Liverpool Ladies FC vs Everton Ladies

Liverpool Ladies O9

vs

Everton Ladies

FA Women’s Super League Thursday 12th September 2013 • Kick off 7.30pm

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WELCOME 5 7 8 10 12 15 16 19 21 22 24 26 28 30 32

Manager’s notes Captain’s column Girls’ tournament preview Meet the squad Everton Ladies Mighty Red Match report - Doncaster Rovers LFC Foundation Spreading the word Becky Easton interview Puzzle pages The title race In My Life - Corina Schroder 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

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ROAD TO CANADA!

v BELARUS

FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP™ 2015 QUALIFIER

1pm, Saturday 21 September, AFC Bournemouth •£10 Family ticket •£5 Adults •£2.50 Concessions Group bookings available Call ticket hotline on: 0844 576 1910 Website: tickets.afcbdirect.co.uk/Online

Free interactive fan zone brought to you by Continental Tyres from 11:30am outside the stadium

MANAGER

MANAGER’S NOTES MATT BEARD

GOOD EVENING and welcome to Halton Stadium for tonight’s Merseyside derby.

We were hoping both Arsenal and Bristol would drop points in recent weeks and that’s happened during the last few games.

It all means that the title is now in our hands. If we win our remaining fixtures nobody can catch us. As a manager, it’s a situation you obviously want.

But, as I’ve said all along, there is no point in looking too far ahead or thinking about the different permutations. All we have to do is concentrate on the next game and that’s what I’ve been telling the players.

Everton tonight is our only priority.

It’s a derby and when these matches come around clichés such as ‘anything can happen’ are usually used.

I know how unpredictable these fixtures can be. Just over 12 months ago we were 1-0 up going in to injury time against Everton but lost 2-1.

It emphasised that you need to play well from the first whistle until the very last if you are to get the points.

Everton underwent a lot of changes during pre-season, with Mo Marley leaving and Andy Spence taking over as manager. They also lost some players. It’s meant that Andy has blooded a few youngsters. He deserves credit because they’ve come in and done well.

Attacking wise, Everton are one of the most dangerous sides in the league. Players like Toni Duggan, Michelle Hinnigan and Jill Scott have the ability to cause any defence problems. We’ll have to defend strongly and compete well to keep them quiet.

That battling side of our game has been particularly evident in recent weeks. Both Birmingham and Doncaster are physical teams, who make life difficult for their opponents. While we probably didn’t play the type of football we would ideally like to in those victories, we dealt with the challenges and got the points.

It didn’t surprise me because our squad has plenty of character. Losing to Arsenal and then going out of the Continental Cup against Lincoln just after returning from the summer break were disappointing moments. But the players responded perfectly by winning five games in a row.

During that run we earned a late 4-3 win over Bristol and recovered from being 2-0 and then 3-2 down to also defeat Chelsea 4-3. Those were big moments in our season.

All of our qualities will be required again tonight. We won 4-1 at Everton back in June.

However, it was a difficult match and I’m expecting no less this evening.

Thank you for your support, and enjoy the game.

Matt.

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 derby against Everton.

Arsenal’s results over the past week mean that we now know that if we win tonight and against Bristol Academy on 29 September we will be the new league champions.

It’s only natural that we were keeping a close eye on Arsenal’s fortunes but we definitely prefer being able to influence what happens ourselves rather than relying on other teams results.

We’ve just got to concentrate and if we do our job properly in the final two fixtures we won’t have to worry about anyone else. We are well aware that we haven’t won anything yet so there is no way that we will be getting carried away or ahead of ourselves and it’s important that we keep our feet on the ground. We’ve still got two games to go and hopefully we can put in good performances in both matches and get a positive result from both games.

Our fans have been fantastic all season and it’s important that we help them to get behind us and cheer us on.

When we played Everton here in the opening home game of the season we had a very healthy crowd despite freezing temperatures so hopefully we will have another big attendance tonight.

As the cliché goes anything can happen in a derby and we know that Everton will be doing everything they can to beat us.

They’ve had a really good season and are a very good side who carry plenty of attacking options. They have good players all over the park and even though they have lost a few players from last season, they still have a great squad so we have to be ready for them. We know how dangerous they can be from the Continental Cup game here back in March when they held us to a 1-1 draw.

The team are feeling confident after working hard to record wins against Birmingham and Doncaster in our last two matches. Those games have been quite physical but hopefully that will stand us in good stead for tonight as derby games are always fiercely contested.

Everton can also get the ball down and play good football so I think tonight’s game will see a bit of both sides of the game.

It will be a tough test but it’s one we’re all looking forward to.

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 Liverpool Ladies

The FA WSL

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GIRLS READY FOR FINALS DAY THROUGHOUT the season, Liverpool Ladies has hosted a prestigious Girls’ Football Tournament for Under 10s and Under 12s before first-team matches.

The tournament will reach a conclusion ahead of the final home game of the season when the Reds sign off against Bristol Academy on Sunday, 29 September.

The tournament started with 16 teams in each age group and has now been whittled down to just four in the two sections. A full schedule of games will appear in the match programme for the fixture against Bristol Academy but matches will kick-off at 11.45am, so why not pop down early to show your support?

In the Under 10s section, St Anne’s Rovers, Peninsular Stars, Brazil Girls and Crosfields Pumas will battle it out for glory. Meanwhile, the quartet hoping to lift the Under 12s trophy are Brazil, Crewe and Nantwich, Halton and TMS. Each team will also nominate four penalty takers to take part in a half-time penalty shoot-out with the winners receiving a football signed by the Liverpool Ladies squad.

MEET THE REDS...

• Brazil Girls

• Crewe & Nantwich

• Crosfield Pumas

• Halton Girls

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Liverpool Ladies

The FA WSL

TASH IS BACK! • Oxton Ladies

• Peninsula Stars

INTERIM ENGLAND head coach Brent Hills has recalled Liverpool Ladies top scorer Natasha Dowie to the squad for the forthcoming FIFA Women’s 2015 World Cup qualifiers.

Natasha is the top scorer in this season’s FA WSL but was overlooked for the summer’s UEFA European Championships. Tash is joined in the England squad by three of her Reds team-mates – captain Gemma Bonner, defender Lucy Bronze and midfielder Fara Williams.

England take on Belarus at Bournemouth’s Goldsands Stadium on Saturday week before entertaining Turkey at Fratton Park a fortnight today.

Hills said: “The Euros are done and dusted now. We’ve already analysed it as staff and players and I don’t think we should spend an inordinate amount of time dwelling on it.

“We need to move on and get these qualifiers off to a winning start.”

• St. Anne’s Rovers

• TMS

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 KATE LONGHURST

8 Katrin Omarsdottir MIDFIELDER • 27/06/87 HAMBURG, GERMANY

9 Natasha Dowie

10 Louise Fors

FORWARD • 02/05/89 CHELMSFORD

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

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

The FA WSL

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

14 ELLIE STEWART

MIDFIELDER • 07/02/92 OCHSENHAUSEN, GERMANY

DEFENDER • 16/04/74 BIRKENHEAD

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

DEFENDER • 02/11/96 ENGLAND

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.

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 EVERTON GET THE LOWDOWN ON TODAY’S OPPOSITION… EVERTON LADIES

EVERTON LADIES come into tonight’s game hoping to take a step towards a top four finish.

The Blues are three points behind Birmingham with three

Home ground: Marine FC Nickname: The Blues, The Toffees Captain: Jill Scott Manager: Andy Spence Honours: FA Women’s Premier League National Division winners: 1997/98 runners-up: 2005/06, 2006/07, 2007/08, 2008/09, 2009/10 FA Women’s Cup winners: 2009/10 runners-up: 2004/05 FA Women’s Premier League Cup winners: 2007/08 runners-up: 1996/97, 1998/99 FA Women’s Community Shield runners-up: 2006/07, 2008/09 Liverpool County FA Cup winners: 2006, 2007, 2008 12

Liverpool Ladies

The FA WSL

games remaining. They have suffered mixed form in recent matches with a win (3-2 v Chelsea), loss (1-2 v Birmingham) and a draw (1-1 at Doncaster on Saturday). Andy Spence’s team will also be looking to make amends for a 4-1 derby defeat in the reverse fixture at Marine back in June.

Spence, who stepped up from assistant following Mo Marley’s departure in November 2012, strengthened his squad during the summer transfer window by adding Leeds defender Billie Murphy, Manchester United youngster Millie Turner, Aston Villa goalkeeper Megan Walsh and bringing Alex Culvin back to the club.

His squad included four members of the England Under 19s squad that reached the final of the European Championships last month alongside the Reds’ Katie Zelem and Ellie Stewart.

The form of Blues trio Paige Williams, Nikita Parris and Lizzie Durack -who has since moved to the USA to study was crucial to the Lionesses reaching the showpiece fixture, while Megan Walsh provided back-up in goal to Durack.

Meanwhile, England senior striker Toni Duggan has enjoyed another good campaign in front of goal and goes into tonight’s match with 12 goals to her name in all competitions. Speaking after the win over Chelsea at the start of this month, Spence said: “We have excelled with our attacking play all season. At this present time we are on target to have one of our best goalscoring seasons.

“Toni has the number nine •Toni Duggan shirt and that comes with a responsibility to score goals which she is doing regularly and that’s fantastic. But against Chelsea you had Michelle Hinnigan chipping in with a goal and then young Chaney (BoyeHlorkah) has grabbed her second of the season. We certainly have an attacking threat and I’m delighted with some of the stuff we’ve played at times.”.

The Kirkby-born midfielder hit the headlines earlier this year when she captained the Great Britain team to the gold medal at the World University Games in Brazil.

“It was an unforgettable moment,” she said. “The experience in the World University Games is something to treasure for the rest of my life and I am honoured to have had the chance to captain the team to gold.”

Michelle was thrown into the spotlight during 2007/08 when, due to a number of injuries to first-team regulars, she was called upon by then Blues boss Mo Marley.

She has great technical ability and excellent awareness on the pitch. Her efforts have been rewarded with international recognition for England at Under-17s and Under-20s levels. Michelle attended Loughborough University on the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme and has been a key part of the Blues’ line-up this season.

MICHELLE HINNIGAN

TWO TO WATCH: Originally from Portsmouth, Brooke joined Everton from Chelsea at the start of the 2009/10 campaign.

The talented midfielder impressed enough to earn a call-up to the England Under-23s squad for the Four Nation Tournament in the spring of 2010, a season which also saw her become an FA Women’s Cup winner.

She featured heavily in Everton’s 2010/11 UEFA Women’s Champions League campaign and scored a memorable hat-trick in the Blues’ 7-1 rout over MTK Hungaria in the round of 32. She also netted a brace in their last 16 first leg clash with Danish side Brondby IF a month later.

In 2011, Brooke featured regularly in the Blues’ inaugural FA WSL campaign and has been a pivotal part of the team since. She has been an ever-present so far this season.

BROOKE CHAPLEN 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.

...

HERE COMES

KEEPING STEPHEN’S MEMORY ALIVE IT’S BEEN a busy start to the season so far for me.

One of the most important events I have been invited to was the first Annual Stephen Packer Memorial Cup. Stephen Packer was a Club Academy U9 player with a real talent and passion for football, who sadly passed away in November 2012 following an incredibly brave battle with cancer.

The Memorial Cup, that will keep Stephen’s memory alive, saw U10 teams come together from across the North

of England for a mini tournament.

We entertained the crowd with great football making sure all my new friends did Stephen proud. It was a great way for everyone to come together and remember Stephen.

Liverpool FC U10s won the tournament overall and we raised £1,200 that will help continue the outstanding work of Alder Hey Hospital.

• Find out what Mighty Red is up to by visiting www.liverpoolfc.com/kopkids

Liverpool Ladies

The FA WSL

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MATCH REPORT

RECORD-BREAKING REDS! Liverpool Ladies 2 - Doncaster Rovers Belles 0 FA WSL • Wednesday 4th September 2013

GOALS in either half helped the Reds to a hard-fought victory last Wednesday as they completed their third league double of the season.

At the end of the night the strikes from Natasha Dowie and Louise Fors had moved Liverpool Ladies five points clear at the top. Doncaster made it a very difficult 90 minutes for the league leaders and Liverpool manager Matt Beard expressed his relief after the final whistle.

“We needed that cushion of the second goal,” he said. ”It was definitely a tough night. Whenever you have just a onegoal lead you are vulnerable. The most important thing is we saw the game out.”

The Reds went ahead after 11 minutes when Katrin Omarsdottir headed a Doncaster goal-kick back in the direction it came from and set winger Nicole Rolser away. The German drove into the area before squaring for Dowie, who tapped in her 16th of the season and 10th in the FA WSL.

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But Belles had their chances too.

Leandra Little and Rhiannon Roberts both tested Liverpool goalkeeper Rachael Laws. The Reds needed a second to relax but Rolser, Omarsdottir and Amanda Da Costa all missed chances to double the advantage.

It meant a nervous finish for Liverpool, who were grateful to see Louise Fors follow up a rebound to bundle in the second with four minutes remaining.

In so doing, Liverpool set a new goalscoring record for the FA WSL by taking their tally for the season to 40.

Liverpool: Laws; Bronze, Engen, Bonner (c), Schroder; Fors, Omarsdottir, Williams (Holbrook 90), Da Costa, Rolser (Gregorius 90); Dowie (Longhurst 90).

Liverpool Ladies

The FA WSL

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COMMUNITY

LFC Foundation supports Jason’s journey back to civilian life

LIVERPOOL FC FOUNDATION the Club’s official charity, runs a military veterans programme to re-engage ex-service personnel with physical activity and help to recapture their spirit of service.

There are over 30,000 military veterans in Liverpool, and this figure is likely to significantly increase over the next four years, so it’s an important area for the Foundation to provide support for troops when they return to civilian life.

Twenty-four year-old Jason Molloy from Bootle served in the Artillery Regiment for seven years which included tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. He joined the Foundation’s military veterans programme in November 2012.

“Unfortunately I had to return from duty on medical grounds,” he said. “I was in the recovery unit in Preston and I met another ex-serviceman who was telling me about the Foundation’s programme so I signed up.

It’s one of the best decisions I’ve made.”

As part of the programme, weekly training sessions are held for the veterans at LFC’s Academy in Kirkby and a sevena-side football league has been created to compete against other veterans teams.

Jason, a big Liverpool fan, said: “This programme has helped me so much to readjust to civilian life. It’s a great to be able to speak to other ex-service personnel about their experiences and continue to work together as part of a team.

“Really, the football is just a way of getting us together. You don’t need to be at a great standard to join in – it really is for all levels.

We do plenty of other things too and I even had chance to ride on the first team coach to

a match we played against the US Airforce.

“I would recommend this programme to anyone coming back from duty. It’s given me real drive and enthusiasm to keep fit.

It’s also the closest thing I’ll get to becoming a Liverpool player!”

The programme, which is part funded by the People’s Postcode Trust, also links veterans to education and counselling services which opens up pathways to employment opportunities.

Liverpool FC Foundation would welcome more ex-servicemen and women to its programme. If you or family member would like to be part of the programme, please email: LFCFoundation@liverpoolfc.com for more information.

• Follow us on Twitter @LFCFoundation 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

LLFC FANs

HEATHER HELPS SPREAD THE WORD! IF YOU’RE a Liverpool FC Ladies supporter you’ve probably come across the Twitter account @LFCladiesfans.

It boasts over 800 followers – including some members of the team. It also has a blog with full reports from a fan’s viewpoint straight after the final whistle.

The devoted fan behind it all is 22-year-old Liverpudlian, Heather Carroll, who wanted to provide coverage from a fan’s perspective. “I felt like there was a lot of information about the men’s team on websites, fan sites and Twitter generally, whereas there was nothing really for the women’s (team) that provided news from a fan’s angle,” she explains. “The blogs just came hand-inhand with that because I like writing.

“Twitter is a great way to connect people from Liverpool or anywhere in the world who support the team. I have followers from Norway and Russia, people from London who can’t get to the games, fans from Indonesia as well who tweet to ask me questions.”

Heather frequently retweets and favourites posts by fans of other teams.

“That’s one of the surprising and great things, especially when you support a men’s team as well. The Doncaster supporters are brilliant, they go to all their away games.

And there are a few girls who tweet as @girlsontheball and go to games every week watching different teams.

They support Arsenal but chat to any supporters. Everyone is trying to promote the women’s game so we’re all friendly and supportive of each other.

“I’d like to see the attendances keep rising at the games. Liverpool FC Ladies broke through the 1,000-attendance barrier earlier in the season and I’d love to see it happen regularly.”

You can follow Heather @LFCladiesfans and via liverpoolladiesfans.blogspot.co.uk and of course read her monthly updates on www.thisisanfield.com. * A full interview with Heather appears in this month’s official Liverpool FC Magazine which is now on sale priced £3.95. lfc ladies

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and cricket. Around after men’s football registered female the derby win 70,000 of the 89,000 under 18. season. “Probably are she decides. a players in the UK before the break,” “There have been Everton any time Heather adds: “It’s great to beat was a great result. in women’s football. lot of investments but to win 4-1 away victory against FC Ladies signed the 4-3 Last winter Liverpool full r I’d also go for including some after the midsumme 12 new players, it’s increased the Bristol Academy they and 3-1 ahead and internationals, the break. We went in the city.” Interestingly three-all. We needed to interest back it pulled rivalry among to the top of the stereotype of tribal to the to win to go back doesn’t apply Bonner popped opposing fans table and Gemma winner five Heather frequently game. incredible women’s posts by fans up with an retweets and favourites one of the minutes from time.”the Ladies team “That’s of of other teams.

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each other. s the attendance “I’d like to see games. Liverpool keep rising at the through the 1,000 FC Ladies broke season and I’d the barrier earlier in regularly.” love to see it happen support of and With the passion there’s a very good fans like Heather, chance that it will.

Heather on You can follow via and sfans Twitter @LFCladie spot.co.uk liverpoolladiesfans.blog at read her updates and of course www.thisisanfield.com.

Fave players

Lucy Bronze “Our right-back the the season on (above) started her way into bench and worked she runs all the team and now the flank. day up and down the captain I also like the way leads the team.

Gemma Bonner , not one She’s quite understated over the pitch, for shouting all by example like and she leads And of course Steven Gerrard. a top striker.

Natasha Dowie, for the team She does so much goals.” as well as scoring

85 www.liverpoolfc.com

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PLAYER FOCUs

BECKY READY FOR A BATTLE OF NERVE

BECKY EASTON knows what it takes to win the league title.

Fifteen years ago she was a part of the Everton team that were crowned FA Women’s Premier League National Division champions.

Now she has the possibility of helping Liverpool Ladies end a remarkable season by lifting the FA Women’s Super League.

“The fact that we are in this position with two games remaining is all credit to Matt and the squad he has put together here,” she says. “To have a group do so well with a dozen new signings and six or seven foreign players within that is a testament to how quickly the team has gelled and the fact that the girls all get on so well off the field as well.

“As there are only 14 league games there isn’t a lot of time for a team to settle and I think if you’d have asked Matt at the start of the season if he would have taken a top three finish, he’d have probably settled for that.”

Following recent results a third-placed finish is the very least the revamped Reds squad will achieve. And after Arsenal’s goalless draws with Lincoln and Bristol in the past week, Becky and her team-mates know that victories in their two remaining games will see them become champions.

“It’s exciting but also nerve-wracking as it naturally means added pressure but it’s now up to us to deal with that. We have seen what that expectancy can do with Arsenal in their last couple of games and that was surprising too. They’re so used to winning things and it’s unusual for Arsenal to fail to score at home in successive games.

“It’s the biggest cliché in the book but all we can do now is focus on each game at a time and I really don’t think we could have had two harder games to finish with.”

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The FA WSL

First up of course is tonight’s derby. Becky knows all about the Blues having been a part of Mo Marley’s successful Everton squad for the past eight years.

“Everton won’t want us to win the league and whether you play for Liverpool or Everton the tackles are always flying in during a derby and they are usually tight games.

“Everton have had quite a lot of changes this year but I think Andy (Spence) still has the crux of a great squad. He’s tried to bring in younger players and it will take them a year or two to bed in while other teams such as ourselves, Bristol and Chelsea have all been getting stronger.

“I had some excellent times with Everton, won three trophies with them and I have great memories of my spell there. I wish them well but not tonight!”

Becky was released by Everton at the end of last season and asked Matt Beard if she could train with the Liverpool Ladies squad.

Everton won’t want us to win “ the league and whether you play for Liverpool or Everton the tackles are always flying in during a derby.

”

“After a few weeks, Matt offered me a contract which I was thrilled about. I have played more than a dozen games this season so I’ve been pleased with that. I think Matt sees me as someone who can pass on my experience to the younger girls and help the foreign players settle. I know the league, the teams and most of the players so hopefully that’s been a benefit.”

As well as helping Liverpool take a step closer to the league title, victory this evening would also take them within sight of a place in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

“I was lucky enough to sample playing in the Champions League with Everton and it would be great if this Liverpool team could experience that. We travel away together for league games of course, but to be able to do that for a few days and spend time as a group in a foreign country playing against different opposition is fantastic.”

Becky believes this Liverpool team is quite different to Everton’s title side in 1998 but says they share a winning mentality.

“That Everton team probably wasn’t the best in the league that season. There were no stars but we had 11 grafters who ground out a few 1-0s and were very hard to beat. I think this team is different in that we have scored 40 goals and there is quite a bit of flair and some great attacking players. But there is that same will to succeed.”

Becky isn’t the only ex-Blue who will be in red tonight and she hopes that they will be able to put another shared experience to good use during the final weeks of the season.

“Four years ago when Fara, Natasha and I were at Everton we went into the final game against Arsenal knowing that we would win the league if we avoided defeat.

Arsenal won 1-0 and pipped us to the title on goal difference. That was a difficult day but hopefully we can go into our final game against Bristol and enjoy a different ending.”

Liverpool Ladies

The FA WSL

23

FUN TIME WITH

A J T S T H S N L O

M I O E A O W A O L

Y L N N S L W L U R

K L I O H B L E I O

A S D J D R F H S A

N C U Y O O A W E E

E O G L W O R N F B

M T G L I K A R O R

L T A E E L B E R S

U A N K A O S F S A

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

TONIDUGGAN JILLSCOTT AMYKANE KELLYJONES FERNWHELAN LOUISEFORS LAWS TASHDOWIE FARA HOLBROOK

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

KATIE “I recently helped England to the final of the Euro U19s Championships” 24

Liverpool Ladies

The FA WSL

FARA “I am one of three players to score a league hat-trick for Liverpool this season”

WHITNEY “I once had a loan spell at Swedish side Tyreso”

MIGHTY RED’S FIENDISH FIVE!

THE NUMBERS GAME

NICOLE ROLSER

2 11 66 11

Former teams – VfL Sindelfingen and SC 07 Bad Neuenahr, both in Germany Her Liverpool ladies squad number Accounts she follows on Twitter

Goals she has scored for the Reds this season

1 Who has more followers on Twitter: Whitney Engen or Amanda Da Costa?

2 In what year were Liverpool Ladies formed a) 1979 b) 1989 or c) 1999?

3 Which Spanish club did Louise Fors once play for?

4

True or false? Sarah Gregorius used to play for the same team in Germany as Corina Schroder and Nicole Rolser?

5

How many league goals have the Reds scored from their 12 games this season – a) 38 b) 40 or c) 43??

RED HERRING: Fara Williams – her hat-trick came in the FA Cup. MIGHTY REDS FIENDISH FIVE: 1 Whitney Engen; 2 1989; 3 Espanyol; 4 True – SC 07 Bad Neuenahr; 5 40.

HOW DID YOU DO? Liverpool Ladies

The FA WSL

25

TITLE RACE

SEASON SET FOR EXCITING FINALE THE FA Women’s Super League has caught the imagination this season and is now set for the most exciting finish in its three-year history.

Since the resumption of fixtures after the mid-season break, Arsenal have been hot on the heels of Matt Beard’s side while Bristol Academy are also firmly in the title mix.

Now with only a few fixtures remaining, all three teams could still lift the title which means the battle for a place in the UEFA Women’s Champions League is equally fierce with the top two qualifying for the 2014/15 tournament.

Everton will have a big say in the destiny of the championship too. As well as aiming to take the local bragging rights this evening, they will host Arsenal in the final round of matches on Sunday, 29 September.

Bristol meanwhile will be champions if they win all three of their remaining matches. They host Birmingham tonight and visit Doncaster on Sunday. Should they claim six points from those two matches they could win the title if they win here at Halton Stadium in the final game.

The Gunners won the inaugural FA WSL title in 2011 when they finished three points clear of Birmingham City. They retained their title last term by stretching their advantage over Birmingham to eight points. But this season they have not had it all their own way with Liverpool Ladies and Bristol Academy pushing them hard. Arsenal have dominated women’s football in the UK for the past decade.

You have to go back to the 2002/03 season for the last time they didn’t finish a league season as champions. Since then they have won seven successive FA Women’s Premier

26

Liverpool Ladies

The FA WSL

League National Division titles as well as those first two FA WSL crowns. But Liverpool will be hoping to take advantage of any slip-ups in the final couple of games by making sure they sign off with two home wins in tonight’s derby duel and then that final fixture against Bristol Academy.

It is quite a turnaround for the Reds who finished bottom of the FA WSL in each of the revamped competition’s first two seasons. They finished the 2012 campaign with just five points but stretched their tally for this season to 30 with the 2-0 victory over Doncaster Rovers Belles last Wednesday. In so doing they also set a new league record. Louise Fors’ goal four minutes from time was also the Reds’ 40th of the season, surpassing the 39 scored by Arsenal last year with 180 minutes’ football still to play.

Arsenal, meanwhile, could still win a treble.

Shelley Kerr’s side have already won the FA Women’s Cup and take on Lincoln Ladies in the final of the Continental Cup at Barnet’s The Hive stadium on 4 October.

THE TITLE RACE REMAINING FIXTURES: 12 September (7pm / 7.30pm): Bristol Academy v Birmingham City Liverpool Ladies v Everton Ladies 15 September (2pm): Arsenal v Birmingham City Doncaster Rovers v Bristol Academy 29 September (2pm): Liverpool Ladies v Bristol Academy Arsenal v Everton Ladies

REPORT IT! Facebook/kickitoutofficial @kickitout info@kickitout.org 0800 169 9414 From August 2013 you can report using the Kick It Out app. Download it today.

kickitout.org

PLAYER FOCUs

IN MY LIFE CORINA SCHRODER

Winning the Champions League in 2010 with Potsdam. We played the final against Lyon in Spain at Getafe’s stadium. It was a close game and went to penalties but we won 7-6. That was a great match with a perfect finish!

I was four-years-old when I started. Both of my parents played and I have an older brother three years my senior and every Sunday he played. He is a good player and was on the books of Schalke at one point.

So I guess football was in the family.

Because I’m a defender, I don’t score too may goals. When I was playing in Germany, I played in a tournament against some of the other Bundesliga teams. It wasn’t a big tournament but we won it on penalties and I scored the winning one so that was a nice moment. For Liverpool, I’d have to say the goal in the 4-1 derby win against Everton at Marine. Scoring in that game was a nice moment.

I think I would have tried to be a professional horseback rider because I had a choice when I was young between football and horseback riding and I went for football.

I think it’s quite difficult to be a professional in horseback riding though. Away from sport, I think I would have to work in an office or maybe be a policewoman.

28

Liverpool Ladies

The FA WSL

I don’t have a favourite singer, I just like particular songs – maybe something I hear on the radio. So I have songs I like rather than favourite musicians or bands.

For me it’s Fara Williams because she speaks so fast! I often have to say: ‘Fara, please slow down!’

Fara, Whitney Engen and Nicole Rolser.

We are all friends but everybody in the team gets along which is nice.

It would be a comedy or an action film.

I worked for an office that sold furniture.

I was in the purchasing department.

Australia. You can do everything there and also go to the beach!

Meeting with friends, horseback riding and shopping!

I like the number 19. I had the number 21 when I first started but then I got 19 and I still have it now.

I used to own a horse but now I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have any. Some of my friends and neighbours in Germany have them and I used to like to help out with them sometimes.

Liverpool Ladies

The FA WSL

29

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)

1-1

Sunderland (FAC 6)​

2-1

Lincoln Ladies

1-0

March 31

April 14​

Fors (pen)

Fenlon-Billson, Omarsdottir

Dowie

April 28​

ARSENAL LADIES (FAC SF)

May 04​

Dowie

1-2

Dowie

DONCASTER RB (CC)

1-0

May 07

Arsenal Ladies

4-0​

May 12​

Da Costa 2, Dowie, Fors

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

FA WSL CONT CUP FA CUP App Goals App Goals App Goals

1 Danielle Gibbons ​​0 ​0 ​0 ​0 ​0 ​0

GAMES & GOALS 2013

2 Samantha Chappell ​​0 ​0 ​0 ​0 ​0 ​0 3 Whitney Engen​

11

1

4 ​0

3 ​0

4 Fara Williams​

12

3

4

1

3 ​3

5 Gemma Bonner

11

2

4 ​0

3 ​0

6 Lucy Bronze​

11(1) 1 ​3(1) ​0 ​0 ​0

7 Katie Longhurst

0(6) 1 ​0 ​0 ​0 ​0

8 Katrin Omarsdottir

9(2)​ 1

9 Natasha Dowie​

12

10

4

4 ​3 ​2

10 Louise Fors​​

12

7

4

1

3 ​1

11 Nicole Rolser

12

10

4

1

3 ​0 3 ​0

3(1) ​0 ​2(1) ​1

Engen

Chelsea Ladies

1-2

12 Becky Easton

3(5) ​0 ​1(1) ​0

May 19​

Chelsea (CC)

4-0​

13 Amanda Da Costa

12

2

4 ​0

2 ​0

14 Ellie Stewart

0​

0 ​0 ​0

0 ​0

LINCOLN LADIES

3-2

15 Jess Holbrook​​

3(4) ​0

17 Caroline Charlton​​

0 ​0 ​0 ​0 ​0 ​0

May 29​

June 4​

Dowie 2, Rolser, Williams Dowie, Horwood (OG), Fors

Rolser, Fors, Schroder, Dowie

Everton Ladies

4-1​

June 8​

BIRMINGHAM CITY

4-1​

Rolser 2, Bronze, Dowie

Aug 3

ARSENAL LADIES

0-3

Aug 7

LINCOLN LADIES (CC)

1-1​

Aug 10​

Aug 17

Aug 24

Sept 1

Dowie

Bristol Academy

4-3​

​CHELSEA LADIES

4-3​

Fors (pen), Rolser, Omarsdottir, Bonner Williams, Dowie, Rolser 2

Doncaster

9-0

Dowie 3 (1 pen), Williams 2, Bonner, Fors (pen), Rolser, Longhurst

0(1) ​0 ​1(1)​ 0

19 Corina Schroder​​

12 ​0

4 ​0 ​1(1) ​0

20 Katie Zelem

0

0​

0​

0​

0​

0

21 Sarah Gregorius

0(4) 0​

1

0​

0​

0

22 Sophia Riccio​​

0(2)​ 0 ​0(2) ​0 ​0 ​0

23 Rachael Laws

6(1) 0

24 Sarah Quantrill​​

6

1 ​0 ​0 ​0

0​

3

0​

** Katie Brusell ​​0 ​0​

0​

0 ​0(1) ​0

** Hannah Keryakoplis​ 0(1) 0​

0​

0​

0​

** Michelle Evans​​

0​

0​

1(1) ​0

0​

0​

3

0 0

** Lillie Fenlon-Billson​ 0(6) ​0 ​0(3) ​0 ​1(2) ​1

Rolser 3, Fors

​Birmingham City

4-2

FA WOMEN’S SUPER LEAGUE

Sept 4​

DONCASTER RB

2-0

​​​P ​W ​D ​L ​F ​A ​Pts

Dowie, Fors

Sept 12

EVERTON LADIES (7.30pm)

Liverpool Ladies

12 10 ​0

2

40 17 30

Sept 29

​BRISTOL ACADEMY (2pm)

Arsenal Ladies​

12 8

3 ​1

27 10 27

Bristol Academy

11 8

1

2

25 15 25

Birmingham City​

11 4 ​3

4

13 18 15

Everton Ladies​

11 3

3

5

19 24 12

Chelsea Ladies​

13 3 ​1​

9

20 25 10

Lincoln Ladies​

12 1

4

7

8

14 7

Doncaster Rovers Belles 12 1

3

8

6

35 6

CONTINENTAL CUP– FINAL GROUP STANDINGS ​​​P ​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​ 3​ 0​ 1​ 2​ 2​ 7​ 1​ All statistics correct up to and including 08.09.2013

30

Liverpool Ladies

The FA WSL

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Liverpool Ladies

Everton Ladies

Manager: Matt Beard

Manager: Andy Spence

1

Danielle Gibbons

1

Rachel Brown-Finnis

2

Samantha Chappell

2

Vicky Jones

3

Whitney Engen

3

Alex Greenwood

4

Fara Williams

5

Fern Whelan

5

Gemma Bonner (c)

6

Lindsay Johnson

6

Lucy Bronze

7

Jody Handley

7

Kate Longhurst

8

Jill Scott

8

Katrin Omarsdottir

9

Toni Duggan

9

Natasha Dowie

10

Michelle Hinnigan

10

Louise Fors

12

Brooke Chaplen

11

Nicole Rolser

14

Danielle Turner

12

Becky Easton

15

Kelly Jones

13

Amanda Da Costa

16

Paige Williams

14

Ellie Stewart

17

Nikita Parris

15

Jess Holbrook

18

Amy Kane

17

Caroline Charlton

19

Lucy Whipp

19

Corina Schroder

20

Simone Magill

20

Katie Zelem

21

Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah

21

Sarah Gregorius

22

Billie Murphy

22

Sophia Riccio

23

Alex Culvin

23

Rachael Laws

24

Millie Turner

24

Sarah Quantrill

25

Megan Walsh

MATCH OFFICIALS

MASCOTS

Referee:

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mascots join us from Fife Rangers U14s and Formby JFC

Brian McGill

Assistant Referee: Keiron Jones Assistant Referee: William Slinger Fourth Official:

Daniel Hitchell