net from inside the area after Stanway had broken forward. West Ham still had a chance to get a goal back but Leon shot over. Not long after that the final whistle was blown to confirm that it will be Manchester City who be playing at Wembley Stadium on Sunday 15th May in the final. Teams West Ham United: Arnold, Parker, Flaherty, Fisk, Longhurst, Svitkova, Brynjarsdottir, Hasegawa (Walker 78’), Yallop (Snerle 70’), Evans, Leon Unused substitutes: Moore, Wyne, Cissoko, Stringer, Houssein, Filis, Joel Goal – Evans 42’ Manchester City: Roebuck, Bronze, Kennedy, Greenwood, Stokes, Walsh, Coombs (Angeldahl 80’), Weir (Stanway 72’), Kelly (Raso 62’), Hemp, White (Shaw 72’) Unused Substitutes: Keating, Taieb, Mace Goals – White 22’, Kelly 37’, Hemp 66’, 90’+1 Booked – Kelly Referee – Abigail Byrne

Chelsea v Everton Photographer Ryan Asman There was not a dull moment at Kingsmeadow as the evening saw two penalties for Chelsea and a red card for visiting manager Brian Sorensen. Two goals from Guro Reiten and a third from captain Erin Cuthbert mean Chelsea remain at the top of the table. Chelsea 3-0 Everton

Team Information: Aston Villa Aston Villa Website https://www.avfc.co.uk/teams/womens/ Manager Carla Ward - ENG Captain Marisa Ewers - Remi Allen Squad Player Position Number Nationality DOB Hannah Hampton GK 1 ENG 16/11/2000 Sian Rogers GK 23 ENG 28/06/1998 Sarah Mayling DF 2 ENG 20/03/1997 Meaghan Sargeant DF 3 ENG 16/03/1994 Elisha N'Dow DF 5 ENG 13/10/1996 Anita Asanti DF 6 ENG 27/04/1985 Natalie Haigh DF 15 ENG 08/02/11993 Olivia McLoughlin DF 16 ENG 15/10/2004 Freya Gregory DF 18 ENG 12/01/2003 Maz Pacheco DF 33 ENG 25/08/1998 Remi Allen MF 4 ENG 15/10/1990 Chloe Arthur MF 8 SCO 21/01/1995 Ramona Petzelberger MF 10 GER 13/11/1992 Emily Syme MF 14 ENG 23/07/2000 Marisa Ewers MF 21 GER 24/02/1989 Ruesha Littlejohn MF 31 IRL 03/07/1990 Alisha Lehmann FW 7 SUI 21/01/1999 Emily Gielnik FW 9 AUS 13/05/1992 Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah FW 11 ENG 08/09/1995 Jodie Hutton FW 12 ENG 11/02/2001 Sophie Haywood FW 17 ENG 10/01/1996 Shania Hayles FW 22 JAM 22/12/1999 Ground Banks's Stadium, Walsall WS1 4SA Aston Villa Shania Hayles Photographer: Girls on the Ball Aston Villa Celebrate Photographer: Girls on the Ball Aston Villa 1/4

Back Caroline Weir Club Manchester City Position Midfielder D.O.B 20/06/1995 Bio Manchester City midfielder Weir has a wand of a left foot, there is simply no other way to describe it. Another player to bolster the left side, Weir is creative with her positioning and in her passing demonstrated by her ability to regularly assist toward scoring opportunities. However, Weir herself is no stranger to hitting the back of the net. Whether it is from a long-range set piece or a live attack, Weir is able to hit the target with the sauciest of strikes. via Caroline Weir Twitter C5

Number 29 is sticking around Back Ashleigh Neville signs on the dotted line Number 29 is sticking around Tottenham Hotspur 7 May 2022 By Charlotte Stacey Tottenham Hotspur fullback Ashleigh Neville has signed a three-year contract that will see her remain with the club until 2025. Neville has made a total of 102 appearances for the Lilywhites and has been a key player in their rise to the top half of the table this season, registering two goals and two assists, as well as being names February’s Player of the Month. On her extension, Neville commented, “I’m super happy here – the girls, the coaching staff, the way we play, how far we’ve come in the last five years - the journey we’re on is something I want to be part of.” News