Bristol City and Yeovil victories seal place in FA WSL 1

Sunday 30 Oct 2016

The FA Women’s Super League season is set for a grandstand finish according to Yeovil Town’s Kayleigh Green.

The Lady Glovers and Bristol City both secured promotion to the top flight while Chelsea sealed a Champions League spot on a packed weekend of action.

Claire Emslie scored either side of Millie Farrow’s effort for Bristol in a dramatic 3-2 win, with hosts Everton having a 96th-minute spot-kick saved by Caitlin Leach.

That meant the Vixens cannot be caught in the race for promotion from FA WSL 2, and left the door open for Yeovil Town to do the same – and Jamie Sherwood’s side duly obliged, with Green and Nadia Lawrence giving them a 2-0 win at London Bees.

Weekend results

FA WSL 1
Arsenal 2-0 Doncaster
Chelsea 3-2 Reading
Man City 1-1 Birmingham City
Sunderland 1-1 Notts County

FA WSL 2
Everton 2-3 Bristol City
London Bees 0-2 Yeovil Town
Millwall 2-2 Aston Villa
Sheffield 2-1 Oxford United
Watford 1-6 Durham

 

But Green insists they will not be popping the champagne just yet as the race to be crowned WSL 2 champions goes into the final weekend. 

She said: “At the moment we’re going to ride the buzz out but it’s not over yet, we still have 90 minutes plus to go.

“Yes we got promotion which is the most important thing, that’s what we wanted, but we want to take the trophy home. 

“The fans have travelled everywhere with us and it’s something nice to give back to them.

“It’s been a good season. We’ve had hard times but we’ve had good times as well. We’re a team that stick together and believe in each other.”

Bristol City manager Willie Kirk also poured fuel on the fire and expressed his desire to win the league title when they travel to Oxford United next weekend.

He said: “We’re delighted with promotion.

“We’re trying to keep a lid on it because we want to win the league but we’re delighted we’re up – it takes a little bit of pressure off.

“But we won’t be going out next week against Oxford for a Sunday stroll just because we’re up.”

Ana Borges’ strike was sandwiched between two Eniola Aluko goals as Chelsea beat Reading 3-2 to ensure they would finish the season ahead of Arsenal in second in the FA WSL 1 standings.

Elsewhere Manchester City finally got their hands on the WSL 1 trophy, but their party was almost ruined after Aoife Mannion’s penalty gave Birmingham the lead at the Academy Stadium.

Man City lift the FA WSL 1 trophy

 

Man City lift the FA WSL 1 trophy

But Demi Stokes’ fine goal made the final score 1-1 and ensured City ended the season unbeaten to the delight of skipper Steph Houghton.

She said: “Ever since we won it against Chelsea I think we’ve all been waiting for this moment.

“I couldn’t be happier for all the girls and all the staff because I know how hard they’ve worked over the season.

“It’s the biggest moment in my club career to win this trophy for this team.

“We want to be playing against the best teams in Europe and ultimately our aim over the next few years is not only to be one of the best teams in England, but one of the best in Europe.”

Arsenal beat Doncaster Rovers Belles 2-0 while Sunderland and Notts County played out a 1-1 draw as Emma Kelly cancelled out Rachel Williams’ goal.

Durham humbled Watford 6-1, Sheffield beat Oxford 2-1, and Millwall and Aston Villa were deadlocked at 2-2.

By FA Staff