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      I may not have hung up my boots in 2018 if Joe Montemurro was at Arsenal

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      IF Joe Montemurro had arrived at Arsenal one year earlier, I may not have hung up my boots in 2018. It was an emotional day when Joe announced this week that he would be stepping down as manager at the end of this season after three years in charge. 
      Joe Montemurro is leaving Arsenal to spend time with his familyCredit: Getty
      He’s doing it to recharge his batteries and spend more time with his family. 
      Before he got the job I remember meeting him for the very first time in a Holiday Inn in Borehamwood with Arsenal’s Head of Women’s Football Clare Wheatley. 
      The club was going through a bumpy transition after Pedro  Martinez Losa left in 2017 and we had not lifted the league trophy in five years. 
      I felt  anxious about who was going to lead the side, as I knew it was my last season before I retired. 
      But as soon as I met Joe that day I  knew he was the man for the job. 
      He radiates positivity and was incredibly devoted to the club, as a lifelong Gunners fan from Australia! 
      I remember walking away from that Holiday Inn thinking, ‘wow, we’ve found our man’. 
      I could tell he just knew how to move the women’s side forward. It felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders as I knew I was leaving Arsenal Women with an incredible, new leader. 
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      It was a hard time for him to come in because players like me, who had lived and breathed the Gunners since I was eight years old, were retiring.
      So Joe had to bring in fresh faces to keep up with  rivals Manchester City and Chelsea, while still upholding the Arsenal values. 
      But he managed to do it perfectly and all the players had a new-found love for training. 
      It was no surprise when he led the club to its first WSL title in seven years in 2019, then four cup finals and a Champions League quarter-final during three years. 
      There has been a huge outpouring of love from the players on Twitter and Leah Williamson described him as “the definition of a good man”.
      He wasn’t just a coach, he cared for the players, which is so  important in women’s football. 

      It’s a tough one to call as to who should take over when Joe officially leaves on May 31. 
      Whoever is taking on the job needs to once again move the club forward because they are likely to end this season without a trophy.   
      Also the new manager will need to keep the  senior star players  on board, as well as recruiting exciting  new faces.
      But the main thing is we don’t want Arsenal Women to be left behind as the WSL goes from strength to strength. 
      There’s no better time to get into women’s football, given the historic broadcasting deal with Sky Sports and the BBC. 

      But Arsenal Women have got to bring trophies back to the club. 
      When I was a player we used to laugh about our glittering trophy cabinet, because every year we would either win the league, the FA Cup or the League Cup. 
      So if the Gunners are coming away from this season without any silverware at all, then in my eyes they’ve got to do better.
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      Reading 0 West Ham 5: Thomas on fire for Irons as West Ham trounce Royals to leapfrog Aston Villa and Bristol

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      MARTHA THOMAS helped West Ham demolish Reading 5-0 to blow the WSL survival fight wide open. The Scotland forward’s stunning hat-trick was among the goals that saw the Irons crush the Royals to register their first WSL win under boss Olli Harder.
      West Ham have moved up to tenth in the table after their 5-0 win against ReadingCredit: Alamy
      Martha Thomas was in superb form for the Irons netting her first WSL hat-trick of the yearCredit: Rex
      The result means the Hammers move off the foot of the table, with Aston Villa now in the drop zone ahead of their clash with Everton.
      And it saw Thomas pick up her first three league goals of the year with the Hammers bouncing back from a 10-game winless run.
      Harder said: “It’s was a good win but there is a long road ahead for us. This will hopefully turn the corner for us to push on. 
      “We needed to get out and get on the front foot. 
      “It was a fantastic performance from Martha. As a striker, it’s been difficult for her in the last few matches or so, not scoring and obviously wanting to and creating good chances for herself. 
      “Today she managed to put three in the back of the net. 
      “That will do the world of good for her and we hope to ride that confidence now moving forward with Martha.”
      The Irons, whose last win was in November, were in devastating form and got off to a flier with Kenza Dali’s looping eighth-minute cross finding back of the net. 
      The visitors doubled their lead moments later.
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      West Ham’s win has heaped more pressure on their rivals in the bottom half of the tableCredit: Alamy

      This time with Kate Longhurst delivering a delightful chip across Reading’s penalty box for Katerina Svitkova to head home. 
      Shortly after, Thomas bundled in her first of the afternoon to make it three for the Hammers by the eleventh minute. 
      The striker was on target again minutes later combining in a slick one-two with Cecile Redisch to split Reading’s defence wide open shortly before the half-hour mark. 
      And Thomas picked up her hat-trick courtesy of a stylish chip over Grace Moloney in the 36th minute. 
      The second period saw Reading eager to bounce back.
      And they came close to pulling a goal back through Rachel Rowe’s curled effort in the 56th minute. 
      Angharad James would later force a save from Irons keeper Courtney Brosnan before Fara Williams’ thunderous free-kick rattled the crossbar in the 87th minute.  
      The Royals remain seventh following the defeat and face Birmingham after the international break with West Ham up against Aston Villa. 
      Reading will be looking to bounce back when they take on Birmingham after the international breakCredit: Alamy
      And Reading bid farewell to Wales ace Jess Fishlock who returns to her NWSL parent club OL Reign in the USA.   
      Reading manager Kelly Chambers said: “Jess has been great for me, great for the team and  I thank her for her service. 
      “The players are disappointed with the result and know that it should be better. People say it’s hard when you sit mid-table. 
      “You’re not fighting for anything near the top, you know you’re not fighting relegation but we’ve got to show pride to want to finish as high as we can.”
      Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      The Royals have bid farewell to Jess Fishlock who is due to return to her parent club OL ReignCredit: Getty
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      Mark Clattenburg says Rebecca Welch becoming an EFL referee is a ‘stepping stone’ for football

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      MARK CLATTENBURG hailed Rebecca Welch’s EFL refereeing appointment as a major leap forward for the men’s game.The former Premier League ref was full of praise for Welch and believes her amazing feat will help women become more accepted in the sport.
      Welch is set make history when she becomes the first women to officiate a men’s EFL fixtureCredit: Reuters
      Welch, 37, currently the highest-ranked female official in the country, will preside over Harrogate Town’s League Two duel with Port Vale.
      Clattenburg, 46, said a woman officiating in a men’s match was unheard of in his day.
      The former Prem ref told Sky Sports: “Rebecca Welch is an amazing story because she didn’t start until 27 so this is very late.
      “To achieve what she has done in 10 years, I want to wish her the best because this is her first step.
      “I remember at 25 when I first refereed a football league game and that was unheard of.
      “To break those barriers is so important, so everybody will be watching Rebecca.
      “We all want to wish her well because this is the stepping stone that can enhance and make women more accepted in the men’s game.”
      Clattenburg knows exactly what it takes to succeed at the highest level of football officiating. 
      The Durham-born ref was in charge of the Champions League final and European Cup final in 2016, before retiring in 2017 ahead of a big-money move to Saudi Arabia.
      Welch was selected for the role by referee chiefs Mike Riley and Mike Jones who have been assessing her performances on the pitch this season.
      But the former NHS administrator, who lives in Sunderland, wants the attention to be on the game and not who the ref is.
      She told Sky Sports: “A good game on Monday is, by 10 to five, they’re talking about the game and not about the ref.
      Clattenburg believes her appointment will help women become more accepted in men’s footballCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      “I like the games when nobody remembers who the ref is.”
      Welch began her ascent in the game a decade ago as a Sunday League ref while working for the NHS.
      And what began as a dare from her pal has now become a sporting success story.
      Rebecca Welch is hoping she can inspire others after becoming the first female referee to be appointed to an EFL match More

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      Leicester Women’s boss wants to avenge loss to London City with Foxes on brink of WSL promotion

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      JONATHAN MORGAN is out for revenge against London City Lionesses with Leicester on the verge of sealing their dream promotion. An Easter Sunday win against the only team to have beaten the Foxes in the Women’s Championship would guarantee them a WSL spot. 
      Jonathan Morgan’s team could secure promotion to the Women’s Super League with a home win against London City LionessesCredit: Getty
      The Foxes have won 11 games on the bounce in the Women’s ChampionshipCredit: Getty
      The result would also see Leicester – who lost 4-1 to London City in December – claim the Women’s Championship title with two games left to play. 
      Morgan said: “I’ve said to the girls that I want to get a little bit of revenge for that loss to London City because it was such a, such a big loss for us and it was a bit unexpected. 
      “But it was also a sliding door moment in the season because it highlighted some of our weaknesses and vulnerabilities, which we were able to shore up as you can see in the 11 wins since.
      “We need to treat this game the same as we have treated all the others. 
      “We want to play our best and win the game, but obviously this week is different because those three points would secure the title. 
      “And it would be a fitting turnaround given the last game we lost was against London City.” 
      The Foxes, who are top of the table having won 14 clashes, have a five-point lead over their closest rivals Durham as well as a game in hand. 
      Victory in the first of their final three games this season would seal a return to the top-flight for former Reading and Everton aces Remi Allen and Kirstie Levell. 
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      London City defeated Leicester in the Women’s Championship in DecemberCredit: Rex
      Kirstie Levell is aiming to register her tenth clean sheet when Leicester play London CityCredit: Rex

      And goalkeeper Levell, 24, who won promotion to the WSL with the Toffees in 2017, wants her team-mates to savour the feeling should they win.  
      Levell, who made 51 Everton appearances from 2015 to 2020, has kept nine clean sheets in 14 second-tier games this season.
      The Foxes stopper said: “The last time I was in this position was back with Everton and I gained promotion with them during the Spring series in 2017. 
      “It was a very quick season. With successes like this, you have got to live in the moment and enjoy the feeling of it. 
      “Back then, I was only young and I thought these opportunities will always come around, but they really don’t and I’m 24 now so it’s been a good few years to try and win my next cup. 
      “Hopefully that can happen after this game.”
      This has been seven years in the making to get to the WSL – the pinnacle of the women’s gameJonathan Morgan
      A  move to the WSL would represent a remarkable rise for Leicester, who were competing in the fourth tier as recently as 2013.
      And gaffer Morgan and his family have been at the heart of the team’s evolution from a semi-pro side into a professional outfit. 
      And this season the club switched their training base to Leicester’s £100million Seagrave practice ground which was previously used by the Foxes’ Prem team. 
      Morgan added: “It’s not very often you get the opportunity to win a league or championship at the elite level.
      WSL promotion would cap a remarkable season for Leicester who were acquired by the owners of King Power stadium in 2020Credit: Rex
      “I told the players you have to make sure that you live in the moment and actually enjoy it, because 10 years down the line when you’re retired, you only have the memories.
      “This has been seven years in the making to get to the WSL – the pinnacle of the women’s game. 
      “I’m thoroughly excited but also a little bit nervous because you want to get over the line. It’s the most important game of my career.” 
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
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      WSL starlet Goodwin signs first professional deal with Aston Villa ahead of Everton clash

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      ISOBEL GOODWIN has landed her first senior contract with Aston Villa Women days before the team’s clash with Everton.The teenage striker, who is battling with a knee injury, shared her delight at signing with the WSL team with more than a thousand of her followers on Instagram.
      Goodwin has signed her first professional contract with Villa
      Goodwin, 19, said: “This is something I’ve dreamt of and worked very hard for. A proud moment for me and my family.
      “I wouldn’t be where I am now without all the support I’ve had from family, friends and coaches.
      “Determined more than ever to get back on the pitch.”
      Goodwin’s new deal sees her join rising stars Olivia McLoughlin and Freya Gregory in being promoted to Villa’s first-team squad this term.
      And it is thought Goodwin may have been in contention for a swifter move up the ranks had injury not hampered her progress.
      The Villa starlet is currently sidelined with knee cartilage problems and will miss the team’s must-win clash on Sunday with the Toffees who are fifth.
      But Goodwin is in good spirits and hopes to be back to full fitness to help her club – who are third from bottom – with their bid to avoid relegation.
      Aston Villa are looking to pick up their fourth win of the season when they take on EvertonCredit: Getty
      Goodwin added: “I tore my meniscus in my knee. I have been out for about five weeks now and have probably a few weeks left for recovery.
      “But I’m back on the pitch, been smashing it in rehab so everything’s going well so far.
      “I’m just hoping to impact the game with goals because that’s my main strength, because I’m a striker.
      “I hope to bring good work ethic and put a 100 per cent in everything I do.”
      Although Goodwin is yet to make a full appearance in Villa’s first-team line-up, she did feature as a sub in Marcus Bignot’s squad durin their 1-0 victory over Tottenham in February.
      And the team’s sporting director Eniola Aluko shared the forward’s enthusiasm about the deal.
      Aluko, 34, said: “We are delighted Izzy has signed her first professional contract with us.
      Mana Iwabuchi and her team-mates are looking to avoid relegation with Villa one point above bottom spotCredit: Getty

      “Izzy is a uniquely powerful talent, and is another that has demonstrated a consistent level of development and excellence in our academy.
      “We are excited for her to contribute to the ongoing progress of Aston Villa Women.
      “Izzy is another fantastic example of the club’s academy pathway, and we look forward to seeing her make her first-team debut in the near future.”
      Goodwin hopes to help her team maintain their place in the Women’s Super LeagueCredit: Getty
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      Arsenal director Edu to help with hunt for women’s team replacement for Joe Montemurro

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      ARSENAL technical chief Edu will aid the search for a new manager to replace Joe Montemurro as boss of the Gunners’ WSL side.Montemurro, 51, revealed he will be leaving the club at the end of the season after joining in 2017.
      Edu will play a key role in helping to identify Joe Montemurro’s successorCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Although Arsenal say they are “disappointed” with his decision to depart, officials have begun the hunt for his successor immediately.
      And club chief, Vinai Venkatesham said he will be involved in the process, alongside Edu and Clare Wheatley, Gunners head of women’s football and their people director Karen Ann Joesphides.
      Venkatesham, 40, said: “In terms of process, there will be a few of us involved to find Joe’s replacement.
      “We will have the management of Arsenal Women, our people director, our technical director, Edu, and of course I’ll be involved in the process.”
      Edu has thrived in his senior backroom role with the Gunners since he re-joined them in 2019.
      And Arsenal Prem boss Mikel Arteta heaped praise on Edu for spearheading some major transfer deals in recent past few months.
      Arteta, 39, said: “I think he is doing a great job at the club since I joined.
      “The clarity that he showed when they came to try to convince me to join the club and then to stick to the plan we have and the way he is going about it, I am really impressed with him.”
      The former Brazil international also enjoyed a glittering playing career with the Gunners, winning two Premier League titles.
      Edu was also a member of their infamous ‘Invincibles’ side that went unbeaten for the whole 2004/05 season.
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      Vinai Venkatesham says Edu and Arsenal Women’s board members will make the final decision on recruitment of a new head coachCredit: Getty

      Venkatesham is keen to use Edu’s winning mentality in finding Montemurro’s replacement
      And the Arsenal chief revealed he wants the club to compete in Europe and challenge Chelsea and Manchester City for the Women’s Super League supremacy.
      Venkatesham added: “Foremost we want to bring on board someone who can help us achieve our sporting ambitions.
      “To help us be as successful as we can in the domestic game, to compete to win the WSL title, and someone who can help us be successful in Europe as well.”
      Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Montemurro has revealed he will leave Arsenal Women’s team at the end of the seasonCredit: Getty
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      New Zealand’s Eden Park to stage 2023 Women’s World Cup opening game with final set for Stadium Australia

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      EDEN PARK in New Zealand will take centre stage on the first day of the Women’s 2023 World Cup with the venue hosting the tournament’s opening clash.And the second-biggest sports venue in Australia is set to host the contest’s final. 
      Eden Park will host the opening clash of the 2023 Women’s World CupCredit: Getty
      The world’s best international women’s sides will go head-to-head in nine cities and 10 stadiums in Australia and New Zealand.  
      Adelaide, Auckland, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney and Wellington are among the locations where matches will take place over a five-week period from July to August 2023. 
      Fifa president Gianni Infantino said: “Building on the incredible success of France 2019, the Women’s World Cup 2023 and nine host cities across Australia and New Zealand will not only showcase the world’s very best players but will also provide a powerful platform to unite and inspire people.
      Chris Nikou, Football Australia President, added: “This will be the biggest sporting event on Australian soil since the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, showcasing Australia and New Zealand to a global audience of over one billion people. 
      “Today’s announcement is a major milestone for a tournament that will unite nations, inspire generations, and provide our diverse and multicultural game with the perfect platform to grow over the coming years.”
      The next World Cup will be the first in the competition’s history to see 32 teams battle it out for the most prestigious trophy in women’s football. 
      This follows Fifa’s decision to expand the tournament’s size from 24 international sides. 
      And the contest will be the first-ever jointly managed by two countries with both nations scheduled to host a semi-final game. 
      Sam Kerr and her Australia team-mates will be among the 32 sides competing in the tournamentCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The 2019 Women’s World Cup saw the United States win the trophy for the fourth time in the tournament’s 30-year history. 
      And Megan Rapinoe and Manchester City ace Rose Lavelle was on target for the victors in their 2-0 defeat of the Netherlands. 
      The full fixture schedule for the next World Cup is due to be revealed later this year.
      The United States women’s team won their fourth World Cup in France in 2019Credit: AP
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      Chelsea 3 Wolfsburg 0 (agg: 5-1): Kerr & Kirby on target as Blues trounce Wolfsburg to seal Champions League semis spot

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      SAM KERR fired a warning shot to Europe’s top dogs after Chelsea knocked Wolfsburg out of the Champions League in style. Kerr’s sumptuous strike – and an ice-cool Pernille Harder pen – were among the goals that saw the Blues exact revenge on the German giants with a 3-0 quarter-final second-leg win.
      Sam Kerr netted her 20th goal of the season in Chelsea’s 3-0 win against WolfsburgCredit: Reuters
      Pernille Harder was on target from the spot against her old team as Chelsea defeated the two-time Champions League winnersCredit: AP
      And the result, which Emma Hayes dubbed her “most favourite”, saw Chelsea seal a 5-1 aggregate victory to set-up a tantalising semi-final clash with Bayern Munich or Rosenburg.  
      Hayes said: “This probably ranks as my most favourite win in charge because I posed a challenge to the group around their maturity, learnings and progression.
      “We are growing up in Europe, and we’ve faced this opponent so many times and lost.
      “I always thought they were the benchmark for women’s football alongside Lyon, so this is a really proud day for English football.
      “I don’t think Europe has taken English football too seriously up until now.
      “That changes. I think Man City’s performances along with ours have moved us closer to domination. 
      “And that’s all we’ve done – we just moved one step closer because the team we potentially face in the semi-finals, is a whole new ball game.”
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      Fran Kirby’s late second-half strike wrapped a memorable win for Chelsea who could face Bayern Munich in the semisCredit: Getty

      Chelsea began energetically with Fran Kirby attempting to capitalise on Dominique Janssen’s stray pass.
      But the England playmaker was unable to pick out Kerr or Harder in the fourth minute. 
      And the Blues got off the mark with a first-half spot-kick buried by Harder after Sara Doorsoun was judged to have brought Sam Kerr down in the penalty area in the 26th minute. 
      Moments later Hayes’ players had a huge let-off with Ewa Pajor unable to get on the end of a dangerous Wolfsburg cross. 
      The hosts were punished for that miss on the half-hour mark with Kerr doubling the Blues’ lead with a delightful spin to turn Doorsoun and smash in her 20th goal of the season. 
      Emma Hayes hailed the result as her “most favourite win”Credit: AFP
      Wolfsburg tried to hit back through Rebecka Blomqvist who saw her effort smothered by Ann-Katrin Berger two minutes later. 
      The second-half saw the Blues defending diligently before Ji So-yun came off the bench to tee up Kirby for Chelsea’s third with nine minutes of normal time remaining. 
      The three goals were enough to see Hayes’ players seal a memorable win ahead of their league clash with Birmingham.
      Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      A WSL clash with Birmingham City is up next for Chelsea before the international breakCredit: AFP
      Emma Hayes gets stuck into Chelsea training More