:00:39. > :00:42.Good evening and welcome to the Women?s Football Show.
:00:43. > :00:46.270 teams entered this season?s FA Cup and after 1,313 goals from
:00:47. > :00:58.Arsenal's preparations are rocked by the resignation of Shelley Kerr.
:00:59. > :01:00.Can the Toffees of Everton take advantage
:01:01. > :01:08.The stakes are just as high in our Cup Final quiz.
:01:09. > :01:19.And the club?s digital ambassadors take over Twitter.
:01:20. > :01:23.Two players hoping to get their hands on this trophy, are Kelly
:01:24. > :01:33.Smith and Rachel Brown-Finnis. We begin
:01:34. > :01:35.though with the announcement that after just 16 months in charge,
:01:36. > :01:48.Shelley Kerr has resigned Shelley Kerr was named Arsenal
:01:49. > :01:52.Ladies manager a month later. Whoever it was, it's big shoes to
:01:53. > :01:56.fill, like you say. For me, I see it as a challenge more than anything
:01:57. > :02:07.daunting or any kind of pressurised environment. Kerr would endure a
:02:08. > :02:12.difficult maiden season at the helm. The misery was compounded when they
:02:13. > :02:14.received a three-point deduction for fielding an ineligible player
:02:15. > :02:20.against Liverpool with the club missing out on a Champions League
:02:21. > :02:25.spot as a consequence. Although dethroned as league champions, Kerr
:02:26. > :02:29.did guide the Gunners to success with a domestic Cup double
:02:30. > :02:34.consisting of the Continental and FA Cups. Ahead of the 2014 WSL season,
:02:35. > :02:40.seven of the team which started the FA Cup Final had departed the club.
:02:41. > :02:45.I think there's been a major change in terms of the women's game where
:02:46. > :02:49.perhaps there's more resource and finance available and in particular
:02:50. > :02:53.you talk about Manchester City coming in, Liverpool winning the
:02:54. > :02:58.league, so opportunities come along and if you are at one of these
:02:59. > :03:05.clubs, where is the first place you are going to go when you look for
:03:06. > :03:08.good players? Arsenal Ladies. We have been reactive rather than
:03:09. > :03:13.proactive. A lot of the players have been at the club a long time. At
:03:14. > :03:18.some point or another, there was going to have to be a rebuild at the
:03:19. > :03:22.club. Despite the recruitment of World Cup winners Shinobu Ohno and
:03:23. > :03:32.Yukari Kinga, a Champions League exit to Birmingham and defeat in the
:03:33. > :03:38.Continental Cup increased the pressure. Kerr said she would step
:03:39. > :03:42.down after Sunday's FA Cup Final against Everton. We know the results
:03:43. > :03:47.on the pitch this season, Kelly, haven't gone to plan. Is that why
:03:48. > :03:51.she's resigned? Partly due to the reason. Three back-to-back defeats
:03:52. > :03:56.at home is not acceptable for any Arsenal side. She had a lot to
:03:57. > :04:00.contend with off the back of last season, losing seven key players,
:04:01. > :04:05.starting players, for any side would struggle. I think the rebuilding
:04:06. > :04:10.process was slow. We couldn't get some of the players we wanted. That
:04:11. > :04:13.was on her shoulders. The three points docked at the end of the
:04:14. > :04:18.season took its toll meaning we weren't in the Champions League.
:04:19. > :04:21.Ultimately, that falls on Shelley's shoulders. She felt that. As
:04:22. > :04:26.players, we need to take responsibility. The first four
:04:27. > :04:30.league games we haven't. Yes, it falls on Shelley's shoulders, but
:04:31. > :04:38.the players, for me, have not been performing on a consistent basis.
:04:39. > :04:45.Everybody looks at Arsenal, you look at the big-name players that you
:04:46. > :04:53.lost last season. Seven of last season's FA Cup Finalists have left.
:04:54. > :04:58.Kim Little was the star name of the entire league. Why didn't you
:04:59. > :05:03.replace those sooner? Good question. To be honest, most of them were on a
:05:04. > :05:07.one-year contract. It is part of the club's responsibility to make longer
:05:08. > :05:12.contracts for some of the players. Losing seven players for any team is
:05:13. > :05:18.a nightmare situation. It is not ideal. We struggled to get the
:05:19. > :05:23.players in. Why did you? Well, it is part of the backroom staff. The club
:05:24. > :05:27.players in. Why did you? Well, it is needs to take a look at itself and
:05:28. > :05:32.find out why so many players left at the end of the day. In terms of the
:05:33. > :05:36.action on the pitch, we know about those results. You still have some
:05:37. > :05:40.very good players, World Cup winners, Casey Stoner, a former
:05:41. > :05:43.England captain. Why have they not performed? I think, you know, when
:05:44. > :05:46.any side loses those amount of performed? I think, you know, when
:05:47. > :05:51.players, it takes time to gel. We are still doing that. Defensively,
:05:52. > :05:56.if we are not scoring goals early enough, that puts pressure on us and
:05:57. > :06:03.defensively, we have made silly errors. At this level, you will get
:06:04. > :06:08.punished. Certainly, later in games, we have been conceding. The last
:06:09. > :06:14.four games in the league, we've struggled to score. Rachel, people
:06:15. > :06:17.have been talking about this season, there not being a fear factor with
:06:18. > :06:22.Arsenal. Over the years, they were the dominant force. The players have
:06:23. > :06:25.been spread out. Is that right for an opposing player, they are not as
:06:26. > :06:30.scary to play against? They are still Arsenal who have won the
:06:31. > :06:35.league and the Cup numerous times. But, you know, does that threat kind
:06:36. > :06:40.of come with the same sort of clout it has done previously? I would say
:06:41. > :06:44.probably yeah. They are an injured, a wounded animal at the moment, are
:06:45. > :06:49.Arsenal. And so any team that is in that situation is a dangerous team.
:06:50. > :06:52.So, for us, as far as our preparations going into the match on
:06:53. > :06:56.Sunday, will be no different to when we have played an Arsenal team in
:06:57. > :07:01.the past. Shelley Kerr has gone. Who is going to take over from her?
:07:02. > :07:05.After the FA Cup Final. Would you be up for the job? I'm taking my
:07:06. > :07:15.coaching qualifications at the minute. I'm not going to put my name
:07:16. > :07:20.forward for that. That is up to the club. You are not going to put your
:07:21. > :07:26.name forward as such. If asked? If asked, then I would step up and
:07:27. > :07:32.maybe do that. I don't think that is in line with what they are looking
:07:33. > :07:33.for. I would still like to play and contribute on the football pitch
:07:34. > :07:37.this year. OK. Thank you. We switch our attention to the Blue
:07:38. > :07:41.corner now. As a youngster,
:07:42. > :07:43.Everton?s Nikita Parris dreamed of playing in an FA Cup Final and is
:07:44. > :07:47.now working hard to inspire the next Our very own Blue Belle, Sue Smith,
:07:48. > :08:02.reports. I'm here on the streets of Toxteth,
:08:03. > :08:06.Liverpool. This is where 20-year-old Everton striker Nikita Parris first
:08:07. > :08:10.started kicking a ball around. The newly 46 crowned Toffees Player of
:08:11. > :08:14.the Year is hoping to a cap off a rise through the ranks and inspire
:08:15. > :08:21.Everton to win their second FA Cup in four years.
:08:22. > :08:26.COMMENTARY: What a fantastic goal from Nikita Parris!
:08:27. > :08:30.How proud will you be to represent your home town club in an FA Cup
:08:31. > :08:33.Final? Everton has been my club for many years. I have worked hard to
:08:34. > :08:37.get into the first team and now going out into the final with all
:08:38. > :08:40.the girls, it will be an unbelievable feeling. What was it
:08:41. > :08:45.like growing up around here? Sometimes it was hard, being a girl
:08:46. > :08:49.and wanting to play football against lads who think they are big and
:08:50. > :08:52.tough. They don't like it when they get beat by you in games.
:08:53. > :08:57.Eventually, they let me come and play with them. She is the latest
:08:58. > :09:10.player to make the grade from Everton's Academy. The graduates
:09:11. > :09:21.include Alex Greenwood and Toni Dughan. My name is Nikita. I'm from
:09:22. > :09:23.Everton Ladies. Everton are a model club for producing home-grown
:09:24. > :09:28.talent. Why do you think they have been so successful? They have worked
:09:29. > :09:31.very hard over the years to get Everton in the community up and
:09:32. > :09:36.running and get people more involved in football and give girls an
:09:37. > :09:40.opportunity to get involved and experience what I experienced at a
:09:41. > :09:45.young age. Instead of involving with boys, now they involve with other
:09:46. > :09:52.girls. When you are asking for the ball, signal what foot you are.
:09:53. > :09:56.Me coming along showing the girls that we believe in the abilities and
:09:57. > :10:00.just progressing women's football in general. Grassroots teams and that
:10:01. > :10:04.is where the future stars come from, grassroots. Hopefully, they will
:10:05. > :10:12.take a lot from today and my coaching and progress on. Some of
:10:13. > :10:15.these aspiring youngsters may be can get inspiration from Nikita, who is
:10:16. > :10:19.preparing for the biggest game of her career. Everton are the only
:10:20. > :10:24.side to beat Arsenal an FA Cup Final, in 2010, can you remember
:10:25. > :10:30.that? I was there, as a young player. We got the chance to go and
:10:31. > :10:36.watch them. It was unbelievable. I wish it would have been me scoring
:10:37. > :10:42.that final goal! They are evolving their team just like we are. I
:10:43. > :10:45.reckon they will be a hard team to beat. We are youngsters coming
:10:46. > :10:49.through. It will be an unbelievable feeling for all of us.
:10:50. > :10:52.And if you?d like to follow in Nikita?s footsteps
:10:53. > :10:55.and start playing football, then head over to bbc.co.uk/getinspired
:10:56. > :11:05.to find all the details of your nearest club.
:11:06. > :11:13.Nikita, she looks a fantastic young prospect. She looks like she has a
:11:14. > :11:22.mature head? She has been a revelation for us this season. She's
:11:23. > :11:26.kind of matured beyond her years. She's a real strong role model for
:11:27. > :11:31.young players coming through and proof of what Everton Academy do do,
:11:32. > :11:36.the centre of excellence and the players they bring through. She is
:11:37. > :11:40.playing a central striking role this season. She was more on the left
:11:41. > :11:46.side. She has had more of a chance to show what she can do up front?
:11:47. > :11:52.She is our go-to girl, really. We have played some direct football,
:11:53. > :11:55.but she's proving to be a cute finisher. She's had a lot of
:11:56. > :11:59.opportunities where she's been one-on-one with the keeper, she's
:12:00. > :12:03.dinked the ball, she's gone round the keeper, she is scoring from
:12:04. > :12:07.distance. She proved to us at the end of last season. She is scoring
:12:08. > :12:10.with her head as well. She is starting to prove herself as an
:12:11. > :12:15.all-round player, holding the ball up well when it's been received to
:12:16. > :12:18.her feet, and scoring some absolutely crucial goals for us so
:12:19. > :12:34.far. Does she have England potential? I think I would say that
:12:35. > :12:38.she does. When I saw Frankie was placed in the squad, that was on
:12:39. > :12:41.form. There is a chance in the future. If she keeps producing the
:12:42. > :12:46.goods for Everton, she has a chance. She is one of a number of young
:12:47. > :12:49.players, Kelly, and you are playing them in the Cup Final on Sunday. Is
:12:50. > :12:56.there a case for the youngsters not having that fear factor, maybe not
:12:57. > :13:00.being as fazed as more mature, experienced players might be? Back
:13:01. > :13:04.in the day, you go out and embrace the situation. There is no pressure
:13:05. > :13:09.on you. You want to prove you are a good player. She is a player we will
:13:10. > :13:16.have to watch out for come Sunday. You lost a lot of big-name players
:13:17. > :13:21.last season, Williams going to Liverpool, Dowey going to Liverpool
:13:22. > :13:25.as well. And this season, losing Jill Scott, and you have managed to
:13:26. > :13:29.bring through these youngsters, a couple from Manchester United's
:13:30. > :13:34.Academy. How impressed have you been by them? You said it there. We have
:13:35. > :13:37.lost not only a wealth of quality, but a wealth of experience in the
:13:38. > :13:43.players that have moved on at the end of last season. How we have done
:13:44. > :13:48.it? I think we have consolidated as a group. We don't have one go-to,
:13:49. > :13:54.one player who we rely on to be scoring all of our goals, or to be
:13:55. > :13:58.creating all of our opportunities. And every single person is having to
:13:59. > :14:03.give 100% to get the results that we have done. And I think that is why
:14:04. > :14:09.we are getting our results. We are using our young players. Some young
:14:10. > :14:13.players have stepped up. And they have been outstanding for us. It is
:14:14. > :14:16.unusual to be going into an FA Cup Final with two clubs at the bottom
:14:17. > :14:19.of the league. It is bizarre to think that, Arsenal and Everton.
:14:20. > :14:24.Arsenal with the one point at the moment. Both clubs are not in very
:14:25. > :14:29.good form. They have still managed to get to the FA Cup Final. Sit that
:14:30. > :14:32.one occasion -- it is that one occasion where you have pulled it
:14:33. > :14:38.out of the bag and you potentially can lift the trophy. What do you
:14:39. > :14:42.think the key factors will be in this final? It will be
:14:43. > :14:48.determination, grit, resilience, all the characteristics that we have
:14:49. > :14:51.shown as a team at Everton. We have left everything on the pitch. That
:14:52. > :15:03.is what we will go with again on Sunday.
:15:04. > :15:12.occasion and that special moment to win that trophy. Who knows? It is a
:15:13. > :15:15.kind of battle. It is about who stands up to that occasion.
:15:16. > :15:20.kind of battle. It is about who odd situation that the players are
:15:21. > :15:24.going into the game knowing they are losing their manager. We have got to
:15:25. > :15:30.do it for Shelley. No one wanted her to step down. We are going to fight
:15:31. > :15:34.to lift the trophy and do it for her.
:15:35. > :15:41.So, we know it has been a week for Arsenal but what about Everton? Alex
:15:42. > :15:43.Webb has the best of the W S L one action.
:15:44. > :15:48.Manchester City made it four straight wins with a convincing two
:15:49. > :15:52.- zero win over Everton. The team are beginning to find momentum.
:15:53. > :16:03.There were doubled city's points tally for the
:16:04. > :16:15.season. A stern test for surprise leaders Birmingham as they faced
:16:16. > :16:15.season. A stern test for surprise Liverpool side had done enough to
:16:16. > :16:18.season. A stern test for surprise get a victory which would have seen
:16:19. > :16:21.season. A stern test for surprise them leapfrog their opponents but
:16:22. > :16:25.they were unable to build on an equalising penalty and both teams
:16:26. > :16:30.settled for a point. It finished goalless as Chelsea and
:16:31. > :16:37.Notts County looked to get their WSL challenges back on track. There was
:16:38. > :16:41.an entertaining draw which leaves them amongst the middle of the pack.
:16:42. > :16:58.So, Birmingham City riding high. There is no victory yet from
:16:59. > :17:03.Arsenal. Liverpool are mid-table. It is very tight. One victory can send
:17:04. > :17:08.you right up there. Birmingham City seem to be using a siege mentality.
:17:09. > :17:12.I am a bit confused because they have got some very good players. Why
:17:13. > :17:14.do they seem to have the need for the siege mentality of people
:17:15. > :17:22.writing them off? They were the favourites to go down
:17:23. > :17:31.so maybe they were aggrieved by that. Said the bookies and pundits.
:17:32. > :17:35.It gives you the extra fire in the belly. They have a good team behind
:17:36. > :17:40.them. They have a certain style of play which works for them and it is
:17:41. > :17:46.hard to break them down. They have been impressive for me this year. We
:17:47. > :17:50.played them twice, and lost twice. They have their grit and
:17:51. > :17:56.determination to do well this year and they are leading by example.
:17:57. > :18:01.What do you make of Birmingham? They were a solid, solid outfit. They
:18:02. > :18:06.were really difficult to break down. They played in front of a big home
:18:07. > :18:11.crowd. They have great home support. It was really hard to get any joy in
:18:12. > :18:17.the final third, in our final third. They are a strong resilient team
:18:18. > :18:24.who, like I said, that penetration in the final third, it was, I do not
:18:25. > :18:28.think we tested the keeper at all. That is what they are basing their
:18:29. > :18:32.season on and that is what their strengths are as a team. Just
:18:33. > :18:38.because they are not necessarily a fancy forward sort of flourishing
:18:39. > :18:44.team, that they can out get results. That is the proof of the table, they
:18:45. > :18:48.are getting results. This season, for the first time, there is a
:18:49. > :18:52.relegation place which makes things very interesting indeed. Arsenal are
:18:53. > :18:56.at the bottom at the moment. Are they really are relegation
:18:57. > :19:03.candidate? It looks that way at the moment. There is a 14 game campaign.
:19:04. > :19:07.We are on a break. We will look for this to regroup, go away and
:19:08. > :19:10.re-evaluate. We will have another manager imposed hopefully for the
:19:11. > :19:15.second part of the season. It does not look good for us going into the
:19:16. > :19:22.break. Who will win this thing? Any ideas? I really think it is too
:19:23. > :19:27.early to tell. We probably think the table should be flipped the other
:19:28. > :19:34.way around. Which Birmingham will not like. That is no disrespect to
:19:35. > :19:41.them. I think it is too early to tell. Four games in, that is just a
:19:42. > :19:50.snapshot. There is also a full fixture list in WSL two. Oxford or
:19:51. > :20:03.on the bottom of the table with just a solitary point.
:20:04. > :20:10.Reading are sitting comfortably in fourth and Fran Kirby has been given
:20:11. > :20:17.a chance from the England boss Mark Sampson. She steps up from the
:20:18. > :20:23.England under 23s. How exciting prospect does she look, Kelly?
:20:24. > :20:31.She is a very good footballer. I'm glad she has been called up. She
:20:32. > :20:37.tore us apart, if I am honest. Encouraging. The Japanese
:20:38. > :20:41.international player flipped the ball round her and ran past her with
:20:42. > :20:49.ease. I was very impressed with her on the day. Back to FA Cup matters
:20:50. > :20:52.now. Milton Keynes will host Sunday's showpiece. Siobhan
:20:53. > :21:03.Chamberlain and Fern Whelan met up at a stormy Stadium MK where they
:21:04. > :21:09.found time to tackle your tweets. Right, Twitter Queen, shall we get
:21:10. > :21:14.going? How does it feel to be playing in the women's FA Cup Final?
:21:15. > :21:22.It is the biggest game of the season. Losing the Cup Final is
:21:23. > :21:28.horrible. Added motivation to do well this year and third time lucky.
:21:29. > :21:32.Last time we played was Arsenal and we won it so that is the best kind
:21:33. > :21:37.of day you can think of. To get the chance to do it again is
:21:38. > :21:41.unbelievable. Who is the toughest opponents you have played against
:21:42. > :21:47.and who is your footballing hero? Can we have one question at a time,
:21:48. > :21:56.please? It is in one question at a time, please? It is unwanted! Nu
:21:57. > :22:03.Luke Coates scored extra time. I would say Jess Clarke was brilliant
:22:04. > :22:11.in our semifinal against Notts. I think she hit the post as well. She
:22:12. > :22:16.did really well. What is the biggest challenge you
:22:17. > :22:22.have had to face a far? Injury is a big one for me. Isn't it might
:22:23. > :22:33.turn? You are a question hog! Someone said what is your favourite
:22:34. > :22:39.Hula Hoop. Barbecue beef. Who are you backing for the World Cup?
:22:40. > :22:47.England. Are you asking the questions now. One of our players is
:22:48. > :22:55.scared of thunder and lightning says there is a wonder she will run away.
:22:56. > :22:59.Identical in her. That is about it. Good questions. Good luck for the
:23:00. > :23:07.final. Good luck, as if they mean it! We
:23:08. > :23:11.have a tweet for you two as well from Tom. He says are there any
:23:12. > :23:17.upcoming names we should be looking out for in the women's game? I would
:23:18. > :23:25.hope so. I mentioned one of my team-mates Gabby George. We have
:23:26. > :23:29.been fortunate recipients of Manchester United not having a
:23:30. > :23:33.women's team. She has stepped up to a team which is notoriously
:23:34. > :23:38.difficult. A lot of responsibility. She has done a stellar job. I think
:23:39. > :23:45.she was awarded player of the round for the semifinal of the FA Cup. And
:23:46. > :23:50.well-deserved. She is one for the future. Kelly, anyone we should be
:23:51. > :23:58.looking out for? I will stick with my team-mate Lee Williamson. She is
:23:59. > :24:03.only 17. She will be a hot prospect. Already she has stepped into the
:24:04. > :24:08.centre back's shoes. She can play left back and has played centre
:24:09. > :24:13.midfield at the weekend. She plays beyond her years. She will be a big
:24:14. > :24:17.player for the future, certainly for Arsenal and England. She made a
:24:18. > :24:22.mistake at the weekend but you said that was out of character? It
:24:23. > :24:25.happens. No one holds responsibility. She has been
:24:26. > :24:30.outstanding. She stepped in with no fear on her shoulders and as one to
:24:31. > :24:40.watch. Finally this week, it is trivia time. Tom Bowker is your
:24:41. > :24:42.resident quizmaster. Kelly Smith has five FA Cup Final
:24:43. > :24:48.goals, but Kelly Smith has five FA Cup Final
:24:49. > :24:54.the most? Kelly Smith has five FA Cup Final
:24:55. > :25:04.I will go Karen Walker. LeAnn Samson. Marian Spacey. Julie
:25:05. > :25:15.fleeting. Julie fleeting. I will go with her. A good instinct.
:25:16. > :25:19.goals. In 2010, Everton became the only
:25:20. > :25:25.side to beat Arsenal in an FA Cup Final. Who scored their winning
:25:26. > :25:34.goal? I think I remember watching this in America. Was it Natasha
:25:35. > :25:42.Dowie? Natasha Dowie. Natasha Dowie. Natasha Dowie. Was it in extra time?
:25:43. > :25:47.Do I get as bonus point for that? Sorry, Siobhan, no bonus point but
:25:48. > :25:51.it was Natasha Dowie. Somebody is a showpiece will be
:25:52. > :25:56.played at Stadium MK but can you name the last three venues to host
:25:57. > :26:08.the final? This will put me on the spot. Which was the one? To keep
:26:09. > :26:21.motor. Doncaster Rovers. Bristol. Ashton gate. Can I have a clue?
:26:22. > :26:25.Coventry. The Ricoh Arena. The Ricoh Arena. Full marks to Casey and
:26:26. > :26:37.Siobhan. It was at Ashton Arena. Full marks to Casey and
:26:38. > :26:53.the recurrent arena. Which players have played for Liverpool? Yellow
:26:54. > :27:01.Makro Rachel Brown. Ritual brain that -- Rachel Brown. Jody
:27:02. > :27:05.Makro Rachel Brown. Ritual brain Jody Handley was a
:27:06. > :27:10.Makro Rachel Brown. Ritual brain Liverpool as was Rachel Brown.
:27:11. > :27:15.The last FA Cup 's have been won by Arsenal, Charlton, Everton and which
:27:16. > :27:23.other club? Is this going years back? Birmingham? These are hard.
:27:24. > :27:31.Birmingham. Birmingham won against Chelsea. Correct, Birmingham were
:27:32. > :27:35.winners in 2012. With five out of five, it is Siobhan Chamberlain who
:27:36. > :27:38.take the plaudits as our quiz winner.
:27:39. > :27:43.Rachel Brown was just 15 when she first played in an FA Cup Final. She
:27:44. > :27:51.will be playing this weekend against Arsenal. Sunday 1st of June, we are
:27:52. > :27:58.on air at 4:15pm and kick-off is at 430 PM. The next show is on Monday
:27:59. > :28:02.the 21st of July. Thank you, Kelly, thank you, Rachel,
:28:03. > :28:07.good luck to both of you on Sunday and we will find out if Kelly's
:28:08. > :28:11.Arsenal or Rachel's Everton will once again get their hands on this
:28:12. > :28:16.famous FA Cup trophy. Goodbye for now.