Episode 5 The Women's Football Show

Good evening, it's been an important week on both

We have got a fair bit to cover on the show.

Coming up, we can't "Kirby" our enthusiasm for

Have Scotland found the winning formula in their bid to

There's the best of the action from the WSL title race...

In the studio tonight we have England's most capped player ever,

Fara Williams. We begin with Alex and Fran Kirby. We spoke to the

small striker with a big future. St George's Park is alive with

memories of legends of the game. What does the future? We might just

be witnessing the emergence of one of the England stars of tomorrow.

21-year-old Fran Kirby has already struck a chord with the new look

England. She scored on her full England debut earlier in the month

and was voted player of the match again Sweden. -- against.

I was nervous but I have now been around the girls a few times and I'm

showing off my fun side. I have been getting on really well.

Fran has settled in fairly well and credit to her for that. She's very

relaxed. And you scored on your debut against Sweden, the dream

start. How did it feel? It was quite surreal. Even to be considered for

the squad against Sweden, they are amongst the top five in the world.

When I was told I was to be starting a it was amazing. We were confident

Fran could handle it from a psychological point of view. For me

it was pleasing to see the reaction of the rest of the group when she

scored a goal. A player who could potentially be taking the spot from

other people. But the rest of the group were delighted for a young

player coming in and performing very well. Having spent all her career at

local club ready Fran becomes the first player of the WSL Europe to

represent her country in the second tier of the leak. We have been clear

with our selection policies. If you are eligible to play for England and

Europe on form, regardless of your age or experience, we will pick on

form. Girls might think she is there so I can do that. It shows that they

are willing to give people a chance if they are not in the top league

but are playing well. There is a good element of competition in the

training ground. Some experienced players looking over their shoulder

and some young players confident of getting a jersey. What would it mean

to you to be part of the team to take England to World Cup? It would

mean everything. If enough I was not in the squad, just being in and

around it would be incredible. I hope to get on the pitch and

hopefully get a goal. We are confident with this group of players

that we can aim at the world and we have to be sure we are focused on

that. All the way through! England lead.

England get a second. What a finish! And England have a third.

Brilliant ball in. Clinical finish. England ripping Wales apart. They're

through to Canada 25th team. Confirmation then of England's

qualification as group winners. Victory over Montenegro in

their final game would ensure the Wales have to win

in the Ukraine to maintain their chances of reaching the play-offs,

more on that later in the show. Not bad, girls! A bit of a pathetic

iced bucket trickle over the manager! The manager has spoken

about the unity in the camp. Does that come from him? I think it has

always been there. It is a long time coming. And I think Mark did ring

that back in. I think he has brought in that healthy competition. But

when someone is on the pitch you want them to do well whereas

previously it was not like that. But we now have that unity and you can

feel that excitement around the camp. Striker Jody Taylor has been

brought in and she said afterwards that it was a lot more positive and

people were not afraid to make mistakes. What does she mean by

that? Bringing in the type of player such as her, the likes of Fran Kirby

coming through? He has said if you do something wrong, as long as you

try it again he is not going to have a go at you. Those players coming in

now, the group embraces them and we are allowed to smile and have a

personality on the pitch. Whereas before we were just there to do

business. But now we can express ourselves and have fun while still

doing the job. Fran Kirby will be coming on on Thursday night. What do

you make of her? Well but her performance against Sweden, it was

excellent. For me she is exciting. We are looking forward to big thing

in the future. Watching her she reminded me a little bit of Peter

Beardsley in the way that she plays. And that is a compliment! Football

is talking about her but when you meet her she's a person and still so

humble and grounded. You see her flicking the ball against Arsenal,

just so much confidence. To have the confidence to do that against a

Japanese international it just shows the talent she has got. Going to the

World Cup next year, you have beaten the big nations before in friendly

matches. What does that now take to step up and beat the likes of France

and Germany? At an international tournament? I think it is

disbelieving and having the right mindset. We do have the talent, as

has been proven in friendlies, to be the top nations. And how did you get

that mindset? That is what Mark is instilling in us. We're going out

with the attitude that we're going to win it. Just like the Sweden

game, even before the game the girls had a really good feeling about the

game. And that is quite a hit of positivity. We are going there

against the top nations and going to beat them. How do you fancy playing

against Germany at Wembley? ! That is on Sunday the 23rd of November.

Details to be announced in the next few days. What are your thoughts

ahead of that match? It is exciting. Mark has got as in a good place at

the moment so it will be a good challenge to see where we are under

him. How utterly we will get that win at Wembley. -- hopefully. Those

details to be announced, we do need people to buy those tickets. When we

were kids we used to play Wembley five. So to be walking out there in

an England shirt, the crowd are amazing. Five out of six pitches in

the World Cup are artificial. There was a lot of controversy about that

partly because of the potential injury problems. By choice you want

the World Cup to be on grass but it is a decision out of our hands. We

cannot focus on that. I am happy to be playing the World Cup on

artificial grass? Some of the under 20 players who have come back from

Canada spoke positively about the pitch and how fast the ball moves on

it. We play at weekly soap or as it is a bonus. -- we play on it weekly

soap for us it is a bonus. Certainly the Liverpool players are happy.

Well we begin our round-up with action at the foot of the table.

Relegation beckons for one side for the first time. We went to assess

the chances of postal Academy. -- Bristol. Last year's runners-up were

still have struggled in defence. While Everton's problems are in

front of goal, scoring just three. Relegation is on the horizon. Would

it be the strikers or defenders to get the upper hand?

Bristol just got a penalty. Some great play on the left-hand side.

Everton need to stop giving the ball away cheaply.

Everton need to stop giving the ball Everton get a goal back. Jones ahead

of the far post. An absolutely stunning goal.

Unbelievable! Sub Bristol go into the break 3-2 up. -- so.

Bristol just penetrating the Everton defence twice in quick succession.

Looks like Rachel Brown is injured. Not ideal to change keeper at this

stage. It is not going to be great for the relationship between the

centre halves and the keeper. Traded to a seven goal thriller with

great strides from both teams. Bristol, on top but Everton have

still to pick up their first win and the future may be looking bleak.

still to pick up their first win and There's no doubting the time the

weekend as the top two the There's no doubting the time the

head-to-head. Chelsea standard level on points with Birmingham but having

played two more games than their opponents, they could not afford to

lose. The lead was extended with this score at the wrong end. Flat

coated tried her best to claim it. The visitors fought back and reduced

arrears midway through the half. -- Doherty. Emma Hayes the Mac side

moved to the top of the table while Birmingham slipped down to third.

Liverpool are to second after a narrow win over Nottingham.

Substitute Katie scored a late winner to keep their hopes alive.

County finished the game with ten players after Sophie Walton was sent

off. Arsenal's improvement continued as they produced a clinical

performance that Manchester City. It only took five minutes for the

Gunners to open the scoring. After the game Man City boss

expressed his disappointment. City fell further behind. And number

three came soon afterwards. Casey Stoney rounded off the scoring with

a fourth. Next up for the Gunners, a trip to Birmingham.

Birmingham have two games in hand on both sides above them. Evidence any

relegation spot, still without a win after eight games. -- evident in the

relegation spot. What has gone on there? I'm not sure, it is sad to

see them in that position, hopefully they can pick up a couple of wins

and get in a good position, not see them at the bottom come the end of

the season. By contrast, your side, Arsenal, have picked up, Kelly Smith

in charge. Why is it going well for you? I don't know, I feel like we

are going to win the league! Only messing! It has been a strange

season for us, but we have got the momentum going, we are picking up

points, there is a buzz around the changing room. Chelsea and

Birmingham near the top of the table, looking very confident,

Chelsea very impressive, Birmingham were not quite on their game. You

have played them already, how would you assess them? The big losses Jade

Moore, so crucial in midfield, winning them big battles first and

second, that would have been a crucial loss, but we knew Chelsea

would be there or thereabouts with the signings that they brought in in

the close season. Liverpool, two point off the top, Birmingham have

two games in hand, confident of retaining the title? I am confident

we can win the remaining games to put ourselves in a good position,

that is the target, four games remaining, hopefully we are looking

at a top two spot. Sitting on the fence! Looking at it objectively,

who will win? Do you know? Chelsea, I think the signings that they

brought in, they are a strong unit, but there are lots and twists and

turns that are going to unfold. People need to get down to their

local club to support them, we need more people through the WSL

turnstiles. The attendance figures are so much higher this season, 40%

up on last season, but it wouldn't hurt to get more through the gate,

would it? Definitely not, the game is going, and we could earn a little

bit more with more supporters through the gate, and plenty of

other clubs are probably thinking the same. Get on the FA WSL website

for more information about clubs near you. Champions League

football, the men have played in it, Friday's draw had Liverpool against

Linkopings. Bristol Academy face Raheny United, Glasgow City take on

Medik Konin. Glasgow going well in the Champions League, but what of

the national side? We had to Portugal, Scotland travel there for

a friendly before the World Cup qualifiers. With only the group

winners qualifying automatically, it could be a complicated process.

Scotland are yet to reach the final stages of a major competition, but

with just two qualifies remaining, the 2015 World Cup is in their

grasp, but the qualifying equation is far from simple.

If we have to go there directly or through the play-offs, that is the

goal. Wins for Scotland and Sweden against the Faroe Islands and Bosnia

respectively, followed by a Scottish win over the Swedes, would see them

level on points at the top of Group 4 with matching head to head

records. Taking into account Sweden's 3-1 win over Scotland in

June, the following criteria from the matches between the two sides

would be applied to determine the rankings - goal difference, goals

scored, and that is before the away goals of brought into the equation.

To win the group and go straight to Canada, we need to beat them 3-1

away, so that is a little bit tough to do against Sweden. It may be

taxing, but hoping to make the numbers add up is chartered

accountant and defender Rachel Corsie. The World Cup is the

pinnacle for everyone in this team, and to be there would be an

outstanding achievement, something that everyone would thoroughly look

forward to. Maybe this is an opportunity that comes two years to

early, because I do think, realistically, it is 2017, European

Championships, that is really the target. However, we have played so

well, and we have a chance. With this attitude and belief that we can

be the ones to step up and make that first finals tournament, as the

national team. We are here in Portugal to prepare for the Faroe

Islands in September, we are here to do a job, so it is a calm, relaxed

atmosphere, but we focused. Goal difference could be pivotal in the

final table, and in Jane Ross Scotland have a player with ten

goals in eight qualifying games yeah, I am pleased with my personal

performances in the campaign, hopefully I can continue with that

form. Scoring goals is the hardest thing in international football, and

we have been able to do that consistently with Jane, and she has

had a lot of experience, playing abroad, playing full-time against

the best players. You have signed for Notts County, many of the other

girls are playing professionally, what effect does that have? I think

a positive impact, I feel a lot stronger, more prepared, more

focused for the games you play in, and that is probably the same for

the others that are playing professional. The goal! The number

eight! If the players can play full-time, with good players in the

club, in good leagues, that is of course good for us in Scotland. If

we could get to the World Cup, I think it would be great for women's

football in Scotland, there would be increased media attention, and I

think in terms of younger generations up to role models, I

think it would be great. Next up, the Faroe Islands, which on paper

promises to be the victory that could set up a winner takes all

match against the only side to have beaten them in qualification, the

mighty Sweden. It is going to be extremely tough, they have the upper

hand, better goal difference, and it is something that we will have to do

exceptionally well in our final two games to get that automatic place.

It really means that the winner is the one winning, it is the ambition,

the willingness to train, it is the desire to win, and I think, in this

team, we have some great winners, and that is what is required if we

want to go to Canada. So to clarify a rather complicated

situation, if Scotland and Sweden both win their next qualifiers,

Scotland will need to be Sweden in their final match away, bettering

the 3-1 scoreline to win the group. If not, there is the prospect of two

rounds of play-offs to decide the final qualifier from the European

nations. Only one of the four runners-up from the European groups

will qualify. So it is quite difficult, that is what we are

saying, but they can do it! No competitive action. And this week,

they drew 1-1 in a friendly in Portugal, Rachel Corsie scoring the

opening goal after the hour mark. Scotland had Jennifer Beattie said

in a last-minute, conceding a penalty for a foul. Dolores Silva

converted the resulting penalty to deny Scotland the win. What did you

make of that? I am a defender, sticking up for the defenders! It

would be very difficult for Scotland to qualify, but they will have to go

to Sweden to win convincingly. You played them recently and beat Sweden

4-0, anything you can offer in terms of hopeful Scotland? They have to

leave it all out there, and they have got game changes their team,

and if they get the ball early, they could create something, they might

price them away from home. Kim Little is tearing it up in America,

with Seattle, they won the regular season, she is the golden boot

winner, she scored in the play-off semifinal, and they are through to

the final. How much does she bring to Scotland now she is full-time

professional? It is massive, she proved it in our league for so long,

and for us to lose to the American league, it is good to see her doing

so well, and Scotland will need her in that game against Sweden, a

little bit different, a bit of pace. Would she get into a world XI?

Definitely, I played with her at Arsenal, I saw what she could do day

in, day out, and she needed a new challenge to test yourself against

other players. She is showing everyone what you can do on a world

stage. What about Shelley Kerr, the first senior men's manager in

Scotland? Are you pleased for her? Yeah, I think you want to see people

doing well in football, Yeah, I think you want to see people

male, and we had her as a manager to see what she could do, and we wish

you well at Arsenal, we hope she succeeds. You are a coach, Farah,

are you inspired by seeing a woman in the men's game, all we just

wanting to see more women in the women's game, there are not enough

at the top level. It is a big step for women coaches, women in sport in

general, a new challenge for, something that she will be excited

by. Good luck to her in that role, a former Scotland international, no

doubt a keen observer of both of those qualifiers, which you will be

able to see life on BBC Alba. It was against reason that Fara

Williams made history, becoming England's most capped player. --

Sweden. Here is to 131 not out. Fara Williams in three words, honest...

Chatty. Intelligent footballer. Talented, team player. Focused. She

is a role model. Special. 12 or 13, very quiet, shy little

girl, the talent was just outstanding, you could see

straightaway she was going to be something special. A lively

character, she does not shut up talking, to be honest, but she is

great to have around, really experienced, especially at club

level, to have someone with that knowledge of the game. Are passing

ability, awareness, vision of the team and the opposition is

fantastic. One of the best players I have worked with, male and female

game. As a centre forward, she has had a lot of assistss for me,

constantly wanting to improve, even though she is the most capped

England player. She has spent nearly two years of her life on England's

teams. She is determined to be the best place you can be, fantastic,

she wants to keep improving. Amazing role model to so many kids.

Lovely moments there, Fara, everyone says you do not stop talking, we are

nearly out of time, but what is the highlight of your career so far? I

think qualifying for the first World Cup in 2007, yeah, it was the first

World Cup for us in a long time, so definitely that. You were saying

earlier you scored a cracker! I enjoyed that one against Russia,

nice one. That is about it from us this week, we will see how Fara gets

on if she gets capped number 132 against Montenegro on Monday the

22nd of September at seven o'clock on BBC Three. Thanks, Fara, Alex.

Scotland and Wales remain in the hand to qualify for the World Cup,

but England can sell a great safe as it is to Canada 2015.

but England can sell a great safe as it is to Canada Bye for now. -- can

celebrate safe passage to Canada 2015.