Women’s football

MANA IWABUCHI propelled Aston Villa to their first WSL home win with a superb contender for goal of the season. 
And the Japan star’s wonder-strike helped the Villans move five points clear of the drop zone with the relegation battle heating up. 

Mana Iwabuchi was on target for Aston Villa who picked up their first home win in the league this termCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Iwabuchi and her team-mates have moved to ninth ahead of their derby clash with BirminghamCredit: Reuters

Both sides began brightly and eager to get off to a fast start in their quest to notch up a vital victory.
And it looked as if the visitors would be the most likely to strike first with Kit Graham’s tenth-minute effort taking a dangerous deflection before being gathered by Lisa Weiss.
But it was Villa, with their zesty high press and Iwabuchi and Diana Silva causing problems, who proved the more clinical of the teams.  
And Iwabuchi caught Spurs cold with a cracking top-corner shot beating Aurora Mikalsen in the 12th minute. 

Rehanne Skinners’ players – stung by that early blow – battled hard to find an equaliser.
They nearly had a chance to with Australia ace Alanna Kennedy sending her volley narrowly wide shortly before half-time. 
The second period saw Spurs stopper Mikalsen – standing in for the injured Becky Spencer – picking up the first yellow card of the game after a heavy challenge on Silva on the edge of the penalty area. 
And Tottenham came close to nabbing a second-half leveller with debutant Cho So-hyun narrowly missing a tap-in off a Kit Graham cut back. 

Diana Silva put in a solid shift for Villa before being subbed off in the 97th minuteCredit: Reuters

And the South Korea skipper, on loan from West Ham, saw her second effort sail over the bar in the 100th minute. 
Villa’s third win of the season saw them leapfrog Brighton and West Ham up to ninth in the table.
The Seagulls and the Hammers are facing crunch clashes with Chelsea and Bristol City on Sunday.

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AILEEN WHELAN “can’t wait” to become a new mum with her long-term partner Fern Whelan. 
In October, the former Brighton teammates announced they were expecting a baby, just two months after Fern, 32, hung up her boots. 

Brighton striker Aileen Whelan (right) juggles full-time football with work as a child therapistCredit: PA:Empics Sport

They arrived at the Seagulls together in 2017, having starred alongside each other at Everton and Notts County.
The duo helped Brighton cruise to promotion to the top tier in their first season at the club, and ensured the south coasters retained WSL status with ease last term.
But they are facing a whole new challenge off the pitch, as they prepare for sleepless nights with their little one who is due in less than 10 weeks. 
Aileen, 29, said: “I can’t wait! I have always dreamt of having our own family and we only have three more months of waiting for our baby to arrive. 

“There will be less sleep I’m sure, but Fern and I will manage this to ensure I’m still getting enough for me to perform at football. 
“I’m not the first player to become a mum whilst still playing, so I know it is possible. 
“Sophie Bradley-Auckland at Liverpool had a baby, I’m sure she had a few sleepless nights but returned to playing elite football and is still a great player.”
Ex-England defender Fern retired from Hope Powell’s side, having been plagued with knee and ankle injuries for some time. 

And Aileen admitted it was emotional watching her time on the pitch come to an end. 

She added: “It was the end of an era for Fern. Football had been her livelihood for most of her life so for her to have to say goodbye to that was very difficult for her.”
Aileen was Brighton’s top scorer last season with five goals – and she has continued her scintillating form this term.
But she is also a whiz with kids, as she juggles full-time football with a career in child therapy. 
The striker continued: “I still run a child play therapy company and work part time with my own clients. 
“I have four other wonderful therapists that work very hard to support children across Sussex and in the Midlands. 
“I started working in a nursery when I was around 16 and I was also on the Special Educational Needs team there. 
“I’ve always wanted to work with children, they are so inspiring in what they can do and learn. 
“I took particular interest in children with emotional, behavioural, social and cognitive difficulties who struggled to reach their potential. 
“That led me to study further into becoming a Certified Play Therapist.”

Brighton turn their attention to facing high-flying Chelsea this weekend, and Aileen is confident the club can claw their way up the table from ninth.
She said: “We set our standards high and aim to always progress year on year.
“With our new signings, Ellie Brazil returning from injury and the experience we have in the team we should be aiming for a comfortable finish in mid table.
“I always want to win every game I play. I’ve played in many cup finals for Notts County, but we always came runners-up, so I still want to push on to achieve that winners medal. 
“I want to help push Brighton to be a club that people recognise as challenging for the league title and cup success.
“The drive and passion is innate, and I want to see others around me succeed.”

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LEAH GALTON has given Man United a boost by signing a new contract with the WSL giants.
The deal will see the midfield maestro remain a Red Devil until June 2024 with the option to extend for another year. 

Leah Galton’s new Manchester United contract will run until June 2024 with an option to exendCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Galton, 26, who joined Man United from Bayern Munich, has been in fine form for the club this term, netting six times in 13 league appearances. 
And the Harrogate-born player has scored 14 times in 51 games played across all competitions since her move to Casey Stoney’s side in July 2018.
Galton said: “It’s a massive honour for me to sign a new long-term deal with the club. 
“Since being here, I feel like I’ve developed in so many ways on and off the pitch and I’m especially grateful to Casey for her belief in me from the very start. 

“I have to give a special mention to my team-mates who are like family to me, we are building something really special here and there is nowhere else I would want to be playing my football.” 
Galton, who began her senior playing career at Leeds United at the age of 16, has started in every WSL game for the Red Devils so far this season. 
And the versatile star has also played in wing-back positions for her side this term.

Man United boss Stoney added: “Leah is hardworking and leaves it all out on the pitch every training session and every matchday, and she fully deserves to be signing a new contract with the club.

“I have always said that I see her as one of the best wingers in this country, and her performances throughout this season just prove that. 
“From a head coach perspective, I’m so pleased that we have Leah committing her future to us, she will be a key player over the next few seasons.”

Galton has been on target six times in 13 games for Man UnitedCredit: Rex Features
Man United, who are bidding to capture the WSL crown from champions Chelsea, are due to face Reading next in the league. 
Stoney’s side, who are second and joint on points with Emma Hayes’ Blues, have been defeated just once in 13 games this term. 
And their league form has seen the Red Devils boss and Ella Toone nominated for Barclays WSL manager and player of the month awards for February. 

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ENGLAND WOMEN will take on Northern Ireland and Canada in their first friendlies since Phil Neville’s departure.
The matches will be the first internationals for the Lionesses since March 2020 and the first under new assistant coach Hege Riise. 

The Lionesses are set to play their first international matches since the SheBelieves Cup in March 2020Credit: Getty Images – Getty

The team, who have not played a competitive game since the 2020 SheBelieves Cup, will take on both their opponents behind closed doors. 
The friendly fixtures have been organised as part of the squad’s preparation for the Euros in 2022.
Their first game will be against Northern Ireland on February 23 at St George’s Park, with the second taking place against Canada on April 13.
And the last clash between England and Northern Ireland, which took place in 2008, ended in a 2-0 win for the Lionesses. 

Former Captain Faye White and Fara Williams, who currently holds the record as the team’s most capped player, were both on target in that encounter. 
Northern Ireland have enjoyed recent success on the international stage winning their last four Euro qualifying games.
And they made history by reaching the play-offs for the tournament for the first time ever in November.  
A venue for England’s clash against Canada is yet to be confirmed. 

The  match will see the Lionesses taken on a team currently led by Bev Priestman who is a former assistant of Phil Neville

Hege Riise is set to lead the Lionesses in friendly games against Northern Ireland and CanadaCredit: AP:Associated Press

And the last encounter between the teams finished as a 1-0 win for Canada back in April 2019. 
Both matches will be available to watch on BBC iPlayer. 
And FA officials say they are continuing to work with the Government on safe return of fans to football grounds.

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PERNILLE HARDER hit a hat-trick as rampant Chelsea beat West Ham to set up a League Cup final clash with Bristol City. 
The Danish strike sensation scored three of SIX goals as the Blues beat the Hammers.

Pernille Harder scored a hat-trick as Chelsea beat West Ham to set up a League Cup final clash with Bristol City

Harder found the breakthrough just four minutes in, after she pounced on a cute through ball by Ji So-yun and slotted home. 
Sophie Ingle doubled the lead after sending a sweet strike dipping and curling into the bottom corner from outside the area.
Harder made it 3-0 thanks to a howler from Irons keeper Mackenzie Arnold.
The visiting stopper sent a limp pass into her path, leaving her the simple task of firing home from little more than a few yards.

Just three minutes later, Beth England tucked into the goal fest by poking home an inch-perfect Fran Kirby cross.
The Hammers looked a different side after the break, with Emily van Egmond, Maz Pacheco and Lois Joel all going close.
Host’s keeper Ann-Katrin Berger made a sublime save to deny whizkid Fisk from close-range.
But the visitor’s were let down when an awkward Fisk block looped over Arnold’s head and into Kirby’s path to slot in a fifth.

And Harder wrapped things up, after shimmying beyond three pink shirts to fire in a fierce, low drive in the 86th minute. 
Boss Emma Hayes roared: “That was Harder’s best game in a Chelsea shirt. I saw what I was looking for from her. Her work rate is second to none.”
Chelsea will meet Bristol City in the showpiece – the Vixens are into their first Cup final EVER thanks to Kiera Skeels’ 72nd minute header against Leicester City.

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