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Stevenage earn a 2-1 win over Luton Town to send them to the top of the table in hard-fought match Back Match Report Stevenage v Luton Town Stevenage earn a 2-1 win over Luton Town to send them to the top of the table in hard-fought match Edward Payne 7 February 2023 By Barry Rust Stevenage FCW returned to the top of the Eastern Region Women’s Football League Premier Division with a superb last minute winner against Luton Town. Their opponents have occupied the top spot for most of the season so far and have just one defeat to their name – to FA WNL team – Ipswich Town. That though, was a cup game. Here at the Herts FA County Ground, Stevenage inflicted the first league loss of the campaign so far. The first half saw both sides testing the waters without causing either defence too many issues. It took almost a quarter of an hour to offer a noteworthy chance, as Kelsey Millen sent in a wicked cross from the right that Emily Schofield couldn’t quite convert from close range. As the half hour mark approached an opportunity arose for Stevenage to deliver the first decisive blow. Lucy Webster took over attacking duties and broke through the middle of the park, before being unceremoniously dumped to the floor as she entered the area. Chris Geelan pointed to the spot and entered Hannah Major into the book with a yellow card. In the absence of Amy Makewell, Jodie Bellinger, making her 40 th career appearance for Stevenage, stepped up in the ultimate showdown. Her effort however was matched by Angelica Kopec in goal and the game remained at a stalemate. Borough had one final major opportunity to take the lead before the break after Schofield was brought down at the edge of the area. Shianne Swarres hovered over the ball before delivering a sublime free kick over the wall, but on a collision course with the crossbar. Luton cleared their lines and the scoreline remained level. Immediately upon the restart, Boro started with a spring in their step. Nicole Farmer mimicked Swarres’ earlier effort as she hammered the ball into the bar from a free kick. Down the other end, Stevenage rode their luck as Elizabeth Sanders wandered around Tea Oldroyd only to find her effort blocked on the line by Neal and cleared. The reprieve lasted barely two minutes as Leyah Maddix scored her ninth goal of the season as she latched on to a ball from ex Boro-player Andie Dickens and saw her header roll into the empty net. Stevenage could have been deflated and defeated, but they continued to dig in. Amy Gooderham made her return to action and gave the defence something to worry about. Her best early opportunity came from a great ball from Erin Price, but her initial touch was just too heavy and Kopec had no troubles winning the race. Two minutes ater and Boro’ were level. A free kick from Webster was pushed onto the post by Kopec. The ball rebounded off the woodwork and rolled into the path of Kopec and ex Boro’ defender Tanya Blacksley who was unfortunate to deflect the ball into her own net . Blacksley had made 69 appearances for Stevenage in her career without ever scoring, but the Borough fans were overjoyed. The game continued as it started, a battle with two teams slugging it out to see who would be top of the mountain. Becky Shephard was starting to find some spaces and had set Gooderham up with another opportunity that Kopec was equal to. As the minutes ticked into the additional three minutes that were added on, Boro’ earned a corner. Shephard took the set piece and placed it into the perfect spot for Neal to attack the far post and be first to the ball with a vicious header that sent the home fans and staff into ecstasy. Photo: Edward Payne “I’ll remember that one, I was glad I could contribute with one off the line and that goal!” Neal said afterwards. “I feel like we really fought for the game today.” A nervy minute was played before the final whistle blew and Stevenage celebrated their return to the top of the league with Luton still very much in the hunt for glory thanks to their games in hand. Captain Lucy Webster was “Buzzing” after the game, claiming “Today just showed our standards and nothing is better than beating the team at the top of the table in the last minute of the game.” This was something the manager, Fadi Mazloum, fully agreed with. “It feels good. You could see the fight and determination from the girls today. I always felt we were in it. That’s the standard, week in, week out.” Stevenage XI: Oldroyd, Farmer, Webster (c), Neal, Re, Price, Bodily, Greenwood, Schofield, Millen, Bellinger Subs: Shephard, Makewell, Swarres, Gooderham, White Goals: Blacksley (og), Neal Luton XI: Kopec, Taylor, Wade, Blacksley, Major, McKay, Palmiero, Constable, Dickens, Sanders, Maddix Subs: Payne, Lewis, Hussain, Milton, Wilson Goals: Maddix Booked: Major, McKay, Maddix

Anita Asante Two Decades of Excellence Legendary Lionesses: Anita Asante A Back 7 May 2022 By Charlotte Stacey Two Decades of Excellence Getty Images The morning before her 37th birthday, Aston Villa defender Anita Asante announced her retirement from professional football. Asante’s announcement was perhaps slightly surprising, but sewing up an immense twenty-year career was bound to come sooner or later. Asante’s presence is one as familiar as a pitch itself and a WSL season without the centre-back gracing the grass will certainly take some getting used to. From childhood football in the cages of North London to representing Great Britain in the Olympics, Asante’s career has taken her across the globe and seen her win multiple accolades, always at the very pinnacle of the game. Signing a senior contract at her beloved Arsenal in 2003 as a teenager, Asante was a part of the Gunners squad that made history becoming the first and only club to win the quadruple (Premier League, Premier League Cup, FA Cup and Champions League) in 2006-07. Asante is widely regarded to have played an exceptional game in the Champions League final against Swedish side Umeå. Asante then moved across London to join Chelsea for a year before spending the next portion of her career overseas. In 2009 Asante joined New Jersey side Sky Blue FC in the inaugural season of the Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) and helped the side to win their first campaign. She was then traded to the now obsolete Saint Louis Athletica and the briefly joined Chicago Red Stars. Asante moved once again in 2010 to Washington Spirit before following then coach Jim Gabarra back to Sky Blue. After the WPS folded in 2012, Asante took the opportunity to head back to Europe and settled into the Damallsvenskan, the top-flight of women’s football in Sweden. Asante joined Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC (now known as BK Häcken) and went on to make 41 appearances and score nine goals, as well as winning the Svenska Cupen (Swedish Cup) and the Svenska Supercupen (Swedish Super Cup). The defender then moved across to Swedish champions LdB FC Malmö (now known as FC Rosengård) and continued her illustrious run abroad. Asante picked up hordes of silverware in her four years with Rosengård, including the league title in 2014 and 2015, the Swedish Cup in 2016 and the Swedish Super Cup in 2016 and 2017. She also was part of the side that reached three Champions League quarter finals. Swedish dominance achieved; Asante returned to England to join Chelsea in the WSL in 2018 before signing the final contract of her career with Aston Villa in 2020 for their first campaign in the top division. Rather fittingly, Asante’s final away match came against Arsenal, signing out the very same way she signed in. With such noteworthy domestic form, it is unsurprising that Asante’s international bearing is no less impressive. Asante played for England through the youth groups and captained the U19 Lionesses to victory in 2002 at the U19 World Cup. Asante went on to make her senior debut in 2004 and subsequently made 71 appearances and scored two goals for her country. Asante was also part of the 2012 Olympic squad in which she featured prominently, playing in all four of Team GB’s matches before their eventual defeat in the final eight. Charlotte Stacey Asante’s style of play is simple; no nonsense, fundamentally driven, quality defending, and it has been her complete mastery of the basics that have kept her at the top for so long. In the final stretch of her pitch side endeavours Asante has played over 35 games for Aston Villa, still an essential part of the set-up as she was twenty years ago. Timely blocks, clever interceptions, imposing body positioning to force an opponent onto the wrong foot, all make up the small details of Asante’s game. Yet, possibly where she is most deadly is in one-v-one situations. Governing that backline with a notable astuteness, Asante is incredibly calm when handling immediate pressure. She will stick with an attacker before knowingly using her physicality or smart footwork to dispossess. In fact, in this final season alone, Asante leads as the player who has tackled the greatest number of dribblers throughout the term. Put simply, one sighs a certain amount of relief when Asante’s name pops up in the starting eleven. Asante’s mark, however, has not just been stamped between the confines of the touchlines. Advocate and activist, for many years Asante has campaigned for the rights of the LGBTQAI+ community, as well as strongly supporting Show Racism the Red Card and Amnesty International and Goals for Girls. Looking ahead, it seems there will be plenty on the horizon. Asante already lends her experienced voice to the masses, sharing her expertise in educating the nuances of women’s football as a pundit within the media industry. Yet further than that, Asante has ambitions that will eventually see her back in the dugout, aspiring to come full circle and head back to where it all began. Asante hopes to one day return to The Arsenal and manage the club that has sparked two decades of a remarkable life. “My long-term ambition is to one day manage my childhood club – it would be amazing to go back to where it all began. I want to live again in that world that gave me so much.” – Anita Asante. It is abundantly clear there is a deep passion that runs through Asante for the causes and issues that are close to her, and whilst pitch may lose a great, the sport and its lending organisations gain someone truly special. The floods of tributes from coaches, players and supporters alike only served to confirm the iconic status of the stalwart. Plain and simple, the pitch will miss the ever-present excellence of Anita Asante.

Alex Scott MBE Scottie Talks Legendary Lionesses: Alex Scott MBE Scott A Back 13 September 2020 By Charlotte Stacey Scottie Talks via Yahoo Sports You do not have to be a fan of women’s football to have heard the name Alex Scott. The former Arsenal and England defender has made waves in raising awareness of women’s football, and is vocal in advocating that women have a place in sport. Alex Scott has proved time and time again that she will get back up after a knock back. From a young age, her determined nature has seen her work through hardships and adversity in order to fulfil her ambitions. On the pitch, Scott enjoyed an illustrious career for both club and country. A fast paced, quick thinking, pressing fullback, Scott was very much a player you wanted working with you, rather than against. A gunner through and through, Scott enjoyed three separate spells with Arsenal across her sixteen-year senior career. Always returning to her roots, Scott helped Arsenal collect a wealth of silverware, including seven FA Cups and eight league titles. Much like her club feats, Scott’s international record is just as noteworthy as her domestic one. Having represented England on numerous occasions, as it stands, Scott is one of only four players to have worn the three lions 140 times or more. Scott was a part of the Lionesses squad that placed second in the 2009 Euro’s, as well as the team that took home the bronze medal at the 2015 World Cup. Legacy cemented; Scott has certainly set the bar high. A tough act to follow for England’s future right backs. Yet Scott’s mark is stamped far beyond the confines of a football pitch. In recent times, Scott has become somewhat of a familiar figure on our screens. Her recent stint on Strictly Come Dancing, as well as her guest presenter spots on popular shows such as The One Show, have seen Scott become a household name. But underneath those nifty dance moves and natural hosting skills, Scott is constantly raising the profile of the women’s game. In fact, simply by participating, she has opened the door to a whole new audience. Louise Cook With an easy-going friendly manner, and a first-hand experience of the game, Scott’s media presence is no accident. Taking the bull by the horns straight out of retirement, Scott made history as the first female pundit to appear regularly on Sky Sports, and to cover a major football tournament on the BBC. Unfortunately, these achievements did not come without their ups and downs. Scott often speaks about the abusive and sexist comments she receives online. But, luckily for us, the resilience Scott demonstrated on the pitch has remained, and she continues to propel the women’s game into the limelight. Regarding this step into the mainstream, in an interview with Hello! Magazine, Scott rightly commented, “it shows how far the women’s game has come”. Yet she is modest in her own efforts toward this. It is fair to say that Scott, herself, has had a pretty big hand in bringing the sport to the forefront of people’s minds over the last couple of years. Other projects aside, women’s football very much remains at the heart of Scott’s media career. Her passion is there in every interview, in every punditry broadcast, and was certainly seen with every goal the Lionesses scored in last year’s World Cup. It is this down to earth, honest nature that makes Scott so easy to watch. Scott’s likeability has justly gathered her a large fan base, and it is clear that the appreciation her supporters have for her, is reciprocated. Over this lockdown period, Scott has taken it upon herself to bring a smile to the faces of her fans. Scottie Talks, her Instagram Live series, has been a welcome distraction to many. Scott has chatted with a number of women in sport, both about their careers, but also about their time in lockdown. These open and frank discussions have certainly helped in normalising the struggles of this time, and perhaps for some, helped in not feeling quite so alone. Many sincerely hoping that Scott herself is getting as much out of this series as her audience is. So, both on and off of the pitch, Scott has led by example and has paved the way for others. Her work ethic and determination mean she is, simply put, the perfect role model for young girls and boys wanting to follow in her footsteps. Scott has achieved far beyond what was ever expected, and has shown that you do not need to compromise yourself in order to succeed. Since her induction to mainstream sports broadcasting, there has been a shift in the number of women seen on sporting channels. Several female pundits now feature regularly across a number of football events, and this began with Scott. Gunner royalty. Legendary Lioness. Alex Scott is, and always will be, a piece of English women’s football history. Her MBE for her “contribution to women’s football” is more than deserved. And it seems this contribution is far from over.

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Chelsea sit comfortably at the top of the table after a 5-0 win over West Ham Back Match Report Another win in the bag and Chelsea remain unbeaten in the WSL Chelsea sit comfortably at the top of the table after a 5-0 win over West Ham Chelsea WFC 21 January 2025 By Paul Donegan Chelsea’s undefeated start to the season continued on Sunday when they beat West Ham United 5-0 in the Women’s Super League. Catarina Macario, Erin Cuthbert, Aggie Beever-Jones, Sandy Baltimore scored superb goals for the Blues before Amber Tysiak put into her own net late on to complete the scoring. On a cold afternoon in Dagenham, Beever-Jones saw her shot from outside the area deflected over in the 4th minute as the visitors looked to make their early dominance count. A number of corners from the visitors also came to nothing in the opening stages of the match. Chelsea took the lead in the 11th minute when Macario sent a stunning left-footed dipping volley from 12-yards into the net. Two minutes later, Macario sent an effort well over from seven-yards. In the 15th minute, Mayra Ramirez headed straight at the West Ham goalkeeper. Macario sent a free kick from 25-yards wide for the visitors in the 20th minute. Cuthbert, on her 250th appearance for Chelsea, made it 2-0 a minute later when she fired into the bottom corner from the edge of the area after the Hammers had lost possession whilst trying to play out from the back. Baltimore forced Kinga Szemik into making a save in the 24th minute as the Blues continued to be well on top. Ramirez’s header from a corner went back closer to where it started then the goal minutes later. Cuthbert was back to stop a rare West Ham attack as the match approached the half-hour mark Beever-Jones saw her effort headed off the line by Anouk Denton with Sjoeke Nusken sending the rebound wide as the away side went close to extending their lead further. A nice Chelsea attack down the left-side, which started with Millie Bright winning the ball in defence, finished with Baltimore shooting across goal and wide. Seraina Piubel had the home sides first effort at goal in the 38th minute when she got clear but sent her shot wide of goal. At the other end, Szemik pushed away Macario’s 20-yard strike. Beever-Jones scored the Blues third goal a minute before half time with a stunning effort of her own when she found the net with a shot from 18-yards that flew past the West Ham goalkeeper. Szemik got down to stop Beever-Jones shot in first half additional time with the attack starting after a crunching Bright challenge. Baltimore was then denied by the goalkeeper as the visitors looked to add another goal before the break. Shekiera Martinez came on at half time for her debut for the Hammers. They had the first chance of the second half within the first minute of it but Katrina Gorry shot over from 20-yards. In the 48th minute, Baltimore sent a strike over for the away side and into their supporters behind that goal. Baltimore made it 4-0 in the 52nd minute when after a clearance from Szemik had been won by Chelsea, she sent a strike from just inside area into the top corner for another cracking goal. Denton, who had been one of West Ham’s better players, shot over from the edge of the box as the hosts looked to get a goal back. There weren’t as many clear chances in the second period until Riko Ueki made her way to just inside the area in the 70th minute but her shot was straight at Hannah Hampton in the Blues goal. Cuthbert saw her shot fall tamely into Szemik’s gloves with 15 minutes remaining. In the 78th minute, Johanna Rytting Kaneryd fired onto the side netting for the away side. West Ham appealed loudly for a handball by Lucy Bronze in the box a minute later but the referee waved play on before a cross was claimed by Hampton. Maika Hamano saw an effort blocked by one of her Chelsea teammates as the match went into the final 10 minutes. Gorry then made a good block as Hamano was about to shoot after Szemik had again given the ball away. In the 85th minute, Tysiak put Cuthbert’s low cross into her own net from close-range as the visitors made it 5-0. Chelsea had a few half chances during the remainder of the match but couldn’t find the net again and it was the home side who went closest to scoring when Gorry sent a shot wide. The victory for the Blues sees Sonia Bompastor set a new record of 11 games unbeaten start for a manager in the WSL whilst captain Mille Bright becomes the player with most wins in the leagues history. Chelsea are now seven points clear of Arsenal at the top of the league with the two playing each other on Sunday at Stamford Bridge. West Ham remain 10th and three points ahead of bottom side Crystal Palace. Line ups West Ham United (5-3-2): Szemik, Smith, Mengwen (Cooke 75’), Tysiak, Zadorsky, Denton, Piubel (Pavi 78’), Gorry (c), Siren (Martinez 46’), Asseyi, Ueki Unused substitutes: Walsh, Bergman Lundin, Harries, Saez, Houssein, Ademiluyi Booked - Gorry Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Hampton, Bronze, Bjorn, Bright (c), Charles (Lawrence 71’), Nusken (Jean-Francois 61’), Cuthbert, Beever-Jones, Macario (Hamano 61’), Baltimore (Reiten 61’), Ramirez (Rytting Kaneryd 71’) Unused substitutes: Musovic, Perisset, Mpome, Bernabe Goals – Macario 11’, Cuthbert 21’, Beever-Jones 44’, Baltimore 52’, Tysiak (og) 85’ Referee - Amy Fearn

The Foxes pull of the Great Escape and retain their place in the top division Back Match Report WSL: Brighton v Leicester City The Foxes pull of the Great Escape and retain their place in the top division Ryan Asman 28 May 2023 By Paul Donegan Leicester City secured safety in the Women’s Super League with a final day 1-0 win away at Brighton & Hove Albion. Second half substitute Ava Baker scored the only goal in the 73rd minute. By staying up, the Foxes created WSL history by becoming the first side to make up a seven-point deficit at the bottom of the league and survive. The travelling Leicester fans were in good voice on a sunny and warm afternoon at the Broadfield Stadium. They knew a win for their side would keep them up whilst any other result meant they would be depending on Reading not beating Chelsea. It was Brighton though who made the better start, and they had the first chance in the 5th minute when Elisabeth Terland back-heeled a Katie Robinson cross into the keepers hands. A minute later, Kayleigh Green sent a fierce shot from 25-yards high and wide. It took until the 15th minute for the next effort. It went the home sides way again when Robinson run down the right side and her cross was deflected into Janina Lietzig’s hands. Robinson’s runs were causing problems but the next cross was overhit and missed her teammates in the penalty area. In the 17th minute, Leicester had their first opportunity when Hannah Cain dragged her shot wide of the post after being played in by Carrie Jones. It was the Seagulls who had the next effort two minutes later but Terland put her shot wide. From then onwards, it was near enough Leicester with all the chances. Missy Goodwin put an effort wide from just inside the area in the 23rd minute. Jones miskicked in front of goal in the 32nd minute as they had missed a third good chance to go ahead. Appeals for a penalty for the visitors were waved away by referee Abigail Byrne after Aileen Whelan went down in the area five minutes before the break. It was goalless at half time but with Reading losing 2-0 at this stage, Leicester would be safe anyway. Photo: Ryan Asman Leicester carried on having chances in the second half but not taking them. Remy Siemsen had an effort easily stopped by Megan Walsh five minutes into it. Cain put a free kick over the crossbar in the 53rd minute, before a Cain cross hit Siemsen in front of goal and went behind. Siemsen had another opportunity a few minutes later but put this one went wide. Cain then headed over in the 60th minute. Substitutions and stoppages then interrupted the game for a spell after the hour mark. It was one of those substitutes who put Leicester ahead. England Under-17 international Baker found the back of the net from close range following a corner. Three minutes later, another Leicester corner was headed wide by Sam Tierney. Whelan was then denied by a good stop from Walsh seconds after that. Brighton hadn’t threatened the Leicester goal at all during the second half until the 87th minute when Lietzig saved a Terland shot before Veatriki Sarri put an effort wide. Danielle Carter had an effort blocked for the home side in stoppage time. A final Brighton effort from Emma Kullberg went well wide, and this turned out to be the last opportunity of the match as the final whistle went shortly after confirming Leicester’s place in the WSL next season. After the match there were presentations to Victoria Williams, Kayleigh Green, Megan Connolly, Danielle Carter and Megan Walsh after it had been announced they will be leaving Brighton when their contracts expire over the summer. Willie Kirk’s side Leicester side had a fantastic second half of the season, picking up all their 16 points since January, and this win also saw the Foxes move up to 10th place in the league whilst Brighton dropped down to 11th. Line ups Brighton & Hove Albion (3-4-3): Walsh, Bergsvand, Morse, Stott (V. Williams 73’), Kullberg, Zigiotti (c) (Stefanovic 85’), Symonds (Carter 65’), Green (Pattinson 65’), Robinson (Visalli 85’), Lee (Sarri 85’), Terland Unused substitutes: Startup, Jarvis, Connolly Booked – Lee, Symonds Leicester City (4-1-2-1-2): Leitzig, Bott (Purfield 78’), Howard (Eaton-Collins 89’), Plumptre, Nevin, Tierney, Whelan (c), Jones (Pike 78’), Goodwin (O’Brien 60’), Siemsen (Baker 67’), Cain (Robinson 67’) Unused substitutes: Lambourne, Reavill, Green Goal – Baker 73’ Booked - Bott Referee – Abigail Byrne Attendance – 3,073

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England’s occasion at the Stadium of Light ends in victory as the Lionesses remain unbeaten in their World Cup Qualifying games. England Beat Austria 1-0 to Retain Their Place at the Top Back England’s occasion at the Stadium of Light ends in victory as the Lionesses remain unbeaten in their World Cup Qualifying games. via Lionesses Twitter Saturday, 27 November 2021 By Charlotte Stacey It was a special occasion for forward Ellen White, who earned her 100th cap against Austria, the team she made her debut against in 2010. White was to be England’s sole goalscorer on what was a bitterly cold and treacherous afternoon in Sunderland. Prior to the match, England manager, Sarina Wiegman, had already identified Austria as the Lionesses most difficult opponents of the qualifying group, and given the concluding scoreline and the overall performances from both sides, she was wise to do so. England opted for a 4-3-3 formation, reverting back from their previous fixture against Latvia, in which they lined-up with an attackingly emphasised back three. Demi Stokes and Rachel Daly returned to the starting line-up, replacing Beth England and, a now injured, Leah Williamson. Millie Bright took on captain duties in the absence of Williamson and usual skipper, Steph Houghton. The opening moments warned England of a more testing fixture than those of late when Austria pressed almost immediately, earning themselves a corner within the first minute. However, England were not to fall victim and roused a positively dominant first half. A triangle formed of Rachel Daly, Fran Kirby and Beth Mead down the right-hand side caused problems for Austria as the three worked in conjunction to feed balls through on goal. This was further bolstered by the deliveries of Bright and Keira Walsh who kickstarted attacks from deeper positions. It was this link-up that provided England’s first clear cut chance of the match, after several looming threats had failed to hit the mark. Bright slotted a well-placed ball to a front-footed Kirby who collected and released to an in-turn running Mead. Mead squared it across the box to White, who had just crept offside. Seven minutes later, a similar play was made as Bright supplied Kirby in the central channel. Kirby pitched forward and teed up a beautiful through ball to meet White’s run. This time White was not able to connect. Centre-back Bright got herself into a prime position and unleashed a lethal long range shot just minutes later. Austria goalkeeper, Manuela Zinsberger looked comfortable to let Bright’s shot fly just wide, however it was not a bad effort at all from the stand-in skipper. The deadlock was eventually broken 40 minutes in after Lauren Hemp’s delivery from the left pinballed around in the box before finding the back of the net. Mead overran the placement of Hemp’s ball, but Kirby was there to retrieve and keep the attack alive. Kirby struck the ball well but her effort was blocked bravely by the head of an opponent. Kirby was able to dink the second ball over to White at the far post, who managed to get stretch just enough to force the ball past Zinsberger. England could have then had a second just before the break when Walsh’s central ball met a well-positioned Kirby. Kirby got the shot away cleanly enough, but Zinsberger pulled off a might fingertip save to deny the Chelsea star. Austria began the second half as they had the first, strongly. The visitors provided goalkeeper Mary Earps with her first action of the game when Barbara Dunst took a punt from range. Two minutes later, Earps was up again as Austria came thundering on the counter in a 3v2 against Daly and Bright. Maria Plattner hit her shot as she inched past Daly, Earps reacted quickly and got a big hand on the strike. With gaps beginning to open up and Austria beginning to exploit space, England were fortunate on this occasion. Just before the hour mark, England had a rightful penalty shout when Mead was quite blatantly pulled down in the area. The referee denied England protests, and the visitors, as the host were minutes before, were fortunate. Austria keeper, Zinsberger, who like her defensive compatriots in front, took another important action at 65 minutes when she tipped out clubmate Mead’s powerful shot from the right. England’s next and final chance of the game came from Daly with just five minutes to go. The provisional fullback collected the ball a few yards outside of the box and saw the space open in front of her. Daly shifted herself to get enough weight behind her shot and sent in a strong ground sweeping strike. Once again, Zinsberger managed to force the effort wide. In relation to England’s previous performances, this was not the most engaging. However, it will serve as the most critical in relation to picking out areas to adjust and improve upon. England succeeded in feeding the channels of the pitch and in being positive in possession. They fell short was in connecting with those final balls, overplaying the attack at times, and in allowing space to be exploited at the back. Sarina Wiegman was pleased with her side’s performance in her post-match talk, noting the performances of Ellen White, Fran Kirby, Beth Mead and Mary Earps in particular. Wiegman expressed that she would have liked to have seen her team play “tighter on the ball” and that they will need to improve upon their opening minutes of play going forward. The Lionesses will face Latvia on Tuesday at 7:30pm at Doncaster’s Keepmoat Stadium. ----- England: Earps (GK), Daly, Bright (C), Greenwood, Stokes (90+1’), Walsh, Toone (62’), Kirby, Mead, White, Hemp Substitutes: MacIver (GK), Hampton (GK), Charles, Carter (90+1’), Wubben-Moy, Stanway (62’), Nobbs, Zelem, Scott, England, Parris, Russo Goals: White (40’) Austria: Zinsberger (GK),Naschenweng (60’), Plattner (89’), Wenninger (C), Dunst, Zadrazil, Weinrother, Kirchberger, Billa (86’), Puntigam, Hansaw Substitutes: El Sharif, Pal, Horvat, Fuchs, Schiechtl, Triendl, Georgieva, Höbinger (89’), Eder, Wienerroither (60’), Schasching, Enzinger (86’)

Lauren James thrilled at Stamford Bridge as she put three past the Red Devils Back Match Report James delights as the Blues soar past a subpar United Lauren James thrilled at Stamford Bridge as she put three past the Red Devils Chelsea FCW 21 January 2024 By Finley Chung A Lauren James hat trick helped Chelsea ease past a below par Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on a chilly Sunday afternoon in West London. The Chelsea Number 10 put the hosts two goals up with two excellent finishes, before Hayley Ladd dragged United back into the game, before James completed the scoring with her hat trick goal to seal the points and move Chelsea 10 points clear over their opponents. Chelsea’s Emma Hayes handed Nathalie Bjorn her first Chelsea start, with Mia Fishel, Guro Reiten, Melanie Leupolz, Lauren James, Kadeisha Buchannan and Hannah Hampton all being handed starting berths after the FA Cup win last week. Manchester United only made one change from their cup clash, with Leah Galton coming in for Nikita Parris. The Blues got this one underway in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Fishel providing the attacking option through the middle, with Guro Reiten, Johanna Rytting Kaneryd and Lauren James in behind the American forward. United lined up in a similar shape, with Geyse leading the line, Zelem and Ladd holding the midfield and Toone, Garcia and Galton between the middle and forward. Chelsea's captain for the day, Niamh Charles asserted herself early on, communicating with Reiten and Erin Cuthbert and putting in a very solid challenge on Geyse early on. Chelsea flew out of the blocks and were ahead within five minutes, courtesy of Lauren James. She initially broke forward before laying the ball off to Reiten, who prodded the ball into the path of Rytting Kaneryd before finding the Chelsea Number 10, who’s clever outside of the boot finish flew past Mary Earps in the United goal to give The Blues a dream start! Jamres wasn’t hanging about in wanting to add to Chelsea’s lead and she combined with Reiten again before her left footed drive flew wide of Earps’ left hand post. United had their first forray forward just after the tenth minute, when Leah Galton fed the ball inside to Katie Zelem, who curled a left footed shot harmlessly over the Chelsea goal.. Chelsea were pressing relentlessly and sensed a second goal, with a surging run down the right hand side by Johanna Rytting Kaneryd not matched by the final ball, as her cross was cut out by the United defence. Erin Cuthbert was next to try her luck, with the ball falling kindly to her on the edge of the box, but the Scot’s effort flew wide of the post. Chelsea’s dominance paid inside the first 25 minutes as they doubled their lead in some style. Nathalie Bjorn clipped a delightful ball over the top of the defence to Lauren James who strode onto the ball and smashed it past Mary Earps on the volley to ram home their dominance and give Chelsea that cushion their dominance deserved. The hosts really should’ve had a third too, a delightful cross from Melanie Leupolz was met by the captain Niamh Charles at the back post, but she skewed her effort wide when she should’ve hit the target. United called Hampton into action for the first time on the 35th minute, Geyse won the ball back after a Bjorn miskick and drove at the Chelsea backline before drilling a right footed effort goal ward which Hampton did well to palm away to safety. Chelsea’s intensity was encapsulated in one passage of play, when Mia Fishel pressed Maya Le Tissier into passing the ball out of play and Guro Reiten’s hands immediately went up in applause towards her teammate in appreciation for her work. Lucia Garcia was next to work Hampton in the Chelsea goal but her right footed effort lacked any power to trouble the Chelsea stopper. Three minutes before half time, United found themselves somehow back in the game. The ball seemed to bobble around the area for an eternity after a Geyse cutback, before Hayley Ladd smashed the loose ball home past a despairing Hampton to claw United back into the contest. Marc Skinners side had their tails up bow as the half ended and another tricky Geyse ball was well seen away by Bjorn at the back as we headed into three minutes of stoppage time in the first half, with all the noise coming from the away end and the Manchester Untied faithful. Chelsea were actually the ones who had the final chance of the half, with Rytting Kaneryd striding onto a loose ball but her dipping, right footed volley fell wide of Earps’ left hand post. Half Time - Chelsea 2-1 Manchester United Hayley Ladd was the first name in the referee’s notebook, five minutes after half time for a cynical foul on Erin Cuthbert in the middle of the park. Chelsea then had Ashley Lawerence to thank for preserving their lead, pulling out an unbelievable last ditch challenge on Ella Toone after the latter was threaded through by Geyse. Toone then looked to turn provider for Lucia Garcia, but her header looped just wide of Hampton’s right hand post. Emma Hayes made the first change of the clash, withdrawing Mia Fishel in place of Sjoeke Nusken, which saw Lauren James move up front for the Blues. Hannah Hampton then showed why she was picked between the sticks for the hosts today, a mix up in the Chelsea back line allowed Hayley Ladd in, but her close range effort was saved superbly by Hampton and then away to safety, The Lauren James box of tricks was then out in response to that, twisting Maya Le Tissier inside and out before seeing her low effort pawed wide by Earps in the United goal, with the resulting corner not amounting to anything for The Blues. Leupolz then angled in a beautiful ball which was met by Reiten on the stretch, but the Norwegian couldn’t keep her effort down. Hayes’ side were pushing for a third and very nearly got it, Bjorn met James’ pinpoint cross with her header coming back off the list and behind. Marc Skinner rolled his dice with just over 20 minutes to go, with Lucia Garcia and Hayley Ladd being withdrawn in place of Nikita Parris and Lisa Naalsund. Chelsea so nearly added a third with a brilliant move, with Cuthbert finding the energetic Rytting Kaneryd, who combined with James but the Swede’s pulled ball across was cut out by the United defence. The United bench were then furious after Leah Galton went down under challenge from Ashley Lawerence but referee, Abigail Byrne refuted any claims for a penalty kick, much to the frustration of Skinner and his coaching staff, then yielded a yellow card for Parris’ protestations about the incident. Kadeisha Buchanan was then replaced by Jess Carter at the back for Chelsea, as Hayes looked to combat the fresh legs United had town on. Marc Skinner then turned to his late goal specialist, Rachel Williams as the game ticked into it’s final 10 minutes, bringing her on in place of Ella Toone. In the 84th minute, Chelsea did have their third and James did have her hat trick, cooly slotting past Mary Earps, for her tenth of the season and surely wrap the points for the Blues. The hat trick hero was then withdrawn to a standing ovation in place of Fran Kirby as we ticked towards injury time. United didn’t give up the ghost however, as Lisa Naalsund curled an effort goal wards which had to be superbly kept out by Hampton in the Blues goal. Chelsea were on the lookout for a late court room, with Kirby and Nusken combining, with the latter firing an effort over the bar in the games last action. Full Time - Chelsea 3-1 Manchester United Chelsea - Lauren James 5’ 22’ 86’ Manchester United - Hayley Ladd 43’

Three goals and two assists from Rachel Daly saw Villa dominate a 5-0 win over Reading Back Match Report WSL: Reading v Aston Villa Three goals and two assists from Rachel Daly saw Villa dominate a 5-0 win over Reading Aston Villa WFC 9 May 2023 By Paul Donegan A superb performance from Rachel Daly helped Aston Villa to a 5-0 win over Reading in the Women’s Super League on Sunday. The Villans and England forward scored a hat-trick and assisted the other two goals, which were scored by Alisha Lehmann and Kirsty Hanson. The defeat leaves Reading two points from safety at the bottom of the WSL table with two matches left to play. Kelly Chambers made one change from Reading’s 4-1 defeat to Manchester City last weekend with Jade Moore coming in for Tia Primmer. Lehmann and Hanson came in for Ruesha Littlejohn and Jordan Nobbs as Carla Ward made two changes for Villa from their late defeat to Manchester United. On a nice Spring afternoon at the Select Car Leasing Stadium, the hosts had the first chance of the match in the 9th minute but Rachel Rowe’s shot from 25-yards went over. Villa took the lead in 14th minute when a Hanson cross from the left found the unmarked Daly who finished from around 8-yards. The Royals had a chance to equalise two minutes later but Sanne Troelsgaard saw her shot from an angle hit the post and bounce away. It was the away side though who were having more of the first half chances with Lucy Staniforth seeing a shot from distance saved. On the half hour mark, Hanson headed a free kick just wide. A minute later, Staniforth sent a long-range shot over. Aston Villa made it 2-0 in the 41st minute when Daly’s cross from the left found Lehmann in so much space and she put the ball into the net from 10-yards. Daly put effort over after a free kick before the visitors made it 3-0 in the 44th minute. Daly won the ball off Easther Mayi Kith whilst Reading were trying to play out from the back then crossed to the unmarked Hanson who finished into an empty net from close-range. Reading had an opportunity to get a goal back in the 53rd minute but Moore blasted the ball over the crossbar. Two minutes later, Villa made it 4-0. Kenza Dali provided the cross from the right this time and Daly got in front of her marker to finish from 10-yards. Daly completed her hat-trick in the 63rd minute when she got onto a lovely through ball from Mayumi Pacheco and finished low into the corner of the net. By scoring this goal, Daly becomes the first English player to score 20 goals in a WSL season, and the third player in the leagues history to be directly involved in five or more goals in a single game. Rowe saw a long-range effort easily caught as the home side looked to score a consolation goal. During the second half, Remi Allen, Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah and Simone Magill came on for the Villans, all making their first appearances after ACL injuries. Pacheco and Daly both had chances during second half stoppage time to increase Villa’s lead but neither found the net. When speaking to the media after the match, Aston Villa manager Carla Ward said she was “delighted” with the performance and win. She praised Daly, saying she has “been sensational for us” and that she is running out of plaudits for her. “She is constantly wanting more, constantly wanting to give more to the team” continued Ward about Daly. She also remarked that it is a “credit to all three” of the players coming back after ACL injuries and “we are so happy for them”. Reading manager Kelly Chambers was in the dressing room for at least half-an-hour after the match with the players and didn’t speak to the media on the day. The Royals next match is a big one away against fellow strugglers Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday 20th May. It is taking place at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and will be the first WSL/Premier League double-header. Aston Villa’s next game is at home to Liverpool on Sunday 21st May with this one being played at Villa Park. Line ups Reading (4-4-1-1): Moloney, Eikeland, Caldwell (Hendrix 67’), Mayi Kith (Woodham 45’), Mukandi (c), Harries, Vanhaevermaet (Perry 67’), Moore (Primmer 56’), Wellings (Wade 56’), Rowe, Troelsgaard Unused substitutes: Poulter, Bryson, Evans, Alexander, Booked – Vanhaevermaet, Rowe Aston Villa (4-1-2-3): Hampton, Mayling, Patten, Turner (c), Pacheco, Staniforth (Littlejohn 58’), Dali, Blindkilde (Allen 58’), Lehmann (Boyle-Hlorkah 58’), Daly, Hanson (Magill 75’) Unused substitutes: Leat Goals – Daly 14’, 55’, 63’ Lehmann 41’ Hanson 44’ Referee – Abigail Byrne

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Goals from Guro Reiten and Ji So-yun secure Chelsea's place in the final Back Match Report FA Cup Semi-Final: Arsenal v Chelsea Goals from Guro Reiten and Ji So-yun secure Chelsea's place in the final Stephen Pond 17 April 2022 By Paul Donegan Chelsea reached Wembley and a chance to defend the FA Cup there with a 2-0 win against Arsenal in front of 3.458 supporters at Meadow Park. Guro Reiten and Ji So-Yun scored the goals during the second half and were it not for some good saves from Manuela Zinsberger, the scoreline could have been a lot worse for Arsenal. It was actually Arsenal who started the better of the two but they were unable to create any clear chances with Chelsea defending well. Chelsea did slowly start to get into the game but again didn’t create anything that threatened the Arsenal goal. Vivianne Miedema had the first real opportunity of the game for Arsenal in the 20th minute but her powerful shot from the edge of the area went over. Chelsea did have a few chances of their own after that with Bethany England and Niamh Charles both seeing efforts saved by Zinsberger. As half time approached, both defences had to make vital blocks and tackles to stop chances, though Arsenal weren’t helping themselves with some sloppy passes. The half time whistle went with the game goalless. Beth Mead picked an early yellow card in the second half before having a good chance to put Arsenal ahead when she controlled and turned but saw her shot go narrowly wide in the 49th minute. It was Chelsea though who took the lead a minute later when Arsenal allowed Reiten too much space to advance with the ball before she sent a cracking shot from outside the area into the net. Chelsea went looking for a second goal and Zinsberger had to get down to tip Sam Kerr’s low shot behind in the 58th minute. They did make it 2-0 in the 61st minute when Ji found a bit of space on the edge of the area and sent a shot into the top corner then going to celebrate in front of the visiting Chelsea fans. Zinsberger was keeping Arsenal in it by this stage as she pushed Reiten’s shot from the edge of the area behind and then saved Sophie Ingle’s shot before Ji put the rebound wide. England sent a shot from the edge of the area over towards the end of a half that Emma Hayes’ Chelsea had been in control for the majority of. Arsenal did create a few chances very late in the half though but Nikita Parris headed wide and Mead saw her shot saved but the offside flag was up anyway. Chelsea’s second half performance saw them reach the final on 15th May where they will play Manchester City in what is a repeat of the Conti Cup final from earlier in the season. Teams: Arsenal: Zinsberger, McCabe, Williamson, Wubben-Moy, Catley, Walti (Maanum 64’), Little (C), Miedema, Mead, Blackstenius (Parris 71’), Foord (Heath 71’) Unused substitutes: Williams, Beattie, Maritz, Wienroither, Nobbs, Iwabuchi Booked – Mead Chelsea: Berger, Nouwen, Bright (C), Carter, Charles, Ingle, Ji (Fleming 79’), Cuthbert, Reiten, England, Kerr (Harder 72’) Unused substitutes: Musovic, Eriksson, Mjelde, Spence, Andersson, Aboullina Goals – Reiten 50’, Ji 61’ Booked – Cuthbert Referee – Rebecca Welch Attendance – 3,458