WSL 2 – 4 The Love Of Sport

February’s WSL 2 Player of the Month is Brighton’s Aileen Whelan

Jennie Powell — Tue, 13 Mar 2018 17:55:57 +0000

Brighton’s Aileen Whelan has been selected as The FA WSL 2 Player of the Month for February.

Whelan’s goals proved crucial to Brighton’s winning streak in February, making it two wins from two in FA WSL 2. Whelan scored the third to see Brighton beat London Bees 3-1 before scoring a hat-trick in her sides’ 5-1 success over Oxford. Her goals have seen Brighton move up to third in the table, just four points behind Millwall Lionesses with a game in hand.

Whelan fought off some tough competition from a shortlist including Tottenham’s Sarah Wiltshire and Brighton team mate Iniabasi Umotong. Whelan’s fellow striker Umotong netted twice, including a fine solo goal in the 5-1 win against Oxford. Despite Wiltshire only joining Spurs in the summer her experience of FA WSL 2 has helped the newly promoted Tottenham settle into their new surroundings, scoring a hat-trick against her former club Watford in a 6-0 win.

The FA WSL Player of the Month award celebrates the best players in FA WSL 1, FA WSL 2 and FA WSL Continental Tyres Cup. Each month, three players are shortlisted based on their performances before a media panel selects a winner for each division.

Presented with The FA WSL 2 Player of the Month award, Brighton’s Aileen Whelan said, “Individually and collectively as a whole, we’ve played much better in February, however for me, Oxford was a big game, it was my first FA Women’s Super League hat-trick so it was definitely one to remember.”

Fans are able to get their FA WSL fix with a selection of live games on BT Sport, BBC Online and The FA’s WSL Facebook page as well as live commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live.

You can find more information on the FA WSL and get match tickets here . Join the conversation on facebook.com/FAWSL/ and on Twitter @FAWSL using #FAWSL.

Report courtesy of The FA via Pitch

Yeovil earn a point away at The Den

Jennie Powell — Sun, 10 May 2015 10:55:52 +0000

Yeovil earn a point away at The Den but leave disappointed not to get all three after second half chances.

Naomi Cole’s second-half penalty earned Millwall a 2-2 draw at home to Yeovil Town, and ensured they kept their unbeaten record intact in FA WSL 2.

The Lionesses twice came from behind, Cole cancelling out Corinne Yorston’s spot kick after Rosella Ayane also levelled in the first half.

Yeovil began the brighter side and after Nicola Cousins almost opened the scoring, Natasha Knapman headed into an empty net on 21 minutes after Annie Heatherson had headed a corner back into the danger area.

Millwall’s Ayane was looking dangerous from the left, and the Chelsea loanee grabbed an equaliser on 35 minutes firing home from just inside the box.

The Lionesses thought they had edged in front on the stroke of half-time, as Yeovil keeper Charlotte Haynes did well to use the post and held the ball against the post keeping it from going over the line from a corner.

Millwall appealed that the ball looked to have crossed the line, but they were penalised for a handball in the build-up and the half ended level.

The visitors regained some of their early momentum at the start of the second half, before Yorston was bundled over in the box by Grace Fisk five minutes after the restart.

Yorston converted to restore Yeovil’s lead, but the Lionesses again equalised on 67 minutes through a penalty of their own – Cole making no mistake from the spot.

Yeovil pushed for a winner, and despite the lively Heatherson hitting the bar in the closing stages, the Lionesses held on.

Millwall remain unbeaten in the FA Women’s Super League with BT Sport, but have now drawn five of their six games.

Yeovil remain in third place and face Everton next weekend, before they travel to Watford the week after.

Millwall Lionesses: Sarah Quantrill, Frankie Strugnell, Dionne Lennon, Naomi Cole, Leanne Cowan, Danielle Carlton, Grace Fisk (Lilli Maple 82), Lillie Bilson, Rosella Ayane (Rinsola Babajide 75), Megan Goss (Lily Agg 56), Ashlee Hincks

Subs not used: Frankie Gibbs, Jordan Butler, Ciara Sherwood

Bookings: Lillie Bilson & Ashlee Hincks

Red cards: none

Yeovil Town Ladies: Charlotte Hayes, Natalie Haigh, Paige Stewart, Ellie Isaac, Corinne Yorston, Nicola Cousins, Steph Williams, Ellie Curson (Stacey Pearson 65) Annie Heatherson, Natasha Knapman (Alys Hinchcliffe 60), Helen Bleazard

Subs not used: Shauna Cossens, Jordan Guard, Amy Wathan, Ebony Dover, Nicola Lipscombe

Bookings: Nicola Cousins

Red cards: none

Attendance: 263

Referee: Garry Maskell

WSL1 and WSL2 – 9 May 2015 – Results and Tables

Jennie Powell — Sat, 09 May 2015 21:40:00 +0000

WSL1 – 9 May 2015 – Results

Bristol Academy 1-1 Arsenal
Sunderland 3-0 Birmingham City

Table

Team	Points	Games Played	Won	Lost	Drawn	Goals For	Goals Against	Difference
Chelsea	13	5	4	0	1	8	1	7
Arsenal	12	6	3	1	3	9	3	6
Sunderland	9	6	3	3	0	10	11	-1
Notts County	8	5	2	1	2	12	7	5
Liverpool	6	4	2	2	0	5	4	1
Manchester City	4	4	1	2	1	2	3	-1
Birmingham	3	6	0	1	5	1	8	-7
Bristol Academy	3	6	0	4	2	4	14	-10

WSL2 – 9 May 2015 – Results

Doncaster Rovers Belles 5-1 London Bees
Reading 2-1 Everton
Millwall Lionesses 2-2 Yeovil Town
Table

Team	Points	Games Played	Won	Lost	Drawn	Goals For	Goals Against	Difference
Doncaster Rovers Belles	16	6	5	0	1	18	4	14
Reading	13	6	4	1	1	20	9	11
Yeovil Town	10	6	3	2	1	16	10	6
Everton	9	6	2	1	3	10	8	2
Millwall Lionesses	8	6	1	0	5	6	5	1
Durham	7	5	2	2	1	9	6	3
Aston Villa	6	5	2	3	0	8	10	-2
Oxford United	4	5	1	3	1	3	10	-7
London Bees	2	6	0	4	2	3	22	-19
Watford Ladies	1	5	0	4	1	2	11	-9

Photo above is of Doncaster Rovers Belles

Everton take all three points against battling Watford

Jennie Powell — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 15:30:27 +0000

Watford Ladies were defeated 3-1 by a strong Everton side on Sunday, the Golden Girls’ first loss at Berkhamsted in five games.

It was an even contest through much of the first half but Simone Magill’s goal on the stroke of half-time changed the complexion of the game.

Millie Turner doubled the lead early on after the break but Jenna Dear then gave Watford a way back into the match. However Lucy Whipp’s superb strike sealed the three points for the visitors.

The first chance of the game fell to the Lady Hornets, a poor clearance from Everton goalkeeper Megan Walsh found Kim Farrow, who then shot narrowly wide from 25 yards.

Shayla Burgess was called into action for the first time shortly after, a strike from Whipp was heading into the bottom left corner but she was denied by a great fingertip save.

Emily Heaslip picked up a knock with half hour played which forced Watford into a reshuffle, Ellie Butterwick came on, with Hollie Wride moving to the right.

After 39 minutes, there had only been a handful of opportunities but the last six minutes of the half proved frantic.

Dear looked to have played the perfect pass through to Kate Natkiel however the linesman raised his flag in a very tight offside call.

Only a minute later, S Burgess was proving her worth again, this time with arguably even a better save to deny Kelly Jones.

The ball then went down the other end, some neat play between Stacie Donnelly and Natkiel ended with the latter finding a yard of space before testing Walsh in the Everton goal.

With only a minute of the half remaining, the crucial breakthrough came. Magill who was in space six yards out could hardly miss and didn’t, despite the best efforts of S Burgess, who managed to get a hand to the shot.

While it had been an even half for the majority, the Toffees performance in the last five minutes saw them have the upper hand at the interval.

Shortly into the second half, they doubled their lead. The ball was cleared from a corner but Lindsay Johnson sent a cross back in, finding Millie Turner who powered a header home to make it 2-0.

Despite the setback, heads didn’t drop as Watford looked to find a way back into the game, good work from Natkiel resulted in a corner for the hosts.

From that, the deficit was halved. Dear sent in a teasing delivery right under Walsh which the keeper fumbled over the line.

The two goal advantage could have been restored only 60 seconds later but the visitors were denied yet again by a fantastic save from S Burgess, probably the best of her splendid afternoon.

Watford were putting pressure on the Everton defence as they looked to find an equaliser but they were proving to be stern opposition.

With a quarter of an hour to go, the away side got their third. Whipp cut inside before sending an unstoppable shot into the top left hand corner.

Dear almost got a goal back yet again in stoppage time, however on this occasion Walsh managed to hold on to her testing effort from distance.

The full time whistle went and while it was a decent performance from those in a yellow shirt, there could be few arguments about the direction the points were heading in.

Thoughts from Manager John Salomon: “It’s disappointing to not come away with anything but we’ll pick ourselves up and go again for the Villa game in two weeks’ time.”

With the dust having settled after defeat to Everton on Sunday, it was clear there were some encouraging signs on display.

“I thought we did really well first half,” he explains. “We had a few good chances and kept our shape well. They’re a good side and we made it difficult for them.”

“Conceding late on in the half was a bit of a blow to the girls, had we seen it out to half-time, that would have given us some solid foundations to build on.”

“When you go 1-0 down against a side like Everton and you’re chasing the game it becomes difficult. We gave ourselves that tough task today and weren’t able to get back in the match unfortunately.”

“It’s disappointing to not come away with anything but we’ll pick ourselves up and go again for the Villa game in two weeks’ time.”

Watford Ladies FC Goal Scorers: Dear 61′

Everton Ladies FC Goal Scorers: Magill 44′, Whipp , Turner

Watford: S Burgess, Heaslip (Butterwick 29), Burgess, Robe, Gillard, Wride (Mallett 70), Green, Donnelly, Dear, Natkiel, Farrow (Mason HT)

Subs not used: Adamson, Scheffer

Goals: Dear (61)

Attendance: 292

U’s earn a point at local rivals Reading

Jennie Powell — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 13:30:29 +0000

U’s earn a point at local rivals Reading thanks to a Kayleigh Hines double on Thursday 23 April 2015 at Farnborough FC with a final score of Reading 2-2 Oxford United.

Two goals from Kayleigh Hines gave United a hard-earned 2-2 draw at high-flying Reading. Hines’ strikes twice to put the U’s in front, but a brace from Lauren Bruton ensured the points were shared.

United made two changes to the side which lost 2-0 at home to Aston Villa on Sunday, with Isi Meade coming in at left back in place of Chloe Bruce and Hanna Jaadla making her debut in place of Ella Franklin-Fraiture. Helen King, who missed the early stages of United’s campaign while abroad, returned to the squad on the bench.

The visitors started brightly and spent the first ten minutes camped in the Reading half. Holly Pickett volleyed over from an early corner, but it proved to be just a warm-up for the opening goal. Reading keeper Grace Moloney punched away a floated ball across, but only as far as Pickett, who hooked it back into the danger area for Kayleigh Hines to bundle in.

The home side soon recovered from their sluggish start and they were gifted an equaliser when Lauren Bruton was felled just inside the penalty area. She duly stepped up to take the spot-kick, sending United goalkeeper Demi Lambourne the wrong way and restoring parity.

Neither side were able to carve out a clear opening for the remainder of a closely contested half. United’s best chance came when Hines curled a free-kick over the bar from a dangerous position, while Lauren Allison stung the goalkeeper’s hands with a long-range attempt on the break.

The home side enjoyed the majority of possession and territory, but found their attempts to press forward cut out by a solid U’s backline. A dangerous through ball put Lauren Bruton in behind, but she was quickly closed down by Hines, who made a timely intervention. England striker Fran Kirby was given her first sniff of goal ten minutes before the break, when she got the wrong side of the United defence, but she scuffed her shot well wide of Lambourne’s goal.

The second half followed a similar pattern, with both sides trading blows. Lauren Allison went close shortly after the restart when she latched onto a through ball, but she snatched at her shot under pressure and it drifted wide. The lively Bonnie Horwood caused the United defence some problems, seeing her effort smothered well by the keeper after she had blocked an Isi Meade clearance. She was denied again by a superb last-ditch tackle from Rosie Lane, who intervened just as the Reading attacker was about to pull the trigger after tipping the ball past Lambourne.

When United retook the lead 20 minutes from time it came against the run of play, following a spell of pressure from the hosts. Hines tried her luck from outside the area with an ambitious left-footed drive, which caught Moloney off-guard and nestled in the corner of the net.

The Reading response was immediate, with Bruton lobbing Lambourne to bag her second of the afternoon. The home side pressed forward in search of a winner, but found themselves frustrated by a dominant defensive display from the U’s, who also threatened on the break. The breakthrough never came for either side and United were able to hold on for their first away point of the season.

Reading FC Women Goal Scorers: Bruton 70′

Oxford United Women Goal Scorers: Hines 6′,70′

United: Lambourne, Meade, Hines, Osborne-Ricketts, Lane, Stanley, Nutman, Allison (Franklin-Fraiture 79), Pickett (Low 90), Nichol, Jaadla (Bruce 87). Subs not used: Cox, Chivers, Pinker, King.

Reading:

Attendance: 282.

Yeovil Town Ladies 4 – 0 London Bees

Jennie Powell — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 09:30:30 +0000

The Lady Glovers made the break through on 17 minutes when Corinne Yorston converted from the penalty spot after Heatherson had been felled in the area by Bees keeper Imogen Riches.

On the stroke of half-time, Yeovil were awarded a second spot kick when Heatherson was upended by Aoife Hurley. However, this time, Riches denied Yorston with a fine reflex save.

The Bees made a positive start to the second half, as Gemma Fraser forced a save from Charlotte Haynes in the opening minute.

The visitors threatened an equaliser four minutes later through a low drive from Cheryl Williams which narrowly missed the target. Lady Glovers substitute Alys Hinchcliffe set up Heatherson for Yeovil’s second on 65 minutes.

Heatherson then completed her brace four minutes later with a fine individual effort from the edge of the area to extend Yeovil’s lead to three.

The Bees were denied a consolation on 79 minutes when Fraser has a goal-bound shot blocked by Nicola Cousins. And with seven minutes remaining, Alys Hinchcliffe slotted home the Lady Glovers’ fourth as they extended their winning run to three matches.

Yeovil Town Ladies: Charlotte Haynes; Nicola Cousins, Ellie Isaac (Ebony Dover 82), Natalie Haigh; Helen Bleazard, Stephanie Williams, Paige Stewart (Amy Wathan 72), Ellie Curson, Corinne Yorston; Natasha Knapman (Alys Hinchcliffe 62), Annie Heatherson;

Subs not used: Shauna Cossens, Stacey Pearson, Jordan Guard

Goals: Yorston(17 pen), Heatherson (65), (69), Hinchcliffe (83)

Bookings: Ellie Curson (66)

Red Cards:

London Bees: Imogen Riches; Billie Brookes, Jade Dempster, Aoife Hurley, Paula Howells; Paige Wakefield; Gemma Fraser, Ashleigh Goddard, Rebecca Anderson, Laura Nicol (Sydney Hinchcliffe 82); Cheryl Williams (Lucy Loomes 72)

Subs not used: Katherine Huggins, Hannals Samuela

Bookings:
Red Cards:

Referee:Brian White

Attendance: 407

Yeovil’s next home match is against top of the table Doncaster Rovers Belles on Sunday 31st May (2.00pm KO)

Watch an FA Women’s Super League match near you, tickets available here.

WSL2 Update : 26 April 2015

Jennie Powell — Sun, 26 Apr 2015 16:15:12 +0000

Thursday 23 April
Reading 2-2 Oxford United

Saturday 25 April
Doncaster Rovers Belles 2-1 Aston Villa

Sunday 26 April
Millwall Lionesses 0-0 Durham
Watford 1-3 Everton
Yeovil Town 4-0 London Bees

WSL2 Table:

Team	Points	Games Played	Won	Lost	Drawn	Goals For	Goals Against	Difference
Doncaster Rovers Belles	13	5	4	0	1	10	3	7
Reading	10	5	3	1	1	18	8	10
Yeovil Town	9	5	3	2	0	14	8	6
Everton	9	5	2	0	3	9	6	3
Durham	7	5	2	2	1	9	6	3
Millwall Lionesses	7	5	1	0	4	4	3	1
Aston Villa	6	5	2	3	0	8	10	-2
Oxford United	4	5	1	3	1	3	10	-7
London Bees	2	5	0	3	2	2	17	-15
Watford Ladies	1	5	0	4	1	2	11	-9

Match Preview: Watford LFC v Everton

Jennie Powell — Sat, 25 Apr 2015 12:10:36 +0000

Watford Ladies are back in action again this Sunday with another home fixture, this time against Everton Ladies at Berkhamsted.

The Golden Girls recorded their first point of the season last time out, now they will be looking to add to their tally against an Everton side new to the division after relegation from WSL1 last year.

Crowds have been remarkable so far, with 240 turning up at Broadwater for the Millwall match, following on from the record breaking 1,102 at Vicarage Road.

“The support we have received from Watford fans and the wider community has been fantastic and it really encourages our players to perform,” Manager John Salomon explains. “This weekend we face a very tough game against Everton and we’ll need all the support we can draw upon to get behind the team!”

“One of our principals as a team is togetherness and that stretches beyond the players to the staff, volunteers, supporters and everyone who helps to make our club successful. Now we’re calling on you to come and get behind the side!”

Tickets: You can pay on the day at the turnstile, with tickets only costing £4 for Adults and £2 for Concessions.

Alternatively, you can buy in advance here

Striker Ellie Mason moves to the Golden Girls from Chelsea

Jennie Powell — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 20:30:48 +0000

Watford Ladies are pleased to announce the addition of Ellie Mason from Chelsea Ladies on a permanent deal.

Ellie has been a regular in the FA WSL Development League, making 23 appearances over the last two seasons for Chelsea, scoring six goals.

The 19-year-old is capable of playing in a number of different positions but it’s her ability as a striker where she’s expected to shine.

“It feels really good to be a Watford player,” Mason says. “I just can’t wait to get started now, it’s an exciting opportunity for me.”

“Coming back to the club, I know a little bit, however I’ve still got a lot to do in terms of getting to know the team and the coaches but I’m excited to learn loads of new stuff.”

It’s not the first time she’s wore the yellow shirt, having previously been part of the Centre of Excellence.

“If it wasn’t for Watford originally I wouldn’t have been able to go to Chelsea,” Mason explains. “I played football here for quite a while when I was young, which was a huge part of my career. Then I went to Chelsea, which helped me improve as a player, however I’m excited to now come back to Watford.”

Ellie is available for selection this weekend against Everton, where she could make her first team debut.

Mason can’t wait to get started: “I definitely want to make an impact on the game. I’m looking forward to getting on the pitch and hopefully scoring as many goals as I can.”

“It would be amazing to make my debut against Everton, I would love it. Even if I just go on for ten minutes, it’ll be great to play with the team and be involved.”

The arrival of the former Chelsea striker will increase the competition for places in the forward ranks.

Manager John Salomon was delighted to seal the signing: “I’m absolutely delighted to have brought Ellie back to the club because she’s a fantastic prospect and offers something different to what we’ve already got in our strike force.”

“She’s strong, powerful and can score from anywhere with the range of strike that she’s got on her. Also, she can hold players off and likes to play, so she’ll get the ball down and want to link in with the midfielders.”

“That’s something we’re trying to develop as well, getting more players into those attacking areas and she’ll encourage that because she’ll be looking to bring the midfield into her play. I have every faith in her to now step up to Super League level and be able to perform on this stage.”

Lady Hornets earn their first point and clean sheet of the season

Jennie Powell — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 08:08:43 +0000

It was another improved performance from Watford Ladies, which secured the Lady Hornets’ first point and clean sheet of the season against Millwall Lionesses. One of the most encouraging aspects of the 0-0 draw with Millwall Lionesses was the defensive performance which helped the team to a first clean sheet of the season.

Leighanne Robe was one of three centre-backs who impressed throughout in keeping the visitors quiet.

“Last game against Reading was a turning point for us and we took that into today’s match,” she explained. “It’s something to build on, we’ve got a new formation and it seems to be working really well.”

“You’ve got the security in the middle and then you’ve also got the wing backs that can get forward but they tuck in so effectively. That means you have still got a back four if one is high and vice versa which is good.”

“It is helping us attack more, along with being more secure at the back. Things are really positive in the changing room and amongst the team at the moment.”

“The main thing is keeping a clean sheet and start building now towards getting three points next time out.”

Robe has been an almost ever-present since joining the club and has started all of Watford’s matches in 2015.

Well placed to comment, she feels things are on the up: “We feel much more secure now. Before we’ve had defeats where we’ll be in the match thinking let’s not concede anymore.”

“Today it wasn’t about that at all, we had the security, we were confident, and now the only frustration is not having put the ball in the net, which is a massive change for the girls and the team.”

With Everton next up in a week’s time at Berkhamsted, there’s another chance to add one or three to the current tally.

“We’re confident of adding to our points total next week,” Robe says. “It’s great to have the back-to-back home games after today.”

“We’ve got the confidence and we’ve found our feet from a difficult start so we are looking forward to next week definitely.”

And the view from the coach:

“I thought we pushed on and had the chances to get all three points,” Manager John Salomon tells us. “We might look at it on reflection and think that it’s a match we should have won.

“The most important thing today was to lay some solid foundations defensively and to get our first point on the board. We asked that of the girls and they have come away with the first clean sheet and first points of the season. We’re really pleased and it gives us something to build on.”

The Lady Hornets continued with the shape that had served them well in the previous game away at Reading.

Salomon was pleased with what he saw: “The girls are really starting to learn and understand what we want them to do and you could see that as the game went on.

“We didn’t have the best of starts for the first ten minutes or so but we settled down, started to ask some questions and were solid throughout defensively.

“Second half we created some very good chances, on another day we might have nicked a goal or two. It wasn’t to be, Kate had a couple of good efforts, one blocked and the other the keeper has made a great save.

“We’re only a few weeks into the work that we’re doing, with what we’re asking the girls to do in this new shape. To see these signs already is very encouraging, it’s something that’ll give us a lot of confidence going into the Everton match at the weekend.”

It’s a return to Broadwater for that match-up, against an Everton side that were relegated from the top tier of women’s football last season.

While expecting a difficult test, Salomon is full of confidence in his side: “It’ll be a tough fixture. We’ve set the foundations today of how we want to play, how stubborn we want to be defensively and how we want to go and influence the game in the final third and create opportunities to score goals.”

“We talked to them after the Reading game, we thought that we were moving in the right direction and we’ve taken more steps forward today.”

“We’ll look to continue moving in that direction next weekend when we face Everton at Berkhamsted.”