Blues open league season with away draw

Photos taken by Ville Vuorinen - BCLFC Club Photographer

Blues Ladies got their new FAWSL season off to a steady start with a 1-1 draw away at Chelsea. A superb long range Rachel Williams strike pulled the girls level after the Londeners opened the scoring through debutant Sofia Jakobsson turned in Dunia Susi’s right wing cross. Both sides had opportunities to increase the scoring, Edda Gardarsdottir smashing the bar for the hosts and Jade Moore also hitting the woodwork for the away side. Blues had the better of the chances to win the game late on, Williams skying a great chance in the second half, and sub Kirsty Linnett, on her first Blues appearance, forcing a save from Davies in the Chelsea goal.

Photos taken by Ville Vuorinen - BCLFC Club Photographer

After being dumped out of the FA Cup at the hands of Arsenal just five days earlier, Blues knew this game was important in getting their season off to a positive start, and proving the result against The Gunners was a flash in the pan, and this was a good point to pick up against an unpredictable Chelsea outfit who have brought in a number of new players in the close season. Swedish star Jakobsson was always going to be a threat, as well as ex Blues striker Eni Aluko, but Blues showed they are still capable of pitting their wits against strong teams in this league. Chelsea are one of the teams to introduce a more disciplined training regime this season, with new manager Emma Hayes determined to make her side improve on their disappointing sixth place finish in last season’s WSL. The inclusion of international stars such as Jakobsson will make Chelsea a much tougher opposition to previous years, as it gives them a much stronger squad depth, which should prevent them from dropping off towards the end of the season.

Photos taken by Ville Vuorinen - BCLFC Club Photographer

With this considered, Blues will be pleased to have taken a point from the game, and also showing a positive attitude with the substitutions made. Wingers Mel Lawley and Linnett came on in the second half as the girls went for all three points, and arguably the most positive outcome of the trip to London was the successful comeback of Linnett. After suffering a series of frustrating long term injuries, the former Arsenal youngster replaced Emily Westwood for her Blues debut, and came through the final twenty minutes of the game. Blues fans will be desperately hoping this will lead to a run of games for Linnett, and that she will be able to rediscover the talent she showed in her early years at Arsenal.

Blues’ next fixture is a WSL fixture on Sunday 21^st April against Lincoln Ladies at Stratford Town’s DCS Stadium, 2pm kick off.

Chelsea: Davies, Susi, Vidarsdottir (Rafferty 46), Holtham, Ingle, Spence (Coombs 69), Buet, Gardarsdottir (c), Ward, Jakobsson, Aluko (Longhurst 78). Subs not used: Telford, Cole, Davies, Bleazard.

Blues: Hourihan, Weston, Bassett (c), Harrop, Unitt, Christiansen, Moore (Lawley 75), Simpkins, Potter, Westwood (Linnett 67), Williams. Subs not used: Earps, Torkildsen, Ballard, Lawley, Wilkinson, Haines.

Blues reign ends as Arsenal dismiss Holders

Photos by @girlsontheball - https://www.facebook.com/GirlsontheBall

Blues Ladies crashed out of the Women’s FA Cup last night at the hands of rivals Arsenal, losing 6-0 in London. Doubles from Gemma Davison and Ellen White, along with strikes from midfield duo Kim Little and Jordan Nobbs, saw off the current Holders in style, and set up a semi-final tie away at Liverpool. After a relatively even opening twenty-five minutes, Arsenal took control of the tie when attacking winger Davison opened the scoring, followed shortly after by a goal of individual quality by England midfielder Nobbs, setting herself and firing home from twenty-five yards. It was three before half time, Rachel Yankey dispossessing fellow England international Rachel Unitt, before crossing for striker White to loop a header past Hourihan in the Blues goal. The same duo combined for the fourth goal of the evening shortly after half time, Yankey releasing England striker White to stroke home and effectively ended the contest, and it didn’t take long before it was five, this time Davison setting up Scottish starlet Little to smash past a helpless Hourihan. By the time Davison made it six, Hourihan had been replaced by young debutant Mary Earps, and she could do nothing to prevent the winger rounding her and completing the humiliating defeat.

Photos by @girlsontheball - https://www.facebook.com/GirlsontheBall

On an evening like this, there cannot be many positives to come out of the game, but occasionally you have to hold your hands up and admit that the opposition were simply far superior, and I feel that this is one of those occasions. Some may see the margin of victory as a shock, considering Blues have been Arsenal’s closest challengers in the past two seasons, and although David Parker and his team will be thoroughly disappointed to have surrendered their FA Cup reign with such a result, there are numerous factors behind the defeat that went against Blues, mainly the preparation both teams have had in the build up to this game. Blues’ only meaningful game this season came three weeks ago with their cup tie away to non-WSL Cardiff, whereas in that time Arsenal have come through a very competitive two-legged Champions League Quarter Final, as well as brushing aside Forest Ladies in their previous FA Cup round only last week. Players such as Nobbs, White, Yankey, Little and Alex Scott have been heavily involved in international tournaments and matches in addition to their club games, so on closer inspection it is clear to see Arsenal have had much more preparation for this big game compared to Blues’ girls.

Photos by @girlsontheball - https://www.facebook.com/GirlsontheBall

When all is said and done, Arsenal are comfortably the best side in England, and in reaching the Semi-Finals of this year’s Champions League they have shown they can cut it with the best in Europe too, so losing to them is no disgrace, but Blues will no doubt be upset at how easily the London outfit swept through them. With two more fixtures expected within the next month against the current WSL champions, Parker will be hoping his side can gel quickly, and that this result will not be repeated in the upcoming games. The big challenge ahead of Blues is to get over this result quickly, and be ready for the test of Chelsea Ladies in their opening league fixture of the season on Sunday. Should they win that, it will soften the blow of this exit from the FA Cup.

Arsenal: Byrne, A Scott (Beattie 57), Flaherty, Grant, Fahey, Houghton (c), Nobbs, Little, Yankey (Carter 69), Davison, White (Ludlow 75). Subs not used: Spencer, Tracy

Blues: Hourihan (Earps 69), Weston, Bassett (c), Harrop, Unitt, Christiansen, Simpkins, Moore, Potter (Torkildsen 63), Westwood (Wilkinson 65), Williams. Subs not used: Haines, Linnett, George

Weather improves as teams prepare for fixtures congestion

As the weather finally appears to be easing on the early season fixtures, Blues Ladies will hopefully begin a run of tough fixtures, commencing with our re-arranged FA Women’s Cup Quarter Final tie, away to Arsenal Ladies, on Tuesday 9^th April, with our opening league fixture being away to Chelsea the following Sunday. Although the weather cannot have helped the girls’ preparation, at least we are in a situation where we know what the requirements are to achieve glory in the FA Cup for a second successive season. Should we achieve the near impossible feat of overcoming Arsenal on their home turf, Liverpool Ladies await in the Semi-Final, with the Merseyside team having home advantage, so the road to the final will certainly be the hardest possible route. The full Semi-Final draw is as follows:

Bristol Academy or Everton v Lincoln

Liverpool v Arsenal or Birmingham

These games will take place on Sunday 28^th April, with the Final of this year’s competition being held at Doncaster Rovers’ home ground The Keepmoat Stadium on Sunday 26^thMay.

Five to Watch

With the third season of the FAWSL upon us, here are five players to keep an eye out for this season:

1 - Jordan Nobbs – Arsenal Ladies 

Nobbs has been involved with the Arsenal Ladies squad since 2010, joining from Sunderland.  Despite her young age, she has progressed through the England youth system all the way to the seniors, making her mark in this year’s Cyprus Cup, in which she shone for Hope Powell’s team. Nobbs is a very skillful, hardworking player, and is very similar to her likely central midfield team mate Kim Little, with plenty of creativity and goals. She has not held down a regular starting position for the Gunners in the past two seasons, but with the Katie Chapman missing for the majority of the season due to her pregnancy, Nobbs will more than likely start more often, and no doubt she has the potential to take Arsenal to another level.

2 - Natalia – Bristol Academy

27 year old Spanish striker Natalia has joined Bristol Academy this season, joining from Spanish side Rayo Vallecano, and will link up with her international colleague Laura Del Rio, who impressed last season. Natalia has scored over 300 goals for her former club side, at a rate of over a goal a game, and her partnership with Del Rio could well see Bristol be a major force this season. Boss Mark Sampson has likened his new signing to Swansea superstar Michu, relating to her work ethic and style, and Bristol will be hoping she has a similar impact.

3 - Karen Bardsley – Lincoln Ladies

Lincoln Ladies made the audacious move to sign England goalkeeper Bardsley in the close season, and she will bring a great solidity to the Lincoln defence this season, especially playing behind her England team mates Casey Stoney and Sophie Bradley. Bardsley joined Lincoln from Swedish side Linköpings FC this close season, and the 24-cap stopper will add to Lincoln’s reputation as a team that is hard to beat.

4 - Louise Fors – Liverpool Ladies

Swedish attacking midfielder Fors was one of the many international stars to join Liverpool Ladies this winter, but she has already settled in well at her new club, scoring against Villa on her debut, as well as grabbing the goal in the recent derby against Everton. Like Bardsley, she joined from Linköpings, and she will be hoping to continue her form in the coming months.

5 - Kirsty Linnett - Birmingham City Ladies

Youngster Linnett signed for Blues from Arsenal Ladies in the close season after spending the majority of the last year out injured, but the attacking winger has proved in her short time in football that she has plenty of ability, and will be desperate to get her career back on track at Blues. Having represented England at every youth level, as well as captaining the side, Linnett has devastating potential, and if Blues are to make a step up alongside the other WSL teams this season, Linnett may well be pivotal in helping them achieve success.

Kit Launch 2013

This past Friday St Andrews was host to the Birmingham City Ladies official kit launch ahead of the eagerly anticipated 2013 season, and the club was kind enough to invite us along to the event. Four Blues Ladies players made the trip to parade the new outfit: Captain Laura Bassett, England duo Karen Carney and Rachel Unitt, as well as new signing and youth international Mel Lawley. Sadly for not only the shoot, but also for the team, Carney appeared with an ankle injury sustained on international duty with England which, we later discovered, would lead to an estimated six weeks on the sidelines. The three England girls wore the new home kit, manufactured by Legea, whilst Lawley displayed the one off, commemorative pink FA Cup kit which, following the girls' FA Cup tie away to Cardiff, will be auctioned off to raise money for the Help Harry Help Others charity, in memory of young Harry Moseley, a cause close to the hearts of many involved with Birmingham City. On what was a typically miserable March afternoon, photographs of the girls were restricted to inside the ground and in the stands. The day also honoured the partnership once again between the club and official sponsor Hollywood Monster, and they were represented by MD of the company Tim Andrews, along with the Monster himself! It was confirmed to us that the official away kit would also be pink, but in the design of the home kit, as opposed to the FA Cup kit design. The kit has also added a new sponsor this season, with Aspen Cooling Limited having their logo portrayed on the shorts. 

After the photo shoot, we caught up with the players and asked them a few questions about the season ahead. First up was Rachel Unitt, and we asked her what she thought about the new kit, which teams would challenge this season, and her goals for the season:

Skipper Laura Bassett followed, answering questions on time away from football, the new signings and the aspect of social media in the womens game:








Karen Carney was next in the chair, and she told us about her latest injury setback, the challenges ahead for Blues, and her career highlights:








We also asked young Mel Lawley about her move from Bristol Academy in the close season, her main strengths as a player, and her opinion on the commemorative kit she was wearing:








Finally, manager David Parker was kind enough to give us his thoughts on the season ahead, the plan for the future of Blues Ladies, and the impending battles with new faces in the WSL:








For more photos from the day's kit launch, visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/94083446@N05/sets/72157633010183804/

Update on the Women's game

Charge of the Red Brigade

The 2013 FAWSL season looks like it is going to be as competitive as the previous two seasons, what with the recent acquisitions of Liverpool Ladies. The arrival of England internationals Gemma Bonner, Fara Williams and Natasha Dowie, from Chelsea and Everton respectively, has raised eyebrows among their fellow WSL sides, and is a serious signal of intent from Matt Beard’s outfit that they are keen to change their reputation as the league’s whipping girls. USA international defender Whitney Engen has also joined the Reds, and the bright young talent of Welsh winger Hannah Keryakoplis, the spine of the team looks one of the strongest in the WSL on paper. The Merseyside team released ten players at the end of the recent season, so there is sure to be more additions to come, and with the quality of those already brought in, Liverpool look the side to watch next season.

Euro 2013 Groups decided

England have been drawn alongside France, Russia and Spain in Group C for the Women’s Euro 2013 tournament to be held in Sweden. Their opening match will be against Scotland’s qualification conquerors Spain on July 12^th, followed by Russia on the 15^th and the French on the 18^th. England will be fourth favourites according to the FIFA rankings, behind group rivals France, hosts Sweden and holders Germany, whom England lost to in the 2009 final. England will be hoping to avoid missing out on top spot in their group, as this would lead to quarter final opponents of Germany or Sweden. Recent results have been promising for Hope Powell’s side, with draws in friendlies against France and Sweden, and a qualification win over a good Netherlands side, so confidence will be high going into the tournament.

Youngsters defeated for first time of season

Blues’ u-17 girls were beaten for the first time this season last week, on the end of a 4-1 scoreline away at Leicester, leaving them third in the Midlands Girls Centre of Excellence league behind Leicester on goal difference. Weather permitting, the girls are in action against League leaders and main rivals Villa Ladies on December 1^st at Wast Hills, and with Villa currently top with 7 wins from 7, Blues will be hoping to put a stop to that run.

End of Season Awards - The Winners

The end of season awards dinner was held recently for Blues Ladies, and after the most successful season in their history, it was a night to remember and celebrate the magnificent work everyone involved with the club has done over the past 12 months. There was much to look back on with pride and pleasure, and we have picked the top three moments in the past season:

3. FAWSL Continental Cup Final

A strange inclusion considering the pain it caused at the time, but the performance of the girls in this seasons curtain call must give great confidence looking into the future. When you compare this match with the previous Continental Cup final, a 4-1 defeat again at the hands of Arsenal, a similar team showed much more confidence, much more belief that they could beat the leading team in the English game, and overall showed that next season, with a bit more luck and the same determination, there could be much more success on the horizon.

2. UEFA Women's Champions League debut

A moment many people doubted would ever come. A club which, without the help of players' parents, would have gone out of existence only a decade ago, mixing it with the cream of European women's football. The debut of Blues, a home tie against Italian side Verona, was in incredible moment for players, fans and all those connected to the club, and although this season's journey came to a premature end in the second leg of that tie, the home leg showed that we can perform against some of the best teams in Europe, and the 2-0 victory was a benchmark in where the club has come from, and the endless places it can go.

1. FA Women's Cup Final

But of course, the magic moment of 2012 has to be that gloriously hot Bristol Saturday on the 26th May, a day that will certainly live long in the hearts and memories of everybody associated with Blues Ladies. The ups and the downs, the agony and the ecstasy, all culminating in Gemma Bonner blazing the final penalty into the Atyeo stand to send Blues into raptures on and off the pitch. The lasting images of the players sprinting towards Becky Spencer, and the champagne soaked Laura Bassett lifting the cup for her side, our side, for the very first time. For fans young and old, this was the ultimate success, a major trophy for Blues, and the stepping stone for hopefully many more days like this. In the words of the great Guy Garvey, one day like this a year will see me right.

Young Player of the Year Award

This award could have gone to a number of people, not least the group of youngsters who have made a breakthrough into the first team squad from the youth groups and also other clubs. Emily Simpkins came in from Coventry and showed no sign of being phased, making a number of first team appearances, aswell as scoring her first goal in the 1-1 draw against Arsenal. Anna Wilcox, Harley Simpson and Hannah George have all been part of matchday squads, and no doubt when their time comes, the experience of being part of these groups will give them much confidence. The winner of the award has developed into an intergral member of the first team, this being epitomised by her only missing one game all season, and Chelsea Weston was a very worthy winner of the award. Defensively, she has made the right back position her own, and has a great understanding between her defensive partners, and this season she has displayed her attacking threat to deadly effect, with her right wing crosses creating numerous goal scoring opportunites, mostly leading to Jodie Taylor finishing them off. WIth England right back Alex Scott being 6 years her senior, the Worcester girl who has represented England at u17, u19 and u20 level must surely be pushing Scott for that national berth.

Player's Player and Manager's Player of the Year

After such a successful season on the pitch, you could be forgiven for thinking it would have been a tough choice for Player of the Year award. A string of international stars combined with the industrious and talented group not recognised by their international managers could leave people thinking hard about who to award this to. Notable nominations must go to midfield duo Jo Potter and Jade Moore, who have displayed a superb level of consistantly good performances throughout the season, and also to Jodie Taylor, not only the club's top goalscorer but the top goalscoring English player this season, who has blossomed into one of the most feared strikers in the game, and who we dearly hope will return next season. But then you look carefully and notice that, in reality, there is only one winner of this award, and both the players and David Parker voted captain fantastic Laura Bassett to win the award. The true epitomy of the words "inspirational leader", Bassett has been at the forefront of every success for Blues over the last year, and you never see her have a bad game. One of the best reader's of the game we have seen, in men's and women's football, the Blues skipper wears her heart on her sleeve, and always gives everything she has on the pitch. But it is not just her efforts on the pitch that makes the fans warm to her, off it she is the digital ambassador for Blues Ladies, and she always has time to talk to the fans, and makes efforts to show her support to the youth groups by visiting the games. The travesty of justice is that Bassett has not represented her country enough, as she is arguably England's best centre back, and no doubt she would display the same courage and will to win in the white of England as she does for her Blues side. Never has a winner of Player of the Year been more just and deserved. Well done Laura.

Losing The Battle, Winning The War

Blues Ladies were knocked out of the UEFA Women’s Champions League in heart-breaking fashion last night, losing 3-0 on the night to ASD CF Verona, meaning a 3-2 defeat on aggregate. A hat-trick from Cristiana Girelli, the winner coming in extra time, saw the former semi-finalists of this competition through to the last 16 phase. The Italian scored her first of the evening from the penalty spot in the first half, after being brought down by Blues centre half Emily Westwood. Her second came 11 minutes from the end, slotting the ball past a crowd of players and leaving Marie Hourihan with no chance in the Blues goal, and with penalties looming, Girelli scored a magnificent free kick to see the hosts through to face Swedish outfit Malmo in the next round.

Girelli’s match winning hat-trick aside, there was nothing between the two teams, with Blues creating as many, if not more goal scoring opportunities than their opponents, but where they are often so strong and lethal, their finishing touch deserted them on a night which should be remembered fondly by all involved with the club. For many within the team, this was their first match played for the club outside the British Isles, but nobody shirked away or looked fazed or daunted by the task ahead. Potter and Westwood were unlucky to hit the woodwork, and Izzy Christiansen was inches away from scoring the vital goal with a fabulous second half drive which was well tipped over by the Verona keeper Ohrstrom.

With the inexperience in the side, it needed a calm head to keep Blues fighting when their backs were against the wall, and it was an incredibly inspirational performance from captain Laura Bassett, who read the game superbly and showed passion and spirit in abundance, epitomised by her goal line clearance late in the game, which kept her side level at the time. It was the type of performance fans on BCLFC have come to recognise of the 29 year old, one which should see the leader as an England team regular, as opposed to a squad regular.

 There was plenty of effort and spirit from the team, but maybe a recent gruelling campaign took its toll as the game wore on, but on a night when, in the end, Blues came away heartbroken and defeated, the experience of the last week will be invaluable for the team, and once the disappointment has died down, hopefully players and fans alike can take stock and think back with positive thoughts over what has been a magnificent season for them.

 It was less than 6 months ago that Bassett lifted the club’s first ever F.A. Women’s Cup aloft at a sun-soaked Ashton Gate, and barring a goal difference swing of epic proportions, Bassett and her side will be once again pitting their wits against Europe’s finest next season. They have competed on all fronts this season, have taken Arsenal to the penultimate game of the season in the WSL, and they still have the chance to win their second silverware of the season when they take on the Gunners at Underhill on Wednesday night for the Continental Cup.  This is a re-run of last season’s final, in which Laura Harvey’s team ran out 4-1 winners, so Blues will be very keen to exact revenge and come out on top in terms of trophies won this season against their main rivals.

So with two games left of the 2012 season, whatever happens, the season has been a huge success for a club which very nearly went out of business seven years ago. With a number of promising youngsters making first team squads this year, and more developing their skills in the club’s centre of excellence, the future looks very bright for Birmingham City Ladies Football Club.