Liverpool Ladies v Arsenal Ladies

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Liverpool Ladies Football Club Official Matchday Programme

vs Arsenal Ladies

FA Women’s Super League Saturday 4th August 2013 Kick off 2pm

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Manager’s notes Arrivals and departures Captain’s column Lincoln Ladies match report Meet the squad Arsenal Ladies Blues swept aside – City report LFC Foundation Natasha Dowie interview Puzzle pages Sarah’s in Skem!

Sophia Riccio interview Facts and stats Today’s teams

Follow the Ladies at: Web

www.liverpoolladiesfc.com Liverpool Ladies – FA WSL Team @LFCLadies

Club Contacts: Secretary Colin Charlton charltoncolin7@hotmail.co.uk

Marketing Pam Brown pam.brown@liverpoolfc.com

Programme editorial ProgrammeMaster liverpoolladies@programmemaster.com

Public Relations Dee Kundra dee.kundra@liverpoolfc.com

Centre of Excellence Kevin Quigley kevin.quigley@live.co.uk

Programme Design Andrew Dawson www.andrewdawson.tv

Liverpool Ladies F.C.

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MANAGER

MANAGER’S NOTES MATT BEARD

GOOD AFTERNOON and welcome back to Halton Stadium as we kick off the second phase of our league season against Arsenal.

Our opponents today have set the standards in women’s football in this country for the past two decades and we extend a warm welcome to Shelley Kerr and her team.

The squad has been back in training for a few weeks now and have been fantastic with how they’ve been applying themselves because that’s always difficult when there’s no games to look forward to at the end of a week. We’ve had an opportunity to get some players fit and also do some individual work to tweak one or two things.

We’ve spent a lot of time in training working on core strength and plyomentrics to make sure the players are in good condition. If we reach the Continental Cup final we will have 10 games to play and a lot of them are in quick succession so we’ve got to make sure we’re in a position where all the players are fit and healthy.

As you will see on pages six and seven, we have made a few new signings and I’ve probably got more options to rotate the squad a little bit now whereas I don’t really think I had that in the first half of the season.

We’re looking forward to getting started again and we know it’s going to be a very tough game to start with. Arsenal had a relatively okay first half of the season which included an FA Cup win. If you look at Arsenal’s form in the first half of the season, you have to consider the amount of games that they played with the Champions League and a lot of matches in quick succession.

At that time they also had a few injuries so Shelley couldn’t rotate her squad and so I do think they’re in a false position in the league at the moment.

They’ve also strengthened their squad with one or two Scottish girls coming in so it’s going to be a very difficult first game back especially as both sides won’t have had real competitive games under their belts.

For me it’s a game Arsenal have to win because if we beat them we’ll be 11 points clear and they’ve only got two games in hand so the pressure is on them a little bit. At the same time it’s a game we can’t lose either because if we do it will allow Arsenal to be back in competition with ourselves, Bristol and Everton.

However we’re delighted to be going into the second phase of matches top of the table. I don’t think we overachieved during the first half of the season and I believe we are where we are on merit. We played some good stuff and as each week went by we got stronger as a side.

But we have to make sure that we keep our momentum going and that we continue to improve. The most important thing for me is that we’re there or thereabouts at the end of the season as I’ve always said. That hasn’t changed and if we finish in the top two, that will be a massive, massive achievement and that’s what we’re looking at as our target given where we’re currently sitting in the league.

We’ve put ourselves in a very strong position and it’s up to us to make sure that we continue to progress and work hard and I’m confident that with the group we’ve got we can do that.

Every team has had an opportunity to regroup and get players who weren’t fit available again and the second half of the season is going to be a lot tougher than the first half was. We must make sure that we’re mentally ready.

Thank you for your support, and enjoy the game. Matt.

Liverpool Ladies

The FA WSL

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NEWs

IN THE ARRIVALS LOUNGE

LIVERPOOL LADIES manager Matt Beard has used the summer transfer window to strengthen his squad with a handful of signings.

Here, he introduces the new ladies in red…

Katie Longhurst

I first signed Katie from Millwall when I was at Chelsea, so this is the second time that I’ve worked with her.

She is a very good player and a traditional type of centre-forward. She’s good with her back to goal, she’s very, very aggressive, she’s brave and will put her foot in if it needs to be done like most forwards do.

She is also a very good finisher and working with her every day, I think she’s

got the potential to be one of the best in the country. She’s also represented England at every level apart from the senior team.

Tats Dowie is having a great season so Katie may have to be a little bit patient coming in halfway through the campaign but she will provide good competition for Tats and will keep her on her toes. She will also give us other options at the top end of the pitch if we need to change our system or change the game.

Sarah Gregorius

Sarah is a New Zealand international and we watched a lot of her games in the Cyprus Cup. What you tend to see with New Zealand players is that they’re very disciplined and professional and they are well trained in respect of the way they play and learning systems and so on. And they play a similar way to the way we do so Sarah will fit into our philosophy and how we play very well.

She can play wide or down the middle so she gives me flexibility and provides competition at the top end of the pitch and is also a good finisher. She scored nine from midfield for her club side last season and has 17 international goals in 41 caps.

She will add creativity and experience to the team because she’s played in the World Cup and the Olympics and she will improve the team and the squad in preparation for the second half of the season.

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Liverpool Ladies

The FA WSL

RACHAEL LAWS

Rachael joined us from Sunderland at the back end of the first half of the season on an emergency loan and did well.

Previously, I think Sarah Quantrill knew that she was going to play week in and week out so we needed to bring Rachael in and create that competition. Now we have two keepers who are both as good as each other so I’ve got some tough choices to make during the second half of the season but it’s going to be a good problem to have.

Ellie Stewart

Ellie is a 16 year old centre-back who has just come out of Everton’s Centre of Excellence.

She’s also an England Under-19 international. At the end of June we put in a seven-day approach for her to come and train with us. She didn’t look out of place and did well.

She’s one for the future but if we had any injuries, I’m sure she could come in and do a job. She’s a traditional centrehalf. She’s a good size, aggressive, great in the tackle and she is going to be a good addition to the squad for the second half of the season.

I think she’s going to learn a lot from Gemma and Whitney and that will help her develop over the next year. Hopefully she’ll be a part of the Under 19s European Championships with England in Wales later in the year as well.

Katie Zelem

Katie is a 17-year-old attacking midfielder who has come through the Manchester United Centre of Excellence.

Man United don’t have an exit route for their kids and so Katie came in and looked at us, at Everton and Man City and I know Lincoln wanted to sign her as well.

She is very gifted technically, she can beat a player, she can pick a pass out and she’s two-footed. I know England have got big hopes for her and in our environment with players like Amanda, Fara, Katrin and Jess around her, she’s got some very good players to learn from and improve her game.

Having said that, I think Katie could definitely get into our team now. She’s a very good young player and I’m delighted she’s come to Liverpool.

AND IN THE DEPARTURES LOUNGE…

When you bring in new players, you also have to move some on and that’s never easy. Lil Fenlon-Billson, Hannah Keryakoplis, Katie Brusell, Lizzie Ince and Dani Gibbons have all moved on.

Lizzie has decided to quit football to concentrate on her new career in the Police but with the other girls I felt they were at an age where they needed to be playing and sometimes you’ve got to do what is best for them.

We had some tough decisions to make but I would like to thank them all for their contribution to the club and wish then well in their future careers.

Liverpool Ladies

The FA WSL

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CApTAIN

CAPTAIN’S COLUMN GEMMA BONNER

HELLO and welcome to Halton Stadium for today’s match with Arsenal Ladies.

Today is the first offour very important games over the next couple of weeks. I really believe it is a period that could define our season.

We currently stand top of the table in what has been a great start to the campaign for this relatively new Liverpool team. We have alreadybeaten today’s opponents Arsenal, at the Emirates in May, after learning from the previous FA Cup defeat we regrouped and everything seemed to clicked just at the right time.

On the night, the 4-0 score-line caught everyone’s attention especially after Arsenal’s brilliant run over the last few seasons. But we know as a team how hard we had to work to achieve that victory.

So it’s a case of performing the same way tonight. We appreciate anything less won’t be good enough and it is hard to single out Arsenal’s biggest threat because they are such a good side.

Due to the European Championships, there has been a break in the league season and as a team we probably didn’t want the break, as results were very good for us in the first part of the season. When you have momentum, you just want to keep on playing and get as many points on the board as possible.

We are confident, however, that the break can be a good thing.

The majority of the squad is refreshed and raring to go. Fara, Lucy, Katrin and I were selected for our respective squads that went to the European Championships in Sweden and I personally took a lot from the experience of tasting tournament football at senior international level. Although England did not have a successful tournament the opportunity to return to club football with Liverpool means you don’t have time to dwell too long on it.

Since I’ve been away, we have signed four new players.

I welcome Sarah Gregorius, Ellie Stewart, Katie Zelem and Kate Longhurst to the club. The training sessions have been very good so far and I’m sure they’ll prove to be exciting additions both in the short and the long term.

Don’t forget you can keep up to date throughout the season by following us on Twitter @LFCladies.

Thank you all for your support and enjoy the match.

Gemma 8

Liverpool Ladies

The FA WSL

NEWs

BT Sports coverage kicks off tonight!

FA WSL EXCLUSIVELY LIVE GAMES ON BT SPORT 2013

BT SPORT’S exclusive coverage of The FA WSL begins with tonight’s match against Birmingham.

Viewers will be able to follow the exciting conclusion of the FA WSL, as BT Sport follows leaders Liverpool Ladies live three times and current champions Arsenal Ladies at least twice.

The channel will also have live coverage of the London derby between Chelsea Ladies and Arsenal Ladies on 29 August, as well as the Merseyside derby with Liverpool Ladies at home to Everton Ladies on 12 September.

Liverpool Ladies v Arsenal Ladies August 3, KO 7pm Bristol Academy v Liverpool Ladies August 10, KO 7.45pm Chelsea Ladies v Arsenal Ladies August 29, KO 7.30pm Liverpool Ladies v Everton Ladies September 12, KO 7.30pm Continental Cup Final October 4, KO 7.30pm

BT Sport’s live games from the league will conclude with a match to be chosen at a later stage on either the penultimate or last round of the season, on 15 or 29 September.

However, BT Sport will also have live coverage of the season finale - the Continental Cup final on Friday, 4 October.

There will also be a weekly highlights show, starting at 6pm on August 6 and running for eight weeks until the season concludes in October.

Simon Green, director of BT Sport, said: “Fans of the FA WSL will be delighted with the tremendous line-up of exclusively live matches we’ve got in store at BT Sport.

Starting with the current league leaders Liverpool Ladies taking on the current champions Arsenal Ladies, we are showing the best games live.”

BT Sport is a founding partner for a new commercial programme for women’s football from 2014-18. In addition to the FA WSL, it has acquired rights for the England Women’s Senior Team and the FA Women’s Cup.

Liverpool Ladies

The FA WSL

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FIRsT TIEAM sQUAD

MEET THE REDS...

2 Samantha Chappell

3 Whitney Engen

DEFENDER • 24/03/92 WARRINGTON

DEFENDER • 28/11/87 TORRANCE, CALIFORNIA USA

Right-back who joined the Reds from Everton. She has represented England at U-19 level.

Rated by boss Matt Beard as one of the best defenders in the world, Whitney is a USA international. Has previously played for various US clubs and Swedish side Tyreso FF.

4 Fara Williams

5 Gemma Bonner

6 Lucy Bronze

7 KATE LONGHURST

MIDFIELDER • 25/01/84 LONDON

DEFENDER • 13/07/91 LEEDS

DEFENDER • 28/10/91 BERWICK UPON TWEED

FORWARD • 02/05/89 CHELMSFORD

Vastly experienced midfielder who has won more than 100 caps for England. After starting at Chelsea and Charlton, she spent a decade at Everton before joining the Reds in the winter.

Team captain and a commanding centre-back who played under Matt Beard at Chelsea after starting with hometown club Leeds United. She is also skipper of England U-23s.

A winter signing from Everton, Lucy is an England U-23 international who can play in either full-back role. Has also played for Sunderland and North Carolina Tar Heels.

Former Colchester, Watford and Millwall striker signed from Chelsea during the summer window. She has represented England at U15s, U17s, U19s and U23s.

8 Katrin Omarsdottir

9 Natasha Dowie

MIDFIELDER • 27/06/87 HAMBURG, GERMANY

Icelandic international, recruited this winter from Kristianstads DFF. She attended the University of California and has also played for US sides California Golden Bears and Orange County Waves.

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Liverpool Ladies

10 Louise Fors

11 Nicole RoLSer

FORWARD • 30/06/88 ABU DHABI, UAE

MIDFIELDER • 23/10/89 STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN

MIDFIELDER • 07/02/92 OCHSENHAUSEN, GERMANY

England striker who joined from Everton in November 2012. Has previously played with Watford, Fulham and Charlton.

Swedish international Louise joined from Western Sydney Wanderers in February. Played in Spain with Espanyol as well as Swedish sides Hammarby IF, AIK and Linkoping.

An Under-23 German international, Nicole is a pacy winger who has previously played for VfL Sindelfingen and SC 07 Bad Neuenahr.

The FA WSL

12 Becky Easton

13 Amanda Da Costa

DEFENDER • 16/06/74 BIRKENHEAD

DEFENDER / MIDFIELD • 07/10/89 SOMERS, NEW YORK, USA

14 ELLIE STEWART DEFENDER • 02/11/96 ENGLAND

An experienced defender who signed from Everton this winter.

Has also played for Doncaster Rovers Belles. Becky has won 44 senior England caps.

Versatile player, known for her work-rate and technical skills, Amanda joined the Reds from Boston Breakers. She has also played for US teams Washington Freedom and MagicJack.

Former Everton defender who joined the Reds during the summer window. She has represented England at U17s level and has been called up into recent U19s squads.

15 Jess Holbrook

17 Caroline Charlton

19 Corina Schroder

20 KATIE ZELEM

MIDFIELDER • 01/08/92 ASHTON UNDER LYNE

DEFENDER • 09/10/89 LIVERPOOL

DEFENDER • 15/08/86 DINGDEN, GERMANY

MIDFIELDER • 20/01/96 ENGLAND

An exciting player who signed from Leeds in February.

Has also played for Everton and appeared in UEFA Women’s Champions League games for the Blues.

A versatile defender who joined the club back in 2007 having previously played for Macclesfield Town. She lists scoring in front of the Kop as a career highlight.

A talented left-back who signed from SC 07 Bad Neuenahr. Her honours include winning the UEFA Women’s Champions League, the German League twice and the German Cup.

Teenager who joined the club during the summer after spending nine years with Manchester United Ladies.

Another England youth international.

21 SARAH GREGORIUS

22 Sophia Riccio

23 RACHAEL LAWS

24 Sarah Quantrill

FORWARD • 06/08.87 NEW ZEALAND

DEFENDER • 15/10/91 LIVERPOOL

GOALKEEPER • 05/11/90 HEBBURN

GOALKEEPER • 27/07/90 NORWICH

New Zealand international striker who joined during the summer from German club SC 07 Bad Neuenahr.

Has more than 40 caps for the ‘Football Ferns’.

A left-back or centre-back who has come through the club’s youth system. She was formerly reserve team captain before joining the senior squad last season.

England Under-23s goalkeeper who joined on an emergency loan from Sunderland Ladies before making the move permanent this summer.

A new signing this year, Sarah has previously appeared for Norwich City, Arsenal and Chelsea. She was an FA Women’s Cup winner with the Gunners in 2009.

Liverpool Ladies

The FA WSL

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OPPOsITION

ALL ABOUT ARSENAL GET THE LOWDOWN ON TODAY’S OPPOSITION… ARSENAL LADIES

ARSENAL LADIES have dominated the women’s football scene in the UK for the past two decades and are looking for a third consecutive Super League title this term term.

Home ground: Meadow Park, Borehamwood Nickname: The Gunners Captain: Jayne Ludlow Manager: Shelley Kerr Honours: UEFA Women’s Champions League winners: 2006/7 FA Women’s Super League winners: 2011, 2012 FA WSL Continental Cup winners: 2011, 2012 FA Women’s Cup winners: twelve times FA Women’s Premier League National Division winners: twelve times FA Women’s Premier League Cup winners: ten times FA Women’s Community Shield winners: five times 12

Liverpool Ladies

The FA WSL

The team underwent a few changes this winter with former Scotland Under-19s coach Shelley Kerr taking over as manager after Laura Harvey left to become coach of American side Seattle Reign. Kerr is one of just a handful of female coaches to hold the UEFA Pro-licence, As well as challenging on all fronts in domestic football, Arsenal were also aiming for success in the Women’s Champions League reaching the semi-finals before losing 4-1 on aggregate to eventual champions Wolfsburg.

However, the Gunners added to their trophy haul in may when they lifted the FA Women’s Cup for the 12th time following a 3-0 win over Bristol Academy in the final at Doncaster’s Keepmoat Stadium.

The club has made a couple of additions to their squad this summer with Scottish internationals Emma Mitchell and Caroline Weir joining the ranks.

Shelley Kerr said of their signings: “In Emma and Caroline, Arsenal have secured two players of outstanding quality.

I worked with them both while I was with the Scottish FA and know just how talented they are.”

• Shelley Kerr

KIM LITTLE

TWO TO WATCH:

The 23-year-old Scottish midfielder is one of the brightest young stars in the women’s game and has held a regular starting place with the Gunners since she joined the club from Hibernian aged just 16.

A prolific goalscorer, she hit a remarkable 47 goals from 36 games in 2009/10, and scored 17 goals from 17 games in the first half of last season.

A regular for Scotland, she was also one of the six Gunners to play for Team GB at last summer’s Olympics.

Little was voted women’s player of the year for 2012–13 by the Professional Footballers’ Association, in the first year that the award had been made.

Was on target when the clubs met at Anfield in the FA Women’s Cup semi-final earlier this season.

The former Sunderland defender was named as Player of the Year at the inaugural FA England awards earlier this year. Arsenal team-mates Elllen White and Alex Scott were also shortlisted for the honour.

Steph found fame last summer when she scored the winning goal for Team GB against Brazil in front of a record crowd of more than 70,000 at Wembley.

Team GB’s top scorer during the Olympic Games, she also found the net in each of the group games – not bad for a defender!

The full-back joined Arsenal in 2010 after spending three years at Leeds. She has been a member of the England set-up since 2007.

STEPHANIE HOUGHTON Liverpool Ladies

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#ALLOFUSLFC

NONE OF US IS STRONGER THAN ALL OF US With LFC Official Membership you can get exclusive benefits such as priority ticket access to Barclays Premier League home matches, access to the Auto Cup Ticket Scheme and pay no fees for tickets bought online in the Members Ticket Sales. In addition to saving you money online and in store, you’ll could get access to the Members Dream Draw for once in a lifetime prizes and opportunities and receive an exclusive Membership pack. We’re all Reds. But none of us is stronger than all of us. Join now at liverpoolfc.com/membership or call 0843 170 5000.

THIS IS LFC OFFICIAL MEMBERSHIP YOU’LL NEVER WALK ALONE

JOIN NOW AT LIVERPOOLFC.COM/MEMBERSHIP OR CALL 0843 170 5000

NEWs

ANDREW HAS DESIGNS ON bike FUNDRAisER!

THE MAN who designs this programme is to undertakie a gruelling 180-mile bike ride to raise funds for Alzheimer’s Research UK.

Designer Andrew Dawson sets off from Oxford on Sunday 25th August and aims to arrive home in Liverpool the following evening.

He has been inspired to take on the demanding challenge by his grandmother, Dolly, who suffers from dementia.

Andrew explained: “It’s 180 miles home, over two days, and it’s going to hurt. So it would be fantastic if anyone would like to support me with a donation, no matter how small.

“My nana, Dolly, has been suffering with Alzheimer’s and dementia for a couple of years now. Such conditions are, well, grim - for both the sufferers and their

families and friends. To be honest, it’s heartbreaking.

“The aim of this ride is to raise funds for Alzheimer’s Research UK - helping them to continue their vital work, which will hopefully prevent others from suffering in the future.”

Not only is Andrew taking on 180 miles over two days, but he is also doing his regular DJing slot at the O2 Academy Oxford on the Saturday night.

He explained: “Playing records in a nightclub until 3am the night before a massive ride isn’t ideal preparation - but it does make the whole thing a bit more of a challenge!”

• If you would like to show Andrew your support, you can visit his JustGiving page at www.justgiving.com/csq

Liverpool Ladies

The FA WSL

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MATCH REPORT

FOUR TOPS!

Liverpool Ladies 4 - Birmingham City Ladies 1 FA WSL • Saturday 8th June 2013

LIVERPOOL went into the mid-season break as league leaders after a hard-fought defeat of Birmingham.

With two goals from Nicole Rolser and one apiece from Natasha Dowie and Lucy Bronze ensured the Reds topped the table at the halfway stage, replacing Bristol by virtue of their better goal difference.

Liverpool took the field minus captain Gemma Bonner who was unwell. Amanda Da Costa took the armband while Rachael Laws retained the goalkeeper’s jersey with Sarah Quantrill and Danielle Gibbons injured. Matt Beard’s team took the lead after 15 minutes when a shot from Dowie was blocked and Rolser reacted quickest to power a shot into the roof of the net.

A second seemed likely but on 25 minutes, Birmingham leveled. A corner was headed clear by Da Costa and eventually the ball fell to Kerys Harrop who steered home a shot for the equaliser.

The Reds regained the lead eight minutes before the break froma corner of their own. Louise Fors’ corner was met by the on-rushing Bronze who powered home a header.

Liverpool dominated the second half but were given a scare when Jo Potter was desperately unlucky not to equalize. Her spectacular 30-yard effort struck the inside of the left post and bounced along the line only to hit the right post and trickle clear.

Five minutes later it was the Reds who were denied by the woodwork. Bronze played a long diagonal ball forward to Rolser, who played it back to Jess Holbrook whose shot rattled against the base of the right post with keeper Mary Earps beaten.

In the end, Liverpool made the game safe with two goals in the final six minutes.

Dowie maintained her incredible scoring strike by heading home her 10th of the season from a Corina Schroder cross.

And the Reds scored four for the fourth time in six games when Schroder again provided the assist for her compatriot Rolser Liverpool: Laws; Easton, Bronze, Engen, Schroder (Riccio 88); Fors, Holbrook, Williams, Rolser; Da Costa (Omarsdottir 81); Dowie (Fenlon-Billson 90)

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Liverpool Ladies

The FA WSL

Liverpool Ladies

The FA WSL

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COMMUNITY

FULL MARKS FOR LFC

LIVERPOOL FC has successfully renewed its prestigious CommunityMark, the UK’s national standard for leadership and excellence in the community.

The club was first awarded the honour in 2009 and continues to be recognised for the positive impact it has on stakeholders in Liverpool and overseas through its programmes.

The CommunityMark, which is endorsed

by HRH The Prince of Wales, was presented to the club at a gala dinner in London

by Prime Minister David Cameron and Business in the Community chief executive Stephen Howard.

“I congratulate Liverpool FC for continuing to be part of this growing network,” said Mr Howard. “Business has a vital role to help create prosperous communities and CommunityMark holders are at the heart of this. We hope Liverpool’s example will inspire more businesses to put responsible behaviour at the heart of how they do business.”

• Follow us on Twitter @LFCFoundation

Liverpool Ladies

The FA WSL

19

Search. Turn up. Play.

Girls, this one’s for you. No pressure – just a fun kickabout with your mates

To find out more,

search for ‘Just Play’ online.

PLAYER FOCUs

NATASHA

TARGETS 20-GOAL RETURN

WITH 10 GOALS in a dozen appearances Natasha Dowie’s form was a major reason why the Reds enjoyed such an impressive first half of the WSL season.

Some forwards would be content to have already reached double figures and helped their side top the table. However, the number nine wants to do the same again between now and the end of the campaign.

“I’m greedy, I want to score more,” the 25-year-old laughs. “Another 10 would be very nice.”

Regularly top-scorer during her time with former club Everton, the striker says her record prior to the summer break was the best scoring sequence she’s ever enjoyed.

“I scored in a lot of consecutive games which was something I hadn’t really done before.

Some people might find it quite sad but I remember every single goal. Scoring is quite a special memory, particularly if you’re a striker. “ Something else about Dowie’s net-finding feats has also been different to her previous efforts.

“My lack of heading ability was a running joke for a long time,” she explains.

Liverpool Ladies

The FA WSL

21

“The gaffer (Matt Beard) said I couldn’t do it. So he worked on that side of my game with me and it’s paid off. I think four out of my first six goals were headers which is pleasing.”

Two of Dowie’s tally arrived against today’s opponents Arsenal; the first in a 2-1 FA Cup semi-final defeat at Anfield, the second during a 4-0 victory at the Emirates 11 days later.

The Gunners have been the dominant force of the Ladies game in recent years, finishing top in 2012 without losing a league game. So to leave London with such a comprehensive win over them was a sign of the potential amongst the Reds’ ranks.

“A lot of people got excited about it,” Dowie explains. “While it was obviously a good result it doesn’t guarantee anything. Only if we go on to win something will we be able to look back on it with real satisfaction.”

The defending champions didn’t start the 2013 season with their usual panache and currently find themselves eight points behind both Liverpool and Bristol Academy, albeit with two games in hand. Dowie knows they remain a big threat.

“They’ve already won the FA Cup and none of us will be underestimating them.

I’m sure they’ll want to make amends for the game at their place. Their Champions League commitments mean they haven’t played as many league fixtures as everyone else. So if they win the games in hand they’ll be right up there. That’s why a good result is important for us today.”

The fact that Liverpool and Bristol Academy both reached the mid-season break seven points clear of third-placed Everton

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Liverpool Ladies

The FA WSL

emphasises just how competitive the league is right now. Such a noticeable rise in standards pleases Dowie.

“Last season I thought the league improved and I think the same has happened again in 2013. Every game is difficult. You can’t get away with playing at less than 100 per cent, whereas a few years ago you sometimes could.”

The reasons for the levels of quality improving?

“Maybe it’s because teams are doing more training. The influx of foreigners has also had a big impact. We’ve got world-class players.

Chelsea have signed a few South Americans and there are a couple of Spaniards in the Bristol team. The fact that those girls have come to England is very positive for the league.”

Some of the division’s best individuals will be on display this afternoon. The result could prove decisive when it comes to where the WSL league trophy ends up.

“It’s our biggest game of the season so far,” Dowie continues. “The fact that it’s the first one back after the break makes it vital. Both teams will immediately want to find their rhythm.

“This is the type of occasion you want to be involved in. As individuals and a team we want to test ourselves against the best and Arsenal are definitely one of those.

They’ve been winners for a long time.

We want to be winners too and feel we have that mentality.

But you have to prove it in games like this.”

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NATASHA DOWIE

FUN TIME WITH

L H W E B C A R N C

L T H L O H L E I I

I I I T N A E D A A

R M T T A R X O M R

T S N I U L S R H A

N Y E L O T C H F G

A L Y M S O O C A R

U L I I L N T S H A

Q E P K H M T I E N

E K R E N N O B Y T

< REDS & GUNNERS Can you find the following 10 names in our match day word search?

CIARAGRANT KIMLITTLE NIAMHFAHEY ALEXSCOTT KELLYSMITH WHITNEY QUANTRILL CHARLTON SCHRODER BONNER

Which one of our trio isn’t being completely honest?!

CAROLINE “I have recently been on loan in the US with Tidewater Sharks” 24

Liverpool Ladies

The FA WSL

KATRIN “I was part of the Iceland squad which reached the quarter finals of Euro 2013”

NATASHA “I have previously played for London clubs Fulham and Charlton”

THE NUMBERS GAME

CORINA SCHRODER

1 19 27 168

Goal for the Reds so far – against Everton Liverpool Ladies squad number Birthday she celebrateS IN AUGUST Height in centimetres

MIGHTY RED’S FIENDISH FIVE! 1 Who used to play for a team called MagicJack?

2 Which member of the squad wears the no.2 shirt?

3 Which of the Reds’ goalkeepers was signed from Sunderland?

4 Who won their latest cap for the US in a 5-0 defeat of Korea on 20 June?

5 In which city was the final of the Women’s European Championships held?

RED HERRING : Caroline Charlton – she has been on loan at ACF Torino.

MIGHTY REDS FIENDISH FIVE 1 Amanda Da Costa; 2 Sam Chappell; 3 Rachael Laws; 4 Whitney Engen; 5 Solna

HOW DID YOU DO? Liverpool Ladies

The FA WSL

25

COMMUNITY

two SARAHS IN SKEM!

NEW SIGNING Sarah Gregorius and Sarah Quantrill brought cheer to a group of schoolgirls in Skelmersdale on Friday when they hosted a training session and passed on some tips about how to play the game.

The Reds duo dropped by Holland Moor Primary School for an hour-long skills class with 20 girls aged between seven and 11.

Teachers Jenny McLean and Matthew Tuffs, who were able to step aside and observe the session rather than lead it, believe the visit will prove to have lasting implications for the delighted students.

“The two players came in and took the session and they were fantastic,” said Jenny.

26

Liverpool Ladies

The FA WSL

“Before they began training our girls, the boys in the school were going up to them, asking them for their autographs which they were more than happy to sign.

“The visit means an awful lot and you could see straight away, just after the players left, that the girls felt as though they had something to aspire to.

“It was inspirational - they’ve inspired our girls to keep playing and to continue giving everything to sport.

“Some of our older girls who took part knew it would be their final training session as well - these are girls who have been practising here since they were in Year Three. So it was a really fitting way to end it for them and it was a great day for everyone involved.”

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PLAYER FOCUs

IN MY LIFE SOPHIA RICCIO

FIRST LFC GAME My dad took me to a game down south – I think it was the 2006 FA Cup final against West Ham. I remember being on a minibus with a bunch of men and me as the only girl. I was only quite young but things like that stick in your mind. It’s one of the best feelings in the world the way football can make you feel. I think it’s great to take any chance you can to go to finals.

HEN WHERE WERE YOU W NS PIO AM CH LFC WON THE LEAGUE IN 2005?

For every game in the Champions League that season we had we had a family meal as a superstition. For the final we went round to our local pub and it was unbelievable. I’ve never, ever, ever seen a game like it in my life. It was absolutely crazy. At 3-0 down at half-time you think there’s no way back but that second half was unbelievable. It was the best game I’ve ever seen.

FAVOURITE MUSIC I have quite different tastes. I was brought up with the Rat Pack so I enjoy Frank Sinatra and all those artists. The other side of my family were big fans of The Beatles. More recently I quite like anything in the charts.

ANY PETS? I have a Shar Pei called Lazy. She’s four and is lovely. She’s like a baby!

28

Liverpool Ladies

The FA WSL

Favourite game A couple of years ago I was playing in a reserve team game away to Everton. We were getting beaten 3-0 at half-time. It just wasn’t our day, things weren’t working for us. We had a team talk at half-time. We knew what was going wrong and what we needed to do better but we weren’t doing it. We came out in the second-half and won 4-3. It was one of the best feelings to walk off that pitch at the end. At half-time they probably thought there’s no way they’re going to come back and probably thought they’d add more goals. So to come back and win 4-3 was unbelievable, especially with it being against Everton. That was probably one of the highlights.

SHIRT NUMBER To be honest I do like the number 22 but my favourite numbers are 8 and 28. I was given the number and whatever number I get, I’m fine with as long as I’m in that squad!

ATE

ALTERNATIVE JOB?

CLEVEREST TEAM-M

I work part-time in the clothes store Next.

I like to keep busy and enjoy working. I have worked there since I left school. I am also studying for a qualification in sports coaching at Sir John Moores University.

I’d like to think myself! Lil is really clever although she doesn’t always show it and Caroline Charlton because she’s studying to be a doctor.

TOP FILM

WOULD WHICH TEAMMATE ICE? VO E do well on TH

It might sound a little bit childish but it has to be Beauty and the Beast. I am still a little bit of a kid at heart. I also love Dear John.

I can’t say there are many that can sing very well! I think Kat. She’s got a nice voice and plays the guitar as well.

ARE YOU A GOOD CO

OK?

I can cook but it doesn’t necessarily mean that I do! When I’m at home I don’t tend to cook. I’m nowhere near as good as some of the team. Whitney is unbelievable at cooking. She comes to training with all kinds.

When we were on the coach to an away game recently she was sat there on her iPad looking at all these recipes and I was just thinking: ‘I couldn’t do that.’ I cook for myself and can make nice chicken fajitas but that’s about it.

E? FUNNIEST TEAM-MAT I’ll say Lil Billson. At every training session she’s hilarious and is just a really funny girl with some of the things she comes out with.

She’s always got a smile on her face and make you laugh.

DAFTEST TEAM-MAT

E?

There’s quite a few! I’ll choose Jess Holbrook because you just look at her and she could be doing some little dance move or singing and you just think: ‘Oh no Jess, not again!’ You just catch her doing silly things.

TH FAVOURITE PLACE IN

E WORLD?

Probably just being at home with my family.

I’d also say Italy because my family hails from there. My great granddad was Italian and lived in a little town just outside Naples.

He came over to the UK and the family has been here ever since. My Dad also used to live in Australia so if not home, it would be quite good to live in Italy or Australia.

Liverpool Ladies

The FA WSL

29

SEASON STATS 2013 FA WSL FIXTURES 2013

GAMES & GOALS 2013

(substitute appearances in brackets, ** no longer with club)

(Home games at Halton Stadium in CAPS, cup fixtures denoted in brackets)

Date

Opponent

Result

March 17

Aston Villa (FAC 5) Williams 3, Fors (pen), Dowie

5-0

March 23

VERTON (CC) E Fors (pen)

1-1

Sunderland (FAC 6) Fenlon-Billson, Omarsdottir

2-1

March 31 April 14

Lincoln Ladies Dowie

1-0

April 28

ARSENAL LADIES (FAC SF) Dowie

1-2

May 04

DONCASTER RB (CC) Dowie

1-0

May 07

Arsenal Ladies Da Costa 2, Dowie, Fors

4-0

Chelsea Ladies Engen

1-2

May 19

Chelsea (CC) Dowie 2, Rolser, Williams

4-0

May 29

LINCOLN LADIES Dowie, Horwood (OG), Fors

3-2

Everton Ladies Rolser, Fors, Schroder, Dowie

4-1

June 8

BIRMINGHAM CITY Rolser 2, Bronze, Dowie

4-1

Aug 3

FA WSL App Goals

CONT CUP App Goals

FA CUP App Goals

2

Samantha Chappell

0

0

0

0

0

0

3

Whitney Engen

5

1

3

0

3

0

4

Fara Williams

6

0

3

1

3

3

5

Gemma Bonner

5

0

3

0

3

0

6

Lucy Bronze

5(1) 1

2(1) 0

0

0

7

Katie Longhurst

0

0

0

0

0

0

8

Katrin Omarsdottir

4(1) 0

3

0

2(1) 1

9

Natasha Dowie

6

5

3

3

3

2

10 Louise Fors

6

3

3

1

3

1

11 Nicole Rolser

6

3

3

1

3

0

12 Becky Easton

3(2) 0

1(1) 0

3

0

13 Amanda Da Costa

6

2

3

0

2

0

14 Ellie Stewart

0

0

0

0

0

0

15 Jess Holbrook

2(2) 0

0(1) 0

1(1) 0

17 Caroline Charlton

0

0

0

0

0

19 Corina Schroder

6

0

3

0

1(1) 0

20 Katie Zelem

0

0

0

0

0

0

21 Sarah Gregorius

0

0

0

0

0

0

22 Sophia Riccio

0(1) 0

0(2) 0

0

0

ARSENAL LADIES (2pm)

23 Rachael Laws

2

0

0

0

0

0

Aug 7

LINCOLN LADIES (CC S/F 7.30pm)

24 Sarah Quantrill

4

0

3

0

3

0

Aug 10

Bristol Academy (7.45pm)

Aug 17

0

0

0

0

0(1) 0

CHELSEA LADIES (7.15pm)

** Katie Brusell

Aug 24

Doncaster RB (6pm)

** Hannah Keryakoplis 0(1) 0

0

0

0

Sept 1

Birmingham City (2pm)

** Michelle Evans

0

0

1(1) 0

Sept 4

DONCASTER RB (7.45pm)

0(3) 0

1(2) 1

Sept 12

EVERTON LADIES (7.30pm)

Sept 15

BRISTOL ACADEMY (2pm)

May 12

June 4

W

D

L

F

A

Pts

Liverpool Ladies

3

2

1

0

6

1

7

Everton Ladies

3

2

1

1

6

3

7

Doncaster Rovers Belles 3

0

1

2

2

5

1

Chelsea Ladies

0

1

2

2

7

1

All statistics correct up to and including 08.06.2013

Liverpool Ladies

The FA WSL

0

FA WOMEN’S SUPER LEAGUE

P

30

0

** Lillie Fenlon-Billson 0(6) 0

CONTINENTAL CUP– FINAL GROUP STANDINGS

3

0

0

P

W

D

L

F

A

Pts

Liverpool Ladies

6

5

0

1

17 6

15

Bristol Academy

6

5

0

1

15 8

15

Everton Ladies

6

2

2

2

12 11

8

Chelsea Ladies

7

2

1

4

10 12 7

Arsenal Ladies

4

2

1

1

6

8

7

Birmingham City

6

1

3

2

5

9

6

Lincoln Ladies

7

0

3

4

5

10 3

Doncaster Rovers Belles 4

0

2

2

3

9

2

Liverpool Ladies

Arsenal Ladies

Manager:

Matt Beard

Manager: Shelley Kerr

2

Samantha Chappell

1

3

Whitney Engen

2

Steph Houghton

4

Fara Williams

3

Yvonne Tracy

5

Gemma Bonner (c)

5

Gilly Flaherty

6

Lucy Bronze

7

Ciara Grant

7

Kate Longhurst

8

Jordan Nobbs

8

Katrin Omarsdottir

9

Ellen White

9

Natasha Dowie

10

Kelly Smith

10

Louise Fors

11

Rachel Yankey

11

Nicole Rolser

12

Gemma Davison

12

Becky Easton

13

Doris Bacic

13

Amanda Da Costa

15

Danielle Carter

15

Ellie Stewart

16

Kim Little

15

Jess Holbrook

17

Katie Chapman

17

Caroline Charlton

18

Emma Mitchell

19

Corina Schroder

20

Caroline Weir

Katie Zelem

22

Alex Scott

20

25

Jade Bailey

21

Sarah Gregorius

22

Sophia Riccio

23

Rachael Laws

24

Sarah Quantrill

Emma Byrne

MATCH OFFICIALS

MASCOTS

Referee:

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mascots are Egerton Girls FC and Rainhill Rockets JFC

John Brooks

Assistant Referee: Joe Simpson Assistant Referee: Kelvin Sarsfield Fourth Official:

Richard Wild