Page 4 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.24 2021-22

The Barclays FA WSL

Arsenal have opened up a lead of five points over Chelsea following
their 4-0 victory over Reading FC Women on Wednesday night.
In the first match in the league since the international break, the
Gunners got off to a strong start as they took the lead midway through the
first half, Vivianne Miedema finishing off a good move with a low left foot
drive into the corner of the net. Two minutes later, Katie McCabe fired in
a second from close range and Leah Williamson made it three ahead of
half time with a powerful header from a corner.
Arsenal kept up the pace in the second half and Beth Mead came
close to extending their lead with a powerful strike which crashed against the bar. A fourth
goal was to come though and Stina Blackstenius completed the scoring for her side when she
slotted home a cross from Miedema.
At the other end of the table, Everton secured their first league win since November
with a 1-0 success away to Aston Villa. The home side had the better of things in the first
half and Everton goalkeeper Sandy MacIver made saves from Ramona Petzelberger and
Sarah Mayling to keep her side on level terms at the interval. Everton came into the game
more after the break with Toni Duggan and Emily Gielnik both going close and with ten
minutes remaining, Hanna Bennison’s pass released Aurora Galli on goal and she tucked her
shot past Hannah Hampton for the only goal of the game and seal a win which takes her side
out of the bottom two places.
This weekend, the Final of the FA Women’s Continental Tyres League Cup will take
centre stage when it is played at the Cherry Red Records Stadium.
Chelsea will be seeking to retain the trophy when they take on Manchester City on
Saturday, 5.15pm kick off. The match has already been announced this week as being sold
out.
There is still plenty of interest in the Barclays FA WSL, with four matches taking place.
This includes Arsenal taking on Birmingham City with the opportunity to extend their lead
to at least seven points with a victory - although the Gunners will also be seeking revenge for
their recent shock defeat at the hands of the Blues.
Second place is on offer for Tottenham Hotspur if they can win away to Reading FC
Women but if Spurs are unable to record a
Arsenal 4 (Miedema 22, McCabe 24, Williamson 34,
victory, then Manchester Utd can replace them in Blackstenius 72)
third if they beat fast improving Leicester City. Reading FC Women 0
The weekend matches will kick off on -
Aston Villa 0
Saturday morning, when Aston Villa play host to Everton 1 (Galli 80)
Brighton & Hove Albion.
BARCLAYS FA WSL P W D L F A Pts GD
ARSENAL 15 10 4 1 38 8 34 30
CHELSEA 13 9 2 2 30 6 29 24 LEADING SCORERS
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 14 8 3 3 19 11 27 Samantha KERR Chelsea 9
8
13
MANCHESTER UTD 14 7 4 3 28 15 25 Vivianne MIEDEMA Arsenal 9
10
MANCHESTER CITY 14 7 2 5 30 20 23 Natasha DOWIE Reading FC Women 6
READING FC WOMEN 14 7 1 6 18 23 22 Fran KIRBY Chelsea 6
-5
WEST HAM UTD 14 5 5 4 18 18 20 0
Kim LITTLE Arsenal 6
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 15 6 1 8 17 23 19 -6
Lauren HEMP
ASTON VILLA 15 5 1 9 11 29 16 -18 Manchester City 5
EVERTON 14 4 2 8 11 23 14 -12
LEICESTER CITY 15 4 0 11 12 27 12 -15
BIRMINGHAM CITY 15 1 1 13 9 38 4 -29
Issue no. 24 - 3 March 2022 news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk