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Mjelde Makes United Pay The Price

Impetus editor Ben Gilby spent #WomensFootballWeekend at Kingsmeadow where Barclays FA Women’s Super League leaders hosted newly promoted Manchester United. Here’s his story of the match in words and photos.

Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United

Chelsea stayed top of the Barclays FA Women’s Super League with a hard fought victory over a stubborn Manchester United side at a sold out Kingsmeadow, which recorded the highest ever crowd for a women’s match not played at a parent men’s club stadium.

The match, settled by a penalty from Maren Mjelde, twenty minutes into the second half, proved to be a lesson for United on what happens if you don’t convert the chances you make. Failure to do so makes it nigh on impossible to compete with the very best in the WSL.

On a sunny afternoon which was slightly milder than recent days, it was Chelsea who earned the first opportunity which saw Magdalena Eriksson fire a shot high wide and not so handsome. Despite this, it was United who had much of the possession and territory. Lauren James was particularly prominent in this period with her speed and strength on the ball proving a read headache for the Chelsea defence. The fact that James only turned eighteen in September is absolutely frightening. She has a huge future ahead of her, and should be a Lioness regular before long.

**Above:** Lauren James about to create another United chance in the first half as Millie Bright prepares to block. **Photo:** Ben Gilby

Also impressive for United was Leah Galton who also did her international hopes no harm. She was put in by Jackie Groenen but Eriksson blocked the chance. Groenen was denied by Ann-Katrin Berger shortly afterwards. Another opportunity for the Red Devils went begging when James closed in on goal, but Berger came out bravely to dive at the United star’s feet, receiving a knock to the head in the process. This was the key part of the game which would come back to haunt Casey Stoney’s side. Had they converted just one of these chances, the game could well have run a different course. As it was, the teams went in at half-time goalless.

**Above:** Ann-Katrin Berger dives at the feet of Lauren James, earning a headache in the process. **Photo:** Ben Gilby

After the break, Chelsea slowly forced their way into the game. The first opportunity fell to Erin Cuthbert, who was unusually quiet. The Scottish star hit a half-volley which failed to bother Mary Earps in the United goal.

The introduction of Fran Kirby sparked the home side further. Played through, her attempt to reach the ball was curtailed by Millie Turner’s tackle. The large body of travelling supporters felt that Turner took the ball before the player and, indeed a number of officials would have signalled a corner, but referee Jack Packman had other ideas and pointed to the spot. Up stepped Maren Mjelde and she fired her effort to Earps’ right. The England international goalkeeper managed to get a hand to it, but Mjelde’s shot had sufficient power to creep in.

**Above:** Maren Mjelde fires home the winning goal from the penalty spot. **Photo:** Ben Gilby.

Kirby’s influence saw Beth England become more prominent, and the striker, who scored the Lionesses’ first goal in snow bound Ceske Budejovice the previous Tuesday will consider herself unlucky not to have added to Chelsea’s lead on two occasions when her efforts were blocked.

The visitors conjured up one final chance, and how they contrived to miss it must still haunt them over twenty-four hours later. Jess Sigsworth’s cross found Abi Toone, and her volley looked destined to go in, only for Berger to tip it onto the bar. The drama wasn’t over though – as the ball rebounded off of the bar, it hit Berger and had to be desperately cleared by Millie Bright when it could so easily have gone in.

Chelsea held on in the closing period with a thoroughly professional run of play. Emma Hayes’ team showed determination and that bit of extra quality when it was needed. Manchester United will learn lessons from this game and, long term will be all the better for it.

**Above:** Chelsea celebrate the win which keeps them top of the WSL. **Photo:** Ben Gilby

TEAMS:

CHELSEA: Ann-Katrin Berger, Maren Mjelde, Millie Bright, Magdalena Eriksson, Jonna Andersson, Erin Cuthbert, Sophie Ingle, Ji So-Yun, Ramona Bachmann, Beth England, Guro Reiten. Subs: Carly Telford (GK), Hannah Blundell, Deanna Cooper, Jess Carter (for Ji), Drew Spence (for Bachmann), Fran Kirby (for Reiten).
Scorer Mjelde (pen) 65

MANCHESTER UNITED: Mary Earps, Amy Turner, Abbie McManus, Millie Turner, Martha Harris, Hayley Ladd, Katie Zelem Jackie Groenen, Kirsty Hanson, Lauren James, Leah Galton. Substitutes: Mikalsen, Okvist, Arnot, Smith, Ella Toone (for Zelem), Jane Ross (for James), Jess Sigsworth (for Galton).

Referee: Jack Packman
Attendance: 4,790

International Round-Up

There’s been a whole host of Euro 2021 Qualifiers and worldwide friendlies over the past week. Impetus brings you up to date with all the action.

In the Euro 2021 qualifiers, Netherlands took complete control of Group A with two wins over the past week. They returned from Izmir on 8^th November with a comprehensive 8-0 win over Turkey, who are still looking for their first win of the qualifying campaign. Danielle van der Donk grabbed a seventeen minute hat-trick, Vivianne Miedema added a further two. Shanice van der Sanden and a brace from Sherida Spitse completed the rout. Four days later at the GelreDome in Arnhem in front of over 23,000 fans, the Dutch recovered from going a goal down to sweep aside closest rivals Slovenia 4-1. After Kaja Erzen’s opener for the visitors, two Sherida Spitse penalties and a Vivianne Miedema brace sealed the win. Russia and Kosovo both have three games in hand over the Dutch, who are twelve points clear at the top.

In Group B, Italy and Denmark are still battling it out at the top, both still hold 100% records, although the Danes have a game in hand. The only game on 8^th November saw the Italians ease past Georgia 6-0 in Benevento. Two from Daniela Sabatino, plus efforts from Elena Linari, Alia Guagni, Christiana Girelli and Martina Rosucci earned the win. On 12^th November, the Danes racked up a comprehensive 14-0 win over Georgia in Viborg. Nadia Nadim, Stine Larssen and Pernille Harder all grabbed hat-tricks with Nicoline Sorensen adding a brace. The other goals came from Sofie Svava, Nanna Christiansen and Rikke Madsen. Italy gained a routine 5-0 win over Malta in Castel di Sangro with Valentina Cernoia grabbing two and Daniela Sabatina, Manuela Giugliano and Giada Greggi also on the mark. Bosnia Herzegovina cemented third place, six points adrift with Sofija Krajsumovic, Dajana Spasojevic and Marija Aleksic scoring in their 3-1 win in Israel, for whom Mor Efraim was on target.

Norway racked up another big win in their procession towards qualification from Group C. They saw off Northern Ireland 6-0 in Stavanger. Lisa-Marie Utland and Caroline Graham Hansen grabbed a brace each along with Guro Reiten and Ingrid Engen. The Norweigans have now scored thirty-two goals in their four qualifying games so far. In the only game on 12^th November, second placed Wales failed to seriously dent the Norweigans’ advantage when they could only gain a 0-0 draw in Northern Ireland.

The arm-wrestle at the top of Group D continues after Spain’s hopes of pulling away from the Czech Republic ended in colossal disappointment. and Spain. On 8^th November, the Czechs earned a 4-0 win away to Azerbaijan. Lucie Vonkova (2), Andrea Staskova and Kamila Dubcova were on target in Baku to cut Spain’s lead to a single point. 10^th November saw the bottom two battle it out in Chisinau where Moldova earned a first win with a 3-1 success over Azerbaijan. It was their goalkeeper Natalia Munteanu who slotted home two penalties and Caroline Tabur added the other. Alina Dorofeeva scored the only goal for Azerbaijan. On 12^th November, Spain suffered a hugely disappointing 0-0 draw in Poland, where over 7,500 saw their heroes earn a great point in Lubin.

Finland remain top of Group E, although they have played two more games than the second placed Scotland. On 8^th November, the Finns eased past Cyprus 4-0 thanks to goals from Linda Sallstrom, Emmi Alanen, Natalia Kuikka and Emma Koivisto. On the same evening, Scotland put in a hugely impressive performance as they gained a deserved 5-0 win in Albania. Claire Emslie, Jane Ross, Erin Cuthbert, Hannah Godfrey and Christie Murray were on target. On 12^th November, Finland increased their lead to four points over the Scots with an important 1-1 draw in Portugal thanks to a last gasp equaliser from Linda Sallstrom after Claudia Neto had given the home side the lead in Braga.

In Group F, Sweden and Iceland remain clear of the rest despite neither being in qualification action in the past week. On 8^th November, the top two’s closest rivals Slovakia and Hungary did themselves no favours after playing out a 0-0 draw in Senec. Four days later, Hungary gained their first win of the campaign by dispatching rock bottom Latvia 4-0. Zsanett Jakobfi, Dora Zeller, Evelin Fenyvesi and Sara Pusztai scored.

The latest action in Group G sees Austria and France’s procession at the top continue. Austria opened up the latest series of matches on 8^th November with a comfortable 3-0 win in North Macedonia. Nicole Billa’s penalty put them ahead before strikes from Sarah Zadrazil and Barbara Dunst completed the job. A day later, France brushed aside Serbia 6-0 in front of a good crowd of 21,211 in Bordeaux. An Amel Majri hat-trick saw the French on their way ahead of further goals from Onema Geyoro, Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Vivianne Asseyi. On 12^th November, Austria moved six points clear with two games in hand over the French after they hammered Kazakhstan 9-0. Julia Hickelsperger-Fuller hit four goals with Nicole Biller grabbing a hat-trick. Laura Feiersinger and Sarah Zabrizil completed the rout.

Belgium and Switzerland still lead the way in Group H and are level on points. On 8^th November, a 9^th minute goal from Laura de Neve was enough to earn the Belgians a hard fought win in Romania. Switzerland’s good form continued with a 2-0 win over Croatia in Thun thanks to strikes from Ann-Maria Crnogorcevic and Geraldine Reuteler. On 12^th November, both earned 6-0 victories. The Swiss dispatched Romania with Ramona Bachmann hitting a hat-trick and Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic, Fabienne Humm and Svenja Folmli adding the others. Belgium’s six goals in their win over Lithuania came courtesy of Tine de Caigny’s five and one from Algimante Mikutaite.

Finally to Group I where Greece kept their qualification hopes alive with a 4-0 win in Montenegro on 6^th November. Danai-Eleni Sidira’s brace plus further strikes from Christina Kokoviadou and Thomai Vardali earned the points. They followed this up on 12^th November with a decent 1-1 draw over Republic of Ireland thanks to Anastasia Spyridonidou’s stoppage time equaliser. Amber Barrett’s first half strike had looked to earn the Irish all three points. Germany remain top, five points clear of the Republic of Ireland. Greece are a further three points in arrears.

Friendly Round-up:

Daisy Wildsmith’s opinion pieces for us on the Lionesses friendly with Germany in front of over 77,000 at Wembley can be read here: https://impetus885775742.wordpress.com/2019/11/10/in-my-view-5/ . Whilst England did gain a victory three days later in the Czech Republic, it was yet another performance which led to more question marks over the progress of the squad. Goals from Beth England, Beth Mead and Leah Williamson edged out the home side, for whom Tereza Szewieczkova scored two excellent goals in the Ceske Budejovice snow.

Our full report on Australia’s first game against Chile on 10^th November can be read here https://impetus885775742.wordpress.com/2019/11/09/sizzling-sam-scorches-chile/. The Matildas followed this up with a 1-0 win over the same opposition in Adelaide three days later. On this occasion, Emily Gielnik lashed a superb finish from an acute angle after an inch perfect pass from Sam Kerr played her in. Kerr could have added a second just before the break, but her penalty was saved. 10,340 were in attendance at Coopers Stadium.

On 8^th November, Sweden came back from 3-0 down against the USA in Vlakto Andronovski’s first game in charge of the World champions in Colombus with two second half strikes from Anna Anvegard, but it was not enough. An early goal from Carli Lloyd gave the Americans the lead before Christen Press added her fiftieth goal for her country to double the hosts advantage. Another goal from Lloyd sealed the win in front of 20,903 supporters. Two days later they brushed aside Costa Rica 6-0 in Jacksonville. Carli Lloyd, Morgan Brian, Christen Press, a Stephanie Blanco own goal and two from Lynn Williams sealed the deal in a game watched by 12,914.

Japan saw off South Africa 2-0 in Kitakyushu on 11^th November. Saki Kumagai and Yuika Sugasawa were on the mark.

Argentina have been busy with three games in the past week. They began the period with two victories in three days – opening with a 2-1 success in Paraguay on 7^th November and followed up with a 1-0 win at home to Colombia. Their third game saw them host the Colombians again on 12^th November in a game which ended 2-2.

W League Preview 2019/20

The Westfield W League begins its 2019/20 campaign when Round One takes place over four days from tomorrow night to Sunday.

With the women’s game more popular than ever following a World Cup where Sam Kerr confirmed her status as one of the superstars of the global game, the Matildas have just broken their all-time attendance record, and the W League clubs will be looking to build on this as the curtain rises on the new campaign.

Whilst Kerr will not be back at her home state side Perth Glory this season having just confirmed a high profile move to Chelsea, all of the Matildas’ other shining stars, including Ellie Carpenter and Hayley Raso will be on Aussie soil.

Will Perth Glory suffer from the loss of Kerr? Can Sydney FC retain their crown, or will Melbourne City’s star-studded squad bring the title to Victoria? Check out our club by club guide below:

ADELAIDE UNITED:

Whilst the South Australian side to not appear to have the big names of several of their W League rivals, they just might have enough players with enough to prove in terms of pushing international claims to spark an X-Factor this time round. Emily Hodgson, who has been very promising in the Matildas U20 side will be one of the key players on show. This is a side that will be looking to establish itself in the top six this season.

BRISBANE ROAR:

The Queenslanders boast several players with extensive international experience such as Tameka Yallop, Clare Polkinghorne, Elise Kellond-Knight and Hayley Raso. Matildas legend Polkinghorne will lend her experience as a player-coach this time round. Raso will offer a significant threat, and we would expect the Roar to be sealing a top four place this season and mount a serious quest in the finals to bring the crown to the Sunshine state.

CANBERRA UNITED:

The W League’s only side not linked to a men’s professional A League side will be aiming to go better than their three wins from last time round. Their key player will undoubtedly be Karley Roestbakken, who represented the Matildas at the World Cup. For us it looks like a successful season will be avoiding the bottom three.

MELBOURNE CITY:

City will be looking to ensure the Minor Premiers title will remain in Victoria this season after their cross-city rivals Melbourne Victory earned it last year. The Sky Blues have put together an impressive roster for 2019/20 which includes Ellie Carpenter, the 19 year-old international with the potential to be an absolute superstar, as well as fellow Matildas Emily van Egmond, Steph Catley and Lydia Williams. Scotland’s Claire Emslie is also on board. City will be hoping that their strong and exciting looking squad boosts their disappointing crowds from last time round. A final position outside of the top three will be a significant disappointment.

MELBOURNE VICTORY:

Victory were devastated to go out in the first week of the finals after sealing the minor Premiership at the end of the regular league season. This time round it is possible that they won’t even finish as the highest placed team from Melbourne. On the positive side, they have the exciting defender Jenna McCormick on their roster. McCormick has previously represented Adelaide Crows in the Women’s Australian Rules Football Grand Final as well as playing W League soccer for Adelaide United, Canberra United and Brisbane Roar. Despite her presence, we suspect that Victory may not make the top four this time round.

NEWCASTLE JETS:

The Jets just missed out on finals football by three points at the end of last season, and they are likely to be battling it out with the likes of Perth, Adelaide and Canberra to finish in the middle of the pack. The vast majority of last season’s squad has been retained, and there is a core of Newcastle region born and bred players. Gema Simon went to the World Cup with Australia in the summer and they will also benefit from the experience of Cassidy Davis and Hannah Brewer.

PERTH GLORY:

Last season’s beaten Grand Finalists have lost their captain and Western Australian icon Sam Kerr to Chelsea, but they can boast some of Australia’s best young talent in Leticia McKenna and Lexie Moreno. The Glory have a large percentage of their players hailing from Western Australian and have also called up the state Premier League’s top scorer Sarah Carroll. It would appear that 2019/20 will see less Glory then the previous time round as Bobby Despotovski’s charges are more likely to be hovering among a group of three or four sides pushing for the last place in the finals.

SYDNEY FC:

The reigning champions have assembled another imperious looking squad as they aim to keep the crown in the Harbour City. Matildas stars Alana Kennedy, Caitlin Foord and Chloe Logarzo along with talented Americans Veronica Latsko and Sofia Huerta should guarantee a finals place, but we suspect that this time round Brisbane Roar or Melbourne City could be tough nuts to crack.

WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS:

Last season was a tough one all round for the Wanderers with just one win and a draw on the positive side of the ledger with a lack of goals (just 11 in 12 games) being a real concern. Things are likely to be equally tough in 2019/20, but they will look to young starlets Courtney Nevin (17 years-old) and 19 year-old Aboriginal keeper Jada Whyman to push them towards better times, along with 23 year-old Amy Harrison who played in both of the Matildas recent games with Chile. Harrison was a W League winner with inner-city neighbours Sydney FC, where she had been since the age of 16. Despite the presence of these three players, Wanderers are likely to be battling it out with Canberra once more to avoid bottom place.

Our guide to the key fixtures and dates for the season can be seen here: https://impetus885775742.wordpress.com/2019/10/21/w-league-announces-2019-20-schedule/

Impetus will be providing regular news, reports and updates from the 2019/20 W League season.

In My View

From the tweets of Daisy Wildsmith, the Impetus contributor offers her opinion on last night’s Lionesses’ game with Germany in front of a record breaking Wembley crowd.

The accuracy of Steph Houghton, that pass from Keira Walsh and the finish from Ellen White – the high spot of a historic night at Wembley.

White’s trademark poacher’s finish set things up for a second half with all to play for, although it was not to be in the end. Houghton shone again in the second half with a cracking header to protect our goal, and consistently put her body on the line along with Lucy Bronze and Lauren Hemp in her cameo appearance as a substitute.

**Above:** The Lionesses and Germany get under way at Wembley Stadium last night. **Photo:** Ben Gilby

The result itself was a huge shame and left me heartbroken. England worked so hard and never gave up, it was a great game of football to watch. Germany were the stronger team in parts when it mattered. The huge crowd and the large number of post-match opinion online makes it like women’s football is being taken as seriously as men’s.

The important thing is that it doesn’t impact on the Lionesses’ mindset for the game in the Czech Republic on Tuesday night, where the hope is they will end the year on a high.

Daisy Wildsmith is a regular contributor to Impetus and is a women’s football supporter from the West Midlands.

Sizzling Sam Scorches Chile

Impetus editor Ben Gilby reports on The Matildas’ win over La Roja.

Australia 2-1 Chile

Australian superstar Sam Kerr grabbed a brace as The Matildas beat Chile in front of a record crowd for a stand alone women’s match Down Under.

Despite the East Fremantle born striker’s two goals, a fantastic debut from 25 year-old former Adelaide Crows Australian Rules star Jenna McCormick and another outstanding show from 19 year-old Ellie Carpenter, Australia will be far from satisfied with their victory. The Matildas were dominant for the vast majority of the game, but a combination of deep defending from La Roja and inconsistent passing accuracy led to a far from comfortable look to the scoreboard.

The first ever women’s soccer international to take place at Parramatta’s stunning new Bankwest Stadium saw an all time high of 20,029 spectators clad in green and gold in the Western Sydney city – a figure which comfortably beat the previous highest crowd for a Matildas home game of 16,829 at Newcastle’s McDonald Jones Stadium against Brazil in 2017. The home support were on their feet within two minutes as the Matildas took an early lead.

A free-kick, some twenty yards outside of the area, centrally located saw Emily van Egmond’s lofted ball chested down by Sam Kerr who turned and half volleyed past the Chilean keeper Christianne Endler. It was Kerr’s 29th goal in her last 31 games for her country.

Australia had all the ball and territory at this stage, indeed it took Chile twelve minutes to mount anything close to an attack. Daniela Zamora played the ball in and Camila Saez hooked the ball over Lydia Williams and into the net, but it was ruled out for offside.

The Matildas hit back once more and a superb ball from Caitlin Foord found Ellie Carpenter who scampered past several attempted challenges from the South Americans and earned a corner which was cleared.

Sam Kerr had Australia’s next chance when the green and golds earned a corner after Steph Catley’s attempted cross was charged down for a corner. The flag kick was met by McCormick’s header into Kerr. The Western Australian striker chested it down and turned but her shot was blocked.

Shortly afterwards, Kerr’s chipped pass found Catley on the left. The Melbournian played in Carpenter who, in turn saw Hayley Raso in space. Her ball resulted in Foord volleying over.

Australia almost paid the price for failing to add the second goal that their dominance deserved. Just after the half-hour mark, Maria Jose Urrutia’s outstanding cross was laid back to Daniela Pardo who fired her volley over the bar.

Before the break, the Matildas had three further opportunities. First, Carpenter fired in a low cross towards Kerr who was unable to get a shot away. Then, McCormick’s ball was met by Catley who headed wide. The ball was in the net in the closing stages when Raso’s ball was fired home by Kerr but she was offside.

Chile began the second half on the front foot. They earned three corners on the trot which Australia struggled to clear, but their lead remained intact, largely thanks to Francisca Lara’s shot being blocked and Carla Guerro’s header scrambled away.

Sparked by their narrow escape, Ellie Carpenter dribbled down the right and then came across the by-line but there was no end product. Australian frustration grew when both Hayley Raso and Sam Kerr were taken out off the ball, but no free kick was awarded for either challenge. Frustration grew further as an alarming lack in accuracy developed in the Matildas’s build-up play.

**Above:** Sam Kerr’s incredible goal-scoring record in 2019 continues. **Photo:** Ben Gilby

As the game entered the final quarter, it was Sam Kerr who produced the goods once more. Caitlin Foord played a delightful lofted pass inside her own half which landed at the feet of Kerr who advanced to a one on one with Endler in the Chilean goal and fired home. It was Kerr’s 40th goal in 40 matches for club and country in the calendar year 2019. She is now just ten goals away from becoming Australia’s all time leading goalscorer.

The second goal saw The Matildas’ quality improve briefly. Steph Catley laid back a pass to substitute Amy Harrison on the edge of the box, but her shot was over. Ellie Carpenter went on a trademark dance down the right, and laid the ball back to Emily Gielnik who miskicked in front of goal only for the ball to find Chloe Logarzo who missed with the goal gaping in front of her.

Buyoed by Australia’s inability to kill the game off with a third, La Roja had the better of the final exchanges. Carla Guerro hit a shot narrowly wide. With three minutes left, Daniela Zamora was played through beautifully by Camila Saez. Her effort was pushed away for a corner by Lydia Williams at full stretch. From the resulting flag kick, Saez was not picked up by either Carpenter or Logarzo and run in to power a free header past Williams.

Chile’s late goal served as a reminder to The Matildas that they need to kill teams off when they get the opportunity. For all the quality in the Australian side, they concede too many goals.

The two nations will square off again on Tuesday at Adelaide’s 16,000 capacity Coopers Stadium. Australia will need to up the urgency and increase the accuracy. If they can do that, there will only be one winner.

Teams:

AUSTRALIA: 1) Lydia Williams, 21) Ellie Carpenter, 4) Clare Polkinghorne, 2) Jenna McCormick, 7) Steph Catley, 10) Emily van Egmond, 3) Aivi Luik, 6) Chloe Logarzo, 9) Caitlin Foord, 20) Sam Kerr, 16) Hayley Raso. Subs: 12) Sarah Williams (GK), 18) Mackenzie Arnold (GK), 15) Emily Gielnik, 22) Amy Harrison, 23) Emma Checker.

Goals: Kerr 2, 71.

CHILE: 1) Christiane Endler, 2) Rocio Sato, 3) Carla Guerro, 18) Camila Saez, 4) Francisca Lara, 16) M-F. Mardones, 14) Daniela Pardo, 11) Yessenia Lopez, 20) Daniela Zamora, 9) Maria Jose Urrutia, 10) Yanara Aedo. Subs: 12) N. Campos (GK), 23) A. Canales, 5) J. Rey, 6) N. Lopez, 7) Y. Torrealba, 8) K. Arraga, 13) F. Piatilla, 15) S. Galaz, 17) J. Toro, 21) R. Balmaceda.

Goal: Saez 88.

Attendance: 20,029, BankWest Stadium, Parramatta.

Rovers Rollercoaster Ride Takes Upward Curve

In this first of a two part interview, Impetus editor Ben Gilby talks to Blackburn Rovers’ Head of Women’s and Girl’s Football/First Team Manager Gemma Donnelly about how the club have progressed in recent years and the relationship between the men’s and women’s sides at Ewood Park.

Blackburn Rovers are an example that hard work, effort and determination pays off. After rubbing shoulders with the top women’s clubs in the sport, the club experienced a challenging period, as the club’s Head of Women’s and Girls Football and Ladies manager Gemma Donnelly explains: “It’s been a rocky road, it’s had highs and lows, probably not dissimilar to any football journey really. There are so many stories to tell, from being promoted from the old Northern Premier League into the National League. That was a momentous occasion which enabled us to compete with the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea to then the introduction of Super League of which, up until the last day, Blackburn were involved in all of the consultations and considerations into integration into the Super League, and at the time the club were just being sold from the Jack Walker Trust, so it didn’t happen for us as it was a little bit of an uncertain time. Consequently, the season after we were relegated from the division that sat just below the Super League because the majority of our players left to go to the Super League. Then we got promoted back again quite quickly having rebuilt. There was then talk of introducing Super League Two of which we were a consideration. Again, the club decided it was not the right time to do it, and so we got relegated again because all of our players went into Super League Two.”

**Above:** Blackburn Rovers Head of Women’s and Girls’ Football, Gemma Donnelly.
**Photographer/Copyright** Rachel Holborn – reproduced with permission by Blackburn Rovers Ladies.

It was at this difficult period that Donnelly took over the reigns of the first team: “It’s been five years of absolute highs and lows with winning the league and so many trophies to fall at the final hurdle in the Championship play-off. Then, with the changes at the FA and the requirements to get into what is now the Championship, it meant that if you won, your application had to be deemed suitable. We did the hard work of winning it for the third year in a row against all odds. It was then down to the club to make a decision as to whether we would move forward with a licence application having failed the year before. It’s just been a number of years of ups and downs. Now we’re in a position where we are in the Championship, it’s our first season. Yes, we’re finding it tough, but we need to learn a trait of fighting for every single point. It is a little bit stressful, but I’m enjoying it, as are the team, and we look to build towards becoming a greater force moving forward.”

When I asked Donnelly about what she considers have been the key to the club’s success over the past few seasons, she was clear: “Consistency of both team and staff. I don’t mean keeping everybody all of the time – you need to ensure you find a strong nucleus and continue to build. Never be afraid of change. There needs to be a “slowly, slowly” approach. We’ve had some really good managers at the club that have moved the club forward and combined with youth and experience with huge passion to drive the game. Of course the support from the football club which has been monumental in pushing us forward as well. All those factors are huge contributors to our success.”

Blackburn Rovers’ head of women’s and girl’s football is also clear about the importance of always pushing for more: “I firmly believe that you really need to have someone who is passionate at the front constantly nagging at people to drive it forward. Certainly for the past five years, that has been me, and I do not let up. I just keep going. We’re had some really tough times, but in that, we’ve enjoyed some amazing moments as well. Everyone that I have on board has aspirations to do as well as they can, and that aligns with my own aspirations.”

The team have had some great results in recent time, none more so than last season when a league and cup double was secured, and there were some memorable moments in the process: “It was nice to win the League Cup. It was away at Burton in a nice stadium. Crawley Wasps had had a really good season and we anticipated that they were going to be a really good challenge for us. For the first thirty minutes or so they were, but we kicked on to another gear and we outplayed them. They were a tough task, but it’s always good to win the League Cup and regain it as well as that’s extra pressure. In the league, bar the game against Sunderland, who finished second behind us, it was almost an unbeaten season again. Sunderland definitely gave us a kick up the bum (by beating Rovers 3-0). From the game after that, when I think we played Guiseley on the Tuesday afterwards, we were looking for a response from the girls. I remember standing in the changing room saying: ‘This can go either way, you know. If I were to change the team based on your performance last time, I would have to change every single one of you, as you were all dreadful against Sunderland.’ But I stuck with the same team and we won 5-0. It was a bit of a brutal performance really because we took no prisoners. That stands out for me. It was the comeback from a battering on the Sunday.”

I then turned to the relationship between the men’s and women’s sides of the club at Blackburn. Donnelly said: “My relationship with them (the parent, professional men’s club) is good, but as I alluded to earlier, I am constantly wanting more, because that is the nature of being a female – whatever you have got is not good enough. I look forward to the day when we are full time and training at the senior men’s training centre and we’re having lunch before or after them men and that all the staff are full time and we get to be in a position where we’re not scrapping around for resources and begging, stealing and borrowing from different departments. I think it will evolve as the exposure of women’s football increases. The club are hugely supportive, but they do not have a bottomless pit, so we’re very shrewd and resourceful with what we do have. I do dream about the players being full-time, and the staff being full-time and having our own training venue. Teams that are in that position are very fortunate and I would love to be there some day. I don’t know when that day will be, or if it will be at Blackburn, but that’s the dream.”

With Blackburn back in the second tier of the women’s game, I asked Donnelly about her aims for the season, “Our aim is not to get relegated. I hadn’t anticipated the success of the Women’s World Cup or the injection of some money from parent clubs, and how it would have an effect on domestic club football. If you’d asked me the same question at the back end of last season, I would have suggested we would have been a mid-table or top half of the season team. Yet it’s been a complete change over the summer. It’s been a huge push-on from everyone else, so our target is not to be relegated and then to build on that. It’s going to be a scrappy season but I have every faith that that’s what we are going to do.”

Looking at the Championship more widely, Donnelly observed: “With the money that has been injected, there is now a wide hybrid range of clubs in the division. You’ve got some clubs offering full-time contracts with part-time players as well, so their players train all week at their parent club and use their facilities. The part-time players come in during the evening for training two or three times a week. To the other extreme, there are clubs in the division with no players on contracts and just some expenses paid, some not paid at all, so there’s a huge difference between the top end and the bottom end. Money can attract the right type of player in terms of playing quality, but it can also attract the wrong type of person too – the type of person who is only in it for the money. That’s football, isn’t it!”

Don’t miss the second part of the interview next week, where Gemma Donnelly gives her views on the advantages and disadvantages of the post World Cup growth of the women’s game and what her priorities are for the future of Blackburn Rovers Women and the sport in general.

Ben Gilby is the editor of Impetus and has over fifteen years experience in voluntary media officer roles within the sports of Football and Rugby Union, has appeared on BBC Radio Cornwall and BBC Radio Norfolk sports shows several times and published the book ‘The Game: Tales From A Season Travelling Around The Rugby Union Grounds of South-East England’.

Famous Night For Glorious Glasgow City

Glasgow City 0-2 Brondby IF

Aggregate: 2-2. After Extra Time, Glasgow City win 3-1 on penalties.

by Ben Gilby

Glasgow City gained a famous victory over a side who reached the semi-finals of the Women’s Champions League as recently as 2014/15, but they had to do it the hard way.

Goalkeeper Lee Alexander was in inspired form, saving four penalties in the shoot-out and making a number of stunning stops throughout the night as the thirteen in a row Scottish champions made it through to the last eight for the second time in their history.

City came into the tie after a sensational 2-0 first leg success in Denmark thanks to a Sam Kerr strike and an own goal from Brondby keeper Katrine Abel. However, the Danes showed determination from the off to gain revenge.

Brondby started strongly, and after just four minutes, they forced a great save from Lee Alexander from Nicoline Sorensen. Only a minute later, the visitors were back in the tie thanks to Nanna Christiansen who directed a magnificent header across Alexander and into the far corner.

Glasgow City showed immediate signs of a reply through Megan Foley’s run down the left which took her past several would-be tackles before she was finally halted.

The Danes gradually took control in the second quarter of the half, and almost levelled the tie on aggregate when Frederikke Lindhardt’s teasing cross was narrowly missed by Josefine Hasbo. A further chance followed after twenty-three minutes when Christiansen’s cross was headed back towards her by Lindardt and the resulting thumping volley was saved magnificently by Alexander. The Glasgow City keeper was called into action just three minutes later when she snaffled Julie Tavlo Petersen’s header.

Glasgow City were struggling to get out of their own half and only offered sporadic threats. Clare Shine hooked an effort over the bar, but as the half entered its final ten minutes the Danes finally got the second goal that their dominance deserved. Lindhardt combined with Louise Winter Kristiansen and Nanna Christiansen in a magnificent build up before firing into the far corner. Brondby had one further opportunity before the break when Caroline Pleidrup’s cross was saved by Alexander.

Glasgow City boss Scott Booth took the opportunity at half-time to tighten up his defence and a fired up side came out to enjoy a greater percentage of possession in the second half. Within four minutes of the restart, Kirsty Howat created a great opportunity and found Hayley Lauder whose shot was fired just over the bar. Clare Shine fashioned another opportunity shortly afterwards but her effort found the side netting.

The game was now tight with far fewer opportunities, but both sides had golden opportunities to seal a place in the quarter-final in the final five minutes. Nicoline Sorensen was clean through, but Lee Alexander dived to save the day once more despite it appearing at that it would be far easier to score than miss. Then, Megan Foley’s strike looked to cannon off of Emilie Henriksen’s arm as she jumped. The referee didn’t see anything untoward, and the final opportunity of normal time passed.

With the tie level at 2-2 on aggregate, the drama moved into extra-time. Chances were now fewer and further between as both teams looked to stay solid. A Glasgow City free kick just before the halfway mark of the extra half hour saw Jenna Clark’s header come off of the underside of the bar. Sam Kerr’s attempted follow up was smuggled away by the Danes. Then, in the final minute of extra-time, Glasgow City were awarded a free kick, but Leanne Ross’ effort went wide.

So, to penalties, and once more it was the Scottish international keeper Lee Alexander who produced a succession of sensational saves to earn her club a stunning win.

Leanne Ross stepped up for the first penalty for City, which she fired home. Nanna Christiansen, who was excellent throughout levelled matters at 1-1. Kirsty Howat’s effort was saved, but in a matter of minutes her sorrow turned to joy as Alexander saved Julie Tavlo-Petersen’s effort brilliantly to the right. Substitute Eilish McSorley stepped up to put City 2-1 up. Freja Abilda’s effort was next to be saved by the outstanding Alexander as she stretched to the right to keep the shot out. A slight bout of nervousness returned to the Petershill Park faithful when Megan Foley’s penalty effort was saved to the right by Katrine Abel. But cometh the hour, cometh the hero once more as Lee Alexander threw herself to the left to push away Louise Winter Kristiansen’s penalty. Up stepped Jo Love to gleefully hit the winning penalty home.

It is an incredible achievement for a part-time team to make the Quarter-Finals of the UEFA Women’s Champions League. Glasgow City have a history of punching above their weight and achieving great things. Last night was arguably one of their greatest achievements. However, with Arsenal, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Lyon, Paris St. Germain and VfL Wolfsburg the other sides in the last eight, there could be an even more famous night in the offing for Glasgow City when the Quarter-Finals come round in March.

Teams: GLASGOW CITY: 29) Lee Alexander, 2) Rachel McLauchlan, 4) Hayley Lauder, 6) Jo Love, 9) Kirsty Howat, 10) Clare Shine, 11) Nicola Docherty, 12) Jenna Clark, 16) Leanne Ross, 18) Sam Kerr, 23) Megan Foley. Substitutes: 25) Erin Clachers (GK), 14) Hayley Sinclair, 15) Nicola Reid, 19) Joanne Paton, 20) Carly Girasoli, 21) Jordan McLintock, 24) Eilish McSorley.

BRONDBY IF: 1) Katrine Abel, 4) Linnea Svensson, 6) Josefine Hasbo, 8) Emilie Henriksen, 9) Nanna Christiansen, 10) Louise Winter Kristiansen, 13) Kamila Karlsen, 15) Frederikke Lindhardt, 16) Nicoline Sorensen, 17) Julie Tavlo-Petersen, 24) Caroline Pleidrup.

Goals: Christiansen 5, Lindhardt 36.

Penalty Shoot-Out:

GLASGOW CITY:

Leanne Ross (scored), Kirsty Howat (saved), Eilish McSorley (scored), Megan Foley (saved), Jo Love (scored).

BRONDBY IF:

Nanna Christiansen (scored), Julie Tavlo-Petersen (saved), Freja Abilda (saved), Louise Winter Kristiansen (saved).

Glasgow City: Inspiring Girls & Women

Laura Montgomery co-founded Glasgow City in 1998 and they have become arguably the most successful women’s football in Britain. With the team just sealing a thirteenth consecutive Scottish title and tonight hosting Danish side Brondby for a place in the Quarter-Finals of the UEFA Women’s Champions League, we are delighted that she agreed to talk exclusively to Impetus editor Ben Gilby in the middle of such an historic week for the club.

Glasgow City are a phenomenon in the world of women’s football and the fact that they continue to be so in this day of increased funding in their women’s sides from Scotland’s biggest men’s teams merely emphasises how outstanding their achievements are. Tonight, they host Brondby, three times semi-finalists in UEFA’s women’s club competitions (most recently in 2014/15), and hold a 2-0 lead from the first leg in Denmark. They stand on the brink of equalling their record of making the Quarter-Finals of European women’s football’s premier competition (a stage they previously reached in 2014/15 when Paris St. Germain defeated them in the last eight). How can a standalone women’s team remain at the top of the tree?

For Montgomery, it’s because Glasgow City place huge emphasis on their passion for “advancing girls and women and their role in society. That runs through everything we do. Players coming to us know that they won’t be coming to a club that suddenly lose funding simply because the men’s side are not doing well, or can’t train or play because a boys’ under twelve team need a pitch.” She points to a TEDx talk she gave in 2014 where she stated: “Quite simply, you can’t be what you can’t see without visible role models. How do girls grow up thinking they can be anything other than sexualised objects, which is how the media currently portray women?” The ‘you can’t be what you can’t see’ message was famously displayed on the back of Glasgow City’s away shirt in 2017 – a reference to the lack of coverage of women’s football within the Scottish media.

Whilst improvements in coverage during this summer’s Women’s World Cup, Montgomery is greatly frustrated by the fact that “the Scottish media has reverted to type since the World Cup. It’s all gone back to what it was before. I was interviewed on the radio recently and was asked what I thought about the attendance figures for the Women’s Scottish Cup semi-finals. My response was that I was not surprised at all – there was absolutely no publicity for the games in the media at all. We have a huge challenge of getting TV and newspaper interest.”

Glasgow City were formed in 1998 by Laura Montgomery and Carol Anne Stewart. “Carol played senior league women’s football having played at university. I wasn’t able to play football at primary school because I was a girl. I started a girls’ team when I was at high school, but we had very few other teams to play against. We only had about six games in all my time at high school. I played at university and was asked to come to Maryhill and play for them, as was Carol Anne. I tore my ACL, and so the two of us spent time talking about how we could do things better for women’s football. Better facilities, sponsors. We were fortunate at that time that the structure in women’s football in Scotland was changing – it was an opportune moment; now or never. At that time, there was a first division and a regional second division with only one team getting promoted. The structure then changed with more regional divisions at the second level. You could go straight into the second level. So, we formed Glasgow City, entered into the league and won that division in our very first year. The next year, our first in the Premier saw us finish fifth. We’ve never been lower than second since.”

**Above:** Glasgow City badge. **Photo:** Ben Gilby

The story is one that should inspire all girls that they can achieve anything they want with determination. “It comes down to everyone involved at the club having high standards. Carol Anne and I are successful businesswomen and that mentality goes into Glasgow City. We pioneered so many things that are now common place in women’s football. We had the first full-time head coach, the first club to insist on our head coach holding a UEFA pro licence, the first to transfer a player for money. We were the first women’s club to use sports science. We want to train as often as a professional club – up to five times a week. We also played a major part in getting some television coverage for women’s football in Scotland. BBC Alba (the BBC’s Scots Gaelic language TV channel) followed us for a year in 2011 for a documentary, and on the back of its popularity, they got involved with covering women’s football.”

Glasgow City’s continued success comes despite the fact that Scotland’s biggest men’s sides Celtic, Rangers, Hibernian and Heart of Midlothian are investing more money than ever in their women’s teams. “Celtic pay their women players. They have done for a number of years. They are able to offer excellent facilities which they don’t have to pay for as it all comes from the main club. They can offer sports science and administrative support. The men’s club provide staff for marketing and sponsorship. Yet, we’re still achieving with just a fraction of the potential financial and human input that those sides have. We can offer a girls and women centred club, which they can’t.”

Related to this, Montgomery sees this season as possibly the finest in the club’s history. Every league match has been won, ninety four goals scored, with just seven conceded. On top of this is the European run. “It’s our best ever run. Reaching the last sixteen is punching above our weight. Winning 2-0 away from home in the last sixteen to Brondby, who have made the semi-finals before is magnificent. We have won away from home before, at Valur Reykjavik in the last thirty-two – but they don’t have the history that Brondby have and it’s a whole round further on.”

All this comes on the back of a positive showing internationally for the Scottish women’s squad. “We had a difficult group at the World Cup, with Japan and England”, Montgomery observes, “but we competed extraordinarily well. The Argentina game was one we hoped to win. We all know what happened in the end, but the experience will help the team to come of age. We fell just short, it’s a great learning curve for the team though. That squad will be together for the European Championships next year and also for the next World Cup, so it can only produce positives.”

As our discussion moved towards its end, I asked Montgomery for her opinions on the overall state of the women’s club game in Scotland at the present time: “Our biggest weakness is that we are geographically next to England. The strongest, most competitive league in women’s football is in England. It’s the league that players want to play in – the money is there. When we were in Denmark, I spoke with the Brondby staff and they were saying how their players want to play in England. Long term, I think it could bite England on the bum – the more overseas players that come in will impact the national team. In Scotland, we, and Glasgow City of course are included in that, shift players to England, but we don’t get any money for them. We still have to produce players to replace them, but don’t get the recompense. The main strength is our resilience!”

Glasgow City have, in the past made representations to the FA in England to join the league set up south of the border. Montgomery is clear that “We’d love to do that, but in order to do it, we’ve been told we would have to become a member of an England County FA. That would be very challenging. There’s also the fact that in Scotland we have two very powerful men’s teams – Celtic and Rangers. If there was the precedent of a women’s team joining the English league system then it would make it very difficult for the FA to refuse Celtic and Rangers, so I think the powers that be would refuse.”

The founding beliefs, status and achievements of Glasgow City are inspirational – primarily for girls and women, but also more widely for all who hold dear the possibilities and status that sport offers individuals and groups in society. Glasgow City are a club worthy of respect and of their success.

Glasgow City’s UEFA Women’s Champions League Last 16 Second Leg tie v Brondby can be seen live on BBC Alba tonight. Catch it from 7:30pm via BBCiPlayer, Channel 161 Virgin Media, Sky Channel 141 in Scotland or 169 rest of UK, Freesat Channel 9, Freeview Channel 7 Scotland.

Impetus will have a report on the game tomorrow.

Super League Sunday

Impetus editor Ben Gilby gives his views on two of this afternoon’s clashes in the Barclays FA Women’s Super League as Arsenal clinched a huge win over Manchester City and Everton defeated Brighton & Hove Albion:

Arsenal 1–0 Manchester City

Arsenal condemned Manchester City to their first Super League defeat after a deserved victory at Meadow Park.

The home side came into the game desperate to avoid a second straight league defeat against a fellow title challenger after going down to Chelsea last time out. A buoyant City arrived at Meadow Park with Georgia Stanway back in the starting line-up, and a welcome return for Lionesses World Cup hero Ellen White on the bench, although Keira Walsh was missing after receiving a three match ban for her highly controversial sending off in the Continental Cup defeat at rivals Manchester United last weekend.

The Gunners had the vast majority of the opening quarter; dominating the midfield in particular. Vivianne Miedema had the first real chance firing a shot over the bar. Five minutes later, Jordan Nobbs found Lisa Evans on the right of the box after some delightful build-up play from van der Donk. The Scot’s powerful effort was just over Roebuck’s crossbar.

City crucially weathered the early storm and, with twenty-eight minutes gone offered their first effort on the home goal. Canadian World Cup star Janine Beckie broke through, but with support lacking was forced to go on her own and her shot was fired over. However, buoyed by this the league leaders’ Jill Scott won a firm tackle as a statement of intent before Arsenal cleared the danger.

The visitors’ defensive shape also matured as the half went on with Arsenal being forced to play across them rather than through the City defence. The only opportunity for Arsenal in this spell was presented to them by the visitors when Gemma Bonner’s attempted pass back to Roebuck on the right hand side of the box was alarmingly short, but the Lionesses keeper recovered well under pressure from Beth Mead.

Beckie had another effort for City when her cross was parried. Arsenal failed to clear properly and Demi Stokes followed up by heading wide. This failure to score was punished just seconds later as Vivienne Miedema fired home having been played through by a delightful Kim Little ball. Bonner and Houghton were slightly out of position and the Dutchwoman took advantage to score with two minutes of the half remaining. It was the only goal of the half.

Arsenal controlled the vast majority of the second half in terms of possession and territory, but City’s well organised defence held the Gunners at bay. The visitors had little to offer coming forward – largely due to a combination of Keira Walsh’s absence and Arsenal’s dominance on the ball. Georgia Stanway was largely anonymous.

Ellen White came on to make her Manchester City debut for Janine Beckie with twenty-four minutes left for her first appearance since her glorious World Cup in the summer, but she was never provided with a pass to make her mark on the occasion.

Jordan Nobbs fired an effort over as Arsenal continued to have the better of the exchanges. The final five minutes saw City offer their only sustained period of pressure. Stanway put in a number of outstanding crosses, but to no avail.

Jordan Nobbs could have put the game to bed in stoppage time when Miedema squared the ball in the middle of the area, but her shot went wide.

Arsenal’s victory saw them leapfrog Manchester City to hit the summit of the Barclays FA Women’s Super League on goals scored as the Sky Blues fell to a second defeat in a row.

ARSENAL: Manuela Zinsberger, Lisa Evans, Leah Williamson, Jen Beattie, Kate McCabe, Jordan Nobbs, Lia Walti, Kim Little, Danielle van der Donk, Vivianne Miedema, Beth Mead. Subs: Katrine Veje, Emma Mitchell, Jill Roord, Louise Quinn, Leonie Maier, Pauline Peyraud-Magnin (GK).

Scorer: Miedema 43.

MANCHESTER CITY: Ellie Roebuck, Matilde Veiga Santiago Fidalgo, Steph Houghton, Gemma Bonner, Demi Stokes, Tessa Wullaert, Jill Scott, Caroline Weir, Lauren Hemp, Georgia Stanway, Janine Beckie. Subs: Megan Campbell, Pauline Bremer, Tyler Toland, Jess Park, Lee Guem-Min, Ellen White, Karima Benameur.

Referee: Rebecca Welch.

Attendance: 2,424.

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Everton 2–0 Brighton & Hove Albion

Sunny Southport’s Haig Avenue was the venue for Everton to finally end a run of three consecutive defeats.

Early chance three minutes, Chloe Kelly plays Hannah Cain through, but Brighton clear. Four minutes later, the pair repeated their combination play, this time it was Kelly whose effort was saved.

Brighton’s first chance arrived on the ten minute mark when Aileen Whelan danced through the Everton midfield, and played the ball across to Maya le Tissier whose shot was wide.

Everton had the best of the opening quarter which was generally a poor period of play. Both sides being let down by the final ball. Chloe Kelly stood out head and shoulders from the rest of the players on the park.

Brighton had a great chance when Whelan’s surge was halted cynically by Maeva Clemaron. Brighton claimed the Everton player was the last defender, but only a yellow card was awarded. Danielle Bowman’s free kick was tipped over by Tinja-Riika Korpela. The resulting corner came to nothing. The longer the half went on, the more Brighton came into the game, with Hope Powell’s charges noticeably pressing higher up the pitch to try and nullify Everton’s plan of playing out from the back. However, any hope of producing any sustained pressure on the hosts was let down by ponderous build up play which allowed Everton to formulate their defensive and snuff out the danger.

The final chance of the half fell on the counter attack to Brighton with Kayleigh Green’s shot blocked by Korpela before the home side scrambled the ball away as a thoroughly scrappy first half ended 0-0.

First chance of the second half came after fifty-one minutes when Megan Walsh in the Brighton goal did well to rush out to narrow the angle for Simone Magill who was clean through, and won the battle as the shot went wide.

Chloe Kelly’s huge talent was finally rewarded with her fourth goal of the season after fifty-seven minutes. A jinking move which saw her link up with Cain and Magill before curling a shot into the bottom right hand corner. Much more of this and it is surely only a matter of time before the 21 year-old earns a second England cap.

Everton could have doubled their lead when a pacey counterattack saw Inessa Kaagman’s effort turned away for a corner. From the flag kick, Esme Morgan thundered a header in for 2-0 after sixty-seven minutes.

Ini-Abasi Umotong had two great chances in the final ten minutes to get the Seagulls back into the game. The first was headed high and wide from in front of goal, and the second, from her bursting run through saw a disappointing shot go wide. Kayleigh Green was a threat throughout for Brighton, but her team’s laboured build-up play ensured her presence could not deliver the goals that, with more pace and positivity could have materialised. This was a game that the visitors could have got something out of, but in the end it was a fourth straight defeat for the Sussex side – a run which will only come to an end when they become more potent in front of goal and Everton will be delighted with the win.

EVERTON: Tinja-Riika Korpela, Esme Morgan, Kika van Es, Gabrielle George, Danielle Turner, Maeva Clemaron, Lucy Graham, Hannah Cain, Inessa Kaagman, Chloe Kelly, Simone Magill. Subs: Kirstie Levell (GK), Taylor Hinds, Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah, Elise Hughes, Abbey-Leigh Stringer, Molly Pike, Megan Finnigan.

Scorers: Kelly 57, Morgan 67.

BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION: Megan Walsh, Matilde Lundorf Skovsen, Danique Kerkdijk, Victoria Williams, Felicity Gibbons, Danielle Bowman, Maya le Tissier, Ellie Brazil, Lea Le Garrec, Aileen Whelan, Kayleigh Green. Subs: Bethan Roe, Kirsty Barton, Ini-Abasi Umotong, Kate Natkiel, Amanda Nilden, Sophie Harris (GK), Emily Simpkins.

Referee: Jane Simms.

Wilson Sees Bright Future For Shropshire’s Saints

Impetus editor Ben Gilby spoke exclusively to TNS Women’s manager Lawrence Wilson about his side who are linked to the perennial Welsh champions, but who are based in Oswestry and play in the English women’s football pyramid.

The New Saints (TNS) Ladies play in the FA Women’s National League Division One Midlands. The club, based in Oswestry, Shropshire are partner club to TNS FC, who have won the Cymru Premier for the last eight seasons, and enjoyed regular European football.

TNS’ Ladies manager Lawrence Wilson takes up the story of how the women’s side was formed. “It all began in 2002 when the club was formed by John Parry and John Lloyd. John Parry remained involved with the club until 2011 taking the Saints to the Midlands Combination League before leaving the club. Both had their daughters playing and there were no women’s clubs in North Shropshire at the time, so created a partnership with TNS to use the name. A couple of seasons later the club merged with Shrewsbury Town Ladies, both were competing for the best players in the county and created one leading club, with this being re-named TNS Shrewsbury. This then had girls feeding directly out of the Shrewsbury Town Girls Centre of Excellence. The club then changed its name to TNS Shropshire, with Shrewsbury Town having little involvement, so the name change meant that the club was more independent. In 2014/15 there was a restructure changing the branding to The New Saints Ladies (TNS). The marketing and media side would take the forefront in the promotion of the club and developing links with other clubs and schools in the area. This would prompt the introduction to more age groups at the club adding to the youth section.”

With the Men’s side of the club being hugely successful in the Welsh league’s top flight, it was never a consideration for TNS Ladies to play in anywhere else than the English women’s pyramid system, as Wilson emphasises: “The club is based in Shropshire the club felt it was easier to play in England.”

**Above**: The New Saints Ladies manager Lawrence Wilson. **Photo:** Stewart Bloor.

Playing in the fourth tier of the women’s game has many challenges, but at the present time, the TNS coach identified training opportunities as one of his biggest difficulties: “We only train once a week at present time due to our pitch is constantly in use with all TNS teams, which is great to see for the whole club.” Despite pitch access issues, there are major benefits of the links with the men’s club as Wilson explains: “At the start of 2018/19 season, TNS Ladies became a part of the TNS Foundation to create a stronger relationship between the men’s and ladies section, this will hopefully develop even more over the coming years.”

With the TNS starting the new season in National League Division One Midlands positively, Wilson has high hopes for 2019/20: “We have started this season very well only losing two games so far, our aim is to finish in the top four which I believe that is where we should be finishing each season. We are also aiming to get to the second round of the FA Cup. We reached the fourth round in the 2017/18 season breaking records twice as we hadn’t gone past the second round before, so it would be marvellous to go a long way in the competition again.”

The TNS manager identifies two ways in which his club have been boosted in achieving these aims: “Since the Women’s World Cup, we have had new players come and join the club from all ages from under 12s up to the first team. I hope this keeps developing as my plan is to keep generating more girls teams for TNS Girls and Ladies section. Additionally, being on the border of Wales we do attract Welsh players to come across the border. Within our first team and our development team, we have eight Welsh players, with a couple of them having played for Wales at younger age groups.”

**Above:** TNS Players emerging from the changing rooms. **Photo:** Permission for use from Stewart Bloor.

Wilson is firmly of the opinion that any success that the club gets has to be sustainable, and he is clear as to the best way of achieving that:

“I believe creating the right atmosphere and ethos at the club which I have tried to in bed since I took over as manager, from having all of the girls’ teams playing the same system as the first team from under 15s upwards. This way, when players and teams move up they already know what is expected and it goes hand in hand. Having this an important factor in having the girls keep producing the talent. One day these players will come through the ranks and get into the first team. But, like in any team sport having a great team spirit and morale is key as this will pull you through matches as everyone knows that there’s is a togetherness amongst everyone.”

On the whole, Wilson is positive about future of both the wider women’s game and that of The New Saints. “Women’s football is on the rise big time it’s only going to keep growing, we will start to see some very good young players coming through to the England squad of the next couple of years. The plan for TNS is to keep growing by having more youth teams at all age groups. That is very important, but the main aim for me in that period is to gain promotion to the third tier of the women’s game (FA Women’s Northern Premier). If we can achieve this, it would be massive for us, particularly in relation to growing our player pool compared to other teams.”