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Liverpool Ladies Football Club Official Matchday Programme
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Birmingham City Ladies FA Women’s Super League Saturday 8th June 2013 • Kick off 7.15pm
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WELCOME 5 6 8 9 10 12 15 16 19 21 24 27 28 30 32
Manager’s notes Girls’ tournament Captain’s column Lincoln Ladies match report Meet the squad Birmingham City Ladies Mighty Red Derby delight – Everton report LFC Foundation Amanda Da Costa interview Puzzle pages Top tweets Lucy Bronze 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.
The FA WSL
3
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MANAGER
MANAGER’S NOTES MATT BEARD
GOOD EVENING and welcome back to Halton Stadium for our final home game of the first half of the season.
We are fully aware that Birmingham will represent extremely tough opposition tonight but if we can sign off with another win this evening we can be pleased with the work we have done during the opening part of the season. I think Tuesday’s win at Everton proved how far we have come. Everton are a very good side and when we played them back in March at the Halton Stadium it was our first game against another FA WSL side and it took some of our new players time to adapt to the tempo of the game.
Tuesday’s “winI think proved how far we have come ”
This time around we were more attuned to it and I thought everybody performed really well. That win made it five out of six and now the aim is to make that figure six out of seven before the break for the European Championships. One thing that has really impressed me so far has been the contribution that every single member of the squad has made. Some people outside our club have suggested that we only use the same players but the fact of the matter is it’s hard to change a team that is winning football matches. With injuries and international calls we have had to change things around a bit in the last few weeks and some of the girls who have had to be patient have come in and done really well. That was demonstrated on Tuesday when Jess Holbrook replaced the injured Katrin Omarsdottir and was outstanding. In that first game against Everton here in March I thought Jill Scott caused us problems in midfield but Jess and Fara Williams did a really good job at
keeping her quiet on Tuesday and Jess has given herself a really good chance of keeping the shirt tonight. A special word too for Rachael Laws who came in from Sunderland on an emergency loan after our goalkeepers Sarah and Dani had to miss out with injuries. Sarah was due to have a scan this week while we may have to suggest the same for Dani who has had a knee problem for a while and suffered a reaction in training last Sunday. Rachael only met the team at the ground ahead of the game and although she already knew a few of the girls, it is never easy in those circumstances. She did very well in the game and I am grateful to Sunderland manager Mick Mulhern for allowing us to draft her in. After today’s match the team will have a two-week break before coming back for some training while I’m sure we will have some representation at the Euros. I would imagine Katrin and Fara will go to the tournament but I also believe that Louise Fors deserves to be in the Sweden squad as she is a fantastic footballer and Natasha Dowie, Gemma Bonner and Lucy Bronze must have a chance of joining Fara in the England squad as they have been outstanding this season. Before that however, we need to focus on making sure we get another three points tonight. Birmingham have been one of the standard bearers in the women’s game over the past few years and nothing has changed. They have some very talented players and we will have our work cut out tonight. Thank you for your support, and enjoy the game.
Matt. Liverpool Ladies
The FA WSL
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Th e
l al
rls’ Footb Gi
THE PRESTIGIOUS Girls’ Football Tournament for Under-10 and Under-12 girls continued at Halton Stadium for the FA WSL match against Lincoln Ladies 10 days ago.
There are 16 clubs in each age group, with rounds played prior to Liverpool Ladies’ home games (4 QFs, 2 SFs and a final). Squads in the seven-a-side tournament are comprised of 10 players each. On each tournament day a league of 4 teams will play each other, each team having 3 matches of 15 minutes duration. Winners and runners up will qualify for the next round. The winning side for each age group will be mascots for the main match. Each team will nominate 4 penalty takers to take part in a half-time penalty shoot-out and the winner will receive a football signed by the Liverpool Ladies squad.
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• AFC Urmston
• Blackbrook
• Brazil Girls
• Brazil Girls
• Crewe & Nantwich
• Liverpool Feds
Liverpool Ladies
The FA WSL
Tonight’s games: 5.15pm – 5.30pm:
U-10s: Crosfields Pumas v Egerton Crosfields Panthers v Macclesfield • Maghull
U-12s: Crossfield v Winsford TMS v Macclesfield 5.35pm – 5.50pm:
U-10s: Crosfields Pumas v Crosfields Panthers Egerton v Macclesfield U-12s: Crossfield v TMS Winsford v Macclesfield 5.55pm – 6.10pm: • Oxton Ladies
U-10s: Egerton v Crosfields Panthers Macclesfield v Crossfield U-12s: TMS v Winsford Macclesfield v Crosfields Pumas The results from the games played on 29 May were:
• Peninsula Stars
• St. Anne’s Rovers
• Vulcan
U10s quarter-final 3: Liverpool Feds 0 St Anne’s Rovers 4 AFC Urmston Med 0 Oxton Ladies 3 Liverpool Feds 2 AFC Urmston Med 1 St Anne’s Rovers 0 Oxton Ladies 0 St Anne’s Rovers 4 AFC Urmston Med 0 Liverpool Feds 2 Oxton Ladies 0 Winners St Anne’s Rovers qualify for semi-final 1; Runners-up Liverpool Feds qualify for semi-final 2. AFC Urmston Med won the half-time penalty shoot-out.
U12s quarter-final 3: Liverpool Feds 6 Blackbrook 0 Brazil A 1 Brazil B 0 Liverpool Feds 1 Brazil A 2 Blackbrook 0 Brazil B 3 Brazil A 7 Blackbrook 0 Liverpool Feds 2 Brazil B 0. Winners Brazil A qualify for semi-final 1; Runners-up Liverpool Feds qualify for semi-final 2. Brazil A won the half-time penalty shoot-out. Liverpool Ladies
The FA WSL
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CApTAIN
CAPTAIN’S COLUMN GEMMA BONNER
GOOD EVENING and welcome to Halton Stadium for tonight’s fixture with Birmingham Ladies. I’m sure they will provide tough opposition this evening. They’ve been one of the league’s best teams in the FA WSL, a physical well organised side that are extremely difficult to play against. Our last two games have required us to produce our battling qualities. Against Lincoln we found ourselves 1-0 down early on, but managed to score two goals to take the lead. However in the final few minutes we had to fight to hold on for the points when they snatched a second in the latter stages of the half. We started Tuesday night’s derby a little slowly and for the first ten minutes Everton were in control. We had to show lots of spirit before producing our best football. Going in to that game we had some injury problems to deal with. Goalkeeper Rachael Laws was signed on an emergency loan and did well on her debut. Jess Holbrook also came in to the line-up. She’s been pushing for inclusion recently and took her chance. Knowing we have such strength in depth is very encouraging. That, along with our great spirit, will be a vital asset if we are to challenge for trophies. Another strength in the squad is our ability to create chances and with four different players on target we recorded a 4-1 derby victory to add to the quartet of goals we registered against both Arsenal and Chelsea. We believe we have plenty more goals in this team and hopefully that will continue to be proven. Despite being top of the table none of us will be getting carried away. Matt Beard prevents that from happening. He’s obviously pleased with the results, however, he wants us to be more consistent and to keep improving. He’s also emphasised that other sides will raise their game against us now. We have to meet those challenges by producing our best every time we take to the field. Our sole aim is to win each game that comes along. We can’t look further than that and I think the mentality in our group – which the foreign players have brought – ensures we don’t. This is the last fixture before the league pauses during the Womens’ European Championships in Sweden. Ideally, we’d like to keep playing because we’re on a good run, but the break will allow us to refresh and be ready again when the action resumes in early August. 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
MATCH REPORT
REds EDGE THRILLER Liverpool Ladies 3 - Lincoln Ladies 2 FA WSL Continental Cup • Wednesday 29th May 2013
LIVERPOOL completed their first league double of the season as they edged a five-goal thriller in damp conditions. Carla Cantrell gave Lincoln an early lead, only for Natasha Dowie to equalise for the Reds with her eighth goal of the season. A Bonnie Horwood own goal and a Louise Fors strike put Liverpool in control, only for Precious Hamilton (below) to pull a goal back
15 minutes from time. But Liverpool held on to go joint top of the table with Bristol Academy. The Imps had gone ahead after nine minutes, Cantrell breaking clear to slip the ball under goalkeeper Sarah Quantrill. But Dowie equalised 10 minutes later when she drove home a rebound after her initial effort had been blocked. The Reds began to take control and Fors struck a 20-yard free-kick against the bar. But Liverpool went ahead two minutes after the break, with Horwood attempting to clear a Fara Williams cross but only heading into her own net. The Reds went further ahead when Nicole Rolser’s 57th-minute pass set up Fors to slot home. At that stage it seemed as though the three points were in the bag but Hamilton set up a tense finale when she curled home a fine 25-yard strike with 15 minutes remaining. Liverpool: Quantrill; Easton, Bronze, Bonner (c), Schroder; Rolser, Omarsdottir, Williams, Da Costa (Fenlon-Billson 79), Fors; Dowie
Liverpool Ladies
The FA WSL
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FIRsT TIEAM sQUAD
MEET THE REDS 1 Danielle Gibbons
2 Samantha Chappell
GOALKEEPER • 31/07/91 CHORLEY
DEFENDER • 24/03/92 WARRINGTON
The former Preston North End keeper signed from Preston in 2011. Has played for England at U-19 level.
Right-back who joined the Reds from Everton. She has represented England at U-19 level.
3 Whitney Engen
4 Fara Williams
5 Gemma Bonner
6 Lucy Bronze
DEFENDER • 28/11/87 TORRANCE, CALIFORNIA USA
MIDFIELDER • 25/01/84 LONDON
DEFENDER • 13/07/91 LEEDS
DEFENDER • 28/10/91 BERWICK UPON TWEED
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.
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.
7 Katie Brusell
8 Katrin Omarsdottir MIDFIELDER • 27/06/87 HAMBURG, GERMANY
9 Natasha Dowie
10 Louise Fors
MIDFIELDER • 09/01/88 MANCHESTER
An attacking midfielder, Katie has also played for Stockport County, Blackburn Rovers and Manchester City. She has represented England at U-19s and U-17s levels.
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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FORWARD • 30/06/88 ABU DHABI, UAE
MIDFIELDER • 23/10/89 STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN
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.
11 Nicole RoLSer
12 Becky Easton
13 Amanda Da Costa
15 Jess Holbrook
MIDFIELDER • 07/02/92 OCHSENHAUSEN, GERMANY
DEFENDER • 16/06/74 BIRKENHEAD
DEFENDER / MIDFIELD • 07/10/89 SOMERS, NEW YORK, USA
MIDFIELDER • 01/08/92 ASHTON UNDER LYNE
An Under-23 German international, Nicole is a pacy winger who has previously played for VfL Sindelfingen and SC 07 Bad Neuenahr.
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.
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.
16 Lizzie Ince
17 Caroline Charlton DEFENDER • 09/10/89 LIVERPOOL
18 Lillie Fenlon-Billson
19 Corina Schroder
MIDFIELDER • 17/09/94 BURY
Lizzie is a former England youth international signed from Blackburn Rovers during the summer transfer window in 2012.
MIDFIELD / FORWARD • 19/07/91 TOOTING, LONDON
DEFENDER • 15/08/86 DINGDEN, GERMANY
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.
Joined from Doncaster Rovers Belles during the summer 2012 transfer window having also played for Arsenal, Watford and Bristol Academy. Has played for Ireland at U-19s level.
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.
20 Hannah Keryakoplis
22 Sophia Riccio
23 RACHAEL LAWS
24 Sarah Quantrill
FORWARD • 01/02/94 PENYFFORDD, WALES
DEFENDER • 15/10/91 LIVERPOOL
GOALKEEPER • 05/11/90 HEBBURN
GOALKEEPER • 27/07/90 NORWICH
A Welsh international who moved up from the reserve squad last season. Has also played for Tranmere Rovers.
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 has joined on an emergency loan from Sunderland Ladies following goalkeeper injuries. Made her FA WSL debut in Tuesday’s 4-1 win at Everton.
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.
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OPPOsITION
ALL ABOUT BIRMINGHAM GET THE LOWDOWN ON TODAY’S OPPOSITION… BIRMINGHAM CITY LADIES
BIRMINGHAM CITY LADIES have pushed Arsenal closest during the first two seasons of the FA Women’s Super League.
Home ground: The DCS Stadium, Stratford-upon-Avon Nickname: The Blues Captain: Laura Bassett Manager: David Parker Honours: FA Women’s Super League runners-up: 2011, 2012 FA Women’s Cup winners: 2011/12 FA WSL Continental Cup runners-up: 2011, 2012 FA Women’s Premier League Cup runners-up: 2001/02 12
Liverpool Ladies
The FA WSL
The Blues have finished as runners-up in each of the past couple of campaigns and last season won silverware after beating Chelsea Ladies to lift the FA Women’s Cup. This pre-season they lost some firepower with England forward Eniola Aluko joining Chelsea and striker Jodie Taylor moving to Swedish side Kopparbergs Goteborg FC on loan. On the incoming side however, manager David Parker recruited England Under-19 forwards Melissa Lawley from Bristol and Kirsty Linnett from Arsenal who have both made an instant impact. Parker says: “The impact of Mel Lawley and Kirsty Linnettt has been a real positive for the team. They are both already showing the supporters their quality and are quickly grabbing the plaudits for the performances, but we must be patient and allow them to flourish around our seniors players.” With England forwards Karen • Mel Lawley Carney and Rachel Williams backed up by Three Lionesees defenders Laura Bassett, the captain, Birmingham have plenty of quality in their squad. The Blues began the new league campaign with three draws, being held by at Chelsea, Lincoln and Everton. But they recorded their first league win of the season 11 days ago when a wonder-strike from Jo Potter sealed a 2-1 win over Chelsea Ladies. However, they will be without England and former Everton defender Rachel Unitt for the remainder of the season after she was ruled out with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
England winger Karen joined the Blues in 2011 after spending a year in America playing for Chicago Red Stars. Solihull-born, she had started her career with the Blues before becoming established in the all-conquering Arsenal Ladies team between 2006 and 2009. The 25-year-old has won 77 caps for her country and also represented Great Britain at last summer’s Olympics. Winner of the FA’s National Young Player of the Year award in 2005 and 2006, she scored the winning goal and was named Player of the Match as the Blues won the FA Women’s Cup last season.
TWO TO WATCH: Leicester-born striker Rachel was top scorer in the FA Women’s Super League last season. She started her career with Leicester as a 12-year-old and in 2008 joined Doncaster Rovers Belles, ending her first season with the Yorkshire club by being named as their fans Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year. When not helping the Belles, she also worked as a plasterer. With Doncaster not playing until the launch of the FA WSL in March 2011, Williams re–signed for Leicester City in summer 2010 before joining Birmingham the following year. She hit 14 goals in 14 games as the Blues missed out on the WSL title on the final day. She was also voted 2011 Players’ Player of the Year at the FA Women’s Football Awards. She made her full England debut in 2009 and has now won 10 caps scoring three goals. She has scored seven goals so far this season.
KAREN CARNEY
RACHEL WILLIAMS Liverpool Ladies
The FA WSL
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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
Mighty and friends ‘Play on the Pitch’ What an insane, crazy and out of this world experience this week has been!
Just as the season concluded, LFC opened its doors to give its fans the chance of a lifetime to ‘Play on the Pitch’ including yours truly. What an honour. My busy week started last Saturday when I got to meet some lucky visitors and their very special guest Banksy (who is Barclay’s best friend). Banksy is a big blue eagle and he had travelled all the way from London by train with his friends from Barclays and 200 other mates. I couldn’t wait to show them my second home and how good my footie skills are! We had such a great time; I walked away with a hat-trick leaving Banksy amazed. Well I am a Red after all! My fun didn’t stop there as I played footie all week with the LFC Official
Junior Members, my friends from All Saints, Anfield Juniors and Anfield Infants schools plus 10 other local schools. New pals and top coaches from all the Foundation programmes joined us at Anfield too, not forgetting the talented International Soccer School coaches and their youth teams. I’ve met so many inspiring people. One guy stands out in my mind, someone who does amazing work just like me. Sir SIB (also from London) is a shy green turtle who helps Standard Chartered with their ‘Seeing is Believing’ programme. You can check out what he showed me at www.youtube.com/ watch?v=IBaAMrArbQc
• Find our more about what Mighty Red is up to by visiting www.liverpoolfc.com/kopkids
Liverpool Ladies
The FA WSL
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MATCH REPORT
DERBY DELIGHT!
Everton Ladies 1 - Liverpool Ladies 4 FA WSL • Tuesday 4th June 2013
LIVERPOOL moved three points clear at the top of the FA Women’s Super League with an emphatic derby win at Marine on Tuesday night.
Watched by a healthy four-figure crowd, the Reds turned on the style to claim the win against their Mersey rivals. Matt Beard had to make two changes. With goalkeepers Sarah Quantrill and Danielle Gibbons both ruled out through injuries, Rachael Laws was brought in on an emergency loan from Sunderland, while Jess Holbrook was also given a start in place of the injured Katrin Omarsdottir. Nicole Rolser put the visitors in front before Jill Scott levelled matters after the break. Louise Fors and Corina Schroder then struck in the space of nine second-half minutes to put
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the Reds in charge before the prolific Natasha Dowie confirmed the victory late on. In glorious sunshine it was the Blues who started brighter. Nikita Parris looked threatening and Toni Duggan kept Liverpool goalkeeper Laws busy.
The conditions were a complete contrast to the previous meeting of the sides back in March when snow had to be cleared from the pitch. On that Arctic evening Liverpool had taken the lead only to be pegged back but there was to be no repeat. The Reds went ahead in the 31st minute when Rolser pounced on hesitation in the
Everton defence. Liverpool dominated the remainder of the half and only a fine block from Brooke Chaplen prevented Amanda Da Costa from making it 2-0. But Everton equalised through England international Scott 11 minutes after the re-start. Parris and Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah played a one-two and Parris’s cross-shot was converted by Scott. However parity lasted just nine minutes as the away side regained the lead when Fors scored with a powerful low drive. With sixteen minutes remaining Liverpool gave themselves a cushion when Schroder netted from a rebound. With the win virtually secured, Liverpool increased their margin of victory two minutes from time when Dowie evaded the offside trap to net against her former club and claim her ninth of the season. Liverpool: Laws; Bronze, Engen, Bonner (c), Schroder; Rolser (Fenlon-Billson 81), Holbrook, Williams (Easton 81), Da Costa, Fors, Dowie
Liverpool Ladies
The FA WSL
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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.
COMMUNITY
Liverpool FC Foundation Youth Ambassadors celebrate successful employment programme
A SPECIAL event was held at Anfield to recognise the achievements of young people on the second phase of a unique programme that provides boys and girls with training and high-profile ambassador opportunities.
The Youth Ambassadors Scheme – a partnership launched in April 2012 between Liverpool FC Foundation and Liverpool City Council – has proved to be a huge success providing 50 youngsters, aged 16-19, with part-time employment with the Club over two phases of the programme. The first phase of the scheme was so successful that 10 young people were offered full-time employment with new organisations as a result of the training, experience and confidence gained during the programme. The second stage recruited 25 young people who started working and representing the club in December 2012. Since joining, the young people have studied for a level one qualification with the Liverpool FC Foundation, helping their employment credentials. They have also acted as representatives of the city, greeting travelling football fans and distributing information about the city’s sights and attractions. Specifically, the youngsters have also assisted Liverpool FC Foundation at the European Association for the Study of Obesity Conference at Liverpool’s Arena and Convention Centre, and undertook survey work for Liverpool City Council during the city’s one-night arts and culture event.
Mark Haig, Liverpool FC Foundation’s head of operations, said: “The Liverpool FC Foundation is dedicated to encouraging young people into enterprise and opportunities to help improve their lives. “We are delighted to be celebrating a successful second phase of our Youth Ambassador scheme with Liverpool City Council. “Young people are the future of our city and by working closely with agencies and the local communities collectively this partnership helps them achieve their goals.” Cllr Ann O’Byrne, of Liverpool City Council, added: “This is a fantastic initiative which has given young people a real opportunity to gain skills which can help them secure employment. “Young people have a vital role to play in promoting the city and our partnership is a great example of how investing in today’s youth can bring massive benefits to our communities for years to come. “I am extremely happy to be marking the achievements of these young people who have grown in confidence through this scheme.”
• Cllr Ann O’Byrne, Liverpool City Council with Youth Ambassadors Jamie Spellman (top left), Ellen Kane (above), and Liverpool FC Foundation Director, Gary Adlen
Liverpool Ladies
The FA WSL
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PLAYER FOCUs
AMANDA’s AIMING TO SIGN OFF PART ONE WITH A WIN
Liverpool Ladies go into tonight’s game in good form? The team is starting to click and are beginning to play how we envisioned we would from day one. We have certainly been spending a lot of time with each other on and off the pitch, and I think it is starting to show with the results we have been posting. Being consistent is important with so many good teams in this league: it will be important for us to continue performing well and getting three points out of each game.
Do you feel the on-field relationships are gelling well now? The relationships on the field are definitely getting stronger. Playing together and spending that time together on the pitch is really the only way for those relationships to develop. In the beginning, it was difficult with so many new faces to understand each others strengths and weaknesses. I think now we have a much stronger sense of how to play into each other’s strengths, and hopefully it will only continue to get better as the season progresses.
How have you found playing off Natasha Dowie who seems to score almost every week? Natasha and I are not only the no.9 and no.10 on the pitch, but we are also friends off the pitch. I think we have linked up for goals and assists ever since the Arsenal match at Emirates and we are hoping to continue that each game. Tash is so strong holding up the ball and her work rate in the no9 spot is unmatchable. It is tough being the only attacker up there and she’s done a brilliant job for us. Her hard work shows with how she’s managed to get herself on the scoresheet each week, its no coincidence!
She can’t have done much more to give herself a chance of getting called up for the Euros? Tash has done well this season and is certainly standing out as one of the top attackers in the league. She is a great teammate and I hope she gets her chance with the England squad.
Gemma Bonner too? Gemma is our captain and a leader within our team. She has been consistent for us in the back line and has deserved her chance in the squad. It isn’t easy managing University and training with us every single day and she has managed to do that quite well. It says a lot about her determination and I think she has put herself in a good position to make it to the Euros.
Which of your team-mates has impressed you most? Quite honestly, I really didn’t know what to expect out of the team when I first arrived here. I hadn’t heard of many of the names before and didn’t look into it too much either. I think the whole team has been impressive to be honest. I’m not sure what I was expecting overall but the quality of training day in and day out, combined with the performances we have been putting in on the pitch have been top class. If I had to choose one person I would say Fara. She has had a noble career so far and I’ve learned a lot from playing next to her in the midfield. Liverpool Ladies
The FA WSL
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You moved joint top after the win over Lincoln in the last home game but the league seems wide open this season? Every game is a big one to us this season. We have our sights set high at winning the league, and I think we have our work cut out. There isn’t one team in the table that you can count out, and I think that is a good thing. The high competition amongst everyone keeps us humbled, and makes us need to work even harder to reach our goals of being champions and qualifying for the Champions League.
Training on an almost daily basis was mentioned by a lot of new players as a big reason for joining Liverpool Ladies. Do you think that work has had an impact for you? I think that it is great that we are training every single day. We are treated as professionals at Liverpool, and I think that is the way it should be for all of the clubs. I have been used to training on a daily basis since I have been playing in America, so the schedule isn’t much of a difference to me. I do enjoy getting the chance to step on a field every day and spending time with my team. It’s safe to say that everyone loves getting to play every day, and it is probably the reason for our rapid improvement.
Weather aside, what’s the biggest difference between the WSL and the football you played in America? It’s kind of hard to put into words the differences. There are certain teams in the FA WSL who play how I would imagine an English side to be in that they are quite physical and direct. But I think the players and managers are evolving in that more teams are trying to get the ball on the ground and play solid and technical football. You get the same combinations of style in America as well, so I guess that is actually a similarity between the two. 22
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After today’s game, are you heading home for a bit of a break before the second half of the season? Yes! I am actually getting on a plane first thing tomorrow morning and wasting no time getting back to New York! We have a couple of weeks off before needing to return to Liverpool to prepare for the second half of the season, and I think the break has come at a good point. I’m not one to miss home too often, but I am excited to be reunited with my friends and family (and my dog), and do some coaching in my hometown as well.
are treated “asWe professionals at Liverpool”
Will you be watching the Euros? Who is your tip to win?
Yeah, I am sure I will try to catch some games and cheer on my teammates! I don’t really have a preference as to who wins but since I have been playing in England against most of the players who will be competing in the Euros, I would hope that England does well. I think it would be great for the FA WSL if they had a good showing and would prove to the rest of the world how strong this league is.
There’s plenty to play for in the second half of the season? The season is a long one, and all we can hope for right now is that we have put ourselves in a good position to move into the second half of the season stronger than we started. Anything can happen in this game, especially with so many teams closely fighting for a top spot, and we have to make sure we keep our focus after the break and are taking care of our bodies properly. I am excited to see how the rest of the season plays out and am hoping for a top seed!
AMANDA DA COSTA
FUN TIME WITH
R E T T O P O J R P
L S D T B B E T E L
E I R M T A A T N A
O N N O D S S I N H
I E G N F S T N O H
C B Z E E E O U B E
C L N N N T N I P R
I U T A O T T F T R
R E O C N R H T A O
T S O T P E B L O I
< REDS & BLUES
Can you find the following 10 names in our match day word search?
RICCIO BRONZE EASTON ENGEN BONNER BLUES BASSETT UNITT JOPOTTER LINNETT
Which one of our trio isn’t being completely honest?!
NATASHA “I scored the winner in extratime to win the FA Women’s Cup for Everton in 2010” 24
Liverpool Ladies
The FA WSL
MATT “I once led Millwall Lionesses to promotion”
LUCY “I grew up in the North-East and used to play for Middlesbrough”
THE NUMBERS GAME
WHITNEY ENGEN
1 3 5 8
Professional Soccer award as Defender of the Year in the USA Whitney’s LFC squad number Previous clubs played for Senior caps for USA with her latest coming against Canada last Sunday
MIGHTY RED’S FIENDISH FIVE! 1 Hannah Keryakoplis plays international football for which country? 2 Which member of the squad was signed from Blackburn Rovers? 3 Lillie Fenlon-Billson has represented which country at Under-19s level? 4 Which member of Matt Beard’s squad is a self-confessed Manchester United fan? 5 Which Liverpool Ladies player wears the number eight shirt?
RED HERRING : Lucy Bronze – She used to play for Sunderland. MIGHTY REDS FIENDISH FIVE 1 Wales; 2 Lizzie Ince; 3 Ireland; 4 Katie Brusell; 5 Katrin Omarsdottir
HOW DID YOU DO? Liverpool Ladies
The FA WSL
25
COMMUNITY
USA STARS HELP SHOW RACISM THE RED CARD
LIVERPOOL Ladies’ American duo Whitney Engen and Amanda Da Costa were at Anfield to help Show Racism the Red Card.
As part of an annual event hosted by Liverpool FC, Whitney and Amanda joined Under-21s trio Conor Coady, Brad Smith and Ryan McLaughlin to answer questions from local schoolchildren.
Former Red Howard Gayle was also on hand to oversee the event as the players were quizzed about their careers and the work they have been doing as part of the Show Racism the Red Card initiative. Established in 1996, the scheme delivers training to over 50,000 individuals every year and aims to tackle racism in society by using the status of footballers to help educate young people around the country. Amanda said: “Seeing first-hand how attentive and willing to learn the children were, was very moving. I was grateful to be a part of a very interesting day.” Liverpool show their support by hosting a yearly meeting and 130 youngsters from 23 different schools were shown a video about the anti-racism initiative. Plenty of thought-provoking questions were posed by the young audience throughout the afternoon - and the best received prizes in the form of signed Liverpool shirts.
REDS DUO PRESENT FIVE-A-SIDE MEDALS LIVERPOOL Ladies players Sam Chappell and Caroline Charlton were on hand to present awards at a fivea-side competition held at Wigan. Creative Support, a company which provides high quality care and support services for people with learning disabilities, mental health needs and complex needs, held their annual tournament for staff and service users. Caroline said: “My highlight of the day has been watching the two finals. There were some quality goals in there! It’s great to see everyone so happy.”
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Liverpool Ladies
The FA WSL
Sam added: “I’d encourage everyone to keep working hard and keep moving.” Claire Croskery from Creative Support said: “Sam and Caroline were fantastic and our service users really enjoyed meeting them.”
TOP TWEETS
What we’ve been saying in the Twittersphere!
FOLLOW US @LFCLadies @tatsdowie
NATASHA DOWIE
@gembon23
GEMMA BONNER
4-1 win tonight v Everton! Have never felt a togetherness like I do with this team #TWAL. Long may it continue :) 4-1 win tonight in the derby against a very good side!! Great team performance and well done to @RachLaws1 on her debut!
@adacosta13
AMANDA DA COSTA
@RachLaws1 great game tonight you killed it! Apparently we’re hash tagging #CatAtTheBack for you? Well deserved :)
@jess_holbrook20
JESS HOLBROOK
What a derby win!! Tough battle as always but great team performance by everyone. Good to see a few old faces at Everton.
@caseystoney
CASEY STONEY
Always a long journey home after a defeat. Credit to Liverpool, they are looking like a very good side and deserved three points. Now we bounce back.
@lollofors
LOUISE FORS
Great 4-1 win today. Happy for our new 3 points and my goal! Recovery tomorrow and then preparing for the upcoming game. #liverpoolfc
@katie_b_7
KATIE BRUSELL
I actually don’t need to check who scores for @LFCladies anymore.. It’s always @tatsdowie go on girl!!! #OnFire
@gembon23
GEMMA BONNER
Washing my hair with stitches in was a difficult task but completed successfully!
WATCH YOUR 5TH GAME FOR FREE! Liverpool Ladies are rewarding loyal supporters with the opportunity to see a free home game with the new loyalty card. If you see four Liverpool Ladies matches at the Halton Stadium you will get a fifth match free as long as you have your card stamped when you pay to enter. The offer is valid for matches at Halton Stadium until 30 September 2013 and the free match admits one person only. The cards will be distributed at the turnstiles.
Attend 4 home matche s
and get the 5th FREE!
Liverpool Ladies
The FA WSL
27
PLAYER FOCUs
IN MY LIFE Lucy Bronze
h Playing with Nort s Carolina Tar Heel It was amazing. If you look at the players, there’s a number of them on the senior US team and a group who have now won Olympic gold medals. There were players like Heather O’Reilly, Tobin Heath, Whitney, Ashlyn Harris, Meghan Klingenberg, Crystal Dunn - who are all now big-name players. I look back and think: ‘I got to play with all these gold-winning, Olympicwinning players’ and it’s incredible. Playing with Whitney again was a big factor in me joining Liverpool.
Living in America The lifestyle was amazing and the team atmosphere and how hard they worked was something I think all teams should strive for. I think having Americans on our team has really pushed us on. In America, there was an attitude of: ‘Right we need to win this, we need to work hard.’ Everyone worked hard for each other and I think that’s why the US women’s team do so well. They might not always be the best team on the day, but they will not give up no matter what. That’s what I wanted to take away from that experience. Amanda and Whitney bring that out in training. It makes you want to play better if someone wants to play for you.
FAVOURITE MUSIC I’m into R&B but also like my dance music. I’m the one in the changing room who has the iPod and the speakers and there’s me and Lil Billson dancing around! I like to listen to anything I can dance to. 28
Liverpool Ladies
The FA WSL
Favourite game We played in the National Collegiate Athletic Association semi-final and I didn’t realise it was such a big deal. We had roll-on, roll-off subs and myself and Amber Brooks (who’s been called up recently for the US) were on the sidelines and were told we needed to go on and battle until the end. I went on at right-wing and whipped a cross in which led to the game-winning goal. Everyone was saying: ‘That was you with the assist, that was you!’ Because I was only 17 I didn’t really understand the significance. But Whitney and the others were all saying: ‘We couldn’t have done it without you.’ The fact that we’d won and that I’d played a massive part in it was amazing. We then went on to win the final which was the icing on the cake.
SHIRT NUMBER Beardy gave me my number! When I was at Sunderland I was no2 but then when I went away with England’s age group teams I was no12 so I thought I’d stick with that when I went to America. When I joined Everton I changed my number but got injured all the time. I’m not superstitious but when you suffer injuries all sorts of things play on your mind so I just asked Matt to give me the number. At the end of the day it’s just a number!
E WORLD?
LAST CONCERT
TH FAVOURITE PLACE IN
I don’t really go to concerts as I’m quite busy with university study and so on. The last one I actually went to was when I was little. Me and my big brother went to see Steps in Newcastle. Actually, I think that’s the only concert I’ve been to!
Probably home in Northumberland. My Mum always looks after me! I haven’t lived at home since I was 16 or 17 and when I go home my Mum spoils me and fills the cupboards with food. I live by the beach and have a little dog so I like to go for a run on the beach with her. It’s quiet compared to cities like Leeds and Liverpool so I enjoy going home and chilling out.
ALTERNATIVE JOB I’ve worked in a bar and used to work at Domino’s so I can make a pizza for the girls!
TOP FILM Number one is Lion King all day. That was my ultimate favourite when I was little and I still love it now. I have Lion King teddies and the dvd. For a more serious film, I love the whole Batman series. They’re amazing. I love stories that make you think and the last Batman film was so good.
ER, IF NOT A FOOTBALL BE? U YO LD WHAT WOU Some kind of athlete, probably a tennis player. My Mum tried to get me off football when I was little as she thought I was too much of a Tomboy. She took me to tennis lessons and I was quite good. I just don’t like being alone in sports, it’s a bit boring. I also did athletics when I was younger and I was quite good. I used to run in my football boots and people used to say: ‘What are you doing!’ I probably could have gone on but I didn’t love it like I loved football.
PETS My little dog is a cross between a toy poodle and a Jack Russell. She’s tiny and when she was born she was the size of my hand. We used to have a black Labrador that me and my brother used to chase around the garden. She was called bica because my Dad is Portuguese and in Portugal they have a drink like an Espresso called bica. As our new dog is also black, me and my sister thought we’d stick with the coffee theme so we decided to call her Mocha! The dog is fun but she’s nothing like a big dog you can play football with… we used to have bica doing headers!
ould team-mate you w or select for X-Fact I’d put Gemma Bonner up there. I have to drive to training with that girl every day. I made a cd for her and she sings every one of the songs! I can’t be dealing with that. It’s too much!
EDUCATION I’ve just finished my final studying sports performance at Leeds Metropolitan Uni. Gemma Bonner is one of my class mates!
CLEVEREST TEAM-M
ATE
Becky, Whit and Amanda are quite smart with their general knowledge. It would be between those three – between them they’ve got a good brain! Liverpool Ladies
The FA WSL
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SEASON STATS 2013 FA WSL FIXTURES 2013
(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
EVERTON (CC) Fors (pen)
1-1
March 31
Sunderland (FAC 6) Fenlon-Billson, Omarsdottir
2-1
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
May 12
Chelsea Ladies Engen
1-2
Chelsea (CC) Dowie 2, Rolser, Williams
4-0
May 29
LINCOLN LADIES Dowie, Horwood (OG), Fors
3-2
June 4
Everton Ladies Rolser, Fors, Schroder, Dowie
4-1
May 19
June 8
BIRMINGHAM CITY
Aug 4
ARSENAL LADIES
Aug 7
LINCOLN LADIES (CC S/F)
Aug 10
Bristol Academy
Aug 17
CHELSEA LADIES
Aug 28
EVERTON LADIES
Sept 1
Birmingham City
Sept 4
DONCASTER RB
Sept 15
BRISTOL ACADEMY
GAMES & GOALS 2013 (substitute appearances in brackets)
FA WSL App Goals
CONT CUP App Goals
FA CUP App Goals
1
Danielle Gibbons
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
Samantha Chappell
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
Whitney Engen
4
1
3
0
3
0
4
Fara Williams
5
0
3
1
3
3
5
Gemma Bonner
5
0
3
0
3
0
6
Lucy Bronze
4(1) 0
2(1) 0
0
0
7
Katie Brusell
0
0
0
0
0(1) 0
8
Katrin Omarsdottir
4
0
3
0
2(1) 1
9
Natasha Dowie
5
4
3
3
3
2
10 Louise Fors
5
3
3
1
3
1
11 Nicole Rolser
5
1
3
1
3
0
12 Becky Easton
2(2) 0
1(1) 0
3
0
13 Amanda Da Costa
5
2
3
0
2
0
14 Michelle Evans
0
0
0
0
1(1) 0
15 Jess Holbrook
1(2) 0
0(1) 0
1(1) 0
16 Lizzie Ince
0
0
0
0
0
0
17 Caroline Charlton
0
0
0
0
0
0
18 Lillie Fenlon-Billson 0(5) 0
0(3) 0
19 Corina Schroder
5
1(2) 1
0
3
0
1(1) 0
20 Hannah Keryakoplis 0(1) 0
0
0
0
0
22 Sophia Riccio
0
0
0(2) 0
0
0
23 Rachael Laws
1
0
0
0
0
0
24 Sarah Quantrill
4
0
3
0
3
0
FA WOMEN’S SUPER LEAGUE
CONTINENTAL CUP– FINAL GROUP STANDINGS P
W
D
L
F
A
Pts
Liverpool Ladies
3
2
1
0
6
1
7
Everton Ladies
P
W
D
L
F
A
Pts
Liverpool Ladies
5
4
0
1
13 5
12
Bristol Academy
5
4
0
1
13 7
9
Chelsea Ladies
5
2
1
2
8
6
7
Birmingham City
5
1
3
1
4
5
6
Everton Ladies
5
1
2
2
8
10 5
3
2
1
1
6
3
7
Arsenal Ladies
3
1
1
1
4
7
4
Doncaster Rovers Belles 3
0
1
2
2
5
1
Lincoln Ladies
6
0
3
3
4
8
3
Chelsea Ladies
0
1
2
2
7
1
Doncaster Rovers Belles 4
0
2
2
3
9
2
3
All statistics correct up to and including 05.06.2013
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Liverpool Ladies
The FA WSL
Liverpool Ladies
Birmingham City Ladies
Manager:
Manager:
Matt Beard
David Parker
1
Danielle Gibbons
1
Marie Hourihan
2
Samantha Chappell
2
Chelsea Weston
3
Whitney Engen
3
Kerys Harrop
4
Fara Williams
4
Emily Simpkins
5
Gemma Bonner (c)
5
Cristina Torkildsen
6
Lucy Bronze
6
Laura Bassett (c)
7
Katie Brusell
7
Isobel Christiansen
8
Katrin Omarsdottir
8
Rachel Williams
9
Natasha Dowie
9
Kirsty Linnett
10
Louise Fors
10
Karen Carney
11
Nicole Rolser
11
Jo Potter
12
Becky Easton
13
Jade Moore
13
Amanda Da Costa
14
Melissa Lawley
15
Jess Holbrook
16
Hannah George
16
Lizzie Ince
17
Rachel Unitt
17
Caroline Charlton
19
Emily Westwood
18
Lillie Fenlon-Billson
20
Katie Wilkinson
19
Corina Schroder
21
Mary Earps
20
Hannah Keryakoplis
22
Marie Ballard
22
Sophia Riccio
23
Coral Haines
23
Rachael Laws
24
Sarah Quantrill
MATCH OFFICIALS
MASCOTS
Referee:
The Liverpool mascots will be the winners of the pre-match Under 10s tournament. The Birmingham mascots will be the winners of the Under 12s matches.
Helen Byrne
Assistant Referee: Aaron Jackson Assistant Referee: Andrew Worthington Fourth OďŹ&#x192;cial:
Joe Simpson