Up till now the FAWSL had been a closed shop with teams applying from the winter leagues to join. Many campaigned for the restoration of the football pyramid and this season with the FAWSL looking to expand sees for the 1st time teams vying for promotion on playing merit. Team's are still required to apply for promotion have to meet certain criteria this however is in place throughout the whole playing pyramid as any team wishes to move up the leagues.
5 teams across the FAWPL Northern and Southern Division's had applied and will have to meet the FA criteria to enter the FAWSL 2, with 2 of those being todays playoff finalists.
The Finalists
Portsmouth FC Ladies haven't wasted much time establishing themselves in the FAWPL Southern Division having achieved promotion in 2012 having won the old Southern Division that used to feed into the National Division prior to it splitting into a Northern and Southern League, have built upon a 4th place finish last season to go on and win the title this year coming out on top of what was a keenly contested league with 5 teams in contention for the title for much of the season taking maximum points from their last 6 league games saw them claim the title and book their place in todays Championship Playoff Final.
Sheffield FC Ladies rise up the women's football pyramid in England has been a rapid one achieved promotion to the FAWPL Northern Division four years ago, since then have been the dominant team in the division winning the title for the last 3 seasons. This season had a strong challenger to the title as geography saw last season's FAWPL Southern Division winners Coventry City Ladies join them in the Northern Division, were neck and neck in the title race until their rivals were hit with a 6 point deduction which allowed Sheffield FC Ladies to go on and win their 3rd Northern Division title and earn them a place in todays Championship Playoff Final.
The venue for todays game a familiar one The DCS Stadium, home of Stratford Town FC was also the home of Birmingham City Ladies for their 1st 3 seasons in the FAWSL. A tidy non league ground on the outskirts of town with good facilities and small seated stand down one side of the pitch. Decent refreshments the cheeseburger was as good as I remembered. Was an overcast sky over the ground but very warm small chance of a shower so I opted to put the umbrella in my rucksack instead of the sun cream. Pitch looked in great condition lush covering of grass.
Portsmouth FC Ladies starting XI - Courtney Trodd, Jess Frampton, Nadine Bazan, Molly Clark, Eilidh Currie, Sarah Kempson, Shannon Sievwright, Ellie Bloomfield, Lucy Quinn, Charley Wilson (C) & Gemma Hillier.
subs - Tiff Taylor, Jodie Goodall & Elizabeth O'Callaghan.
Sheffield FC Ladies starting XI - Claire Wallhead, Lynn Goodman, Danielle Cox, Billie Murphy, Ellie Gilliatt, Kerry Parkin, Carla Ward (C), Amy Beanland, Lisa Giampalma, Jodie Michalska & Emma Johnson.
subs - Aimee Johnson, Abbie McLver, Suzanne Davies & Nikki Hogg.
Both teams had players unavailable going into todays final. Portsmouth the most notable of the 2 sides who were without both their two 1st choice keepers with Sadie Blakely suspended and back up Michelle Beazley signed on transfer deadline day ineligible under FA rules. This meant they would be fielding a keeper from their youth ranks, 16 year old Courtney Trodd taking her place between the sticks for the biggest game in the clubs history. Portsmouth also had Nigerian striker Ini Umatong unavailable as she was away with the national team along with the experienced Leeta Rutherford.
Sheffield also had players they couldn't call upon centre back Sheldon Ashton along with midfielder Becky Lee and Jess Heald as the two sides took to the pitch, Portsmouth had brought plenty of vocal support with them from the South Coast not that the Sheffield supporters are a quiet bunch soon there was some good natured banter going on between the two.
It's Sheffield to kick off the final kitted out in red shirts, black shorts and socks against Portsmouth lined up in blue shirts, white shorts and red socks. From kick off Sheffield look to travel with the ball down the left of the pitch, the ball is played long into the box but spotting a foul referee Lisa Rashid brings the play back for a free kick to Sheffield, the ball is fired in low to the edge of the area both Emma Johnson and Jodie Michalska attack the ball but can find no way through the Portsmouth defence as they put in the blocking tackles.
Is a fast start to the game Portsmouth are looking to pressure the ball high up the pitch try to get strikers Gemma Hillier and captain Charley Wilson in behind the Sheffield back line from a free kick played from the half way line Hillier can't quite bring the ball under control to the right of the area has supporting racing up to help her with Nadine Bazan getting onto the ball and whipping in a cross from the by line the ball is headed away from danger by Sheffield's Danielle Cox.
Wilson is hustling Sheffield's Lynn Goodman at the back the right back looks the play the ball back to her goalkeeper Claire Wallhead as she comes to the corner of the area, the pass is short putting Wallhead under pressure as Wilson races after it, she smashes her attempted shot against the keeper the ball is sent up looping into the air and falling is looking like it is going to bounce down and over the line, however the rest of the Sheffield defence has gotten back to cover the goal line and the ball is hooked away.
Pushing forwards with the ball at her feet Emma Johnson for Sheffield comes in from the left fires a fierce cross into the area looking to pick out Lisa Giampalma making a run from the right under challenge as she receives the ball she is falling back as she strikes it slicing the attempt wide.
Both Hillier and Wilson both chase the ball down up front in the wider positions right then left, their crosses into the area are met by a Sheffield head. Sheffield counter attack with Ellie Gilliatt bringing the ball up the pitch from left back, plays a good ball into the box looking to pick out her captain Carla Ward, she looks to meet it on the volley sends the shot over the crossbar.
Portsmouth's pressing play is causing Sheffield some frustration as they struggle to build anything from the back are more often than not playing a longer pass than they'd like and seeing Portsmouth defend well. Johnson for Sheffield out on the right gets the ball across to Ward who in turn looks to send Amy Beanland through she arrives from midfield with Courtney Trodd rushing out to meet her she gets her shot away from the edge of the area the shot is wide of the post. Ward then puts the ball onto the roof of the net from a free kick 40 yards out wide on the left.
Portsmouth look to break Wilson getting on the ball in the middle driving forwards has Hillier to her right in support looks to send her away, Sheffield's Billie Murphy comes sliding in to win the ball but ends up scything down Hillier instead, gets herself the 1st yellow card of the match. Molly Clark to play the ball into the area once again it's Cox who leaps up to head the ball clear.
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| Portsmouth FC Ladies captain Charley Wilson on the ball. |
Lucy Quinn then races in down the right wing taking the ball from Sheffield looks to turn inside and running across the D pulls the trigger sending a low effort in towards goal, can only pick out Wallhead well placed in the centre to scoop it up. Quinn is in the thick of the action again moments later winning a free kick wide left beside the area the ball sent in is defended well by Ward.
Jodie Michalska hasn't seen as much of the ball 1st half as she would like has come looking for it turning and making a powerful run forwards to the right of the goal releases her shot early 35 yards out has plenty of pace Trodd though can watch it race across her six yard box and out.
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| Jodie Michalska with the ball for Sheffield Ladies |
Trodd then produces a fantastic save of Michalska again this time as she gets onto the ball 30 yards out again right of goal sends a curling effort in towards goal is destined for the top corner but for Trodd who throws herself back at her far post and tips the ball over for a corner kick.
Is end to end an intriguing contest, Hillier and Wilson working hard up top making it difficult for Sheffield to put their opponents defence under any sustained pressure. Portsmouth break as the ball is sent long the Sheffield clearance is sliced across the area 30 yards out pushing forwards is Sarah Kempson she latches onto the ball and shots is a tame effort rolls through to Wallhead in goal.
Late in the 1st half Gilliatt brings the ball up the Sheffield left once more pushing into the Portsmouth half looks to drive inside sends the ball into looking to attack the near post she turns her header on into the middle has Michalska behind her central she looks to turn the ball into the net, Trodd is sharp and down to save the ball.
Half time Portsmouth FC Ladies 0-0 Sheffield FC Ladies
As far as 0-0 score lines go that was as an exciting a half of football I've watched to date, don't know how much some times until I start writing up my notes. A exciting half from two sides really up for the final, Portsmouth are working hard to close the ball all over the pitch especially in attack which in turn has kept the pressure off the defence and their young keeper, although Trodd has produced 2 fantastic saves so far. Sheffield have had the better chances, Portsmouth have found Wallhead well positioned whenever they have gotten a shot away on target.
The teams out for the 2nd half it's Portsmouth to kick off the 2nd half. Start on the attack the ball carried down the left is put through to Wilson she drives forwards looks to shot fires the ball across the six yard box and out of play.
Beanland is fouled by Portsmouth's Jess Frampton as Sheffield bring the ball forwards quickly the set piece to the left of the D 20 yards from goal it's Michalska over the ball looks to go for goal puts the ball onto the roof of the net. Sheffield have started the 2nd half stronger are looking to get the ball into Johnson, Michalska and Giampalma on the right hand side earlier the push players up from the middle to support. Johnson has come back to help out in defence looks to send the ball long for Michalska to chase down, Portsmouth's Molly Clark is across to put in a vital tackle to win the ball stop Michalska bursting through into the area with the ball.
On the attack Beanland has pushed forwards for Sheffield from midfield as the ball is sent into her from the left entering the area as Trodd mishandles the ball drops to her as Portsmouth defenders converge on her she can't get her shot away instead gets it out to Giampalma on her right the no 9 sweeps her shot wide of the post. More Sheffield pressure a corner won on the right is playing in dangerously towards the far post it's both captains looking to jump and win the ball Ward gets the final touch sending the ball over the cross bar.
1st substitution of the match comes from Sheffield as Beanland is taken off to be replaced by Abbey McIver. Sheffield are creating far more opportunities now are stretching Portsmouth at the back Michalska chases down a ball at the by line on the left and sends the cross into the area is intercepted by Bazan who headers it clear before it can reach Giampalma behind her.
Sheffield keep the pressure up regaining possession of the ball inside the Portsmouth half it's Kerry Parkin who plays the ball over the top clearing the Portsmouth defence with Johnson the player peeling away to the left just a yard out she tries to wrap her foot around it turn it inside the post only succeeds in stabbing it wide.
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| Portsmouth's Lucy Quinn and Sheffield's Ellie Gilliatt tussle for the ball. |
Bringing the ball up from the back showing good foot work Gilliatt is fouled by Quinn earning the Portsmouth player a yellow card. The free kick wide on the left is to be taken by Johnson, Portsmouth make their 1st change before it is delivered though, with Bazan coming off and Tiff Taylor coming on. The set piece delivered into the area is cleared for a corner. The corner is swept in under the cross bar Trodd does very well to snatch it out of the air.
Frampton wins a tackle in the middle and looks to drive forwards for Portsmouth centrally she feeds it through into the run Wilson is making to the right, getting to the ball she releases an early cross along the six yard box has Kempson making the run to the far post but she can't reach the ball to try and turn it into the net, the ball is retrieved on the left and sent back into the centre from inside the D Frampton meets it on the turn can't get under the ball sends her shot over the bar.
Wallhead is called into action in the Sheffield goal to make a great save as the ball is played into Quinn on the right inside the box she puts her foot through the ball sending it towards goal looping up Wallhead with a reflex save on her line tips the ball up into the air and as she falls is sharp grabbing the ball into her body is it drops behind her keeping it out of the net.
Portsmouth win a free kick on the right the ball is played into the area is met by Kempson who sends her headed effort on towards the far post is cleared by Goodman before Wilson and attack it. Another great save from Wallhead this time off Wilson as she and Hillier link up in attack for Portsmouth the latter sending Wilson through into the box to the right of the goal she looks to pull her shot across the keeper good reactions Wallhead is down and saves.
The match enters the last 10 minutes both defences are holding firm although Portsmouth are getting a little tired as Sheffield's front players pull them out of position. Parkin getting onto the ball in the middle for Sheffield plays it over the top into space on the right with Michalska a willing runner she retrieves the ball on the by line puts in a vicious cross along the goal face Trodd does well to palm it away from danger with players coming in to attack it behind her.
McIver is put through on goal the offside flag staying down as Portsmouth defender Clark is down struggling with an injury. McIver is a good way out opts to shoot early Trodd has started to come but turning as the ball sails past her can see it over the bar. Into the final minutes of normal time and Portsmouth make their 2nd change with Elizabeth O'Callaghan coming on for Ellie Bloomfield.
GOAL! Looked like the game was heading for extra time but as 5 minutes injury time is indicated Portsmouth are attacking the Sheffield goal, the ball is won back is sent forwards long into Giampalma back to goal she lays it back to Michalska and turns running into the space behind right of goal as the ball is returned to her she is through on goal, Trodd comes racing out to the edge of the area desperate to make the save dives Giampalma gets her shot past her and sends it into the back of the net! 0-1!
Minutes left in the match already into injury time Sheffield have the lead aren't interested in a 2nd goal are back defending as Portsmouth have to go forwards try and find quick reply the closest they get is a Kempson header from the edge of the area that is turned wide.
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| Sheffield FC Ladies Lisa Giampalma scorer of the winning goal as the final whistle is blown. |
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| Sheffield celebrations |
Sheffield were the stronger side in the 2nd half created far more chances as their movement wore Portsmouth down. Tough though on Portsmouth to lose the match so late in injury time was a fantastic effort the players crestfallen after the final whistle can be proud of what they have achieved.
Sheffield can starting planning for football in FA WSL 2 next season, will still have to meet the FA criteria but after this victory the work can begin in earnest to make that happen.
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| Champagne time! |
My congratulations to Sheffield FC Ladies on their Championship Playoff Final victory.
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