Tag: WOSO

Categories
Uncategorized

Brighton & hove Albion hold PSG to tight draw on South Coast

Image via Wing Chong (@thoughtsofawing) for Constancy Sport

It’s set to be an interesting match up today as Brighton & Hove Albion host Paris Saint Germain in a pre-season friendly at the American Express Stadium this afternoon.

Brighton go into today’s game having finished seventh in the league last season but after reaching the FA Cup final at Wembley and strengthening multiple positions over the summer, the Sea Gulls are hoping to have a positive start to the 26/27 campaign.

Meanwhile, PSG finished third in the league last year, were runners up in the Coupe de France and were knocked out of the champions league in the league phase, which by their standards, is sub par. They too have signed a variety of players this summer however have gone for a more youthful outlook on things.

Brighton & Hove Albion

Starting XI: Loeck (GK), Auee, Hayes, Minami, Olislagers, Walti, Joramo, Kirby ©, Murphy, Garcia, Seike

PSG

Starting XI: Kiedryzynek (GK), De Almedia, Karchaoui, Jourde, Chagas, Groenen, Leuchter, Feller, Mbock, Charlier, Olga

Paris Saint Germain kicked off on the South Coast this afternoon through Romee Leuchter, although both sides looked surprisingly even in the opening stages.

PSG soon earned the first corner of the game but Leuchter’s delivery sailed straight into the gloves of Melina Loeck.

Brighton registered their first real chance of the game in the ninth minute, with Kiko Seike applying pressure deep on the right-hand side. PSG’s Naomie Feller however was able to regain possession for the visitors and break through on the counter attack, but her effort flew well over the bar.

PSG looked to have a chance to break the deadlock in the 15th minute with Sakina Karchaoui and Leuchter linking up in front of goal. However, Moeka Minami produced a fantastic block to stop the visitors getting ahead.

The hosts soon won their own first corner of the afternoon, with Marissa Olislagers delivering into a dangerous area. Olivia Garcia was unable to make contact with the cross, however. 

The next real chance of the game came courtesy of a stellar cross from Isabela Chagas, Naomie Feller however missed the target once more.

Moeka Minami provided a huge ball over the top from within her own half in the 35th minute, sending Fran Kirby racing up the pitch, the seagulls looked to be through on goal, the latter however was unable to find her footing though, and the opportunity went begging. 

PSG finally found the opener three minutes later after Sakina Karchoui sent Caitlin Hayes spinning on the left, providing the perfect delivery for Alyssa Charlier to slot the ball home.

38’ GOAL – Alyssa Charlier

Brighton were awarded a free kick in dangerous territory moments before half time. A short pass from Marissa Olislagers found  Fran Kirby, who crossed the ball towards goal, Brighton looked to Caitlin Hayes, whose header sailed into the gloves of Kiedrzynek.

Seconds later, Brighton regained possession from the resulting goal kick and came close once again, with the ball flying within inches of the post. 

With two minutes added time announced, PSG earned a free kick on the edge of the box. Romee Leuchter’s ball looked to be heading straight towards the face of goal, however the host’s wall proved to be the better, standing tall and sending the ball back to the feet of Leuchter and preventing the deficit being doubled.

HALF TIME: BRIGHTON 0-1 PSG

Second half XI:

Brighton: Heeps (GK), Vanegas, Pegram, Symonds, Haley,Cankovic, Rayner, Tvedten, Peskett, Tsunoda, Rule

PSG: Kiedryzynek (GK), De Almedia, Karchaoui, Chagas, Groenen, Leuchter, Feller, Elimbi Gilbert, Ebayilin, Mbock, Morissaint

With a full team of subs from Brighton, the second half was under way. 

Sophie Peskett provided the first chance of the half in the 49th minute, crossing the ball to Madison Haley who was unable to find the target.

An unexpected misplaced pass from the PSG back line gifted Brighton the first corner of the second half. Jelena Cankovic delivered, but her effort failed to cause any real danger. 

A relatively quiet ten minutes meant that the next piece of action was a six way substitution from the visitors at the 60th minute mark with Thiniba Samoura, Paulina Dudek, Tante Diakite, Noemie Fatier, Jade Le Guilly and Marie Estella Lafontaine replaced Elisa De Almeida, Isabela Chagas, Jackie Groenen, Romee Leuchter, Naomie Feller and Griedge Mbock on the field.

Five minutes later, it looked as though PSG were about to find their second of the game. Elimbi Gilbert broke free from Charlie Rule on the wing and pushed high on the pitch, Jelena Cankovic however, denied the visitors once more.

With 20 minutes on the clock, the final hydration break of the game was made and Sakina Karchoui made way for Gabrielle Le Roux

Brighton earned yet another corner in dangerous territory once again once play continued, however Cankovic’s ball was deflected back into the possession of the parisians

After 75 minutes, Jelena Cankovic made way for the gulls’ latest addition, Gabby George, who received a warm welcome from the Albion supporters upon her home debut.

Kiedryznek was put to action soon after, with a double attack from the gulls putting the visitors’ lead under serious pressure.

With five minutes remaining, Sophie Peskett earnt Brighton another free kick on the edge of the box and it was here that the hosts found their first of the game, with Maisie Symonds shooting the ball beyond the keeper and bringing the game level.

85’ GOAL – Maisie Symonds

Four minutes of added time were announced, but Brighton were to deal with a late blow when Bex Rayner was forced off the pitch. Tahirah Heron was introduced as the hosts’ final substitute.

PSG were still searching for a late winner, with Eleanor Heeps forced into a save from a long-range effort in the dying moments. It proved to be the final attempt of the afternoon.

Full time – Brighton & Hove 1-1 Paris Saint Germain

A positive performance from both sides meant that the game ended in a stalemate on the south coast. PSG looked to have the win in the bag for the first 60 minutes however Maisie Symonds free kick provided an extra life from Brighton, who saw the game out at a goal a piece

Categories
Lionesses

ENGLAND VS UKRAINE PREVIEW

PHOTO: Lionesses (X)


The Lionesses face a crunch match this week at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, as they take on Ukraine in their final FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 qualifier this Tuesday.

In their last game, England were handed their heaviest-ever defeat under Sarina Wiegman when current world champions Spain beat them 4-0 in Mallorca. This result throws a curveball into the works in terms of automatic qualification.

In the qualifying groups, only first places go to the World Cup automatically, whereas second place goes through a playoff system against other best-placed teams to decide who goes through.

For England to be able to qualify automatically, they would need to win against Ukraine and have Iceland win or draw against Spain.

In the reverse fixture, the Lionesses ran riot and went on to win 6-1 with Russo, Stanway and Jess Park all scoring braces in the game back in March. England went into the break only leading 1-0, but a spirited Ukraine side pulled it back to 2-1 on the 57-minute mark before England ramped up the gears, eventually scoring another four to secure the win.

The Hill Dickinson Stadium is host tomorrow, in what is the first women’s international fixture hosted there since it opened. It has played host to Everton Women already this season in the WSL, but this will be the first time an England international side has played there since its opening in 2025.

Speaking about the trip to Merseyside, manager Sarina Wiegman said the following: “I’m really looking forward to it. Going around the country is really nice, but playing in this new stadium, in Liverpool, which is a big city, a football city,I feel excited.

“I’m grateful that we can play here. We play in many very exciting stadiums, and I think England has many exciting stadiums and areas to play in, and we’re going around a little bit, and I’m really enjoying that.” (Quotes via Liverpool Echo).

Categories
Uncategorized

BUURMAN WINNER SEES CHELSEA THROUGH TO FA CUP SEMI FINALS

image via @chelseafcw on instagram

Chelsea 

Starting XI: Hampton (GK), Carpenter, Nusken, Cuthbert ©, James, Thompson, Girma, Kerr, Charles, Buchanan, Walsh

Subs: Buurman (60’), Kaptein (72’), Baltimore (72’)

Spurs

Starting XI: Kop (GK), Nilden, Gaupset, England ©, Vinberg, Tandberg, Wijk, Spence, Summanen, Koga, Blackstad

Subs: Morris (71’), Holdt (71’) Gaupset (88’)

It was the quarter final of the FA cup today and Chelsea hosted Tottenham Hotspurs at Kingsmeadow. With a rough past couple of matches for both teams, and Chelsea being knocked out of the Champions League by Arsenal, all was to play for.

The teams have met twice already this season, with Chelsea winning both matches by both 1-0 and 2-0.

Chelsea took kick off at Kingsmeadow through Lauren James and started off positively on the ball.

The Lillywhites first chance on goal came through Signe Gaupset who broke free of the Chelsea defence quite early on, Niamh Charles however, was able to dispossess the Norwegian international inside the box.

Chelsea’s first big chance came from a cross by Niamh Charles on the left flank which met the boots of Alyssa Thompson, whose shot was eventually saved by Tottenham’s Lize Kop.

Lize Kop was forced into yet another save in the 11th minute when Lauren James took a shot from outside the box, this then led to Chelsea’s second successive corner.

Chelsea earnt a free kick in dangerous territory the fifteenth minute, and with Lauren James standing over the ball, an opening goal was looking promising. The resulting shot however went just wide of goal.

Another corner came in the 19th minute, courtesy of Lauren James, who took it short to Alyssa Thompson , the USA international’s cross however only went as far as Spurs’ first man.

Chelsea’s next chance came from Lauren James once again, who took another shot on goal in the 24th minute, this however was shot well wide of the cross bar.

The blues earnt a free kick inside their own half due to a penalising foul from Amanda Nilden, who earned herself a yellow card as a result.

Sam Kerr found the opener in the 40th minute with a header off the back of Keira Walsh’s cross.

Half time score: Chelsea 1-0 Tottenham Hotspur

Spurs took kick off ahead of the second half through Catinka Tandberg and continued to dominate throughout the opening stages in terms of possession for the opening stages.

The Lillywhites came close to their first shortly later after Kadeisha Buchanan stopped her play after thinking a free kick was due after a shirt pull. However, play continued through former Blue, Bethany England, Hannah Hampton however was first to it, denying the Spurs captain from finding the equaliser.

With a foul on Matilda Vinberg, Tottenham Hotspurs earned themselves a free kick in dangerous territory, and with Evelina Summanen stood over the ball, Chelsea were in for a tricky defensive task. Summanen, decided to go direct on goal, skimming the ball past the gloves of Hannah Hampton and equalising for the Lillywhites.

Sam Kerr came close to putting Chelsea ahead once again after Amanda Nilden misplaced  a back pass, allowing the Australian to get through on goal, her resulting shot however, was put wide.

In the 57th minute Amanda Nilden came close to doubling the score for Spurs however Hannah Hampton showed her skill once again and punched the ball out for a corner.

Just a couple of minutes later, Niamh Charles made way for Veerle Buurman, the former still having her minutes managed after more than three months of injury.

In the 64th minute, Sjoeke Nusken and Ellie Carpenter linked up for what looked like Chelsea’s second, this however was sent just wide of the post by the Australian international.

Before long, Ella Morris took to the field, replacing Hannahb Wijk in her first game back from her ACL injury. This came with Olivia Holdt also replacing Eveliina Summanen. In terms of Chelsea substitutions, it was here that Sandy Baltimore and Wieke Kaptein replaced Sjoeke Nusken and Lauren James.

With both sides looking for the match winner, the following ten minutes were met with end to end action, however neither team were able to find the finishing product.

In the 82nd minute, Wieke Kaptein was able to break through the Tottenham defence and pull off a cross in front of goal, Alyssa Thompson however was unable to meet the ball and produce a finish.

With five minutes on the clock, Veerle Buurman weaved her way through the Spurs defence, taking a left footed shot from the edge of the box and sending the ball to the top right corner, straight past the gloves of Lize Kop.

With three minutes injury time announced and Tottenham looking for their second equaliser, Catinka Tandberg received a promising ball from Olivia Holdt, and struck the ball just wide of the goal, only just missing out on the target.

And with that, the full time whistle was blown, an impressive display from both teams however it was Chelsea who came out victorious, sealing their place in the FA Cup Semi Finals.

Full time: Chelsea 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur

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

SEVEN GOAL THRILLER SEES CHELSEA CLINCH THREE POINTS OVER ASTON VILLA

Image via @chelseafcw on Instagram

Chelsea FC:

Starting XI: Hampton (GK), Carpenter, Buurman, Nusken, James, Thompson, Girma, Kaptein, Kerr, Bronze, Walsh © 

Substitutes: Cuthbert (53’), Baltimore (53’) Charles (73′), Potter (90′)

Aston Villa:

Starting XI: Roebuck (GK), Patten ©, Jean Francois, Wilms, Maritz, Hanson, Kendall, Grant, Deslandes, Taylor, Nighswonger

Substitutes: Hijikata (68′), Salmon (75′), D’Angelo (79′)

Chelsea FC hosted their final league game at Kingsmeadow this season earlier today in a bid to secure a spot in the leagues’ top three. The hosts have been in a battle with Manchester United since January for eventual third place in the league but with the recent Manchester derby seeing the North-West painted blue, Sonia Bompastor’s Blue’s are in high hopes for the closing stages of the season.

Last time the sides faced eachother, Chelsea won 3-1 with goals from Aggie Beever-Jones, Keira Walsh and Sam Kerr cancelling out that of Ebony Salmon. The visitors sit in eighth in the league, with just 5 wins this season but with a win, draw and a loss in each of their last three games, the game is an open affair. 

Chelsea took kick off via Lauren James in South London however failed to prove any threat from the whistle, with Lynn Wilms linking up with Chasity Grant to find the opener for Aston Villa less than two minutes in.

A promising spell infront of goal came from Chelsea in the fifth minute, with Lauren James taking aim but beiong blocked by Lynn Wilms and the deflection rolling to Veerle Buurman, who shot just wide of goal.

Throughout the next ten minutes, both sides had equal effort infront of goal, with Chelsea winning the first corner of the game. Here the ball was layed off for Lauren James who shot from the edge of the box, Ellie Roebuck however, beat her antics, safely collecting the ball at the near post. It was from here on that Chelsea found their form, dominating in possession and upping their effortinfront of goal.

Sjoeke Nusken had another promising chance in the 17th minute, with Ellie Roebuck being forced into yet another crucial save.

Sam Kerr continued her stellar form from the Asian Cup and in the 20th minute, she broke free from the Villians defence to slot one past Ellie Roebuck to close the deficit.

Just two minutes later, Chelsea found the back of the net once again, this time from Lauren James, who linked up with Alyssa Thompson on a corner once again to give Chelsea the lead for the first time today.

Chelsea maintained their dominance in the following minutes, with Lauen James claiming the ball on the edge of the box and slotting the ball past the Villa keeper once more. That’s three goals in eight minutes for the current league champions.

Chelsea’s glory didn’t last for long however, with Aston Villa making an effort to close the gap in the 32nd minute, this time through Kirsty Hanson who did just that, making the score 3-2 to the Blues.

Just four minutes later, Villa broke through the Chelsea defence once again, with Kirsty Hanson finding her second and Villa’s third, closing the gap once again.

With a break in play due to a suspected injury on Sjoeke Nusken, both teams took the time to recalibrate, assumingly attempting to erase their defensive woes.

With three minutes added time on the clock, Aston Villa had one final push on goal, this however lead to nothing, with the Blue’s reclaiming possession and earning the final touch of the half.

Half time: Chelsea 3-3 Aston Villa

With the second half underway, Chelsea looked slightly more dominant on the ball. Whilst failing to provide any real threat infront of goal, Alyssa Thompson did win a free kick for the hosts, this however led to nothing with the attempt being blocked.

In the 53rd minute, Erin Cuthbert and Sandy Baltimore took to the field, replacing Wieke Kaptein and Naomi Girma in an attempt to bolster the Blue’s attack from further back on the pitch.

Throughout the next ten minutes, Chelsea began their dominance in possession once again, with the ball rarely leaving Chelsea’s attacking third. Despite Lucy Bronze’s headed attempt on goal, the Blue’s were yet to find a difference maker.

In the 67th minute, Villa made their first substitution of the game, replacing Miri Taylor with Maya Hijikata in her return from the Asian Cup.

Chelsea had a few more promising chances on goal however, despite their best efforts, Ellie Roebuck’s experience was proven best throughout.

Before long, Niamh Charles made her return to the pitch, replacing Alyssa Thompson and taking her first competitive touches in more than three months due to injury.

Just two minutes later, Chastity Grant made way for Ebony Salmon before Ellie Roebuck was also forced off the field through injury, forcing Sabrina D’Angelo to the field.

In the 82nd minute, Chelsea came alive once more, with Sjoeke Nusken linking up with Chelsea’s Australian duo, Sam Kerr and Ellie Carpenter to produce Chelsea’s fourth and final goal of the game.

The following stages followed much the same from both sides, with Aston Villa trying to equalise once again and Chelsea wanting to guarantee a victory.

For the villains, this meant a rattle of the bar from Kirsty Hanson as well as a missed header from Anna Patten in a desperate bid to squash the deficit once and for all. These both however proved too little too late, with the match finishing 4-3 to the hosts.

Full time: Chelsea 4-3 Aston Villa