Episode 5 The Women's Football Show

Hello and welcome to what has been another dramatic weekend in the WSL

as the top four went head-to-head in the Spring Series. Coming up, can

Chelsea give Liverpool The Blues when the sides meet in a

mouthwatering encounter? Any slip-up from the Reds would Manchester City

to rise to the summit, if they can beat Arsenal. And be dropping on

Bristol City as the ambitious vixens aim to close the gap on the

heavyweights of the division. Every weekend is a Bank Holiday for our

guests, Rachel Brown and currently between clubs, Laura Bassett,

England defender. You are working very hard, you were exhausted

tonight? I have been training full-time with Birmingham, all the

staff and players have welcomed me so I am thankful and I have an

individual training programme from England so working closely with the

medical staff to make sure I am in top condition, covering all the

distances like match every three or four days. Pretty intense! Arguably

tougher! Well, maybe not. We begin with Liverpool, who visited Chelsea,

looking to bounce back from their defeat to the title rivals, Man

City, on Thursday there were sombre scenes prior to

kick-off as both teams paid their respects to the victims of the

terrorist attack on Monday at the Manchester Arena, which killed 22

people and injured over 100. The game went ahead at the academy

Stadium after consultation with Greater Manchester Police and

spontaneous applause broke out in the 22nd minute to one of those who

lost their lives in the attack. Soon after, Toni Duggan scorcher tenth

goal in ten games against Chelsea and that proved decisive as The

Blues failed to defeat but they had an immediate opportunity to bounce

back when they welcome Liverpool. And with all games this weekend,

there was further pause for reflection for the victims of last

weeks attack. Robyn Cowen is your commentator.

APPLAUSE Chelsea will aim to give the fans a

good sendoff against the league leaders in their final game before

moving to Kingsmeadow for the winter series. Their hopes of winning the

Spring Series suffered a load midweek, losing to Man City, Gemma

Davison, Karen Carney and Ji comment and there is a first start Karen

Kirby in over a year. Liverpool were held to a draw at Bristol City in

the last game, two changes, Alex Greenwood has injured so first start

for Eddie Fletcher and Charles comes in for a Jess Clarke, who drops to

the bench. Kirby gets the pass away, here is

Davison, she might have a shot, Chapman! The deflection will be the

corner kick. That was good build-up play from Chelsea. There is a chance

early doors for Chelsea from the set piece. And that is in! Flaherty! She

almost surprised herself but just how easy that was. She had a loose

connection on the header. And Chelsea are head inside three

minutes! They need Liverpool. -- they lead Liverpool. Chelsea looking

more dangerous on the attack, this is Dunn. 39 macro, finding Kirby.

That was saved by Chamberlain, that was a tame shot from the South

Korean but Chamberlain did what she had to do. Dunn ticking on Hodson.

Kirby with a curled effort, and an excellent save from Chamberlain,

reading that well. And she managed to turn that round the post. Kirby

is closing down the pass from Coombs back to Chamberlain and Liverpool

could be in trouble. Carney, away from the challenge, he is Kirby.

2-0! Liverpool Masters of their own downfall. They tried to play this

from the back, Chelsea would not let them. And Fran Kirby finally gets on

the scoresheet, her third goal of the Spring Series, 2-0, Chelsea.

Here comes Davison, great pace. And that is that happen. Ji. Wonderful

run down the right hand side from Davison. Ji had all the time in the

world to put that away and give Chelsea a 3-goal lead. Carney.

Against Kirby. Her first game in over a year. Ji, another

goal-scorer. Here is Mjelde! Terrific finish! And Chelsea Art

four goals to the good at Staines. And it was not over. -- they are

four goals to the good. It is certainly finished. 4-0, Chelsea.

Mjelde the latest on the scoresheet. Casey Stoney, she misjudged that.

Carney! Chelsea have five. Karen Carney taking full advantage. Other

defensive mistake. And Chelsea are running away with this. -- and other

defensive mistake. Here come Chelsea again, here is

Cuthbert. And it is six! , but given too much time to turn. -- Cuthbert

given too much time. And she fires in number six for Chelsea and this

is getting embarrassing. For the Liverpool Ladies. Bachmann, the

Swiss international, she has covered up the head. And she finds Spence.

Seven nil, Chelsea. Liverpool are falling apart here. Andrew Spence,

she came on as a substitute at seven: all competitions. -- Drew

Spence. Decent ball, that was well defended, Coombs! Ferocious strike

and a terrific save from Telford, who has very little to do this

afternoon but she was sharp. Carney, still time for more. And that is off

the bar, so close! Could have been number eight for Chelsea. And,

mercifully, for Liverpool, the referee has drawn this to a close,

and afternoon to forget for Scott Rogers and his side. Full-time,

Chelsea seven, Liverpool zero. Congratulations, what a way to end

here? Seven goals. This has been our home for a very long time, Staines

has looked after us and we have happy memories and it was so

important that the team showed that appreciation with performance on the

pitch and we did everything we asked of them and more. I cannot criticise

the team. I would hope everybody in the dressing room has a point to

prove because we are better than that and we know we are. As we have

proven in the Spring Series, we are very good side but for whatever

reason we have not done it and that is all of us, we have to do better

and more. We will come back stronger. This has been a very long

time coming, I had another setback and it is nice to be playing and

training with everyone and being involved and scoring goals. Really

good. Emma Saunders with the questions, Chelsea leaving Staines,

they will play at Kingsmeadow next season, that was commanding in

attack, the defence was not tested? They were flawless. Players coming

off back the bench and scoring, that shows the depth of what Chelsea have

with the new signings they have made in the season, just building on the

strength they showed last season. What about Liverpool? They did not

turn up? No! They were of the pitch. -- off the pace, we can see this,

the third goal. Six players in the box, they take somebody off the back

post and Flaherty, that dribble of the header rolling over the goal

line. This one, direct ball. That pace is always going to cause

problems from Davison. And unmarked in the box. That is criminal from

Liverpool, it is not that they did not have bodies around, they did not

do anything defensively. This time, Bonner, there was too much pace,

rolling ahead of Casey Stoney. Shooting practice for Karen Carney.

Chelsea always one step ahead, always finding themselves in space

but whenever any Chelsea player got the ball it was easy, they were in

control of the situation. Cuthbert coming into form, that is positive

for Scotland going into the European Championships and this one, the

substitute, Spence, the easiest finish. Using those subs at the

right time. Speaking of subs, Fran Kirby getting her first start. I am

ecstatic for her. She looks like she is enjoying herself and you can tell

from her team-mates, congratulating her, they have seen much he has been

through but in the box, this is where she excels, always one step

ahead, she knows what she is going to do, the movement is good, and she

is in that box, she is so clinical, and what impressed me here, she

initiates the pressure on the goalkeeper and after a couple of

touches, sharp, checking her shoulders, she gets some space and a

brilliant first touch and that clinical finish across. After being

out for such a long time, her linkup play and awareness with team-mates

seems like she has not spent any time away at all. She is playing

with freedom and enjoying herself, she is in a very good place. I am

pleased for her. Great to see her back. Over to you, City, that meant

if Man City could extend lead 31 match unbeaten run in the WSL, they

would move top of the Spring Series. Commentary comes from Lucy Ward and

Adam Somerton. The third game in the space of a

week for Man City. They have resisted the temptation to rotate

much, just one change, Hourihan replacing Karen Bardsley. Toni

Duggan is the joint top scorer in the Spring Series. Lloyd serving the

second game of the three match ban. Two changes for Arsenal, they have

had a week to prepare, van Veenendaal returning in the goal at

the expense of Moorhouse. William is moving to the bench and Williamson

moves into midfield. Good movement from Duggan. Couldn't

quite get the pathway to Nikita Parris though.

Megan Campbell will swing this in here for Manchester City. Seven

minutes on the clock. Off the post. Eventually, Arsenal managed to do

it. Great piece of improvisation from Jill Scott. She hit the post in

the end. Beth Meade going down and getting the free kick. A foul by

Walsh. Up steps Janssen and off the wall. I thought that was going in

then, that deflection. Given away here by Houghton. It is a real

opportunity this for Arsenal. I think initially there was a mistake

defensively from Manchester City. Beth Meade tried but she could not

get it out of her feet have a proper strike on goal. Houghton played that

with power forwards. Now it is Parris. A good run from Lucy Bronze.

And a touch. It could still yet to be an opportunity. Great play from

Bronze. Full-back Mike Lucy Bronze will run up and beyond.

The cross in towards Scott. What a ball that was from the teenager

Stanway. She just could not direct it past the goalkeeper.

Jordan Nobbs with the ball in. That was not far-away at all. Deflection

will lead to a corner. It could be even better for Arsenal. She has got

that in her as well. -- in her locker as well. A foul from Walsh.

She did not need to do that, Keira Walsh. I wonder whether Jordan Nobbs

might decide to fire this in as we approach the final quarter of an

hour. She does just that! That is genius! Brilliant from Jordan Nobbs.

Her third goal of the spring series is a special one. I think she knew

she had got it in her locker to do that. A terrific strike. She

thought, I have the ability to strike it.

Is Manchester City's long and unbeaten run in the league about to

come to an end? Duggan. Almost an immediate opportunity to reply.

Terrific play by Jill Scott. She picks someone out and it is Duggan.

She could not get the pace on the ball. Arsenal win at the Academy

Stadium. A gorgeous free kick from Jordan Nobbs proves to be the

difference. Manchester City beaten here at the league match for the

first time in two years. It is difficult. We have played three

games every week for two -- 12 weeks. To come here and beat

Manchester City at their home, I think we are very pleased with the

performance and with the players and effort.

It has a nap, the WSL of going right down to the wire. What was it like

for you with Arsenal? Both teams had chances, neither team could be

clinical but we have seen the free kick. Jordan Nobbs stepping up, cuts

across the ball, catches it with the outside of her right foot which

causes the ball to swerve from left to right, and I think catches the

goalkeeper off guard a little bit. She takes a little bit of a step to

a right which puts her off balance. It means going to her left she

misses out on a step. I think she thought she would think it to the

players at the back post. But to take nothing away from Jordan Nobbs,

that is a fantastic strike. Worthy of winning any game. So she should

have saved it? No, it was a great strike! Did you not hear me?! As

Arsenal, they showed the work rate across the pitch, it was a

professional job? They showed a real maturity to the performance. The bit

OT, they really believed in their game plan, they pressed it higher up

the pitch, they played aggressively. They worked so hard and doubled up.

They did it from the road first minute to the very last minute.

Doubling up from the field, the attackers pressing, and just forcing

Manchester City into errors. Man City are comfortable when they have

one or two touches. We saw Beth Meade having a run at Steph

Houghton. There were early signs from Arsenal additive that pressure

and that pressing impacts which led Arsenal to get their chances. This

is the 72nd minute and they are still pressing. City like to play it

on the back and what Arsenal do again, late on in the game is force,

pinned them back, forced them to go back to the goalkeeper and force

them into errors. Sounds like Arsenal are doing tactically which

other teams have not been able to achieve over the past couple of

years, or is it as Nick Cushing says, down to fatigue? They have had

a busy schedule, you cannot deny that but they are winning trophies

and they are on the pedal stole to be looked at that. Teams will

prepare a bit extra. They will give it more respect and they will want

to beat them. As a player, the Man City players, they are very

professional but they're having to get up for big games time and time

again in a short space of time. I know they are all to professional

and they would not want to use tiredness, fatigue. They know the

schedule, they are winners. They have two more games they have to get

up for, will they be there and will they win the title? They would not

want anything other than to be in every competition. If you are

looking at run-ins, I think the run-ins says Chelsea winning the

title come the 3rd of June. If you look at the goal difference, Chelsea

scored seven today, they are in double figures. As you mentioned

earlier, that is as good as a point when it comes down to the

nitty-gritty. You could get any one of those clubs next season, who will

win it? I think there will be plot twists and twists and turns until

the end of the season but I think Chelsea have the phenomenal

strikeforce and I expect them to get more goals. A quick word for

Arsenal, a boost after the injury for Kim Little, a shock for her

ahead of the Euros? She had a little niggle in her hamstring but it has

blown up. Her chance of glory with a national team has been put on the

back burner for now. How long have we got left with Laura? We will try

and get a club out of her. Two more matches to catch up on. Reading

hosted Birmingham. Reading Women travelled but --

Birmingham ladies travelled. On the stroke of half-time things got worse

for Reading. Joe Potter was sent off for a straight red after this tussle

with Aoife Mannion leading to all the players getting involved in the

aftermath. After the break, Reading pushed forward in search of an

equaliser and nearly got it. Rachel Furness' header tipped over the bar

by Ann-Katrin Berger. Soon the Blues will be left regretting that myth.

With just over an hour on the clock, Reading were given the love that

opportunity to level things up when Abby Stringer took down Kirsty limit

in the area. Lauren Bruton's penalty had enough about it to find its way

into the net and level the scores. With seven minutes remaining

Birmingham nearly retook the lead. Paige Williams' shot nearly made it

but hit the bar. Yeovil had lost all six games coming

into this one and were up against it early on when Lucy Staniforth's

corner went all the way in to give the Lady Black Cats the early lead.

Soon they were given the opportunity to level the scores. The referee was

perfectly positioned to spot a foul. Lucy Quinn dusted herself off to

take the penalty. Angharad James was on hand to tackle the rebound.

Beverly Leon had only just come off the bench when she parried one in.

Yeovil's search for a second equaliser and their first point of

the season and they could have pinched a draw in stoppage time.

With seven straight defeats in the top flight for Yeovil and for

Sunderland, the first win away in the league since September 20 16.

This is what it means for the table. I know your post-watershed but that

Jo Potter red card, deserved? Joe is doing Willie well to shield the ball

to protect the ball, she is getting her body to protect the ball. But

Aoife Mannion is known for what she did. Maybe Jo Potter should have

gone down rather than raising her arm like that. She should have put

the decision to the referee rather than going down gracefully, she

lashed out in frustration. Everyone knows in football that will equate

to a red card. Let's move away from that red card because it has been a

roller-coaster ride for Bristol City in recent seasons. Sioux City

Clifton suspension Bridge in Bristol has spanned the picturesque Avon

board for over a hundred years. -- the Avon Gorge. The manager

Willie Kirk is the man who must oversee the project, can he bridge

the gap between a team which were in League 2 last season and the

top-flight powerhouses? How you adapting after a year away in WSL

to? It is not a huge shock that the demands have been greatly increased

but we had a very young talented squad with a lot of potential. It

has not been such a culture shock. The players have adapted quite well.

The Spring series frost was a godsend in terms of allowing us

trial and error Rulli to give players the opportunities they

deserved after a successful WSL2 campaign. It has been great and it

has probably allowed us to do things differently and give people real

opportunities. What would you say you're realistic ambitions are going

forward? First of all we need to establish ourselves as a WSL1 club

again. A lot in the women's game has changed for the better, but it has

taken us probably that step back to take a few steps forward and catch

up again. We need to establish ourselves in the league. We have to

look at ourselves, Yeovil and Sunderland as three teams with

similar structures and looked to be the best of those three teams to

start with. And each year trying to take the project forward. When you

joined, it was Bristol Academy, now it is Bristol City. What would you

say, having that link with the men's team has helped you guys moving

forwards? In a lot of ways, there has been

constant change but that had to happen, we have lost some supporters

on the way, and that is a shame because the fans will happily

support Bristol Academy and I can understand that. I would ask them to

support the girls rather than the badge and there has been a lot of

change, lots of challenges and we're certainly in the right path. Quite a

young squad, we can see that in the meeting, any with younger players?

They are still trying to find themselves as people as much as

footballers, there are times when they become quite shy in front of

each other, you want to step up and let them get their opinion.

Liverpool, thoughts? Anybody? And when one of them starts, the

floodgates open! That works well because we have a very high

midfield. We were moving the ball quicker. It is tough but exciting,

every week, month and match you can see the squad growth, individually

and as a team. Can you compete with the big hitters in the league? We

can, we have shown that against Man City in the FA Cup and against

Liverpool in the last match. Those results are not sustainable in the

long term. 15 and two again. I love controlling controllable things, we

do what we can do but these clubs are signing the best in the world

and we cannot compete with that but we can deal with our performances

and if they are good, we will get good results. After that, it is

about overachieving, I am no different to a player, I want to

coach at the top level. If I overachieve as a coach I will get

moved to a bigger club, I don't think Bristol would be surprised to

hear that, it is just I want to personally win the Champions League.

Any thoughts on Bristol City? No? Just getting! Willie Kirk wants to

move them into the next tier, what do they have to do? They have to

aspire to have the model and set up that Reading have full-time, they

are in the next tier, that he was referring to, to get out of that

relegation battle, they need to be full-time, that is a first step with

Bristol Rovers. For those young players they are trying to bring

through, you need the senior ones around them to give them a level

head in games? You really do, especially through difficult times,

we need senior players who have been through it before to reassure them

and let them know that it is OK and part of the learning process. I

think the younger players are getting great exposure, paying

world-class players in opposition so I think it is good for them to stay

there and play every week rather than move to a different club where

they might be on the bench, that exposure is really good. Interesting

the way he is using the Spring Series, to bed them in. Bristol City

have used this, there is nothing to lose, this is a chance for the young

players to get all of that experience and play against those

younger players and Reading have brought in experienced players like

Joe Potter, they will help bring Reading onwards, Bristol City are

moving forward and that is something they can look to. Realistic chances?

It is hard to work out if he was referring to this team or whether it

is in the future. As far as Mark Sampson managing it with the Bristol

team... And Man City a few years ago, they had the strategy and

vision of playing in the Champions League. It boils down to some

capacity of money and it is great to have aspirations as players and as a

manager to want to play at the top level. Talking of aspiration is, we

will see this team, all things hopefully working out, in the WSL

next season. Congratulation to Spurs, winning promotion with that

three nil win over Blackburn at the Valley. That is a team that, should

they get into WSL 2, you feel could really do well and move up the

leagues? You like to think so, with the success of the men, it could be

a perfect match. The North London Derby, Arsenal and Tottenham, great

prospect! Absolutely phenomenal. Another season to go. Maybe not too

ambitious, and that is almost it from us. Plenty more sport coming

up. Huddersfield and Reading Indoor Championships play-off final on

Monday afternoon, live from Wembley on Five Live at three o'clock. More

Spring Series action on Wednesday as Man City look for a reaction at

Sunderland, on the Red Button. And cricket back on the BBC with the ICC

Champions Trophy highlights on Thursday. BBC Two at 11:20pm. Thanks

to Rachel and Laura, it just remains to say that the season is going down

to the wire! Let's enjoy it, have a great Bank Holiday.

Hear the arguments from the politicians themselves.