THE WEEKLY MAGAZINE DEDICATED TO WOMEN’S AND GIRLS FOOTBALL LATE GOAL PEGS BACK ENGLAND * JARMO MATIKAINEN TO STEP DOWN FROM WALES JOB * Bristol Academy announce new manager * Kelly hits four as Cardiff take over leadership * London Bees make official launch * Oadby & Wigston Dynamo power to Cup success Featuring ALL the Women’s Leagues across the country… ACTION Shots . (above) Stef Simmons curls a free kick over the wall and towards goal for Charlton Athletic against Milton Keynes Dons (www.jamesprickett.co.uk). (below) Charlie Grimes of Keynsham Town Res closes down Cirencester Town’s Katrina Fisher. [email protected] Jarmo Matikainen, the Finnish coach in charge of women’s international football in Wales, has announced that he is to return to his native Finland in March 2014. During his four years with Wales, Jarmo has seen the women’s national team reach its highest ever FIFA ranking and has been a part of the first ever UEFA tournament on Welsh soil with the hosting of the UEFA Women’s Under 19 finals in the summer of 2013. There has also been a significant development in the quality at all levels of the women’s game in Wales. “I have really enjoyed my time in Wales. It has been a fantastic challenge and experience both on and off the field.” said Jarmo. “To host the Under-19 finals was a tremendous occasion and the event was a great success. I have made some great friends during my time with Wales and would like to thank the FAW for their support. I hope the women’s game continues to go from strength to strength in this country. “Players, coaches and Welsh football people have been brilliant to work with. Their passion and commitment has always been a delight and a source of strength. The Welsh sense of humour is like the Finnish, unique, and I have felt very familiar with it. I am very grateful to have been part of the Welsh football family.” Jonathan Ford, the Chief Executive of the FAW said: “Jarmo has made a huge contribution to the women’s game in Wales. He has improved the quality at all levels on and off the field. He has brought a new level of professionalism into the women’s game in terms of facilities, preparation and results. “We wish him all the best in his future career and fully understand the reasons behind his decision to return to Finland to see more of his family.” The FAW are discussing with Jarmo the possibility of his involvement in the senior women’s team and their remaining matches in the World Cup qualifying campaign. Jarmo Matikainen officially took over as Head Coach of the Wales team in October 2010 and started off with a bang, his first match in charge being an 8-1 victory over Bulgaria in friendly the following month. In his first qualifying tournament in charge, for the Euro 2013 Finals, Wales finished in third place in their group and picked up a notable 2-0 win over the Republic of Ireland as well as a 2-2 draw in Scotland. They remained in contention for a play-off place until a narrow 2-1 defeat in their return meeting with Scotland in the final group match. They have started off well in their World Cup qualifying group with wins over Belarus and Montenegro whilst giving a good account of themselves when going down to a narrow 2-0 defeat to group leaders England. Matikainen has been in charge of all of the Welsh women’s teams and has overseen the rise of a host of players from youth level to the senior squad. He took charge of the Under-19 team as they hosted the UEFA Under-19 Championship Finals last August and although they were beaten in all three of their group games, the team acquitted themselves well in a tough group which included both finalists. [email protected] Aston Villa have announced a new management set up as they get ready for their first season in the newly formed FA WSL2. Ron Mellor has been brought in as manager, taking the lead role in getting the team ready for the season, which runs over the summer months from April to October. Joe Hunt, FA Women’s Premier League Cup winning manager from the previous campaign, will continue to support the team with the role of Head Coach alongside Karl Fellows. Natalie Courtney, Ant Bosson and Andrew Colley will all continue in their roles as assistant manager, physiotherapist and goalkeeping coach respectively. Anders Braastad will also join the staff as sports science coach while Martin Harrison comes in as general manager to oversee the day-to-day running of the club. Hunt, who has overseen the changes, said: "I'm over the moon that Ron has agreed to come on board with us. He is very highly recommended. Ron will add a new dimension to us. He will help the development of Karl and I as coaches with all his knowledge and experience. "He will take charge of all team affairs, dictating training sessions and matchday operations. He has some great ideas but is also comfortable with how we play already and where we want to go. "Already Ron has shown a massive interest in our female section overall, working with the Under-15s team. Even though we have now moved to Super League we still intend to produce our own players from within our Centre of Excellence. This has always been our focus. We are not reliant on other clubs to produce players for us. "The future is very promising for us. Within the last month, we've had a great turn out for the national teams. A total of fourteen players have gone away at Under-15, Under-17, Under-19 and Under-21 levels - twelve of them with England and two with Wales." Mellor added: "It goes without saying that I am very much looking forward to joining the management team for Villa Ladies. It should be an exciting journey for us as we embark on our first season in the Super League." Before their Super League campaign begins, Mellor’s first match in charge of the club will be in the FA Women's Cup Third Round with a home encounter with Doncaster Rovers Belles on Sunday February 9, kick-off at 2pm. The match will be played at their new ground at Coles Lane, the home of Sutton Coldfield Town. Millwall Lionesses are delighted to announce the double signing of Sophie Perry and Kim Stenning from Brighton & Hove Albion. Sophie, a Republic of Ireland International, joins Millwall as a very promising attack minded full back, while Kim joins to bolster the teams attacking options. Stenning explained her decision to move to Millwall: "Over the last couple of years I have become more confident in my football and enjoyed it. I knew I always wanted to play at a higher level and I believe I have achieved this with my move to Millwall. "I am hard working and never give up and hope that I can be an asset to the team by scoring goals and being a team player. "My ambitions are to be as fit and focused as I can possibly be for the new season. I can see the quality of players being signed and can tell already that we will be a team that's hard to beat! I look forward to the upcoming season." Lionesses' manager, Alberto Kurti, stated: "I am happy that both players have decided to come and be part of this wonderful group of players. Kim and Sophie are exceptionally experienced players and they will add quality to the squad. "Kim is a natural finisher and she has been a lethal in front of goal for the last few years and she has settled in really well with the squad. Sophie brings the professional approach to the group, she is an established international with Ireland and to be at the top her game for so long it shows her determination and attitude to succeed." An experienced international, Sophie Perry, was quoted saying: "When I went to train with Millwall, there was a positive buzz around the place which made me feel welcome. It was clear from the players and staff that everybody believes Millwall have the potential to do well in the Super League. "From looking at some of the signings made already and the experience they are bringing with them it's clear to see the club are pushing for promotion. I have World Cup qualifiers coming up this year with the Republic of Ireland, so I will be hoping to play well at club level and country." Both signings will be available for the Lionesses' first competitive match against Reading FC Women on Sunday 9th February in the FA Women's Cup Third Round. [email protected] Southern Division Cardiff City Ladies have taken over as the new leaders of the Southern Division following a 9-1 victory over Chesham Utd. The South Wales side required an eight-goal margin of victory in order to replace Gillingham at the top and they were sent on their way when Kelly Aldridge bagged a first half hat-trick with Naomi Clipston also on the scoresheet. After the break, Aldridge netted a fourth and Clipston her second, before Nicola Cousins scored the seventh goal on the hour mark. Substitutes Cori Williams and Zoe Atkins rounded off the scoring to help Cardiff step up their title challenge.