Episode 4 The Women's Football Show

Hello, and welcome to The Women's Football Show. We are at the Academy

Stadium this week, the home of the WSL one champions, the Continental

cup holders and the FA Cup winners. Next on Manchester City's radar is

the Spring Series! Coming up... Could nick Cushing's

side maintained their unbeaten start of the season against bottom of the

table Yeovil? Arsenal could keep title hopes alive

with that game against Birmingham. And after a nightmare at Nottingham,

we talk about that renaissance at Reading.

I will be joined by Rachel Brown Venice throughout the show. Welcome.

An impressive haul of silverware, their eyes on a fourth successive

title in the Spring Series, can they be stopped?

I don't know, maybe the destruction of the FA Cup and the Champions

League for Manchester City, they haven't dominated the Spring Series

and we've got the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool are top of the

table. They are very much in contention for the title alongside

them. It is Yeovil Town who are tasked with putting a dent in

Manchester City's title ambitions, will it be business as usual for the

home side? Mission accomplished! There is a new name! And it is that,

Manchester City Women! Doubles for Manchester City! Two major trophies

in seven days for the team. Manchester City, having victory in

the league and the Continental cup and the FA Cup now in 2017... After

Wembley success, Manchester City now turn their attention to winning the

WSL one Spring Series. By contrast it has been a baptism of

fire for Yeovil, promoted to top tier in the last series but yet you

pick up a point so far in their five games. Some changes to the side that

lifted the trophy at Wembley, only five players keep their places. Dog

owners recalled after scoring a hat-trick in the last Spring Series

game against Bristol City -- Duggan. Yeovil were unfortunate not come

away with something from a game midweek against Bristol, two changes

to their 1-0 defeat there. Natalie Hay coming into defence. And are

starting against her old club. Manchester City now holding all

three domestic trophies... Now, just looking to further add to their

trophy cabinet. Jill Scott going down. We know that the captain likes

to take these... No, it's an own goal! Deauville caught out. --

Yeovil were caught out, Heatherson had to get something on that and

unfortunately, it was not that connection that she wanted. 1-0 to

Manchester City. Duggan looking for Jill Scott... It has gone in! A

terrific finish. Manchester City doubling the lead. Jill Scott scored

in the FA Cup final last time out. She manages to guide this past Walsh

who came out of the goal. A really good finish by the England

international. It's a poor pass from BT. Quinn has a real chance... Lucy

Quinn! A brilliant finish. -- Beattie. Manchester City... Masters

of their own downfall. A dreadful ball by Beattie, but well read by

Lucy Quinn. And a composed finish. Getting Yeovil back into the game,

2-1. Horton to Jill Scott, a lovely ball to Stanway who manages to keep

it in... Jane Ross! With her first goal of the season. Yeovil had done

so well in the last few minutes to keep Manchester City at bay. A

really good move. A defence splitting pass from Scott. Stanway

manages to keep it in, and Ross with the finish. The two goal cushion is

restored. It's a good pass by Walsh, managing to find is Asllani, who

manages to keep the ball. Asllani... So close. It's a chance for Asllani.

I'm sure -- not sure if she was going for the goal or not, either

way, she was nearly caught by the back of the night. Taking aim... So

close to getting a touch from either Ross or Asllani there. Stanway with

the delivery... A good one. Houghton... Off the post and in.

Jane Ross with her second of the afternoon. Leading by 4-1. She just

found herself and marked, Houghton, at the back post. Ross reacted

quickest to put the ball past Walsh. Bronze comes away with it... And

it's a decent looking ball. It is going to be put in I Asllani! --

buyers by Asllani. Yeovil could not deal

with it. A wonderful ball from Bronze in the end. Back into the six

yard area, courtesy of Haigh. Asllani gained from that mix-up

between the goalkeeper and the defence. Her first of the Spring

Series. A chance to get some players forward for Yeovil. A decent

delivery from Bleazard. The goalkeeper does not get there. The

referee has awarded a penalty kick. Eyes whelmed the ball... And she

clattered into Short. Will Ellie Roebuck make amends? And she does,

with an easy save. Uncharacteristically... She does not

beat the goalkeeper. Here it comes... Campbell. It's a good one

again. The referee has decided to send off Carli Lloyd. She was being

held... And she swung her arm in frustration at

Heatherson, a good spot by the referee.

Manchester City's unbeaten run continues in the Spring Series. I'm

delighted to be joined by manager Nick Cushing. The talking point at

the end of the game, Carli Lloyd's red card. Will you appeal that? I

did not see it back and I did not even see it when it happened with

the throw in, especially with Megan's. We put bodies in the box.

The goal area is pretty crowded. I haven't watched it back. We think it

is a red card and respect the decision of the referee. It is not

something that, knowing Carli, she would have done on purpose. It was a

great result on the pitch. You made a few changes, rotating things

around. A massive week this week for Manchester City in terms of the

title and where the Spring Series may go, how pleased were you with

the players that came in today? I said to the players that I wanted a

team who are fresh. But they also need to be fresh for the tournament.

The summer tournament, the Euros. Those who came in played really

well. Another game around the corner. Big weeks have been a common

theme this year. We've had Champions Cup finals,

semifinals, the big games in the Spring Series, we will prepare as we

have been. A word on Yeovil, it would have been

tough them coming home to the WSL champions. Does it show that there

is a gulf? For them, the Spring Series is a chance to show how much

work they need ahead of next season? I think that they will realise that

there is a big golf, you play the top team in the country pretty much

but unfortunately, Yeovil are bottom of the table. They need to work on a

couple of things and in this series they've had the chance to account of

things ahead of the winter series, they need to work on their fitness

and be fit across the board. Recruit and bring in depth and

experience across the division. There are a lot of things they can

implement head of starting in August and September.

Next, thank you for joining us. Arsenal kept their unbeaten run

going midweek with a last-gasp draw against Chelsea, now they faced

Birmingham City who put their FA Cup boys behind them with a win against

Bristol City. Could they get a second win of the season against

Arsenal? COMMENTATOR: Two months ago, Birmingham City stunned the

holders Arsenal in the women's FA Cup quarterfinals. Today, the

Gunners are looking for revenge as they host the Blues in the WSL

Spring Series. Beth Meade makes her first start for Arsenal since

signing from Sunderland in one of three changes for the side that

snapped a dramatic draw at Chelsea on Wednesday. Rachel Williams makes

her first start since re-signing for Birmingham this week after Notts

County folded. One of four changes from the side that beat Bristol

City. Brazil, Sergeant and Williams coming in.

Sargeant... A nice turn from Brazil. Mayling end... What a turn for

Birmingham! Williams with her return to the club, her first start since

re-signing, putting Birmingham City ahead inside of 60 seconds. It's

absolutely remarkable! Again, a loose ball from Arsenal. Williams is

in... Touched over by Moorhouse. A good save. But again, there is so

much space for Birmingham. Arsenal with sloppy play. Williams with the

corner for Birmingham... Back across, Brazil could not apply that

final touch. Still alive... Data Mayling's ball going off the bar...

No. So close for Birmingham. Mayling with the ball, and westward crashing

it on the underside of the crossbar. Did it cross the line? It is so

close. -- Westwood. Headed away... Collected... Carter wins the free

kick. Dan Carter going down, and the challenge of Brazil. Williams to

fire at in off the bar... Back in by van de Donk. Carter misses.

Birmingham get it away. Birmingham striking the woodwork at one end,

Williams was so close at the other. Mead doing well... The ball goes

through to Heather O'Reilly for Arsenal... It's a lovely finish.

Arsenal 1-1 Birmingham. It is a quality composed goal. From

American, Heather O'Riley. A lovely ball from Danielle van de Donk.

O'Reilly checked her composure to level. Carter... Away from Jess

Carter. Playing it through, looking for van de Donk... In for Arsenal...

Weaving Arsenal the lead. -- giving Arsenal the lead. A good goal from

van de Donk, a brilliant ball from the England striker Dan Carter.

Working around Baggaley and finishing to put Arsenal 2-1 up

against Arsenal. Well intercepted by Williams... Bringing it forward...

Hegerberg. Brazil... Getting away from Williams. Space for the cross.

Anticipated by Moorhouse but she did not get there in time. It is bundled

home. A good ball in from page Williams, and Rachel Williams with a

brave header. Her second of the game.

Patten past Carter. Going down, Arsenal with the free kick. Carter

is aghast, she feels like she got the ball. And it looks like she did.

Swinging in the free kick, Nobbs. Quinn gets in there. Arsenal

retaking the lead. Louise Quinn gets her first goal for the club. Off the

bench as a substitute, heading Arsenal back in front. They now lead

Birmingham City by 3-2. Nobbs... Picked up by van de Donk. Going for

an Arsenal corner. Nobbs to take... Looking for Quinn

again. He gets there. -- she gets there. Two goals for Louise Quinn,

sealing the win for Arsenal. 4-2 against Birmingham City.

I was delighted, it's probably the first time in my career that I have

scored two headers in a short amount of time. The girls did a lot of

groundwork. Jordan and I were playing great balls. I was happy.

Looking at those conceded goals, any football person can see they are not

good enough, they need to be tightened up. It comes from team

ether scoring forward. There's a lot for us to do, we need to change the

whole ethos of the club. It will happen. But there are a lot of

positive things to come out as well. Rachel, we were at Sunderland for

the first game for Arsenal at the Spring Series, some teething

problems but they'd bring this season?

Yes, they had a lot of possession and play down the wings. They were

not clinical in the final third but they picked up speed. The likes of

Danielle van de Donk, Taylor did not play much last season and scoring

this season. You can see they are moving in the right direction,

Arsenal are getting goals and goals and goals. Exciting to see.

Birmingham have plenty of positives, not least Williams's performance.

Great to see her scoring goals with such energy? Yes, nice to see her at

her old club. It is great to see her back at Birmingham and I'm sure for

both parties, she is a real powerhouse upfront. Birmingham City

fans will be really excited to see what she's got for the rest of the

year. A transition period with a change of manager at Birmingham.

David Parker had been there a long time, how do you assess what

direction they are moving and of Mike Skinner? A lot of changes on

and off the pitch. Skinner is a young manager, his first job in the

WSL, he is the nominal and the girls are responding on the pitch. They

are energised, I've heard his training methods are unique but it

really is players. I think that he has done a phenomenal job and it's a

wonderful experience, having the FA Cup final and his belt already.

Indeed, two more games, is Liverpool faced Bristol City on Saturday

evening. Liverpool travel to Stoke Gifford looking to build on their 18

goals in their last five matches but the visitors were held by the Vixens

in the second half. Longhurst frustrated in front of the dugout.

Working with a yellow card from the referee. However, at 81 minutes,

Harding with a good combination towards the right. Neatly flicked in

by the substitute, finishing well. It was not plain sailing for

Liverpool. The side fought back instantly... Siobhan Chamberlain was

forced to palm the ball to Arthur, and Sophie Ingle was blocking the

shot. Liverpool's defence was eventually breached in the 85th

minute, a quickly taken corner causing confusion in the penalty

area. Agg rescuing a much-needed point. There was still time for

Longhurst to pick up a second yellow, seeing red after bundling

Agg to the ground with a minute on the clock. Rolling her out of

Sunday's crucial trip to Chelsea, an error that could cause properly --

that could be costly to Liverpool in the long run. Chelsea were aiming to

capitalise on Liverpool's drop point with a win at Sunderland. It came in

style. This run split open by Maren Mjelde. This long ball was not dealt

with by the Sunderland defence. Karen Carney did not need asking

twice. A second goal for her in the Spring Series. It got worse for the

Wearsiders, three minutes later... Norwegian Captain Maren Mjelde was

set up for a slick move, making it three. By now, any haze's Chelsea

were rampant and Sunderland's recent good form was evaporating fast. The

scorer of the fourth worst Ramona Bachmann. Ripping the home side

apart again, Maren Mjelde. A devastating first 45 completed for

the hosts. The last thing Sunderland needed to see was Fran Kirby's

long-awaited return from injury. Her last goal came against the Black

Cats in June 2016, and it took her only 23 minutes for her to repeat

that feat. The injury lay-off clearly did not plunder her

sharpness in front of the goal as her second wrapped up an impressive

7-0 victory, closing the gap on Liverpool to four points with two

games in hand. They meet next week. Despite dropping two points,

Liverpool are still leading the way. Chelsea's thumping win moving them

up to second. Yet the last a lot the bottom,

looking for their first points of the series.

-- Yeovil. Another incredibly impressive attacking display from

Chelsea, the new signings on the scoresheet and welcoming back Fran

Kirby? Yes, it is like a new signing! In that off-season may have

had some fantastic signings. With Kaufman it, Ramona Bachmann, these

names keep growing. They are free-flowing and a force to be

reckoned with. Going under the radar a little bit.

Manchester City are at the forefront in the Champions League with the FA

Cup final but Chelsea must be contenders for this, with the moving

into the next season? 100%. They are hitting form, everyone has gelled

together. They are certainly contenders and it is going to be a

really interesting run in these last four games.

Certainly. Nine teams competing in the Spring Series after the

liquidation of Notts County on the eve of the start of the campaign.

Earlier this week the FA made an announcement regarding the

replacements ahead of the new season.

From September, WSL One will continue with ten teams, ensuring

there are even numbers in both divisions. The PSL Two was due to

have 11 teams next season but will stay at ten, with the women of the

women's Premier League final receiving promotion to the division.

They, along with existing second-tier clubs are able to apply

for the remaining place in WSL One. As clubs had not been aware at the

start of the season a place would be available and the importance of

clubs able to compete in the top division, it was decided the phone

application process should be taken. Therefore, despite Everton clinching

the WSL Two Spring Series title at London Bees yesterday, the Toffees

will not get automatic promotion. With WSL Two completed, they need to

submit applications by Tuesday the 30th of May, with clubs having to

demonstrate how they will need additional license criteria.

Quite a lot to get your head around with that statement.

Is this the right way of going about it? Throughout locations? I think

so, at the beginning of the two series, nobody knew that winning the

Spring Series would mean they got promotion. It's out the question, to

have that. The FA have set in a business structure and a criteria

that every team has to meet, the team has to submit an application to

become a WSL One team, the FA can look at those applications and see

who is the best candidate to get into WSL One to give them a chance

of staying there. Only 5% of the criteria is on the field, is that

surprising or expected, given what happened with Notts County? I think

it is expected. First and foremost any team going into WSL One needs to

be stable from a business perspective.

Of course we want that team going up to be exciting and full of flair,

and to be really fit, and be a good product on the pitch. But I do think

that you can imagine that is the whole reason the WSL was set up six

years ago, to ensure stability of clubs. I think that will be first

and foremost. Your former team won the Spring Series for WSL Two

yesterday. You must build they got a good chance in the application

process, and a quick word on their celebrations yesterday?

They walk T-shirts with sowing time in's name on it, it would have been

her 19th birthday? Yes, she came through the ranks at

Everton, everybody knew Zoe and was affected by her passing last year.

But on the football side of things, with Everton, they wonder Spring

Series, and clearly they are one of the best candidates from a football

player perspective. Everton were in the top division for so many years.

Quality wise and structure rise, they are a great candidate for WSL

One but it is a fair process -- structure wise.

We expect that decision to be made in early June. Joan muir and Porter

would have been lining up for Notts County this weekend but now they are

Reading players with a free weekend after the demise of their former

club. What better way to spend it than to meet Joe Curry and talk

about that roller-coaster that has been the last month or so?

We cannot end it now, we started the FA Cup. We've got Arsenal on Sunday,

the prep is done. The worst cases they will tell as after the Spring

Series that's it, we've got two months to sort our lights out.

Little did we know... -- lives out. You only want to play football.

Everything goes through your head. How long can we not play for? When

you don't really have any answers coming back, it is difficult to

relax. And go, it is going to be OK. You don't actually know. As players,

when did you get an inkling that something was not right...? Three

days before the league started. We were meant to play Arsenal on the

Sunday and we got a text on eight at ten o'clock on a Thursday night,

saying "Training is cancelled tomorrow, there's a meeting at 11

o'clock and everyone must attend". Who broke the news? The men's CEO, a

man called Jason. He took me into a room and said being a club captain

and PFA delegate, he said it was right to tell us first and break the

news. I looked at Jade and bass, Jade looks very angry. He knew that

there was something not right. As soon is Jason started talking, his

hands were shaking and voice was trembling. He said, I don't know how

to say this, but as of 11 o'clock today, the club, the ladies side, is

being liquidated. It's people's livelihoods. It is our jobs and

houses. It ruins everyone states of lies at that time, all in a

completely different way. Some of the girls are still dealing with

that emotion now. They had no answers some ago OK, we can't play

for Notts County ladies, can we play for someone else? I don't know. That

was the answer I got. I said it was not good enough. You've just come in

and dropped a bomb with no real answers. You are both in Mark

Sampson's England squad for the Euros, and as England players, did

you pick up the phone to him and say, what do we do? That was one of

the first thing's that we did. He said, don't worry about it. He has

all of the faith in the world with us and we'll sort it out, we will do

our best in this situation. How and when did you find out that

you would be allowed to move to other clubs? It was only the

deregistration holding us back from actually signing for someone else,

and moving on. We were told that we needed to print off these forms,

sign it, and get it sent back as soon as possible and once it was

done, we were free agents. We went to the library to print up our paper

as we didn't have a printer in the house. Signed it, scanned it, sent

it in. Got a confirmation e-mail and we were free agents.

We sat there and went, what do we do now? Come on, need more from you!

Talk to me about how this move to Reading came about for both of you?

Before I signed for Notts County, I spoke to Reading, and I was very

impressed. As soon as we got the news, I said it was only right that

I came and spoke to Kelly again. I was so impressed last time. If they

wanted to still offer a contract I would be very interested. My

decision was more based on the training environment. Work it

sharper, come on! When we came in they said, I cannot guarantee play

minutes but can guarantee a competitive environment. That was a

plus for us. The girls are feisty and hungry for success. Step into

it! Don't step too early! The England men's team used to train

here and it is incredible. There are other sports training here to? Yes,

you can walk past the hockey and rugby girls, they are training at

there and it is great for the place. It feels good, and I think that was

one of the first thing is that, when I came down, I thought I could see

myself here. Speaking to Kelly, she is very much down-to-earth. She is

very much a people person and you can sit and talk to her. It's a real

pull for me. In terms of club football, moving forward, what are

your ambitions? What do you want to achieve? I still want to be

competitive. It was a big reason for moving to Reading. We saw the

potential that they had. We went to the Wembley game the other day and

watched Birmingham and Manchester City, and you think, this is what I

want be doing it again. Playing on the biggest stage is something that

everyone wants. And something we can definitely achieve here. What a

goal! Jade Moore with an absolute screamer! We needed competitive

training and match minutes, which is exactly what we've got here.

Hopefully that will springboard us into the Euros.

They mentioned in that the TV facilities that Reading have an

potential Basie there. Are they the kinds of players that Reading should

be trying to attract to push them on? It's exactly what Reading

needed. They have fantastic facilities and I think Kelly

Chambers has done a remarkable job in how she organises the team. They

needed a bit of experience. Bringing in two England international is kind

of fits perfectly. As Joe and Jade said there, it is reciprocal,

working for both parties. It has been an incredible job that Kelly

has been involved in there. Is this almost the hardest part?

Going a last bit and try to break into a top four all top five at the

moment? I think you are right. She's done a great job to establish

Reading. They have a style of football, and identity. I think it

is really important for a team coming up. She has pushed on but,

for them to go full-time would be the next step. Across the board. But

I think they've got the facilities. They seem to have the direction a

club aspiring to mix it with the top three or four, and it ticked all the

boxes. They did. That's about it from us.

We are back next Sunday but before then, some BBC dates for your

diary... We retread this year's road to

Wembley ahead of the men's cup final...

There is live commentary from Stockholm as Manchester United and

Ajax contest the Europa League final... And on Thursday, Manchester

City and Chelsea go head-to-head as the race to become the WSL Spring

Series champions continues. That should be an absolutely

cracking match. Rachel, thank you for joining me today and from both

of us, goodbye. FUNKY MUSIC

Step in the arena, Arsenal, Chelsea.

We've scrapped, scored, hurt, humbled.

Never back down. Never look back.