Author: Darcey Slater

Categories
Uncategorized

STREAK SMASHED: Thompson Goal Hands Chelsea 1-0 Win Over Arsenal

Photo Credits: Chelseafcw Instagram

Chelsea

Hannah Hampton (GK), Ellie Carpenter,  Lauren James, Alyssa Thompson, Katie McCabe, Weike Kaptein, Keira Walsh, Lucy Bronze (C), Kadiesha Buchanan, Lexi Potter 

Chelsea Used Subs

Sjoeke Nusken, Aggie Beever-Jones, Veele Buurman and Sandy Baltimore

Arsenal

Anneke Borbe (GK), Emily Fox, Georgia Stanway, Leah Williamson, Steph Catley, Mariona Caldentey, Kim Little (C), Lisa Baum, Ona Batlle, Alessia Russo, Kyra Cooney-Cross

Arsenal Used Subs

Lisa Baum, Mariona Caldentey, Georgia Stanway, Geraldine Reuteler and Selina Cerci

Getting into the match we saw a very end to end game, but with Arzenal holding a lot of the possession. Early on we saw opportunities from Katie McCabe, Lisa Baum, Steph Catley and Melvine Malard. 

But Kim Little fired the first warning shots. Emily Fox was able to slide the ball through to Lisa Baum, taking on Katie McCabe. She drove to the box and passed to Little, who was able to turn and shoot, hitting the woodwork. 

Soon after, we saw Georgia Stanway pass to Lisa Baum; she received but was hit by a late tackle from Katie McCabe, gifting them a free kick.

On the counterattack, Alessia Russo was able to find Lisa Baum, who charged down the right flank. She was able to cross to find Mariona Caldentey unmarked. Taking the shot on the second touch, she hit the post, sending the ball out of play.

Anneke Borbe plays out from the back to Steph Catley, but Ellie Carpenter intercepts the touch. Catley goes for the tackle, but the ball is collected by Malard. She takes it into the box and slips it to Keira Walsh, who is able to get a shot off but is saved by Borbe. The ball lands for Alyssa Thompson, sending it into the top corner. Chelsea are in the lead; it’s 1-0.

Chelsea pressed for a second before the break as Malard’s driving run down the wing ended in a Borbe save and a corner. Standing over the ball in front of the Arsenal end, former Gunners star Katie McCabe made no effort to rush the delivery, calmly taking a yellow card for time-wasting while soaking in the reaction from her old supporters.

Early into the second half, Wieke Kaptein was able to lay the ball off for Ellie Carpenter. Taking it on the first touch, she crossed it to an open Malard in front of goal; she got a foot on it, but it wasn’t enough to end up in the back of the net.

Arsenal made their first substitutions of the match, seeing Chloe Kelly, Cailin Foord and Stina Blackstenius coming on for Lisa Baum, Mariona Caldentey and Georgia Stanway.

Soon after Chelsea made their first substitution, with Lauren James coming off for Sjoeke Nusken.

Steph Catley floated a dangerous ball over the top to find Stina Blackstenius, who managed to get a foot to it and chip it over the bar. Both the forward and keeper couldn’t pull back their momentum, colliding heavily with one another in the process, though Chelsea’s concern was quickly relieved as the flag was raised for offside.

Back-to-back subs come with Aggie Beever-Jones coming on for the Blues and Geraldine Reuteler and Selina Cerci for the Gunners. While Melvine Malard, Kim Little and Ona Batlle leave the pitch.

Arsenal saw plenty of the ball, but found no way through Chelsea’s stubborn low block. The Blues sat back, absorbed the pressure, and comfortably limited Arsenal’s chances.

With not long to go, Chelsea’s big names for the match leave the pitch, with Veele Buurman and Sandy Baltimore coming on for Alyssa Thompson and Katie McCabe.

5 Minutes of additional time were announced, but the game was done. London is blue, with the game finishing Chelsea 1-0 Arsenal.

Categories
FA Cup

Heartbreak for Addicks as Shaw Strikes Late in FA Cup Quarter Final

Photo: @Islasmithmedia for ConstancySport

Starting Lineups:

Charlton Athletic

Sophie Whitehouse (C) (GK), Charlotte Newsham, Elisha N’Dow, Gracie Pearse, Katie Bradley, 

Lucy Fitzgerald, Mia Enderby, Karin Muya, Gloria Siber, Amalie Thestrup, Lucia Lobato, Keira Flannery 

 Liverpool

Jennifer Falk (GK), Gemma Evans, Denise O’Sullivan, Cornelia Kapocs, Fuka Nagano, Mia Enderby, Lily Woodham, Jenna Clark (C), Kirsty MacLean, Alice Bergstrom, Aurelie Csillag

Used Subs:

Charlton Athletic

Mia Ross, Gillian Kenney, Katie Lockwood, Ellie Mason, Emma Bissell, Gracie Pearse

Liverpool

Beata Olsson, Alejandra Bernabe, Martha Thomas, Risa Shimizu, Zara Shaw

Kick off at The Valley started with Charlton Athletic, trying to keep possession, but it was met with Liverpool’s early pressure. 

Soon in, we saw a header from Mia Enderby tipped over the bar by Sophie Whitehouse. Corner for giving a corner to the Reds. This was taken by Lily Woodham, punched away by Whitehouse and collectedby the keeper. 

Charlton had a couple of chances from Karin Muya and Amalie Thestrup, but Liverpool kept maintaining possession leaaving the Addicks no time on the ball. While their possession is high theyre not taking many chances. 

Liverpool continued to hunt for a breakthrough via the flanks, with Lily Woodham’s dangerous deliveries forcing a strong clearance from Gloria Siber before finding the head of Mia Enderby, who steered her effort just over the bar. Despite Karin Muya providing a spark for Charlton on the right, Liverpool’s pressure remained constant as Alice Bergstrom and Fuka Nagano both saw late crosses and shots sail off-target

With 1 minute of injury time added after the first half, neither side was able to get on the scoresheet.

Soon into the second half, we saw a triple change for both sides, starting with Charlton, seeing Mia Ross, Gillian Kenney and Katie Lockwood coming on for Karin Muya, Amalie Thestrup and Katie Bradley. For Liverpool, seeing Beata Olsson, Alejandra Bernabe and Martha Thomas coming on for Lily Woodham, Aurelie Csillag and Denise O’Sullivan. 

Once the new substitutions came on, it was a battle down the side from Mia Enderby and Mia Ross, with Ross getting a booking for a foul on the forward. A free kick is given just outside the box on the right.  Taken by Cornelia Kapocs, it was sent to the back post, but couldn’t connect with anyone, seeing it out. 

Substitutions for both teams saw Charlotte Newsham leave the pitch and Ellie Mason come on for Charlton. Additionally, Alice Bergstrom comes off for Risa Shimizu for Liverpool. 

Mia Enderby, on the right, sends a ball to Martha Thomas whos in the middle of the box. It looks like a shot towards the bottom right corner, but Beata Olsson backheels it, with it ending up in the bottom left. Unfortunately, Olsson was offside, so the goal didn’t stand. 

Seems like Charlton can’t get out of their own half. They’re putting all of their bodies behind the ball to defend, so they can’t move up the pitch quickly enough when they get a chance to counterattack. 

The physical intensity of the match boiled over when Elisha N’dow and Martha Thomas collided, resulting in a yellow card for the Charlton defender and a brief pause in play as physios were called on to treat her.

Substitutions for Charlton see Keira Flannery coming off for Emma Bissell. 

After 7 minutes of scrappy added time, the full-time whistle goes, and it’s 0-0. At the Valley. Into extra time. 

After a tough afternoon battling with Mia Enderby, Gracie Pearse leaves the pitch, with Mary McAteer coming on to replace her. 

Zara Shaw makes her comeback for the Reds, coming on for Mia Enderby. She’s been out for just under a year after tearing her ACL in April 2025 while on international duty for the England under-19s. 

Charlton is given a Goal Kick after a shot from the Reds. Goalkeeper Sophie Whitehouse takes her time with this and receives a booking for time-wasting. 

Kapocs takes the corner, sending it into the 10-year box. It’s headed away by the Addicks, in again, off the crossbar and brought down. Then shot into the back of the net by Zara Shaw. With 5 minutes to go its  Charlton Athletic 0-1 Liverpool. 

1 minute of added time is given, but it isn’t enough for the Addicks to turn it around. At the end of Extra Time, it is Charlton Athletic 0 – 1 Liverpool. 

The drama on the pitch was matched by the significance of the crowd in the stands. A total of 2,164 fans watched on – the highest attendance for a women’s fixture at The Valley in over 20 years. In a week where the club hoped for a record-breaking turnout, the SE7 faithful delivered, creating an atmosphere that pushed both sides through 120 minutes. 

Categories
WSL

Back in the Groove: Walsh and Thompson Secure Vital Derby Win

Setting up for a grey London Derby in N17. Tottenham Hotspur are currently having a record-breaking season, but they face off against the reigning champions of England. Will Chelsea get back on track in a disappointing couple of games, or will Spurs push ahead in their efforts to climb the table? 

Spurs                                   

Lize Kop (GK), Amanda Nilden, Signe Gaupset, Bethany England (C), Olivia Holdt, Matilda Vinberg, Clare Hunt, Hanna Wijk, Eveliina Summanen, Toko Koga, Julie Blakstad

Chelsea

Hannah Hampton (GK), Ellie Carpenter, Millie Bright (C), Veerle Buurman, Sjoeke Nusken, Erin Cuthbert, Lauren James, Alyssa Thompson, Naomi Girma, Johanna Rhytting-Kaneryd, Keira Walsh  

Tottenham Hotspur Used Subs

Olga Ahtinen, Lenna Gunning-Williams, Cathinka Tandberg, Matilda Nilden, 

Chelsea Used Subs

Lexi Potter, Sandy Baltimore, Sam Kerr, Guro Reiten, Chloe Sarwie

First 5-minute came with full Chelsea possession in the Spurs half. But both teams soon found a rhythm. With Chelsea maintaining the majority of possession and Spurs allowing this, they found their chances on the counterattack. 

Keira Walsh set up Johanna Rytting Kaneryd in the 13th minute for a close-range effort that was ultimately gathered by Kop, while a dangerous Lauren James cross five minutes later narrowly missed Sjoeke Nüsken.

With penalty box pinball, goalkeeper spills and volley shots, Spurs looked like they were all over chelsea attacking wise in the first half. But all they needed in reward was a goal.

But a Chelsea corner taken by Erin Cuthbert was headed down by Julie Blakstad. It lands in the middle of the box for Keira Walsh to hit on the half volley, sending it past Lize Kop. After 38 minutes, it’s 0-1 to the Blues. 

Erin Cuthbert steals the ball from the Spurs defence, playing it to Johanna Rhytting Kaneryd. She dribbles it further into the box to Alyssa Thompson, who lays it off for Lauren James. She hits it first time, sending it over the crossbar. 

At the end of the first half, while Chelsea beat Tottenham in possession, Spurs dominated with shots testing their goalkeeper and defence. But Chelsea found a way through with a goal from Keira Walsh. With 45 minutes left to play its Tottenham 0-1 Chelsea

Just before the second half, Chelsea made their first substitution with youngster Lexi Potter coming on for Keira Walsh. 

4 Minutes into the half. Sjoeke Nusken finds herself one-on-one with Lize Kop. Takes a shot and is initially blocked by the keeper. Alyssa Thompson is there for the rebound and hits it first time into the top left corner. Straight after the break, it is 0-2 to Chelsea. 

Chelsea made their second substitution of the match with Sandy Baltimore coming on for Lauren James. 

Soon after, Spurs made their first substitutions for the match, seeing Julie Blakstad on for Olga Ahtinen, Matilda Vinberg for Lenna Gunning Williams and Beth England leaving for Cathinka Tandberg. 

Corner headed away by the spurs defence, landing for Sandy Baltimore. She hits it, sending it towards lots of bodies in the box, where it lands for Girma. She shoots, but the ball is caught by Kop. 

Tottenham’s next subs saw Signe Gaupset off for Matilda Nilden. 

Chelsea looks strong in the middle, but Spurs look like they’ve had the wind taken out of them. They’re looking for a goal but are struggling to maintain possession. 

With 20 minutes left to go, both teams are in need of fresh legs. Araya Dennis comes on for Hannah Wijk for Tottenham. While Chelsea brings on Guro Reiten, and Sam Kerr are on for Alyssa Thompson and Sjoeke Nusken. 

A Tottenham Chance saw a ball from Tandberg in the middle sent out to Olivia Holdt. She found herself one-on-one with Goalkeeper Hannah Hampton. She shot straight at the keeper, what could have been gamechanging chance for Spurs keeps the score at 0-2 to the visitors. 

Substitution for Chelsea saw an injured Millie Bright coming off for youngster Chloe Sawie. A change in formation for the blues going for an attacking last 10 minutes. 

Just toward the end of the 5 minutes added time, Johanna Rhytting-Kaneryd comes charging down the right flank. She tries to go around Kop, but she’s able to reach for the ball, preventing a third goal. 

The stats flipped from the first half to the second with Chelsea claiming even more possession and dominating in shots. While Tottenham looked like they had the wind taken out of them after the second goal early in the second half. Final score in North London is Tottenham Hotspur 0-2 Chelsea.

Categories
WSL

London is Red: Arsenal Reassert Capital Dominance with 2-0 Triumph

Chelsea Starting Lineup

Hannah Hampton (GK), Ellie Carpenter, Millie Bright (C), Erin Cuthbert, Guro Reiten, Alyssa Thompson, Naomi Girma, Sandy Baltimore, Weike Kaptein, Sam Kerr, Lucy Bronze                                     

Chelsea Used Subsitutions

Keira Walsh, Lauren James, Aggie Beever Jones, Johanna Rhytting-Kaneryd, Sjoeke Nusken

Arsenal Starting Lineup

Anneke Borbe (GK), Emily Fox, Lotte Wubben-Moy, Steph Cately, Mariona Caldentey, Beth Mead, Kim Little (C), Katie McCabe, Caitlin Foord, Alessia Russo, Stina Blackstenius

Arsenal Used Subsitutions

Victoria Pelova, Smilla Holmberg, Laia Codina, Taylor Hinds

Arsenal opened the match aggressively, missing a close-range chance in the first minute immediately after Chelsea were ruled offside. The hosts responded in the 7th minute as Millie Bright found Sam Kerr to set up Alyssa Thompson, but the Arsenal recovery defense quickly closed down the shooting angle.

In the 11th minute, Hannah Hampton was forced into a reaction save to prevent a Lucy Bronze own goal following a dangerous Beth Mead cross. Two minutes later, Thompson’s low ball across the box was cleared before Erin Cuthbert could connect, with Katie McCabe intervening to end the Chelsea attack.

Soon in beth mead received a booking after catching the leg of Erin Cutherbert sending her down. 

With Chelsea chances from Sam Kerr and Sandy Baltimore nothing found the back of the net.

Stina Blacksteius sends the ball to Beth Mead, who sends it back towards the Swede. She gets a head on it but hits the post, sending it out for a goal kick. With 4 minutes added time, neither side were able to find a goal in the first half, Chelsea 0-0 Arsenal.  

Back after the break, Beth Mead receives the ball from Stina Blackstenius on the edge of the 10-yard box. Taking a touch, she slots it into the bottom left corner. Just after the break it was 0-1 to the Gunners. 

After the Goal Chelsea look to repsond with subsitutions, seeing Keira Walsh come on for Sam Kerr and Lauren James on for Guro Reitren. Soon After Alyssa Thompson running down the wing and taking a shot on goal, just too far to the right. 

Beth Mead receives the ball and squares it for Mariona Caldentey on the edge of the box. She takes a touch, driving into the box and places it in the bottom right corner before Hannah hampton can react. It’s 0-2 to Arsenal. 

Subsitutions saw Aggie Beever Jones come on for Weike Kaptein and Johanna Rhytting-Kaneryd on for Millie Bright. A change in formation to become more attacking. Soon after, Arsenal made their first substitution of the match seeing Victoria Pelove come on for Beth Mead. 

Shortly thereafter Emily Fox collects the ball drives the ball down the flank, taking a shot just outside the box, which is tipped over the bar by Hannah Hampton. 

Both teams made quick substitutions Erin Cuthbert coming off for Sjoeke Nusken and Smilla Holmberg coming on for Mariona Caldentey.

Stina Blackstenius had a chance breaking down the left flank and found herself one-on-one with Hannah Hampton. She shot, but was denied by the keeper. 

The last ten minutes was all chelsea pushing for a goal. With chances from Aggie beever Jones, Lauren James and Erin Cuthbert. 

Arsenal made two substitutions to see the match out with Laila Codina coming on for Katie McCabe and Taylor Hinds on for Emily Fox. 

With 5 Minutes of Added time Chelsea pushes to get one back, but the damage has already been done. At the end of the London Derby, it’s 2-0 to Arsenal

Categories
Uncategorized

Young Lionesses Hold On for Crucial 1-0 Win Over Blunted Norway

England Lineup

Katie Cox (GK), Mari Ward, Jess Simpson, Ruby Mace (C), Gracie Prior, Teyah Goldie, Fiona Barry, Maisie Symonds, Isobel Goodwin, Erica Parkinson, Lexi Lloyd-Smith

Norway Lineup

Thrill Raekstad Erichsen (GK), Mia Authen, Emille Bragstad, Julie Aune Jorde, Kamilla Melgard, Emille Osteras, Iris Omarsdottir, Thea Kyvag, Ylinn Tennebo, Stine Brekken, Emma Braut Brunes

England Substitutions

Olivia McGlochlin, Evie Rabjon, Sarah Barsero, Chloe Sawie, Lenna Gunning Williams

Norway Substitutions

Cille Nilsen, Synne Aunehaugen, Oda Johansen, Monica Isaken

It took a couple of chances for England to get into the groove, with early chances from Erica Parkinson, Maisie Symonds and Isobel Goodwin, but none finding their way to the back of the net.  

The away side tries and gets their foot in, with a ball in from Ylinn Tennebo with nobody on the end of it and a run from Kamilla Melgard, which is closed down by Gracie Prior and shepherded out of danger. 

Lexi Lloyd Smith is able to work the ball down the left, playing it to Isobel Goodwin, heading it at an angle, sending it toward the right. This is collected by Fiona Barry and passed to Mari Ward, sending it toward the 10-yard box to be finished off by an Isobel Goodwin header. 25 minutes in its 1-0 to England. 

Isobel Goodwin steals the ball from Norwegian midfielder Stine Brekken and squares it for Erica Parkinson. She receives it but is blocked by Emma Braut Brunes. It’s the last real chance of the half, with the Lionesses going into the second half one-nil up. 

Early on in the second half, we saw back-to-back shots from Izzy Goodwin, the first one blocked by Goalkeeper Thrill Raekstad Erichsen and her second from a slide tackle by Mia Authen. 

Substitutions for England see Maisie Symonds leaving the pitch for Olivia McGlochlin, while Teyah Goldie is out for Evie Rabjon. 

Later on, we saw Lexi Lloyd Smith out for Sarah Barsero and Jess Simpson out for Chloe Sawie, getting her first cap for the under-23s debut at just 16, making her the youngest debutant for the Under-23s bracket. We also saw a triple substitution for Norway, with Kamilla Melgard out for Cille Nilsen, Stine Brekken out for Synne Aunehaugen and Emma Braut Brunes out for Oda Johansen.

With all the action near the Norwegian goal, but not many chances, another set of substitutes comes soon. With Goalscorer Isobel Goodwin leaving the pitch, being replaced by fan favourite Lenna Gunning Williams. 

Soon after, we saw the last Norwegian substitutions for the match, with Monica Isaken coming on for Julie Aune Jorde.

Soon into the 5 extra minutes, we see a ball from Sarah Barsero nearly finds Erica Parkinson in the box, a near shot for the Lionesses. 

But the final whistle goes, and it was decided in the first half, 1-0 to the Lionesses.