Manchester United Women v Crystal Palace Women match programme, WSL, 16.02.25
BARCLAYS WOMEN’S SUPER LEAGUE • SUNDAY 16 FEBRUARY 2025 • 12PM
GALTON’S 150 GAMES
GABBY GEORGE INTERVIEW
FAN MESSAGES
RENDELL’S ‘GAMES THAT MADE ME’ UNITED v PALACE, APRIL 2019
THE OPPOSITION
JUNIOR REDS
ELSEWHERE IN THE WSL
ADDED-TIME QUIZ
MANCHESTER UNITED FOOTBALL
Co-chairmen Joel Glazer, Avram Glazer
Directors Bryan Glazer, Kevin Glazer, Edward Glazer, Darcie Glazer Kassewitz, Michael Edelson, Sir Alex Ferguson, David Gill CBE, Omar Berrada, Sir Dave Brailsford, Jean-Claude Blanc Secretary Rebecca Britain Honorary president Martin Edwards
MATCH PROGRAMME TEAM
Editor Charlie Ghagan Contributors Zoe Hodges, Helen Rowe-Willcocks, Mikey Partington, Meg Thomas, Sean Mullan, Jamie Spencer, Matt Brown, Tom Chase, Joe Ganley Photography Charlotte Tattersall, Poppy Townson, Ash Donelon, Zohaib Alam, Getty, Alamy
Thanks to Ellie Decrop, John Shiel, Ian Nolan, Mark Froggatt, Heidi Comerie, Andy Slater, Jonny Cooper
Last weekend’s win at Wolves made it 13 FA Cup goals without reply for the holders so far this season
SKINNER
THE BOSS PRAISES THE PROFESSIONALISM OF HIS IN-FORM REDS -- SOMETHING HE HOPES TO SEE MORE OF TODAY AGAINST LAURA KAMINSKI’S EAGLES...
Welcome back to Leigh Sports Village, as we return to WSL duties with the visit of Crystal Palace.
I was really happy with our performance against Wolves last weekend. It was a professional showing. Our players were smart and the goals were pleasing. It felt like a performance where we were seeing the growth of the team. We moved the ball well and we showed good foundations for what we want to do throughout the rest of this season.
It doesn’t feel like long since we last played today’s opponents. We knew when we played them in December that it would be a tough game and they’ve since done some impressive work in the transfer window. They are a hard team to break down and Katie Stengel creates a threat on the turn. We know we will have to show our quality and use our experience to get the three points today.
I’m really enjoying seeing us grow together. There are signs of cohesion and balance, and that showed in all the players who came into the squad last weekend. We are almost back to full strength and it is so exciting to see each
player achieving their highest standards while fighting for their position.
I was also really proud to see Mared make her debut at Wolves. We know the history of our men’s team is built on the youth system and that’s something we are keen to build on in the women’s team. We felt it was the time for her.
Mared has been training well since summer so we have seen a lot of her. She has an awareness of someone who has played for years, and she shows tenacity and aggression with the ball. What is key now is to balance her quality and talent with her education and time on the pitch.
At the other end of the scale, Leah made her 150th appearance for the club last weekend, and it is great that we’ll see her achievement recognised today. The one thing I love about Leah is that there is still so much more for her to give. She’s not slowing down and she’s become an even bigger goal threat.
Opponents hate to play against her and I cannot wait to see what else she achieves.
Enjoy the game.
numbers Run the
A STAT-BASED PREVIEW OF TODAY’S WSL TUSSLE
13-2
That’s the aggregate score of the Reds’ last five WSL games – a hugely impressive run of results dating back to the start of December that’s yielded five victores, with four clean sheets to boot alongside the two concessions in our derby win. It’s the longest active winning streak in the WSL, and if we can make it six in a row today against Crystal
Having a variety of goalscorers is widely considered to be a sign of a thriving team, and after Aoife Mannion and Mared Griffiths extended our list of 2024/25 scorers to 16 in the Cup rout at Wolves, we’ve already equalled our best-ever season when it comes to different players finding the net. The only other time we’ve hit 16 in a single season was in 2022/23, with between 12 and 15 scorers in each of our other five full terms. Of our 16 scorers this time around, today’s cover star Elisabeth Terland leads the way, with seven in all competitions, including one in both
Palace, it’ll ensure we enter March in second place, behind only Chelsea – who visit Leigh in late April. Our longest run of wins in the WSL came in 2023, when we won eight in a row across two campaigns, while we managed 10 on the bounce in the Championship back in 2018/19 (see p28 for more on that run). Marc Skinner’s Reds will be taking nothing for granted today though – the Eagles may be struggling but they’ve bolstered their backline in recent weeks (see p34), and December’s reverse fixture was far from easy for United. Palace limited the Reds to just three shots on target, meaning we were very grateful for Grace Clinton’s decisive goal deep into first-half injury time.
our last two outings. It’s been in the WSL where our no.19 has most impressed, with her intelligent hold-up play proving just as useful as her ability to launch herself into a goalbound volley. Indeed, only Manchester City pair Mary Fowler and Khadija Shaw (10 each) have been involved in more WSL goals this season than Terland, who has four assists to go alongside her five goals. Keep it up, Teri!
Teri’s enjoying life with the Reds
Saving Grace in November
That’s how many days Marc Skinner’s Reds have without a game after today’s visit of Palace, as the first of the two spring international breaks begins (the second one following in early April). Including players out on loan, as well as those playing in Under-17 to Under-23 internationals, a total of 22 Reds will be out representing their countries in the days ahead, with many competing in UEFA Nations League fixtures. For England, Ella Toone returns for the Lionesses for the games against Portugal and Spain, having missed the previous camp through injury. Maya Le Tissier, Grace Clinton and Millie Turner will all join Ella in Sarina Wiegman’s 24-player squad. Good luck, all – and let’s hope everyone returns to club duty fit and thriving ahead of our next game – the visit of Leicester to LSV on Sunday 2 March.
Today’s game could see Ella Toone become the first outfield player to make 100 WSL starts for United
Sticking with Toone, today could be a milestone match for our no.7. Should she be in the starting XI, Ella will become the first outfield player to make 100 WSL starts for United (only keeper Mary Earps has previously achieved a century). Overall in WSL history, should Toone get her ton today she’ll become the 70th player to reach that figure, and the eighth youngest to do so (25 years, 167 days). Toone’s strong form would suggest she’s a likely starter, but Marc Skinner certainly has options right now, with our injury list improving
and so many players impressing in recent weeks. If Ella does get the nod, or indeed steps off the bench, she’ll be keen to find the net, having not yet scored against Palace. She started both meetings with the Eagles in 2018/19, and missed this term’s away game through injury.
We’re back here in a fortnight – got your Leicester tickets yet?
*date and kick off time subject to change
BLACK CATS UP IN CUP
Reds on home soil as our bid to retain the trophy reaches last-eight stage
United have been drawn at home against Sunderland in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup quarter-finals.
The draw for the last eight took place at Wembley Stadium on Tuesday evening, with Marc Skinner’s Reds paired with the Championship side, who we previously faced in the 2022/23 edition of the Cup – United winning 2-1 in the fourth round at the Black Cats’ Eppleton Colliery Welfare Ground.
Two seasons on, the teams will meet at the last-eight stage, and here at Leigh Sports Village. United are the defending
TOP MONTH FOR TOONE
Ella Toone has been named WSL Player of the Month, as well as PFA Fans’ Player of the Month, for January.
It was an excellent opening to 2025 for Ella, who returned from a two-month lay-off due to a calf injury with four goals from our two WSL games across the month – a hat-trick against Manchester City, plus another strike against Brighton. Alongside her WSL exploits, the Reds’ no.7 also found the target against West Bromwich Albion in the FA Cup in January. This is the second time that Ella has been crowned WSL
champions, of course, following last season’s unforgettable 4-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur at the national stadium.
Skinner’s Reds have made an excellent start to this season’s competition, too, chalking up 7-0 and 6-0 wins over West
Player of the Month, with her previous win coming in December 2021, while she also took home the club’s Player and Goal of the Month prizes for January, ahead of being selected in the England squad this week.
Bromwich Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers, respectively.
Sunderland are managed by Mel Reay – cousin of Alan Shearer – and are currently in sixth place in the second tier. They reached this stage of the competition by recording wins over Huddersfield Town (4-0), Exeter City (7-1) and Portsmouth (2-0).
The other three ties are Manchester City v Aston Villa, Chelsea v Crystal Palace, and Arsenal v Liverpool, with the four fixtures to take place over the weekend of 8/9 March.
MARCH’S
TV
PICKS
Leicester City are the Reds’ next opponents here at Leigh Sports Village, with kick-off for the WSL clash on Sunday 2 March moved to 12.30pm from its original time of 12pm. This is due to the fixture being broadcast live on BBC. WSL broadcast selections for the rest of March had yet to be confirmed at the time of print – keep an eye on ManUtd.com for confirmation of dates and kick-off times for our league games against Liverpool (A), Aston Villa (A) and Everton (H).
We last met in January 2023
Ella shows off her WSL POTM prize
MARED’S DEBUT DOUBLE
Photo taken: Saturday 8 February 2025, New Bucks Head, Telford
What’s the story? There was plenty to like about our ruthless display away to Wolves in the FA Cup last weekend, be it further goals for in-form pair Elisabeth Terland and Ella Toone, Leah Galton finding the net on her 150th appearance, and Aoife Mannion scoring her first-ever United goal. But the headlines would end up going to 17-year-old debutant Mared Griffiths, who delivered a two-goal cameo after replacing Melvine Malard with just 10 minutes left. Pictured here is the Welsh midfielder’s first, when our no.48 pounced to capitalise on an unfortunate spill from home goalkeeper Bec Thomas. And Mared would bag a second in added time; her volleyed effort squirming through the body of Thomas. It was hard luck on the goalkeeper, who pulled off many good saves throughout the contest, despite the eventual 6-0 scoreline. But it made for a night that Griffiths will surely never forget, as she became just the second Red to score twice on debut, following Maya Le Tissier in September 2023.
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Captain’s column
MLT
THE UNITED SKIPPER REFLECTS ON SOME SIGNIFICANT MOMENTS THIS MONTH, BOTH ON AND OFF THE PITCH...
I am so proud that in the last few weeks I’ve represented the women’s team at some important occasions. The Munich memorial is such a key moment for Manchester United and every player should know about the story. I remember the day I signed back in 2022, I went round Old Trafford and to the museum, and I took time learning about the history of the club. Before representing the club at this year’s remembrance service on 6 February, I re-read the story of the disaster, as it was important to me to take the time to remember. We wear the shirt with so much pride and we need to remember those who come before.
On the pitch, I’m also proud. In the FA Cup, a team could easily become complacent when playing a lower-division side, but we showed Wolves great respect. It was a high-tempo performance and it was unbelievable to see Aoife score her first goal. She’s such a key part of the squad and such a special person, and I don’t think a lot of people see that. Aoife is someone I love spending time with – if you are ever down, she is the person to cheer you up!
Leah made her 150th appearance the same day, while Millie recently became the team’s second-highest appearance maker – both amazing achievements. They were here from the very start and are key role models in the squad. If you are a youngster seeing players like this achieving such milestones, it shows the journey that you can make at this club. Maz made her debut at Wolves, and we love seeing how players can develop here. It’s such a special group and they inspire me to keep going each day.
Joining the scrum to congratulate Aoife last Saturday night!
LANDMARK
Woooaaah, we’ve got Leah Gal-ton… or make that Gal-TON-AND-A-HALF as she
GAMES PLAYED
Game no.150 came at Wolves last weekend – as did goal no.41...
Will Leah hit 100 United wins today?
She’s one of four players to have won two trophies with United WSL PLAYER OF
#3 Gabby George
GABBY GEORGE
UNITED’S NO.3 HAS BEEN GOING GREAT GUNS, WITH HER FORM FOR SKINNER’S REDS LEADING TO AN ENGLAND RECALL ALONGSIDE PLAYER OF THE MONTH NOMINATIONS. “WHEN I’M ENJOYING MY FOOTBALL, THAT’S WHEN I PLAY MY BEST,” SHE TELLS US AS WE CHAT AT OLD TRAFFORD...
Interview: Zoe Hodges
Having spent much of last season sidelined with a serious knee injury, you’ve really bounced back this season and slotted straight into the side. How have you enjoyed 2024/25 so far?
It’s been a good season for us so far. I think we’ve got better and better with each game. And we’ve started 2025 how we wanted to – high pressing, scoring lots of goals. So hopefully we can continue that for the rest of the season.
It was the second time you’d suffered that kind of injury and of course you had company on the sidelines with Emma Watson and Jess Simpson. Did that make it easier, that you were able to go through that journey to recovery together?
FACTFILE
DATE OF BIRTH
2 February 1997
PLACE OF BIRTH Manchester
POSITION Defender
YOUTH CAREER
Blackpool, Manchester United
SENIOR CAREER
2014-23 Everton, 152 apps, 5 goals
2023- Manchester United, 20 apps, 1 goal
INTERNATIONAL CAREER
2018- England, 3 caps, 0 goals
I don’t think anything can make going through a second ACL any easier, but the girls were great to have around. We supported each other, because whether that be music in the gym or just trying to make things into competitions, they dealt with their injuries really well. I was happy to be there to help support them, just as much as they supported me.
Then of course, just before Christmas you got on the scoresheet in our League Cup win against Newcastle – how special was that? It was amazing. It was my first goal for the club, so it was something you dream of as a kid growing up, when I was playing at United’s Centre of Excellence and I was scoring. So to go and do it for the first team at Leigh in front of all the fans, it felt great.
We have a fantastic defensive record this season, which is highly impressive considering the change in goalkeeper, plus you and Jayde returning from lengthy injuries. What would you say has been the secret to that success and consistency? →
I don’t think it was a surprise to us. We all knew that we have a good enough squad; that anyone would be able to step in and do the job. Phallon’s come in and done an amazing job, but the whole team is part of that defensive record, from the front. People have seen over the last few games how hard these girls work pressing, and it makes our job easier as a backline. We’ve all stuck together, and whoever’s come in has done the job, and that just comes down to training and working together on a daily basis.
Against City in the WSL last month the defence had their work cut out, but you stepped up and delivered, putting in some solid blocks and crucial tackles to back up our attacking play. Talk us through that key win from your perspective... It was my first Manchester derby and games don’t come bigger than that when you’re from Manchester, born and bred. So yeah, it was a great game. As defenders we all have to step up when you’re playing against top-quality teams, as City are. You know it’s going to be a tough day in the office, but we all stuck together, the people up front took their chances, and we tried to help defend from the back.
There was a lot of talk beforehand about whether our young squad would be able to rise to the derby-day occasion at the Etihad but everyone stepped up. Was there any element of nerves before it, or do you thrive in those big occasions? We train for those moments. You want to play in the big games. You want to win in the big games and that’s what it means when you come and play for Manchester United. I feel like all of the girls that come in, however long you’ve been here, you know that playing for Manchester United is about winning games of football. So no matter how young or how old you are, that’s just a given coming to the club.
You made the shortlist for our Player of the Month in January, having started all but one game throughout the month. So you must be pleased with your current form... I’m happy to just be out there playing. I had played no football basically last season. So to come out and to be able to play with these girls, I think we’re all able to fight because of the team. It’s not about individual performances. I think everyone on the [Player of the Month] list has been amazing, but there are a lot more players that could be up for it, too. So
it’s just about the collective as a team, and that helps us all perform to the levels we want to perform at.
We’ve also enjoyed seeing the recent changing room celebrations! Who is the ringleader? It is definitely Melvine! It’s something she used to do in France – she’s brought it over here, and we’ve all bought into it. We all enjoy it – you play football and work so hard for the moment and I’m a person that believes in the little wins, so the wins we get along the season, it’s important to celebrate, because that’s what we work hard for every day. No matter who you’re playing, it’s important you celebrate the wins.
We also enjoyed the footage of Hini receiving the Player of the Match award against Brighton! She’s had a bad injury, just as you and others in the squad have had. For all the frustration of having to overcome such setbacks, it seems to have brought you all even closer, wouldn’t you agree? Definitely. I think the best thing about Manchester United is the team around us that we have. I said it last year myself, I would never have been able to get through the injury without the squad, and I think it just shows how close we are. Hini has been amazing since she started to play more consistently and showing everyone what she can do. We all knew she could do that, so it’s exciting for us to see her do it.
Our no.3’s powerful long throws can come in handy at both ends of the pitch
“We’ve got a balance between experience and a lot of youngsters, which always brings energy”
Attention now turns to Palace. This is their first season in the WSL so we haven’t had too much experience of playing them, which is challenging in itself – what are you expecting from this one? This is one of the best leagues in the world. So everyone gives you different challenges to face, but I think we want to prepare well, like we’ve been doing this year, and maintain the level of performance we’ve had. I think we’re all starting to click, and hopefully we can showcase that against Palace.
Generally speaking, so many players here have commented on the camaraderie within this squad compared to other teams they’ve played for. It might not be easy for you to answer considering you’ve only played for Everton, and we know how much you enjoyed your time there, but would you agree we have an incredibly tight group here? Yes, I think this team is special. We’ve got a balance
between experience and a lot of youngsters, which always brings energy. And the ones that they would call more experienced, I think we’re quite young in the head too, because I think I’m classed as an experienced player. But no, I think this group is special in terms of the people we’ve brought in. Everyone is a good person as well as a footballer. We’ve brought in the right personnel to fit the squad; everyone just gets on and I think that’s what’s special.
Without getting too ahead of ourselves, we have an interesting WSL schedule ahead of us, in that we have seven games we’ll be favourites to win next up, before a grandstand finale against Chelsea, City, then Arsenal. Is that something you’ve discussed – the potential position we could find ourselves in ahead of those final three games? No, we just want to win every game we step on the field to play. We take it game by game. That’s what
Pictured in 2014’s FA Cup final, the experienced defender is fast approaching 200 games as a senior footballer
On the training ground alongside fellow full-back Anna Sandberg
we’ve done all season, and we’re going to continue to do that and try and get as many points as we can.
Just before Christmas you returned to the England squad for the first time in six years – what was that feeling like?
It was a surreal moment. A year before, I was sat there [watching England] with my ACL injury, and it was something that seemed so far away, so when I got the call-up, I was over the moon, and so were all my family. Moments like that make everything worth it. When I was going through my dark days, I questioned why I was putting myself through that. But that made it all worthwhile.
Having returned to the United team, does that cross your mind – putting in performances for your club that might keep you in the forefront of Sarina Wiegman’s mind?
No, when I’m playing for Manchester United, I want to give my all for Manchester United, and whatever comes with that, comes with that. And I’ve always said I’ve come back this season and I want to enjoy football. That’s the first thing on my mind when I’m stepping on the field: to go out and enjoy it. Because we all work so hard, and of course, it’s a pressured
“When I got the England call-up, I was over the moon... moments like that make everything worth it”
sport, but it’s about the enjoyment, because that’s why we first fell in love with the game. So I think it’s about just enjoying it, and whatever comes with it, comes with it. When I’m enjoying it, that’s when I play my best football. That’s all we can do.
Over the break we saw pictures of you training with your cousin and former Red Jesse Lingard. How helpful has that been in your career, to have another member of the family who knows the club, and knows what it takes to be a pro footballer... Yeah, definitely. I think having someone that’s lived and breathed football, I feel like those people always understand on a different level when you’re going through things, because they would have been through it or something similar. So it’s been good to have him there to speak to and also train with. ●
On the ball for England against Switzerland in December – a proud moment for Gabby and her family
UNITED TO DELIVER EXCELLENCE
Happy 9th birthday Scarlett – love Mum, Dad and Cooper.
Ariana! We hope you enjoy today’s match. A big happy birthday to Alexandra, who turned 15 on 9 February. Another birthday girl is Holly – she’s now 16! Hello to Brooke (aged 8) and Brea (aged 5).
Happy 16th birthday Charlotte Lusher, hope you have a fab weekend – love Mum ● Happy 13th birthday Georgie Bailey – love Mummy, Daddy and little brother Jack ● Happy 20th birthday Charlotte, love Mum ● Happy 17th birthday for today, Jess – love from Mum and Leah ● Happy 11th birthday, Lola Mates!
has a birthday today – all the best! Happy birthday to season ticket holder Lois, who turns 10 on 25 February.
Hello to Phoebe and Daisy Oliver!
Wishing Jessica a very happy 13th birthday.
Poppy and Phoebe both love the Reds.
PLAY WITH STYLE
WHAT IS STYLE?
It’s Control. Creativity. And being prepared to cross that line. It’s the freedom to do your thing and play to your own whistle. It’s the ‘I’ in Individuality and the ‘You’ in UNITED.
www.remington.co.uk/manutd
THE GAMES THAT MADE ME…
27 FEB 2022
IPSWICH TOWN
1-1 SOUTHAMPTON
(IPSWICH WIN 4-2 ON PENALTIES)
“This was in the FA Cup – we [Southampton] were losing 1-0 in extra-time, so I went up for a corner in the 121st minute, and I scored with a header! It was pretty special, my first-ever goal. I got chucked in net from quite a young age, and I’ve loved it ever since, so just being that far up the pitch was something I wasn’t used to. I didn’t even know how to celebrate it, so I just ran and ended up doing an aeroplane! Everyone on the bench was on the pitch, it was crazy... a moment I wish I could relive.”
20 APRIL 2022
SOUTHAMPTON
2-0 PORTSMOUTH
“This was the season we got promoted to the Championship. We had to win a play-off after this, against the northern champions [Wolves] to get promotion – it’s not like now when both north and
south teams go up – but I’ll go with the game where we won our league, because it was against our big rivals Portsmouth, and it was at St Mary’s. It was a massive game and of course I was happy to keep a clean sheet as we confirmed the league title.”
5 APRIL 2024
ENGLAND 1-1 SWEDEN
“Okay, so I didn’t actually play in this game but I have to include it as it’s when I got my first senior call-up for England, and I was on the bench at Wembley for a Euros qualifier – this is what dreams are made of really, it was surreal. I knew I wouldn’t be involved, as I was third choice, but just to be able to take it all in... the atmosphere, the warm-up, it was pretty crazy. There were over 60,000 fans there, including my parents and some of my friends, so that was really nice as well.”
Getting her hands on silverware
A proud Lioness
Kayla uses her head
INTO
HOME
Crystal Palace’s only previous away day with the Reds was a red-letter afternoon six years ago, and part of an unforgettable finale to 2018/19 here in Leigh...
“What are Palace going to try to come here and do?” asked Casey Stoney, addressing her United team in the LSV changing room ahead of our only previous home meeting with today’s opponents.
“They’re going to try to ruin the party, that’s what. The way you make that not happen? Your standards. We need
intensity. We need desire.”
As one of the most important fixtures in the short history of our professional team, that second-tier encounter with the Eagles came amid a glorious few weeks at our home stadium in late spring 2019.
With United’s 5-1 win at nearest challengers Tottenham on the final day of March all but confirming the inevitable – that the Reds were going up to the WSL at the first attempt – Stoney’s side seemed to be riding the crest of a wave throughout April and May, full of momentum as we plundered goals while piling up more points; refusing to ease up, even once that silverware was sealed.
The really special thing about that springtime charge to the 2018/19 finish line was how we got to enjoy all the milestone moments together right
Words: Charlie Ghagan
Arnot prods the ball home to put United two goals up
Stoney and coach Ian Willcock speak to the team pre-match...
The sunglasses were out in force in Leigh
...before the two teams head down the LSV tunnel
Sigsworth shields the ball in attack
here at LSV: the win against Aston Villa on 17 April to confirm promotion; the victory against Palace three days later to secure the trophy; and finally the presentation day, following victory against Lewes on 11 May, when 3,702 fans enjoyed the sight of the players skipping around the pitch at full-time, hand in hand, beaming smiles on faces, almost as if they were on a team jolly to the seaside.
And that’s kind of how that run of home fixtures felt to us fans too, watching down from the stands. The sunglasses were on as families sat together sharing snacks and drinks, and even for the 7pm Villa game, with the clocks having recently gone forwards there was that lovely fresh feeling of springtime optimism in the air. Of hope. Of new beginnings for this fledgling group of footballers.
We all knew what lay ahead for United – a first crack at top-flight football, with four wins from six cup ties against WSL teams that season only fuelling the belief that we’d more than hold our own come 2019/20. But even when the primary targets were achieved in that inaugural campaign, other smaller ones took their place: be it a 20th clean sheet in all competitions for our unwavering backline (we’d finish with 21, with the one constant across all 29 games being a certain Millie Turner); or a 100th league goal of the season (we’d fall two short, but nonetheless loved the sight of scorer Amy Turner racing back with the ball in our final game, despite being 5-0 up, in an effort to chase down the century).
EXPECTATION FOR EAGLES VISIT
Such elite mentality was clear to see when the Eagles came to town for a noon kick-off the day before Easter Sunday, with Stoney’s programme column mirroring the message in her pre-match team-talk: that every opponent would be out to spoil our party. ‘Dean Davenport’s Palace will be no different,’ she wrote. ‘We know they have pace that could cause us problems and it will be a different game to the away fixture played on an artificial pitch in November compared to the grass here at Leigh. Palace have had an inconsistent season but we know if we execute our game plan, we will win.’
Despite the 5-0 victory on the aforementioned reverse fixture, played on the 3G surface of Hayes Lane in Bromley, Stoney was right to be wary of a
talented, if disjointed, Eagles side – one that was only awarded Championship status late in the day in the summer of 2018 following the withdrawal of Doncaster Rovers Belles. “Finding out that late has hindered our progress,” said Eagles forward Ashlee Hincks of her team’s campaign to that point – one where Palace played as semi-professionals for the first time, in order to secure the Tier 2 licence that allowed them to become founding members of the Championship. “We’ve got some talented players but perhaps we lack that experience we could have targeted if we’d known [we’d be playing at that higher level] at the start of the summer.”
As well as offering pace in attack, Palace had a tighter defensive record than the teams around them near the foot of the table, but unfortunately for them the Reds were intent on making a big dent on the goal difference front, as we’d done in the November 2018 meeting. Buoyed on by a crowd of 2,112 on a balmy afternoon in Leigh, Lauren James’s power and poise caused immediate
EVEN WHEN PRIMARY TARGETS WERE ACHIEVED THAT SEASON, SMALLER ONES TOOK THEIR PLACE
problems for the visitors, and ‘LJ’ opened the scoring within 10 minutes. Things wouldn’t get any easier for the visitors, with Lizzie Arnot, Leah Galton and Jess Sigsworth all finding the target either side of the break, before James bludgeoned in three more after the 85th minute to make it 7-0.
“After the Villa game to win promotion I do remember everyone singing and jumping about the changing room – that’s a special memory – but we could never think about taking our foot off the gas,” recalls winger Arnot, who was in our starting XI for both the Villa and Palace games that week, scoring our second goal against the south-east Londoners.
Lizzie, now 28 and one of the leading lights in the Scottish league since swapping United for Rangers in 2020, insists there was little in the way of a promotion party that week, with focus immediately turning to Saturday’s Palace game, where a larger
weekend crowd would be guaranteed. “I remember there being a buzz around the group that week – we were now promoted but we all knew what an opportunity we had to keep going and top off a historic season.”
As for the manager, she too wanted to keep pushing right to the finish line, with complacency simply not an option as she and her Reds planned for the WSL. “Coming back in to training, having won the league [against Villa], we then went back into another session, and their standards just stayed so high,” said Stoney in MUTV documentary The History Makers. “And what we said to them was, ‘the next few games are all about preparing for next year.’”
TAP-INS AND TEAM BUNDLES
Elizabeth Simms blew for full-time at 1.48pm, the title was confirmed thanks to a 7-0 rout. The hugs in the dugout were soon followed by a group bundle on the pitch (predictably started by Millie Turner, who might have regretted that decision when a 10th player leapt on top!). And then there was the sight of the squad running with their hands linked, before throwing themselves to the ground in front of the cheering fans in West Stand. “That was one of the funniest bits as it was quite a dry pitch!” smiled goalkeeper Siobhan Chamberlain as she later relived those scenes with MUTV. “Lauren James in particular... I don’t know how she didn’t have whiplash after that!”
Arnot is best remembered for scoring our first-ever goal, away to Liverpool in August 2018, but she harbours fond memories from that Palace win –even if her goal was a one-yard tap-in! “It may not be memorable in terms of how it went in but it was special to get on the scoresheet that day,” says Arnot, who scored nine goals in 34 outings overall for the Reds, before going on to win the SWPL Golden Boot upon her return to Scotland. “I don’t think anything can beat that goal against Liverpool but they all count and it’s something I’ll cherish.” Five further goals would follow for the Reds that day following Arnot’s one-yarder, and when referee
Thankfully everyone survived the celebrations, and in the days ahead the boss would reflect on a job well done against the Eagles. “There’s always expectation, which brings pressure with it,” said Stoney. “But the players dealt with that pressure brilliantly, going about their business professionally, using the ball well and scoring really good goals.”
Six years on, plenty has changed – not least from the visitors’ point of view, who will return to LSV without a single surviving squad member from 2019. It’s reassuring to know that some things stay the same, however – we’re talking about Leah, Millie, Ella, another noon kick-off (and who knows, maybe even a bit of sun to go with it) – evoking memories of that magical first LSV meeting. ●
The champions race towards the fans... and James takes a tumble!
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Today’s visitors:
CRYSTAL PALACE
About our opponents...
Nickname: The Eagles
Founded: 1992
Ground: VBS Community Stadium (Gander Green Lane), Sutton (5,000 capacity)
Last season: Championship 1st, FA Cup fifth round, League Cup group stage
Top scorer (all competitions):
Ashleigh Weerden (5)
Best achievement: Championship winners, 2023/24
The Eagles have come a long way since their last visit to Leigh in 2019, securing their own promotion to the top flight for the first time last April. However, as is often the case for teams new to the Women’s Super League, life has been tough. Just over halfway through the 2024/25 season, Laura Kaminski’s team sit bottom of the table.
They managed an impressive 2-0 victory away at Leicester back in early October, responding well to heavy defeats at the hands of Tottenham and Chelsea in the opening two weeks of the
campaign. But it remains the south-east Londoners’ only win in 13 top-flight games so far. Kaminski came into the WSL with no doubt about what Palace would be up against. “I knew it would be more difficult to stay up than it would be to get up,” she freely admitted at the start of this month, adding that surviving the drop would rank among her “best achievements in the game”.
Palace can score goals, though. Their league tally of 11, while among the lowest outputs in the division, is significantly more than a Leicester side one place and three points above them. It’s also comparable with Everton in eighth, and only two fewer than Liverpool in seventh.
Keeping goals out has been far more of an issue. A division-high 35 have been conceded in the WSL, with Palace shipping four or more in four of their nine league defeats to date. But far more damaging than losing 7-0 to Chelsea or 5-0 to Arsenal have been the handful of games in which the Eagles have netted twice themselves and still gone on to taste defeat – either by giving up a lead, conceding late, or both. Aston Villa and Tottenham each grabbed stoppage-time winners in 3-2 scorelines, while Palace were 2-0 up against West Ham, who then proceeded to score
Palace celebrate after My Cato’s late leveller against rivals Brighton earns the Eagles a much-needed point on the road last time out in the league
LINE-UP:
v NEWCASTLE UNITED, (AWAY, FA CUP), 09.02.25
SUBS USED: OLING, CATO, LARKIN, HUGHES, LARISEY
RECORD V THE REDS
Played: 3
Palace wins: 0
United wins: 3
Draws: 0
Palace goals: 0
United goals: 13
Last three meetings:
Palace 0-1 United WSL, 15.12.24
United 7-0 Palace WC, 20.04.19
Palace 0-5 United WC, 18.11.18
five times without reply to take the points. January recruitment, which totalled four players overall, has tried to address that. New centre-back Allyson Swaby (see right) made her first start in last weekend’s 2-0 FA Cup fifth-round win over Newcastle, with fellow defender Aniek Nouwen joining on loan from Chelsea. Part of the Dutch squad at the 2023 World Cup, the 25-year-old could prove as useful as Swaby in the weeks ahead as Palace look to tighten things up at the back. If they manage to do so, there’s real hope that they can fire themselves to safety, with only one team facing the drop to the Championship come May.
By the time Laura Kaminski was named boss in July 2023 – her first leading role – she already had an impressive coaching CV spread over 15 years at clubs including Chelsea, Spurs and Brighton. The 37-year-old is keeping faith for the games ahead, saying: “One win will tip it for us. There’s no reason why we can’t kick on for the second half of the season and fight for survival.”
HEAD COACH NEW ARRIVAL
Defender Allyson Swaby is among the newest faces, recruited from AC Milan. After playing college soccer in Boston and starting her senior journey in Iceland, the centre-back has spent most of her career in Italy. Swaby has represented Jamaica at each of the last two World Cups, and she impressed on her debut as Palace reached the FA Cup quarters for the first time.
BACK IN THE WSL
Upon joining Palace last year, American forward Katie Stengel was well known to English audiences for her impact during 18 months at Liverpool, helping them back into the WSL in 2022, and playing a huge part in quickly making them competitive at the higher level. The 32-year-old returned Stateside to NJ/NY Gotham in 2023, before her September return to England’s top flight.
REDS GET READING
United trio help to inspire pupils in the classroom, as well as on the pitch...
Maya Le Tissier, Lisa Naalsund and Ella Toone surprised pupils from Manchester United Foundation partner school Manchester Enterprise Academy Central with a recent visit to their school.
The trio took time out to spend an afternoon with one of the girls’ football teams at the school, before retreating to the classroom to share the benefits of reading and writing, by reading a short football-themed story, followed by a themed quiz to test their knowledge.
Both groups of young people had the opportunity to take part in a Q&A session with the players, too, with topics about their careers and other experiences on the agenda.
Reds captain Le Tissier said: “To come to a school like this and see all the girls is so nice. We joined the reading group first and we’ve then come out to see the girls’ football team as well. It’s been a really good group and we’re very happy to come here.
“I never had a female player to look up to when I was back home playing. When we come out to these schools, we can really see the difference we can make, and hopefully just be an inspiration
for the girls to keep on playing if they’re enjoying it.”
Toone added: “It’s always nice to come out and see young girls playing football, starting out on their journeys and offering a bit of advice. We feel the enjoyment from these visits too – it’s nice for us to use our platforms as best we can to make sure girls make a good start on their journeys.”
Caoimhe, 12, a football enthusiast taking part in the
reading session, added: “Football to me is about joy and happiness. Today has made me more passionate about football because the players told us about their own experiences and how they had to be persistent.
“It will help me to keep going and to have my own hopes and dreams.”
See mufoundation.org for more
Maya, Lisa and Ella are joined by a Manchester Enterprise Academy Central pupil on a rewarding day for all involved
FACTS & FUNNIES FROM FRED THE RED!
(ANSWERS AT FOOT OF PAGE)
CAPITAL CLUBS
TODAY’S OPPONENTS ARE ONE OF SEVEN LONDON TEAMS IN THE WSL AND CHAMPIONSHIP – BUT CAN YOU IDENTIFY THE OTHER SIX BASED ON THEIR SHIRTS?
WHO’S THIS GIVING CELIN BIZET A LIFT AFTER SHE SCORED THE REDS‘ THIRD GOAL AGAINST BRIGHTON IN OUR LAST HOME GAME?!
THE REDS HAVE ENJOYED SOME BIG WINS SO FAR THIS SEASON – BUT CAN YOU MATCH THE OPPONENT TO THE SCORELINE? WE’VE DONE ONE TO GET YOU STARTED!
Stats AT THE BACK
UNITED APPEARANCES & GOALS, 2024/25
A CLOSER LOOK...
Our FA Cup win at Wolves saw Aoife Mannion net her first United goal, in her 45th game. Our no.5 has previously found the net this season, though, for Republic of Ireland in their Euro 2025 play-off win against Georgia in October, while Aoife’s last club goal came for Manchester City, from the penalty spot against Swiss side Lugano in the 2019/20 UWCL.
WOMEN’S SUPER LEAGUE preview
Words: Meg Thomas
A SIX-GAME SUNDAY BEGINS AND ENDS IN GREATER MANCHESTER...
The midday start at Leigh Sports Village is the first of six WSL fixtures today, with the north London derby next to kick off, at 12.30pm.
Gunners boss Renee Slegers says her team are “in a really good place” after their late victory at Manchester City last time out, and Arsenal will want nothing less than another win today, as they aim to keep second-placed United in their sights. As for Tottenham, two wins from their last three – which has moved them into the top half – will give Robert Vilahamn’s side belief, although they’ll start as underdogs at Emirates Stadium.
It’s over to Kingsmeadow for the 2pm game, where reigning champions Chelsea take on Everton. Sonia Bompastor has had a dream start as Blues boss, with a seven-point lead in the WSL to go alongside similarly unbeaten runs in three cups serving as evidence of just how well they are performing. The Londoners were also the WSL’s busiest side in the January transfer window, bringing in two stellar signings in Naomi Girma and Keira Walsh, and such immense strength in
Arsenal will want nothing less than a win in today’s north London derby as they aim to keep United in their sights
depth could prove too much for the Toffees to handle. Brian Sorensen’s side have been in patchy form, but if they can manage a shock win, they could go above local rivals Liverpool, who head to Manchester City in the evening fixture.
At 3pm, there’s an intriguing match-up at the King Power: 11th-placed Leicester v 10th-placed Aston Villa. Both teams have just two WSL wins apiece all season, meaning a victory for either would be invaluable at the foot of the table. Villa, under the guidance of new head coach Natalia Arroyo, will take real heart from their narrow 1-0 loss to Chelsea in her first game in charge, while they beat Brighton in the FA Cup last weekend.
Elsewhere at 3pm, it’s a third fixture in the capital today, as West Ham host Brighton. The Seagulls have lost their way a bit in recent weeks following a strong start to the season, and will be keen to keep hold of fifth place with a victory here, although Rehanne Skinner’s Irons have been performing well at their Victoria Road home, winning three of their last four there.
As mentioned, today’s action comes to a close with Manchester City v Liverpool, to be played at City’s Joie Stadium at 6.45pm. A brace from Bunny Shaw earned City the points in October’s reverse fixture, and while the Blues will be favourites to win this one as well, their recent defensive woes – 12 conceded in their last four games, three of which have been defeats – will have Matt Beard’s Liverpool sensing opportunity as they make the short trip to Manchester.
Former Barcelona defender Arroyo has started well in the Villa hotseat
FIXTURES + RESULTS
ADDED-TIME QUIZ
Some Palace-related posers feature in our latest test...
Which member of the current Reds squad was on target against Palace in our Championship winning campaign of 2018/19?
2.
And which Scotland international was the only Red to net home and away against the Eagles in that 2018/19 season?
The LSV meeting in April 2019 finished 7-0 to United, but what was our biggest home victory that season: 8-0, 9-0 or 10-0?
1. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Which goalkeeper kept clean sheets in both of our Championship clashes against Palace?
Who set up Grace Clinton’s winner over today’s opponents in December?
Palace are one of three teams we have played on three occasions without ever conceding – name either of the other two.
Of all the London clubs we’ve ever faced, which one have we beaten the most?
How many goals did Hinata Miyazawa score to win the Golden Boot at the 2023 Women’s World Cup? 8.
9. 10.
Which former Red (who scored four games in 17 games) has the same ‘CP’ initials as today’s opponents?
Next up after today is Leicester City, here at LSV on 2 March. What was the score when we last faced the Foxes, in November?
ANSWERS: 1. Leah
Galton; 2. Lizzie Arnot; 3. 9-0 (v London Bees); 4. Siobhan Chamberlain; 5. Geyse; 6. London Bees and Sheffield United; 7. Tottenham Hotspur; 8. Five; 9. Christen Press; 10. 2-0 to United
