Wednesday, May 7
England Head For Belarus

England Ladies take on Belarus tomorrow afternoon in a must win European Championship qualifier. With two more away games to follow in Spain and the Czech Republic there is no margin for error in Minsk.

England have made things harder for themselves after only managing a draw at home to the Czechs last time out but if they can win in Belarus their position might be a whole lot stronger again after tomorrow as their two main rivals are playing each other on the same day.

Victory in Belarus should be reasonably straightforward as both Spain and the Czechs have been there already and won by three clear goals. There is no doubt that the home team will go into the game with a defensive gameplan and make things as difficult as possible for England, however.

Questions are being increasingly asked about an England attack which has yet to give a really inspiring display against the very best international opposition. There shouldn't be a problem tomorrow, especially with Kelly Smith returning from suspension, but another ninety minutes of firing blanks would put qualification in real jeopardy.

Hope Powell initially named a 28 strong party for this game which has now been narrowed down to the usual twenty which has a very familiar look. The biggest news is probably the omission of striker Eni Aluko who has struggled for form in an England shirt over the last year or so.

Aluko's absence does not see anybody new called up into the final squad so it will most probably mean a start for Lianne Sanderson. Sanderson is also yet to prove herself the genuine article at this level, albeit from limited opportunities.

Of course Hope Powell has often shown more faith in players who don't play up front for their clubs when it comes to picking the England attack so people like Kelly Smith, Emily Westwood or Alex Scott might be thrust into the strikers' role.

Whoever the personnel used England need to win this match and to do so by a few goals would obviously be a positive way to end the season and also provide a confidence boost ahead of next season.

Anything other than a win would make this campaign a seriously disappointing one after what was an encouraging World Cup.

Ever since the World Cup people within womens' football have been using the competition as a reason/excuse for some less than dazzling performances even though at the time everyone seemed to be in agreement that a positive showing in the World Cup would provide womens' football in this country with a massive boost.

Make your minds up people.

One thing needs answering though, if England's players are tired after reaching the quarter finals of that competition why aren't the Germans? They actually won the competition and they have just become the first country to qualify for next years' European finals while at club level 1.FFC Frankfurt have also made it through to the final of the UEFA Cup.

The Germans continue to set the benchmark and if England really do want to end up at their level consistently then talking about tiredness is not really an option.

Monday May 5, 2008. Womens FA Cup Final.

Arsenal Ladies 4 Leeds United Ladies 1

Arsenal: E.Byrne, A.Scott, F.White, A.Asante, M.Phillip, J.Ludlow, K.Smith, C.Grant (Y.Tracy 74), K.Carney, L.Sanderson (J.Fleeting 74), R.Yankey (G.Davison 74).

Leeds: C.Telford, S.Houghton, S.Bradley, J.Wright (G.Bonner 86), A.Culvin (O.Thackray 80), J.Moore (M.Sutcliffe 59), K.Holtham, S.Walton, J.Clarke, A.Barr, S.Smith.

Leeds United returned to the FA Cup final for the second time in three years hoping to erase the memory of their 5-0 defeat to Arsenal in the previous encounter. The Yorkshire club will feel better about themselves after this defeat although it needed an inspired first half display from goalkeeper Carly Telford to prevent this game turning into an even more severe rout.

Telford produced a string of fine saves to keep the Arsenal forwards at bay as the favourites swamped their opponents. By the end of the game The Gunners had made almost fifty attempts on Telford's goal and on another day might easily have racked up double figures.

Leeds had relied hugely on a solid defence in negotiating a tough route through to this final but on the wide open spaces of Nottingham Forest's City Ground it was always going to be more difficult containing the awesome Arsenal attack. The underdogs were not helped by an injury sustained last week by Nicole Emanuel, their dependable right back.

Stephanie Houghton moved from midfield to fill in at full back but endured a torrid afternoon while her replacement in midfield, Jade Moore, never managed to get into the game. From the opening minutes it was clear that Leeds were going to spend most of the afternoon on the back foot as Arsenal swept forward in waves.

A poor throw in decision gave Arsenal their first attacking opportunity and when Lianne Sanderson turned to spread play to the right wing Alex Scott was charging forward in acres of space. The full back was able to carry the ball deep into the penalty area before scuffing a shot goalwards which beat Telford but was hacked off the line by Sophie Bradley.

Scott would spend the entire game bombing forward from full back and nobody in the Leeds side accepted the responsibility of tracking her. This gave Arsenal a permanent attacking outlet, one of many if truth be told.

Having hit their stride Arsenal turned the first half into a procession towards Telford's goal but found the Leeds keeper in top form. Telford parried away a close range effort from Kelly Smith and then did superbly well to touch a searing drive from Scott onto the underside of the bar as the full back raced forward unmarked again.

Telford made it a hat trick of good early saves by flinging herself to her left to keep out a stinging effort from close quarters by Sanderson after the forward had displayed nimble footwork to create her own opening inside the area.

At no stage were Leeds able to lift this siege with a spell of possession as they were completely overwhelmed in midfield and the defenders were forced into hurried clearances. Soon Arsenal were attacking from all angles with Scott continuing to belt down the right and Faye White spending much of the first half as an auxilary forward. Indeed the England captain will have been disappointed not to find the net after receiving several presentable opportunities.

Twice White was inches from connecting with free kicks expertly delivered by Sanderson and Smith while she would also miss badly when Karen Carney's inch perfect centre picked her out six yards from goal.

The Leeds goal was leading a remarkably charmed life as Arsenal's pressure intensified but Telford was certainly earning her own luck as her defiance continued while the centre halves, Jess Wright and Sophie Bradley, were also deserving of praise. Bradley was especially impressive as she made any number of telling interceptions and blocks.

Bradley was on hand to boot clear after Sanderson, with her back to goal, sent a clever flicked effort goalwards before Telford arched backwards to prevent a dipping drive from Jayne Ludlow creeping beneath the bar.

Kelly Smith was now coming more into the game as Arsenal's dominance continued unabated and Alex Culvin was at full stretch to deny Carney going clean through from one long ball by Smith before a shorter pass from the same player had Scott roaring forward yet again but her cross-shot flew wide of the far post.

Midway through the half Leeds seemed to have taken some of the sting out of the Arsenal pressure but this turned out to be merely the lull before another storm.

Smith suddenly opened up the Leeds defence with another perfect pass for Scott who, bearing down on goal, should have scored but Telford's brave double save again rescued Leeds.

Houghton looked wretchedly uncomfortable at right back and put her side in trouble with a dreadfully misplaced pass which gave Smith the chance to run at the Leeds defence. Smith played in Yankey who ignored the totally unmarked Ludlow, demanding the ball on the penalty spot, for a shot that was blocked by the Leeds defence.

The danger wasn't over, however, and when Scott quickly returned the ball into the middle Carney was unlucky with a sweet half volley which flashed a yard or so wide of the post.

Sanderson and Smith both fired over from distance before a ball over the top suddenly had Amanda Barr in behind the Arsenal defence at the other end. Barr finished well past the advancing Emma Byrne but the flag was already up for a correct offside decision.

Considering that Leeds did not do much attacking during the game Barr was caught offside annoyingly often.

It had taken Alex Culvin longer than usual to produce a nasty tackle but she finally did so with a naughty late one on Scott which went unpunished by the referee. Culvin would find her way into the refs' notebook later on, however.

Bradley covered well to deny Sanderson after a neat exchange with Ludlow who then shot over as the ball dropped back into her path. Next it was Wright putting her body on the line to stop Smith but again the loose ball fell Arsenal's way and Sanderson was somewhat unfortunate to see her shot clear the bar after a good turn inside the area.

As if Telford hadn't had enough to do the goalkeeper then offered Arsenal another attacking situation with a weak goal kick. The ball went straight to Smith who produced a magical cushioned volley to instantly release Carney through on goal but Telford made amends, stretching out a foot to save.

The next flying save came from a different quarter as a falling Katie Holtham got both hands to a Ludlow effort but the referee gave the Leeds player the benefit of some considerable doubt.

The chances kept on coming with Ludlow over from the edge of the box, White putting a snap shot narrowly wide and Scott slicing a left footed effort well wide while Leeds did manage to get forward to win a corner which Byrne had some difficulty in punching away under pressure at her near post.

How the game had reached half time goalless was anybodies' guess but somehow it had done and Leeds went in at the break still on terms and knowing the possibility of an upset was still there.

It was impossible to believe that they could hold out for another forty five minutes unless they managed to play some of the game in the Arsenal half, however.

Half Time: Arsenal Ladies 0 Leeds United Ladies 0

Arsenal were not immediately able to regain the tempo of their first half onslaught and Leeds made their first meaningful attempt on goal when Houghton's corner was not properly cleared and Wright slammed in a good effort that was well blocked by Mary Phillip.

The only scare for Leeds in the first ten minutes of the second half had come when Telford dropped a centre by Carney only to be bailed out by Bradley before they suddenly capitulated, conceding three goals in little over five minutes.

Rachel Yankey was the provider of the all important first goal as she skipped away from Houghton all too easily before slipping a good ball into Smith, bursting into the box, and this time the finish, at full stretch, was clinical.

Bradley did well to tackle Carney as the winger looked to dribble clean through the Leeds defence but it was once again an Arsenal player picking up the pieces as Yankey stepped forward to shoot wide.

Sanderson then won her side a free kick just over the halfway line and decided to take the kick herself. The Arsenal striker took an eternity weighing up her options but it was time well spent for when she finally delivered the ball deep into the box it dropped over the heads of Bradley and White to find Ludlow ghosting in unmarked to score from point blank range.

Leeds brought on Mel Sutcliffe in place of Jade Moore but before the substitute had a chance to find her bearings Leeds had fallen further behind.

Sanderson and Scott, still enjoying the freedom of the right flank, combined well and when Scott squared the ball back into Sanderson her shot from just inside the box found the right hand corner with the aid of a deflection.

This was effectively game over and the fear that Leeds might end up on the end of a thrashing was again a very real possibility. The introduction of Sutcliffe was a factor in an improved Leeds performance from this point on, however. With Houghton moving into midfield Sutcliffe took over at right back and showed far more energy, belief and commitment than her teammates had managed beforehand. This in turn seemed to galvanise some of her colleagues and there was now at least some action in the Arsenal half of the field.

Sutcliffe came forward on an enterprising run but spoiled her good work with a weak finish before Leeds reduced the arrears out of the blue with an excellent goal.

Sue Smith got on the end of a long ball forward before checking back to send a lovely chip over Byrne. The effort deserved a goal but instead bounced back into play from the far post. Fortunately for Leeds Jess Clarke was following up to head comprehensively into the roof of the net.

As might have been anticipated this provoked a response from Arsenal who should have regained their three goal cushion within seconds. Yankey picked out Smith with a precise centre but Arsenal's golden girl headed wide with the goal at her mercy from eight yards.

Bradley was again the Leeds saviour as she managed to deflect an effort from Sanderson behind for a corner and from this Ludlow produced a towering header which was cleared off the line by Barr.

With just over fifteen minutes remaining Arsenal made a triple substitution and Culvin then earned her customary booking with a late challenge on Carney before being replaced herself by Olivia Thackray.

Alex Scott was still driving forward at every opportunity and went close twice in quick succession. Firstly she saw a shot deflected behind by Wright before scooping over from the edge of the box after linking well with Kelly Smith.

Both of Arsenal's attacking substitutes, Julie Fleeting and Gemma Davison, looked keen to get in on the action with Davison showing up well with several nimble dribbles.

Davison showed great balance to ride two challenges before feeding Fleeting who curled a cute effort a yard wide of the far post.

When Fleeting was then given another shooting chance she conjured a bending effort with the outside of her right foot which came back off the inside of the post and Smith was following up to tap into the empty net for Arsenal's fourth.

There was no respite for Leeds as Arsenal continued to come forward in search of goals. Scott had a shot deflected over and Davison went on another run before shooting wide from twenty five yards.

Arsenal's work ethic was then perfectly illustrated as the game entered stoppage time. Amanada Barr seemed to have put Clarke clear only for Kelly Smith to race back and clear the danger while the last action of the game saw Alex Scott flying forward yet again for a centre that Telford claimed easily enough.

Scott's eagerness to get forward and dominate the opposition had been one of the clearest examples of Arsenal's overall superiority, however.

Full Time: Arsenal Ladies 4 Leeds United Ladies 1

Star Player: Alex Scott

Carly Telford was the official choice and you couldn't really argue with that after her first half heroics but my vote goes to Scott who was absolutely magnificent.
Great teams are made by great players and I think Scott has developed into that category over the past couple of years.
As a full back Scott could have sat back and let her attackers get on with the job of beating Leeds but from the first whistle she was eager to impose herself on the game and never stopped flying forward until the final whistle.
All her performance lacked was a goal and it needed a truly world class save from Telford to deny her this in the first half when her thunderous shot was touched onto the underside of the bar.
Scott encasulates all the good things about her team. She is a quality player but she always backs up her ability with energy, commitment and bravery and will put in that little bit extra to help her side come out on top.
Outstanding.

Wednesday, April 30
Arsenal Crowned Champions Again

It's almost a week now since they clinched it so it's high time Football England congratulated Arsenal Ladies on wrapping up yet another Premier League title. That makes it five in a row.

Nobody will be surprised that Arsenal have won another title. They remain clearly the best English club side despite their League Cup final defeat to Everton and have too much strength and firepower, not to mention skill, to fall short over the course of a full season.

Everton have certainly closed the gap and hopefully next season will be more competitive still but for the moment Arsenal basically remain in a league of their own.

It was nice to see Arsenal clinch the title in real style last Thursday. Not only did they give a performance worthy of champions in coming from behind to beat Chelsea 4-1 they did so in surroundings worthy of champions at the magnificent Emirates Stadium.

The crowd of over 5,000 was also impressive and provided an excellent atmosphere for what was a fine game.

It would surely help generate interest among spectators if more womens fixtures were played on league grounds and it would certainly enable the ladies to fully display their talents. Some of the non league pitches on which they normally play almost prohibit decent football.

This game was open and exciting from the start with both sides looking to attack but Arsenal, not surprisingly, looking the more dangerous.

It was Chelsea who struck first, however, just past the quarter hour mark. A long ball over the top sent Emma Whitter running clear down the inside right channel and she sent a clever dipping drive over Emma Byrne from the angle.

It did not take long for Arsenal to respond, however, as Kelly Smith and Karen Carney combined to devastating effect. The link up play of this pair would be the outstanding feature of the game.

Smith, with her back to goal, volleyed a superb ball over the Chelsea defence to pick out Carney's perfectly timed run and the winger kept her cool to slot beneath Siobhan Chamberlain.

Arsenal were then handed a very generous penalty when Casey Stoney was adjudged to have handled as she slid in to challenge Carney near the byeline but Chamberlain dived to her left to keep out Lianne Sanderson's spot kick anyway.

Minutes later Arsenal had another penalty and there were no question marks about this decision. Smith linked with Carney before charging goalwards only to be hauled down in full flight by Emma Delves.

Smith took over the penalty duties and found the bottom corner even though Chamberlain again went the right way.

Arsenal continued to press after half time but could not add to their lead until ten minutes from time when Smith produced a typical piece of brilliance along the goalline before squaring across goal to provide Kim Little with a sitter from four yards and then Carney indulged in a final 1-2 with Smith before racing through to complete the scoring.

Arsenal then headed back to their usual home of Borehamwood FC on Sunday to inflict a 5-1 defeat on Blackburn Rovers with most of the damage being done around the half hour mark when the home side scored three goals in as many minutes.

Elsewhere Everton confirmed their status as runners up after thumping Charlton 6-0. Fara Williams is a ghost of Charlton's more distant past and returned to haunt her former club with two of the goals. Natasha Dowie and Jo Potter only left The Addicks last summer and they also found the net to remind relegated Charlton of their good "not so old" days.

Leeds United are also basically certain to finish third in the table after holding Bristol Academy to a goalless draw.

Tuesday, April 22
Forest & Fulham Promoted

The Premier League North title race has been the most keenly contested competition in top flight womens' football this season and it was Nottingham Forest who emerged victorious as the season climaxed on Sunday.

Lincoln City had put themselves into pole position the week before, albeit only on goal difference, after Jodie Snelson's hat-trick inspired them to a 4-0 win over Aston Villa.

There was no doubt that Lincoln had the tougher final fixture, however, as they travelled to Sunderland while rivals Forest were at home to Sheffield Wednesday.

This was how it proved with Lincoln struggling to overcome a tough, well organised Sunderland outfit. The Imps were the better side before the break but remained unable to break the deadlock, twice hitting the woodwork from distance.

After the break Sunderland began to threaten more frequently as Lincoln committed players forward in search of goals and took the lead when Steph O'Brien connected sweetly on the volley from just inside the box and Lincoln had a mountain to climb.

Megan Harris forced home an equaliser with just over ten minutes remaining but the situation was getting desperate for the visitors and their season ended on a terribly depressing note with star forwards Snelson and Stacey Aisthorpe both being carried off injured leaving them with only ten players for the final minutes.

Sunderland took advantage with another clinical finish on the volley, this time by Lucy Bronze, and the ambitions of ambitious Lincoln City had been thwarted once again.

Despite missing out on promotion this has certainly been a memorable season for all concerned with Lincoln, however, with their promotion bid going hand in hand with their exciting progress to the FA Cup semi finals.

Congratulations are certainly in order to Nottingham Forest, however, who did superbly well to stay clear of this formidable Lincoln outfit with the four points they took from their major rivals early on in the season proving crucial.

Forest's make or break clash with Wednesday obviously saw a few nerves showing in the first half although a Beth Bailey goal did see them holding a crucial one goal lead at the interval.

The second half saw Forest really up the pace and all tension was forgotten as the goals flowed and promotion became a racing certainty. Bailey ended with two while Natalie Clarke grabbed a hat-trick as Forest eventually ran out 5-1 winners to secure a place in the top flight of English womens' football.

Joining Forest in the National Premier League are WFC Fulham. Fulham limped over the finishing line when, having drawn at home to Portsmouth, they were handed promotion by Barnet's home defeat to West Ham.

Fulham then confirmed an anti-climatic feel to their promotion party by losing at home to Colchester 3-2. Despite this recent blip it is good to see Fulham recovering strongly from their traumatic experiences of last season although another massive test awaits them back in the top flight.

Arsenal will probably confirm themselves as Premier League champions again on Thursday when they entertain Chelsea at The Emirates.

Although Arsenal were actually held to a goalless draw by Everton the other week this scarcely damaged their title prospects and when Everton could then only draw at home to Birmingham it made the inevitable just that little bit more certain.

Everton can be well pleased with their progress this season and are undoubtedly closer to Arsenal than they were a year ago. It is still the solidity of their back four and general assurance of their midfield which is Everton's real strength. Lindsay Johnson and Emily Westwood were again outstanding as Everton kept the Gunners at bay in their goalless draw.

It was therefore something of a surprise to see Everton twice surrender the lead to Birmingham in their next game although their opponents turned in a good display to regularly trouble the strong Everton defence.

Everton went in front twice through an early Fara Williams penalty and a Natasha Dowie header in the second half but Birmingham hit back on both occassions through Danni Bird and Becky Hall.

Both these goals asked questions of Danielle Hill who has kept goal expertly in the absence of the injured Rachel Brown but who let her standards slip immediately on Brown's return to fitness.

Arsenal were also pushed hard in their next game by a dogged Bristol Academy but eventually ran out 2-0 winners thanks to a Kelly Smith penalty and a Rachel Yankey effort.

It has been a tough couple of weeks for Bristol after a prolonged spell out of action as they have battled gamely but lost three times without scoring against Everton, Leeds and Arsenal. The defeat to Leeds was by a single goal scored by Amanda Barr.

Leeds look to be in their best form of the season with goals coming from several quarters. They backed up the victory over Bristol with a 2-0 success against Liverpool before easily beating Cardiff 4-0.

None of these performances suggest they might upset Arsenal in the approaching FA Cup final, however, while the 4-0 defeat they suffered at Everton a few weeks back looks slightly ominous on that score.

Cardiff's drubbing at the hands of Leeds finally confirms the relegation which has looked inevitable for the majority of the season and it will need a big effort from everyone at the club to secure a quick return to the top flight.

Watford, newcomers at this level this season, once again showed their attacking capabilities as they beat Liverpool 4-1 with Helen Lander scoring another hat trick.

This gives Lander a grand total of 21 league goals this season with a couple of games still to play, a remarkable return which has obviously played a massive part in the clubs' impressive campaign.

Sunday April 13, 2008; National Premier League

Blackburn Rovers Ladies 1 Chelsea Ladies 2

Blackburn: S.Payne, J.Eadie, N.Brewer, N.Twohig, N.Harding, D.Campbell (E.McDougall 45), L.Shepherd, N.Preston, K.Burke, K.Anderton, L.Penny (K.Hanson 78).

Chelsea: S.Chamberlain, S.Larkin, C.Stoney, L.Fair, E.Delves, K.Davies, K.Owen (L.Cooper 45), L.Edwards, E.White, E.Aluko, C.Rafferty (D.Buet 45).

With only a couple of points seperating these two teams in the league table the outcome of this game was obviously going to be crucial as to which team would finish the season in the higher position.

As the sides lined up for kick off Chelsea looked a noticeably bigger team and they started the game looking eager to impose themselves on their hosts. Ellen White flicked on a drop kick from Siobhan Chamberlain and raced forward to take a return pass from Katie Owen but then shot wide of the near post with Eni Aluko waiting in the centre for a square ball.

Blackburn's first effort on goal was hopeful with Lynda Shepherd presenting Chamberlain with an easy save from thirty yards but the early momentum was with Chelsea who threatened when Aluko slid a clever ball into Clare Rafferty, breaking down the side of the box, and her cross was fumbled dangerously by Sian Payne who was relieved to grab hold at the second attempt.

Having weathered this early squall Blackburn emerged to enjoy their best spell of the first half. The one area where Chelsea did not look that big was, unusually, in the centre of defence and the home side began to enjoy some success with balls played in behind and down the sides of Emma Delves and Kylie Davies.

Nicky Harding arrowed two excellent passes forward in quick succession from left back to put her side on the attack. The first one found Katie Anderton unmarked but the strikers' control was faulty and denied her a clear run on goal. Anderton then caught up with the ball near the goalline but, having cut back inside a defender, shot wastefully from a prohibitive angle with colleagues better placed.

When Harding produced another telling through ball Casey Stoney's tentative clearance created its' own danger but again the opportunity was spoiled by an overly ambitious shot, this time by Karen Burke.

As the game began to really open up both sides were frustrated by dubious offside calls within the space of a minute and then it needed a fine challenge from Davies to halt a break by Levi Penny.

Blackburn were unable to maintain the momentum they had built up and the rest of the first half was dominated by the visitors.

Lizzie Edwards made her first serious contribution with a strong run out of defence which was matched by a sweeping pass out to White on the right wing but her intended pass to Aluko was poor and the chance lost.

Aluko did then receive excellent service from Rafferty and a lovely first touch on the thigh set the speedy forward up for a run at Nicky Twohig but the Rovers centre half was equal to the challenge and stopped Aluko in her tracks.

In general, however, this was an isolated triumph for the Blackburn defence who struggled throughout to curb the darting runs of Aluko.

Twohig, a clean striker of the ball, was also providing intermittent hope to her forwards with her long passes out of defence and Anderton looked likely to go clear from one of these only for Delves to intervene with a perfectly timed challenge.

The most debatable offside decision yet stopped Rafferty in her tracks after a clever flick through by White but the goal that Chelsea were looking increasingly likely to score then duly arrived.

Blackburn sent players forward for a free kick but when this was cleared they were immediately stretched in defence. Twohig lunged forward to challenge White but the forward was favourite and skipped away from the tackle before feeding Aluko who left Jayne Eadie for dead before easily rounding Payne and shooting into an empty net.

The Blackburn defence looked liable to collapse at any moment at this stage and Eadie was soon left stranded again as White went past her out wide before drilling a centre into the near post where Rafferty arrived at the perfect moment but could only poke her shot wide.

The home defence then somehow escaped after a catalogue of errors in Chelsea's next attack. Twohig sent an intended headed clearance back towards her own goal, Payne came out to punch but got no distance whatsoever and when Aluko sent a shot goalwards Eadie was in position to clear but struck the ball straight at Rafferty and was hugely relieved to see the ball lob wide of the empty net.

It was hard to see the Blackburn defence avoiding further damage, however, especially as there was absolutely no weight whatsoever being taken off them at this stage as Chelsea completely dominated the midfield areas.

Aluko, Rafferty and White linked for a lovely move which ended with a shot that was well blocked by the lunging Harding but the seemingly inevitable second goal arrived with ten minutes remaining to the interval.

Rafferty robbed the unhappy Eadie and carried the ball down the left flank before squaring a low ball into the centre. It looked as though the cross was too close to Payne but the Rovers keeper was not decisive enough and lost the ball under challenge from the eager Ellen White.

With both players horizontal the ball fell kindly for the attacker who sent the ball into an empty net from her prone position.

The question now was whether Rovers would be able to reach half time without conceding again and they just about managed this. White was soon going round Payne again but this time in a wide position and Natalie Brewer was able to get back and intercept the shot.

With half time beckoning Blackburn finally managed to work another move with Anderton and Burke combining but the final shot, from Lynda Shepherd, was weak and bobbled harmlessly wide of the post from just outside the box.

Overall it was hard to quibble with the visitors' two goal lead.

Half Time: Blackburn Rovers Ladies 0 Chelsea Ladies 2

There would be three changes made at half time with Chelsea, somewhat surprisingly, making two of these. Laura Cooper and Danielle Buet came on in place of Owen and Rafferty while Blackburn withdrew Denise Campbell and brought on Emma McDougall.

It was the Rovers replacement who made her presence felt first when she claimed possession inside the Chelsea half before feeding Shepherd whose ambitious shot was well wide from distance.

McDougall was looking a lively customer, however, and this seemed to transmit itself to the rest of the Blackburn side and for ten minutes or so they had Chelsea penned back inside their own half.

Karen Burke offered Penny the chance to break forward with a subtle touch and the striker was unlucky to see her dipping shot just clear the bar after neatly evading a challenge.

Blackburn then won a corner which drifted beyond a couple of attackers before reaching Anderton, lurking around the edge of the box, but she sliced her effort well wide of the target.

This was much better from the home side and they then came within inches of one of the goals of the season. Penny began the move with some clever play in the centre before slipping the ball out to McDougall on the left. The diminutive winger was faced by Sian Larkin but was beyond her in the blinking of an eye and racing for goal.

From just over twenty yards out McDougall unleashed a shot that had Chamberlain beaten but scraped the top of the bar on its' way over.

McDougall had demonstrated the threat she carried and would continue to offer Rovers their best outlet but the home side either did not realise this fact or were simply unable to feed her as consistently as they needed to and her influence was frustratingly sporadic from this moment on.

Lizzie Edwards led a Celsea counter attack that almost put the issue beyond doubt. Edwards carried the ball out of defence and over halfway before supplying Aluko who went to the bye-line to cut the ball back into the Rovers area. The defence managed to half clear the ball but when it fell into the path of White she drilled in a low drive that was destined for the far corner until Payne managed to tip the ball behind at full stretch and keep her side in contention.

The corner brought another effort on goal as Stoney sent in a cushioned volley from the edge of the area but this clever attempt was always slightly too high.

McDougall set Anderton running at the Chelsea defence as Rovers regained the intiative and the Rovers striker might well have gone down earlier under a dubious challenge from Larkin. When Anderton did finally hit the deck, with the chance gone, she got no sympathy from the referee.

Players are always encouraged to stay on their feet by fans and pundits but it is seldom to their benefit to do so. Referees will often wait for an advantage but then pull play back for a free kick outside the penalty area but are never brave enough to do the same inside the box.

Blackburn had certainly done enough since half time to feel they deserved to get back into the game and with the hour mark approaching they managed to do so.

Shepherd played a good ball over the top for Anderton to run onto in the inside left position and the prolific scorer showed the quality of her finishing with a blistering left footed drive across Chamberlain into the far corner.

The goal was no more than Blackburn deserved and they continued to press in search of an equaliser. Natalie Preston sent in a teasing ball which saw Anderton challenging Chamberlain in the air and the Chelsea keeper was a little fortunate to be able to claim the ball at the second attempt.

Anderton was the source of danger again shortly afterwards when she latched onto a long free kick from Twohig but this time her cross shot from the right hand side of the area flashed just wide of the far post.

Slowly but surely, however, Chelsea began to ride out this storm and would emerge as the stronger side as the second half progressed but the game remained on a knife edge while they were only one goal to the good.

Aluko was offered a clear chance to give the visitors breathing space when flicks by Lorrie Fair and White sent her through but the finish was weak and easily saved by Payne. Then it was good work from Aluko that resulted in a chance for Fair but her shot from twenty yards cleared the bar.

There was sudden danger at the other end when another ball over the top caught out the Chelsea defence. The ball fell to McDougall who was clear of the defence and in position to run through on goal. The Rovers players are almost conditioned into giving the ball to Anderton at every opportunity, however, and that is exactly what McDougall did now.

The offside flag that went up immediately seemed an inevitable consequence of the decision to pass and Anderton's clinical finish was rendered irrelevent.

The game was becoming increasingly open but the play was now heading towards the Blackburn goal almost constantly as Chelsea looked to put the game to bed.

Danielle Buet released White through the centre of the Blackburn defence but her attempted lob over Payne was feeble and presented the Rovers keeper with a simple save. Then when Buet sent in a fierce centre White flung herself headlong to connect with a dramatic diving header but could not direct her effort inside the far post.

Then it was Aluko's turn to try and lob Payne after racing through onto Stoney's pass but although she got the required height her shot lacked direction and dropped the wrong side of the post.

Tricky play by Buet cutting inside from the right then offered Aluko another chanced to seal victory and this time it needed a diving save from Payne to keep the contest alive.

McDougall led a Rovers counter which ended with Levi Penny being brought down for a free kick some twenty five yards from goal but Anderton's shot from the set piece flew way over the crossbar and as the minutes ticked away Blackburn found it impossible to fashion any further chances.

Laura Cooper squandered a good chance from Buet's knock down with a weak shot straight at Payne and the final minutes were mainly spent with Chelsea deep inside Rovers territory counting down the clock.

Overall there was no denying that Chelsea were good value for their win but it was a pity Rovers had been so poor before half time. If they had played as well before the break as they did after it then this game would have been an absolute belter.

As it was it was still a hugely enjoyable contest only slightly spoiled by the annoying behaviour of the Chelsea substitutes bench during much of the first half and some of the second.

The manic "cheerleading" in which they indulged seemed somewhat insulting and possibly antagonistic to the Blackburn side and hardly reflected any credit on their own club.

Full Time: Blackburn Rovers Ladies 1 Chelsea Ladies 2

Star Player: Ellen White

This was by no means a cut and dried decision but Chelsea generally looked a stronger, faster side than Blackburn and nobody epitomised this more than the imposing White.
Given something of a roving attacking commission White caused problems throughout for the Blackburn defence with her strength, pace and movement although she might feel that she could have done better with her final ball or finish on several occasions.
There is no doubt that White is one of England's major young talents, however.

Wednesday, April 9
Blizzard Hits Lincoln's Promotion Bid

Cardiff City Ladies are all but relegated after narrowly losing two games at home in the space of five days. In midweek they went down to an Amy Turner header against Doncaster and then were defeated by Eni Aluko's early goal against Chelsea on Sunday.

On both occasions Cardiff displayed admirable spirit but lacked the extra quality that might have brought a positive result. Chances were spurned in both games while defensive confusion presented Aluko with her goal.

Avoiding relegation was always going to be difficult for Cardiff after losing two star players, Gwennan Harries and Jess Fishlock, to Bristol Academy in the summer and their loss has indeed proved crucial as the team have struggled all season to find the net.

One player who has given excellent service this season is the impressive goalkeeper Rhian Nokes and she was again outstanding in these two latest defeats.

Hopefully Cardiff, who still have several other promising young players, can bounce back from the disappointments of this season and emerge as a force in the Premier League South next time around.

One team looking to move into the National Premier League were thwarted by the weather at the weekend. Lincoln City went to Sunderland for a difficult looking fixture and found themselves in the middle of a blizzard.

The game got under way and reached half time with Lincoln leading 1-0 through a fine Jodie Snelson effort before the referee deemed conditions unplayable and abandoned the match.

This was tough on Lincoln at such a crucial stage of the season but the decision was undoubtedly the correct one. There are plenty of pictures of the game available on Sunderland's website (www.sunderlandwfc.co.uk) which give a fair indication of the unpleasant conditions. These pictures also demonstrate just how cool orange footballs are but that is neither here nor there really.

Arsenal and Everton continue to plough on relentlessly in the National Premier League. Arsenal cantered to a 3-0 win at Birmingham last midweek while Everton scored two comprehensive wins. A full match report from their 3-0 victory over Bristol Academy follows this round up and they also scored a 5-1 win over Liverpool last week.

Michelle Evans grabbed two goals in that one but the most notable achievement was from Liverpool's Jo Traynor who scored for both sides in the opening ten minutes. Traynor put her own side ahead first of all but then give the Blues the lead, after Amy Kane had equalised, in a frantic opening.

Sunday April 6, 2008; National Premier League.

Everton Ladies 3 Bristol Academy 0

Everton: D.Hill, B.Easton, R.Unitt, L.Duffy (F. Williams), E.Westwood, L.Johnson, J.Handley, A.Kane, N.Dowie, J.Potter (J.Scott), M.Evans (M.Hinnigan).

Bristol: L.Barnes-Ellis, M.O'Brien, E.Jones, K.Manley, C.Yorston, C.Williams (C.Scanlon), J.Fishlock, G.McCatty, K.Bartlett (M.Brain), G.Harries, S.Curtis (Passerella).

Despite having led the way in the National Premier League for much of the season Bristol Academy arrived at Everton knowing a win was essential if they were to retain any hopes of finishing the campaign in second place. Everton's outstanding form had taken them above Bristol in the table while still holding four games in hand.

The visitors were clearly intent on making things difficult for the home side first and foremost with Steph Curtis an isolated figure in attack in the opening stages. With five players patrolling midfield Bristol ensured that Everton struggled to find any rhythm in the first ten minutes and also showed that they could break quickly on a couple of occasions.

Jess Fishlock provided the games' first moment of quality with a telling ball inside Rachel Unitt for Cheryl Williams to run onto but she could do no more than win a corner which came to nothing.

When Everton gained a corner at the other end the Bristol defence had difficulty in clearing their lines but when they eventually managed to do so Gwennan Harries raced away on a dangerous looking break only to spoil the chance with a wayward pass.

Almost fifteen minutes had elapsed before the first shooting opportunity arrived after another set piece. The ball dropped kindly for Everton's Emily Westwood after a free kick had been sent deep into the Academy box but the centre halves' low drive was a couple of yards wide of the target.

The first sign of fluency from Everton came when Lindsay Johnson made a typically forthright break out of defence before feeding Natasha Dowie wide on the right and her pacy centre forced Marie O'Brien into a dramatic headed clearance over her own crossbar.

Jody Handley whipped in a fine corner which cleared Laura Barnes-Ellis in the Bristol goal and she was grateful to Williams for heading clear from the goalline.

Kerry Manley was then booked somewhat harshly after catching Dowie with a challenge from behind and she would later be joined in the book by Corinne Yorston who could have no complaints after scything Amy Kane down.

Everton continued to threaten from dead ball situations and it took a superb goalline clearance from O'Brien to deny Rachel Unitt from point blank range when the full back met a superb corner by Jo Potter.

Little had been seen of the Bristol attack for some time when the visitors suddenly enjoyed a good spell midway through the half and Curtis was offered chances in quick succession.

Firstly a wonderful first time through ball by Williams, played diagonally from the right wing and perfectly weighted, sent the powerful forward clear of the Everton defence but her cross shot was wide of the far post and then a poor ball by Handley offered Curtis the chance to storm forward but, having left Westwood trailing in her wake, the strikers' fierce drive flashed over the angle.

Everton responded with a good move involving Potter, Unitt and Dowie but when Unitt looked to profit from Dowie's cut back she was just about blocked out by the Bristol defence.

Next it was Potter's turn to get to the byeline and her pull back offered Handley an inviting chance but she scuffed her shot disappointingly wide.

The play then became bogged down in the midfield areas for a prolonged spell as Bristol continued to make life difficult for an Everton side missing the craft of Fara Williams and the energy of Jill Scott, both on the substitutes bench after recent injuries, and it looked as though the first half would end goalless.

With the interval looming, however, Everton did make one of their set pieces count after the foul on Kane by Yorston which brought the second yellow card of the contest.

Potter chipped the free kick into Dowie who showed excellent control and strength, as she did throughout, to hold the ball up inside the box before teeing up Unitt for a shot which arrowed into the bottom corner from just inside the area.

The visitors almost snatched an immediate equaliser as they came forward with Johnson down injured and when the ball fell to Harries she sent in a cracking shot on the turn which drew a spectacular diving save from Danielle Hill who not only kept the ball out but held onto it as well. Top goalkeeping.

Half Time: Everton Ladies 1 Bristol Academy 0

Any real prospect of the visitors forcing their way back into the game basically disappeared shortly after the restart when Dowie went on a run and, having slipped by a couple of defenders, produced a smart finish for a fine solo goal.

With Johnson and Westwood in typically resolute form at the back for Everton it was hard to see how Bristol could overturn a two goal deficit and a long second half looked on the cards for the visitors, especially with Scott and Williams warming up for some action.

The speedy Harries had now swapped places with the robust Curtis through the middle for Bristol but Johnson and Westwood are quick as well as strong and the nippy little forward looked to have her work cut out getting any change from her markers.

After a sweeping move out of defence Potter produced a lovely touch to send Dowie running at the Bristol defence again but this time the forward had to settle for a corner when she might have done better.

Again the quality of Everton's delivery, this time from Handley, caused problems for the Academy defence and when Unitt flicked on at the near post Leanne Duffy, of all people, had a clear chance but her header was too high.

Fishlock, who kept on going to the last whistle, took advantage of some sloppy play by Everton to win possession for her side and then presented Harries with a chance but the low shot was straight at Hill who made the save look easy with more assured handling.

By now Everton's command was increasing and the introduction of Scott and Williams for Potter and Duffy did nothing to alter this trend.

Manley produced an excellent interception from a Dowie centre after Kane had released her striker with a perceptive through ball as Everton threatened to extend their advantage.

Fara Williams then made a complete mess of a free kick which allowed the impressive Fishlock to lead a rapid counter attack but Harries was fractionally short of reaching her low centre in front of goal. Everton were forced into conceding a corner, however, which Hill could only punch out as far as Millie Brain whose first time volley was not far off target.

With twenty minutes remaining Everton did put the game completely to bed. Michelle Evans popped up in the centre to flick on a long ball out of defence and suddenly Jill Scott was running through on goal. Scott tried to lob the advancing keeper but did not get the required height and was lucky to see the ball rebound straight into her path.

Faced with an open goal the England midfielder made no mistake.

Hill's handling was then less than perfect as a free kick from Curtis bounced awkwardly in front of her but the Everton keeper made amends with a brave block as the ball ran loose but there was no way back for the visitors and the game petered out somewhat as Everton cruised to another three points.

Williams produced her one moment of superior class with a superb pass out to Dowie who in turn picked out Handley with her centre but the England forward was not having her best game in front of goal and completely mis-hit her attempted volley.

Not that Everton would have been too worried as they collected another comfortably gathered three points from a would be challenger. This is a side that is still developing and improving and blends power, pace and skill just about ideally.

Bristol Academy have enjoyed a fine season so far but remain some way short of the top two teams at the moment.

Full Time: Everton Ladies 3 Bristol Academy 0

Star Player: Jess Fishlock

This award could have gone to any one of half a dozen Everton players. Johnson and Westwood were outstanding yet again at the heart of their defence, Unitt showed up well in defence and attack, Potter gave an impressive display in the centre of midfield and Dowie gave probably the best performance I have seen from her up front, impressing with her control and movement as well as scoring a fine goal.
It is harder to keep going when you are fighting a losing cause, however, and Fishlock was outstanding in her refusal to quit in the Bristol midfield.
Not the biggest she is as brave as they come, tackles keenly, can run all day, has real quality on the ball when passing or dribbling and will never give in. Excellent.

Tuesday, April 1
Charlton Relegated

The inevitable relegation of Charlton Athletic Ladies was confirmed at the weekend after they slipped to defeat at Cardiff City.

Having lost their entire first team squad last summer when Charlton Athletic FC withdrew their funding there was never any real possibility that the womens' team could retain their top flight status.

For a long time it looked as though the team would fold altogether and while this threat was warded off at the last minute a hastily assembled batch of youngsters with no experience of Premier League football were always going to find the going tough.

Like Fulham the season before Charlton did make giant strides forward during the campaign. In the early stages they were hammered virtually every week but the second half of the season has seen them far more competitive and the team have enjoyed creditable draws against Chelsea, Liverpool, Doncaster and Leeds.

The Addicks might even have fancied their chances of recording a victory on their trip to South Wales to meet the team directly above them in the table and this looked a distinct possibility when Tonje Smedholen put them ahead midway through the second half.

The visitors held that lead until the closing stages but slipped to a late defeat after seeing centre half Toni-Anne Wayne depart injured with seven minutes to go. Goals from Kayleigh Greening and Nicola Cousins turned the match on its' head and confirmed that Charlton, such a power just twelve months ago, will have to continue their rebuilding work outside the National Premier League.

Cardiff's victory means they still have a mathematical chance of avoiding the drop but this is the longest of long shots.

Arsenal laboured slightly at home to Birmingham on a very testing surface but ended up 3-0 winners anyway. Jayne Ludlow opened the scoring before half time following a corner while victory was confirmed after the break by two more Lianne Sanderson goals, the first a smart effort on the turn and the second courtesy of a real howler from Blues keeper Sue Wood.

Everton remain theoretical challengers for the title and wrapped up the points against Chelsea before half time in their latest fixture. All the goals in their 3-0 romp came before the interval with Jody Handley, Fara Williams and Rachel Unitt finding the target.

It will be something of a manic end of season for Everton who still have ten games to squeeze in. They face two important games this week as they take on Liverpool in the derby game this Thursday before entertaining second placed Bristol Academy on Sunday.

Nottingham Forest were indebted to Andrea Bell for a hat trick in their crucial 3-1 win at Newcastle which puts the pressure on Lincoln to match that result on their trip to Sunderland this weekend.

Bell, a pacy, direct forward, has proved a quality acquisition for Forest since joining from Blackburn in the summer and her two late goals in this game could prove the difference come the end of the season.

Tuesday, March 25
Lincoln & Forest Almost Inseperable

Lincoln City moved level on points with Nottingham Forest at the top of the Premier League North at the weekend with a nervous victory over Manchester City.

Two goals in the final three minutes gave The Lady Imps the three points which means they now trail Forest by the narrowest of margins. With two games each left to play Forest have a goal difference which is superior by one.

The win at City was one that looked like eluding Lincoln. Indeed they would have been trailing at half time had it not been for goalline clearances by both centre halves and a one on one save by Kay Hawke.

After the break City defended deep against a strangely lacklustre Lincoln attack and it was not until the closing stages that the visitors, somewhat desperately, began to apply real pressure.

The crucial breakthrough came from Leandra Little, pushed forward from defence to bolster the attack, who scored with a dipping shot from the edge of the area following a corner.

With the tension relieved, and City forced to flood forward themselves, Lincoln then sealed victory through Tanya Dickinson who broke away to score with a fierce drive.

Both Forest and Lincoln would expect to win their remaining home games but face tricky away games. Forest go to Newcastle while Lincoln travel to Sunderland.

In the Premier League Arsenal crushed Cardiff City who are not only doomed to relegation but could even slip below the improving Charlton Athletic.

Arsenal won 6-0 and were five goals to the good before half time. Both Karen Carney and Lianne Sanderson struck twice to emphasize once again just how much easier it is scoring for Arsenal than it is for England.

The other goals came courtesy of Kelly Smith and Jayne Ludlow.

Elsewhere Chelsea had another disappointing aftrenoon as they lost at home to Leeds United despite the fact that the visitors had to play regular centre half Jess Wright in goal.

Wright was beaten once by Ellen White who opened the scoring from close range after half an hour but Sue Smith quickly responded for Leeds who then claimed the points with a goal straight after half time.

Jess Clarke came forward from the kick off to score with a shot that Chelsea were convinced had not crossed the line. The officials thought otherwise, however, and these clubs continue to move in opposite directions since Chelsea actually won at Leeds earlier on in the campaign.

Thursday March 20, 2008; European Championship Qualifier

England Ladies 0 Czech Republic 0

England: S.Chamberlain, A.Scott, C.Stoney, A.Asante, F.White, M.Phillip (L.Johnson 45), K.Carney, F.Williams, L.Sanderson (E.Aluko 45), E.Westwood, R.Yankey.

There was a ferocious wind blowing around Doncaster's Keepmoat Stadium as this European Championship qualifier got under way and the conditions were anything but conducive for good football. The wind remained a massive factor all night and offered England a reasonable excuse for a below par performance.

In truth, however, England were very poor and could not wholly blame the conditions or their aggressive, determined opponents for the lack of quality they showed.

The home side made a bright enough start with Lianne Sanderson sending a good ball across the face of goal which Karen Carney was close to meeting and then Carney robbed her full back before sending in a centre which pinballed around the box until Sanderson produced another neat touch to set up Alex Scott for a drive from the edge of the area that was always rising.

As the game settled down, however, England's passing was extremely ragged and this, combined with some hesitant defending, encouraged the Czech's to push forward and for five minutes the England goal was under threat.

Mary Phillip lost possession cheaply just outside her own box which allowed Blanka Penickova and Katerina Doskova to lead a raid on the England goal which ended with Doskova getting the better of Scott and her shot from twelve yards forced a fine reaction save out of Siobhan Chamberlain.

Moments later Faye White was called upon to make a blocking challenge inside her own box and then Emily Westwood and Fara Williams got themselves into a tangle on the edge of their own area and were relieved to see Eva Smeralova shoot too high.

There would be precious little ambition shown by the visitors after this spell but England remained patently unable to get their passing game together.

Set pieces quickly became England's most likely source of danger and Alex Scott sent in a strong header from a Rachel Yankey corner but the ball struck Carney, standing in front of the keeper, and the ball was bundled clear.

Then England had the ball in the net from an inswinging Carney free kick as the ball lobbed in off White but at least three England players had been caught offside as the Czech defence pushed out en masse.

Lianne Sanderson was struggling to make an impression through the middle but was England's most creative player as she moved out to either flank and one turn and centre from the angle of the area was particularly impressive but there was nobody breaking forward to take advantage.

Chamberlain played her side into trouble with an ill advised throw out to Casey Stoney who was immediately robbed but the England defence eventually managed to scramble the danger clear.

With the game approaching the half hour mark the dodgy looking Czech keeper had yet to be tested so Fara Williams tried one of her 40 yarders but the ball lobbed through tamely to present no threat and then Yankey wasted a good position with a woeful centre straight at the keeper.

Sanderson instigated decent moves twice in quick succession as she continued to rove intelligently. The first brought a free kick for a blatant foul on Yankey and Carney's dangerous inswinger bounced a foot wide of the post off Faye White as she attacked the ball four yards out.

Then the forwards' scheming sent Alex Scott racing into the box but her touch was heavy and the chance quickly evaporated.

England's best move of the half, perhaps the game, saw Sanderson involved twice with assured touches as she combined with her midfielders but the approach play was again spoiled by an aimless centre by Yankey.

The Czech's had been highly aggressive in their approach from the start and had succeeded in spoiling England's tentative attacking moves in a largely legitimate manner but when Lucie Martinkova went in high and late on Alex Scott the referee was badly at fault not to produce a card of some description.

The full back was soon in the action again with a telling cross that found Faye White, of all people, bursting into the box but the centre half had no real idea of what to do having got into such a good position and the ball simply bounced off her to the goalkeeper.

With half time approaching Lucie Kladrubska suddenly sent in an ambitious effort from way out on the left wing and the ball was perilously close to the far post with Chamberlain nowhere. Then Lucie Martinkova also tried her luck but was too high from the edge of the box.

Half Time: England Ladies 0 Czech Republic Ladies 0

Hope Powell decided action was needed after the lacklustre first half and made two changes at the break. Lindsay Johnson came on at the back for Mary Phillip while Eni Aluko replaced Lianne Sanderson up front.

Although Sanderson had not been a threat on goal during the first half she had easily been England's most inventive player and it was hard to see why she wasn't left on and Emily Westwood, struggling to make any impression in the attacking midfielders role, withdrawn instead.

Despite all Sanderson's goals for Arsenal her best position is probably playing off a striker and this was the ideal opportunity to let her do this in an England shirt.

As it was Westwood became ever less influential as the game went on and Aluko simply looked out of her depths.

Fara Williams almost got Carney away but a diving defender managed to head the ball behind for a corner which was headed forward by Westwood but Rachel Yankey, positioned in front of the keeper, was unable to get another touch.

Yankey was as infuriating as ever in an England shirt. She made more promising positions for herself than any other player but all too often wasted them with a poor pass or centre.

When the winger finally got it right with a sharp turn and centre from the left Carney came flying in for an acrobatic volley but could only shin her effort way off target.

Yankey's next centre was from a corner and White made clean contact at the far post but the keeper was across to save smartly.

The Czech's were continuing to put themselves about and when Irena Martinkova lunged into Westwood as she was shooting, to earn a booking, England had a free kick in a dangerous position. Fara Williams struck her shot well enough but the shot was too close to Marcela Zbrilova who saved at the second attempt.

The play was becoming ever more scrappy as England's passes were either under or over hit. The Czech's were still harrying and putting their feet in but now they were eager to waste time when they could as well, taking an age over throw ins and staying down at every opportunity.

Alex Scott bundled her way into a shooting position after linking with Carney down the right but her left foot shot was too high while Yankey was just unable to reach a lobbed pass from Williams ahead of the keeper.

England finally managed to raise the tempo in the last five minutes but were still unable to create a clear cut chance.

The best opportunity came when Aluko made her one positive contribution with a sharp turn and centre down the left hand side of the box which found Scott bursting beyond the defence but it would have needed a special finish as the full back, at full stretch, attempted a cushioned volley in mid air and the effort was always off target.

Casey Stoney also got her head to a corner as the clock ticked down but saw her effort flash a few yards wide and the visitors had accomplished their mission of holding England.

Allowances have to be made for the awful conditions but this was still a hugely disappointing performance from England. Without the suspended Kelly Smith there was no individual flair and nobody with either the confidence or ability to take the game by the scruff of the neck.

Once again the formation offered cause for debate. Neither Yankey or Carney could really dominate their full backs which meant no service into the lone striker and with nobody linking up consistently from midfield there was a complete lack of a goal threat.

This system appears to rely completely on Kelly Smith to be effective which basically makes it a bad system. Once again there was no prospect of Hope Powell changing the formation and the decision to remove Lianne Sanderson was surely a bad one.

Eni Aluko is looking less and less like an international centre forward but, in her defence, England never play the football she thrives on. Aluko needs quick, sharp passes down the sides of the centre halves in and around the box and would benefit from having someone in support through the middle to take some weight off her.

Sanderson was the one player in this squad who could have supplied those things but instead of partnering each other they were once again left to fend for themselves in a lonely battle through the middle with next to no service and always outnumbered.

In midfield there was a distinct lack of creativity with Williams not at her best, Westwood struggling in an unfamiliar position and Anita Asante content to sit deep.

In an attacking sense the inclusion of Casey Stoney at left back also hampers England. Stoney never once ventured forward in open play and her passing range is severely restricted by the need to come inside onto her right foot.

This goalless draw is by no means a disaster in terms of qualifying but England still have work to do and they will now have to do it away from home as their three remaining fixtures are all on foreign soil.

Full Time: England Ladies 0 Czech Republic Ladies 0

England: S.Chamberlain 5, A.Scott 5, C.Stoney 3, A.Asante 4, F.White 5, M.Phillip 2 (L.Johnson 4), K.Carney 4, F.Williams 4, L.Sanderson 6 (E.Aluko 1), E.Westwood 3, R.Yankey 4.

Star Player: Lianne Sanderson

On a night when England struggled to put two passes together and showed almost no invention whatsoever Sanderson's touch, movement and creativity was substantially better than any of her teammates. Her reward? To be dragged off at half time.
Hope Powell might have wanted more form her inside the box but there was little point in her waiting there for any service, it simply wasn't coming.

Wednesday, March 19
Chelsea's Season Hits New Low

When Chelsea Ladies signed three England internationals in the summer to join their squad of highly promising youngsters the club would have expected to establish themselves near the top of the Premier League table and perhaps challenge strongly in the cups. Instead the season has become increasingly frustrating for all concerned as the team has failed to gel and results have become more and more inconsistent.

There is little doubt that Sundays' goalless draw with Charlton Athletic represents a new low in their disappointing campaign, however.

Two of the internationals Chelsea attracted last summer, Casey Stoney and Eni Aluko, came from the wreckage of Charlton and they will have been more frustrated than most at their new clubs' failure to find the net against the bottom placed side even though neither of them started the game.

Stoney was absent altogether while Aluko started on the bench. The England striker was introduced into the action as Chelsea became increasingly desperate for a goal but she had to join the long list of players denied by Charlton's sixteen year old debutant keeper Sian Jenkins.

Jenkins made at least ten notable saves to keep her side on terms and the woodwork was also struck on a couple of occasions as The Addicks' young side rode their luck.

It was not entirely one way traffic, however, and Chelsea's other England capture, goalkeeper Siobhan Chamberlain, showed her worth with a couple of good stops to ensure her side avoided the ultimate embarrassment of defeat.

The FA Cup reached the semi final stage and there were victories for Leeds United Ladies and Arsenal.

Leeds accounted for Everton after a penalty shootout (a full match report follows) while Arsenal proved far too strong for Lincoln City at Sincil Bank.

Lincoln battled gamely but had no answer to Arsenal's quality and power. Kelly Smith and Lianne Sanderson both struck twice within the opening half hour to put The Gunners four up.

Lincoln did then manage to pull one back before the break and battled bravely to keep Arsenal out until ten minutes from time when Jayne Ludlow put the seal on a 5-1 win.

Hopefully the crowd of just under 3,000 will not have been too disappointed at the outcome. For all Lincoln's giant strides forward in recent years there was no real hope of them upsetting a side packed with the cream of British talent who have been developing together now over several seasons.

Consolation came from the fact that Lincoln's one goal, a stunning volley from Sophie Barker, was the pick of the afternoon and hopefully the crowd enjoyed the moment as much as the goalscorer and her teammates evidently did.

The penalty shootout success enjoyed by Leeds over Everton was their third in the competition so far and no doubt they will head to the City Ground for the final hoping to take that game all the way as well. Somehow I think that game will be settled without the need for penalties, however.

There was bad news for Lincoln in the league as well as Nottingham Forest scored a hard earned 2-0 win over Preston to open up a three point gap in the race for promotion.

Lincoln do have a game in hand, however, and this one should go right down to the wire.

Tomorrow night sees England back in European Championship qualifying action as the Czech Republic visit Doncaster. This is England's last home qualifier so victory is vital. A win would all but seal qualification but anything less would leave the girls facing a tricky finish to their campaign which winds up with visits to Spain and the Czech Republic.

Tomorrows' task is made harder by the absence of the suspended Kelly Smith and it would seem likely that her place will be taken by either Lianne Sanderson or Eni Aluko.

My vote would undoubtedly go to Sanderson but whoever gets the nod it is about time they put down a real marker for a permanent place in the future. England need one of these two to start firing regularly or else the search for an international goalscorer should be widened.

If you are not able to get to Donny for this game there is live coverage on BBC 3 from 7.00pm.

Sunday March 16, 2008; FA Cup Semi Final.

Everton Ladies v. Leeds United Ladies

Everton: D.Hill, B.Easton, L.Johnson, E.Westwood, R.Unitt, J.Scott (J.Potter 70), A.Kane, F.Williams, J.Handley, N.Dowie, M.Evans (T.Duggan 66).

Leeds: C.Telford, N.Emmanuel, S.Bradley, J.Wright, A.Culvin (M.Sutcliffe 48), S.Smith, J.Moore (K.Holtham 48), S.Walton, S.Houghton, O.Thackray, A.Barr.

Having ended Arsenal's domestic stranglehold by lifting the League Cup a few weeks earlier Everton Ladies would have been keen to win through to the FA Cup final and, in all likelihood, earn themselves another crack at The Gunners. Standing in their way at Southport's Haig Avenue were Leeds United Ladies who had made it through a tough draw in which they had twice needed penalties to progress.

Everton started in positive fashion with Jody Handley sending over a wicked centre from the right which Carly Telford just got a hand to and when Rachel Unitt returned the ball from the left hand side the Leeds defence was at full stretch to clear.

Everton quickly pressed again with Emily Westwood picking out Handley with a great crossfield ball and when the striker looked to burst into the box she was blatantly taken out by a crude challenge from Alex Culvin.

Fara Williams stepped forward to take the penalty but sent in a feeble low effort that was parried by Telford. The ball bounced straight back to the penalty taker but her next effort was just as weak and Telford gathered gratefully.

Had Everton scored at this stage it would have forced Leeds to come out and play a bit but as it was the underdogs were able to stick to their containing gameplan and the afternoon ended up being a long one.

Leeds did manage the next attack and carved out their one truly clear chance of the game. Amanada Barr sent over a cracking centre which found Stephanie Houghton at the far post and she fed Olivia Thackray an inviting chance but the shot was high from seven yards out.

Everton continued to do most of the probing but their efforts were mainly hopeful with the Leeds defence protecting Telford diligently. Williams failed to test Telford from distance on two occasions while Jill Scott and Michelle Evans were also off target from around the edge of the box.

Everton might have been offered another chance from the penalty spot on two seperate occasions as Williams went down under challenges but the referee was content to let play continue.

Westwood was forced into a superb headed clearance by a good centre from Sue Smith before Everton produced a sweeping move which punctured the Leeds defence.

Lindsay Johnson's searching long ball released Evans whose first time centre picked out Natasha Dowie but her volley just cleared the crossbar.

There was a flurry of activity with half time approaching which was instigated by the referees' ludicrous decision to penalise Telford for taking too long clearing her lines. If Telford had taken longer than six seconds it could only have been by a fraction of a second and it was a decsion the official would never have had the nerve to give if he had been refereeing men.

The Leeds wall charged down the free kick to ensure justice was done and then survived when a neat flick by Dowie released Williams whose shot was again straight at Telford.

The half ended with a booking for Culvin after she had taken out Williams by the touchline but Leeds had reached half time with the game goalless and their first objective had been achieved.

Half Time: Everton Ladies 0 Leeds United Ladies 0

Fara Williams, despite not being at her best, remained at the heart of the action as the second half got under way. Having made room for herself on the edge of the box with some lovely footwork the midfielder then dragged her left footed shot wide of the post and was then fractionally wide with a free kick awarded after a foul on Michelle Evans.

Leeds took the unusual step of making a double substitution just a couple of minutes into the second half with Mel Sutcliffe and Katie Holtham replacing Culvin and Jade Moore and this change did inspire an improvement in their play.

Houghton was wide of the mark from twenty yards as Holtham began to help Leeds towards parity in midfield.

Goalmouth incidents became even more infrequent as the second half progressed and the introduction of Toni Duggan and Jo Potter by Everton did nothing to break the increasing stalemate.

Amy Kane produced a neat sidestep twenty five yards out but then fired her shot over the angle before Lindsay Johnson was forced into a last ditch clearance after Danielle Hill just beat Barr to a through ball but could not clear properly.

As the minutes drifted by without incident the most interesting aspect of the game was the increasingly erratic performance of the referee. Of his many dubious decisions, which affected both sides equally, his most bizarre was awarding Everton a throw in from his position in the centre of the pitch even though his linesman had not flagged.

Finally, with the game entering the last five minutes of normal time, a sense of urgency returned to the play and it was Everton looking to snatch victory.

The best move of the game was set in motion by Williams then carried on by Dowie and when Williams cleverly dummied on the edge of the area Jo Potter was suddenly face to face with Telford. Potter shot low towards the keepers' feet and Telford was able to get something on the ball which allowed Jess Wright to get back and clear.

Another good move between Duggan and Dowie then gave Potter another shooting chance but from outside the box the effort was well off target.

This sudden momentum was continued as Williams fed Dowie who showed a neat touch before forcing Telford into a low save and the last action of the ninety minutes saw Everton presented with another free kick in shooting range and Telford was alert to parry Potter's effort by the foot of her left hand post.

Full Time: Everton Ladies 0 Leeds United Ladies 0

There was a fleeting chance for Everton at the start of extra time as the ball suddenly dropped at the feet of Natasha Dowie but the striker sent in a weak shot with Toni Duggan waiting forlornly in a better position.

Other than this it seemed as though the first period of overtime would pass without incident until Leeds mounted a sudden attack as half time approached. The ball was slipped back to Holtham from near the goalline and her rifled drive was arrowing for the top corner until Hill flung herself full length to pull off a dramatic save.

Leeds quickly attacked again but Houghton's volley presented Hill with a less demanding save.

The second half of extra time saw Everton stepping up the pace in search of a winning goal. Jody Handley was the most dangerous attacking force and one of several forceful runs saw her cutting in from the left to fire a low drive for the far post which was brilliantly turned away by Telford who could only have seen the ball late as it flew through a crowd of legs.

Jo Potter then set off on a determined run of her own and, having forced her way to the byeline she clipped over a wonderful cross that was begging to be finished at point blank range but Nicole Emmanuel lunged in to make a goal saving clearance in front of Amy Kane.

The last chance to settle the tie without the need for penalties came when Rachel Unitt saw the ball rebound into her path having flicked on a free kick but the full backs' snap shot fizzed wide and the deadlock remained unbroken.

And so to penalties and the standard of spot kicks was remarkably good. Out of the ten taken only one attempt was potentially savable and that was Unitt's. She drilled her effort hard and low but close to Telford who was unlucky to see the ball pass beneath her dive.

Unfortunately for Everton, however, Fara Williams's penalty was only unsavable because it flew about five yards over the crossbar and after five perfect spot kicks of their own Leeds had booked their place in the final.

For the record Emmanuel, Sophie Walton, Barr, Holtham and Sue Smith were the clinical takers for Leeds while Dowie, Kane and Handley also fired home without fuss for Everton.

Ultimately then it was Football England Favourite Fara Williams who was the villain of the piece for Everton after missing penalties in normal time and in the shootout. Not a day Fara will want to remember for too long but there is little doubt that she will bounce back from the disappointment, perhaps she might start putting this game behind her when England meet the Czech Republic on Thursday night.

There was a slight irony in the fact that it was Sue Smith who sealed victory for Leeds by slipping her penalty into the wall of the Everton net as the BBC will now have to find somebody else to sit next to Gavin Peacock for the final. No doubt Everton's Jo Potter and Rachel Brown will be hoping for a call up.

Full Time (aet): Everton Ladies 0 Leeds United Ladies 0

Leeds won 5-4 on penalties.

Star Player: Carly Telford

I was going to give it Lindsay Johnson again but I would have been in danger of being accused of favouritism. Johnson was superb alongside the equally impressive Emily Westwood in the heart of the Everton defence while Jess Wright put in a similarly commanding performance for Leeds.
Telford made the vital contribution early on by making a double save from Fara Williams's penalty and made three or four other vital stops, notably from Jody Handley in extra time.
In general this was a very assured display from the Leeds keeper. Her handling was assured throughout, she commanded her penalty area well and her distribution, both kicking and throwing, was excellent.
An impressive performance.

Sunday March 9, 2008; Womens National Premier League.

Birmingham City Ladies 3 Doncaster Rovers Belles 3

Birmingham: S.Wood, F.Cardin, J.Buttler, S.Samuels, K.Ward, K.Harrop, L.Bassett, H.Scheuber, B.Hall, M.Gauntlett, D.Bird.

Doncaster: C.Collie, N.Hughes, A.Turner, V.Stevens (V.Leat 83), C.Utley, E.Thomson, V.Cantoro (E.Johnson 59), V.Exley, C.Cantrell, L.Hansen, P.Hamilton.

This was my first visit to Redditch United FC, the home of Birmingham City Ladies, and let me straight away mention the excellent stadium.

Highly distinctive and with a definite character of it's own this was an impressive ground from the first sighting of the quality entrance gates with "RUFC" welded across them.

The playing area is vast, there is an impressive structure down one side from which the players emerge, there is a small scaffolded stand behind one goal, which is still quality, while the terracing that sweeps across the other two sides is raised above pitch level giving a cracking view.

Forget Wembley, this is the venue I would choose for the Cardiff City against Barnsley FA Cup semi final.

What I really wanted on a slightly damp and depressing day was a game to match the surroundings and I wasn't disappointed.

After a hesistant opening couple of minutes it was the visiting Doncaster Belles who began to assume control and pretty soon they had gained a real grip in midfield where Precious Hamilton, against her former club, was highly prominent.

Jemma Buttler had to clear behind her own goal with some haste to deny Liz Hansen a chance and when the corner came across Vikki Stevens found herself with a decent chance but completely scuffed her shot.

The Belles quickly gained another corner, however, and Birmingham were lucky that the ball dropped straight to goalkeeper Sue Wood when it could just as easily have fallen for any one of a cluster of attackers having bounced across goal off an unsuspecting defender.

Hamilton demonstrated her growing influence with a good run through midfield which ended with a neat ball into Hansen but her shot was straight at Wood from the edge of the box.

Birmingham were unable to put any real moves together at this stage but were offered hope by Heather Scheuber's ability to play dangerous balls in behind the Doncaster defence. On two occasions such passes created danger but Caroline Collie was alert behind her defence and came out of her box to boot clear in the nick of time.

There was also fleeting danger to the visitors when Amy Turner was caught in possession just outside her own box by Maz Gauntlett but the defender redeemed herself with a fine recovery challenge.

The better football was still coming from the Belles, however. Vicky Exley has at the heart of a flowing move which ended with Hamilton chesting down into the path of Carla Cantrell but the striker made a poor contact with the bouncing ball on the edge of the box.

Dannii Bird showed good footwork out on the left for Birmingham before sending in a decent ball which Claire Utley intercepted at full stretch but the same defender then played her goalkeeper into trouble with an ill judged back pass that was superbly dealt with by Collie who calmly sidestepped an onrushing forward before launching the ball clean out of the ground.

In their next attack Doncaster took the lead their football had merited although, as is so often the case, the goal was the result of a defensive error rather than brilliant football.

There seemed little danger when the Belles sent a hopeful centre into the box but when Buttler went to control the ball on her chest she simply presented it to Hamilton totally unmarked around the penalty spot. The Belles midfielder made no mistake as she gratefully dispatched the gift into the bottom corner.

The Belles continued to have the better of things and it was no real surprise when they doubled their lead with a splendid goal just before the half hour.

Natasha Hughes started the move with a composed pass out of defence to Vikki Stevens who found Cantrell infield before speeding up the right wing to support the attack.

Cantrell sent a lovely first time ball down the right for Hansen who made ground towards the corner flag before doubling back and finding the supporting Stevens, she wasted no time in whipping a superb centre across which picked out Cantrell unmarked and her header flashed into the bottom corner.

Birmingham might wonder about the lack of marking but this goal really was an example of passing and movement at pace that could hardly have been bettered and was consequently extremely difficult to combat.

There seemed little reason to expect a Birmingham fightback at this stage but, remarkably, they were quickly on terms with a couple of goals in as many minutes.

The Belles were somewhat unfortunate in the manner of conceding the first of these goals. Kerys Harrop, who put herself about all afternoon without attracting the attention of the referee, went in dangerously on Utley but without conceding a free kick.

The ball was kicked out so that Utley could receive attention and the centre half had to then leave the pitch before returning. Before she had the chance to regain her defensive position her side had conceded.

The ball was lofted forward and suddenly two Birmingham attackers were bearing down on Collie. The Belles keeper came outside her area to try and clear the danger but, having knocked the ball away from Bird, she saw it fall straight to Gauntlett who rattled home into the unguarded net.

Two minutes later Scheuber picked a perfect pass over the Belles defence to send Gauntlett racing away and the forward lobbed a precise finish beyond Collie as the keeper advanced.

Doncaster would choose to play a very high defensive line throughout this game and it was difficult to see why. The Birmingham attack struggled to make much impression when forced to play through the Belles defence but the ball over the top into the spaces continually left in behind offered a constant source of encouragement.

Victoria Cantoro, who struggled to make an impression and spent most of her time uttering Italian sounding oaths, worked a clever one two with Hamilton only to send in a woeful shot before Birmingham enjoyed a fortuitous escape.

Faye Cardin moved across to challenge Hansen down the side of the box and comprehensively took out the Belles attacker. Hansen came to earth outside the area and the referee awarded a free kick but there was little doubt that the contact had been made inside the box.

The half ended with Birmingham threatening again with another ball over the top but Utley covered well to deny Becky Hall who was almost through after a nice body swerve.

The opening forty five minutes had been all action with plenty of good attacking football and much hesitant defending but it was hard to work out how the Belles were not in front.

Half Time: Birmingham City Ladies 2 Doncaster Rovers Belles 2

The second half began with Birmingham putting together their first move of real quality with Heather Scheuber, inevitably, at the heart of it. Scheuber sent the overlapping Katy Ward scampering away only for a dubious offside flag to halt the emergency full back in her tracks.

Doncaster then found their stride again to put the Birmingham goal under real pressure. Steph Samuels put her side in trouble with a dreadful mis-kick which gave Hansen a shooting chance inside the box but the strikers' poked effort provided Wood with an easy save.

Hughes then came forward with purpose before releasing Stevens for another lovely first time centre which found Cantrell but her half volley was always rising over the crossbar.

Shortly afterwards Stevens produced another good centre but Wood came out well to collect this one as the home side stayed hard pressed to remain on level terms.

There was some relief for Birmingham as a free kick from deep dropped to Laura Bassett for a stinging drive that was not too far away but there was more danger at the other end when Emma Thomson moved forward from left back to send in an inviting centre that somehow escaped Stevens as she arrived unmarked at the far post.

Jemma Buttler was also required to clear smartly when Hughes got forward to put in a dangerous ball from the right.

Although Doncaster had continued to play the better football they no longer had the clear dominance in midfield that they had enjoyed earlier. Hamilton, who had started so brightly, was now only an occasional influence and Vicky Exley was beginning to fight a more isolated battle against Scheuber, Bassett and Harrop.

There had been little warning that Birmingham might take the lead, however, but that is what they then did after an absurdly rash piece of defending by Amy Turner.

Scheuber produced a silky touch to send Bird away and her low pass offered Harrop a shooting chance but the effort was deflected wide for a corner. The corner was overhit by some distance and the ball was running outside the area at the far side with Buttler trying to retrieve it when Turner inexplicably decided to challenge and sent her opponent crashing to the ground.

The penalty was as blatant as it was needless and Bassett stepped forward to slam home the spot kick via the underside of Collie's left hand angle.

Although Birmingham had been coming more into the game since half time it was still hard to fathom how they were actually leading.

Minutes later they almost increased their lead when Bird sent in a fine corner which Harrop headed over when she might have done better.

In Doncaster's next attack another fine goal had the game all square again at 3-3. The build up was sloppy from both sides, Birmingham allowing Hansen space to receive a throw in from Hughes around the corner of the box and the forward sending in a weak shot, but when the ball landed at the feet of Cantrell the in form striker reacted superbly by flicking the ball up and turning sharply to volley into the corner of the net from fifteen yards.

The game began to get increasingly stretched and for the first time in the game Birmingham began to look the stronger side and the more likely scorers as the game entered its' last fifteen minutes.

Bird combined with Gauntlett neatly as she cut inside from a wide position but was then stretching as she shot and the ball bobbled wide of the far post.

Scheuber remained the player most likely to find a telling pass and again found the alarming space left behind the Belles defence to send Hall scampering away and her centre found Bird who could not hit the target with her shot.

Then Laura Bassett presented Hall with a shooting chance but Collie got down sharply to save at her near post.

The next danger came when Scheuber sent in a great free kick to the far post right onto the head of Harrop whose header back across goal seemed certain to provide a tap in for a colleague but ended up somehow escaping three blue shirts in front of goal.

Doncaster came forward for an increasingly rare attack but Thomson's low drive from 25 yards was capably handled by Wood before the game ended in controversial circumstances at the other end.

Once again the Belles were caught out trying to defend high up the pitch and Collie had to come beyond her box to clear the danger. This time it was touch and go whether she would get there ahead of Gauntlett and the keeper ended up having to challenge the onrushing forward.

Collie seemed to play the ball first before inevitably making contact with the forward but the referee deemed the tackle a foul which gave him a decision to make regarding the colour of the card shown. The ref decided to be lenient and show yellow allowing Collie to remain on to face the free kick.

Dannii Bird stepped forward to smash a magnificent shot against the underside of the bar from the right hand corner of the area and it looked odds on a goal as Samuels moved in for the kill with the ball bouncing in front of goal two yards out.

Samuels got there and headed goalwards but Collie instinctively threw out a hand and somehow deflected the ball to safety and ensure her side ended the game with a point.

There is no doubt that Birmingham finished this excellent game the stronger but it would have been extremely tough on Doncaster overall if they had returned home with nothing to show for their performance.

Perhaps, in the end, a draw was the fairest result.

Full Time: Birmingham City Ladies 3 Doncaster Rovers Belles 3

Star Player: Heather Scheuber

Carla Cantrell had a fair claim to this award and was the focal point for a fine attacking team display by the Belles but Scheuber was perhaps the games' best individual.
The talented Birmingham midfielder showed that she has got a good engine with a driving display but, more importantly, showed the vision and ability to consistently stretch the Belles defence with a stream of probing passes.

Thursday March 6, 2008; European Championship Qualifier

Northern Ireland Ladies 0 England Ladies 2

England: S.Chamberlain, A.Scott (L.Johnson 71), F.White, M.Phillip, C.Stoney, F.Williams, A.Asante, J.Scott, K.Carney, K.Smith, R.Yankey.

England Ladies maintained their 100% record in their European Championship qualifying group despite making hard work of overcoming a spirited, but limited, Northern Ireland side in Lurgan.

England started as though they meant business, spurned several early chances before taking a first half lead but then seemed to slip too easily into cruise control. This apparent complacency led to a few nervous moments before victory was finally clinched late on.

England started with real pace and purpose and hit the woodwork in the opening exchanges. Brisk passing released Anita Asante into the box but, having rounded the goalkeeper, she refused the shot from a narrow angle favouring a cut back for Kelly Smith. Smith, under pressure, got a shot in but saw it rebound to safety from the post.

In England's next attack it was Smith herself storming into the box and when she went down under challenge a penalty was immediately signalled. Smith stepped forward to take the kick but sent a feeble effort straight at Emma Higgins.

The Irish keeper, perhaps surprised at just how bad a penalty it was, saved but could only parry the ball back to Smith whose next effort was slightly better but was again reached by Higgins who this time pushed the ball to safety.

England shrugged off this disappointment to continue pouring forward and a goal seemed inevitable. Fara Williams made a break down the left before sending in a fine centre which Smith met with her head but Higgins was once more equal to the effort, tipping the ball behind for a corner.

The pressure had to tell, however, and on 18 minutes England took an overdue lead. Karen Carney sent in a deep centre from the right which ended up with her fellow winger Rachel Yankey. She slammed a cross shot towards goal which was blocked but never cleared and Williams arrived on cue to prod home from close range.

Football England's favourite then indulged in a silly little goal celebration that might have been modelled on the Nicolas Anelka routine or might just have been a reprise of the controversial Tim Cahill handcuffs effort.

The home crowd and team probably feared the worst at this stage but this goal did not spur England on to greater efforts, it signalled the end of the most urgent of their attacking. From here on there was far less of a threat behind England's passing and movement and although the conditions, wet and windy, might take some blame it seemed clear that England were too happy to ride their lead.

With Carney and Yankey once again only occasionally dangerous, the midfield functional rather then flamboyant and Kelly Smith continually crowded out playing as an out and out striker England struggled for much real cohesion as the first half drifted by.

There was a flurry of activity as England roused themselves again with half time approaching. One excellent move saw Smith and Williams combine to send Jill Scott racing down the wing and when she squared the ball into Yankey there was real danger but the winger wanted far too long and was finally crowded out.

England managed one more decent ball into the box which a stretching Kelly Smith was just unable to reach in front of goal but most of the early promise and intensity had definitely vanished from the England performance.

Half Time: Northern Ireland Ladies 0 England Ladies 1

The second half followed a similar pattern with England bossing the game but without having a cutting edge. There was little prospect of Ireland shocking their visitors with a goal, although a couple of set pieces brought an uncertain response from Siobhan Chamberlain, but England became increasingly frustrated at their inability to raise their game back to the level at which it had started.

Unable to find a second, killer, goal a degree of frustration entered their play which eventually brought a silly booking for Kelly Smith which rules her out of the next game at home to the Czech Republic.

Smith remained the player most likely to conjure a goal but everything she threw at Higgins in the Irish goal was dealt with competently.

Smith tested Higgins on three occasions but with no reward, the goalkeepers' best save coming when she leapt to tip a drive from the edge of the area over the bar.

With England finding chances in open play harder to come by set pieces began to look their most likely route to goal and both Faye White and Alex Scott came close following corners before Smith picked up the booking which will force her to sit out the next game.

With England's attack finding it increasingly difficult to make an impression it was somewhat surprising to find Hope Powell unwilling to make changes to the forward positions and her reluctance suggested that she is not altogether confident about the ability of her reserves to make an impression.

The one change Powell did make was at the back as she sent on Lindsay Johnson to replace Alex Scott. There was little of a defensive nature for Johnson to concern herself with but she was able to make an impact at the other end as England finally wrapped up victory with six minutes left.

Another corner caused confusion inside the Ireland penalty area and when Johnson's effort was blocked in a goalmouth scramble the ball ran to captain White who belted the loose ball high into the net.

Not England's most fluent performance, therefore, but another important step towards the ultimate goal of qualification for next summers' finals in Finland.

Full Time: Northern Ireland Ladies 0 England Ladies 2

England: S.Chamberlain 5, A.Scott 6 (L.Johnson 6), F.White 6, M.Phillip 5, C.Stoney 5, F.Williams 7, A.Asante 6, J.Scott 6, K.Carney 5, K.Smith 6, R.Yankey 5.

Star Player: Fara Williams

Fara normally turns in an honest shift in the midfield and this game was no exception. She did not have to approach her best form to earn the plaudits on this occasion, however.
Once again her eye for goal proved vital to England as well.

Wednesday, March 5
Belles On Song

The physical and mental rigours of the League Cup final certainly didn't affect the performances of either Everton, the victors, or Arsenal, the vanquished, on Sunday as both recorded resounding 4-0 league victories.

Arsenal had the toughest fixture, away to Leeds, and quickly showed that it will not be easy for any of their other rivals to emulate Everton's victory against them. Two more goals for Lianne Sanderson helped the Gunners ease to a win which keeps them well on track to retain their league title.

Everton travelled to Cardiff where Natasha Dowie grabbed a couple in their four goal romp.

Elsewhere Liverpool defeated Birmingham City by the only goal of a tight encounter through a rare headed goal from Kelly Jones while the most entertaining game of the weekend saw Chelsea come away from Watford with a 3-2 victory.

Ellen White opened the scoring for Chelsea early on and they went on to take a grip of the game after Helen Lander had equalised. Sophie Perry restored their lead before a Kat McKenna own goal gave them a two goal cushion.

The ever dangerous Lander reduced the arrears but Chelsea held on for a welcome three points.

The other Premier League game of the weekend saw Doncaster Belles defeat Charlton Athletic 4-0. Having drawn their previous three games Charlton came up against a Donny side in fine form and were out of contention after just fifteen minutes.

We have somewhat overlooked The Belles' recent improvement but it is worth looking back at an eventful couple of weeks in which the club have gained several important points, given several excellent performances and provided outstanding entertainment, both on and off the pitch.

Ever since a compelling 4-3 victory over Chelsea the Belles have been the team to watch. They then travelled to Arsenal and looked to going the way of all flesh when they fell three goals behind just after half time. Remarkably Donny staged a magnificent recovery to pull themselves level through two Emily Heckler goals and one from Vicky Exley.

Heckler's equalising goal, an absolute rocket, was the pick and although Arsenal roused themselves to snatch a winner through Julie Fleeting the performance was enough to give Doncaster increased belief for their forthcoming fixtures.

Two goals from Exley, sandwiching one from Carla Cantrell, then helped the Belles to an exciting 3-2 win over Liverpool before Sunday's romp against Charlton which saw Heckler, Cantrell (2) and Exley on the scoresheet.

As well as continuing to score in quantity the quality has also remained high. Exley's clincher against Liverpool was rattled in from outside the box while against Charlton both Heckler and Exley's goals found the target via the woodwork. Cantrell's second goal was a good one too, a classy finish at the end of a sweeping right wing move.

The Belles profile is certainly high at the moment with a TV documentary currently being aired and Natasha Hughes having recently posed sans football kit in the Sun newspaper but their performances have ensured that the team is keeping attention positively focussed on the football field as well.

While it is nice to see Vicky Exley still banging in the goals it is good to see Cantrell and Heckler stepping to the fore as well. The Belles have been spared the possibility of relegation battles by the troubles of Fulham and Charlton over the past couple of years but next season will, hopefully, be different and competition within the Premier League promises to be fierce.

If Doncaster are to retain their position among the countries elite womens' clubs then their talented youngsters will need to start performing on a consistent basis. Cantrell and Heckler, both England players at different age groups, look to be the pick of the crop and their continued development could be vital to the clubs' prospects.

Heckler, a pacy and skillful left sided attacker, looks especially promising and if she can continue to provide an end product to her fine approach play then she has a genuine chance of emerging as the eventual successor to Rachel Yankey in the England squad.

Unlike the mens' game, however, competition as the heiress to that particular throne will be pretty fierce. Players such as Jo Potter, Michelle Evans and Dani Bird will also have eyes on it.

On the international front England continue their quest for European Championship qualification on Thursday night with an away game in Northern Ireland.

This should be a routine win for England although the Irish will no doubt be urged on by a large and vociferous crowd and will be eager to show themselves to be a competitive outfit.

England will no doubt remember that it took them until the second half to break the deadlock when the two teams met at Gillingham in the opening group game and make certain that there is no complacency in their approach.

This game comes at a time when the England squad looks fit and strong, however, and I don't envisage any David Healy style disasters. I think the 4-0 scoreline from the first game will be at least equalled in this one.

Thursday February 28, 2008

Womens Premier League Cup Final

Arsenal Ladies 0 Everton Ladies 1

Arsenal: E.Byrne, A.Scott, F.White (G.Davison 85), A.Asante, M.Phillip, K.Carney, J.Ludlow, K.Smith, R.Yankey, L.Sanderson (C.Grant 63), J.Fleeting.

Everton: D.Hill, B.Easton (M.Hinnigan 87), L.Johnson, E.Westwood, R.Unitt, J.Scott, F.Williams, A.Kane, J.Handley, N.Dowie (T.Duggan 76), M.Evans.

This was perhaps the most eagerly anticipated womens' final of all time. There was no doubt that the best two teams in England were going head to head and the build up seemed to have added a little extra spice.

Everton, the underdogs, had dared to raise positive voices and Arsenal, the massive odds on favourites, had pointed out that they had heard their opponents' comments and would use them as motivation.

From the outside you would have feared for Everton and expected a rip roaring start from Arsenal.

Nothing could have been further from the truth. The opening minutes were tepid with neither side looking eager to take the initiative. There could be no doubt, however, that with the game allowed to settle into a passing duel Everton started the better. The play was generally in the Arsenal half and Everton worked their way into decent positions on at least three occasions without putting the ball into box.

This seemed to be a clear indication of the underdogs lacking the belief to really sieze their opportunity but on seven minutes their bright start was rewarded with a picture goal.

The stroke of luck Everton probably needed came when Natasha Dowie went to flick a ball on with her head, missed it completely but was still able to take possession ahead of Anita Asante out on the right wing.

Turning smartly Dowie clipped a sweet ball down the line which found Jill Scott, allowed to go by Jayne Ludlow, running free inside the box and the midfielder kept a cool head to hear and obey Amy Kane's demand that she pulled the ball back and Kane gave the service the finish it deserved with a precise side-footed finish into the bottom corner of Emma Byrne's goal.

Seven minutes in and this looked like a goal worthy of winning a cup final. Not many people would have been prepared to bet on it being the match winner, however.

Most neutrals would have wanted Everton to win this game and the worry from the neutrals' point of view would have been that Everton would now grow overly cautious having gone ahead.

In the ten, perhaps twenty, minutes that followed this goal there is little doubt that Everton did fall back on the defensive too easily and it is hard to explain how their goal remained intact during this period of Arsenal pressure.

Arsenal's first shot in anger came from Rachel Yankey but the effort, perfectly struck, cannoned into Becky Easton and flew away to safety.

Just a word here about Easton. In my preview I singled the Everton right back out as the most obvious weak link in this game. She probably should have been but she wasn't. Along with her defensive colleagues she presented a barrier which Arsenal found impossible to pass and whoever came down her flank she kept them in check.

And as for this shot, if it had hit any defender in the Mens' Premier League they would still be down now getting treatment. Becky never flinched.

There was nothing really convincing about Everton's attempts to protect their lead at this stage, however. The controlled passing of the early minutes was forgotten, possession was continually presented back to Arsenal and the play was contained in and around the Everton penalty area for long periods.

With the play concentrated around her penalty area the focus inevitaby focussed upon Everton's reserve goalkeeper Danielle Hill and she didn't really inspire confidence as a series of crosses came into her goalmouth. Hill seemed to have decided to come for everything but it appeared as though she had neglected to inform the defenders in front of her.

Or maybe she had. On the occasions when she didn't get there Hill found herself baled out by covering defenders and the Everton goal remained intact.

There were several mighty close calls, however.

Arsenal's first real chance came when Jill Scott wrestled Kelly Smith down for a free kick which was whipped in with menace by Karen Carney from the left hand side and presented Faye White with a clear opening at the far post from close range.

Sanderson or Fleeting would probably have scored, White just about managed to make contact but could not get the ball anywhere near the target.

Kelly Smith then forced Hill into her first real action of the game. Having driven forward with purpose from midfield Smith sent a dipping drive towards goal. The shot was perfectly central but the Everton keeper still looked hard pressed to tip the ball over the crossbar.

When Everton finally managed to relieve the pressure and venture back into Arsenal's half there was no getting away from the fact that they looked more capable of putting possession to good use. After a neat passing move up the right wing a clever ball was angled into Jody Handley breaking into the box and she would have been faced with a one on one with Emma Byrne had her touch been slightly better.

When Everton next came forward Handley turned provider with a neat reverse pass which had Fara Williams breaking beyond the Arsenal defence but Football England's Favourite was just unable to collect and Byrne mopped up gratefully.

Most of the action was still at the other end as Arsenal looked to get on terms, however. Everton never looked completely secure at the back but were defending in inspired fashion at the critical moments.

Danielle Hill came for a corner but found her defenders clearing in front of her. The ball dropped to Kelly Smith just beyond the area and, having taken a perfect touch on her chest, Smith sent a magnificent lobbed volley arching towards the far corner.

Rachel Unitt was near the goal-line but could only raise an arm in some kind of vain protest but Emily Westwood had got herself back right underneath the crossbar and she earned her own luck as her straining header cannoned against the underside of the bar and bounced clear.

Smith had Arsenal's next effort on goal as well when a lovely first time ball from Rachel Yankey found her just inside the box but her volley was always rising over the crossbar.

In Arsenal's next attack Hill went down low to expertly field a low, driven centre by Yankey and it looked as though Everton's reserve keeper was growing into the game with a vengeance.

The next action suggested otherwise, however. Alex Scott drilled in a centre from the right which the Everton keeper reached comfortably under no challenge and appeared to have gathered without fuss.

Suddenly the ball was squirming towards the Everton goal with Julie Fleeting seemingly certain to apply the finishing touch. Somehow Hill recovered and dragged the ball back from the onrushing forward.

It was at this stage that the chap I was watching the game with decided that "This is Everton's night".

With Arsenal pressing so hard, and having seen them come out on top so many times in the past, I was not ready to believe him but these were, as it turned out, the decisive moments in this cup final.

The next threat on Everton's goal was also self induced and this time the culprit, surprisingly, was Emily Westwood.

Westwood had already displayed her ability to clear the ball the length of the field with either foot on several occasions but now decided it would be better to do a little drag back inside her own box to escape the attentions of Julie Fleeting. Fleeting promptly nicked possession, squared back to Sanderson who in turn fed Karen Carney for a vicious rising drive that Lindsay Johnson did superbly well to head over her own bar.

Even better for Johnson and Everton was the fact that none of the officials noticed her vital touch.

Finally Everton managed to get a hold of the ball again and the last few minutes of the first half were far more even in terms of possession. Having withstood intense pressure Everton again showed themselves capable of making clear chances with a limited supply of the ball.

Having won a free kick midway inside the Arsenal half Fara Williams whipped in a delightful ball to the far post which found Natasha Dowie completely unmarked six yards out. Dowie completely mistimed her header and the ball lobbed disappointingly wide of the target.

Minutes later Williams was able to whip in anot