Everton Ladies were unbeaten going into the FAWSL mid-season break, results since then haven't gone according to plan, 3 defeats in a row 2 in the league, 1 in the 1st Round of the Continental Tyres Cup against Merseyside rivals, Liverpool Ladies have seen them drop away from the leaders in the race for promotion. Was at Berkhamsted FC back on June 26th to see them lose 2-1 against bottom side Watford Ladies. 1-0 defeats in the Cup and away at Sheffield FC Ladies last weekend.
Need to find the winning touch again in 4th place in the FAWSL 2 table are 9 points off the pace at the top but do have 2 games in hand on the leading pair Bristol City Women and Yeovil Town Ladies. Manager Andy Spence has a young and talented group at his disposal, but picking up injuries has added to the squad by bringing in Rosella Ayane and Chloe Kelly from Chelsea Ladies and Arsenal Ladies respectfully during the mid-season transfer window as they look to add some more bite to their attack.
Face a tough test today with FAWSL 2 pace setters Yeovil Town Ladies the visitors to the Select Security Stadium this afternoon. Tipped to be amongst the sides challenging for promotion, Jamie Sherwood's side have suffered just the 1 defeat in the league to date that back in March on the opening fixture of their FAWSL 2 campaign against South West rivals and fellow title chasers, Bristol City Women. Since then have won 7 and drawn 2 of their league fixtures.
Entering the 2nd half of the sason the challenge is to maintain that form and and achieve the target to win promotion to FAWSL 1. Have made signings during the mid-season break too, goalkeeper Beth Howard returns from a spell in the US to rejoin the club timely too as regular shot stopper, Charlotte Haynes is out recovering from an injury picked up at the game away to Oxford Ladies recently. Midfielder, Danielle Carlton also joins the the club having been at Millwall Lionesses previously.
A return trip to the Select Security Stadium having been there for the Liverpool Ladies 0-0 draw with Notts County Ladies the night before, an overnight stay, 15 minutes from the ground, this is the 1st time I've actually seen Everton Ladies play a home fixture since I started the Supporting Women's Football Blog nearly 3 years ago now (time flies). A beautiful summers day, very hot and sunny, (don't complain) up in the stands was in the shade with the 3G pitch bathed in sunshine.
Everton Ladies starting XI - Kirsty Levell, Vicky Jones, Danielle Turner, Georgia Brougham, Millie Turner, Michelle Hinnigan (C), Kelly Jones Krystle Johnston, Rosella Ayane, Chloe Kelly & Claudia Walker.
subs - Alex Brooks, Jenna Dear, Megan Finnigan, Emily Hollinshead & Lauren Davies.
Yeovil Town Ladies starting XI - Beth Howard, Kayleigh Green, Hannah Short, Nicola Cousins, Lauren Townsend, Helen Bleazard, Ellie Curson (C), Danielle Carlton, Nadia Lawrence, Sarah Wiltshire & Annie Heatherson.
subs - Steph Williams, Emily Donovan, Leah Burridge, Kelly Snook, Natasha Knapman, Jessie Jones & Kelly Aldridge.
A few changes for Everton Ladies no Ellie Stewart or Gabrielle George in defence, sees Danielle Turner drop to left back, have seen name sake Millie Turner play in a variety of offensive positions for Everton in the past but today she is paired up with Georgia Brougham at centre back. With Simone Magill and Chantelle Boy-Hlorkah also missing, loan signings Rosella Ayane and Chloe Kelly join Claudia Walker in attack. Both new signings, Beth Howard in goal and Danielle Charlton in midfield start for Yeovil Town Ladies.
It's the visitor's Yeovil to kick off the 1st have wearing their two tone grey shirts, white shorts and green and white hooped socks with Everton lined up against them wearing blue shirts, white shorts and socks. 3 at the back for Yeovil with Helen Bleazard and Lauren Townsend playing in the wing back positions, captain Ellie Curson in midfield along side Carlton with Sarah Wiltshire leading the FAWSL scoring charts and Nadia Lawrence providing support for Annie Heatherson leading the line today. Send the ball long from the start getting a throw deep in Everton territory in the right, receiving the ball Bleazard looks to take it on towards the box is tackled by Danielle Turner the attack stopped.
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| Yeovil Town Ladies, Nicola Cousins looking for a passing option |
Nicola Cousins gets hold of the ball on the left side of the back 3 bringing it forwards rolls it on for Townsend out wide, carrying it forwards whips a dangerous cross into the Everton box, Georgia Brougham rises highest to head the ball clear for Everton. Yeovil press down the left Townsend with support from Carlton, the ball is lost Everton counter attack rapidly captain Michelle Hinnigan with a fantastic long range ball releases Ayane out on the left side takes the ball down to the by line before sending the cross in, Howard has the angle covered and the ball ends up safely in her gloves.
GOAL! Everton take the lead inside the opening 10 minutes, have had a free kick inside the Yeovil half moments before have players forwards winning it back on the right the ball is send up towards Kelly inside the area, Yeovil fail to clear it dropping to a blue shirt far post the ball is knocked back across with Kelly now unmarked free to hit it leaning back strikes the ball sending the ball past Howard diving to her right into the back of the net 1-0. The loan signings 1st goal for the club.
A lively start from Everton they have gotten out of the blocks quicker than Yeovil. Hinnigan taking hold of the ball in the middle of the park pushes forwards has Krystle Johnston bursting forwards on the right plays the ball out to her, attempting to hit the ball back across the face of goal as it comes to her Johnston screws her effort behind for a goal kick.
Ayane takes advantage of a poor goal kick from Yeovil tries to turn their opponents around playing the ball crossfield to Kelly looks to have half a yard on her marker as she heads for the box right of goal, looks to be tugged back, still manages to get a shot away the shot from the edge of the area flying over the crossbar. A bit of tension on the field between the sides, the referee has already called Carlton over for a word when Townsend goes down after a coming together with Johnston the incident isn't seen by the officials both are given a talking to.
GOAL! Everton double their lead and it's their other loan signing who joins Kelly in opening her account. The home side win a corner on the left, the ball is swung in a head height towards the near post, Ayane is amongst the players there, ducks as goalkeeper Howard comes charging forwards looking to punch the ball, misses it and it drops to the floor in front of Ayane to lash it home from close range 2-0.
Yeovil look to regroup going 2-0 with just 17 minutes played, however Everton continue to frustrate and are 1st to the ball, attack down the right Johnston with the header to flick the ball inside to Claudia Walker who takes it on into the right channel her cross smashes Cousins in the face. A hot day both sides are called to the benches for drinks whilst Everton goalkeeper receives some treatment having gone down as she went to take a goal kick.
Ayane with the ball at her feet left looks to pick out Johnston as she makes a run to get into the Yeovil box, can't quite find her the Yeovil defence intercepts the ball isn't cleared, Walker steals in to win it and taking on the strike from distance sends the ball in towards goal, Howard behind it holds onto the ball. Kelly is doing well for Everton finding space and moving forwards with the ball has Johnston moving to get ahead of her on the right the ball played forwards Johnston is leaning back as she looks to lift the ball into the box the ball swerving in the air hits the Yeovil crossbar.
A free kick for Yeovil on halfway gives them a chance to push players forwards into the Everton area, Bleazard to deliver is a good ball into the area, it's Millie Turner for Everton who gets up to head the ball away. Curson tries to take the ball on from a throw on the right, no way into the Everton area the ball is lost Everton counter attack break with the ball down the left Ayane bringing the ball inside plays the pass to Walker who in turn sends it further on with Kelly available on her right, beyond her Johnston calls for the ball, Kelly sending it into her path Johnston hitting it on the run slices the shot wide of goal.
A lively start from Everton they have gotten out of the blocks quicker than Yeovil. Hinnigan taking hold of the ball in the middle of the park pushes forwards has Krystle Johnston bursting forwards on the right plays the ball out to her, attempting to hit the ball back across the face of goal as it comes to her Johnston screws her effort behind for a goal kick.
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| Everton Ladies captain, Michelle Hinnigan after the ball |
GOAL! Everton double their lead and it's their other loan signing who joins Kelly in opening her account. The home side win a corner on the left, the ball is swung in a head height towards the near post, Ayane is amongst the players there, ducks as goalkeeper Howard comes charging forwards looking to punch the ball, misses it and it drops to the floor in front of Ayane to lash it home from close range 2-0.
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| Rosella Ayane opens her goal scoring account for Everton Ladies |
Yeovil look to regroup going 2-0 with just 17 minutes played, however Everton continue to frustrate and are 1st to the ball, attack down the right Johnston with the header to flick the ball inside to Claudia Walker who takes it on into the right channel her cross smashes Cousins in the face. A hot day both sides are called to the benches for drinks whilst Everton goalkeeper receives some treatment having gone down as she went to take a goal kick.
Ayane with the ball at her feet left looks to pick out Johnston as she makes a run to get into the Yeovil box, can't quite find her the Yeovil defence intercepts the ball isn't cleared, Walker steals in to win it and taking on the strike from distance sends the ball in towards goal, Howard behind it holds onto the ball. Kelly is doing well for Everton finding space and moving forwards with the ball has Johnston moving to get ahead of her on the right the ball played forwards Johnston is leaning back as she looks to lift the ball into the box the ball swerving in the air hits the Yeovil crossbar.
A free kick for Yeovil on halfway gives them a chance to push players forwards into the Everton area, Bleazard to deliver is a good ball into the area, it's Millie Turner for Everton who gets up to head the ball away. Curson tries to take the ball on from a throw on the right, no way into the Everton area the ball is lost Everton counter attack break with the ball down the left Ayane bringing the ball inside plays the pass to Walker who in turn sends it further on with Kelly available on her right, beyond her Johnston calls for the ball, Kelly sending it into her path Johnston hitting it on the run slices the shot wide of goal.
GOAL! Danielle Turner brings the ball out from the back for Everton, Kelly has made a run up top breaking into the Yeovil box left of goal, Turner plays the ball long up to her, Kelly brings it under control looks to come inside to shoot is tripped by Kayleigh Green the referee points to the spot, penalty awarded. It's Kelly to take she calmly slides the ball into the bottom right corner of the net to grab her 2nd goal and extend Everton's lead 3-0.
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| A brace for loan signing Chloe Kelly her 1st goals for Everton Ladies |
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| Lauren Townsend beats Claudia Walker to the ball |
Half-time Everton Ladies 3-0 Yeovil Town Ladies
It's a shell shocked Yeovil Town Ladies that want to get off the pitch quickly and get into the dressing room, have a few thing's to sort out at half-time. Finding themselves 3-0 down Everton Ladies have had an excellent 1st half, dominating the play the front three of Ayane, Walker and Kelly with support from Johnston causing all sorts of problems whilst Hinnigan and Kelly Jones have been in control of the midfield. Yeovil's attackers have seen little of the ball and have yet to trouble the Everton goal, certainly not the scoreline many were expecting and a lot for Yeovil to do if they want to find a way back into the match.
Everton Ladies to take the kick off 2nd half, no changes at the start for either side although a slight tactical change for Yeovil with Lawrence and Wiltshire moving up top in attack with Heatherson dropping deeper to help out in midfield. The home side continue where they left off 1st half winning a free kick deep on the left, Townsend defends the set piece putting the ball out for a throw, Everton send the cross into the box from the right, Walker 8 yards out gets up to head the ball, knocks it down straight into Howard's gloves.
Yeovil are looking to up the tempo press the ball. Everton push forwards Cousins brings Kelly down in the centre circle as she tries to get away from her. Millie Turner on the free kick, plays it out to Johnston far right inside the Yeovil area, she looks to hook the ball back across the six yard line, Carlton heads it clear even as Kelly goes to perform the over head kick beyond her. Yeovil pushed back defensively have alot of ground to make up when thy try to counter attack gives Everton plenty of time to regroup.
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| The captains battle for the ball, Ellie Curson and Michelle Hinnigan |
Bleazard tries to pick out Wiltshire on the edge of the box from a free kick wide right, heading the ball on into the area no one is there to attack it Everton clear. Hinnigan brings down Heatherson in the middle of the Everton half, Bleazard is once again over the set-piece a good ball towards the far post Short rises and gets her head to the ball puts her effort wide of goal, but one 60 minutes Yeovil record their 1st attempt at goal.
Carlton works hard to regain the ball in the centre of midfield, Curson ahead of her provides a run looking to get into the box, Carlton plays her in, Hinnigan tacking back gets back on her forces Curson into the early shot pulls the strike wide of goal. A double switch for Yeovil on 65 minutes with Kelly Snook and Kelly Aldridge coming on to replace Townsend and Lawrence. Yeovil have improved are pushing on a bit looking for a goal, the risk is Everton are ready to strike on the counter.
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| Claudia Walker and Kayleigh Green go up to head the ball |
Everton make a change too midfielder Jenna Dear coming on to replace Johnston. Better build up play from Yeovil sees Bleazard turn inside with the ball from the left looks to play a diagonal ball into the Everton box, Wiltshire making the ran can't quite take the ball on. Cousins moving forwards through the middle tries to thread a pass along the ground into the area, Kelly Jones intercepts.
Best chance of the game for Yeovil to pull a goal back on the 70th minute Bleazard attacking on the left chases the ball into the box left of goal the angle closing as Levell comes towards her goes to shoot Levell staying big manages to get a glove to the ball enough to take it away from goal, Bleazard goes after it looks to turn and hit the shot which is charged down by Vicky Jones.
Kayleigh Green with a quality ball out to Bleazard on the left wins the race for the ball then sends the cross into the box, Levell coming near post throws herself full stretch at the ball pushing it away, vital she got there as Wiltshire was clear in the centre of the goal beyond her. 75 minutes played Yeovil win a corner kick the ball is played long across the crowded six yard box from the left far side Cousins uses all her neck muscles to drill her header back across goal, opposite post Heatherson throws herself at the ball but can;t get anything on it.
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| Yeovil Town Ladies defender, Hannah Short clears the ball as Chloe Kelly tries to block |
Everton make their 2nd change with Megan Finnigan replacing Ayane. Wiltshire comes off for Yeovil, Natasha Knapman joining the attack. On her own on the left side of the pitch deep in the corner Kelly does well taking on the Yeovil defence jinking inside before firing a shot straight at Howard in the Yeovil goal. Kelly in again as she steals in on the ball on the left, has Walker up with her gives her the ball whips an early cross into the middle of the Yeovil box, Kelly Jones races onto the ball, hits it hard, Howard produces a brilliant reaction save, not sure she knew much about it but they all count the ball pushed away to safety.
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| Everton Ladies. Claudia Walker |
Late into the game Walker robs Green of the ball at the back and getting beyond her pulls the trigger from the edge of the box, Howard diving to her right pushes the ball wide, Curson comes back to clear the ball. Last action of the match the referee blows the final whistle and Everton Ladies get back to winning ways with a 3-0 win against the league leaders. Started positively and took full advantage of a Yeovil Town Ladies side that never really got started, frustrating them their movement on and off the ball very good. A performance that will fill the side with confidence.
A surprise result that opens up the promotion race in FAWSL 2 again a 2nd defeat of the season brings an end to Yeovil's fine run of league form. One of those results that tends to happen to the league leaders in both FAWSL 1 & 2 from time to time, all you can do is move on look to start a new run of form as quickly as possible. Yeovil Town Ladies lead the way from Bristol City Women who where held 0-0 by 3rd placed Durham FC Women earlier in the day. Everton Lades climb above Durham into 3rd spot both still with 2 games in hand on the leaders the gap 6 points, the race for promotion will be an exciting one to watch.
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