MATCH REPORT: Liverpool Ladies 3 - 2 Doncaster Belles

 Liverpool Ladies beat Doncaster Belles 3-2 earlier this evening in their final Continental Cup group game. The reds fate in the competition will now be decided by results in other groups over the coming days.

 Matt Beard made just the one change in the starting 11, with Kate Longhurst returning in place of Martha Harris. Katrin Omarsdottir also returned to the Liverpool bench, replacing Claudia Walker who is away on international duty with England U19s.

 6 days ago the reds raced to a 7-0 lead away at Durham before conceding a penalty in the final minutes. During the first-half against Doncaster, they picked up where they left off.

 Gemma Davison was in electric form, playing predominately down the middle and behind the front two of Kate Longhurst and Natasha Dowie. The front three playing brilliantly together, creating chances and making off-the-ball runs. Davison had the first chance of the game, Longhurst laying the ball off perfectly on the edge of the area and the strike only just going over the crossbar.

 Kate Longhurst then seen a couple of chances of her own, first shooting wide following a Dowie through ball and then seeing a shot blocked - heading the ball back down to Dowie who shot wide. The attacking trio were well supported by Fara Williams, Amanda Da Costa and Katie Zelem, with some fantastic passing play during the first 45 minutes.

 Natasha Dowie hit a double against Durham last weekend and struck twice again this evening; Katie Zelem with the assist for the first, continuing her fine start to life in the Liverpool first-team with another solid performance. Dowie's second was the third of the game, latching on to a loose ball and making no mistake to finish low past the Doncaster keeper.

  In between the two Dowie goals, Amanda Da Costa scored her first goal of 2014. Davison with the run into the 18-yard box after Corina Schroder set her up, her strike was saved but only as far as Da Costa who was on hand to put the ball into the back of the net.

 Liverpool went in at half-time 3-0 up and cruising, playing some of the best football they've displayed in 2014 so far.

 Credit to Doncaster Belles who never gave up and fought their way back into the second-half, rewarding their brilliant travelling support with a couple of goals of their own.

 Gemma Bonner and Nina Frausing are forming a good partnership in the middle of the Liverpool defence, Bonner coming under pressure a couple of times but doing well to get the ball out to Frausing to clear.

 Early in the second-half Liverpool saw a couple of chances to extend their lead go wide, Fara Williams with a great ball to find Kate Longhurst on the edge of the area. Longhurst found Dowie but the return pass went out for a goal kick. Minutes later Williams' corner narrowly missed the head of Lucy Bronze.

 Both of Doncaster's goals came from free kicks, the first being swung in low by Sue Smith around the reds wall to be headed past Libby Stout by Beth England. Jessica Sigsworth added a second for Doncaster to make the final 10 minutes a tense one for the reds as the Belles continued to press for an equaliser

 Hannah Dale and Katrin Omarsdottir replaced Katie Zelem and Gemma Davison midway through the second-half, while Becky Easton came on for Kate Longhurst as Liverpool switched to three at the back - with Lucy Bronze and Corina Schroder playing as wing-backs.

 Liverpool comfortably seen out the victory in the final minutes of the game and will return to league action on Wednesday with an important derby against Everton Ladies - 6:30pm kick off.

 XI: Stout, Bronze, Bonner (C), Frausing, Schroder, Williams, Da Costa, Zelem (Dale), Davison (Katrin), Longhurst (Easton), Dowie

 POTM: Gemma Davison (Natasha Dowie & Katie Zelem both coming a close second)

 @LFCladiesfans

MATCH PREVIEW: Liverpool Ladies v Doncaster Belles

 This Saturday Liverpool Ladies play their final Continental Cup group game at home against Doncaster Belles. The reds sit second in their group and there is still a chance they can qualify for the semi-finals of the competition as best runner-up from the three groups.

 Last weekend away at Durham WFC, Liverpool at first found it difficult to convert the many chances being created. Leading goal scorer Natasha Dowie ensured the reds went in at half-time in the lead and doubled her tally after the break during a second-half where Liverpool ran riot.

 Ellie Stewart came on for the second-half, a substitution that seemed to allow Lucy Bronze and Corina Schroder to push higher up the pitch to devastating effects. Bronze was lethal during the final 45 minutes, providing a hat-trick of assists as Liverpool put 6 past the Durham defence.

 Katie Zelem was also a stand-out player throughout the 90 minutes, having only made her competitive début for Liverpool 7 days earlier the young midfielder scored twice. The second goal displaying excellent determination as Zelem had three attempts on goal in quick succession, eventually putting the ball in the back of the net.

 Zelem could be the missing link in the Liverpool midfield; over the last couple of matches the reds struggled to find the final ball to Natasha Dowie up front, but with Zelem linking well behind the striker with both Schroder and Gemma Davison plenty of opportunities were created. Dowie's second goal coming after a nice passing move between Zelem and Schroder.

 Doncaster Belles return to Widnes on Saturday after also paying Liverpool a visit during pre-season, the match report for Liverpool's 1-0 that night can be found here. Ellie Stewart with the deciding goal in that game.

 Since then Doncaster have enjoyed a successful start to life in Women's Super League 2. The Belles currently sit second in the second tier of women's football after opening their campaign with 5 wins and a draw.

 During those 6 games they have scored 15 league goals, conceding 4. Sue Smith is their overall leading goal scorer on 6 for the season so far, Leandra Little and Jessica Sigsworth just behind her on 5 and 4 respectively.

 One result that stands out from Doncaster's Continental Cup games so far, is their 2-1 victory over Manchester City. Last season it was controversially announced that Manchester City were to be awarded a place in the top tier of the WSL, while Doncaster Belles would be forced to play for promotion in the league below.

 Doncaster will be missing both Jemma Purfield and Ashleigh Mills for this cup clash, the duo along with Liverpool's Claudia Walker are with England U19s ahead of their UEFA tournament next week.

 The Belles enjoy fantastic travelling support from their noisy fans and it will be great to welcome them back to Select Stadium on Saturday! That said, their bells coupled with the Liverpool supporters hooters will not make a pleasant noise so here is your 2 day warning to bring cotton wool - I know I will!

 The game kicks off at 6:30pm this Saturday 12th July. Admission on the gate will be £5 adults and £2.50 concessions, if you buy in advance online from here these prices are reduced to £3 adults and £1 concessions while Liverpool supporters in possession of an Anfield season ticket as always are granted free entry to all home games.

 Finally over the next month a number of Liverpool players are due to be involved in international tournaments with England. First up will be Claudia Walker who has been named as part of the England squad for the UEFA Women's U19 Championships in Norway. Their first game will be on Tuesday 15th July, make sure you're following on twitter to find all scores and you can also bookmark this blog which will be updated following each game. Walker will be unavailable for Liverpool  for at least the next three games - missing Doncaster Belles, Everton and Bristol Academy away.

 Thanks to Tim Hickman for allowing the use of the photos he took at Durham last Sunday to be used on the blog, for the full set click here.

 @LFCladiesfans

MATCH REPORT: Durham WFC 1 - 7 Liverpool Ladies

 Liverpool Ladies returned to winning ways this afternoon with a thumping 7-1 win away at Durham WFC in the Continental Cup.

 Libby Stout returned to the starting 11 after missing last week's defeat to Arsenal, Nina Frausing made her first start for Liverpool in place of the injured Becky Easton and Martha Harris came in for Kate Longhurst.

 Liverpool started quickly out of the blocks in the first-half, holding the majority of the possession with Fara Williams, Katie Zelem and Gemma Davison each pressing forward looking to create opportunities.

 Natasha Dowie looked eager to score and could have had a hat-trick within the opening 10 minutes. Danielle Hill cut out a Davison cross that Liverpool's leading scorer looked certain to get on the end of and minutes later Hill again thwarted Dowie - saving well from a low drive. The third chance came after Katie Zelem expertly controlled and knocked the ball into the path of the oncoming Dowie but her strike went the wrong side of the post.

 Midway through the first-half Natasha Dowie finally opened the scoring, finishing well after Durham failed to clear.

 Liverpool continued to look hungry for goals however went in at half-time just 1-0 up, despite Dowie hitting the post with a 20-yard strike and sending a penalty just wide.

 Matt Beard made a half-time substitution with Ellie Stewart coming on for Martha Harris. Stewart slotted comfortably into defence alongside Gemma Bonner and Nina Frausing and the change allowed Lucy Bronze and Corina Schroder to play even higher up the pitch.

 The reds, playing in their new yellow away strip, hit a goal rush in the second-half; firing 6 more past the Durham keeper.

 Skipper Gemma Bonner doubled the lead, scrambling the ball home from close range following a corner. The was the Liverpool captain's first goal this season, after scoring a couple of important goals at the end of the last campaign.

 The third came after Corina Schroder and Katie Zelem combined well to set up Natasha Dowie, who scored her second of the day and 8th overall for the season.

 Katie Zelem made her competitive debut for the reds last weekend an continued her comeback from a broken collarbone with an impressive performance in the centre of midfield. Zelem was behind the majority of the Liverpool chances in the second-half, creating a good partnership with Gemma Davison and continuously linking with Schroder on the wing.

 Zelem scored twice in quick succession, the ever-brilliant Lucy Bronze setting up both of her goals. The first cross powerfully headed into the back of the net and the second headed from the rebound after first hitting the crossbar.

 5-0 up and cruising, Kate Longhurst came on for Natasha Dowie and almost immediately set up a chance for Amanda Da Costa who shot wide. Hannah Dale also came on, replacing Katie Zelem.

 It was finally Gemma Davison's turn to strike a double, Davison had been providing opportunities for her team mates throughout the course of the game but eventually got herself on the score sheet. Davison's first goal coming after the Durham defence failed to clear and her second after yet another Lucy Bronze cross.

 Libby Stout was solid when called upon, coming out to clear her lines and easily collecting corners. Stout however conceded a penalty in the final minutes of the game and despite diving the right way Durham pulled a goal back with Caroline Dixon adding a late consolation goal from the spot.

 POTM: Katie Zelem, with a mention also to Lucy Bronze with a hat-trick of assists!

 XI: Stout, Bronze, Bonner (C), Frausing, Schroder, Harris (Stewart), Williams, Da Costa, Davison, Zelem (Dale), Dowie (Longhurst)

 Unused subs: Gibbons, Walker, Hodson

 An extremely promising second-half performance from Liverpool today, ahead of their final Continental Cup group game at home to Doncaster Belles on Saturday 12th July.

 Although the chances of progressing to the semi-finals of the competition are slim, there is still a chance so it would be great to get a good crowd in to support the players. Liverpool are doing a special offer on ticket prices for the game if bought in advance.

 Thanks for reading!

 @LFCladiesfans

MATCH PREVIEW: Durham WFC v Liverpool Ladies

> Liverpool Ladies June Round-up <

 One week on from defeat at home to Arsenal, Liverpool Ladies travel to the North East to take on Durham WFC in the Continental Cup.

 Liverpool's run in the competition so far has seen a 0-0 derby draw against Everton Ladies, a 6-0 thrashing of Sunderland and a 2-1 loss away from home at Manchester City. With Durham and Doncaster Belles next Saturday being the reds last two group games before the semi-finals they must take maximum points to maintain hope of reaching the semi-finals of this competition for the second year running.

 On Sunday against Arsenal, Liverpool were unlucky in front of goal; both Natasha Dowie and Amanda DaCosta heading wide in the first half. They were even more unlucky to concede the way they did, the ball knocked in the back of the net by Casey Stoney following a tussle in the 6-yard box.

 Katie Zelem made her long-awaited competitive début for Liverpool, the young midfielder missed the first part of the season with a broken collarbone and slotted comfortably into the midfield alongside Fara Williams and Amanda DaCosta.

 While one player returns from injury, another sat the game out - goalkeeper Libby Stout failing a late fitness test. In Stout's absence Danielle Gibbons once again made the step up to deputise, impressing with a number of saves from Danielle Carter.

 Kate Longhurst and Becky Easton also picked up injuries during the game, while Nina Frausing made her Liverpol début following her summer move. Frausing immediately immersed herself into the game, playing in midfield and creating chances for fellow substitute Claudia Walker and Natasha Dowie.

 Lucy Bronze also created chances throughout the 90 minutes, playing the majority of the game at right-back and pushing forward up the wing. Bronze almost found herself on the score sheet, testing Emma Byrne from 25 yards with a ferocious strike that the Arsenal keeper only just tipped over the crossbar.

 Liverpool's opposition on Sunday currently sit bottom of the Women's Super League second division, following a 2-1 defeat at the weekend to Oxford United. On-loan reds left-back Megan Alexander featured for Oxford during the game, helping them to the first win of their campaign.

 Like Liverpool, Durham have seen a couple of players miss games through injury. Louise Fellows made her WSL début on Sunday on her return from injury, while Ellie Christon also made her first appearance in 6 weeks after picking up an injury against Everton in the same competition.

 Durham's top scorer this season is midfielder Caroline Dixon who has 3 goals in 9 games. New signing Emily Scott from Middlesborough also scored on her début against Oxford.

 When Liverpool's development squad beat Durham 6-2 in November 2013, 5 of the players who featured during Durham's 2-1 defeat to Oxford also played - Jessica Round, Beth Hepple, Victoria Linsley, Jennifer Jennings and Rebecca Hanratty. Supporters of Liverpool Ladies will now also recognise the reds goal scorers that day; Shannon Beckwith opened the scoring and Beth Donoghue doubled Liverpool's lead before Ellie Stewart impressively added a third with a long-range free-kick.

 3-0 down, Durham pulled a goal back through débutante Stacy Crooks but Claudia Walker re-extended the reds lead just before half-time. The second-half also seen a whole host of chances, mostly created through Megan Alexander who also got herself on the score sheet. Ashley Hodson netted Liverpool's 6th and Crooks scored her second of the game just before the final whistle. Read the full match report here: Liverpool Ladies dev. squad 6 - 2 Durham WFC.

 The game will not be live on television however you should be able to listen to commentary online. Last week Durham announced via their website that all remaining home games would be broadcast live at www.dhradio.org.uk.

 If you are travelling to support the reds at the game kick off is at 2pm, Sunday 6th July, Durham play all home games at New Ferens Park and you can purchase tickets at the turnstiles for £4 adults - children's tickets are free.

 In other news this week, on-loan Liverpool midfielder Louise Fors has announced her decision to take a break from football. Fors was sensational for Liverpool last year and a massive part of our league winning campaign. Read the club's official announcement here and Fors' interview on her decision here.

 In better news, Liverpool trio Martha Harris, Ellie Stewart and Katie Zelem have each received England call-ups for the upcoming U20 World Cup in Canada. England are in Group C and will face South Korea on 6th August, Mexico on 9th August and Nigera on 13th August.

 Claudia Walker also received an international call-up and will feature for England in the UEFA Women's U19 Championships in Norway. There England will face Sweden on 15th July, Republic of Ireland on 18th July and Spain on 21st July.

 @LFCladiesfans

Match Report: Liverpool Ladies 0 - 1 Arsenal Ladies

 Liverpool Ladies fell to their first defeat of the Women's Super League this afternoon to an Arsenal Ladies side determined to lift themselves from the bottom of the league. 

 Liverpool were boosted by Kate Longhurst and Katie Zelem returning from injury, the latter making her competitive début for the reds and impressing - holding her own in midfield with an eye for a good pass.

Katie Zelem returned from injury

 Unfortunately for Liverpool despite the return of a number of players to full fitness, goalkeeper Libby Stout missed out with a leg injury while Katrin Omarsdottir will also be out for 3 weeks.

 In place of Stout in goal was Danielle Gibbons, who has already deputised for the No.1 this season. Gibbons stood strong between the posts, with a string of saves in the first half - particularly doing well to tip a goal bound Danielle Carter effort over and saving well from Kelly Smith. In front of Gibbons was the centre-back pairing of Becky Easton and Gemma Bonner, with Lucy Bronze moving out to right-back and Corina Schroder at left-back.

 A scrappy opening with neither team managing to get a grasp on the game seen chances at both ends, Natasha Dowie heading over Corina Schroder's cross and a crunching Easton tackle at the other end seeing off an early Arsenal attack. Amanda DaCosta also seen a header go wide of the post from a corner.

 Lucy Bronze was the stand out player yet again for Liverpool, the PFA Player of the Year revelling back on the right foraging forward and sending balls into the box. Bronze went closest to opening the scoring after cutting in from the wing and curling a shot towards the goal, gunners keeper Emma Byrne had to stretch to tip the strike over the bar. 

POTM: Lucy Bronze

 Back out for the second-half, early on it looked as though Liverpool would be the team to break the deadlock. Amanda DaCosta unable to control a Lucy Bronze cross in time to shoot before being dispossessed and Katie Zelem with a shot on target.

 Unfortunately for Liverpool they were to concede their first goal from open play in the league, Rachel Yankey's corner being bundled over the line by Casey Stoney.

 After going a goal behind Matt Beard made two changes, with Claudia Walker and débutante Nina Frausing replacing Katie Zelem and Kate Longhurst. Walker made an immediate impact, chasing every ball and adding some much needed fresh legs to the Liverpool attack. The two substitutes created an opening minutes after coming on, Frausing sending a cross to Walker who's shot was blocked by the defender. 

 Martha Harris was also a late substitute, replacing Amanda DaCosta and also finding herself thrown straight into action sending brilliant cross into the box - Byrne got there to collect just before Walker.

 It's always disappointing to lose a game, but there are positives to take from today's game; Katie Zelem's return from injury, Danielle Gibbons' performance in goal and an outstanding individual performance from Lucy Bronze. Liverpool just couldn't find the breakthrough that they needed to break down the Arsenal defence but they will bounce back.

Liverpool celebrate at their last home game vs Birmingham

 XI: Gibbons, Bronze, Easton, Bonner (C), Schroder, Williams, DaCosta (Harris), Davison, Zelem (Walker), Longhurst (Frausing), Dowie

  POTM: Lucy Bronze

 One Liverpool player was on the winning team today, it was announced yesterday that Megan Alexander is to spend 3 months on loan at WSL2's Oxford WFC and the reds left-back helped the side to their first win of the season - 2-1 away at Durham.

 Next up for Liverpool Ladies they too will make the trip to Durham in the Continental Cup next Sunday, the next home game will be on Saturday 12th July vs Doncaster Belles.

 

 

Match Preview: Liverpool Ladies v Arsenal Ladies

 36 days after being held to a 1-1 draw by Birmingham City, Liverpool Ladies will resume their title defence with a home tie against Arsenal Ladies.

 Since then a number of players have featured for England, with Fara Williams equalling the all-time caps record and looking likely to break it during the August friendly with Sweden. Lucy Bronze and Natasha Dowie also featured for the senior national side as they beat both Belarus and Ukraine, while Martha Harris and Ellie Stewart were with the U23s as they beat Sweden and lost to Norway.

 Before the break Liverpool were hit by a number of injuries to first-team players, the break perhaps coming at the perfect time to give these players time to recover. Katie Zelem has been given the all-clear following surgery on her collar bone while Kate Longhurst made her return during the Birmingham game. Martha Harris and Katrin Omarsdottir also missed games through injury while Matt Beard noted Corina Schroder and Fara Williams had been playing although not fully fit.

 Liverpool have so far made one summer signing, with Denmark's Nina Pedersen joining after completing her education in the USA. Pedersen will bolster the reds impressive defence going into the second half of the season, joining up with a back four that has kept 6 clean sheets out of 8 appearances prior to the break.

 The reds are also graced with talent throughout the ranks at the club, the day after the Birmingham draw saw the development squad put in a brilliant performance over Aston Villa - winning 4-1. While a week later the U17s won The FA Youth Cup in Milton Keynes with a 1-0 victory over Everton Ladies.

 The youngsters performances have clearly been noted by the club, in the image below (posted by Lucy Bronze on twitter) alongside the familiar faces you can see a number of players from both teams. 

 On the far right is creative midfielder Mollie Green who in April made the step up from the U17s to the development squad, scoring 3 goals in 6 appearances. To her right is Vicky Rumsey, a solid central midfielder who reads the game well and made 15 appearances for the development squad last season. The player in front of these two is Emilie Revitt, an attacking left-back who is also a Wales U19 international. The final youth player in the picture who has yet to feature for the first team is the U17s central defender Rachel Robinson, who is in the light blue training top on the left of the photo and has also already comfortably stepped up to the development squad alongside Green.

 In 2013 the first team Liverpool faced following the mid-season break was also Arsenal Ladies, the reds unexpectedly falling to a 3-0 defeat with Jordan Nobbs in unstoppable form. For the first and only time since beginning this blog, the POTM was awarded to a player on the opposing team. 

 A back injury has prevented Nobbs from making an appearance yet this season for an Arsenal side that sit at the bottom of the league, luckily for them she has returned to full training and is likely to make her return in this game.

 Arsenal are bottom of the table on just 1 point following 3 losses and a draw, despite winning The FA Cup on Sunday 1st June the gunners also find themselves without a manager coming into this game - having yet to replace Shelley Kerr who announced her resignation in May.

 Last season seen two high scoring games between the two teams, Liverpool announcing their intent on challenging at the top of the league with an emphatic 4-0 victory at the Emirates only to have their title hopes dented by the aforementioned 3-0 defeat. 

 The game kicks off at 12:15pm on Sunday 29th June at Select Stadium, Widnes. The game is also live on BT Sport and is followed by Everton Ladies v Chelsea Ladies at 3:15pm at the same ground. Buying a ticket here will cover you for both games, while also entering into a prize draw to win a signed shirt by the Liverpool Ladies squad! As always those who have an Anfield season ticket are guaranteed free entry.

 Finally I just want to say thank you to everyone who read and shared my 2014 Mid-Season Review, it has become the most read post on the blog with over 1,000 views! A quick recap on how the votes went from the first 9 games of the season:

 Player of the Season so far: Becky Easton

 Young Player of the Season so far: Claudia Walker

 Goal of the Season so far: Natasha Dowie's 2nd vs Sunderland Ladies (6-0)

 Performance of the Season so far: Liverpool Ladies 6 - 0 Sunderland Ladies

 Disappointment of the Season so far: The Great Injury Crisis of 2014

 Thanks for reading,

 @LFCladiesfans 

MATCH REPORT: Liverpool U17s 1 - 0 Everton

 Today Liverpool Ladies Under 17s won The FA Youth Cup following a 1-0 victory over Merseyside rivals Everton Ladies.

 Rachel Darbyshire started in goal for the reds with the solid centre-back pairing of captain Olivia Fuller and Rachel Robinson in front of her. Maz Pacheco and Beth Evans were at left-back and right-back, with Jessica Davenport up front, Mollie Green just behind her and the midfield four of Summer Smith, Tash Rothery, Blue Pendlebury and Kess Elmore.

 The first half was an even battle between the two strong youth sides, it was Everton who had the first chance of the game with their forward firing well over from the edge of the area.

 Mollie Green returned to U17 action following a successful recent spell with the development squad, combining well with Jess Davenport in and around the 18-yard box to set up Tash Rothery for Liverpool's first chance of the game - the shot just off target.

 Seconds later Davenport went on another mazy run into the box, her strike deflected out for a corner which was cleared. Liverpool continued to show brief spells of dominance in the first-half; a great through ball from Green was latched onto by Rothery but the blues defender managed to get back to clear.

 From the clearance Everton themselves forged forward, Rachel Robinson blocking the shot but the blues continued to press forward - Summer Smith doing well to get back to cover and put the Everton attacker off her strike.

 Before half-time Liverpool were presented with a number of opportunities, Rothery and Davenport both seeing strikes go wide before Maz Pacheco's free kick was headed away before it could reach Mollie Green. Green had the last chance of the first-half, somehow her goal bound strike was kept out by the Everton keeper.

 Out for the second-half the reds picked up were they left off, Lizzie Earle - who replaced Beth Evans - and Pacheco pressing high up the pitch driving the team forward. Straight away winning a corner which was headed wide by Olivia Fuller, Blue Pendlebury also went close to opening the scoring but seen her effort only just go the wrong side of the post.

 Everton did have a couple of chances early on, No1 Rachel Darbyshire punching away the corner and comfortably coming out to collect the return ball. The keeper was calm and composed when called upon throughout the 90 minutes - seconds before the final whistle expertly getting a hand to a long distance strike.

 Kess Elmore had an excellent game in midfield, the quality of the crosses she was sending into the box was fantastic and she was a constant source of creativity for Liverpool.

 Just minutes after teeing Pacheco up for a strike that was well saved, Elmore broke through the so far resilient blues defence and brilliantly finished past the keeper. The strike would prove to be the cup winning goal, Everton stepped up their game after going behind but Liverpool stayed strong as a team unit proving tough to break down.

 Rachel Robinson was another stand out performer in the heart of defence, working well alongside Fuller to halt and frustrate the blues in their search for an equaliser.

 Hayley Taylor also came on as a second-half substitute to add fresh legs to the side, helping the team to see out the win with ease.

 POTM: When doing the vote each of Rachel Robinson, Maz Pacheco, Rachel Darbyshire and Kess Elmore were mentioned, with Elmore picking up the majority - the game-winning goal capping an impressive performance for the England youth international.

 XI: Darbyshire, Evans (Earle), Fuller (C), Robinson, Pacheco, Smith (Taylor), Pendlebury, Rothery, Elmore, Green, Davenport

 Unused subs: Carberry, F. Curteis, E. Curteis, Johnson, Threlkeld

 Overall Liverpool thoroughly deserved to lift the cup, beating Everton in style - particularly during the second-half - and displaying attractive attacking football with some great passing movement. Congratulations to the whole team and to coach Matty Campbell!

 The future for Liverpool Ladies is very, very bright!

 Thanks for reading,

 Heather @LFCladiesfans