The Spring Series a one off competition being held to bridge the gap between now and the FAWSL switching to a winter format to return back in line with the rest of the women's football winter period. A good decision? We will see. Each team to play each other once for the Spring Series title. Everyone a fixture down due to the sad news of Notts County Ladies folding. Ironically one of the reasons for the switch was the poor fixture scheduling the season spread out to long, yet the FAWSL 1 Spring Series will be played in just over 6 weeks.
That means the fixtures are flying by the Spring Series well underway most sides already halfway through their fixtures. Liverpool Ladies who have recruited well over the close season leading the table with 4 wins and a draw from 5 played.
Arsenal Ladies are currently 4th in the table undefeated but off the pace of the leaders with 3 draws and a win from their 4 games played so far. A win today would left them into 2nd over Chelsea Ladies and Manchester City Ladies who play later in the weekend.
Birmingham City Ladies began the Spring Series with a new manager in place, Marc Skinner taking over from the long serving David Parker. Got off to a great start reaching the FA Women's Cup Final, beaten at Wembley by Manchester City Women. Currently in 6th place in the table with 5 points from the 4 games they've played like Arsenal Ladies have the opportunity to go 2nd today.
The games coming thick and fast both sides have large squads and are using them. Birmingham having already signed striker Ellen White from Notts County Ladies before their collapse have also added former player Rachel Williams to the squad, having started on the bench on Wednesday in Birmingham's 2-0 win at home to Bristol City Women, starts against Arsenal today.
Arsenal have also strengthened their squad over the close season, the return of Kim Little delighting their fans. Have also recruited recently retired USA International, Heather O'Reilly and Sunderland AFC Ladies hotshot Beth Mead to add fire to their attack. Irish International defender Louise Quinn also joining after never getting to kick a competitive ball for Notts County.
Today's game at The Hive, Arsenal using the ground with Borehamwood's Meadow Park unavailable. A great surface to play on the West Stand opposite the changing rooms and Pecking Order Restaurant open to the match. The best way to describe the weather, changeable. Bright and sunny one moment heavy showers the next one downpour coming just before the game.
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| Sunshine one minute showers the next, Coral Haines enjoying the warm-up |
Arsenal Ladies starting XI - Anna Moorhouse, Alex Scott (C), Leah Williamson, Lotte Wubben-Moy, Anna Patten, Fara Williams, Jordan Nobbs, Heather O'Reilly, Danielle Carter, Danielle Van de Donk & Beth Mead.
subs - Sari Van Veenendaal, Louise Quinn, Dominique Janssen, Carla Humphrey, Kim Little, Chloe Kelly & Jodie Taylor.
Birmingham City Ladies starting XI - Sophie Baggaley, Meghan Sargeant, Paige Williams, Emily Westwood (C), Aoife Mannion, Abbey Stringer, Sarah Mayling, Jess Carter, Adrine Hederberg, Ellie Brazil & Rachel Williams.
subs - Coral Haines, Kerys Harrop, Chloe Peplow, Freya Ayisi & Sian Johnson.
Dry with the sun out as the two sides walk out onto the pitch, it's Birmingham to get the game underway, taking the kick-off wearing and all blue strip with white trim, with Arsenal lined up opposite wearing red shirts with white across the shoulders and sleeves, white shorts and red socks.
GOAL! A fantastic start to the game from Birmingham as they score inside the opening minute. The ball played long out to the right wing is worked down the pitch the ball is sent into the box a great delivery coming in across the face of goal, Rachel Williams gets up to power her header into the back of the net open her account for the Spring Series and score on her return to the club 1-0.
Paige Williams operating on the left for Birmingham carries the ball forwards sends a long diagonal ball trying to pick put Sarah Mayling on the opposite side, the ball is retrieved on the byline cut back into the area, Rachel Williams after it is tackled by Lotte Wubben-Moy, Arsenal get the ball clear. A shaky start from Arsenal, Birmingham pressing early have started well.
Jordan Nobbs has the ball for Arsenal fired forwards into Beth Mead, outside the box back to goal has Leah Williamson coming on available for the pass lays the ball back into her, striking the ball from 30 yards out is on target, goalkeeper Sophie Baggaley is right behind the shot takes it cleanly for Birmingham.
A bit of hesitation at the back from Arsenal sees Birmingham striker Ellie Brazil rob Anna Patten knocking the ball on into the area goes after it, Anna Moorhouse in goal for Arsenal is quick to respond getting out to the striker win the race for the ball making the claim.
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| Goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse can reach the ball before Birmingham's Ellie Brazil |
The game has settled a little Arsenal beginning to get hold of the ball higher up the pitch, the pass from the middle finds Heather O'Reilly on the move into space down the left whips a high cross into the box, Jess Carter coming back to help defend gets her head on the ball near post and gets plenty of clearance with her header. Mead charges down a back pass to Baggaley inside the box Nobbs onto the ball 25 yards out fires her shot over the bar. Up the other end Rachel Williams battling to win the ball plays it out to Paige Williams on the left goes for the shot from distance her effort whistling over the bar.
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| Birmingham City Ladies, Abbey Stringer |
Rachel Williams closing the Arsenal defence down as they are caught in possession at the back again gets in behind left side of the box lets fly shooting across the keeper, Moorhouse gets her fingertips to the ball putting it over for the corner kick. From the right the ball goes long picked up by Rachel Williams she fires a return ball across the face of goal no one connects picked up by Adrine Hegerberg is put in towards the top of the area Birmingham captain Emily Westwood meets it hitting the ball hard rising smashes against the crossbar dropping down into the six yard box, Moorhouse is able to claim it. All this in the opening 10 minutes of the match.
Arsenal get forwards on the left O'Reilly winning a corner, defended at the near post a 2nd corner the result. The delivery longer this time Westwood getting her head on the ball knocks it out to the edge of the area, Danielle Van de Donk bringing it down shifts the ball between her feet gets a shot away puts it straight into Baggaley. From one end to the other as Rachel Williams helps Baggaley's goal kick on with Brazil away to the left reaching the top of the area her shot lacking any pace is easily gathered by Moorhouse.
Patten comes across puts in a good tackle on Hegerberg as she is released through the middle as Rachel Williams wins the ball. Fara Williams brings the ball on through the centre for Arsenal spreads the play out to the left with Williamson getting forwards taking the ball into the corner sends a high ball into the area, Aoife Mannion heads the ball behind for Birmingham. The visitors deal with the initial delivery into the area but don't get the ball away won by Van de Donk the ball is put back out to Nobbs wide right, her cross into the area goes long just a little too high for the leaping Wubben-Moy at the far post.
Arsenal captain, Alex Scott comes away with the ball at the after being caught losing a shin pad in the process, has also gained a nasty cut on her shin which requires treatment on the side lines leaving Arsenal temporarily down to 10. Williamson comes on down the left supporting O'Reilly the cross comes in cleared by Birmingham falls to Mead 25 yards out left of the D rolls her marker before sending in a low shot, Baggaley gets down low and right behind it makes the save.
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| Arsenal Ladies captain, Alex Scott coming away with the ball minus her shin pad |
Another cross in from the left from O'Reilly, Baggaley coming for it near post misses the ball hitting her drops favourably straight at Westwood's feet the defender clears. A spell of pressure from Arsenal, Van De Donk and O'Reilly linking up from the resulting corner the ball from the right up the line for Fara Williams her cross long for O'Reilly far side top of the area fires it back into the mix headed away by Mannion. Arsenal retrieve Danielle Carter fouled as she tried to get into the area. A dangerous position 25 yards out right of the D, Fara Williams to take her strike comes flying it smashes against the crossbar top corner, the closest Arsenal have gotten to levelling the scores as the game approaches the half hour mark.
O'Reilly comes close as the ball comes into her inside the D from Nobbs off a throw on the right, seeing the ball run across her body hits it on the turn, the shot flying wide of the top corner. Carter with a mazy run taking the ball inside from the right crosses from the top of the area the ball cleared far post by Meghan Sargeant for Birmingham. Arsenal upping the tempo as the 1st half enters the final 10 minutes. Van de Donk is clipped as she looks to bring the ball on through the centre. Nobbs to clip the ball up into the box, Westwood wins it for Birmingham.
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| Birmingham City Ladies, Meghan Sargeant |
Carter and O'Reilly switch sides for the final 5 minutes of the 1st half. Williamson comes forwards linking up with Nobbs they play the one two Williamson going on sends a cross in near post Carter with the header stooping into the ball sending it goalwards, Baggaley makes a fine save tipping the ball wide for the corner. Taken short the diagonal ball in from the top of the area flashes wide of the far post.
GOAL! 3 minutes left on the clock in the 1st half and Arsenal having been getting close find the back of the net for the equalising goal. It's Van de Donk who sets up the goal picking up the ball inside the Birmingham half central slides a great ball in behind the defence with O'Reilly timing her run superbly left of goal taking it into the box, slides her shot past the advancing Baggaley and into the back of the net beyond 1-1.
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| Heather O'Reilly levels the scores for Arsenal Ladies |
A minute of added on time Arsenal come again down the left wing the ball clipped up into the area, cleared out of the box picked up by Nobbs hits a low drive back in, Baggaley right behind the shot able to gather.
Half-time Arsenal Ladies 1-1 Birmingham City Ladies
GOAL! Arsenal ensure the 3 points are won scoring again in injury time from a corner won on the left another great delivery swung across the six yard box attacked in the centre, Quinn up again her header past Baggaley to score her 2nd of the game 4-2.
A fantastic start to the game for Birmingham City Ladies taking the lead inside the opening minute, looked strong in the opening 15 minutes putting the Arsenal defence which looked a little tentative under pressure. Arsenal eventually growing into the game getting some confidence going forwards came close through Fara Williams and O'Reilly before the latter levelled it up 3 minutes before half-time. An entertaining 1st half.
The sunshine and showers continue a wet interval the sun back out for the start of the 2nd half Arsenal getting the game back underway. Danielle Carter on the ball early on for Arsenal driving forwards down the right side before sending in a cross towards the near post too close to Baggaley the keeper claiming the ball.
Fara Williams coming on with the ball passes to Mead top of the area back to ball holds off Mannion before laying it out to Carter on the move past her down the right her cross goes long across the six yard box, gathered well by O'Reilly far post shoots, the ball cleared off the line by Sargeant. Isn't clear a scramble inside the box somehow Birmingham keep the ball out.
A bright start to match the sunshine in the 2nd half from Arsenal. An ambitious effort from Mead as she gets hold of the ball deep runs with it shooting from 25 yards out the ball flies over Baggaley is just inches over the crossbar beyond.
GOAL! 8 minutes into the 2nd half and Arsenal take the lead. Van de Donk is played in behind the Birmingham defence by Carter on the right taking the ball on towards the area right of goal, Baggaley comes rushing out sliding in, Van de Donk keeps her composure taking the ball around the keeper and in behind sends the ball into the back of the net 2-1.
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| Arsenal Ladies, Danielle Van de Donk |
GOAL! The response from Birmingham is immediate as they get up the other end from the restart and equalise. Rachel Williams netting her 2nd of the match following great work from Paige Williams on the left side plays a great ball into the near post, Between defender and goalkeeper Williams puts her head in bravely as all three collide and end up on the floor the ball landing in the back of the net 2-2.
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| Rachel Williams getting treatment after levelling the scores for Birmingham |
Moorhouse gets slowly to her feet, Williams and defender Wubben-Moy are both okay to continue. The scores level with 60 minutes gone. Changes for both sides, Birmingham bring off Brazil up top send on Freya Ayisi. Arsenal make a double switch, Fara Williams and Scott replaced by Jodie Taylor and Louise Quinn. Going into the centre of defence Patten moves to left back with Williamson pushed on into midfield.
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| Arsenal's Jordan Nobbs with Birmingham's Jess Carter |
A free-kick awarded to Arsenal midway inside the Birmingham half wide right Nobbs to send forwards is headed on by Mead goes long across the face of goal a corner appealed for and given. The ball swung in from the left comes in towards the far post Sargeant deals with it for Birmingham.
Rachel Williams very nearly gets her hat-trick for Birmingham as they play the ball forwards with purpose switched right to left as Mayling brings it on, Williams through on goal central lets fly with a stinging drive from outside the area, Moorhouse making a fantastic save gloving the ball down then claiming it as Ayisi looks to steal in on the follow up.
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| Birmingham City Ladies, Sarah Mayling |
Arsenal press forwards the Birmingham defence standing firm, Nobbs shot from 25 yards cut out. No room for Van de Donk as she receives the ball from Mead at the top of the area tackled by Mannion. Ayisi plays the ball on for Mayling coming forwards down the right shots from distance, Moorhouse can see the ball run wide of her goal. Another change for Birmingham, Kerys Harrop coming on for Rachel Williams, taking up a left back role Paige Williams pushed further forwards.
GOAL! Birmingham's Carter fouls Nobbs. Over the free-kick inside the Birmingham half on the right is a long way out, players go forwards from the back into the area. Is a superb delivery from Nobbs the ball flighted up into the six yard box, players attack the ball Quinn gets her head on the ball to send it into the back of the net giving Arsenal the lead in the 75th minute with her 1st goal for the club 3-2.
GOAL! Birmingham's Carter fouls Nobbs. Over the free-kick inside the Birmingham half on the right is a long way out, players go forwards from the back into the area. Is a superb delivery from Nobbs the ball flighted up into the six yard box, players attack the ball Quinn gets her head on the ball to send it into the back of the net giving Arsenal the lead in the 75th minute with her 1st goal for the club 3-2.
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| Louise Quinn, scores her 1st goal for Arsenal Ladies |
Birmingham make their final change bringing off Hegerberg sending on Coral Haines with less than 10 minutes left to play. Mead gets hold of the ball for Arsenal letting fly from outside the box her effort over the bar. Mead's last action of the game as she is replaced by Chloe Kelly. Jess Carter looks to get forwards for Birmingham attacking down the right, tracked by O'Reilly who supported by Patten prevent the cross coming in.
Arsenal press late on Kelly with a chance shooting over the bar from the left as the ball is rolled out to her by Nobbs from Taylor's lay off inside the box. 5 minutes added time at the end of the 2nd half.
GOAL! Arsenal ensure the 3 points are won scoring again in injury time from a corner won on the left another great delivery swung across the six yard box attacked in the centre, Quinn up again her header past Baggaley to score her 2nd of the game 4-2.
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| Louise Quinn heading the ball in for her 2nd of the match |
Birmingham get forwards from the restart a free-kick wide left outside the box Paige Williams on it the ball delivered centrally, Taylor back defending for Arsenal head the ball clear. One last chance to put the ball forwards for the visitors, Kelly fouling Westwood inside their half Baggaley on the ball plays it long up to the top of the area Quinn wins the header as the final whistle blows and Arsenal celebrate the win.
Full time Arsenal Ladies 4-2 Birmingham City Ladies
An entertaining match, plenty of action from both sides, Birmingham with their fantastic start had Arsenal pinned back early on but eventually they came back to equalise late in the 1st half. Started the better 2nd half going in front Birmingham with an immediate response defended well for the majority however that defence will be upset at conceding from two set-pieces great deliveries for both goals for Quinn.
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| Arsenal Ladies, Jordan Nobbs |
SWF Blog - Player of the Match
Today's SWF Blog - Player of the Match goes to Arsenal Ladies Jordan Nobbs once the midfielder got into her stride she caused Birmingham problems with her movement always a box to box type of player with Williams behind her can concentrate on the attacking aspect of her game always available for the ball involved in most attacking build ups a good all round performance.
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