A cold, wet & windy Tuesday night game is exactly what we got when Bradford City Women faced Leeds United Women. It is safe to say the Tuesday night games have been missed and this was a great way to return to them. The weather had been poor all day but the pitch at The Mitton Group stadium held up well and provided the space for a fantastic game from both sides. 

 Right from the kick off you could tell it was going to be a good game with the wet surface playing a big part in it. It was very end to end with some fantastic breaks from either side but neither were to capitalise on the chance they created. City were shown a bit of hope though when they were awarded a penalty after Gill was brought down in the box on the 26th minute. Unfortunately though City failed to convert the penalty and the game stayed level but not for long after Leeds were awarded a penalty on the 37th minute which they converted to make it 0-1. It was a questionable penalty though as it appeared that Robert's challenge was not only outside the area but that she also won the ball. 

The penalty didn't stop City though they carried on fighting and showing the determination that they weren't going to be behind all game. Before half time there was confusion as the referee signaled for another penalty to Leeds before talking to his assistant and over turning the decision. Throughout the game there were some very strange calls given and some even missed but neither team let it stop them, they still gave it their all. 

City went into half time 1-0 down but that scoreline certainly didn't reflect the first half. 

There could have been plenty more chances for City in those 90 minutes but unfortunately due to conditions and a few heavy first touches it wasn't meant to be and they settled for the draw.

It would certainly be a tough decision if you had to pick a player of the match as everyone on the pitch game it their all but for me the two standout players were certainly Roberts & Gill who were always making those tackles when they were needed and also were great at getting forward and creating those chances for City. Roberts made some absolutely fantastic challenges in dangerous areas to keep Leeds at bay and wasn't afraid to put her body on the line to win the ball back. Stuart also had yet another fantastic game in midfield and was a key player throughout the 90 minutes by taking some chances and winning the ball back well. 

This to me was the best game I have seen City play in a while and they went away with a well deserved point when they could have easily taken all 3 points with how they played which is a very different story from when the two teams faced each other in November last year where Leeds came out as 3-0 winners. This just goes to show how much the team has progressed under the management of Chris Hames and his team, if this game is anything to go by it could be a good season for Bradford this season. Things really are starting to look up for the team.

Manchester City

Bradford City women kicked off their Women's FA Cup campaign against Sunderland West End Ladies and unfortunately for Bradford the start was also the end to the campaign as they fell to a 2-0 defeat. Right from the start the West End Ladies came out on the attack by getting themselves into some good positions and winning back a lot of possession, unfortunately for Bradford though even when they did get possession there just wasn't that final piece that fell into place for them. 

The game was very end to end for the majority of the 90 minutes with both teams making some fantastic tackles to save their team but ultimately it was the West End Ladies defence that was the strongest on the day with all players getting back and helping keep City off the score sheet. To be honest there could have been even more goals to West End Ladies if it wasn't for the City 'keeper making some fantastic saves to deny them the opportunity, in fact both goalkeepers had a great game with the West End Ladies 'keeper also pulling off some brilliant saves to deny City. 

West End Ladies first goal came from a bit of a messy play in the box with City unable to clear the ball which fell to the feet of the West End Ladies player before being fired from close range into the back of the net. Their second goal was a bit cleaner with a corner being swung into the box and finding the right player who headed the ball home. 

Possibly City's best chances came when Roberts free kick rattled off the cross bar or when Stuart found the end of a cross but the 'keeper was unfortunately in the right position to collect the ball and diffuse the danger. The majority of City's shots throughout the game ended up going directly to the 'keeper who was either quick to get on the end of the ball or was already where the ball was going. I would say that is easily one area City need to improve on, catching the 'keeper out of the position and aiming to either side of them. That final pass through sometimes let's City too as it can have too much pace on it or just end up at the oppositions feet instead of their own players, I think if they can get that final pass sorted out they are going to end up in some fantastic positions with some brilliant oppositions as the players do get into the box ready to get onto the end of those passes.

This game was another game filled with plenty of free kicks and a few questionable challenges which could have escalated if the players hadn't managed to calm themselves down. Both teams were definitely getting frustrated with the referee as well as the crowd and the players and fans didn't hide the fact they thought some decisions were uncalled for or needed. It was great to be at a game with some atmosphere and being able to hear the fans and how passionate they were and to see the celebrations when that final whistle went was great even as a Bradford fan, you could just see how much that win meant to the Sunderland West End Ladies team and their travelling fans. 

Well done to Sunderland West End Ladies for picking up the win but let's hope City can get back to winning ways soon as the team certainly has great potential they just need to work on a few areas and finally pick up some more goals.

 

This season we have seen a lot of players coming over to the FAWSL from the NWSL. It all started towards the end of last season really with the Australians Kerr, Raso and Foord joining Chelsea, Everton & Arsenal but since the return for the new season there has been a whole lot more names added to the list. 

Obviously the FAWSL season ended in a way no one could have predicted with the coronavirus cancelling the league but that was towards the end of the season anyway, not like with the NWSL which was due to start just as the whole pandemic situation really began to escalate. We saw the Euro’s postponed and pushed back a year and the same happened with the Olympics. I guess when you think about it the NWSL players had to find somewhere quick to get game time to try secure places on their International teams for those tournaments and with no news on what was happening over in the NWSL a lot of them have opted to join the English top flight. It is funny how things panned out really as not long after the first round of players signed for English clubs the NWSL announced the Spring series but we didn’t see some of the big names star in it. Then they announced the Fall series but players still kept signing for the WSL teams. 

It is great to see some of the biggest names from the World Cup winning USWNT here in the UK and it is only going to held boost the ratings for the league with more American fans tuning in to see how some of their favourite players are doing. I think it is what the league has needed for a while, we saw attention pick up when Dunn, O’Reilly & Lloyd all joined a few years ago but since then it has been a case of the USWNT sticking to the NWSL or going elsewhere in Europe. The FAWSL is an exciting & competitive league though and with play time needed for the big tournaments coming up I think a lot of players will have been encouraged to join due to that factor and that they would be challenging and pushing themselves each week to earn a place on that team sheet.

We have already seen the sort of impact the signings are having off the pitch, commentators can’t stop talking about Morgan, Lavelle & Mewis and it even made the main news a few times here in the UK so more people were made aware of the league. It was also recently announced that sales of the Manchester United shirt with Heath & Press on the back outsold every other Manchester United player sales since they were announced which when you think about it is pretty unbelievable. Who would have thought that even though the United men’s team aren’t doing well at the moment that Heath & Press would out sell the likes of Fernandes, Rashford, Martial and De Gea? I know I definitely wouldn’t have predicted this.

Another positive for all these stars coming to the league is that the players who have held starting places on team sheets for years are now getting that challenging that has been needed for a while. The league has always been filled with great English talent but now that talent has to fight against some fantastic international players to get in that first 11. This will hopefully make the England national team a bit stronger in the long run as it means the English layers who just had a walk on spot for their club team will have to fight for it now, so we should see an increase in their fitness and playing levels to help them get on the sheet again. Take Jill Scott for example she was always one of the first names you would see when she wasn’t carrying an injury but now Mewis is getting that starting spot and Scott is sat on the bench. But knowing the kind of player Jill is she will push herself to earn that spot back and keep under the England management’s radar. Whilst this is a positive it can also be a bit of a negative because if players are genuinely picked due to their name and to bring attention to the club then the English players who have been at that club for a long time might end up losing valuable playtime and their chances of possibly some of their last tournaments passing them by. No one wants to see a players work so hard their whole career and for it to end in a way like this so fingers crossed it doesn’t happen to anyone. 

Another thing that could possibly happen is those youngsters who were just breaking through into the first teams may end up being pushed back and be left feeling frustrated with the lack of game time they are receiving. A lot of young players were just starting to come into some of the big injury hit teams and were starting to make a bit of a name for themselves and get on the international radar, so you can only imagine how they would be left feeling if all those first team call ups were just stopped due to a player who might not be around for a long time. It could end up effecting players fitness too, if a player is used to playing 70+ minutes each week is then left to sit on the bench who knows what long term effect it could have on their fitness levels if it is something that happens over and over again. 

With that being said some players such as Alex Morgan and Rachel Daly are only here until December so what if a team goes to build itself around a player such as Alex Morgan and there is no extension at the end of the initial loan? Will we just see teams decline in a quick period of time? I really hope teams aren't relying on the NWSL players too much as there is so much potential in the UK as it is so others should get a chance to show of their skill too. Who knows that striker Spurs keep on the bench to give Morgan game time may just end up out performing her. 

With an influx of talent coming over to the UK those who haven't really followed the NWSL previously might not know some of the big names that have come over the FAWSL so here are the ones I think you should be keeping an eye on. 

Alessia Russo - A big name for such a young talent. Russo hasn't actually played in the NWSL but she did opt to come to the FAWSL instead of beginning her pro career in the NWSL. Russo was a well sort after player in terms of international teams was she going to play for England or the USWNT ? Well it seems like she has picked England and is definitely a name to watch for the future. I can see her doing really well at Manchester United.

Hayley Raso - Even a broken back couldn't stop this Australian from losing her playing ability, in fact I think since she has returned from that major injury she has just got better and better. Everton have definitely got a great player on their hands who is more than capable of scoring plenty of goals for them. 

Sam Mewis - The midfielder can tower over the opposition and is lethal with the ball at her feet as she can shoot and score from distance as we saw plenty of times when she was in the NWSL. Not only can Mewis score but she is also a playmaker, her distribution from midfield is absolutely brilliant and she creates some great opportunities for her team mates.

Tobin Heath - For anyone who hasn't properly seen Heath play yet, well you are in for a treat. Heath's skill levels are unbelievable from nutmegs to rainbow flicks she has it all. But Heath doesn't off throughout the games she just does it to get out of situations what is amazing though is her crosses. She can pick out players from anywhere and help create plenty of chances, given a chance herself though she is no stranger to finding the back of the net. 

Jessie Fleming - The young Canadian is straight from college to the FAWSL to represent Chelsea. Fleming is a player who I have watched closely when she has played for Canada as even though she is still a young age she has plenty of potential. She can move easily around the midfield, win challenges and get her team in dangerous positions, she is certainly a player to keep your eye on in the future. 

Christen Press - Christen has often been over looked by the USWNT but we saw just how good she was when she came up against England in the World Cup semi finals. Able to get herself in plenty of space to find the back of the net and plenty of pace when she is on the attack. I really do think that the FAWSL can really bring the best out of Press.

So here are the list of players who have made the jump to the FAWSL recently. I am sure there will be some I have missed as there were just so many to keep up with, but if there is a name missing let me know and I will add it in...

Sam Kerr

Caitlin Foord 

Rose Lavelle

Sam Mewis

Steph Catley

Lydia Williams  

Jess Fishlock

Hayley Raso

Mackenzie Arnold 

Jessie Fleming

Chloe Logarzo 

Alanna Kennedy

Shelina Zardosky

Rachel Daly 

Alex Morgan 

Denise O'Sullivan

Tobin Heath

Christen Press 

Rachel Corsie

Alessia Russo

Emily Van Egmond 

Claire Emslie

So there you have it those are the players that have left the NWSL for now to come and give the FAWSL a go. Do you think this will benefit the league or do you think other players may suffer? 

 

Finally after what has felt like far too long we finally got to go back to watch a league game for Bradford City Women as they took on Norton & Stockton Ancients. Unfortunately the 1st game of the season was behind closed doors, then we ended up having an enforced break but finally the team were back on the pitch and ready to make an impact. Not only was it our first game back but it was also our nephews first ever live football game and I think he enjoyed the action to. 

City started off looking very threatening, making some promising runs but unfortunately the Norton & Stockton back line managed to deny them every time by making some brilliant challenges that definitely kept them in the game. Norton & Stockton then gained pace themselves and make some fantastic breaks but this time it was City's defence keeping Norton & Stockton at bay.

It was Norton & Stockton who made the breakthrough though when they were awarded a penalty which they slotted home nicely. The penalty came from a moment of frustration, City lost the ball and just lacked judgement when trying to win the ball back. Not long after they found themselves 2-0 up through a pretty well worked goal. 

It didn't take too long for City to get back into the game though as a very well worked free kick was turned into the back of the net by Keegan Lambert. City managed to draw the game level before halftime by yet another free kick that was this time slotted home by Katy Woodcock. I think after seeing City's performance with free kicks today they could really threaten other teams if they get brought down in their own half. 

The game was very end to end for the full 90 minutes with each side trying to grab that winning goal but unfortunately neither of them could and the game ended 2-2 giving City their 1st point of the season and hopefully they are only going to gain more and more as they progress this season. 

To say Bradford haven't played in a few weeks it didn't look like it effected the team much as they looked consistent and threatening that final 3rd just needs a bit more work but that will all start to come together as the team gets more minutes together under their belt. Throughout this game there were a few stray passes from either side but then they would find some brilliant passes which just goes to show the ability is there and given more game time this little issue should easily be ironed out. 

There was also quite a few stoppages in play thanks to the referee seemingly happy to hand out free kicks out for any slight touch at some points. Maybe if there weren't so many stoppages for each side there would have been more time for the teams to piece those passes together and get into the run of play more. 

It was great to be back and you can certainly see the improvements the Chris Hames has made to the City team and I am excited to see what is to come from the side as there is definitely a lot of potential for the season ahead. 

Carrying on our 'In Conversation Series' we have recently had the chance to have a chat with Allyson Matthews, treasurer of Bradford City Women. It was great to hear from someone who deals with the financial side of things at a lower league club, especially one that hasn't shied away from talking about money troubles recently so here is what Allyson had to say...

I’m currently the treasurer for Bradford City ladies, and have been in post for the past 7 or so years. As the treasurer I deal with the financial side of the club: banking, subs, administration tasks, etc.

 

I took up the post when my daughter Rosie (McDonnell) was playing for BCWFC. She was the one who got me into football!...at the age of 7 she ‘nattered’ to play. Having gone through the formalities of girly things: ballet, swimming, gymnastics etc I eventually gave in and took her to a local boys team – Bradford Tigers.As the only girl she was welcomed into the team and continued to play until the rules came in that she could not longer play mixed football. She signed with a local ladies team at the age of 11 and has continued to play ever since for several 

teams at different levels and leagues.

 

I currently support Portsmouth ladies FC, but also follow the Armed Forces Women, Royal Navy Women (Rosie’s current teams) and of course Bradford City Women’s FC.

 

My best football experience was at the England V Germany game at Wembley in November 2019 –Wembley is such an amazing stadium, the atmosphere with all the young people supporting women’s football was just fantastic I felt proud to support England. Rosie was chosen by the armed forces to represent the Royal Navy to lay a remembrance wreath before the game.

 

Unfortunately the last few seasons have been quite difficult at the club (BCWFC), with the loss of players, management, loss of committee members and the junior sections becoming part of football in the Community. A new manager joined us last season 2019/20 & I’m hoping he will rebuild the club and return it to Premier League football one day. Coronavirus has affected everyone not just in sport. I think it will be some time before people will be able to attend matches and support their local teams, also the question of a second wave? Will the forthcoming season begin and/or play out to the end who knows?.

 

I would love to encourage more people to volunteer  to help run clubs, our committee has been together for quite a few years. I think it’s easier for junior clubs I.e. parents helping out etc, but it is more difficult for senior sides, there doesn’t seem to be as much enthusiasm. Most of our committee work full time outside the club, we have to make time to attend meetings, sometimes it is difficult when you have been working all week. I don’t know much about the rules/regulations of football,  teams and players from other clubs – although I should do by now!. I know that during my time at Bradford City, I enjoy the involvement, the people I meet and work with, I would recommend being a volunteer.

 

You can find the club on Facebook and twitter under Bradford City Women’s FC.

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