FA WSL Weekend Previews
Saturday 10th Sept
FAWSL 2
Bristol City vs Watford Ladies FC
2nd place Bristol City will entertain Watford Ladies on Saturday evening, when they look to turn up the heat on current leaders Yeovil Town. A win here would make them level on points but Yeovill would fall behind on goal difference.
Bottom of the league Watford have shown character at times, gaining 7 points from losing positions throughout the league. They also stunned Everton, who are hunting promotion, in a 2-1 victory – so they are capable of a top-of-the-table upset.
Bristol coach Willie Kirk says that it’s difficult to know what to expect from Watford, “they changed their manager only three or four weeks ago”, but Lady Hornet’s midfielder Stacey Donnelly insists it’s business as usual for Watford, adding “there’s no pressure on us this weekend, Bristol City have the pressure”.
Sunday 11th Sept
FAWSL 1
Arsenal Ladies FC vs Manchester City Women
Manchester City are away to Arsenal, shortly after knocking them out of the Conti Cup, as they look to extend their lead over last year’s champions Chelsea in their final push for the title.
However, Arsenal won’t be an easy feat for the leaders as the North London side have only lost two home games and have plans of their own to qualify for the Champions League, from which they are only 5 points away.
When these two teams met in the semi-final of the Continental Tyres Cup, Arsenal saw a lot more of the chances with Carter’s strike hitting the woodwork while Kelly Smith’s effort was cleared off the line. Their failure to convert cost them when Scottish international Jennifer Beattie struck late on to hit home a free-kick delivered by Toni Duggan.
Beyond the scoreline, the cup match showed that if Danielle Carter and Asisat Oshoala can be more clinical in front of goal, Arsenal could be the ones to upset City’s unbeaten-since-April run of form.
Reading FC Women vs Chelsea Ladies FC
Chelsea’s Fran Kirby will be returning to Reading when the Blues make the short trip to Adam’s Park and they’ll need all three points to ensure the title race continues.
Chelsea have scored eight goals in their last two matches while managing two clean sheets and they’ll be looking to replicate this form on Sunday.
Despite not being able to pick up a win in the WSL1, Reading have looked bright at times, when Liverpool visited Adam’s they felt hard done by when they conceded a late goal despite controlling large parts of the game. Royal’s defender Harriet Scott is hopeful they can overcome last year’s victors, “it’s always going to be a challenge, they’re a really good team to play against but we’ve developed a lot since we played them last.”
There’s a lot at stake for both teams in this game: three points would see the Royals hop over Sunderland in the table up to 7th, whereas Chelsea need the win or else Manchester City will have one happy hand on the trophy.
FAWSL 2
Millwall Lionesses vs Durham FC
It’s a battle of the felines over at The Den when the Durham Wildcats travel south to face Millwall Lionesses.
Millwall took all the points from Watford Ladies in their last fixture, this time round the Lionesses will take on visitors Durham at the Den. Millwall captain Ashlee Hincks tells SheKicks that following their win over Watford:
“It’s about results, it’s more than realistic to set our targets to try get three points out of every game” and she believes the home advantage will play in their favour.
“This year it feels like all we’ve played is away games but we’re lucky the remaining run is mainly at home. The Den is such an iconic ground to play at.”
However, promotion chasers Durham will be looking to put a damper on the high spirits over in the Millwall camp as they need to gain as many points as possible from the final fixtures to stay in the four-team race for promotion.
The Wildcats have yet to play Millwall as both their meetings fall during the latter half of the season, since Durham have only lost three games throughout the league they’ll be looking to make an impression on the Lionesses.
Durham WFC midfielder Beth Hepple will be jetting off to LA with Mo Marley’s England U20 side following the clash at The Den, where she’ll take part in the UTC Invitational Tournament.
Hincks acknowledges the challenge that Durham present. “We know they are very good on the counter so we will be looking at ways to combat that.” With confidence she adds, “for us this is a game we can take 3 points from.”
Aston Villa Ladies FC vs Sheffield FC Ladies
Sheffield FC travel to Aston Villa in an attempt to bridge the one-point gap that separates them, though Sheffield have two-games in hand.
Aston Villa had sealed two comprehensive wins over Millwall and Watford, but the party was shortly ruined by Yeovil Town and London Bees who both defeated the West Midlands side. Villa have to get something out of this game if they are to maintain their fifth place position, as Sheffield and the Bees are hot on their heels.
Meanwhile, Sheffield are enjoying an undefeated streak of seven games and are likely to be filled with confidence ahead of this game, on the back of a draw with promotion favourites Yeovil Town. They’ve certainly got the tools to overcome Villa in top scorer Jodie Michalska.
Everton Ladies FC vs Oxford United Ladies
The teams in this fixture are chasing two different things, on Merseyside Everton want to compete with their rivals Liverpool by earning promotion to the WSL1 whereas Oxford are looking to place as high as they can.
Oxford Ladies goalkeeper Demi Lambourne was one of 20 players to be called up for the England U20s squad, ahead of a tournament in LA, with this brings confidence and Oxford are in need as Everton have an 11 point advantage over the travelling side. But as we know, anything can happen in this league.
Everton Ladies have had an excellent season but it has not been without its slip ups and they can’t afford any further mistakes, their remaining five games are crucial. Playing a team further down the league at home should be seen as an opportunity to close the gap, but is not without pressure.
Yeovil Town Ladies FC vs London Bees
London Bees stunned everyone when they knocked WSL1 Champions Chelsea out of the Conti Cup in the last 16 and we’re sure that fact is etched into the brains of the Yeovil players, as they host the Barnet side on Sunday. The pressure is on.
However, Yeovil signing Lucy Quinn, who scored on her debut to equalise against Sheffield FC, says that she is thriving. “I actually quite like the pressure! It makes me want to really perform. The girls have worked so hard to put themselves in this position”.
The former Portsmouth player is excited to play at home too.
“I think it’s a massive advantage, the girls always talk about playing there, it’ll be tough for teams to come and play on our soil.’
London Bees will travel to Huish Park following their heavy defeat and exit from the Continental Tyres Cup when Birmingham put four past them, but morale is high after their campaign.
Quinn is aware of this. “London Bees had a great cup run and will be eager to get something out of the game”. It’s not just the cup that they have performed well in, they come into this game with four league goals in two games.
