Archive for the ‘Women’s super League’ Tag
The Lady Pies breezed past WSL 2 outfit Durham on Sunday, running out 3-1 victors at Meadow Lane.
Here’s the game in words and pictures:
The new season has seen quite a few changes at Notts; Alex Greenwood has left for home and to play for Liverpool FC, Desi Scott has left for sunnier climes and Flint came and went within the space of a few months.
But on the credit side the club has signed Chelsea Weston from Birmingham, Australian international Aivi Luik from Melbourne City, Welsh International midfielder Angharad James from Bristol City,
Sweden international Maja Krantz and Megan Walsh the England U23 and ex Everton keeper.
Then Notts sneakily dropped the bombshell that they’d signed Rachel Yankey on loan from Arsenal!
But possibly one of the best ‘signings’ of the season was the return from injury of England international Sophie Bradley!
Anyhoo… with that all out of the way let’s get on with the game…
A fit, happy and healthy Sophie Bradley-Auckland led out the Pies as Captain for her first game proper since her injury many moons ago….
…. and immediately started barking out the orders.
‘Don’t stand there, stand here!’
Club nutritionist Matt Lawson (currently taking his FA Coaching badges) this week demonstrates ‘kicking the ball’ during the warm-ups…..
…. until assistant manager Colin Walker asked him to fetch him another pork pie.
Strength coach Paul Campbell reassured new signing Rachel Yankey that pork pies are not the only food item on the pre-match menu.
USN, the new drinks sponsor…. supplying liquidised pork pie concentrate.
With the game underway Notts were looking to go one better than last season and win the damned thing and got off to a promising start with Williams header from a corner being blocked by Durham keeper Anderson.
Rachel Williams heads down Buet’s corner ….
… and with only 17 Durham players on the line is unable to do profit from the rebound.
Meanwhile Rachel Yankey is pulling the creative strings in midfield and taking delicious left-footed in-swinging corners.
Yankey: NCL FC new designated lefty.
Then with 15 minutes on the clock Williams and Notts were not to be denied! Sophie Bradly-Auckland (that’s a mouthful) flicked the ball into the path of Williams…
…. who fired home from inside the box!
Durham appeal for off-side as Rachel Williams scores.
Rachel celebrates. Yep, that’s the celebration. Well, it’s early in the season.
Notts continued to create a lot of chances in the first half with Ellen white hustling and bustling everywhere and supplying the crossed from the right.
White stretches the Durham defence.
Throughout the first half Rachel Yankey was giving a masterclass in midfield. Her deft and inventive touches were a wonder to behold. Something that County have lacked over recent seasons.
Yankey become a fan’s favourite just after her first touch of the ball.
And it was therefore fitting that in the 29th minute a piquant pass from Yankey allowed Ellen White in on goal to slot home County’s second.
White, the benefactor of Yankey’s ingenuity.
With the game seemingly under control assistant manager Colin Walker challenged Rick to a game of ‘spot the linesman’.
Rick, no fool he, took only a few minutes to spot his first Linesman.
Annoyed but Rick’s attentions the linesman awards a free-kick against Yankey for being too good.
Half-time came and went with the score at 2-0 Notts.
The crowd held their collective bated breath in anticipation of what new entertainments Matt (marketing meerkat) Rowland might unleash upon them during the break. But alas nothing! Popular rumour is that Rowland is keeping his powder dry for something truly spectacular for the first WSL League game at home! Can’t wait.
In the second half Durham put up a spirited fight but failed to threaten. Yankey kept pulling the strings and Notts came close several times.
Rachel Yankey – the imperious impresario.
Dani Buet shone.
Amy Turner was solid at the back.
And then it was Jess Clarke’s turn to turn provider in the 55th minute to put the game to bed.
She broke free down the right and slipped a ball inside for Rachel Williams….
… whom somehow brushed the ball with a first touch up and past the Durham Keeper without even looking!
Williams celebrates leaving the Durham defender wondering how she did that!
With the game pretty much over Ellen White found time to get hit in the head by a clearance which put her on the floor.
Rachel Yankey’s excellent debut performance was met with rapturous applause when…
… she was substituted late on ….
… making way for Aileen Whealan.
The boss appreciated her contribution.
And everybody wanted a high-five.
Durham scored a consolation goal in the 76th minute and County saw out the remainder of the game on the front foot.
So the Pies move into the last 8 of the FA Cup and switch their focus to Wednesday night’s game away against Man City.
COYP.
2016 disclaimer: These words and pictures are mine. If I’ve made a mistake or mislead then this is my fault as this blog does not necessarily reflect the views of NCL FC or their sponsors. In fact Matt Roowland won’t even retweet it unless I spell his name correctly.
(C) Copyright Drew Smith Photography 2016.
Notts County Ladies eased into the final of the Continental Cup on Sunday, beating a dejected Liverpool side 2-0 on their own ‘turf’.
Here’s the game in words and pictures:
The Select Security Stadium, an artificial surface home venue shared by Everton Ladies, Liverpool Ladies, Widnes Rugby Club, the Merseyside Women’s Institute and Uncle Tom Cobbley and all, was the stage for the semi-final of the Continental Cup.
It’s lonely at the top! Early doors County CEO Luke Negus-Hill sees if the pitch will take a stud!
It was a tricky tie as County’s form had slipped during the second half of the season and Liverpool, reigning League Champions had experienced a ‘mare’ of a season, finishing just one spot above relegation.
The girls come out for the pre-game warm-up. Leanne (Scotland) Crichton leading the charge.
The ‘Staff’ congregate.
“Looking good Rick!”, “Feelin’ good Colin!”
Liverpool Ladies Manager Matt Beard is set to leave Liverpool to take over as the boss of Boston Breakers in the USA’s National Women’s Soccer League.
Matt Beard, busy thinking about the USA, sits in the wrong dug-out. Paul Campbell forgets his glasses and has to have a pair drawn on with a ‘Sharpie’.
Jess Clarke and Desi Scott boogie on down!
Paul Campbell tells the photographer to get out of the bloody way! Not sure how he saw me.
The scoreboard reads 0-0! But not for long! About 5 minutes actually.
Colin Walkers informs County Captain Laura Bassett that he’s already lost 8lbs on his Pork Pie diet – Laura can’t quite believe it!
Paul Campbell has to feel his way around the pitch as his drawn on ‘Sharpie’ glasses are not performing well.
With the game about to kick off, the question was; could County lift themselves for this game?
The answer was a resounding YES!
In fact I think this was one of the best performances I’ve seen by the Pies all season.
They looked sharp and aggressive; closing down the largely lethargic Liverpool ladies and generally outplaying them in every department on the park. They competently snuffed out any signs of a Reds attack whilst creating chances of their own.
And the game was only a few minutes old when Ellen White put County a goal up after….
…. a Buet free-kick was nudged on by Laura Bassett and Ellen White nodded past the Liverpool keeper.
Ellen beats her marker to…
… head home!
Get in! Back of the net!
The Lady Pies continued to look bright and business-like all over the park with Sophie Walton and Dani Buet having standout games.
Sophie Walton puts the pressure on!
In the 23rd Minute White added a second goal to put County 2-0 up!
Ellen White celebrates…. honestly!
There you go!
And that’s how the half finished.
The half-time entertainment looked suspiciously like Matt Rowland’s brand of entertainment. Maybe he’s franchised the concept.
Not Mrs Magpie but Liverpool’s Fish/Bird thing in goal!
I actually found fishbirdthing a little scary! Those predatory eyes and beak and lip licking grin!
Anyway…. the second half saw County continue where they’d left off, something they’ve failed to do on more than one occasion this season.
Rachel Williams came close….
… more than once!
The team put a shift in and defended well when they lost possession and hit Liverpool quickly on the counter-attack. The score-line flattered Liverpool to be honest and I can only recall Carly Telford making one save.
Telford blocks a Dowie shots at close range!
Ellen in the mix again.
Desi shows total commitment! She was actually penalised for handball for this! 🙂
Jess Clarke was as lively as ever.
The fans were fantastic at this game, outsinging the Liverpool fans, which is hard to do!
Wait a minute… who’s that bottom right in with the Liverpool fans?
Alex Greenwood battles with Natasha Dowie.
Dani Buet had one of her best games.
Rachel Williams runs down the clock…
… on more than one occasion.
At the final whistle Notts ran out comfortable 2-0 winners and now take on Arsenal in the Final on Sunday the 1st of November in Rotherham.
Sophie Walton can hardly contain her excitement!
Rick is a little happier!
And we say goodbye to the Stadium of gloom for the last time!…
… and wish Liverpool well on their own road to recovery from this season’s woes.
Wouldn’t it be nice to pick up some silverware this season! Make sure you are there to cheer the girls on in the final on Sunday the 1st of November at the rather beautiful Aesseal New York Stadium in Rotherham! COYP.
(C) Drew Smith Photography
Disclaimer: All opinions are my own and just in case I should ever write or post anything inaccurate, stupid or downright misleading I’d like it to be known that those inaccuracies, stupidities and misleading statements and pictures are mine, and mine alone!
…. everything else is Matt Rowland’s fault.
Notts County Ladies played their last game of the regular season against Manchester City at the Academy Stadium on Sunday going down 1-2.
Here’s the game in words and pictures:
Arriving at the £200million City Football Academy Stadium it was hard not to be impressed; its snuggled in next to the Etihad stadium, separated only by a few hundred meters and a walk-way. The walk-way is carpeted in red ermine and waiters are available at regular intervals to offer glasses of Dom Perignon champagne and truffles.
Palatial surrounds in the changing rooms, even the broom cupboard had a wide-screen TV.
It was difficult to not notice the difference between the two Clubs; they are as you’d expect when viewed in context of the money to which Manchester City have access. However, I think that providing a personal Butler for each City player was going a little too far.
Individual seats for players in the changing room in a space that rivals Wembley.
And the women’s game seems poised at the moment on some invisible tipping-point; crowd attendance is up almost 50% on last season. TV coverage is up and public interest in the women’s game is also increasing.
The subs ‘bench’ features vibrating seats with waitress service.
Newly promoted Doncaster Belles FC have announced this week that Carl and Faye Lygo are investing in a multi-million pound state-of-the-art training facility for the club, as well as providing finance for full-time, professional contracts to a number of its players. Chelsea and Arsenal are at the top of their game again and their parent clubs have deep pockets.
Colin Walker content in the knowledge that he’s already stolen all the complimentary towels and chocolates from the ‘green room’.
There is a very real possibility that the FA WSL Div 1 will become a league of ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots’. And currently Notts have not. County have a talented and capable squad and a back-room staff to match (although the photographer is a bit dodgy) and deserve to do well.
Mascot number 3 seems to be very popular with the girls!
This season has been a bits of a game of two halves; certainly the team has ‘underachieved’ post FA Cup final, seeing them finish 5th in the league. Still with the semi-final of the Continental Cup only a couple of days away there is a last ‘hurrah’ waiting for them on the side-lines.
Early doors Parris puts City 1-0 up as Harding and Bronze terrorise County down the right flank.
She’s a happy camper!
Jill Scott finds space. Lots of it.
Rachel Williams equalizes with a trade-mark header just before half-time!
See, told you she’d scored!
But City take the lead again on the stroke of half-time through Isobel Christiansen !
City played their usual brand of possession football but County had their moments too.
Rachel Williams was as impressive as ever and it can only be a matter of time before an England call-up.
So the season came to a close with yet another narrow defeat.
The Continental Cup semi-final beckons now against a dejected Liverpool side that could only manage to finish one place above relegated Bristol in the League. Does another Cup Final await the Lady Pies? Lets hope so. COYP!
You can see the League Table here: FA WSL League Table
(C) Drew Smith Photography
Disclaimer: All opinions are my own and just in case I should ever write or post anything inaccurate, stupid or downright misleading I’d like it to be known that those inaccuracies, stupidities and misleading statements and pictures are mine, and mine alone!
…. everything else is Matt Rowland’s fault.
Notts County Ladies played their last home game against second from bottom Birmingham City Ladies on Sunday. Unfortunately the chance to thank the 1,300+ home crowd at Meadow Lane for such tremendous season long support with a victory slipped away in the 86th minute.
Here’s the game in words and pictures:
It was a cloudy yet sunny day. Already Matt Rowland was having trouble communicating the ins and outs of ‘ball person’ duties to his charges:
Matt explains the delicacies of ball retrieval but has already lost some of his audience.
Meanwhile the home crowd settle in with a sing-song…
… ‘One for sorry, two for joy…’
Kick-off then and County set about Birmingham with real Zing and Zest.
Greenwood with room to attack down the left flank was a thorn in City’s side.
The first half omens were good; County were well organised, confident and stamped their authority on the game from the start….
… they dominated their opponents in all departments, possession, passing, tackling and chances on goal.
The first 45 minutes saw the Pies shoot wide…
… shoot high…
… hit the bar
… and hit the post twice.
Even to the most hardened Birmingham fan it looked like only a matter of time before County opened the scoring and went on to a convincing win!
In other news the ball-girls were following Matt’s orders to the letter…
… and having fun covering each other in side-line dirt! 🙂
As ordered they paid close attention to what was happening in the game…
… and were prepared at any second to retrieve the ball and throw it back to the players to keep the game flowing! 🙂
The half-time whistle went with the score somehow still at 0-0! But there was no break in the excitement as ‘Win the raffle and kick the ball in the goal with varying rules to win a random prize’ competition began!
Matt Rowland asks the victim lucky winner if he understands the ‘rules’…
… his response was that he didn’t know there were any rules!
Mrs Magpie was unavailable for goal-keeping duties.
And when Matt was sure everybody was bemused by what was going on, he stopped the competition…
… and awarded the prizes to the overjoyed winner!
Fortunately the second-half came to the rescue!
But unfortunately Rick Passmoor sent out 11 different players for the second period.
Not sure who they were but they were not the players that so overwhelmed Birmingham in the first half.
Passes went astray as possession was given away cheaply, chances on goal diminished…
… and Birmingham were allowed a foothold in a game that County should have wrapped up in the first 45 minutes.
Even the ref felt an injustice on the cards…
… and kindly blocked Potter from getting to the ball.
County’s frustrations were obvious!
But even the ref and the County defense were seemingly helpless to prevent Birmingham from stealing all 3 points.
A Karen Carney corner looped into the Notts box and was met by Harrop who guided the ball past Carly Telford…
… and in to the back of the net to put Birmingham 1-0 up with just a few minutes to play.
County threw the ball forward then …
… but shots on goal were either wide of the mark…
… or saved by the Birmingham keeper!
And that was it.
Game over!
A disappointing end to the final home game of the season.
That leaves just one game to play away this Sunday at Manchester City!
And of course the Semi-Final of the Continental Cup against Liverpool
So…. all to play for!
COYP!
(C) Drew Smith Photography
Disclaimer: All opinions are my own and just in case I should ever write or post anything inaccurate, stupid or downright misleading I’d like it to be known that those inaccuracies, stupidities and misleading statements and pictures are mine, and mine alone!
…. everything else is Matt Rowland’s fault.
Having some of the most beautiful women in the FA WSL in the Notts County team, winning ‘ugly’ can be tricky for Notts at times, but this Sunday they did just that against Reading Ladies to progress to the last 4 in the Continental Cup competition.
Here’s the game in words and pictures:
Warm-up stretches take on a new dimension with the super wide 8mm lens as the Lady Pies prepare to do battle with promotion pushing Reading from the FA WSL 2.
Jess Clarke and Alex Greenwood get stretched!
Back by popular demand – Matt (Angry Birds) Rowland.
He’s got a little orange note-book tucked under his arm, look. Now what could he be scribbling down in that?
Meanwhile back at the stretches; Aileen Whelan executes a perfect ‘Cockney Knee-up’ stretch …
…. ‘Gertch-ya!’
The pre-kick-off gathering in the center circle is getting bigger and more chaotic. It took several minutes to usher this little lot back off the pitch! 🙂
It’s a cute motley crew.
A fiendish trap had been set for County by Reading; in a pre-season friendly Reading allowed the Pies to beat them 5-0 thus lulling the unwary into believing this would be an ‘easy’ passage to the semis. But..
… the Pink Ladies battled and hustled and closed down County all over the park. Last-ditch tackles were the order of the day for Reading …
Clarke is stopped in her tracks!…
… again and again.
But Alex – very angry – Greenwood was making regular sorties down the left flank to whip dangerous crosses in…
… only to see those crosses valiantly defended in the box.
Reading at full stretch to stop County.
Notts didn’t have it all their own way but in the 34th minute Aileen Whelan fired home to settle the nerves.
Get in!
Whelan opens the scoring for Notts despite the desperate efforts of the Reading defender.
Fans were able to check the scoreboard just to make sure a GOAL had been scored.
The gulf in budget exquisitely demonstrated here; in the Prem they get replays of the action in super-slow-mo. At Meadow Lane we get the word ‘GOAL’ displayed in 1980’s Amstrad quality animation. 🙂
Going into the half-time break 1-0 up would have been satisfactory and something to build on for the second half…
… but Reading had other ideas and just 60 seconds later Helen Ward equalised for Reading after the County defense went AWOL.
Notts 1 – 1 Reading
County’s lead was restored minutes later when Ellen White seemed to be hit in the face by a high boot…
… which resulted in a Penalty.
Alex Greenwood stepped up…
… and dispatched the kick to make it 2-1 Notts!
Half time and an entertainment treat for the hundreds of fans; the Matt Rowland Rap!
The County Marketing Megalodon raps to the tune of ‘The Sound of Music’s’ The Hills Are Alive (with the sound of music)’. “It was ‘inspirational and very moving” said one fan afterwards.
Despite Matt’s best attempts there is still a movement for a somewhat more dynamic half-time show and some of the County players have been auditioning…
… Carly Telford amazes her fellow subs with a display of juggling using the half-time oranges…
… but… oh dear! And with Colin Walker looking on too.
Further down the stand was..
… half-time Pies!
Second half then…. and the game resumed with County looking to impose themselves on division 2 Reading…
‘Are you looking at me?’
… but that really wasn’t happening. In fact Reading played some very good football and to their credit never ran out of steam. Not bad for a semi-pro side.
And in the 67th minute Reading’s Fletcher hit the equaliser to threaten extra time.
So, time to win ugly, because it certainly wasn’t pretty…
Reading not helping their cause as they challenge their own keeper for the ball with no County player in sight.
‘Handball ref!’ Who is that County player down there?
With extra time looming (it always seems to ‘loom’ doesn’t it?) in the 88th minute and after a scrappy piece of inter-play on the edge of the Reading box, Alex Greenwood managed to wriggle into enough space to curl a beautiful shot past the despairing Reading keeper.
Greenwood makes it 3-2 Notts!
The goal that says ‘Hello semi-final!’ 🙂
Phew!
The final few minutes of the beautiful game played ugly! 4 minutes of injury time draws to a close with Reading’s hopes snuffed out.
Rachel Williams makes full use of the entire pitch and her left arm to hold Reading at bay.
Full time and Notts move into the semi-finals of this competition for the 5th year in a row.
Rachel Williams commiserate with a deflated (although she was pumped for the game) Reading FC player.
The players then start the rounds of interviews and autograph signings…
Amy Turner
TV star Alex Greenwood
Sophie Walton
Siobhan Chamberlain
Leanne Crichton
Of course it’s all about the players, but …
Rick Passmoors’ middle name is SO long that he needs a back-up pen in case the first runs out!
Colin Walker signs a pair of Matt Rowland’s Y-Fronts – next home game’s half-time competition prize.
A Reading player contemplates what might have been. And that’s football!
Reading made a great impression and certainly on this showing wouldn’t disgrace themselves in Div 1 should they win promotion this season.
Reading FC brought quite a few fans and made a lot of noise throughout the game, adding to a great atmosphere!
(C) Drew Smith Photography
Disclaimer: All opinions are my own and just in case I should ever write or post anything inaccurate, stupid or downright misleading I’d like it to be known that those inaccuracies, stupidities and misleading statements and pictures are mine, and mine alone!
…. everything else is Matt Rowland’s fault.
Looking to resume where they left off at the mid-season break, Notts County Ladies stumbles to a 1-2 defeat away to Sunderland.
Here’s the game in words and pictures:
Goalkeeper Coach Bob Widdowson looks rejuvenated after his break in the States.
Or more accurately this is Alessandro Barcherini, standing in for Bob for a while.
The NCL FC supporter get themselves on TV, or at least the cutting room floor. 🙂
Whilst certain Sunderland fans seem to have adopted a more sartorial elegance!
During the warm-up Rick takes time out to explain ‘how to play in goal’ to Siobahn Chamberlain.
On loan signing from Arsenal, County’s keeper pays rapt attention to the Gaffer.
Meanwhile….
…. injured keeper Carly Telford struggles to remove her chewing gum from the railings.
Sunderland showed their class and appreciation in presenting the England girls with flowers prior to kick-off.
12.07.2015. Hetton Centre, Sunderland, England. The FA Women’s Super League Football, Sunderland versus Notts County Ladies. Ellen White Laura Bassett, Alex Greenwood, Siobhan Chamberlain and Carly Telford receive flowers before the start of the game against Sunderland Ladies as NCL FC representatives from the England World Cup team.
Yup – what the caption says. 🙂
12.07.2015. Hetton Centre, Sunderland, England. The FA Women’s Super League Football, Sunderland versus Notts County Ladies. Sunderland defender Hayley Sharp celebrates heading Sunderlands second minute opener in the first half from a free kick.
Kick-off then and 2 minutes later Notts are 0-1 down. Conceding early became a bit of a feature in the first half of the season and the trend continues.
The early goal spurred Sunderland on and the first half was an evenly contested affair…
… Laura Bassett takes no prisoners.
…. Amy Turner stamps her authority on the game.
Ellen White was full of running and commitment as ever…
In attack…
… and in defense!
Mid-way through the half an incisive ball from Leanne Crichton put White through on new signing Hilde Gunn Olsen in the Sunderland goal, and the keeper pulled off a great save low down to maintain the Black Cat’s lead.
Meanwhile…
… Rachel Williams gave her trade mark 100% for the Pies.
Mounting pressure from County finally paid off when Crichton found Jess Clarke in the box who turned her marker to spin and fire past Olsen into the corner of the Sunderland net!
12.07.2015. Hetton Centre, Sunderland, England. The FA Women’s Super League Football, Sunderland versus Notts County Ladies. Jess Clarke fires home Notts County Ladies equalizer past Sunderland Ladies FC keeper Hilde Gunn Olsen.
GOAL! 1-1.
12.07.2015. Hetton Centre, Sunderland, England. The FA Women’s Super League Football, Sunderland versus Notts County Ladies. Jess Clarke celebrates scoring the Notts County Ladies equalizer with Ellen White against Sunderland Ladies FC.
Wot the caption sez! 🙂
Notts began to purr and confident possession lead to another chance for Clarke who was foiled by the keeper.
12.07.2015. Hetton Centre, Sunderland, England. The FA Women’s Super League Football, Sunderland versus Notts County Ladies. Jess Clarke is prevented from scoring her second goal for Notts County Ladies by Sunderland Ladies FC goal keeper Hilde Gunn Olsen
I’m liking these captions – saves much typing! 🙂
Half time crow-barred its way in between the 1st half and the 2nd half. Nothing much happened during this time; no impossible ‘boot-the-ball-in-the-boot’ competitions, no ‘club singers’ not even a mascot to make fun of. So we had to be content with simply waiting for the second half.
Which followed with County assuming dominance in midfield and looking assured at the back.
By now the injured Fern Whelan had been replaced by Dunia Susi, whose silky skills left Sunderland chasing shadows….
… and pulling faces.
Dani Buet was pulling the strings in the middle of the park….
… and getting her fair share of the knocks for her pains.
Krista Van Alten administers the magic hands.
Chamberlain looked confident in the County goal.
Duni and her Sunderland marker can’t bear to watch as sub Aileen Whelan takes a rap across the shin!
Despite the away side’s dominance, Mead was still looking dangerous up front, and the warning signs were there for County as she almost scored with a curling shot. As the game entered stoppage time the Lady Pies had a big chance to win the game; Dunia Susi slipped a ball through to White who, with just the goalkeeper to beat, could only prod the ball towards goal for Olsen make a vital save.
And with County still looking for the winner they were caught with a sucker punch at the final whistle when Mead picked up the ball inside the County box again. Turning and twisting away from her markers she hit a sweet shoot high and wide past Chamberlain to win the game for Sunderland.
Mead wins it for the Black Cats with seconds remaining.
A tremendously disappointing result then for County. Although playing well and dominating possession they were punished for not taking their chances and perhaps looking for a winner late on when they might have sat back and defended the point.
But onwards and upwards – it’s difficult to see County finishing outside of the top 3 when they have such quality in-depth this season!
COYP!
(C) Drew Smith Photography
Disclaimer: All opinions are my own and just in case I should ever write or post anything inaccurate, stupid or downright misleading I’d like it to be known that those inaccuracies, stupidities and misleading statements and pictures are mine, and mine alone!
…. everything else is Matt Rowland’s fault.
Notts County Ladies closed out the first half of the FAWSL season on Sunday ahead of the World Cup by beating reigning league champions Liverpool 1-0.
Here’s the game in words and pictures:
This game was, without doubt, the most atmospheric I’ve witnessed at Meadow Lane. Both sets of supporters sang throughout the match, banged various drums, cheered, clapped and generally made copious amounts of noise right up until the final whistle.
In fact I think I’m correct in saying that this was the biggest crowd yet to attend a regular FAWSL game at 2,057 strong.
Above, the record-breaking crowd. Can you spot ‘Agent Trenchcoat’?
Some of our fans. Possibly regulars, I wouldn’t know, I’ve never seen them before.
So, what was happening before kick off? Well… Matt (Angry Birds) Rowland threatened to call security on his GI JOE walkie-talkie if Ms Magpie didn’t keep her head this week.
The ball boys and girls witness ugly scenes.
Lady Pies supporter (#2) goes in search of the stadium acoustics ‘sweet spot’ to maximise his tub thumping.
Him with his drum – creator of much of the wonderful match atmosphere.
The girls warm up.
Fitness coach Paul Campbell introduces wrestling into the mix. The boy is way ahead of his time.
This is Assistant Coach Colin Walker. He had his hair cut for this game. No, I couldn’t tell either.
Mr Walker deep in thought. I wonder what’s on his mind?
The Mascots are multiplying. And the young lady second from the left looks just like somebody in the team. Maybe we should stage a mini-me ‘player look-ee-like-ee’ competition.
Loving the game faces.
The two team’s came out. The heroic Pies led by their skipper Laura Bassett.
Three of these Pies are England players and the other one should be.
Anyway lets not hang about, let’s get the game started. And as is becoming worryingly customary of late, County almost concede in the first few moments of the game.
Liverpool’s Asisat Oshoala ghosted past the County defense to test Carly Telford who was forced to make a save at her near post.
Liverpool continued to enjoyed the lion’s share of possession in the early stages of the first half. They created half chances with England keeper Telford busy whilst restricting County to long distance efforts themselves.
Another fine display of goal keeping by Carly Telford should demonstrate to England manager Sampson why she should be England’s number 1.
Aileen Whelan relieves the pressure for a while as she goes on a silky run down the line.
The record crowd watches on in hope and expectation.
Ellen White takes a knock and needs treatment from Physio Krista Van Alten. We’re strangely relieved that it was only a bump to the head instead of anything to do with her knees.
Krista patches Ellen back up.
County had to endure Liverpool pressure right up to the half with much of it coming down the right flank.
Alex Greenwood keeps her eye on the ball as Liverpool probe.
And that just about sums up the first half. Liverpool didn’t score when they might have and County looked rushed when they had possession and gave away the ball cheaply. So we’ll move swiftly on in the interests of biased match reporting.
HT Notts 0 Liverpool 0
The half time entertainment was created by, designed by, and executed by creative marketing genius Matt Rowland; it was the ‘kick-the-ball-at-the-goal-from-increasingly-greater-distances-and-win-a-random-prize’ game.
The young tike and raffle winner hoofs the ball toward the goal being fiercely guarded by Ms Magpie (not pictured).
He shoots! He scores! He wins…
… a beautifully photographed picture of the NCL FC squad and a bag of Matt Rowlands old clothes.
The second half began after a small delay whilst the referee signalled in his post-match food order.
‘Egg and chips twice – over there, when I’m finished’.
The start of the second half saw a completely different County team (metaphorically speaking of course otherwise the ref would have noticed); suddenly the football was flowing. Passes were being found. Suddenly Notts were a slick as an oil spill in an obsidian sea.
Rachel Williams bursts between two Liverpool defenders to fire in a cross.
Jess Clarke begins to terrorise the red’s defense.
Clarke gets loose.
And then the goal!
With just over an hour gone Alex (left peg) Greenwood hit a cross into the box aimed for White, Satara Murray beat the striker to the ball to clear for a corner. It was then Greenwood’s corner kick that was met by County’s Fern Whelan to head home from 12 yards out.
Greenwood delivers the corner kick …
… Fern Whelan times her jump…
… to perfection…
… to head powerfully past the Liverpool keeper…
… whom has no chance to react…
… before the ball is past her and hitting the back of the net.
GOAL! 1-0 NOTTS!
Jubilation followed…
…. Crichton hugs top ‘assister’ Greenwood (who is sporting a new hair style in celebration).
Now Liverpool have to chase the game!
The county defense came under pressure but was holding fast.
Telford is fouled as she goes to catch.
The noise level in the stadium went up a notch as Liverpool sought an equaliser and County looked to hit them on the counter.
Clarke gets to the ball ahead of Keeper Libby Stout but the ball is cleared off the line.
Aileen Whelan shoots across keeper Stout but the ball flies wide of the far post.
Williams leads the charge.
With the game clock running down Manager Passmoor makes two tactical substitutions to shut out the game and brings off Aileen Whelan for Dunia Susi and Jess Clarke for Amy Turner.
Jess Clarke checks out how long is left on the scoreboard as she leaves the pitch.
Susi gets straight in the thick of it.
Off the ball Dani Buet is the victim of a brutal attack by the Liverpool number 7 Longhurst.
For some reason being 0-1 down with only a few minutes remaining seemed to irk the Liverpool manager…
Irritation with the match official boils over for Matt Beard, much to Amy Turner’s amusement.
Beard appeals to the fourth official (is Passmoor smirking?).
As the game approached 90 minutes Liverpool’s attempts to equalise became more frantic, once again offering opportunities to County.
Rachel Williams out jumps Martha Harris.
Rick Passmoor urges his team on whilst Beard continues to sulk.
Telford’s catch eases the pressure late on.
The game hits the 90 minute mark and the fourth official announces…
… 4 extra minutes – groan! But even that doesn’t cheer Beard up.
County safely negotiate the injury time ….
… and the ref blows for full-time!
Good spirited handshakes all round.
Rick thanks his squad for making his life especially stress free going into the break.
This hug from Rachel Williams is so epic it turned into a classic black & white almost immediately.
Carly Telford shows her team mates how to play ‘Que Sera, Sera, whatever will be will be…’ on her over-sized elastic band.
Interviews then…
… this is the ‘I scored a bloody great goal but it was a team effort’ interview.
This is the ‘Yes, I’m a bloody great keeper, but it was a team effort’ interview.
And…
… this is the ‘We lost and I was NOT sulking’ interview.
The Lady Pies (I’m using that phrase all the time now – grrr) spend time with the fans.
Fern Whelan signs her programme piccy.
Dunia Susi’s eyes say ‘Please help me….!’
And finally the backroom staff catch up on the latest episode of ‘Breaking Bad’.
And finally finally…
… what was Colin thinking about?
Here’s a foot note: as I write this East Midlands Today sport report has just shown the goal from the game last night vs Liverpool. They also commented on the 2,000 + crowd with a certain degree of incredulity in their voice.
(C) Drew Smith Photography
Disclaimer: All opinions are my own and just in case I should ever write or post anything inaccurate, stupid or downright misleading I’d like it to be known that those inaccuracies, stupidities and misleading statements and pictures are mine, and mine alone!
…. everything else is Matt Rowland’s fault.
Notts County Ladies showed their pedigree and class on Wednesday night to hand down another brubbing; this time to Sunderland Ladies FC beating them 4-2.
Here’s the game in words and pictures:
This game against Sunderland FC was the second part of the season defining trinity taking place over a 9 day period. Part one last Saturday saw County dispatch Bristol Academy with aplomb running out 5-2 victors away from home. Part three will be the game this weekend coming vs Everton in the semi of the FA Cup. But shhss, Rick Passmoor has banned any mention of it until after the game against Sunderland.
Matt Lawson (nutritional guru) offers Rick an Everton Toffee.
The Pies fans gather, which sees the return of…
… Harry Secombe Pie.
This is Winston, new kid on the block and all round nice guy.
In his hand he holds the written instruction from Manager Passmoor to eject anybody heard talking about the Everton game. Although I think employing special agents in the stands was going overboard.
Special Agent Trenchcoat has no sense of humour as far as he knows.
With kick-off imminent and Matt (Tweeting Tyrant) Rowland about to enter the Twitters-sphere, he asks to have the off-side rule explained to him just one more time.
Yes Matt, if they’re level they are still on-side.
Kick off then and skipper Basset suddenly realises the game can’t start without the coin toss of which she is an integral part.
Laura leaves the huddle to start the game…
… the ref politely points out they’ve been waiting 10 minutes.
Notts make a bright and breezy start, looking as if they mean business. Their class begins to show and that fiercesome team sheet starts to impose itself on the pitch. Pressing the ball and closing down Sunderland deep inside their own half has the visitors on the back foot…
… until a hopeful punt downfield finds Beth Mead whose determined run gets her the wrong side of Amy Turner and in on goal …
… where she expertly lifts the ball over Carly Telford to give the Black Cats a 1-0 lead.
Not the start Notts wanted.
A nervy few minutes ensued before County began their strangle hold on the game. And as Sunderland gasped for breath keeper Laws was employed full-time in an effort to hold Notts at bay.
But the Black Cats’ defense was chasing its tail in trying to stifle Jess Clarke who won a free kick some 25 yards out. Dani Buet and Alex Greenwood stood poised to execute another ‘Walker wonder’.
Greenwood ran over the ball, Buet stepped up to strike it (no clown cars appeared) and expertly hit Ellen White with her effort which deflects the shot past the Sunderland keeper. How does assistant manager Walker keep coming up with them?
Buet hits White in the box to equalise. GOAL! NOTTS 1-1.
Moments later County went 2-1 up when Rachel Williams created the chance for Ellen White by winning the ball in midfield and threading a pass through to her strike partner …
… who took the ball in her stride and poked it past the despairing keeper…
… with ….. APLOMB! 2-1 NOTTS!
White celebrates…
… with characteristic ferocity.
Mid way through the first half Sunderland might have equalised if it weren’t for the cat-like reflexes of Carly Telford…
… Sunderland’s number 5 beats Bassett to the ball to head powerfully down into the County goal…
… Telford gets a strong right hand to the header, pushing it upward and onto the bar…
… as it drops Amy Turner finishes the job with an acrobatic clearance off the line.
Phew!
Minutes later Jess Clarke broke her scoring duck!
More good work from Williams made space for Clarke to collect the ball and drive into her opponent’s box before …
… unleashing a shot that beat keeper Laws at her near post.
GOAL NOTTS! 3-1!
Oozing class and now openly terrorising the Sunderland defence County began to show just what a top flight team they could become this season. And to prove the point they went 4-1 up when Sophie Walton crossed for Rachel (can’t stop scoring) Williams to head past the hapless (‘hapless’ like ‘aplomb’ appears rarely outside of football commentary) Laws.
Notts 4 Sunderland 1
Half time entertainment commenced with the ‘Kick the ball in the goal and we’ll give you a random prize’ competition. The Pies’ Mascot goes in goal for this and nerves can get the better of even the best keepers.
Luke Negus-Hall isn’t pleased about having to follow the mascot around with the poop bag.
The contestant had good form….
…. and wins a signed England shirt for her troubles.
And…
… Matt Rowland celebrates finally ‘getting’ the off-side’ rule.
Meanwhile the fans entertain themselves.
No words necessary.
The game restarts and Notts lift their foot off the pedal and slip in to cruise control.
But still keep a firm grip on the game well into the 70th minute.
With 15 minutes to go Sunderland reduced the deficit to two goals when Rachel Williams has the dubious honour of scoring for both teams. Victoria Greenwell’s cross is deflected by County’s Williams and past the stranded England keeper Telford.
Notts 4 Sunderland 2.
With time dwindling away Notts sat back and closed out the game, much to Sunderland’s frustration.
No amount of encouragement…
.. or hurry up came to Sunderland’s rescue.
Notts ran out comfortable winners and climbed to
3rd in the league.
Rick and the squad share a joke.
Sophie Walton in repose asks somebody to peel her a grape.
Carly and Amy argue who it’s going to be.
With the usual autograph hunting over the fans take time out to get their picture taken.
Which team are these girls from and whose face is that on the sweatshirt? Answers on a postcard please.
So, that’s two down and one to go. Scoring 9 goals in the last two games is tremendous preparation for the game against Everton on Sunday. COYP.
Wem-ber-ley is only one win away!
(C) Drew Smith Photography
Disclaimer: All opinions are my own and just in case I should ever write or post anything inaccurate, stupid or downright misleading I’d like it to be known that those inaccuracies, stupidities and misleading statements and pictures are mine, and mine alone!
…. everything else is Matt Rowland’s fault.
Still looking for their first win of the season Notts County Ladies FC went on the road for the first time this year, away to Birmingham at Solihull Moors FC.
Here’s the game in words and pictures:
When push came to shove neither team could really afford to lose this battle. With such a short season of only 14 league games and with Chelsea topping the table with maximum points losing at Solihull for either team would make it difficult to stage a serious challenge for the title.
This is the ‘happy face’ pre-game ritual.
With the Matt Rowland images Restraining Order lifted I can exclusively reveal that Matt was actually playing Grand Theft Auto on his laptop and not tweeting to the Notts fans at home.
Matt plays GTA instead of FAWSL.
Notts terrific away support grows larger each season. It must be the burgers!
Couldn’t wait until half time eh? 🙂
This young lady wins the ‘cutest mascot’ award.
She’s almost as tall as Alex Greenwood. 🙂
Now then, what can I say about this guy that won’t land me with a legal action? Okay, imagine somebody that is a talented musician and vocalist that is playing upbeat tunes to get everybody in the mood for an exciting game of WSL football. Got it? Okay, now imagine the absolute complete opposite and you’ve just experienced what we had to suffer prior to kick-off.
‘Rick Parfitt’ goes through his complete ‘A-Z’ repertoire (we wish!).
The game kicked-off (thankfully) and almost immediately became an edgy, bad-tempered affair with little quarter being shown in the tackle.
In fact… I’ll just let the pictures do the talking to give you a feel of the game…..
… ouch…
… bash …
… elbows and forearms…
… pushing and shoving waiting for a free kick…
… clattered and bruised …
… lift off …
… and carried off – yikes! Fingers firmly crossed for Alex’ quick recovery.
The game had become a really nervous and scrappy encounter that delivered little flowing football. Notts gave the ball away way too often and really had no answer to Birmingham’s hard pressing tactics. Ultimately the game pivoted on two turning points (can you pivot on two turning points?):
The first was a foul on Rachel Williams…
… Williams it put clean through and gathers the ball with skill and drives in on goal…
… and is cynically tripped from behind just as she’s about to enter the 18 yard box.
The Birmingham player is booked and a case could be made for a red as Williams was in on goal. The resultant free-kick came to nought.
The second incident was a penalty kick to Birmingham as a result of a mis-timed tackle in the box by Fern Whelan.
Yup – that’s how we all felt.
Birmingham’s number 8 Allen steps up to take the penalty and…
… Carly Telford saves! Thank heavens she’s making a habit of this.
Late in the game Notts might have snatched it when the Birmingham keeper lost a cross in the air….
… and Jess Clarke was just too far away to be able to poach the dropped ball as it bounced goalward before being cleared on the line.
The fulltime whistle went and the points were shared.
Rick (Passmoor) gives the obligatory interview. One is left wondering if he felt it was a point won away to a tough team that finished 3rd in the league last season or two points dropped by a squad of players that are undoubtably, on paper, a team to fear?
(C) Drew Smith Photography
Disclaimer: All opinions are my own and just in case I should ever write or post anything inaccurate, stupid or downright misleading I’d like it to be known that those inaccuracies, stupidities and misleading statements and pictures are mine, and mine alone!
…. everything else is Matt Rowland’s fault.
Notts County Ladies FC tonked (technical terminology) Aston Villa Ladies 5-1 yesterday at Meadow Lane to progress to the Semi-Finals of the FA Cup – just one win away from a Wembley Final!
Here’s the game in words and pictures:
My day at the Lane for this quarter final game began by jumping in to the ‘way back when’ machine with Goal Keeping coach Bob Widdowson – we did the whole ‘do you remember when’ thing about how back in the day footballs were made of leather, coated liberally with dubbin and weighed half a tonne.
Bob Widdowson ‘remembers when’ goal keeper gloves were green string affairs bought from the CO-OP.
Prior to the game both sets of supporters were well represented….
… some of our lot (minus Harry Secombe this week)…
… some of their lot, in need of Julie Roberts to sort out their supporters merchandise.
Sophie Bradley and Ashleigh Plumptre with..er…missus Magpie…
… sporting her ‘trip hazard’ right boot!
Just before kick-off I spotted this beautiful young lady in the stands with what was later confirmed to be a …
… Magpet on her head – I don’t think she even knew.
Off the back of Ellen White’s set-piece goal against Arsenal going viral on Youtube, tactician and set-piece supremo Colin Walker had been lined-up for an interview after the game with ‘Football Tactics Monthly’… he was very excited about it…
… Mr Walker, with a tactical wipe board hidden up his jacket, keeping his new set-piece close to his chest.
The teams came out to line up for the ceremonial hand-shake. I kinda like the randomness of this eclectic gathering…
… especially Ms Magpie strolling past in the background.
The mascot shot, all three of them…
… more than one of these people don’t actually look like they want to be here.
The team huddle needs working on, there just doesn’t seem to be the same commitment there used to be, as …
… apparently Rachel Williams has been going to the Marcel Marceau mime school in her spare time and Leanne Crichton is discussing pedicures with Jess Clarke.
The game got underway with Villa kicking off. Unfortunately for them that was about as close as they got to County’s goal during the first half. Notts enjoyed large spells of possession in their opponents half but struggled to convert this pressure to clear cut chances.
The Pies right winger Jess Clarke probed the Villa defense until eventually winning a free kick.
Clarke is brought down some way outside the Villa box. Free kick Notts….. Colin Walker tenses and began sending in signals from the sideline to Laura Bassett.
White, Basset and Buet (a good name for a firm of solicitors) arranged themselves according to Tactician Supremo Walker’s instructions. Buet runs to the ball, shapes to strike it then steps over it at the last minute…. then Laura Bassett does a backflip whilst Ellen White does a head stand.
Those aren’t shin pads down’s White’s socks, those are Colin Walker’s instructions on how to take a ‘gone viral on Youtube’ free-kick.
Eventually, 3.5 minutes later, after a clown car with 28 midget clowns and a bucket of custard has been on and off the pitch twice, the set-piece comes to an end and the ball is finally touched square for Alex Greenwood to run on to and ….
… have her shot blocked.
The game rumbled on. Notts were guilty of not moving the ball quickly enough, dwelling a little in possession and becoming a little bit sloppy with their passes.
Ellen White ran her heart out with her usual brand of skill and determination and even had time to come over to say hello during the first half…
Hi Ellen. 🙂
The game was beginning to follow the same pattern as the previous tie against Tottenham as it trundled toward half time when to everybody’s surprise Ellen White picked up a ball not far inside the Villa half, turned and smacked the ball on the rise some 30-40 yards over the keeper’s head and into the back of the Villa net!
1-0 NOTTS!
Ellen white just a little pleased with her sublime strike to put County ahead just before the half.
Half time then… Below is a space where a picture of Matt Rowland would normally be. I know many of you like seeing the Marketing mountain featured in my Blogs…
‘no picture of Matt Rowland here’
… unfortunately the restraining order prevents me from posting any pictures of Matt for the next 7 days.
The game resumed.
County win another free kick – this time fooling their opponents by simply having Alex Greenwood shoot at goal. Her free-kick hits the post, rebounds and presents itself to Laura Bassett …
… who side-foots it home with aplomb into an empty net from 6 yards out.
Williams intercepts Bassett as she tries to jump into Whelan’s arms.
Villa began to tire and Notts put them to the sword…
One of the saviours of County’s season last year, Aileen Whelan struck next, adding the third…
… running onto a neat little through ball she stretched to prod the ball past Caitlin Leach in the Villa goal.
Yes, 3-0 Notts.
Another fine performance from Aileen rewarded with a goal.
Three goals up and Notts brought on the talented Dunia Susi and it wasn’t long before she had an impact on the game. Her first goal was struck with ferocity from the right of the Villa box and flew into the top left corner.
Susi rockets an unstoppable shot into the back of the Leach’s net to put County 4-0 up! Or does she?? She got into this position so many times during a space of a few minutes in the second half that I’m not sure which one of these is the one she scored from – answers on a postcard please. I think it might have been this one. I’ve no idea I don’t get to watch the game.
Or was it this one?
Anyway…
Susi leaves Villa out for the count.
And celebrates her goal.
With 20 minutes to go Notts might have run in another 2 or 3 …
… Clarke’s duck is still to be broken as Leach blocks her shot.
Whelan looks to add to her tally with a deft header over the Villa keeper but Caitlin Leach makes a finger tip save.
As the tackles became a little wild and tired Leanne Crichton picked up a knock that needed the attentions of the Notts Physio Krista Van Alten.
Krista (Smurf) Van Alten waves to friends in the stand.
The wheels really came off Villa’s game when after a rash of bookings…
Number 15…
… Emily Owen…
… was sent off for her second bookable offense.
Which made it all the more bizarre and frustrating for Carly Telford I’m sure, when Villa marched down the other end of the pitch and scored their only goal.
Villa’s Kerri Welsh heads unopposed past Telford in the County goal to make it 4-1.
Only to see Susi slam home Nott’s 5th goal only minutes after the restart!
The score remained the same for the last few minutes and the full time whistle put an end to the second-tier visitors best ever FA Cup run. Well done Villa.
There was a mini pitch invasion at the end of the game as fans raced to get pics and selfies with their favorite players.
And of course there was just time for Colin walker to be interviewed by the editors of ‘Football Tactics Monthly’.
Colin Walker frantically makes notes as the young man in the center reads out another set-piece for Colin to try in training next week. Although Colin was overheard insisted that there be no clown cars and custard pies in this one!
Rick Passmoor is asked what he thinks of Drew Smith’s blog.
Notts reward for brushing aside their opponents is a semi-final tie with Everton on Sunday the 3rd of May.
(C) Drew Smith Photography
Disclaimer: All opinions are my own and just in case I should ever write or post anything inaccurate, stupid or downright misleading I’d like it to be known that those inaccuracies, stupidities and misleading statements and pictures are mine, and mine alone!
…. everything else is Matt Rowland’s fault.
Drew Smith Photography 