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.

Who would you like to see us chat to next?

Carrying on with the season prediction posts today we have the FASWL predictions, this post was actually written before the season begun on the 5th of September so these predictions were made before the season actually kicked off therefore is not dependant on any results that may have already happened. Remember these predictions are just my personal opinion, you may have different ones but this post is what I personally think. 

Chelsea

Manchester City 

Arsenal

Manchester United 

Everton 

West Ham

Reading

Tottenham

Birmingham

Brighton

Bristol 

Aston Villa 

Honestly thinking of the final positions of teams for this season was actually quite difficult as each team has actually strengthened their team but honestly I think even though Manchester City & Arsenal have brought in some absolutely fantastic players I think Chelsea might just end up topping the league as they have brought in some absolutely fantastic players that are just going to pip those other teams to the top spot. If Harder, Kerr and England could all play together they could run away with the league. I think Manchester United & Everton could easily be breathing down the necks of the top 3 as their new signings have been fantastic and if the teams gel together they are certainly going to put up a fight.

In terms of the opposite end of the table I honestly couldn't decide who was going to finish where however, I do think it is going to be tight down there and every point is going to end up counting towards survival. I do think though it could be Villa & Bristol down there in the bottom 2, I just think Villa might struggle for their first season and that Bristol just don't seem to have brought in enough to keep them as competitive as the rest of the league. 

Just like with the other predictions I have made recently we will check back in on these predictions in January and at the end of the season. Who do you think are going to be top 3 and bottom 3 this season?

The new FAWNL kicks off on the 20th September and once again I will be following this league closely. Last season was my first season properly watching the FAWNL and unfortunately it was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the season was cut short I really enjoyed going and watching a different league and seeing different teams even though the season wasn't going too well for Bradford. The season brought some great opportunities for me and really opened my eyes to life away from top flight women's football, that is why I will be following it closely once again. 

The league I follow is Division 1 North due to my favourites, Bradford City Women being in this league as well as local team Brighouse Town Women. I may follow Bradford as my main team however, I certainly keep a close eye on Brighouse too as they aren't too far away from me and they play some brilliant football. 

Where as Bradford seemed to struggle last season Brighouse were definitely flying high and could have easily topped the league if it hadn't ended so abruptly. Bradford however, were saved from the abrupt ending and thanks to there being no relegation they live to see Division 1 North for another season. 

When you look at Bradford towards the end of last season they were really starting to make some progress on field with the appointment of Chris Hame's as the new manager but unfortunately that ground to a halt with the cancellation of the season. In the off season though they have rebuilt, retained some great players & brought in some new to strengthen the squad and fingers crossed Chris can build on the progress he made at the end of last season and that City are going to get off to a good start and keep building momentum to have a much stronger season and avoid relegation. 

Brighouse where the total opposite to Bradford last season and were doing absolutely fantastic and could have honestly pushed to win the league if the season hadn't ended as it did. Again though they have moved on in the off season and although they have lost a few players they have retained some fantastic names and brought in some other fantastic players who are just going to add strength and depth to the squad. I think Brighouse are definitely going to be a force to be reckoned with and are going to be challenging for that top spot again and looking at the potential of the squad they could quite possibly make it. 

Both teams have really built up their squads and have been working hard in the off season and I think both teams can do really well this upcoming season. Fingers crossed Bradford become at least a mid table team this season as I do believe they have the potential to finish there. I really think we will see Brighouse challenging that top 2 spot this coming season too 

Although this isn't like my other predictions posts we will check back on Bradford and Brighouse's progress in January and then again at the end of the season.

How well do you think either of these teams are going to do?