The Making of the Women's World Cup: Defining stories from a sport's coming of age by Kieran Thievam and Jeff Kassouf The Making of the Women's World Cup The Making of the Women's World Cup: Defining stories from a sport's coming of age by Kieran Thievam and Jeff Kassouf With a foreword by England legend Kelly Smith, the country's all-time record goalscorer and a player widely considered one of the best to have played the game. The exciting story of one of the fastest growing sports in the world, played by over 30 million girls and women. Over 25 million people tuned in for the Americans' 2015 Women's World Cup final victory - the most-watched football match in United States history. The Making of the Women's World Cup details the most incredible tales from previous Women's World Cups, including: Carli Lloyd's 13-minute hat trick and the worldwide movement set off by 2015 How Japan made their country smile for the first time since the devastating tsunami The USA's World Cup triumph on home soil in 1999 Germany's back-to-back titles in 2003 and 2007 Marta's magic: The birth of a Brazilian icon How Kelly Smith announced her arrival with the kiss of a boot The beginnings of Australia's golden generation The 122nd-minute USA equalizer against Brazil: the quarterfinal that changed everything The dawn of the Lionesses: England joins world elite through tears of joy and despair. Available to buy: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Making-Womens-World-Cup-Defining/dp/1472143329/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1685726216&sr=8-1

Ultimate Football Heroes: Morgan by Charlotte Browne Ultimate Football Heroes: Morgan Ultimate Football Heroes: Morgan by Charlotte Browne Alex Morgan is co-captain of Team USA and the face of women's football right across the world. As the star who leads the American attacking line, her height, speed and skill make her impossible to defend, and have helped drive USA to World Cup and Olympic glory. Alex Morgan is football's real life 'Captain America'! Available to buy: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Morgan-Charlotte-Browne/dp/1789461081/ref=pd_bxgy_img_sccl_2/257-3022985-0041206?pd_rd_w=I68uJ&content-id=amzn1.sym.40f919ed-e530-4b1a-8d7e-39de6587208d&pf_rd_p=40f919ed-e530-4b1a-8d7e-39de6587208d&pf_rd_r=KBYJFGAHF16R5W1PBRXT&pd_rd_wg=7ikxJ&pd_rd_r=f5ebeb13-72e9-40e8-9a5a-9ee93dd48d63&pd_rd_i=1789461081&psc=1

Jess Carter Position Centre Back D.O.B 27/10/1997 Club Chelsea via The FA

Stevenage inch a 3-2 win over hosts Needham Market in tight clash Back Match Report Needham Market v Stevenage Stevenage inch a 3-2 win over hosts Needham Market in tight clash Edward Payne 18 April 2023 Barry Rust A place in the ERWFL League Cup final was at stake as Needham Market hosted Stevenage FCW on a glorious Sunday afternoon at Bloomfields. With both sides having faced each other in the league, this was to be the decider in the trinity of matches and in a game that contained no less than four penalties and two wonder goals, the away side came out on top. Goals from Lina Nagib for Needham and the triumvirate of Amy Makewell, Becky Shephard and Rosy Wodhams ensured that it will be the Hertfordshire side who were the first name into the final. It was a cagey first few minutes as both teams were probing to see how the other would react. Needham blinked first. With just shy of ten minutes passed, the immense Hannah Bodily headed the ball from a Needham goal kick which saw a delightful turn, and a fortuitous deflection from Makewell. The resulting ball was chased eagerly by Emily Schofield who was caught by Ele Catchpole’s outstretched leg. Cue penalty number one. Coolly despatched in a similar fashion to last week’s opener by Makewell for her fourteenth goal of the season and her fortieth of her Stevenage career. Photo: Edward Payne The game began to open and both Shephard and the outstanding Paige Wakefield had good chances for their respective sides. However, just ten minutes after the first penalty, the second arrived. Needham worked the ball intricately through the middle of the pitch with good interplay from Mia Etheridge and top goalscorer, Molly Hall. Her ball towards Amber Cantwell was initially blocked by Erin Price, but Mia O’Brien was adjudged to have clattered into her. Lina Nagib stepped up to send the ball low to O’Brien’s left and collected her tenth goal of the season. Ironically, it was again about ten minutes later when the crowd witnessed the third penalty in just half an hour of football. This time, a great run from Eleanor Rossiter dwn the right-hand side was matched by the energetic Vicky Neal. The Boro’ defender slid in to block the ball, which caught her hand. The penalty was awarded, and a yellow card added for her troubles. Nagib won the mind games by putting the ball exactly where she did previously, only this time it was inches past the outstretched hand of O’Brien. As half time drew near, Makewell almost added to her tally with a low shot that was well saved by Evie McKane. The goalkeeper could do nothing about the injury time equaliser. Borough moved the ball from defence to attack with a cracking kick from hands by O’Brien following a free kick. The Needham defence allowed the ball to bounce before Makewell collected the half clearance. The ball was sent to Kelsey Millen on the right who cut infield and sent the ball across the eighteen-yard box to Shephard who looped the ball high and away from McKane for a dramatic leveller. Both sides had efforts in the second half, in what was a much tighter and cagier affair. As the minutes ticked by, the sense of jeopardy from both sides was palpable, alongside the sheer will to win. It was going to take something spectacular to win the game, and with seventy-two minutes elapsed, Wodhams obliged. A Hannah Nebbitt throw, high up the left hand side of the pitch, was held up by Amy Gooderham who laid a simple ball back to Wodhams who unleashed her sixth career goal for the club from distance over McKane who could only turn and watch the ball bounce into the back of the net. Needham did not roll over and were almost level three minutes later. A corner was earned after a brilliant save from O’Brien, who punched clear the set piece only to see the bar come to her rescue from an excellent effort by Wakefield. That was the best opportunity for the hosts, but there was to be late drama in the penalty box as the game finished how it began. Holly Greenwood was unceremoniously brought to the ground during time added on. With Makewell off the pitch, Tilly Fidler stepped up, only to see her low effort saved well by McKane. The result means that it will be Stevenage who will await the decision of the match between Luton Town and Colney heath to see which side will finish the season by lifting the league cup. With AFC Sudbury securing a vital win against Royston and inching closer to the required points tally that would secure the championship, there is still yet the chance of glory for some. Stevenage will move into this Sunday’s County Cup Final against Royston Town, with a spring in their step. After a second consecutive battling 3-2 victory, Interim Manager Dave Perry said, “We worked hard today, everything was there, the desire to win. It was a good game, and we did well. Whether it be a cup semi-final, or a league game, the girls want to do well and want to play. They give us the tools to win, they do it, not me. Now we get our day out at the final – it’s good!” Needham Market XI: McKane, Bloomfield, Catchpole, Rossiter, Etheridge, Nagib, Hall, Ward, Wakefield, Cantwell, Thomas Subs: Hubbard, Gooding, Pannifer, Sharp Goals: Nagib x 2 Booking: Etheridge Stevenage XI: O’Brien, Neal (c), Farmer, Price, Nebbitt, Bodily, Greenwood, Shephard, Schofield, Millen, Makewell Subs: Fidler, Gooderham, Webster, Wodhams Goals: Makewell, Shephard, Wodhams Booking: Neal

Ground Guide Brighton & Hove Albion By Paul Donegan Groundhopper Paul spent the afternoon at The People's Prension Stadium, home to Brighton and Hove Albion. Here's how he got on and his guide for visitors wishing to see the Seagulls in action. Address The People's Pension Stadium, Crawley, RH11 9RX Location and Ground History Brighton & Hove Albion play most of their matches at the Broadfield Stadium, currently known as The People’s Pension Stadium, in Crawley. The ground opened in 1997 as the new home for Crawley Town and Brighton have played there since 2018. It has a capacity of 6,134. Crawley is just south of Gatwick Airport and is about 18 miles north of Brighton itself. The ground is on the south side of the town, just up the road from the end of the M23/A23 junction. Getting There Crawley has a station which is about a 20/25 minute walk along Brighton Road from the ground. There are direct trains to London and these take about 45 minutes, passing through Three Bridges and Gatwick Airport, whilst in the other direction, trains head down to Horsham, Bognor Regis and Southampton. The town centre is the other side of the railway to the ground so add a few more minutes on if walking from there plus there is a level crossing. One word of warning is that there are a few parts of the walk where the lighting for the pavement isn’t that good if there for a match after it gets dark. The roundabout next to the ground has a big red and white football in the middle of it and if walking from the town then take the football themed subway at the roundabout. There is some parking on site if driving. There are some buses that go from the town centre to near the ground including the 10 and 20 fastway buses. Tickets Tickets vary in price depending on the category of match. For the match I went to it cost £4 for standing and £5 for sitting. I bought the tickets online a few days before the match and received them as an attachment which I printed off at home. There is a ticket office at the ground (far end of main stand) that was open so I think you could buy tickets on the day if you wish but worth checking this and if prices increase. Buy Tickets https://www.brightonandhovealbion.com/fixtures/womens?selectteam=1468&selectcompetition=-1 The Stadium The turnstiles in use for Brighton games are at the far end of the main stand, by the ticket office. They opened about 45 minutes before kick off but I went to an evening game so might be different for afternoon ones. There was a quick bag search before going in. There are toilets and a food kiosk just inside the entrance. The main stand covers about two-thirds of the length of the pitch and is raised above pitch level so there are some stairs to go up which are to the left as you go in. To the right is some covered terracing which extends are the way behind the goal (the other end is identical but not open for Brighton matches). There are more toilets in the far corner at the back of the terrace. On the far side there is a covered seated stand that goes along the whole length of the pitch. There are a few support pillars along the front so these might get in the way. Food and Drink At the ground behind the south terrace (beyond the turnstiles), there is a bar but this was closed when I went and not sure if it is open for Brighton matches. Inside the ground there is a food kiosk with a good selection of food and non-alcoholic drinks available but with a bit of a slow moving queue when I was there. Hot drinks (coffee, tea hot chocolate, bovrill) cost £2 whilst cold drinks (cans, fruit shoot and water) cost £1.50. Beef burgers cost £4, cheeseburgers £4.50 and you can add bacon for another £1. Skin on chips (which were really nice and a good portion) cost £3 and a there are a selection of chocolate bars which cost £1. There are also cheese and onion rolls, sausage rolls and pies and slices which all cost £3.50. Away from the ground, I only noticed one pub (The New Moon) on the walk from station to the ground so if you want anything else it might be best to go to the town centre. Merchandise Didn’t see much merchandise about. There was a photo booth thing by the entrance and I did see some flags being given out. There was no sign of any programmes and then it was announced it was online only. However a lady then appeared giving out paper programmes for free.

Esme Morgan Position Defender D.O.B 18/10/2000 Club Manchester City via PA Images

Bristol City take all three points home from Bramall Lane in a 3-1 win over Sheffield United Back Match Report WC: Sheffield United v Bristol City Bristol City take all three points home from Bramall Lane in a 3-1 win over Sheffield United Bristol City WFC 19 October 2022 By Paul Donegan Bristol City continued their unbeaten start to the season with a 3-1 win against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on Sunday. Shania Hayles scored twice before Abi Harrison added their third. Mia Enderby got a consolation goal for the home side in second half stoppage time. Ella Powell had the first opportunity of the match for the visitors but she shot over in the 4th minute. It was a fairly quiet start to the match with chances few and far between. Harrison saw a low cross cleared by a defender in the 15th minute, and Jodie Hutton shot wide for City five minutes later. Harrison then saw her cross go just wide. Courtney Sweetman-Kirk had the hosts first effort in the 25th minute but her shot was saved by Fran Bentley. At the other end a minute later, Ffion Morgan shot from 25 yards was kept out by Bethan Davies. Bentley pushed away a cross from Bex Rayner in the 34th minute, and seconds later saved a shot from Charlotte Newsham. Bristol City opened the scoring in the 40th minute. Hayles picked the ball up near the touchline midway inside the half, then ran past a couple of defenders before finishing low into the net. The away side made it 2-0 in the 48th minute. A cross from the right looped into the air off a combination of Hayles and goalkeeper and the City forward finished from close range to score her second of the match. Harrison scored The Robins third goal in the 54th minute. A ball was played over the top by Aimee Palmer which the Scottish international got onto before producing a nice finish into the corner of the net. Emily Syme had a chance to make it 4-0 shortly after but shot over after a scramble. Sheffield United made loud appeals for a back pass in the 59th minute but nothing was given. Rayner saw her dipping cross caught on the line by Bentley a minute later. Morgan’s shot from the edge of the area for City was saved in the 65th minute. Bentley made a save low down by the post to stop a Grace Riglar header from a free kick. She made an even better save in the 73rd minute when she kept out a deflection off Naomi Layzell from Sweetman-Kirk’s cross. The home side were finishing the match well and had a few opportunities in the final ten minutes. Enderby saw a low shot from the edge of the area saved, and in the 85th minute, Alethea Paul dragged a long range shot wide. Sheffield United did find the net in the first minute of stoppage time when Enderby picked the ball up midway inside the half, ran past one challenged and finished into the corner of the net from about 12 yards. The win sees Bristol City move three points clear of London City Lionesses and Charlton Athletic after the weekend’s games. Sheffield United drop down to sixth place in the league. Sheffield United are at home to Southampton on Sunday whilst Bristol City are also at home to Crystal Palace on the same day. Line ups Sheffield United: Davies, Newsham, Hartley, Riglar, Paul, Lord-Mears, Cusack, Haywood (E. Wilson 53’), Sweetman-Kirk (c) (Enderby 78’), Rayner, Walters (Muir 66’) Unused substitutes: N. Wilson, Wilcock, Docherty, Francis-Jones, Brown, Miller Goal – Enderby 90’+1 Booked – Cusack 87’ Bristol City: Bentley, Cataldo, Layzell, Mustaki, Powell, Syme, Palmer (c) (J. Bull 79’), Hutton (Bruce 69’), Morgan, Harrison (Woolley 69’), Hayles (C. Bull 57’) Unused substitutes: Clarke, Wilde, Teisar Goals – Hayles 40’, 48’, Harrison 54’ Booked – Syme 50’, Palmer 68’ Referee – Sophie Dennington Attendance – 1192

Kit Graham's late winner irks the Addicks in testing FA Cup match Back Match Report Graham sends Spurs through in FA Cup glory Kit Graham's late winner irks the Addicks in testing FA Cup match Spurs Women 11 February 2024 By Paul Donegan Tottenham Hotspur beat Charlton Athletic 1-0 in the Women’s FA Cup fifth round thanks to Kit Graham’s second half goal against her former club. This tie at the Gaughan Group Stadium on Saturday evening pitched Women’s Super League Spurs against the current Women’s Championship leaders and it turned out to be a close affair. In the second minute, the home side had the first chance when Eveliina Summanen’s flicked header from a corner hit the top of the crossbar and went over. Bethany England maybe should have done better when she headed wide from close range for the hosts in the 10 th minute after a cross had only been pushed as far as her. The Addick’s first opportunity came in the 15 th minute but Kate Longhurst’s header from a corner was blocked. Tegan McGowan lost possession when turning in the area a couple of minutes later and Spurs goalkeeper Becky Spencer claimed the ball. After some nice play from the home side in the 22 nd minute, Grace Clinton played in Celin Bizet but she fired over the bar. Freda Ayisi whipped in a free kick for the visitors that missed everyone as the match approached the half-hour point. A couple of minutes later, Ayisi saw her free kick from 25- yards hit the wall before being cleared. The conditions weren’t great with persistent rain falling through most of the match, and there were a number of misplaced passes from both sides. The hosts finished the first half well but England wasn’t able to get onto Olga Ahtinen’s cross. In the 41 st minute, Ahtinen’s long-range chip dipped over the crossbar. Wang Shuang aimed at goal from just outside the area but her shot went the wrong side of the post just as stoppage time was announced. Spurs made a double substitution at half time with Martha Thomas and Jessica Naz coming on for Clinton and Wang. Two minutes after the break, a cross from the home side went over England’s head and hit Bizet before going behind for a goal kick. Thomas couldn’t get on the end of another cross with Elisha N’Dow clearing the ball. Charlton’s first effort of the second half came in the 52 nd minute when McGowan sent a low shot narrowly wide. England had another opportunity for the hosts in the 55 th minute but she put her shot wide of the post. N’Dow then blocked an Amanda Nilden effort on the hour mark. Tottenham came close to taking the lead in the 65 th minute when Nilden played the ball back to England but her effort from just outside the 6-yard box cannoned back off the crossbar and out of the area. Nobody from the home side could get on the end of a Matilda Vinberg corner in the 74 th minute. Naz saw a shot saved by Jessica Gray a minute later. Spurs took the lead in the 76 th minute when second half substitute Graham won the ball back and her low shot from outside the area found the back of the net. Another dangerous Vinberg corner went right across the area in the 80 th minute with no one able to get the final touch. Graham saw an effort fly over following a corner as the home side looked to wrap the tie up. Karin Muya saw her shot from the edge of the area take a deflection and trickle to Spurs keeper in the 84 th minute. Nine minutes of stoppage time were signalled, and in the second minute of these, the Addick’s Mary Bashford saw her shot from 25-yards caught by Spencer. The match had got a bit tetchy during the second half and there were a few yellow cards shown, including one for someone on the Spurs bench. A long free kick forward from Charlton was headed just wide of her own goal by Nilden for a corner deep in additional time. That came to nothing and Spurs held out for the remaining time without any problems to progress to the quarter-finals. Line ups Tottenham Hotspur (4-3-3): Spencer, Grant, Buhler (James-Turner 62’), Bartrip, Nilden, Ahtinen, Summanen (Graham 70’), Clinton (Thomas 46’), Bizet (Vinberg 62’), England (c), Wang (Naz 46’) Unused substitutes: Votikova, Brazil, Ayane Goal – Graham 76’ Booked – Summanen, Naz Charlton Athletic (4-2-3-1): Gray, Roe, Skeels, N’Dow, O’Rourke (Bashford 83’), Longhurst (c), Ross (Filis 74’), Addison (Muya 83’), McGowan (Johnson 74’), Barton, Ayisi (McKenna 63’) Unused substitutes: Rogers, Humphrey Booked – O’Rourke, Johnson, Barton Referee – Lisa Benn Attendance - 974

Liverpool's Faye Kirby made a sensational WSL debut, but it wasn't enough to keep Chelsea at bay as the Blues earned a late 2-1 win Back Match Report WSL: Chelsea v Liverpool Liverpool's Faye Kirby made a sensational WSL debut, but it wasn't enough to keep Chelsea at bay as the Blues earned a late 2-1 win Liverpool FCW 4 May 2023 By Paul Donegan Sam Kerr scored a late winner for Chelsea as they came from behind to beat Liverpool 2-1 at Kingsmeadow on Wednesday evening in the WSL. Emma Koivisto had given the visitors an early lead before Niamh Charles equalised for the Blues just before half time. The win sees Chelsea close the gap on the Manchester clubs at the top of the league to four points behind United and one behind City with two games in hand on them both. This was Chelsea’s first league match since their 3-0 win over Aston Villa on the 2nd April, having been in FA Cup and UEFA Women’s Champions League action since then. Emma Hayes made one change from their draw in Barcelona last Thursday with Lauren James coming in for Maren Mjelde who had jarred her back. They started in a 3-4-1-2 formation with Charles and Guro Reiten playing in the wing-back roles, Eve Perisset was one of the back three with James joining Kerr up front. Matt Beard made four changes for Liverpool from their disappointing result and performance against Leicester at the weekend. Out went Rachael Laws, Leighanne Robe, Fuka Nagano and Katie Stengel. Coming in for them were goalkeeper Faye Kirby, who was making her WSL debut, Rhiannon Roberts, Gemma Bonner and Miri Taylor. They lined up in a 5-3-2 formation with Koivisto and Taylor Hinds playing as wing backs and getting forward when they could. When defending, the defence and midfield played very close together so it felt like there were about eight players for Chelsea to get through at times. The home fans may have still been eating the free hot dogs promised by Hayes after the original game was called off after six minutes due to a frozen pitch in January when the visitors took the lead in the 2nd minute. After winning the ball in midfield, Liverpool attacked with Natasha Dowie’s cross finding Koivisto running in unmarked at the far post who finished past Ann-Katrin Berger. Erin Cuthbert had Chelsea’s first effort at goal eight minutes in but shot over from 25-yards. A Perisset free kick was easily claimed by Kirby in the 11th minute. Bonner blocked Kerr’s effort four minutes later. Kirby got down low to save a Reiten shot shortly after. Liverpool saw a long-range effort from Dowie was easily caught by Berger. The Reds were defending well and looked organised, blocking a Chelsea effort before Kerr put a shot wide. Kirby made a good one-handed save to stop Kerr’s flicked header in the 23rd minute. Jessie Fleming shot wide a minute later The visitors were slow taking a throw in after half an hour and got warned by referee Abigail Byrne. Koivisto was booked for the same offence a few minutes later. During a break for treatment to an injured Liverpool player, Hayes took the chance to have a chat to her players and changed formation to 4-2-3-1. She admitted after that she probably took too long to make this change as they were missing Mjelde playing the back three. This change also allowed their play-makers to be somewhere else on the pitch which Hayes said they felt they needed. Chelsea equalised soon after this tactical change but the goal came from a set piece. Perisset put in a corner which Charles headed into the net in the 41st minute. Liverpool had the final chances of the half during the four minutes of stoppage time with Shanice van de Sanden seeing an effort saved then Dowie’s shot which was blocked by Perisset. Chelsea had the first opportunity in the second half but James saw her effort comfortably saved. The Blues players did a bit more switching of positions when they made a double substitution in the 54th minute with Fleming dropping back alongside Melanie Leupolz in midfield, Pernille Harder came on and went in the middle behind Kerr with Jelena Cankovic going in the right-side attacking position. Liverpool’s two wing backs almost combined but Koivisto deep cross couldn’t find Hinds running in at far post. Cankovic was putting in some dangerous crosses but no-one could get on the end of these or direct the ball towards goal. Liverpool brought on another defender in the 68th minute when Robe replaced Taylor meaning Roberts was pushed slightly further forward into a defensive midfield position. Kerr put a chance over in the 73rd minute, before Harder was allowed to run towards the but her shot went wide a minute later. A final slight positional change for Chelsea in the 80th minute saw Cankovic drop back into midfield when Johanna Rytting Kaneryd was brought on and she went on the right side. Reiten had ball in net for the hosts in the 82nd minute but the flag was up for offside. Chelsea did score a second, and what turned out to be the winner, in the 86th minute. Fleming’s shot from outside the area hit the woodwork and Kerr was first to the rebound to score despite Kirby getting a touch on the ball. During the eight minutes of added time, Harder saw an effort blocked, and then a long ball forward was headed on by Kerr to Harder but Robe tackled before the Dane could shoot. The final whistle went seconds later. After the match when speaking to the press, Hayes said that Chelsea’s performance had showed they had not played a WSL match for a month, “we needed this game to get back into WSL, it is such a different game”. She felt they were asleep for the first 10 minutes of the game and this might be a “little bit of a hungover from the semi-final (UWCL against Barcelona), playing in front of 72,000 people and then 1,600, there is an adjustment and the first half reflected that”. She continued by saying they “found new levels of grind and new levels of dig today” to get the win. Beard said afterwards that he was disappointed for the Liverpool players as he thinks they “deserved a point” because of the way they defended. He admitted they “rode their luck at times” but considering everything that happened, they deserved something. After the disappointing performance against Leicester, he was happy with the commitment and desire the players showed against Chelsea. Both sides are at home on Sunday in the WSL with Chelsea taking on Everton and Liverpool host Manchester City. Line ups Chelsea (3-4-1-2) (changed to 4-2-3-1 during the first half): Berger, Perisset, Carter, Eriksson (c), Charles, Cuthbert (Cankovic 54’), Leupolz (Kaneryd 80’), Reiten, Fleming (Ingle 88’), James (Harder 54’), Kerr Unused substitutes: Musovic, Abdullina Goals – Charles 41’, Kerr 86’ Liverpool (5-3-2): Kirby, Koivisto, Roberts, Matthews, Bonner, Hinds (c), Taylor (Robe 68’), Kearns (Humphrey 82’), Holland (Lundgaard 60’), van de Sanden (Stengel 68’), Dowie Unused substitute s: Laws, Cummings Goal – Koivisto 2’ Booked – Koivisto, Kirby Referee – Abigail Byrne Attendance – 1,664

Reading face defeat at home as the Blades take a comfortable win 3-1 on the road Back Match Report Sheffield United earn all three points in Reading Reading face defeat at home as the Blades take a comfortable win 3-1 on the road Sheffield United FC Women 24 October 2023 By Paul Donegan Sheffield United beat Reading 3-1 in the Women’s Championship at the Select Car Leasing Stadium on Sunday. The Blades goals were scored by Ashley Hodson, Isobel Goodwin and Charlotte Newsham whilst Tia Primmer got the Royals late consolation one. Reading had a few early corners, including one where some of their players ran from behind the goalline before it was taken, but these came to nothing. Sheffield United’s Sophie Barker had first shot at goal in the 7th minute but this was easily gathered by the hosts keeper Emily Orman. The home side saw Freya Gregory’s long-range effort deflected over three minutes later. Tara Bourne’s free kick hit the post in the 13th minute as the away side went close. Rachel Dugdale’s was causing the Blades defence some problems with her long balls forward. The Royals next opportunity came in the 17th minute but Sanne Troelsgaard’s long-range effort sailed over the crossbar. Lauren Wade cut in and saw her shot from 20-yards tipped over by Sheffield United’s goalkeeper Fran Stenson in the 23rd minute. Wade had another effort at goal from the edge of the area two minutes later but this one was pushed away by Stenson before being cleared. The visitors took the lead in the 33rd minute when Hodson got onto a loose back pass, went around the goalkeeper and finished from a wide angle. There was some miscommunication in the Blades defence shortly after that almost let Reading in before the ball was cleared. There were half chances during the remainder of the half but nothing to test either goalkeeper as the away side went in ahead at half time. Three minutes into the second half, Sheffield United made it 2-0 when Goodwin won the ball off Easther Mayi Kith, run into the area then finished low into the corner of the net. Jodie Hutton shot over in the 51st minute as the visitors looked to add a third. The Blades seemed determined to be first to the ball and were rushing Reading in the early stages of the second half. The home side saw a curling free kick miss everyone in the area three minutes later. On the hour mark, the hosts had another opportunity when Stenson kept out a low effort from Dugdale before the ball was put behind for a corner. Hutton sent a free kick from 25-yards over for the away side in the 65th minute. Newsham made it 3-0 for the visitors in the 72nd minute when after Hutton’s great ball across had been played back to her by Bourne, she tapped in from near enough on the goalline. In the 78th minute, Stenson made a good save to deny Josie Longhurst as the Royals looked to get a goal back. The home side finished the match well and scored a consolation goal in the fifth minute of additional time when Primmer finished from close range after Stenson had made another save. The final whistle was blown a few minutes later meaning Sheffield United have now won three of their last four league matches. After the weekend’s results, Sheffield United move up a place in the Championship to eighth whilst Reading drop three places to ninth. Both sides next games are after the international break on Sunday 5th November when the Royals visit Birmingham City, and the Blades are away to Southampton. Line ups Reading: Orman, Dugdale, Houssein (Longhurst 60’), Primmer, Wade, Hendrix (Cooper 59’), Mayi Kith, Estcourt, Gregory, Woodham (c), Troelsgaard Unused substitutes: Annets, Smith, Elwood, Medows Tuson, Jarvis Goal - Primmer 90’+5 Booked – Primmer, Woodham Sheffield United: Stenson, Newsham, Barker (c), Bourne, Sigsworth (Haywood 78’), Rayner (Kinzett 90’), Goodwin, Hodson (Wilcock 90’), Hutton (Connolly-Jackson 85’), A. Brown, R. Brown (Graham 85’) Unused substitutes: Heeps, Docherty, Page, Adebowale-Arimoro Goals – Hodson 33’, Goodwin 48’, Newsham 72’ Booked – R.Brown Referee – Grace Lowe

Ultimate Football Heroes: Lionesses by Emily Stead Ultimate Football Heroes: Lionesses Ultimate Football Heroes: Lionesses by Emily Stead Celebrating the success of the phenomenal Lionesses, this book follows four key players in their journey from the playground to the pitch, as they prepare for the biggest match of their lives. Learn how star players Lucy Bronze, Ellen White, Leah Williamson and Beth Mead stepped up to help the Lionesses secure the title of European Champions 2022. Ultimate Football Heroes is a series of biographies telling the life stories of the biggest and best footballers in the world and their incredible journeys from childhood fan to superstar professional player. Written in fast-paced, action-packed style these books are perfect for all the family to collect and share. Available to buy: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lionesses-European-Champions-Ultimate-Football/dp/1789466881/ref=pd_bxgy_img_sccl_2/257-3022985-0041206?pd_rd_w=sBA28&content-id=amzn1.sym.40f919ed-e530-4b1a-8d7e-39de6587208d&pf_rd_p=40f919ed-e530-4b1a-8d7e-39de6587208d&pf_rd_r=52Y9N1NYHXDY411HMK13&pd_rd_wg=eMXJ4&pd_rd_r=d05131df-0701-4d16-98ec-20c2bfbb5bbe&pd_rd_i=1789466881&psc=1

Natalia Arroyo reflects after an own goal destroys Aston Villa's hopes of taking a point away from leaders Chelsea Back Match Report “This is a starting point of something bigger” says Villa boss Arroyo Natalia Arroyo reflects after an own goal destroys Aston Villa's hopes of taking a point away from leaders Chelsea Aston Villa Women 4 February 2025 By Aimee Logan Chelsea continued their unbeaten run in the WSL this season, after an own goal from Sarah Mayling gifted the title leaders the full three points at Villa Park. The Blues have dominated the WSL so far this season, they remain undefeated with 12 wins and only a single draw in the competition so far under manager Sonia Bompastor. Only a fine margin divided Aston Villa and Chelsea last time out, a goal from Rytting Kaneryd giving Chelsea the victory: she started on the bench for this fixture. In the opening 15 minutes of the fixture, there were chances for both teams to take advantage of a counter attack, the best chance was handed to the home side where a mistake from Hampton provided Villa with a goal-scoring opportunity but her quick recovery defended the close-range chip from Nunes. Chelsea were quick to dominate the home opposition after some careless football in the defensive third. The referee awarded The Blues with multiple corners but despite the impressive deliveries, there wasn’t a player in the six-yard-box to knock it home for Bompastor’s side. After the convincing spell from the away opposition, Arroyo’s side stood-out for the remainder of the first 45, consistently punishing Chelsea for their errors with the away team’s defensive line criticality keeping Villa from scoring first. The final chance of the first half came from Chelsea’s Lauren James who fired the ball just wide before the whistle was blown for the break. The only substitution made at half-time was Chelsea’s Guro Reiten, being replaced by Rytting Kaneryd who would have hoped to build on some of her team’s positive attacks. However, the home side came back out fighting and didn’t give The Blues an opportunity for a shot on target for the first 15 minutes of the second half, until a shot from range from Macario ricochets into D’Angelo’s hands. After substitutions from both sides, the game remained an end-to-end battle with chances for both sides to score an opener. The best opportunity for the home team to punish Chelsea followed an impressive team counter-attack, finished with Hanson hitting the crossbar after the ball narrowly exceeded Hampton’s fingertips. It was Bompastors side who were awarded the first and only mark on the scoresheet, though, after Villa’s defensive mistakes left an opening for Chelsea leading to a messy own-goal from Mayling. A disappointment after Villa held their own for the entirety of the game and deserved to take a point away from the game. The score ended Villa 0-1 Chelsea, the title leaders going 10 points clear at the top of the table. Post-match, both managers reflected on their teams performances in the fixture with Arroyo stating that she is “sad but proud” of her teams’ performance. She determined that her team needed to “make a bigger impact in some details” because “the only big chance they [Chelsea] had, they put the ball in”. I asked if Arroyo could see the improvements in the Villa side since they last lost 1-0 to Chelsea back in September, she acknowledged that at the start of the season, the team “struggled in the first half” . Her team is “totally in” and “ have trust” in her as the new head coach. “I had the feeling that they [the fans] were there,” she added. “I loved the atmosphere, hopefully we can put more people in the stadium, but if not, it's nice what they were doing.” Bompastor also reflected on her teams’ slightly lackluster performance that earned them the full points away at Villa Park stating that “the starting XI wasn’t good enough” , adding “that’s my responsibility”. “I don’t really care about the fact we have been unbeaten, it will happen one day” The Blues’ boss relayed. She wants the team “ to focus in every game, because if we are able to perform in every game until the end, we will be in a really good position to have the title.” I asked Chelsea’s manager about new signing Keira Walsh, who completed her first few minutes in a Chelsea shirt against Villa and Bompastor could already recognise what she is going to bring to the team. “She’s so smart, she brings the calmness”. “We’re really happy to have her and I think she’s really happy to be with us.”