2 points the gap between the 2 sides both founding members of the FAWSL. Bristol City Women with a 2 point advantage can win promotion back to FAWSL 1 at the 1st attempt with a victory tonight. Everton Ladies win and they go top and put themselves in pole position for a promotion spot going into the final day next Sunday. A huge game for both sides.
Have see Everton Ladies a few times this season, play some good flowing football, goals throughout the side captain Michelle Hinnigan top scorer with 7 goals. A young squad bolstered by loan signings, Chloe Kelly joining for the latter part of the season doing well in attack has since returned to Arsenal Ladies. Rosella Ayane another loan signing to make a big impact coming in for Chelsea Ladies had a spell on loan at Bristol City Women at the start of the season.
Haven't seen Bristol City Women this season yet and seeings as they are the only side throughout the FAWSL I haven't thought I'd best get myself along to a game. Relegated from FAWSL 1 last season have had a strong season so far as they look to bounce back at the 1st attempt. Manager Willie Kirk having to over see a little bit of rebuilding with high profile players departing in recent seasons. Has brought in a crop of young players a mixture of permanent and loan signings. Jodie Brett and Millie Farrow in on season long loans from Chelsea Ladies, Farrow top scorer with 8 goals has been out injured recently. Olivia Fergusson and Caitlin Leach in from Aston Villa Ladies too amongst others with younger players stepping up from the development squad amongst them Norfolk's Flo Allen.
It's a long haul up from Norfolk to the Select Security Stadium, having discovered the Mama Mia fast food place near the stadium earlier in the season I was suitable refuelled before the game under the lights at the Select Security Stadium. An artificial surface, the weather still pretty good considering we're at the end of October, dry and mild.
| FA WSL 2 Top of the Table | |||||||||
| Pos | Team | Pl | W | D | L | F | A | GD | Pts |
| 1 | Yeovil Town Ladies | 16 |
10
|
3
|
3
|
36
|
16
|
20
|
33
|
| 2 | Bristol City Women |
16
|
10
|
3
|
3
|
29
|
14
|
15
|
33
|
| 3 | Everton Ladies |
16
|
9
|
4
|
3
|
29
|
12
|
17
|
31
|
| 4 | Durham FC Women |
16
|
8
|
3
|
5
|
22
|
17
|
5
|
27
|
Everton Ladies starting XI - Kirsty Levell, Vicky Jones, Danielle Turner, Gabrielle George, Megan Finnigan, Millie Turner, Michelle Hinnigan (C), Kelly Jones, Rosella Ayane, Krystle Johnston & Claudia Walker.
subs- Alex Brooks, Jenna Dear, Ellie Stewart, Simone Magill, Emily Hollinshead & Lauren Davies.
Bristol City Women starting XI - Caitlin Leach, Megan Alexander, Georgia Evans, Hayley Ladd (C), Frankie Brown, Flo Allen, Jodie Brett, Eloise Wilson, Chloe Arthur, Claire Emslie & Millie Farrow.
subs - Hannah Reid, Olivia Fergusson, Paige Sawyer, Katie Jones, Poppy Wilson & Lily Woodham.
It's Everton to get the 1st half underway wearing blue shirts with white shorts and socks, Bristol kitted out all in red. The ball is played long from the start out to the right wing with Krystle Johnston giving chase, getting across her Bristol full-back Megan Alexander can see it out for a goal kick. A quiet opening to the match both sides looking to spread the play across the field. Attacking down the right the ball is lifted into the box with Bristol's Millie Farrow trying to get onto the end of it, Gabrielle George closes her down wins the ball sending it clear.
A strong run from Everton's Rosella Ayane coming inside from the left evading a tackle the ball is in behind the Bristol defence, trying to get it as it runs into the box Ayane fouls the player trying to shield the ball. End to end as Bristol's Jodie Brett is fouled on half way, the ball played up into the area by Chloe Arthur trying to pick out Farrow, Everton win the ball break down the left the ball whipped into the box is headed out by Bristol captain, Hayley Ladd falls to Claudia Walker outside the box, shoots Ladd blocks tries again same result spi out to the right the shot blazed high and wide.
Hitting Bristol on the counter attack Everton are flagged offside on 3 occasions early on in the game. Everton captain, Michelle Hinnigan gets hold of the ball in the centre of midfield, plays it to Kelly Jones on her right, carrying the ball further wide as she closes in on the box has Millie Turner with her they play a one two before Jones whips a cross into the box is just behind Walker as she races into the area, Ayane beyond her picks it up is squeezed off the ball by Frankie Brown before any shot can be made.
Kelly Jones bursts forwards to get into the box getting onto the end of an Ayane cross played in from the left, 12 yards out sends her strike over the Bristol crossbar. A fabulous ball out from the back by Everton goalkeeper, Kirsty Levell as the back pass is rolled into her switching play sweeps a long ball out to the right wing, Johnston out there runs onto the ball and surging forwards crosses early into the area, the ball once more just beyond Walker as she runs into the area.
The crowd go up calling for a penalty as Kelly Jones appears to be fouled inside the box wide right as she tries to get the cross in, the referee isn't interested and no Everton player protests. Good tempo to the match a great advert for football in FAWSL 2. A good turn as the ball is played into her feet Farrow spins off her marker to get in behind takes the ball on towards the box, George getting back on her as they enter the area, gets a foot in to take the ball away from the Bristol attacker goes behind for the corner.
A few fouls being given away by both sides. Everton have a free-kick 40 yards out on the right inside the Bristol half looks to go for goal an ambitious effort flies over the bar. Hinnigan plays the ball on for Walker moving forwards left riding a challenge brings the ball on before crossing from the top of the area into Ayane near post is leaned on as she tries to go up to head the ball, cleared runs into Johnston outside the box to the right of goal, shoots plays the ball over the bar.
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| Bristol City Women's Claire Emslie looking to get into a shooting position |
GOAL! Bristol score the opening goal in the game 26 minutes on the clock the ball is out on the left inside the Everton half, they visitors with the throw the ball is played into Brett she passes the ball to Emslie 35 yards out turns inside with it, bringing in on stumbles on the ball but keeping her balance moves forwards no one from Everton closes her down as she puts her foot firmly through the ball gets plenty of pace and power on the shot it swerves in the air as Levell throws herself at it the movement beating her as the shot flies past her into the back of the net 0-1.
Everton press forwards looking for an immediate response the ball is lifted up into the area, Walker inside tries to get onto the end of the bouncing ball is crowded off it as it is cleared to the right for a throw in. Johnston sends the cross in from the right side, Ayane at the far post ca't get to the ball as it is put behind for the corner kick.
GOAL! PENALTY! The corner from the left is swept into the area around the six yard box near side where the players are gathered the ball is attacked and cleared, however the referee has seen something and points to the penalty spot. Not sure what the referee saw has several perplexed nevertheless Everton have the opportunity from the spot just 4 minutes after conceding the opening goal. Walker to take the penalty, cool as you like Leach moving the wrong way as the ball is slotted along the floor into the right corner 1-1.
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| The referee spots a penalty offence in here can you see it? |
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| Claudia Walker puts the ball into the bottom corner to make it 1-1 to Everton Ladies |
 |
| Vicky Jones |
OFF THE LINE! Bristol get the ball in over the top of the Everton defence as the 1st have moves into the final couple of minutes, Farrow spins off her marker to get after it, George is close behind her as the pair enter the box, Levell has come off her line to close Farrow down the striker manages to lift the ball up over the advancing keeper, her lob is on target dropping towards goal, Vicky Jones tracking back clears the ball off the line putting it behind for the corner.
Half-time Everton Ladies 1-1 Bristol City Women
An entertaining 1st half both sides playing some great football, the game all square at 1-1 still all to play for 2nd half as Bristol get a huge 2nd half underway. The ball is played out to Arthur on the right plays the pass inside for Farrow inside the D, is tackled by Megan Finnigan. A long ball played up the field by Everton for Walker to chase down causes chaos in the Bristol defence as Leach comes rushing out of her area to get to it, Walker is tugged to the floor by Ladd 30 yards out the referee booking the Bristol captain. Ayane isn't afraid to strike the ball from distance goes for goal her attempt flying over the crossbar. The niggly fouls a feature of the 1st half continue.
GOAL! 7 minutes into the 2nd half and Bristol retake the lead, the ball is played into Farrow 10 yards inside the Everton half turns and looks to push on with the ball at her feet, looks to have lost it, a mix-up at the back as the ball is played back by Everton, Farrow after the ball gets hold of it moving into the box shoots sending the ball past Levell into the net to made it 1-2.
Leading the line for Everton, Walker is a strong player on and off the ball, looks to attack the ball as Millie Turner plays her in over the top into the box shoulder to shoulder with Ladd the defender pushes Walker out to the right the angle acute as she gets a shot away the ball played straight into Leach who comfortably holds onto the ball.
Emslie with the ball out wide left sees her cross turned behind by Vicky Jones for the corner. The corner is played into the area top of the box, Georgia Evans has 2 attempts to strike the ball towards goal both charged down before Farrow is fouled in a dangerous position to the right outside the box. The ball in from Brett goes long to the far post Arthur running onto the ball squares it through the six yard box, George clears for Everton. Bristol push forwards Allen into Eloise Wilson up top right side outside the box links up with Farrow on her outside the ball played into her, Wilson spins inside into the box gets the ball back from Farrow, shoots a low strike in towards the near post Levell down smartly saves pushing the ball away for the corner kick.
Levell makes another save against Wilson a minute later the ball played in over the top for her to go after landing in the box left of goal, Levell charging out slides in to make the save at her feet as Wilson tries to dink it over her. Both sides are going for it Everton wanting the equaliser, Bristol another goal for a little breathing space. Everton make the 1st change of the match, Millie Turner the player off as they send on striker Simone Magill.
Brown gets a little too tight on Walker as the ball is played forwards into the Everton attacker, seeing the ball into her body, spins off the defender to get in behind moving the ball down the left channel, Brown recovers well getting back on Walker to tackle and clear for a throw. The ball is with Danielle Turner her cross whipped into the six yard box is head agonisingly wide by Hinnigan.
 |
| Claire Emslie |
GOAL! Those orange boots Emslie is wearing are on fire as she picks up the ball on half-way and brings it forwards a mazy run good control, no one from Everton goes to challenge her 20 yards from goal unleashes a strike of pure beauty rifling the ball past the keeper into the top corner, a wonderful strike and I'm calling it now the best goal I've seen in FAWSL 2 this season 1-3. The Bristol players converge on the celebrating Emslie burying her a 2 goal lead with 20 minutes left to play.
A good run down the right wing by Johnston for Everton squares the ball into the area as she reaches the top of the box, Walker racing in can't quite get the ball under control take the shot on the stride, Ladd in to win it back. Another change for Everton, Ellie Stewart coming on for Vicky Jones. George comes forwards, bringing the ball from the back has a shot from 25 yards out lacks the pace to trouble Leach in the Bristol goal.
A free-kick to Bristol wide left, outside the box, they make there 1st change on 77 minutes Farrow coming off to be replaced by Lily Woodham. The free-kick is played in central Arthur up heads the ball down into the six yard box, Levell is quickest to react getting her gloves firmly on the ball. Alot at stake Bristol's injured captain Grace McCatty has been unable to sit down all 2nd half as she wills her team on from the stands. Leach calls for the ball flung into the area by Johnston on the right claiming hold with Walker advancing. Changes for both sides Olivia Fergusson coming on for Bristol with Wilson coming off. Jenna Dear comes on for Everton going into the back line Johnston the player off as George it sent up top. Into the final 10 minutes.
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| It's all too tense injured Bristol City Women captain Grace McCatty can't sit down. |
GOAL! Pushing players forwards looking for a goal Everton pull one back with 5 minutes of normal time left, the ball is with George left side bringing it on turns inside taking on a defender gets the ball past and into the box hits the shot in towards goal on her right foot, comes at Leach quickly with players closing into the six yard box, saves the shot the ball isn't in her gloves however spilt it is bundled over the line by Danielle Turner to set up a tense finish.
4 up top now Everton intent on attacking push forwards the ball with Ayane left side sweeps the ball in along the top of the six yard box, Leach leaps up and punches the ball away from her area. Danielle Turner coming down the left with the ball screws her shot/cross over the bar. Hinnigan rolls the ball into George inside the D back to goal holds it up Walker to her left taps the ball into her run hits the shot is drilled low and wide taking a deflection off a Bristol boot on the way through corner. Played in near side Hinnigan coming to meet it can't wrap her foot over the ball to turn it goalwards.
5 minutes of added time to be played. Corner for Everton left, the ball is put into the mix Leach coming through bodies catches the ball. Bristol are defending for their lives as Everton through everything at them. Ayane has a chance to put the ball in from a free-kick wide right her effort lands on the top of the crossbar. Deep into injury time the 5 minutes are up and Everton are awarded a PENALTY! George with the ball onto the left flings it into the box near side from where I am I think there some holding on, a dubious one but it is given late drama Everton with a chance to grab a point from the game put Bristol's celebrations on hold. Walker to take it, goes the same way as her earlier penalty, so to does Leach diving to her left makes the save pushing the ball onto the post and the ball is cleared.
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| Not the best picture but Caitlin Leach dives to her left to save Claudia Walkers penalty at the death |
Time for one more long ball forwards into the box Leach palms it down and the final whistle blows, players and staff run onto the pitch in celebration as they secure a 3-2 win and with it promotion back to FAWSL 1.
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| Bristol City Women celebrate winning promotion at the final whistle |
Full time Everton Ladies 2-3 Bristol City Women
Was a great game to watch, entertaining some good football on display from both sides who didn't let the significance of the game inhibit their performance. Bristol bounce straight back up following relegation, having not seen them until now it's clear to see why they've been at the top end of the table all season. Tough on Everton gave everything and have played good football all season, today's loss a huge blow, not out of it yet however they need London Bees to do them a favour and beat 2nd placed Yeovil Town Ladies. If they don't the final day will be all about who will win the title.
Congratulations to Bristol City Women on achieving promotion.
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