Arsenal v Everton
The FA Women's Community Shield
Gresty Road, Crewe Alexandra
8.05pm, 02 August 2006
Live on Sky Sports

After kicking off their pre-season schedule with a gruelling four-match Canadian tour, Everton will step out in good shape at Gresty Road as they look to put their name on the FA Community Shield for the first time.

The Toffees earned their place in the now traditional curtain-raiser to the women’s football season by finishing runners-up to double winners Arsenal in the FA Women’s Premier League, their best placing since winning the League in 1998.

And with some first-rate match action behind them, the Merseyside outfit will be quietly confident of upsetting the odds on an Arsenal victory just as they did in the 2005 FA Cup semi-final.

"We believe we can win the game," says England midfielder Fara Williams, who was one of Everton’s goalscorers in that 3-0 semi-final victory over the Gunners. "Arsenal are a great side," she adds, "but we are constantly improving ourselves.

"We certainly want to finish at least as high as we did in the League and it would be great to win one of the Cup competitions – we were devastated to lose the 2005 FA Cup final to my old club Charlton and we are absolutely determined to win a major trophy.

With a couple of new signings to add to their mix, Everton should indeed be capable of mounting a serious challenge for trophies this season.

The midfield area in particular has been strengthened, with former England Under-19 captain Jill Scott having joined the club from Sunderland and Spaniard Sarah Quilez arriving from Español, the top women’s side in Spain.

"Competition for places is going to be stronger than ever and that can only be good for the team," says Williams, who as well as playing for Everton is these days the Women’s Development Officer in the club’s Football in the Community Department.

She has moved from London to Merseyside and says: "It’s so much better being near the club rather than having to travel long distances for training and matches – hopefully I can benefit by improving my game and helping the club be successful on and off the pitch."