Page 7 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.32 2022-23

the moment I joined and over the years I’ve built such a strong bond with this club and the
community around it.
"This is an exciting time to be a part of Arsenal and I want to keep making new
memories with this group.”
Head coach Jonas Eidevall added: “I’m delighted that Lia is staying with us at Arsenal.
She is one of the best midfielders in world football and brings us so much in terms of
leadership and presence.
"Lia has played a pivotal role within this team during my time here and I’m looking
forward to continuing to work together to achieve our goals.”
Head of Women’s Football Clare Wheatley also told www.arsenal.com: “It’s fantastic
news that Lia has signed a new contract with us. Lia is an integral part of what we’re building
here at Arsenal and I’m sure I speak for everyone at the club and all our supporters when I
say how pleased I am that she will continue to wear the red and white moving forward.”

After 10 months on the sidelines through injury, Northern Ireland striker Simone Magill
finally returned to action at the weekend when she made her debut for Aston Villa in a 5-0
win at Reading in the FA Women’s Super League.
The Magherafelt native, who suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in Northern
Ireland’s opening UEFA Women's Euro 2022 game with Norway last July, played the final
fifteen minutes of the impressive victory and admitted it was a memorable moment for her.
"It was a very special feeling stepping back on the pitch," she told irishfa.com. "Being
injured is never nice, especially when it’s long term. Getting back out there made all those
long and tough days worth it."
Magill signed a two-year deal with Villa after leaving Everton just prior to last summer’s
European Championship finals and she admitted the club had been superb in the way they
had looked after her.
"The club have been fantastic. The timing of events were so unfortunate given I hadn’t
even got to the club officially, but from the day I got injured the club were there for me and
their reassurance early on was everything I needed," she explained.
"There’s so many people who I’d have to thank at the club and I’m so grateful to them
for their support and guidance to get me back on the pitch again."
(Irishfa.com)

The 2023 edition Electric Ireland Women’s Challenge Cup kicks off this weekend. The action
begins on Friday evening with eight teams battling it out in the preliminary round (7.30pm
kick offs). The four winning teams will advance to round one on Friday 16 June.
1st Bangor Ladies are due to take on Valley Rangers Ladies in the tie of the Preliminary
Round while Strabane Athletic Ladies face Lisburn Rangers Ladies, Belfast Celtic Ladies
meet Antrim Town Women and Lisburn Distillery Ladies play Shorts Women. Eight teams
received byes to the first round.
The winners of Distillery versus Shorts will be at home to Bangor Ladies in round one,
while the winners of Belfast Celtic against Antrim Town will host Craigavon City Ladies.
Comber Rec Ladies are set to welcome to the winners of 1st Bangor or Valley Rangers while
St James’ Swifts Ladies are scheduled to host Bloomfield. A home tie against Donegal Celtic
Ladies awaits the winners of Strabane Athletic and Lisburn Rangers while Ballyclare
Comrades Ladies and Belfast Ravens are also set to meet in the first round.
The teams competing in the early rounds all play in NIWFA leagues. The ten teams from
the NIFL Women’s Premiership are set to enter the competition at the Second Round stage
at the end of July. (irishfa.com)
news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk