THE WEEKLY MAGAZINE DEDICATED TO WOMEN’S AND GIRLS FOOTBALL Volume 13 Issue no. 32 11th April 2013 Featuring ALL the women’s Leagues Across the country ACTION Shots . (above) England’s Jordan Nobbs slides in to make a firm challenge on Canada midfielder Diane Matheson (Julian Barker). (below) A 50-50 challenge between Leeds Utd’s Rachel Lee and Jordan Atkinson of Sunderland (Catherine Tuckwell). [email protected] Anfield to stage FA Cup semi final Anfield will host the first FA Women’s Cup semi final when Liverpool take on Arsenal on Friday P.O.Box 72, Patchway, Bristol 26th April. BS34 8HT. Arsenal beat last season’s winners Tel: (0117) 9694544 Birmingham City 6-0 to reach the last four stage Fax: (0117) 9694544 while the Reds defeated current National Division E-Mail: champions Sunderland 2-1 with a late winning [email protected] goal. Website: Admission for the Anfield tie will be £4 for www.WomensSoccerScene.co.uk adults and £1 for Under-16s. For more details call (0151) 230 5721. The second semi final will take place Editors: between Lincoln Ladies and either Bristol Neil Brown Academy or Everton, who play their quarter final Mark Brown tie on Sunday 14th April at 2pm. This semi final will then take place on Sunday 28th April at a Contributors: venue still to be confirmed. The FA Women’s Cup Final will be staged James Prickett on Sunday 26th May at the Keepmoat Stadium, (www.jamesprickett.co.uk) home to Doncaster Rovers. Julian Barker The Final will be broadcast on the BBC for KIPAX (www.kipax.com) the first time since 2009 when it’s screened live Jessica Fishlock on BBC Two and BBC Two HD. Tickets for the Final can be purchased by Patrick Higgins calling (01302) 762576, with early booking David Potham discount applicable to bookings received by 10 Laura Montgomery May. Jim Pearcy Meanwhile ESPN have announced that they Rachael Small are to broadcast three more FA WSL/Continental Cup matches live in the near future. Stephen Gaunt The league match between Lincoln Ladies (www.touchlinepics.com) and reigning Champions Arsenal at Sincil Bank will be played in front of the ESPN cameras on Winners of the 2006 Wednesday 15th May, kick off 7.30pm, but be- FA National Media Award fore that ESPN will broadcast the Continental Cup tie between Bristol Academy and last season's beaten finalists Birmingham City on Thursday Views expressed in articles in this 2nd May. magazine are those of the subject and not Then, on Thursday 6th June, the live action necessarily those of Women’s Soccer sees Arsenal in action at the new look Boreham Scene and its staff. Wood, where they will be hosting Chelsea in a Issue no. 512 London derby match with a 7.45pm kick off. Front cover photo: England midfielder Jill Scott takes on Canada full back Kylla Sjoman during her side’s 1-0 victory in their friendly at Rotherham (Julian Barker). [email protected] F.A.Women’s Premier League Leeds knock out holders Leeds Utd have reached the Premier League Cup Final for the fourth time in six years following a 4-1 victory over Sunderland in the semi finals, avenging last year's Final defeat to the Wearsiders. After a cautious opening twenty minutes, Leeds broke the deadlock when Rachel Lee played the ball through to Tanya Rich who hit a powerful angled shot past Rachael Laws to put her side in front. Before Sunderland could recover, they found themselves two behind, Danielle Sheen finding the net via a superb 25-yard strike which found the top corner. Sunderland were missing leading goalscorer Beth Mead who was away on international duty with England Under-19s, but they got themselves back into the game on 32 minutes when Leeds were unable to clear a corner and Jordan Atkinson reacted quickly to score from close range. After the break, Sunderland pressed hard for an equaliser but lost another key player when Sophie Williams went off with an injury sustained when Leeds goalkeeper Jules Draycott made a brave save as she chased a Sarah McFadden through ball. Leeds defended strongly under pressure and also looked dangerous on the counter attack with Sheen going Leeds Utd’s Emma Lipman closed down by close and, despite Sunderland nearly levelling through Sunderland winger Sophie Williams McFadden and Joice, Leeds held firm and took a firm grip on (Catherine Tuckwell). the game when Abbie Lee increased their lead with two minutes remaining. Emma Lipman rounded off the win in injury time by heading in from a corner and Leeds will now play the winners of the other semi final between Aston Villa and Portsmouth, which will be played next Sunday. National Division Watford have gone top of the National Division after a last gasp winner gave them a 2-1 victory away to Portsmouth. Pompey got off to a great start and took the lead with just a minute on the clock when Shelly Cox finished off from a Gemma Hillier cross and the home side held on to their advantage at the interval. However on the hour mark Watford, who were without four players on international duty, levelled the scores through a Sadie Blakeley own goal from Cally Rowell's cross. Both sides had chances after that but as the game headed into injury time, Kate Natkiel scored with a well executed volley to give her side a vital win which lifts them above Sunderland, who were on Premier League Cup duty. Manchester City consolidated themselves in fourth place by beating Cardiff City Ladies 3-1. Krystle Johnston opened the scoring in the first half and Abbie McManus added the second before half time. Zoe Atkins gave a depleted Abbey Joice is faced by Rachel Lee (Catherine Tuckwell). [email protected] Cardiff side hope when she pulled a goal back but Johnston made the game safe for the home side in the dying minutes. Aston Villa returned to winning ways with a 3-0 success against Barnet. Carly Davies gave Villa a tenth minute lead which they extended on the hour mark through Erin Vaughan. Davies wrapped up the win for her side with her second goal, five minutes from time. Coventry City increased the gap between themselves and the bottom two with a vital 1-0 win away to Charlton Athletic. Natasha Lynch scored the all-important goal for the Sky Blues midway through the first half. Northern Division Sheffield FC have gone nine points ahead in the Northern Division following their 4-0 victory over Blackburn Rovers. Kate Natkiel gets in a shot for Watford. Carla Ward and Kayleigh Mitchell ensured that Sheffield were two ahead by the half hour mark and Jodie Michalska added a third before half time. Suzanne Davies rounded off the scoring with seven minutes remaining to bring Sheffield closer to the title and bring Blackburn's hopes to a virtual end. Nottingham Forest now appear to be Sheffield's only realistic challengers after they defeated Preston North End 3-2 to replace them in second place. Natasha Meade, Aileen Whelan and Stephanie Smith were on target for Forest, with Sarah Walker replying twice for Preston. Sporting Club Albion climbed into third place via a 3-0 victory away to Leicester City. Abby Pope netted a first half double for Albion and an own goal sealed the points midway through the second half. Newcastle Utd made the long trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers and returned home with a 1-0 win under their belts. Stacy Crooks scored the only goal of the game in the seventh minute and Newcastle defended well from that point, Philippa Wilson going closest for Wolves when she hit the bar. Southern Division Millwall Lionesses bounced back from defeat seven days previously to pick up a vital 2-0 win at Colchester Utd which maintains their four point lead at the top of the Southern Division. Leading scorer Emma Whitter netted both goals to get the Lionesses' title challenge back on course. Reading FC Women made sure of staying hard on their heels in second place after coming from behind to beat Yeovil Town 2-1. Grace Rapp had given Yeovil the lead but second half strikes from Stacie Donnelly and Stacey Wiggins earned Reading the points . Brighton & Hove Albion's last remaining chances were ended as they were beaten 2-1 by Tottenham Hotspur, who move out of the bottom two as a result. Mollie Kmita and Andrea Marcoci were on target for Spurs, with Brighton replying through Kim Stenning. Queen's Park Rangers remain at the foot of the table but added another important point to their tally from a 1-1 draw with West Ham Utd, who have gone back into third place. Lindsey Morgan netted for the Hammers, with Rangers' goal coming from Sophie Yeovil Town’s Laura Bray holds off Gemma Sims of Fogarty. Reading FC Women (www.jamesprickett.co.uk). [email protected] NATIONAL DIVISION P W D L F A Pts GD LEADING SCORERS WATFORD 14 9 4 1 26 12 31 Beth14 MEAD Sunderland 12 SUNDERLAND 12 9 3 0 40 13 30 Jo27 WILSON Watford 9 LEEDS UTD 11 7 1 3 20 12 22 Sarah8 WILTSHIRE Watford 9 MANCHESTER CITY 14 6 3 5 28 20 21 Kelly8 McDOUGALL Sunderland 8 ASTON VILLA 13 6 1 6 16 20 19 Keira-4 RAMSHAW Sunderland 8 CARDIFF CITY LADIES 13 4 4 5 19 17 16 Carey2 HUEGETT Leeds Utd 6 CHARLTON ATHLETIC 13 4 3 6 20 22 15 Krystle-2 JOHNSTON Manchester City 6 Gemma SHEPHERD Charlton Athletic COVENTRY CITY 13 5 0 8 13 20 15 -7 6 Gemma BRYAN Charlton Athletic 5 PORTSMOUTH 12 2 3 7 15 33 9 -18Sarah DANBY Manchester City 5 BARNET 15 0 4 11 4 32 4 -28 Aston Villa 3 Barnet 0; Charlton 0 Coventry 1; Man City 3 Cardiff 1; Portsmouth 1 Watford 2.