The men's table of results:
BRIGHTON WOMEN -
Meadow Park
Arsenal Women
21
Brighton Women
Sunday 30 January 2022
Friday 28 January 2022
Arsenal 2 Brighton 1
From the Arsenal website:
WHAT HAPPENED
We secured our first win of 2022 on Thursday night as we defeated Brighton 2-1 at Meadow Park.
Rafaelle Souza and Laura Wienroither both impressed on their full debuts, while Beth Mead equalled the FA WSL’s all-time assist record.
We made a fast start on the night with plenty of promising attacking play and Vivianne Miedema coming close with her guided header - but it was the visitors who opened the scoring and it arrived against the run of play.
After a controversial free-kick was awarded 30 yards from goal for handball, Inessa Kaagman delivered a floated cross into the penalty area and Emma Koivisto was on hand to head past Manuela Zinsberger.
That goal took the wind out of our sails and throughout the remainder of the first-half, we failed to create a clear-cut opportunity with Brighton maintaining their compact defensive shape.
This could have frustrated us going into the second half, but instead, we returned to the field full of confidence and with greater intensity to our play, before securing a deserved equaliser just five minutes after the restart.
Standing over a free-kick, Mead whipped an inch-perfect delivery across the face of the Brighton goal and Miedema was well-placed to fire home from close range.
That stunning cross ensured that Mead is now level with Karen Carney for providing the most assists in FA WSL history (35).
Mead wasn’t done there, though, and this time she went for goal herself with a free-kick on the edge of the area, firing a stunning curling effort into the top right corner.
Tobin Heath, Miedema and Jordan Nobbs all had chances to make it three in the closing stages, but in the end, a blistering five-minute spell and a complete team performance was enough to secure all three points.
WHAT IT MEANS
WHAT’S NEXT
We must now prepare to host London City Lionesses in the fourth round of the Women’s FA Cup on Sunday.
The game will take place at Meadow Park with kick-off at 12.30pm (UK time).
Plainmoor 0 Shaldon Villa 1
From the Torbay weekly:
Shaldon Villa Ladies come back to collect three valuable points
Keith Hawkins
Published: 12:00 AM January 28, 2022
Shaldon Villa Ladies - Credit: Submitted
In the Western Division of the Joma Devon Women's Football League, Shaldon Villa rose from their previous week's defeat to collect three valuable points from a 1-0 win against a resilient Plainmoor Ladies team.
Despite plenty of possession, a mixture of poor finishing and an inspired display from the Plainmoor 'keeper meant a solitary strike from Lucy Rosser was all that separated the sides at the final whistle.
Activate remain at the top of the table following their 3-1 away win over cross city neighbours Signal Box Oak Villa.
Club stalwarts Steph Warren and Wendy Wise scored a goal each and Tracey Cross added the other one.
Results: Western Division - Signal Box Oak Villa 1-3 Activate, Plainmoor Ladies 0-1 Shaldon Villa.
Liverton United 0 Torquay United 4
From the Torquay United website:
Torquay United Women confirmed their place in the Clickhub Devon Premier Cup final for only the second time in their history on Sunday, with a 4-0 victory at Liverton United Ladies.
United’s prolific strike force were once again in full swing, as goals from Ellie Bishop (2), Danni Wyatt and Beth Everson saw them ease through their semi-final tie.
With new signings Katie Barriball, Alex Sheppard and Esme Kilburn-Thompson unavailable for this competition and experienced midfielder Leah Brooks also missing through illness, manager Grant Fisher had to use the full depth of his squad, giving starts to Jana Richards and Laura Lewis, and moving Wyatt back into her more familiar centre-forward role.
Torquay started the game well on a very bobbly pitch, and created several half-chances in the opening quarter of the first half, as Wyatt and Bishop both went close. The breakthrough eventually came for The Gulls on 18 minutes, when a strong run down the right from Everson saw her cross turned in well via the left foot of Wyatt.
United’s second of the game came six minutes later, and again it was Everson on the right who did the damage, finding Payne on the edge of the area. The midfielder’s initial strike fortuitously found its way through to Bishop, who clinically finished from a central position 12 yards out.
The hosts did give Fisher’s side a rare scare near the end of the half, but a good save in the visiting goal from Konnie Kleczkowski kept Torquay two goals up at the break.
With the second half being halted a couple of times due to lengthy injuries, United found it hard to get any fluidity into their game, and it was Kleczkowski who was once again forced into action, making a fine low save down to her right midway through the second period.
Fisher acted by making a couple of changes to get the game back in Torquay’s favour, and the impact of those substitutes was instantly evident, as intensity levels rose.
The third goal wasn’t far away.
A good ball down the left found Bishop, with the winger’s direct run and low cross into the box finding Everson at the back post, who was left to apply the simplest of tap-ins from less than 6 yards, to make it 3-0 with ten minutes to play.
In full control, United’s place in the final was duly confirmed shortly after when Bishop ran onto a great through-ball by Wyatt and slotted the ball into the bottom left-hand corner of the net, just before the final whistle.
The impressive victory sets up a mouth-watering Final on April 22nd (19:15 KO) against Exeter City Women.
Fisher was full of his praise for his team following the final whistle.
“We fully deserved the win, and it is just reward for all the hard work the club has put in over the course of the season, on and off the pitch.
“Everyone knows that the last few years have been tough for us, so it’s great to see this fantastic club back in a cup final”
Exeter City 11 Feniton 0
From the Exeter website:
Match Report: City Women 11 Feniton Women 0
Huge win for the Grecians as they make the County Cup Final
24 January 2022
Exeter City Women bounced back from the previous weekend’s defeat with an emphatic victory over Feniton, hitting eleven goals as they progressed to the Devon County Premier Cup Final.
Abbie Britton and Aaron Wakley made three changes to the line up, and those returning players made an instant impact. Katie Grigg, recalled after impressing in training in recent weeks, sent a dangerous cross in towards the Feniton goal and as the defender attempted to clear, the ball was diverted into the net for an early lead. Minutes later it was two. After Emily Toogood was fouled, Connie Pengelly’s free kick was headed towards goal by Jaydee Seaman and Meg Robinson was in the right place to convert from close range.
Sarah Stacey had already been causing problems for the Feniton backline, and she would put City in a commanding lead with only eleven minutes played. Pengelly turned away from her marker with more exceptional hold up play, before playing in Stacey who slotted the ball home for number three on the slide. Stacey tested the handling of Sam Lacey in the Feniton goal with two fierce strikes, before Pengelly added her first. Jaydee Seaman struck an outstanding diagonal pass from defence and, with Pengelly in on goal, there was only going to be one outcome as she eased the ball into the far corner of the net.
There was an element of good fortune about the fifth, a neatly worked short corner led to Pengelly sending in another wicked delivery. This time the ball dipped over Lacey and into the far corner of the net. The young City forward is not only an outstanding finisher, but her crossing ability gives City a significant weapon in their attacking armour.
Jaydee Seaman has been a key member of the Grecians backline this season, but since her arrival from Plymouth Argyle last year, the defender had yet to get a goal. As Feniton twice failed to get any distance on a defensive header, the popular defender was in the right place to volley home a sixth, a finish that any forward would have been pleased with.
City would add a seventh just before half time. There was more Pengelly magic from a set piece, with Charley Prouse winning the header and Meg Robinson again in the right place as she volleyed home from close range. Half Time and City comfortably ahead.
If Abbie Britton and Aaron Wakley had any concerns over the intensity from their team in the second half, they were soon dispelled. Sarah Stacey provided more exceptional hold up play and her pass behind the Feniton defence was slotted past Lacey for an eighth.
For the difficult afternoon it was turning into for Feniton, their commitment never wavered and a rare attack needed Manfy Sharpe to be at her best with a well timed challenge to prevent the shooting opportunity.
City were soon back on the score sheet with more Pengelly wizardry from a set piece and as the ball dipped to the back post from an attempted clearance, Sarah Stacey was in the perfect place to nod the ball over the line. Steph Beck rattled the crossbar as City contented to probe away, before Stacey completed her hat trick. Meg Robinson’s driving run, Pengelly’s pass behind the defence and a cushioned lay off for Stacey to chip the keeper, City at their slick best, despite the heavy pitch.
An unfortunate injury meant that the Grecians played the last fifteen minutes with only ten players, but that did not prevent one more goal. Katie Grigg, who was now in full flow on the City right, delivered a cross to the edge of the penalty area where Pengelly held off the defender before drilling home her third and the teams eleventh.
The perfect response from the disappointment of the defeat to Maidenhead and it sets the team up for a huge weekend ahead. With the FA Cup Fourth Round tie at West Bromwich Albion on Sunday, and the chance to progress to the Fifth Round for the first time in the Club’s history, the empathic nature of this victory will give confidence for the tie. The Devon County Cup victory last May was a momentum builder in to the excellent season that the Grecians are currently having, they will now return to Coach Road on April 22nd to play Torquay United in an effort to retain their trophy.
Bridgwater United 2 Milton Keynes Dons 0
From the Bridgwater website:
Bridgwater United 2 - 0 MK Dons
After two second half goals from impact sub Chloe Gilroy, Bridgwater took an important 3 points.
After a defeat in the league before Christmas it was a must win game for Bridgwater. Jasmine Read started in goal and Tia Asker was named on the bench after coming back from injury.
The beginning was positive from the home side, United saw themselves having most possession. Leah Burridge, who has been nothing but exceptional all season, got the ball into the box and Chandler got the ball to Dudley-Jones but unfortunately her flick was wide of the post.
Dudley-Jones was involved again ten minutes later when she was in a position to pull the ball back to Ellie Strippel. Strippel’s effort looked as though it could have been the opener but the keeper managed to push it out for a corner.
MK Dons began to settle into the game more as the half went on and Bridgwater’s defence had to be more involved in the game. The game became more even and it seemed as though both teams would need to work hard to break the deadlock.
Not long before half time MK Dons were awarded a free kick in a good position, on the edge of the box. However United’s wall were easily able to block it and at half time it was goalless.
After five minutes Gilroy was brought on and what a substitution that turned out to be!
United were able to create some chances, a ball was sent over the face of goal however no one was able to get onto the end of it.
Exciting prospect Wilson-White used her pace and drove the ball into the box where she was able to have a shot. However the goalie got a hand to it and before it could find any other player the linesman’s flag was raised.
On the sixty eighth minute MK Dons looked for an opener but Jasmine Read pulled out an excellent save to deny to them from opening the scoring.
Not long after at the other end substitute Chloe Gilroy fired the ball past the keeper and into the back of the net to give Bridgwater the lead!
With ten minutes to Gilroy once again made no mistake slotting then ball home and adding a second to comfortably seal the win for United.
It was a nice moment for Tia Asker in the last minutes of the game when she came on after being out with an injury. And with that Bridgwater were able to celebrate the first three points of the year!
Match Details
Match: Bridgwater United v MK Dons
Competition: FA Women’s National League Southern Premier
Date: Sunday 23 January 2022
Venue: Fairfax Park
Attendance: 146
Teams
United: Jasmine Read, Charlotte Buxton, Amy Goddard, Holly Chandler, Ffion Llewellyn, Leah Burridge, Ellie Strippel, Georgia Evans, Emily Wilson-White, Meesha Dudley-Jones, Bow Jackson.
Subs: Chloe Gilroy, Tia Asker, Lydia Huntley, Jasmine Turner, Laura Holden.
MK Dons: Chloe Sansom, Hannah Warren, Laura Bright, Georgie Giddings, Chez Albert, Nicole Pepper, Sofia Stovold, Marianne Taho, Mollie Coupar, Kerry Newman, Tally Miles.
Subs: Rhianne Rush, Laura Mills, Amy Gooderham, Dominika Netschova.
Match Officials
Referee: David Middleton
Assistant Referee: Len Wilcock
Assistant Referee: Steven Ryan
Who’s next? Attention turns to the Vitality Women’s FA Cup as The Robins host Manchester United in the Fourth Round on Sunday 30th January, 2pm.
Bristol City 0 Charlton 2
From the Bristol City website:
📝 REPORT: BRISTOL CITY WOMEN 0-2 CHARLTON ATHLETIC
SUNDAY, JANUARY 23RD 2022
City suffered a 2-0 defeat at the Robins High Performance Centre against Charlton Athletic.
BACKGROUND
City went into this game after a 3-1 loss away to Man City in the quarter-finals of the FA Continental Cup.
These two sides faced each other back in October in the FA Championship where the Addicks walked away with all three points after a narrow 2-1 home win. The Robins came into this game unbeaten in their five FA Championship games, winning their last league game 1-0 against Blackburn at the Sir Tom Finney Stadium.
With this being the third game in the space of a week, Lauren Smith made three changes to the side that started against Manchester City on Wednesday night with Ffion Morgan, Fran Bentley and Ava Kuyken coming into the team in place of Sophie Whitehouse, Jasmine Bull and Mel Johnson.
WHAT HAPPENED
A great drive forward from Lia Cataldo on the left nearly earned the Robins their first chance of game but some quick thinking from the Charlton defence stopped the attack progressing.
Moments later City had a great chance to open the scoring when Morgan won the ball just outside the box and delivered a ball into the box, but Chloe Bull couldn’t quite get on the end of it.
Just before the 20-minute mark it was Cataldo again who drove forward, eventually winning a free-kick as she was brought down on the left.
Lois Heuchan had a great chance to give the visitors the lead as Megan Wynne delivered a ball right to her feet, but the Addicks attacker failed to hit the target.
Just minutes later Heuchan had the ball in the back of the net as she fired a half-volley from Elise Hughes’ cross from the right.
On the half hour mark, Charlton won a free kick on the right but despite finding the target they couldn’t double their lead as Fran Bentley was there to catch and clear.
Chloe Bull had another chance to get on the scoresheet as Aggie Beever-Jones played a delightful ball into the box, but Bull’s volley was just wide of the target.
Mia Ross tried one from distance, but her shot was just over and didn’t cause a threat to Bentley in the City goal.
Ella Powell played a great first-time ball into the box when Morgan laid the ball off, but the ball couldn’t quite fall at the feet of Abi Harrison and the Charlton defence cleared the danger.
HALF-TIME
A double change for the Robins before the start of the second half with Chloe Bull and Ava Kuyken coming off and Gwen Davies and Johnson entering the pitch.
Davies tried to hit one from distance, but the substitute failed to hit the target, with her shot sailing over the cross bar.
The other City substitute played a ball into the box from the right moments later but couldn’t find a red shirt as Eartha Cummings came to collect in the Addicks’ goal.
Beth Roe hit a powerful shot from the edge of the area, but Bentley was down quick to make the stop.
Charlton had the ball in the back of the net for the second time, but it was ruled out as Mia Ross was adjudged offside.
Heuchan was through on goal as the 60th minute approached but Brooke Aspin was there to make a last-ditch challenge and put the ball out for a corner.
Aimee Palmer delivered a great ball into the box from a free kick on the left, finding the head of Aspin but her attempt was just over with the ball landing on the top of the net.
Elise Hughes put the visitors 2-0 up in the 73rd minute when she tapped in from close range after the ball eventually fell to her from Lois Roche’s corner.
Bentley tipped a Jorja Fox strike onto the crossbar after the ball was played straight to the Charlton number 28 from a corner in the dying minutes of the game.
🏃♀️THE TEAM
Bentley, Powell, Aspin (Layzell 73'), Murray, Cataldo, Palmer (C), Kuyken (Johnson 46'), C.Bull (Davies 46'), Beever-Jones (Woolley 57'), Morgan (Cook 78'), Harrison
Subs (unused): Whitehouse, J.Bull, Allen, Jhamat,
REACTION
UP NEXT
City Women’s next game is a trip to St Mary’s as they face Southampton in the Vitality Women’s FA Cup on Sunday, January 30th (1pm).
Manchester City 1 Arsenal 1
From the Arsenal website:
MAN CITY WOMEN -
Academy Stadium
Man City Women
11
Arsenal Women
WHAT HAPPENED
There was late drama on Sunday night as Tobin Heath scored deep into stoppage time to salvage a 1-1 draw against Manchester City.
Jonas Eidevall’s side displayed plenty of promising play at the Academy Stadium - and our late goal was no less than we deserved for our character, fight and spirit throughout.
With Kim Little making her 250th appearance for the club and operating at the base of midfield, we took control of the game early on and pressed high up the field in numbers, regularly disrupting City’s build-up play.
Beth Mead had a chance to open the scoring after Khiara Keating misjudged the flight of a long ball, but our No 9 was quickly closed down and saw her goalbound effort blocked.
Shortly after Vivianne Miedema’s drilled effort was pushed away.
The return of Leah Williamson to our starting XI allowed us to continually play between the lines, but after going down once already in the first half, Eidevall opted to introduce Rafaelle Souza for her debut during the half-time interval.
We continued to push forward in numbers and following a fine pass by Souza, Mead eventually picked up the ball on the left wing and beat her marker with some fine footwork, before seeing her powerful strike pushed away by Keating.
The first goal of the evening would fall for the hosts, though, and in somewhat controversial fashion. After the ball deflected off the referee and into the path of a City player, Lauren Hemp broke forward on the counter and crossed for Khadija Shaw to finish from close range.
With the clock counting down and City holding their defensive shape deep into stoppage time, we stayed calm and with one last roll of the dice, the ball dropped for Tobin Heath inside the penalty area and she fired into the bottom corner, before rushing to celebrate with the travelling fans.
Big players step up in big moments - and Heath certainly delivered, as she’s done so many times before.
WHAT IT MEANS
WHAT’S NEXT
Next up, we will host Brighton in the FA WSL on Thursday, January 27.
The game will take place at Meadow Park with kick-off at 7.30pm (UK time).
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