Episode 2 The Women's Football Show

Good evening and welcome to the The Women's Football Show. It may be a

summer league but stormy Easter weather had an impact on the WSL

schedule this weekend. Rest assured that we still have plenty of action

to get through tonight. With Chelsea's match postponed could

Manchester City or Arsenal lay down and early market in the WSL one

title race? We are with Reading as they face a Sunderland team who set

the bar for newly promoted side last season. And we will also cast an eye

on those battling it out for glory in WSL two. And I am joined by a

couple of former England international is, Sue Smith and

Rachel Brown-Finnis, good to see you both. We'll begin with double sides

intent on challenging for the WSL one title again this year, just

three points separated second placed Manchester City and third placed

Arsenal last season. Just as inseparable in the commentary box,

Lucy Ward and Adams at. Budget Adam Somerton.

COMMENTATOR: It's another one for the collection!

Beyond the goalkeeper and she has her debut goal! An early-season

meeting between two of the WSL's big guns, no shortage of ambition and

determination. Those Manchester City and Arsenal. The Manchester City

squad stretched by injuries to Campbell, Walsh, and Isobel

Christiansen. Not many rotation options available, they have picked

an unchanged side including international is including six

England players, the killer Sardar and Jane Ross both of season

signings. Arsenal won in their opening game but have made three

changes since, the experienced pair of Casey Stoney and Fara Williams

are in along with the highly rated Dutch international Daniel of

underdog. She's making her first start in the league.

Mitchell. Lucy Bronze. Clearance hereby Mitchell. Steph Houghton

sliding in and she goes down! On the edge of the area. McManus found

herself and move the ball, such a strong runner, brought down a little

late. And confirmation of the yellow card. Orton, the first time

Manchester City have looked stretched at the back. Fara

Williams, England's most capped player, got her 150th cap this

month, what can she do from this free kick. Against Karen Bardsley.

It's off the crossbar, fantastic effort. The closest we have come to

the opening goal, so close for Arsenal. Really close to making that

1-0 to Arsenal. Did they deserve it? Probably not. It is an excellent

strike. They have played four times in the WSL, Manchester City and

Arsenal. Referee has a big decision to make. It was right on the edge of

the area, that challenge on Ross. It's a huge moment in the game with

12 minutes gone, Gemma Rose came across to make the challenge. A

challenge that she had to make. She wasn't offside, she just got in the

right surgeon, Jane Ross was just out of position and the only thing

she could do was bring her down. It's a letter of the law. She just

got her body in the way, Jane Ross, brilliant, and that's a red card.

It's Steph Houghton. Off the wall. She could not repeat the feat,

having scored the winner from a set piece against Notts County on

Wednesday. Goods defending by Emma Mitchell. -- good defending. Chain

Ross again, she's found Bronze. A good ball into the area. Scott could

not bring it under her spell but got a good touch to it. The left-back,

Stokes. Tried to take sorry van dividend by surprise. It is a good

save. -- Sari van Veenendaal. Carter has effectively been sacrificed, you

can understand that shake of the head. She will be frustrated.

Williamson comes on as the replacement.

This is Oshoala. Van der Donk and support, what a wonderful move.

Right at the end she showed too much of it to McManus, who really

redeemed herself there. Scott is looking to turn and the goalkeeper

has come a long way. That proved a wise decision. Really brave by Sari

van Veenendaal. Exactly what is needed. Scott really causes

problems, she goes up from beyond the strikers. Toni Duggan. Looks

against the Asllani. It's a really good one. Nikita Parris! A fabulous

save, great reflexes from Sari van Veenendaal. Thinks she should have

scored but that is great goalkeeping. They have to use the

pace of Toni Duggan. Williamson has pace as well. Toni Duggan. With Jane

Ross arriving! Whatever Nisha! A brilliant way to open the scoring in

this game! And it is her first, the first, just as city. The first real

mistake that Arsenal have made with the back four. Duggan are just

causing problems down the right. Williamson really needs to clear

that. And Jane Ross, she deserves that. That's where she is the most

dangerous, right in front of goal. It's Ross. Cut out by Williamson.

Asllani! What save! At full stretch, Sari van Veenendaal has kept Arsenal

in it. We were right behind that and it looked like it was going in all

the way. Sari van Veenendaal is a really, really good goalkeeper and

she has proved that time and again today, out of nowhere, that hand.

Great goalkeeping. Nikita Parris going down, and it's

going to be a penalty. Only just inside the area but a foul it was.

And it will be an opportunity for Manchester City to double their lead

from the spot. Dominique Janssen. She causes problems, as she has done

all day, Toni Duggan. My first thought was that was outside the

box, she landed inside the box, Nikita Parris but surely the first

challenge by Dominique Janssen, she's outside the box? Toni Duggan.

It's the responsibility the spot. So often, so reliable, will she be? She

is! Hammered home by Toni Duggan. And Manchester City 00 the

advantage. -- the double their advantage. Asllani made this really

difficult for Manchester City. They were confident they could keep this

goal as yet the sheer pressure from Manchester City made sure they got

two goals. The red card was a key moment, what did you think? A great

ball down the line, but Jane Ross in, it was a foul and the referee

has the decision to make, he is the referee not me. I was just

evaluating the action, and I just had the feeling that it was a very

similar action. I don't know how the referee saw a yellow card and a red

card different, that changed the game obviously. I haven't seen it,

you'll have to watch it and make your own opinion, we will probably

both be in the same situation, it is a long season and we are going to

October now, I am sure I will be complaining in one of the games! How

pleased are you for Jane Ross? Really pleased because attitude is

exceptional, she wants to score and create the team, really pleased.

Lets get your opinions. Gemma Rose, a blatant red card? Definitely.

Great ball from Lucy Bronze, Gemma Rose number 14 pace but she finds

herself given no option. She's got to either hold her line with the

rest of the back unit of Arsenal, and play Jane Ross of side or else

she must give herself a chance and drop five yards. She does mother.

She gets caught in a race with Ross, clips her heels, and then we see the

defenders away behind her, and from this next angle, her arms all over

chain Ross and it is a clear foul -- she did neither. So it's a red card,

the referee has no option. And Steph Houghton? Pedro said she should have

gone for her challenge on Oshoala. Think it's quite different. It's a

lovely ball in. McManus just gets caught on Oshoala. Steph Houghton

makes that tackle. This cover, Stokes and McManus making that

recovery run, a good ball initially, Oshoala taking that first touch,

Steph Houghton makes the tackle and then you've got the two, so it's not

a red card for me when you have to play has covered. There's been a lot

of talk about Asllani, the Swedish international signed by Man City,

she is impressive, yet how impressive when you with Ross? She's

been the star signing for Man City. She shows good strength, palming

away any players, and his speed, quick turn, absolutely burns cases

Dhoni four pace. She is the player that the City players are looking

for in a box. She put the ball and is back unit of area, what a dream

debut this would have been for Asllani, had it not been for the

save of the season, possibly, from Sari van Veenendaal. Absolutely full

tilled save. But we see the goal, Jane Ross in the thick of the

action, starts with Toni Duggan 's, pressing Williamson, should she have

booted it into Row Z, she should. It shows a lack of experience, in an

unfamiliar position. Toni Duggan's persistence pays off, chipped the

ball in and what a finish from Ross. She doesn't even have to break

stride on this. Jane Ross has lost her tracking midfielder runner, Fara

Williams, and she gets three ward for an outstanding performance. And

that controversial penalty decision, the foul on Nikita Parris, inside or

outside the box, zero? -- zero? Length if I had to make a call I

would say it is outside. I would say it is not a penalty. On that replay

you can see Nikita Parris, good positive running, identical was a

penalty but so difficult for officials to call that. We have seen

the big three play now, Manchester City, Arsenal as well, and Chelsea.

Anyone you can mark out this early on as favourites potentially?

For me, City have shown they have goals in them, the front three of

Duggan, Jane Ross and Nikita Parris are proving fruitful. As Lani behind

them are good as well. It is difficult to pick between the

three teams. They all like to play football which is good to see. We

were on the end of a difficult result. It will be quite

competitive. To the north-east where someone got their WSL1 campaign

underway. Before the game just Crichton spent some time with the

Royals at their team hotel. -- Jessica Creighton. Reading word WSL

two champions losses and so they have earned their place at the top

table. But maintaining their status in WSL1 will be tricky. COMMENTATOR:

Sunderland's dream start to life in the WSL continues! Sunderland

finished a surprising fourth in their debut season last year so were

they the template Reading should be following? Sunderland, if you like,

embraced the challenge, and they braced it well. They did not have

any fear going into the season and we have definitely not cop that

either. Our first aim is to stay up, we want to be in this league for

many years to come, but what is not to say that we can't go out and beat

big teams? We are going to fight for it. Arsenal was always going to be a

tough ask, our first game of the season, but the more momentum we

gain through the season I can't see why we can't compete against those

teams. Initiation time for any new members of staff and Mary. A bit of

light-heartedness and it brings people out of their shells. Staying

in WSL1, first and foremost, and long-term? The club are really good

and supportive of us. When we started in the WSL, our first aim

was to build a squad and the team, the second year we were lucky enough

to win the league, so we are on track. It is the case of the next

five to ten years we won't be playing Champions League football

and really pushing it. The club are really ambitious to want to do that.

LAUGHTER What was that? Will you be

auditioning for the Voice? Not quite yet, maybe this time next year I

will give it a go. We are all friends, we know each

other on and off the pitch really well. Just looking forward to the

season really. What was going on with the initiations? It happens

every year, I do think they know that, but I haven't done one yet.

Don't tell them because I can't sing or dance. That is all that is about,

having fun and then the serious work starts from the get across to

Sunderland in a bit. How difficult is it to stay in the

league in your debut season? Very hard, it is a case of making sure

your squad stick together. You will go through some bad times, some good

times but you have to make sure that as a group you stick together, and

if you can do that, it goes a long way sometimes to having great

players all good players. COMMENTATOR: Chaplain, able to rise

the challenge of McGee. A fine save from Grace Maloney. Very unlucky,

brought out a brilliant save goalkeeper. Won well by Furness. As

the conditions begin to worsen, still Furness, and they header by

Meade! Unlucky by Sunderland's star striker. Lois Roach over the free

kick by Reading, and it is deflected and in! Reading are ahead, just

before half-time. Sunderland about to pick it up now. I am sure Carlton

Fairweather had words to say at half-time. Sunderland relied so

heavily on their home form glasses on. Here is Chaplain. That is a good

ball. Meade keeps her feet and will score. The WSL's leading goal-scorer

last season is off the mark in 2016. Just the start that Sunderland

needed. Game on. A great pass forward, looking for

Beth Mead! Maloney makes the save! Seems like it was cleared off the

line by Reading. Both teams really going for the victory here,

Reading's turn to press now with Roche. Looking to work the

opportunity to cross, and arriving at the post! That was their chance

to go to one up. Kelly, you have your first points as a WSL1 outfit,

you disappointed it is not free? Before the game I would have been

happy with a point away from home, but I am disappointed over 90

minutes not come away with the three tonight. Kelly Chambers clearly

disappointed, getting a point and with that goal. Yes, I think they

showed some real bright sparks, Reading. Some good chances to win

the game, to get all three points from it. The goal that they do get,

the equaliser Sunderland get, it is pretty scrappy. It is really the

kind of making of a number of Reading errors. A miscue, a loose

touch, and then broke chaplain says Beth Mead get in between the two

centre halves. A mistimed challenge. I think Reading will feel a bit

disgruntled they did not get all three points but they will certainly

learn a lot. Reading's objectives, Champions League football within

five years, is that realistic? Firstly it is just about competing

at that level. It is something you have to look at how Sunderland

performed. The fact they moved up by ever so well. It is just competing

in this level at this point. How does that compare to your Doncaster?

Also newly promoted. It is a similar thing, you need to have a good team

spirit, going full-time will help. Like I say, it is a big step up from

that WSL2 into this league. Both ourselves and Reading have felt that

and you have to learn lessons quickly. What do you think about

Carlton Fairweather's comments about team spirit being more important

than good or great players? We saw that from Sunderland last season,

the togetherness was there for everyone to see. They have Beth Mead

as welcome top goal-scorer. Reading have definitely got that team

spirit. I think Sunderland will be looking to build the season on a

great season last year when they really pushed for the title towards

the end. They don't have that advantage of being the unknown team

any more, but I don't think nowadays any team is unknown. With the BT

that teams get -- with the videos teams get before games, that unknown

quantity doesn't exist any more. Where do you think Reading will

finish, I know it is early. That is tough to say, they are a top team,

physically very good, organised, they will definitely be mid-table, I

think they will challenge with a lot of teams this year. Definitely

tricky conditions for both Sunderland and Reading on Saturday

evening. The weather also affected Monday's match between Chelsea and

Liverpool, which was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch after heavy

rainfall during the night. And Chelsea's fixture postponement means

that Manchester City move above them in the table with that 2-0 victory

over Arsenal. Still very, very early days, of course, and of course no

WSL action now for around a month because of the international

matches. As a player, how frustrating is that? It is

difficult, because you have prepared, Daniel pre-season, played

two games in the space of three or four days, then you have a massive

break so you have to do a mini pre-season. That match fitness is so

much different. It can be quite frustrating. For the fans as well.

The teams don't get any momentum, not just on the pitch but commercial

momentum. We want teams to be playing week in, week out, even if

it is three games a week back-to-back. Fans want that and it

generates that fan base we are desperately tried to build. I think

the league needs to either expand, more teams to be in it, or four

teams to at least play each other three times a season with a double

of games across the season to grow. So more fixtures and consistency of

fixtures. Yes, and I know fixtures are being considered with

international fixtures, really having to be slotted in the those

qualifying fixtures. I know it is a difficult job, but more games. Pros

and cons of a winter league perhaps? The columns have got to be the fact

that games get cold. And this is a summer league! The fact the

Champions League and the time, there are lots of cons and pros for a

winter league, but their want of the summer league so wouldn't compete

with the men's game so we had more fans to watch, and that has

happened. You see the amount of fans coming to games now were in the

thousands, which has improved from seasons ago. There are a lot of

pluses and minuses to both. We will sue what happens. WS two -- WSL2

also takes a break until late in the month. Everton will be looking to

achieve promotion back to the top flight this season and will need to

show similar spirit that showed at Millwall on Sunday. The Toffees fell

behind to this had five minutes into the second half. -- this header. And

just a minute later, things got even worse for the visitors when Felicity

Jones earned Millwall a penalty. For the Chelsea striker Ashley thinks

converted. A goal was pulled back for Everton just before full-time.

And then Simone McGill insured and dispense's side would return to

Merseyside with a point. 2-2 the final score. That point leaves

Everton level with Millwall and Bristol City on four points towards

the top of the WSL2 table. Durham perhaps the surprise leaders of the

early weeks of the new season. And the draw for the season's

Continental Cup was made yesterday. Zug you have Sunderland, are you

happy with that? No the fact it is a home draw is a positive. We have

another WSL1 team, it will be a difficult game, we know that, we

have played that many times. It will be a tough test but the fact we are

at home means we are happy. Mark Sampson announced his squad for the

upcoming Euro qualifiers. Any surprises, anyone you think should

have been included? The likes of Beth Mead, top goal-scorer from last

year and started well this season. The key to Paris as well knocking on

the door, plenty of early contenders for -- Nikita Parris knocking on the

door. It is great to see the ladies back in action and hopefully

maintain their 100% qualifying record so far. What do you think the

expectations the games, bearing in mind the standard of the opposition?

They have got to win, the fact they have moved up to fourth in the

world, they have played some of the top and competed. So, for me,

without a doubt, they will want to win, and they will want good

performances because the strength and the depth of that squad now,

they are competing for places all the time. You will be able to see

how the Lionesses get on in their European Championship qualifier with

Belgium live on BBC Two, Friday eight April. Kick-off at Rotherham's

New York stadium is at 7:55pm. Because of the international break

it is a few weeks before we return with more WSL action on Monday 25th

April. Thank you to Rachel and Sue. With Chelsea not in action,

Manchester City move to the summit of the WSL1 table. How much of a

danger Will they pose to the reigning champions? Goodbye for now.