Both teams will be hoping to book a place in the fifth round of the SSE Women’s FA Cup, but the home side will have to be at their best in order to spring an upset on the North Londoners.

With Arsenal Women bragging a whole host of silverware, along with a range of International players, Green’s side will need to take the grit and determination that her team showed in last weekends game in Birmingham, into this Sundays encounter.

For most parts of the game in the defeat to Birmingham last weekend, there was a Yeovil Town team full of energy and desire, but goals conceded at crucial times in the game, forced another defeat. However, with a break from league action, and with new surroundings at Weston-super-Mare, there is much optimism for a cup upset.

Yeovil striker and Welsh International Kayleigh Green said “The men’s results this year in the FA Cup has shown that the underdogs can get a result against the stronger teams. We are a determined group of girls who will keep fighting and with the support of our home crowd behind us, we will look to upset Arsenals hopes for silverware.

“We have to stay compact as a team, each individual has their defensive responsibilities and in Sunday’s game we have to make sure that we are strong and deny Arsenal the time and space on the ball.

“Although the result was disappointing, our performance against Birmingham was an improvement from previous games. We defended better as a team and made it difficult for Birmingham at times and the same will need to happen on Sunday. We have to make it difficult for Arsenal to play. We have to work hard as a team, give everything we have and most importantly believe in our own abilities.”

Tickets for the game can be bought on the day in cash, or in advance online by clicking here

To view the fans guide, click here for everything you need to know, including parking, refreshments, plus more!

Match sponsored by Power and Pyro Ltd.

Report courtesy of Yeovil Town Ladies FC

Attendance of 1302 for Yeovil Town Ladies v Manchester City Women at Huish Park on 24 September (Photo: Dougie Allward for FA)

Further to their Club Statement released last week, following The FA’s announcement to restructure the top of the women’s football pyramid, Yeovil Town Ladies FC are now in a position to share the next steps with its fans, business community and media.

The club urges fans to ‘Pack The Park’ in this Sunday’s match v Sunderland which kicks off at 2pm. Following this fixture, the club is giving everyone connected with the club, in all capacities, the opportunity to discuss the recent announced changes, but to also explore ways in which they can get involved and support Yeovil Town Ladies future development.

The forum event was originally planned for Monday evening, however, in view of the large amount of support already sent in to the club, it has been decided to move this event to a day earlier, whilst also encouraging a big attendance at the next FA Women’s Super League home match.

A new email address has been set up, giving people the chance to send in questions or suggestions to achievebyunity@yeoviltownladies.com and this will be monitored in the lead up to Sunday, with any key questions or information shared where possible.

Following the match on Sunday, the Alec Stock lounge, will be made available to fans, media and businesses, where spokes-people from Yeovil will be on hand to share some ideas and plans, which will assist with their application for a Tier 1 license in the 2018/19 season, and therefore, keeping a deserved place in the top of the women’s game, having worked so hard over a number of years to gain its place on merit.

Only those with a matchday ticket are eligible to attend this post match event and should numbers attending this be so high, the forum will be delivered on a larger scale in a slightly different way, in order to get the message and plans over to everybody in attendance and those keen to support Yeovil Town Ladies moving forward.

The club mantra of Achieve By Unity, is one which helped the club win the Club of the Year award twice in three years, which was presented by The Football Association in 2014 and 2016. This lead to success on the pitch as well as off it, when last year, Yeovil Town Ladies FC reached their current high profile after winning the league, beating Bristol City, who were second and Everton in third.

The Yeovil, staff, players and board are committed to remaining ambitious and whilst focusing on this current season of football, the application for the 2018/19 season has been given a deadline of 10th November for submission.

Tickets for Sundays match v Sunderland can be purchased online here, with turnstiles open from 12.30pm for the 2.00pm ko. The after match event, is to begin from 4.00pm after the full-time whistle.

Yeovil are committed to providing a great matchday experience, and Sunday is no different, so aside from this, come along and watch some elite level top flight football.

Report courtesy of Yeovil Town Ladies

Manchester City Women huddle (Photo by Alex Livesey – The FA/The FA via Getty Images)

The 2017/18 season will be the first to run from September to May, following a move from the original March to November summer season.

Yeovil Town Ladies begin with an opening home fixture v Manchester City Women.

Lucy Bronze, Steph Houghton, Jill Scott and co, who were in EURO semi-final action with the England Lionesses recently, will visit Huish Park for the first time, on Sunday 24th September 2017 (2pm KO).

Ticket details for this game along with Season Tickets, will be announced on the club website soon.

The opening weekend fixtures are as follows:

FA Women’s Super League 1
Arsenal Women FC v Birmingham City Ladies FC
Chelsea Ladies FC v Bristol City Women FC
Everton Ladies FC v Liverpool Ladies FC
Reading FC Women v Sunderland AFC Ladies
Yeovil Town Ladies FC v Manchester City Women FC

FA Women’s Super League 2
Aston Villa Ladies FC v Brighton & HA Women FC
Durham Women FC v Tottenham Hotspur Ladies FC
London Bees v Doncaster Rovers Belles FC
Millwall Lionesses FC v Watford Ladies FC
Oxford United Women FC v Sheffield FC Ladies

Report courtesy of Yeovil Town Ladies FC

Having toured the county during the recent Spring Series, Ladies action will return to Huish Park from September with the FA Women’s Super League season now aligned to the traditional winter football calendar.

Visiting Huish Park in the 2017/18 season will be Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Everton, Birmingham City, Reading, Sunderland and Bristol City, with fixtures scheduled on both Saturdays and Sundays throughout winter, along with midweek matches too.

Despite entering a maiden season in Super League One, Huish Park will become the fourth largest regularly used home ground in FAWSL, with only two other EFL or Premier League clubs sharing the first-team pitch with their female colleagues.

Manager Sherwood was delighted to see his side back where they belong saying, “Huish Park is a special place and one where we have had much success of recent times.

“The support which we have had whilst playing in front of the home crowd here, has undoubtably helped us, as we really do play for our fans.”

Sherwood went on to say “We hope to do everyone in Yeovil, Somerset and the surrounding area proud and by bringing top flight football to Huish Park, we hope that we can see excellent support towards the club.”

Yeovil Town Ladies’ opening match is on Sunday 24th September with more information on their opponents being released on later today.

Yeovil Town Ladies FC would like to place on record their thanks and appreciation to both Taunton Town FC and Bridgwater Town FC, who kindly helped host WSL1 Spring Series matches in the April to June period this year.

Season tickets are due to be announced soon.

Report courtesy of Yeovil Town Ladies FC

Photo: Terry Fisher

Last night at Somerset FA’s awards evening, Yeovil Town Ladies Picked up the Special Recognition Award for their success of last season, both on and off the pitch. The annual awards evening was held at the Somerset County Cricket ground and aims to recognise the great work that referees, clubs, coaches, volunteers and all people at various levels of the game do in Somerset.

In the 2016 season, the club achieved the highest average attendance of an impressive figure of 743 and the highest attendance of WSL 2 season when they put three past Sheffield Ladies and claimed the WSL 2 title in front of a whopping 1,483 fans.

From Yeovil Town Ladies brilliant achievement of being crowned FA Women’s Super League 2 champions in November, they are now able to bring elite top flight football to Somerset and welcome the likes of Manchester City, Chelsea & Arsenal to the county.

Since competing at this level, Yeovil Town Ladies have enthused and engaged with so many younger female players and have provided opportunities for local girls on match days, including the chance to be mascots and ball girls.

Trevor Jenkins, General Manager of Yeovil Town Ladies FC said “This Special Recognition Award is an award for everyone at our club. From our hard working and dedicated players and staff, to our team of matchday volunteers, everyone should feel proud to have been recognised.

“Achieving this award would not have been possible without the support of our sponsors, fans and partners, including Somerset FA who gave out this award.

“The awards evening had a room full of amazing people involved in football at all levels, all of whom are doing great things for the game. I hope that the work our club has done, not only puts women’s football and the South West in high regard, but I also hope it inspires more people to take up the sport and get involved.”

Lead photo from left to right: Trevor Jenkins (General Manager), Emma Britton (President), Jamie Sherwood (Manager), Steve Allinson (Chairman)

Report courtesy of Yeovil Town Ladies FC

Former Notts County midfielder, Angharad James, has joined Yeovil Town Ladies ahead of their four remaining Spring Series fixtures. The Welsh International is available to play in tomorrow’s clash v Reading FC Women, where she will meet former Notts County team mates Jade Moore, Jo Potter and Kirsty Linnett.

The twenty-two year old has represented Wales at U16’s, U17’s and U19’s level, plus she has accumulated over 50 caps for the senior side. James has a considerable amount of Women’s Super League 1 experience, having competed in the league for many years, former clubs include Arsenal and Bristol Academy. The midfielder has played with a number of the Lady Glovers squad during international duty and from previous clubs.

On signing, James said: “After the disappointment of what happened at Notts County, I am delighted to join Yeovil Ladies and can’t wait to get started.

“I’m looking forward to working with Jamie, who I can’t thank enough and the talented group of players we have here. The ambition is to get maximum points from the next 4 games, putting us in a strong position leading up to the Winter season.”

Jamie Sherwood believes that James will be a beneficial asset to his squad: “It is great to see AJ as part of the squad in the short term.

“She is a player I’ve admired for a long time and I am sure that she will soon show the YTLFC fans what I have seen in her for years. She will bring good experience of this level of football to our squad, even at her young age she has competed at this level for a few years.

“She brings a calming influence in possession and defensive edge out of possession. I am looking forward to working with AJ and watching her settle into the club and I hope we will see her in her new home for a lot longer than just the spring series.”

Report courtesy of Yeovil Town Ladies

Walsh, who has previously progressed through both Aston Villa and Everton, was in tonight’s squad, for the visit of Bristol City Women to The Viridor Stadium.

Progressing through the U17 and U19’s Walsh has since been a member of the England U23 squad. The 22-year-old will be familiar with FA Women’s Super League One football, having been a contracted player with Notts County Ladies and a full time professional.

Still living in the midlands, Walsh will be committing to the Lady Glovers side for the Spring Series, who also welcome Arsenal Ladies to Taunton on Sunday.

On signing, Walsh said: “I’m really excited about signing for Yeovil, the team had a great season last year and I’m looking forward to being part of this team and building on that success.

“I can’t get wait to get started, and what better way to get stuck in with the derby against Bristol this evening.”

And it was in at the deep end for Megan Walsh as she ran out with Yeovil Ladies just a few hours after signing.  Things did not quite go to plan though as Yeovil lost out to Bristol City Women by 3-2 in Walsh’s debut game.

Yeovil got off to a difficult start when they conceded a penalty after just 5 minutes which was converted by Claire Emslie but Annie Heatherson put her side back in contention as she headed a deft cross into the back of the net midway through the half.

In the second half Megan Walsh was called into action and helped keep the score at 1-1 and it wasn’t until twenty minutes before time that Yeovil’s Sarah Wiltshire put her side in the lead for the first time in the game.

Yeovil were unable to defend their lead though and just three minutes later Chloe Arthur put City level again and with just a minute left on the clock a fierce shot from Arthur rebounded off the unfortunate Cousins to give City the win.

Yeovil Town Ladies FC have announced that Natalie Haigh, former captain of The Lady Glovers has re-joined the club. Haigh departed prior to the 2016 season due to work & studying commitments, as well as sustaining a back injury.

On the return of Haigh, Manager Jamie Sherwood said, “I am really happy to have brought Natalie back to the club and seeing her back in Green and White is an exciting proposition.

“Her experience, leadership and outright ability becomes an excellent addition to our squad for 2017.”

On returning, Haigh said, “I am absolutely delighted to have been given the opportunity to come back. After the injury I sustained to my back almost 15 months ago, I never thought I would play again, let alone at this level.

“It’s great to be back in and around the club – there is a real buzz after the success they achieved last year. Anyone that knows me knows that football is my life, and it’s an unbelievable feeling to be back. I can’t wait for the Spring Series to start, and to get going with the team.

“The girls here worked so hard for their success in winning WSL2 last season, and it’s a real honour to now have the opportunity to train and play alongside them. This team and this league are so competitive, and I have a lot of work to do to prove that I’m good enough to not only break into the starting 11, but to compete against some of the top players in the world.

“I’m really looking forward to the challenge of learning and growing with this team, and as a collective unit being on a stage where we are competing amongst the best teams in the country.”

She continued, “Leaving Yeovil was tough especially as, at the time, I couldn’t see a way back from my injury. I’ve spent a lot of time in the gym trying to get myself into a position to be strong enough to start training properly again, and I have many people to thank for getting me to this point.

“I intend to give 110% whenever called upon to play – this club means a lot to me, and I respect the privilege of being able to wear the shirt”.

Sherwood added, “This doesn’t conclude our recruitment for our First season in WSL 1 as we are still hopeful of getting across the line 2 or 3 more prior to our FA Cup match vs Notts County in mid-march.”

Yeovil’s first game of the Spring Series season is against Liverpool on April 23rd at Huish Park. To purchase tickets, click here.

Report courtesy of Yeovil Town Ladies FC