Page 6 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.15 2021-22

Continental Cup

Aston Villa got themselves off the mark in Group A, recording their
first win at the third attempt by scoring seven times without reply
away to Sunderland. Laura Blindkilde-Brown got Villa off to a fast
start by giving them the lead in the opening minute with her first
senior goal, and they went on to add further goals before the break through Ramona Petzelberger and
Remi Allen. Villa went on to score four more times in the last twenty minutes, Alisha Lehmann netting
twice in quick succession, with Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah and Allen rounding off the scoring late on.
Blackburn Rovers also notched up their first victory in the group, beating Sheffield Utd
1-0. Ellie Leek headed in a cross from Chloe Dixon for the only goal of the game, scored in first half
injury time.
Meanwhile in Group B, Manchester Utd hosted Leicester City with a chance to go to the
top of the group with a victory, but are behind Manchester City on goal difference after the teams
finished level at 2-2. Sophie Howard gave Leicester the lead just after the half hour, with United getting
back on terms early in the second half through Alessia Russo. Natasha Flint put Leicester back in front
but United were to hit back again, Katie Zelem scoring to take the match into a penalty shootout. It was
Leicester who took the extra point with a 4-3 victory from the spot, Georgia Bougham's penalty being
enough to give them the win as Demi Lambourne saved the next kick from Vilde Boe Risa.
Three teams are now level on points at the top of the group, with Leicester just behind them,
following Everton's 1-0 victory against Durham Women. The first half was goalless but shortly
after Lucy Graham had struck the bar, Toni Duggan scored the only goal of the game for Everton
following a corner.
Brighouse set sights on Sunderland
Brighouse Town have the chance to take on Championship opponents in the Vitality Women’s FA Cup
this Sunday when they play host to Sunderland in the Third Round. Manager Rob Mitchell is looking
forward to the challenge and he told Women’s Soccer Scene: "We have enjoyed competing in the FA
Cup this season and will be working really hard this week to ensure we have the best possible chance
of continuing our journey.
“We know just how difficult the task ahead of is and Sunderland are a fantastic club with an
unbelievable manager and group of players, but we want to progress just as much as they do so will
give it our all on the day.
“The FA Cup can throw up the odd upset from time to time, we hope Sunday will be one of
those days where things go well for us, but we know it won't be easy, we will have to fight for every ball
and create some moments of success as well as being solid hard to beat and committed from the first
minute till the full time whistle.
“We know the quality they possess and the fact they compete in the division above excites us,
knowing we have very little pressure or expectations to progress hopefully gives us a little edge, they
will be expected to win and win well. Sunderland will be looking to bounce back from their last result
and hopefully that will weigh on their shoulders if we can stay in the game for long enough, the panic
and fear of losing may come in to play.
“We will be focusing on ourselves and working on what we are good at to hopefully expose
them a little, we will also be looking at where we need to improve, not just for this game but for future
games too, this will be a major test for my inexperienced side but one that will hopefully help us to
grow as a squad for future challenges, who knows.. we may have the opportunity to look forward to the
draw on Monday, but if not, I just hope we have no regrets and give it our all on the day."
"Sunderland will pose a real threat to us, we know the quality they have and can cause us
problems, but I feel that we can cause a few for them ourselves,” added striker Leah Embley. “We are
going to work really hard and try win the game, these are the moments we play for, the opportunity to
come up against the best teams in England in the most famous cup competition in the world is
something that excites me as a player.
“I just hope we do ourselves justice and don't have any regrets, I know we have a couple of
players missing out due to injury, but they will be there with us on the day to reinforce the togetherness
we have as a group, collectively we will do our best and hopefully that will be enough on the day."
Brighouse captain Annabelle Cass said: "I was in the squad the last time we played against
Sunderland at this stage, at the time they were three divisions above us and the fourth best placed team
in the country. We didn't get a touch of the ball and got played off the park by some unbelievable
footballers, but we have come a long way since then and now find ourselves just one division below -
the gap is slightly smaller now and we are confident we can do a lot better than last time out. Our
players are buzzing for the game and will be up for it once the whistle blows."
Issue no. 15 - 9 December 2021 womenssoccerscene@mail.com