THERE WAS a time when a third / fourth playoff at the World Cup wasn’t a “nonsense match” – in England at least. Just five years ago in fact, when the Lionesses won their Bronze medal in Canada. It remains the best World Cup performance by a senior England team since 1966 and represented a symbolic reboot for women's football triggering exponential growth in coverage, investment and uptake at grass roots levels across the country...
WITH THE football authorities announcing that tiers three to seven of women's football have been rendered null and void in England I had a decision to make. Carry on with the AFC Wimbledon Ladies blog? Or abandon it? Well here's your answer. I've seen (and heard) far too much of my kids this week. At least I can hide in the kitchen while I write this...
Beth England scored a dramatic stoppage time winner to give Chelsea Women their first Continental Cup Trophy...
MATCHES have been coming thick and fast for the AFC Wimbledon ladies as Autumn heads into Winter. With cup matches filling up the schedule and inclement weather already putting paid to some fixtures, it’s been hectic for Kevin Foster and his squad – both on and off the pitch.
WE'RE GOING American this week… ahead of the NWSL playoffs we’re reflecting on the North Carolina Courage’s campaign. The ‘Shield’, which is awarded to the team with the best regular season record, has already made its way back to the catchily titled Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park – for a third consecutive year. Here, D2B looks at five matches that were central to the Courage retaining their title...
"Attack of the front four". We're back with the AFC Wimbledon Ladies. Now it’s battle stations with the Womble Alliance beginning their season at Ipswich, plus my first visit ever to an FA Women’s National League game, with Cambridge United the visitors to Colston Avenue…
Our first ever FA Women’s Super League match. Top-flight footy? Chelsea versus WSL debutants Tottenham Hotspur? At Stamford Bridge? Free tickets? Even the wife got on board with that and she can’t stand football!
FRANCE edged a tight encounter at St Mirren Park to record their fifth U-19 championship title. Maëlle Lakrar’s deft flick from a Julie Dufour corner was the difference, but it could have so easily swung the other way had a couple of key moments gone the Germans’ way…
THE USA successfully defended their world crown, beating the Netherlands in Lyon to secure their fourth FIFA Women’s World Cup title. Golden Ball and Golden Boot Winner, Megan Rapinoe, gave Team USA the lead from the penalty spot after VAR correctly adjudged that Stefanie van der Gragt had fouled Alex Morgan. Bronze Boot winner Rose Lavelle put the result beyond doubt with a left-footed strike from the edge of the box...
SWEDEN took the bronze medal match in Nice, despatching England with a ruthless opening half hour in which they struck twice; then doggedly defending out the remainder of the game. Kosovare Asllani got the scoring under way on 11 minutes driving past Carly Telford following a poor defensive clearance. Sofia Jakobsson then added a second, cutting in from the left and curling past the England keeper. Fran Kirby halved the deficit on 31 minutes, and Ellen White had a goal ruled out by VAR for handball shortly after...
