Manchester United Women v London Bees match programme, FA Women's Championship, 06.01.19

OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME 2018/19 SEASON, VOLUME 1 ISSUE 8

v LONDON

BEES

FA WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY 6 JANUARY 2019 KICK-OFF 2pm

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WIN. RINSE. REPEAT.

Follow @KohlerUnited on

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20/11/2018 11:32 11/12/18 7:52 AM

HAPPY NEW YEAR! GAME NO.1 OF WHAT WE HOPE IS A VERY PROSPEROUS 2019 FOR CASEY STONEY’S REDS BRINGS THE BEES TO LEIGH...

Inside today’s match programme:

N EWS ALE RTS

p4 Casey Stoney column p6 Everton/Durham reports p9 Alex Greenwood column p11 Fred the Red’s fan zone

p12 p18 p20 p22

Millie Turner interview Player statistics Today’s opposition 2018/19 team statistics

QUARTER-FINAL ON WEDNESDAY It’s a big night in the Continental Tyres League Cup this coming Wednesday, with MU Women facing West Ham here at Leigh Sports Village (7pm kick-off) in the last eight of the competition. With the tie needing to be settled on the night, extra-time and penalties could be required to see who makes the semi-finals, and your support from the stands can only help push the Reds on against our top-flight opponents. The remaining quarter-final ties are: Chelsea v Reading, Arsenal v Birmingham and Manchester City v Brighton.

Manchester United Football Club Limited

HALF SEASON TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE You can be at every one of MU Women’s 2018/19 home games at a great price, with half season tickets £20 for adults and £10 for under-16s or over 65s. Your card will grant you entry to all home fixtures (whether here at LSV or an alternative venue). Visit manutd.com/muwftickets or call 0161 868 8000 to buy.

Co-chairmen Joel Glazer, Avram Glazer Directors Bryan Glazer, Kevin Glazer, Edward Glazer, Darcie Glazer Kassewitz, Ed Woodward, Richard Arnold, Michael Edelson, Sir Bobby Charlton, Sir Alex Ferguson, David Gill Secretary Rebecca Britain Honorary president Martin Edwards

MU Women match programme: Editor Charlie Ghagan Editor-in-chief Ian McLeish Contributors Harriet Drudge, Adam Bostock, Adam Bath Photography Getty Images, PA Images, John Peters, Matthew Peters Thanks to Haylee Blease, Suzie Hamilton, Julie Ferguson, John Shiel, Aarron Pullen @ London Bees Printed by MuPrint.com ⬤ Copyright Manchester United 2019

Manchester United Women v London Bees 03

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H E A D C OAC H ’ S C O L U M N

Casey Stoney

THE HEAD COACH’S COLUMN

We ended 2018 with our best display of the season, and it’s crucial we keep up the fight in the new year...

A

very happy new year to you all, as we begin 2019 with two home fixtures – London Bees in the league, before we take on West Ham in the cup.

There has been quite a gap between fixtures but personally, I was grateful for the break. We work the players really hard so it has been good for them to be able to switch off a bit, spend time with friends and family and come back re-energised for the next part of the season.

We will be looking to pick up where we left off in 2018. Despite defeat against Durham in the league, we finished the year on a high by beating Everton 3-0 in the League Cup. I’d go so far as to say that was our best display of the season. Our intensity, both when we were in possession and when we weren’t, was particularly good and if we’d have scored two more goals, the score wouldn’t have flattered us.

The players responded brilliantly to the Durham match. The result was disappointing, but it could prove to be a good thing in the long run. In a way, it needed to happen to get the kind of performance we put in against Everton.

We needed a bit more bite, a bit more grit and a bit more resilience. We needed to fight for things more – we did that against Everton.

We need to remember that today. Although the reverse fixture was a convincing win for us, London Bees gave us a bit of a scare towards the end, so we know what they are capable of.

They are a very organised team, a good side all round and have some great experience on their coaching team, including my former team-mate Rachel Yankey. As well as playing, Rachel and I went through our coaching badges together too. It’s always nice to see familiar faces, especially when they have so much experience and have stayed in the game – that’s such a positive for game as a whole.

I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank Willie Kirk for the six months he gave us and I wish him well for the future. In terms of how that changes the coaching set-up, I will take my time deciding on the next steps. I want to make sure it’s right for the players, the group as a whole and the environment we’re trying to create here.

Glen Harris has come in as an interim assistant for the time being and has been brilliant.

Thank you for your incredible support during the first half of the season, home and away.

We’re looking forward to kicking off 2019 and seeing you all again this afternoon.

04 Manchester United Women v London Bees

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M ATC H ACT I O N

REDS ARE INTO THE QUARTERS! Confident cup display on Merseyside follows mixed results against Durham EVERTON LADIES 0 UNITED WOMEN 3 13 DEC | LEAGUE CUP | SCORERS: JAMES (12), GALTON (17), ZELEM (37) | ATT: 267 Casey Stoney’s Reds booked a place in the last eight of the Continental Tyres League Cup with a convincing win over top-flight Everton at Southport’s Merseyrail Community Stadium.

United took the lead shortly after the 10-­minute mark. Martha Harris delivered a sumptuous cross from the right and Lauren James served up a header that looped over Toffees goalkeeper Kirstie Levell and into the net.

Five minutes later, Stoney’s side doubled the advantage. This time James was the creator as her ball in from the right found Leah Galton. Her brilliant downward header beat Levell and gave the Reds a tighter grip on the game.

Katie Zelem could have added a third when she spotted the Toffees’ shot-stopper off her line and had a crack at goal from distance.

The midfielder’s strike beat the keeper but she was cruelly denied by the frame of the goal.

The visitors continued to assert their dominance over the hosts as half-time approached. James looked to have scored her second goal of the night from an Alex Greenwood corner; however, it was chalked off due to an infringement in the penalty area.

Moments later though, Galton went on a mazy run and won a free-kick just outside the penalty area. Up stepped Zelem, who fired the ball into the roof of the net and sent the travelling fans behind the goal wild on a cold winter’s night.

After the break, the chances were few and far between for both sides as Everton desperately tried to find a route back into the game. Inessa

Substitute Hanson goes in search of a fourth on a successful night for the Reds in Southport

Kaagman produced a good opportunity inside the box to pull one back for the Toffees on the hour mark, but Chamberlain produced a great save with her feet to keep her clean sheet intact.

At the other end, United continued to search for a fourth goal. Midfielder James produced a brilliantly weighted ball through to Mollie Green, but our no.8 was denied a goal as her shot was saved after being one-on-one with Levell.

The 3-0 win made sure of top spot in Group Two North, with West Ham United next up for the Reds in the knockout stages of the competition, this coming Wednesday at Leigh Sports Village.

United: Chamberlain; Harris; A Turner, M Turner, Smith; Zelem, Green, Greenwood; Sigsworth, James (Hanson 74), Galton (Toone 90)

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West Ham United

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M ATC H ACT I O N

UNITED WOMEN 1 DURHAM WOMEN 0 5 DEC | LEAGUE CUP | SCORERS: GREEN (1) | ATTENDANCE: 686

DURHAM WOMEN 3 UNITED WOMEN 1 9 DEC | CHAMPIONSHIP | SCORERS: WILSON (22), HEPPLE (59 PEN), NESS (88); TOONE (42) | ATT: 912

Back-to-back games with Durham at the start of December began with an important win in the Continental Tyres League Cup, although four days later the Reds slipped to a first league defeat, losing 3-1 at Durham’s New Ferens Park.

The Reds made a great start in the League Cup contest, played at Leigh Sports Village, with Mollie Green scoring after just 30 seconds.

Green, fresh from being named FA Women’s Championship Player of the Month for November, latched on to a pass from Jess Sigsworth and fired home her 10th goal of the season.

Lauren James then twice went close to extending the lead, first crashing a curling effort against the post from the edge of the box before seeing her powerful drive tipped on to the bar by Durham keeper Megan Borthwick.

Chances were harder to come by after the interval as the visitors began to show their solidity in a closely fought contest, but the Reds stood strong to claim three League Cup points.

The league loss away to Durham seemed slightly flattering to the hosts, given the final goal came on the break in the 88th minute when the game had been in the balance. After Sarah Wilson’s opener for the Wildcats, it was Ella Toone who equalised for United after 42 minutes, our no.7 volleying her shot low into the Durham net after a long ball was headed on.

United’s Jess Sigsworth entered the fray as a half-time replacement for Lizzie Arnot but it was Durham who created the first notable chance after the break with Nicki Gears forcing Chamberlain to make a good save.

Parity was only maintained for a further minute or so until the referee spotted a handball offence in the area and United star Green was booked in the immediate aftermath.

Beth Hepple kept her cool to convert the penalty and give Durham another lead they would hold and eventually build on through Zoe Ness, despite the Reds’ midweek ­

It w gam from

Green and Sigsworth attack the ball in the League Cup

Arnot does her best to get United back into the game at New Ferens Park

match-winner Green trying her luck from distance and Stoney freshening up her attack with Lauren James and later Leah Galton replacing Toone and Kirsty Hanson respectively.

United (League Cup): Chamberlain; Harris, A Turner, M Turner, Greenwood; Zelem, Green, James (Devlin 88); Hanson, Sigsworth (Toone 70), Galton (Arnot 83) United (League): Chamberlain; Smith, A Turner, M Turner, Greenwood; Zelem, Green, Toone (James 70); Hanson (Galton 77), Devlin, Arnot (Sigsworth 46) Manchester United Women v London Bees 07

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Mancheste

H E R E

T O

C R E AT E

MANCHESTER UNITED AWAY JERSEY 18/19

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CA P TA I N ’S C O L U M N

EVERY GAME IS A BIG GAME NOW. WE’LL TREAT THEM ALL AS MUST-WINS BECAUSE THEY ARE

Alex Greenwood

THE CAPTAIN’S COLUMN

H

appy New Year to you all! We’ve all enjoyed a break over Christmas, spending time with family and friends, and I hope you all had a nice break too. For us, it was important to rest and prepare for a big year ahead on the pitch. But now we’re back, we’re ready and we’re so excited to get going again. There’s so much more to come from us, and we believe 2019 will be massive for this team.

It was great to sign off last year with a win away in the cup against Everton. We knew we had to react after the Durham game, played just a few days beforehand, and I don’t think we could have reacted any better; we played some brilliant football and thoroughly deserved to win against a team from the top division.

Our last league fixture was really disappointing though. Durham have a particular way of playing and we’d already had two difficult games against them this season, here at Leigh Sports Village, and away from home it was a really tough game.

We take the positives from every result though. It was a great lesson for us and one we’ll take with us until the end of the season. We’re determined to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

London Bees are the visitors today in the league and we know we’re in for another hard

game. They have started the season well and they will pose a different threat to us.

Every game is a big game now. We’ll treat them all as must-wins because they are. It’s tight at the top of the table but we’re only concentrating on ourselves and taking each match as it comes.

We’re not taking anything for granted; we’re focused and working tirelessly on a daily basis to improve and get to where we want to be.

Hopefully we’re all in for an exciting 2019 – starting with three points this afternoon in front of our fantastic supporters.

Kirsty enjoyed the win at Everton as much as I did!

Manchester United Women v London Bees 09

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HAVE FUN, MAKE FRIENDS, PLAY FOOTBALL SSE Wildcats Girls’ Football Centres gives girls aged 5-11 the chance to get involved in football.

Sessions take place nationwide at evenings or weekends giving girls the oppor tunity to play in a fun and safe environment.

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FANS’ GALLERY

This is Willow with Katie Zelem at the Millwall game. Willow came from Milton Keynes with her dad and sang for the entire game!

RETURNING REDS

FRED’S FAN ZONE

A warm welcome to 11-year-old Georgia, who has been to every home match this season... and loved meeting Millie Turner!

Lottie was a matchday mascot for October’s home game against Charlton, and her favourite player is... you guessed it, Ella Toone!

Regan has met a few players this season, plus this fella with the big red hands! Regan wants to be our No.10 when she grows up.

The five players below are back at United having played for the Reds’ youth teams a few years ago.

Can you identify them, and draw five lines to match them up with the club they joined United from?

1

3

Got a matchday pic to share? Email us at MUWomenfamily@manutd.co.uk

G A L L E RY/Q U I Z

2

4 (Answers on p22)

5 Manchester United Women v London Bees 11

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M MAI LRLTI H E AT UHRAN R ERRI SI N I NTTEERRVVI EI EWW

"i'm ri 0, sh e's

Alongside namesake Amy, Millie Turner has bee our no.21 tells us, she loves the comparisons with How much did you enjoy the win at your former club Everton to end 2018? It’s a result that should give the team a lot of belief heading into 2019, shouldn’t it?

To win it the way we did was incredible and definitely lifted our spirits after the Durham defeat. Everything we worked on in the week paid off and personally I was buzzing, as we all were, really. To top our group was amazing.

It was the perfect response to the Durham loss, wasn’t it?

We were all very disappointed with the Durham result. We weren’t up to our standards MILLIE’S and there were a lot of STATISTICS factors that went against us Age: 22 Born: Wilmslow on the day, but to bounce Position: Centre-back back the way we did was Previous clubs: 2017-18 Bristol City; excellent. We’re proud of 2013-17 Everton ourselves for that – and we International scored some good goals too. career: England U19s

You and Amy Turner have started all but one game together at the back.

Do you feel your understanding is improving with every game?

We’ve got a great relationship going and we’re pushing each other to be better every day in training. We have a good understanding and complement each other’s games really well; we both like to organise in front of us and bounce off each other when we’re communicating too.

I feel really comfortable playing next to Amy and I’m learning so much from her. I have been trying to teach her a few things too, though... a few skills, I’m sure she’ll be trying those out on a pitch near you soon!

12 10 Manchester Manchester United United Women Women vv London Millwall Lionesses Bees

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MM AR I LTLHI EA THUARRNREI S R IIN NTTEER RVVIIEEW W

e's Vi di c!"

has been superb in the heart of defence – and as sons with a certain other centre-back partnership!

I’ve got to give a shout out to Nom [Naomi Hartley] who made her debut the other week; she did really well. Her and Lucy [Roberts] are pushing us in training too. We all bring something a bit different to the table but we’re all learning from each other in the process, which is great.

we’re waiting for the United Women fans to come up with one about the two Turners. Have you heard anything?

I have heard a few chants and I think there’s already one for me and Amy T; I’m just not sure what the lyrics are! I’ll have to listen out again next time. Our fans have been outstanding since we started, they’ve been loud and proud at every game.

A massive thank you to them for their continued support, it means so much to us.

▲

You’re ahead of Amy in the goalscoring stakes, though! It looked like you enjoyed that goal against today’s opposition London Bees when we last faced With “Amy T” them in September...

At what age did you start and Lauren James It was an honour to score taking football seriously? my first United goal and I’m I started playing when I was definitely looking to score a about four; I used to run few more, probably from set-pieces. We’ve through the house doing skills around the been giving Amy a bit of stick, to be fair [laughs] furniture. When I was younger, there wasn’t – I think she’s waiting for much of a pathway or a a screamer! She’s getting clear route to becoming a some good chances so it’s professional footballer. Now, definitely coming, and when the women’s game is getting she does score I’m sure the so much bigger and the celebrations will be mental! opportunities are there. It’s all I’ve ever wanted to do Casey Stoney has though. I didn’t really like compared you and Amy school and there wasn’t an 4 + 21 = 11 clean sheets to Nemanja Vidic and Rio area of work – in a traditional already this season Ferdinand – who’s who?! sense! – that appealed to Quite a few people have said me. I’m so happy that I’ve that... it’s not a bad comparison to have, is it?! been able to make playing football my job.

Amy T is definitely the Vidic of our partnership, so I’m Rio. She loves a big challenge, and I’m How did you first get involved with more likely to dribble it out and go on a little run.

United’s Regional Talent Club as a teenager?

The Neville brothers had a great ‘Neville Growing up, there were a few Centres of Neville’ chant to celebrate them both – Excellence around where I lived: Everton,

Manchester United Women v London Bees 13

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M I LLI E TU R N E R I NTE RVI EW

Liverpool and United. I’d heard that the Manchester United Centre of Excellence [what it was called before RTC] was one of the best, so I went down for a trial. It took me a few trials before I got in but when I finally did, it was unbelievable. The attention to detail that the coaches had was something I’d never experienced before and I was determined to stay for as long as possible. We won back-to-back league titles at Under-17 and we had a really good team.

Which current Reds did you play alongside previously in the girls’ set-up and how big a factor was that in deciding to return to United?

I played with Zel [Katie Zelem] at the Centre and I was totally buzzing when I heard she was coming back too. I felt like we always played really well together. It’s great to see so many homegrown players back at the club too – it’s what Manchester United is all about.

You have also played as a midfielder – which position do you prefer?

I was a midfielder early on in my career but most of the time at Bristol and now at United, I’m a centre-back. I have been getting on at Casey to give me a go in midfield but she’s having none of it! Centre-half is probably my best position, especially getting the opportunity to play alongside Amy T. I like to be involved in the play as much as possible and in this team, I do see a lot of the ball. Our attacks quite often start from us at the back. Quite a lot of people underestimate how difficult it is being a centre-half; you’ve got to be switched on all the time. If I can get involved further forward I will and thankfully Amy’s always covering me.

You were captain at Bristol City last season, playing in the top flight and very popular with the fans. It can’t have been an easy decision to drop down a league...

Dropping down a league was a consideration, yes, but to be honest the key factor in moving was the football club and the ambition here.

If you look at it that way, it’s a no-brainer.

There’s no ceiling as to what we can achieve.

OUR ATTACKS OFTEN START FROM US AT THE BACK, SO I DO SEE A LOT OF THE BALL was so much build-up and we had pressure to deal with from other people. But we were all so excited to show everyone what we’re about.

How much have you benefited from Casey Stoney and the coaching team’s advice?

Casey and the staff have been incredible.

Having Casey as a manager has been one of the best parts of coming here. She’s an unbelievable coach. The experience she brings is so important. I’m learning so much from her every day and she’s just a legend. I wouldn’t want to be learning from anyone else.

▲

Which game have you enjoyed playing in the most so far this season and why?

Hundred per cent the Liverpool game. There

Millie continues to learn from former centre-back Stoney every day in training

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Mancheste

Is there one piece of advice that Casey has given you, centre-back to centre-back, that sticks in your mind?

Yeah, she always says, “Mill, where and when!”

I like going on my mazy little runs, so much so that sometimes I forget I’m a centre-half and that I just need to put my foot through it. I can hear her from the sidelines shouting that to me!

What did you do on your time off over the festive period?

I spent time with family and caught up with friends. I’m also getting a puppy! I’m so excited about that – it’s a black lab called Nala.

Mollie Green has told us what it’s like to live with you – with you constantly making her jump! Are we right in thinking she’s had her revenge?

[Laughs] Yes, well... obviously, I scare her all the time. So she’s always trying to get me back... but she took it too far last time. I’m really scared of spiders. Her and Martha brought this spider in – an actual real-life spider that was huge – and I’m genuinely terrified of them.

I just legged it out of the house, even though it was soaking outside and I had no shoes on.

Then they had the cheek to tell me they’d got rid of it but it was still in the kitchen! That’s too far, isn’t it?! I’ve not forgiven her!

Jokes aside, sounds like you all get along well off the pitch. How have you all been killing time on those long bus journeys to Durham, Lewes and London in recent weeks?

They go quite quickly to be fair because we always find something to do. Siobhan and Amy T did a quiz for us all for the Lewes trip which was brilliant – general knowledge and a picture round with images of all us when we were younger. We usually play games, watch films or annoy the staff by singing!

Moving back to this season, how excited are you about the fixtures ahead in 2019?

We’re really excited about getting back out there, especially after the Everton result. The best is definitely yet to come from us. We’re always counting down to game day when

Millie goes up against Arsenal’s Kelly Smith in the 2014 FA Cup final

WE’RE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT GETTING BACK OUT THERE, ESPECIALLY AFTER THE EVERTON RESULT we get to play and see the fans again. The fans always make game day so special.

What would it mean to you to go further in the League Cup? At previous clubs, I haven’t often had the opportunity to be challenging for trophies but here we are aiming high for every competition we’re in.

The FA Cup is just around the corner too. What does that competition mean to you?

It’s another way for us to show what we can do. The FA Cup is a perfect platform for us to do that. I got to the final with Everton, which was an unbelievable experience. I was only 16; we played at Milton Keynes in front of 15,000 fans. That’ll live with me for the rest of my career and I’d love to get to another few finals with United. ⬤

Taking on her old club in our last game

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West Ham United

30/12/2018 12:55

The Energy Behind Women’s Football At SSE we believe everyone deserves the chance to play the beautiful game. That’s why we are proud to support women’s football at every level, from giving girls the opportunity to develop new skills through our SSE Wildcats programme to sponsoring The SSE Women’s FA Cup. sse.co.uk/womens-football

SSE is a registered trademark of SSE plc. Registered in Scotland No. SC117119. The Registered Office of SSE plc is Inveralmond House, 200 Dunkeld Road, Perth, PH1 3AQ. SSE plc is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for certain consumer credit activities.

STONEY’S SQUAD

▲ ▲ ▲

2

13 22

1

SIOBHAN CHAMBERLAIN Position Goalkeeper DOB 15/8/1983 Nationality English

3

EMILY RAMSEY Position Goalkeeper DOB 16/11/2000 Nationality English

FRAN BENTLEY Position Goalkeeper DOB 26/6/2001 Nationality English

▲ FOCUS ON... ▲ ▲

Having spent most of the season sat patiently on the bench, former United Regional Talent Club keeper Fran Bentley would have been delighted to make her debut just before the hour mark against Millwall in November, replacing Siobhan Chamberlain with the Reds 6-0 up. A non-contract player at United on account of her age, Fran has joined National League North side Fylde Ladies on a dual registration agreement until the end of the 2018/19 season. This is to aid her development, with United able to call her back at any time.

22

MARTHA HARRIS Position Defender DOB 19/8/1994 Nationality English

4

AMY TURNER Position Defender DOB 4/7/1991 Nationality English

ALEX GREENWOOD Position Defender DOB 7/9/1993 Nationality English

12

NAOMI HARTLEY Position Defender DOB 12/1/2001 Nationality English

15

LUCY ROBERTS Position Defender DOB 11/5/2001 Nationality English

20

KIRSTY SMITH Position Defender DOB 6/1/1994 Nationality Scottish

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P L AY E R STAT I ST I C S

21

MILLIE TURNER Position Defender DOB 7/7/1996 Nationality English

14

CHARLIE DEVLIN Position Midfielder DOB 23/2/1998 Nationality English

11

LEAH GALTON Position Forward DOB 24/5/1994 Nationality English

6

AIMEE PALMER Position Midfielder DOB 25/7/2000 Nationality English

16

LAUREN JAMES Position Midfielder DOB 29/9/2001 Nationality English

17

LIZZIE ARNOT Position Forward DOB 1/3/1996 Nationality Scottish

8

10

MOLLIE GREEN Position Midfielder/forward DOB 4/8/1997 Nationality English

7

KATIE ZELEM Position Midfielder DOB 20/1/1996 Nationality English

9

ELLA TOONE Position Forward DOB 2/9/1999 Nationality English

18

KIRSTY HANSON Position Forward DOB 17/4/1998 Nationality Scottish

JESS SIGSWORTH Position Forward DOB 13/10/1994 Nationality English

19

EBONY SALMON Position Forward DOB 27/1/2001 Nationality English

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LO N D O N B E E S

THE VISITORS

Despite our win in the reverse fixture, United will be wary of a side that’s won their last three in the league

T

he Bees are one of the most consistent sides in the second tier, and headed into this season fresh from their best ever effort in the division. In 2017/18, they finished sixth, with their attack delivering its most potent campaign yet and their defence tighter than in any other season. But Luke Swindlehurst’s squad endured a difficult start to the current campaign, winning just two of their first eight games in the Championship, while struggling with numerous injury issues along the way.

Come late November, however, the Bees finally began to produce their best on a regular basis. The Londoners – who are closely affiliated with Barnet FC – delivered four victories on the bounce; three in the Championship against Sheffield United, Aston Villa and Leicester, and a highly encouraging

L A ST TH R E E G A M E S:

L 2-7 Crystal Pal (A) 13.12.18 (League Cup) W 2-1 Leicester (H) 09.12.18 (Championship) W 4-2 Tottenham (H) 05.12.18 (League Cup)

L A ST S E A S O N:

WSL2 (second tier): 6th place

4-2 success against high-flying Tottenham in the Continental Tyres League Cup. In three of the wins, the Bees had to come from behind, underlining their team spirit and resilience.

That momentum was slightly checked in their final match before the Christmas break, when they suffered a disappointing 7-2 reverse to Crystal Palace in the League Cup group stage. The heavy scoreline should not dent their pride too heavily, though: the match was a dead rubber, with the Bees unable to qualify for the last eight, and simultaneously negotiating several injuries.

BECKETT’S DEPARTURE

There was, however, a further blow to follow late on Boxing Day, when the club’s inspirational captain Emma Beckett announced her departure, after three years at the Hive Stadium. At the time of writing, the 31-year-old’s next destination is unknown, but the squad will certainly miss her leadership. No Bees player has taken part in more games under Swindlehurst during 2018/19, nor scored more goals. The club will look to summer acquisition Anne-Laure Davy, a French striker signed from Lille, and Irish striker Ruesha Littlejohn – who both have three goals each – to pick up Beckett’s mantle in the months ahead.

After her final match, the departing Beckett gave her thoughts about the team’s trip to Leigh Sports Village, and believes the Bees have every chance of taking points from the table-topping Reds.

“United are a really strong team, so kudos to Casey Stoney for everything she’s achieved so far, but they’re not unbeatable,” said Beckett. “We don’t train full-time like they do, but we’ll work hard over the Christmas period to make sure we come into that game in the best shape we can.”

20 Manchester United Women v London Bees

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West Ham United

30/12/2018 12:50

LO N D O N B E E S

S

e e

Beckett (no.17) might have moved on, but the Bees still arrive full of belief following their pre-Christmas form in the league

M A N A G E R: Luke Swindlehurst

O N E TO WATC H: K atie Wilkinson

A manager whose CV includes spells at Liverpool Ladies, Sheffield FC Ladies and Fylde Ladies FC, it’s been a difficult 2018/19 at times for Swindlehurst, but he’ll be proud of his charges ending the year in fifth place.

Appointed boss in July 2017, he guided the Bees to their best second-tier finish last term, and it is testament to his leadership that a slump has been avoided this season, given the injury problems he’s had to deal with. “In an ideal world those three or four [injured] players are in the team,” he said. “So we’ve had a bit of bad luck, but the squad is strong enough to compete and we’ve got more points on the board than we had at this point last season.”

The 24-year-old striker endured an indifferent start to the season due to injury, but her return in November kick-started the team’s resurgence, instigating four straight wins. The England youth international was named the league’s Player of the Month last April, after netting in all of the team’s matches during the month and, with two goals in her last three games, she now believes her injury woes are firmly behind her. “I’m back in full swing with the girls,” she said following her return to fitness. “Luke [Swindlehurst] has ‘kindly’ given me some fitness blowouts at the end of sessions, which I can safely say have given my cheeks some colour!”

Manchester United Women v London Bees 21

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30/12/2018 12:50

Mancheste

p22 season stats.CGIM (1).indd 4

nship eague Cup

DATE

August

OPPOSITION

Lewes Durham Durham Everton

2pm 7pm 2pm

2pm 7pm 12pm 7pm

H H A

A H A A

LG Sat 11 Lewes

May

12pm H

LG Sat 20 Crystal Palace 12pm H LG Sun 28 Millwall Lionesses 2pm A

April

LG Sun 10 Leicester City 12pm H LG Sun 31 Tottenham Hotspur 1pm A

March

LG Sun 10 Aston Villa 12pm H LG Wed 13 Leicester City 7.45pm A LG Wed 20 Sheffield United 7pm A

February

LG Sun 6 London Bees CT Wed 9 West Ham United LG Sun 13 Charlton Athletic

January

Sun 2 Wed 5 Sun 9 Thu 13

December

LG CT LG CT

H A H 2-0 1-0 1-3 3-0

3-0

12pm 2pm 12pm

4-1 5-0 8-0

November

October

LG Sun 4 Tottenham Hotspur LG Sun 18 Crystal Palace LG Sun 25 Millwall Lionesses

3pm 7pm 2pm 12pm

1-0 0-2

LG Sun 14 Charlton Athletic 12pm H

Aston Villa Sheffield United London Bees Durham

A H

VEN RES

12-0 3-0 5-0 0-0

Sun 9 Thu 20 Sun 23 Sun 30

KO

2pm 12pm

A H A H

LG LG LG LG

September

CT Sun 19 Liverpool CT Sat 25 Reading

ATT

1,958 686 912 267

2,367 975 1,467

2,349

1,165 2,003 642 2,244

829 4,835

STARTING LINE-UP

Harris Harris Smith Harris

M Turner M Turner M Turner M Turner

KEY: LG – FA Women’s Championship CT – FA Continental Tyres League Cup FA – Women’s FA Cup Scorers Bold • Penalty x Own goal *after extra-time Sent off First sub Second sub Third sub

Smith Harris Smith Harris

Hartley A Turner A Turner A Turner

Chamberlain Chamberlain Chamberlain Chamberlain

M Turner M Turner M Turner M Turner

M Turner M Turner M Turner 1 M Turner

A Turner A Turner A Turner A Turner A Turner

M Turner M Turner

A Turner A Turner

Chamberlain Harris A Turner Chamberlain Harris A Turner Chamberlain Smith A Turner

Chamberlain Smith

Chamberlain Chamberlain Chamberlain Chamberlain

Chamberlain Smith Chamberlain Smith

Greenwood Greenwood Greenwood Smith

Zelem Zelem Zelem Zelem 1 Green 1 Green 1 Green Green

Zelem Zelem Zelem 1

Zelem 1

Devlin Green Zelem Toone

Zelem 1 • Zelem 1 • Palmer Zelem Green

Zelem Zelem

Green Green

Greenwood Palmer Greenwood 1• Green 2 Greenwood 1• Green 3

Greenwood

Smith Greenwood Greenwood Greenwood

Greenwood Greenwood

Hanson Arnot 2 Hanson Toone 1 Hanson Hanson Sigsworth

Palmer James Toone 1 Greenwood

Hanson

Galton Toone Arnot Arnot

Arnot 1 Arnot

Toone Devlin James 1

Palmer

James 2 James Green 2 James

James James Hanson 2 Hanson 1 Hanson Hanson

Sigsworth 5 Sigsworth James 1 Sigsworth

Sigsworth Sigsworth Devlin James 1

Arnot Galton Arnot Galton 1

Sigsworth 2 James 1 Toone Hanson Sigsworth 1 Arnot

Sigsworth 1 Arnot 1

Hanson Hanson

Sigsworth Sigsworth

Devlin Toone Sigsworth Hanson

Galton Sigsworth Toone 1

Toone

Green 1 Arnot 1 Sigsworth Galton

James Devlin Galton

Galton Arnot James Toone

-

Devlin Devlin 1 James Palmer

Harris Green Smith Bentley

Palmer Devlin Hartley Smith

Toone 1 Palmer Toone 1 Devlin

Devlin Toone

Galton Galton

SUBSTITUTES USED Toone Palmer

S E AS O N STAT I ST I C S

2018/19 STATS FA WO M E N’S C HAM PI O N S H I P

P

1 UNITED 10 8 1 1 39 25

2 Charlton 11 8 1 2 20 25

3 Durham 11 7 3 1 19 24

6 Leicester

7 Sheffield Utd 10

11 Millwall

10

1 UNITED 4

W D L GD Pts

4 Tottenham 10 8 0 2 10 24

5 London Bees 11 5 0 6 -5 15 10 4 1 5 -3 13

8 Aston Villa 11 3 3 5 -12 12

4 1 5

3 0 1

-7 13

9 Lewes

10 Crystal Palace 11 1 1 9 -15 4

11 3 1 7 -11 10 0 2 8 -35 2

C O NTI N E NTAL TYR E S LEAG U E C U P, G R O U P TWO N O RTH P W D L GD Pts

2 Reading 4 2 1 1 4 7

3 9

3 Everton 4 2 0 2 -1

4 Durham 4 1 1 2 -3 4

5 Liverpool 4 0 2* 2 -3 4

6

*Liverpool win two bonus points – one for each penalty shoot-out victory following a draw

APPEARAN C E S / G OALS

Apps Gls

Lizzie Arnot 9 (2) 5 Fran Bentley 0 (1) 0 Siobhan Chamberlain 14 0 Charlie Devlin 3 (7) 1

Leah Galton 3 (6) 1 Mollie Green 11 (2) 10 Alex Greenwood 13 2 Kirsty Hanson 12 3 Martha Harris 7 (1) 0 Naomi Hartley 1 (1) 0 Lauren James 9 (3) 6 Aimee Palmer 4 (4) 0 Emily Ramsey 0 0 Lucy Roberts 0 0 Ebony Salmon 0 0 Jess Sigsworth 11 (3) 9 Kirsty Smith 9 (2) 0 Ella Toone 6 (7) 5 Amy Turner 13 0 Millie Turner 14 1 Katie Zelem 14 5

Quiz answers (p11): 1. Toone (Manchester City); 2. M Turner (Bristol City); 3. Hanson (Doncaster Rovers Belles); 4. Zelem (Juventus); 5. Hartley (Liverpool)

22 Manchester United Women v London Bees

30/12/2018 12:56

DON’T MISS A GAME THIS SEASON WWW.FAWSL.COM/TICKETS

MANCHESTER UNITED ­WOMEN Siobhan CHAMBERLAIN (GK) Martha HARRIS Alex GREENWOOD Amy TURNER Aimee PALMER Ella TOONE Mollie GREEN Jess SIGSWORTH Katie ZELEM Leah GALTON Naomi HARTLEY Emily RAMSEY (GK) Charlie DEVLIN Lucy ROBERTS Lauren JAMES Lizzie ARNOT Kirsty HANSON Ebony SALMON Kirsty SMITH Millie TURNER Fran BENTLEY (GK)

1 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22

LONDON BEES 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 18 19 20 22 23 33

Sarah QUANTRILL (GK) Annabel JOHNSON Ellie WILSON Destiney TOUSSAINT Danielle LEA Rosie LANE Lucy LOOMES Anne-Laure DAVY Katie WILKINSON Ruesha LITTLEJOHN Paula HOWELLS Lauren PICKETT Taylor O’LEARY Tricia GOULD Ocean ROLANDSEN Nicola GIBSON Brooke NUNN Kelsey GIBSON Connie FORMAN Mollie DENCH Merrick WILL Rachel UNITT

MATCH OFFICIALS Referee: Lewis Smith Assistant referees: Sohail Asghar, Marlon Gupta

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