Match Preview: Liverpool Ladies v Everton Ladies

 Since Liverpool Ladies last stepped out, Arsenal Ladies have played out two goal-less draws to hand advantage in the title race back to the red half of Merseyside. Liverpool go into the final two games of the season knowing that winning both will see them crowned Women's Super League Champions and guarantee Champions League football in 2014.

 That said, the opponents the reds are due to take on in those two games are no easy task. First this Thursday our neighbours Everton pay a visit to Halton Stadium, Widnes while on the final day Bristol Academy will arrive for a game that could be a title decider.

 This will be the 3rd derby of the 2013 season, back in March the two teams fought to a 1-1 draw during the first competitive fixture of the campaign. A bitterly cold night in Widnes saw a cagey affair in which Louise Fors opened the scoring from the penalty spot before Nikita Parris grabbed an equaliser, giving Everton a share of the points in the Continental  Cup tie.

 The next time the sides met was back in June shortly before the European Championship induced break. After a scrappy opening Nicole Rolser put the reds ahead but again Everton were able to get a goal back through their captain Jill Scott.

 This time however Liverpool managed to pull themselves back in front, Louise Fors again scoring a derby goal to make it 2-1. Corina Schroder then scored her first - and to date only - Liverpool goal before Natasha Dowie added a fourth minutes from time.

 A shaky start to the second half of the season for Liverpool seen a home defeat in the league to Arsenal Ladies and an exit from the Continental Cup against Lincoln Ladies on penalties. Despite this Liverpool have gone on to win their last 5 matches, two thrilling yet narrow 4-3's versus Bristol Academy and Chelsea Ladies. A 4-2 victory away at Birmingham City and two games against Doncaster Belles to conclude the 5 with a total of 11 goals scored and 0 conceded.

 In the last 5 games Liverpool have scored 23 goals, conceding 8. While in the last 3 they have scored 11 and conceded just 2. 

 Amongst the goals of course is brilliant striker Natasha Dowie. This week Dowie earned an overdue but well deserved call up to the England squad ahead of the World Cup Qualifiers later this month. Captain Gemma Bonner has also received a call up following her fine form and after winning the league's August Goal of the Month, alongside Suarez-esqe (according to the WSL highlights commentator!) Lucy Bronze and Fara Williams.

 Liverpool's two wide players Nicole Rolser and Louise Fors have been fantastic all season and have 20 goals between them. The duo are a constant attacking threat constantly switching wings and running rings around opposition defences.

 Goalkeeper Rachael Laws was dropped after the Cup defeat to Lincoln but after being recalled to the side a couple of games later, Laws put out a great performance last week against Doncaster to keep her second clean sheet in her last 3 starts.

 Everton Ladies have played 6 games this side of the season, winning just the once against Chelsea at home. In their first game back they were narrowly beaten 3-2 at home by  Bristol Academy, the blues were very unlucky not to take at least a point from the games and at times displayed great attacking movement.

 Two heavy defeats followed to Arsenal before the Chelsea win lifted the Blues spirits. Last week they lost 2-1 away to Birmingham and at the weekend were held at Doncaster's Keepmoat Stadium to a 1-1 draw.

 Despite the poor run Everton have only failed to scored in 2 of the last 6 games and boast the services of England forward Toni Duggan up front.

 Recently they have lost excellent young keeper Lizzie Durack as she has left to go to college in the USA. No. 1 Rachel Brown-Finnis suffered an injury during the pre-match warm up at Birmingham meaning new signing Megan Walsh made her debut between the posts.

 With Everton looking to end their poor run and Liverpool spurred on by the fact winning this game puts them another step closer to the league title, as well as the small matter this is a Merseyside derby, this should be a great game between two sides both capable of winning and scoring goals.

 The game kicks off at 7:30pm at Halton Stadium, Widnes. Anfield ST holders have free entry to this and all Liverpool Ladies home games, alternatively Adult tickets are £5 and Concessions £2.50.

 The game is also live on BT Sport for anyone who can't make it!

 Thanks for reading, make sure you follow @LFCLadiesFans for updates during the games.

Match Report: Liverpool Ladies 2 - 0 Doncaster Belles

 Goals either side of half-time gave Liverpool Ladies a well deserved win over the leagues bottom placed side Doncaster Belles. Louise Fors' second half strike was also a record breaker, being Liverpool's 39th of the WSL season it meant that we overtook Arsenal for most goals scored by a team in a single season - with two games to go!

 Despite their low league position Doncaster came out fighting, Sue Smith urging her team mates forward. Smith made an early run down the right wing, coming up against Liverpool left-back Corina Schroder who put the ball out for a throw from which Liverpool quickly gained possession.

 Liverpool began passing the ball around and shifted into second gear with a number of attacking plays, first Lucy Bronze's ball found Natasha Dowie but the attack was cut off by the Doncaster defence. Fara Williams and Louise Fors then combined well but the ball was intercepted before it could reach Bronze who had made a great run. Schroder then hit a cross into the box attempting to find Nicole Rolser which keeper Nicky Davies came out to catch.

 Liverpool's brilliant German was involved in the first goal minutes later, getting herself into a one-on-one position in the box she unselfishly squared the ball to Natasha Dowie who tapped the ball in from six yards for her 16th goal of the season.

 The reds (playing in white) had a great game defensively, which was great to see as before this game we had kept just 1 clean sheet out of 6. Captain Gemma Bonner in particular shone making a number of interceptions, most notably in the first half when Sue Smith tried to find Leandra Little.

 Goalkeeper Rachael Laws had a storming game between the posts, commanding her box well during set plays and corners and coming out for the ball. At one point after coming out for a corner Laws was challenged in the 6 yard box, requiring treatment while Liverpool prepared for a substitution. No sub was needed however and Laws was fine to continue. 

 It was thanks to Laws that Liverpool went in ahead at half-time, the keeper producing a number of good saves to keep the Belles out.

 Nastasha Dowie was unlucky not to get a second early in the second half, strongly holding off the Doncaster defender she turned and shot at goal but it was well caught by Davies.

 Doncaster began to really push for a goal. Sigworth made a mazy run through our half, Whitney Engen couldn't catch her but Schroder did and put the ball out for a corner which was punched away by Laws for another corner which she caught. Rachael Laws did well again moments later when Sue Smith hit a free kick into the box, the keeper came well off her line to claim.

 Liverpool then had numerous chances from a hat-trick of corners. Two deliveries from Fors; one skimming the top of Katrin's head and the other cleared only as far as Bronze, who passed the ball to Rolser but her shot went wide. Then from a Fara Williams corner Gemma Bonner went close.

 Amanda Da Costa showed her incredible work rate during the 90 minutes, at one point in the second half battling well to get the ball into the 18 yard box only to be unluckily dispossessed. Da Costa had a strike on target saved also, the ball came to her in space at the edge of the box but with a looming defender she hit straight at the keeper.

 It looked as though it was going to be another nervy ending at the Halton Stadium, however Lucy Bronze forced her way into the box through the defence to pull the ball back to Louise Fors. Fors' first strike was parried back to her and she made no mistake with the second chance, scoring Liverpool's second goal and sealing the 3 points for the reds. 

 During the second half injury time, Matt Beard introduced a three substitions - Kate Longhurst, Sarah Gregorius and Jess Holbrook who replaced Natasha Dowie, Nicole Rolser and Amanda Da Costa. 5 added minutes entailed but passed without incident and Liverpool went 5 points clear at the top of the table, ahead of Arsenal's game tomorrow night vs Lincoln.

Team: Laws, Schroder, Engen, Bonner (C), Bronze, Omarsdottir, Williams (Holbrook), Rolser (Gregorius), Fors, Da Costa, Dowie (Longhurst)

POTM: Lucy Bronze won the twitter vote and had another fine game on the right. Rachael Laws for me is a very close second.

 Thanks for following the match updates on @LFCLadiesFans

 Next up for Liverpool Ladies, it's the big one, it's Derby Day! Next Thursday 12th September @ Halton Stadium, Widnes 7:30pm KO. Also live on BT Sport for those who can't make it.

In non-match related news, the latest edition of the official LFC magazine is out now. It features midfielder Amanda Da Costa's diary and this month also features an interview with myself! Having bought this magazine religiously since I was 10 this is very exciting for me and I hope it comes across ok!

Match Preview: Liverpool Ladies v Doncaster Belles

 On Sunday afternoon Liverpool Ladies played their final away game of the 2013 season and now embark on a run-in that consists of three home ties, starting with the visit of Doncaster Belles tomorrow night.

 These two sides met just under two weeks ago at Doncaster's Keepmoat Stadium. Gemma Bonner gave Liverpool an early lead before the Belles had a player sent off and went on to concede 8 more goals, Liverpool running out 9-0 winners on the day.

 Alongside Bonner's goal, leading goalscorer Natasha Dowie grabbed a first half hat trick to take her goals tally to 15 in 18 games this season while Nicole Rolser, Louise Fors, Fara Williams and Kate Longhurst scoring the rest.

 German midfielder Nicole Rolser has been on fire over the second half of the season, scoring 7 goals in her last 4 games - including a hat trick against Birmingham at the weekend. Rolser also set up Dowie's winning goal in our last home game against Chelsea.

 Against Birmingham, Liverpool sprinted into a 4 goal lead and during the first half played some of the finest football, passing and moving the ball across the field with ease. This led to the free kick that Louise Fors brilliantly smashed past the blues keeper.

 During the second half Liverpool took their foot off the pedal a little, Birmingham capitalised on this and pulled 2 goals back but Liverpool held on and finished strongly to bring home another 3 points.

 Following our 9-0 win, Doncaster Belles picked themselves up and won for the first time this season, beating Lincoln Ladies 1-0. Next up for the Belles was Arsenal Ladies. Arsenal's in-form forward Danielle Carter gave the Gunners the lead and Sue Smith equalised shortly after half time , however Arsenal went on to win the game 3-1. The last two results show the Belles have pulled themselves together following two heavy defeats.

 Despite the landslide scoreline on 24th August the Belles are definitely not a side to be taken lightly, more than capable of matching any side on the day.

 This game will be the last time we welcome Doncaster Belles to our home stadium in the league for at least a year. As mentioned in the last Doncaster preview, the Belles will be playing their football in the newly formed second tier of the WSL. The Belles and their noisy fans will be sorely missed next season.

 The game kicks off at 7:45pm at Halton Stadium, Widnes. Anfield ST holders have free entry to all Ladies home games, alternatively adult tickets are £5, concessions £2.50 and can be purchased on the gate.

 Thanks for reading, I will be at the game and updating from @LFCLadiesFans

Match Report: Birmingham City 2 - 4 Liverpool Ladies

 Liverpool Ladies capped an impressive away record in the FAWSL with a 4-2 victory at Birmingham City, making it 6 wins out of 7 on the road (not including the two FA Cup wins at Aston Villa and Sunderland).

 Birmingham started brightly creating a couple of opportunities for Melissa Lawley, who had played 70 minutes for England Under 19's yesterday. The blues won an early free kick that was taken by Jo Potter but cleared with ease by Whitney Engen.

 Liverpool's first attempt on goal came after 5 minutes however Fara Williams' strike landed in the car park. The build up play before the shot was brilliant, with Gemma Bonner hitting a great ball to Nicole Rolser who pulled the ball back to Williams.

 Natasha Dowie then had a couple of chances, first shooting just wide of the post after being put through by Rolser and then only denied by good goalkeeping.

 Dowie then narrowly missed a Louise Fors cross minutes later, the ball instead reached the in-form Rolser who put Liverpool ahead from close range.

 Following the goal Liverpool really hit their stride, playing some of the most fantastic football which was pass and move at its finest. The fine run of play led to a Liverpool free kick, which super Swede Louise Fors superbly struck to beat the keeper - giving Liverpool a 2 goal cushion.

 Minutes later it was 3, Nicole Rolser again making a run into the 18 yard box. Her shot was deflected in off Birmingham's Westwood but will go down as Rolser's as it was going in anyway.

 After half time Liverpool came out playing as before the break, pressing high up the pitch. Nicole Rolser completed her hat trick to round off another super performance from the young German. The 4th goal also meant Liverpool have now scored 4 or more goals in no less than 9 games this season.

 Subsequently Liverpool took their foot off the pedal a little, Birmingham pulled a goal back immediately. Lucy Bronze nearly restored our lead back to 4 after cutting into the box from the right but her shot was saved.

 Birmingham continued to pile on the pressure throughout the second half, at one point forcing Rachel Laws to come way out of her box to clear. Birmingham scored a second goal on the 70th minutes to make it 4-2 to Liverpool.

 Liverpool used all 3 substitutions during the second half, with Jess Holbrook and Kate Longhurst coming on for Amanda Da Costa and Louise Fors. Becky Easton also replaced Corina Schroder and shortly after coming on made an excellent challenge to halt another Birmingham attack.

 The game tailed off towards the end of the 90 minutes, Natasha Dowie had the last chance of the game but her header went just wide.

 POTM: Nicole Rolser

 Liverpool team: Laws, Bronze, Bonner (c), Engen, Schroder (Easton), Omarsdottir, Williams, Fors (Longhurst), Rolser, Da Costa (Holbrook), Dowie

 Thanks for reading and following the match updates this afternoon. I do apologise for the lack of tweets during the second half but the reception at the ground was awful and I kept losing signal!

 Random moment of the day goes to bumping into Chelsea Ladies at an M6 service station. They were making their way home following a defeat to Everton. Had a great chat with Carly Telford swapping news from each game, Carly also thinks Arsenal will drop points during their 4 remaining games so let's hope she is right!

 Next up for Liverpool Ladies is Doncaster Belles, we will face them on Wednesday 4th September at Halton Stadium, Widnes 7:45pm KO.

@LFCLadiesFans

Match Preview: Birmingham City vs Liverpool Ladies

 For the final away game of the season Liverpool Ladies travel to Stratford-upon-Avon to face last seasons runners up Birmingham City.

 Midweek Arsenal narrowly beat Chelsea 1-0 in the London derby to further decrease the points difference between ourselves and them. The Gunners are now 2 points behind us in the league with a game in hand, this makes each of our 4 remaining games a must win if we are to challenge until the end.

 Liverpool go into this game on the back of a thumping 9-0 win away at Doncaster Belles, the landslide victory coming after two narrow 4-3 victories and giving our goal difference a welcome boost.

 Prior to this game Liverpool conceded 6 goals in 2 games, leading to a half time substitution during the Chelsea game. Rachel Laws then remained in goal against Doncaster to keep our first clean sheet this side of the season.

 Natasha Dowie and Fara Williams continued their fine run of form over the last couple of games, Natasha bagged a first half hat trick over the Belles. New number 7 Kate Longhurst also scored her first Liverpool goal after coming on as a substitute while brilliant German Nicole Rolser also added her 8th goal of the season and Liverpool's 8th of the game during a more subdued second half.

 In contrast to our season, our opponents have had a disappointing campaign by their standards. Already qualified for this years Champions League they were effectively out of the running for next years by the time the summer break came around - unable to keep up with the pace set by both Liverpool and Bristol Academy.

  During the second half of the season Birmingham manager David Parker has been giving the clubs youth a chance to impress, dropping lead scorer Rachel Williams to the bench.

 Melissa Lawley in particular has impressed and has a record of 3 goals in her last 3 starts for the blues. Karen Carney, who was injured during the first half of the season, has also featured in each of Birmingham's last 3 games. Carney came on as a substitute against Doncaster and Lincoln and started last weekends defeat to Arsenal. 

 @LFCLadiesFans will be providing coverage of the game on Sunday, travelling to Stratford-upon-Avon much to the delight of my friend who has inherited my season ticket for some other game taking place at Anfield the same afternoon! If any other reds are going to be at the game get in touch! Kick off is at 2pm.

 A few other bits to conclude this preview, tomorrow Liverpool's Katie Zelem and  Ellie Stewart will be part of the England squad defending the Under 19's European Championship trophy. The final against France kicks off at 3pm and you can watch the game by following this link.

 Secondly the next Liverpool Ladies monthly round up for This Is Anfield will be online over the next couple of days, bring yourself up to date by reading June & July's.

 Lastly the  official LFC magazine is due out early September and will feature Amanda Da Costa's latest diary, which is always worth a read! There will also be a brief interview with myself - which I am slightly nervous about but if you want to know who my favourite player is (and I did manage to settle on just one after initially going through several) make sure you pick up a copy.

Thanks for reading!

Match Preview: Doncaster Belles vs Liverpool Ladies

 Midweek Arsenal soundly beat  Doncaster Belles 6-0 at the Keepmoat Stadium, closing the gap on Liverpool Ladies in the league table to 2 points. The Gunners also have a game in hand and have leapfrogged our goal difference, now having +14 to our +10.

 This game then another must win for Liverpool, at this stage in the season with Arsenal hot on our heels we cannot afford to drop points. In our last 3 league games we have conceded 9 goals, scoring 8. The 3 goals we conceded versus Chelsea in our last league game could be considered as unlucky. Chelsea's first came after a mix up between Corina Schroder and goalkeeper Sarah Quantrill, the second via a counter attack and the third being an own goal. 

 After fighting to peg Chelsea back to 2-2, it could have been demoralising for the team when the 3rd Chelsea goal when into the back of the net. However showing great character, as Matt Beard commented after the game, the reds snatched victory with less than 10 minutes remaining. Natasha Dowie was a constant threat during the 2nd half, scoring the equaliser with a brilliant diving header from a Nicole  Rolser cross. Minutes later the same two players combined in the 6 yard box with Dowie setting Rolser up for the winner.

 On Saturday night we have the opportunity to go 6 points clear of Bristol Academy and 5 points ahead of Arsenal, the Gunners next game is a London derby against  Chelsea next Thursday.

 Our opponents plight over the course of the season has been well-documented. Doncaster Belles were unfairly informed after the opening game that matter the course their season were to take, next season would see them playing their football in the new 2nd tier of Women's Football. Their top tier place going to Manchester City. No matter how disheartening this must have been and still is for the Belles and their supporters they have valiantly stuck behind their team.

 Doncaster are yet to win a game this season, although they have come close. Away at Birmingham a couple of weeks ago the Belles had numerous chances to go ahead, Ashleigh Mills hit the post in the first half with Sue Smith also seeing a free kick saved but Birmingham scored with 7 minutes to go to take all 3 points.

 Midweek against Arsenal during the opening 30 minutes Doncaster appeared to be holding out against the Champions, before 3 goals came in as many minutes to break their resolve. As mentioned earlier Doncaster have great supporters behind them, who could be heard singing "We're going to win 4-3!" It wasn't to be unfortunately for them and Arsenal ran out 6-0 winners.

 Doncaster are determined in their search for a win before the end of the season, they have been boosted both by the return of Sue Smith from injury before the summer break and during the summer signed Liverpool forward Katie Brusell.

 The game will kick off at 6pm at  Doncaster Belles' Keepmoat Stadium. This is the only game of our 5 remaining I will not be at, a combination of lack of trains back to Liverpool after the game and my yearly trip to Villa Park to watch the men's side. @Girlsontheball will be there, alongside both clubs official twitters and the @bellesnoisyfans.

 Following this game, next Sunday 1st September sees our final away game of the season against Birmingham City. There is a few of us travelling by train for this one, it's a 2pm kick off in Stratford-upon-Avon and if you have any interest in coming with to support the reds, please get in touch @LFCLadiesFans.

 Thanks for reading!

Match Report: Liverpool Ladies 4 - 3 Chelsea Ladies

 Before the break Liverpool Ladies seemed to make a habit out of 4-0, 4-1 scorelines. Having watched two narrow 4-3 wins in the last week I have to say I hope we don't make a habit out of this one - my nerves can't take it!

 In the match day programme Matt Beard talks about how expectations for this season have shifted from targeting a top 4 finish to a European place, after tonight's result we are definitely are in with a great chance of placing in the top 2.

 Onto the game then, similar to the one against Arsenal a couple of weeks earlier our London visitors were faster out of the blocks than us. Swedish international Sofia Jakobsson in particular causing a stir on the right wing and capitalising on a defensive mix up to put Chelsea ahead.

 Liverpool had a couple of chances to equalise, Amanda Da Costa's goal bound shot was saved by blues keeper Telford and Nicole Rolser also seen a strike saved.

 Within 7 minutes of kick off Chelsea had doubled their lead, new signed Ogimi setting up Eni Aluko who scored past Sarah Quantrill.

 The second goal caused Liverpool to regroup and step up their game, Fara Williams in particular pressing up the pitch and driving the team forwards. Williams tried a couple of long range efforts, one just wide of the post and the other narrowly over the crossbar.

 Fara was then fouled and awarded a free kick in a similar position to where she scored against Chelsea in the Continental Cup. The ball swung in low at the near post, narrowly beating Telford to pull a goal back for Liverpool and the reds went in at half time trailing 2-1.

 Matt Beard switched keepers at half time, Rachel Laws replacing Sarah Quantrill in the Liverpool goal.

 Nicole Rolser was brought down in the penalty box, controversially nothing was given despite the German midfielder needing to leave the field for treatment. Shortly after returning to the pitch Rolser equalised. Louise Fors' corner found Gemma Bonner, who's headed looked to be clearer off the line but Rolser was there to tap the ball in.

 Gemma Bonner then went down in our box with a back injury, the Liverpool captain did attempt to run it off and returned to the field after receiving treatment. Minutes later Becky Easton replaced her, with Lucy Bronze moving across to centre back and Amanda Da Costa taking the arm band.

 Chelsea's Ogimi was lively throughout, she went through on goal after Whitney Engen missed her header yet Lucy Bronze did brilliantly to get back and clear.

 Natasha Dowie then had a brilliant chance, also going through on goal but was denied by a great save from Telford.

 Sofia Jakobsson's cross was then deflected into the back of the net to put Chelsea back in front, Becky Easton got the final touch but the ball was going in anyway.

 3-2 down yet still not giving up the fight, Natasha Dowie equalised for Liverpool with a brilliant header. Dowie has now scored 6 goal in 9 league games.

 Natasha then played a part in the next goal, setting Nicole Rolser up nicely for Liverpool to go in front for the first time during the game. Even Matt Beard and the bench were on the pitch celebrating the goal!

Nerves frayed in the stands and on the pitch, Ogimi feeling that  Easton was taking her time on a throw in and rather amusingly handing her the ball.

 6 minutes of added time due to the injury to Bonner thankfully seen no more goals and the reds secured another important three points.

 POTM Nicole Rolser

 Liverpool team: Quantrill (Laws), Bronze, Bonner (c)(Easton), Engen, Schroder, Omarsdottir, Williams, Rolser, Da Costa, Fors (Longhurst), Dowie

 Next up for Liverpool we are away at Doncaster Belles on Saturday 24th August. There will be a match preview up for this game but no match report, I will be at Villa Park instead. (sorry!)

 Will be covering the final 4 league games however starting with Birmingham away on Sunday 1st September, missing the Man Utd game for that one! Thanks for following @LFCLadiesFans again on twitter tonight and for reading these reports, all comments are really appreciated and I also want to say a massive thank you to everyone who wished me a happy birthday! Especially @Girlsontheball who gave me some pretty cool GOTB merch!