Women’s Super League

SARAH ROBSON reckons Northern Ireland’s clash with England was the perfect preparation for their quest to qualify for the 2021 Euros. 
And the Durham’s ace’s unbeaten Championship side notched up their tenth win this term to keep up pressure on promotion rivals Leicester City.

Sarah Robson reckons Northern Ireland’s game against England was useful practice for their Euros play-offsCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Robson’s club side Durham are battling with Leicester for promotion to the Women’s Super LeagueCredit: Represented by ZUMA Press, Inc.

Robson, 33, was speaking days after Kenny Shiels’ players took on the Lionesses ahead of their bid to become the first Northern Ireland women’s side to reach a major football tournament. 
And while the visitors suffered a heavy 6-0 loss the former Sunderland ace believes the match gave her team food for thought ahead of their Euros play-off in April. 
Robson told Durham’s website: “The England game was all about seeing where we’re at. 
“We’re still trying to work on our philosophy and trying to do the right things, even against the best in the world.

 “It’s all a little pre-season building up to our qualifier in a couple of weeks’ time. 
“I think everyone is in a better place now knowing what we need to do when we get to the play-offs”. 
Robson, who is a Northern Ireland veteran, has been capped 60 times since her international debut in 2005.
And the midfielder, whose club are second in the Women’s Championship and play Blackburn next, is seen as a mentor to her national team’s youth prospects. 

Shiels told SunSport: “I don’t normally single out any players but Sarah is one who is exceptional in her attitude. 
“We have got four or five in their thirties who are like coaches playing alongside young players.
“Sarah is one of those and is a great role model for the younger ones.
“She gives everything to her sport, she has got a ‘never say die’ attitude and she takes discipline and criticism and just gets on with the job.”
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Durham are unbeaten in the Women’s Championship after 15 games and play Blackburn nextCredit: Represented by ZUMA Press, Inc.

Robson and her Durham team-mates are currently level on points with Leicester after beating London City Lionesses 1-0.
The team are due to go head-to-head with the Championship leaders, who defeated Crystal Palace, after a trip to Blackburn. 
And with both teams opening up a seven-point gap on third-placed Sheffield United, the clash between the rivals could be a pivotal one in the battle for a WSL spot.
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SAM MEWIS helped Manchester City pile pressure on champions Chelsea with a lethal display on her return from an ankle injury. 
The midfield maestro’s clinical brace was among the goals that saw the points gap to the league leaders cut to just two after City’s 4-0 win against Birmingham. 

Sam Mewis and Man City will take on Everton next in the WSLCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Mewis was on target twice for Man City in their 4-0 win against BirminghamCredit: Getty Images – Getty

The result saw Gareth Taylor’s side pick up their eighth straight win ahead of their Champions League clash with Fiorentina.
And the City boss was full of praise for Mewis who was playing for the first time since City’s win in Europe against Goteborg in December. 
Taylor said: “Sam has been out for quite a long period and not played for us for a while. 
“Fortunately with her not going away to the SheBelieves Cup we were able to get her ready, and I thought her performance today was really good. 

“In the first-half, we were probably a little bit impatient with our play and a little bit wasteful. 
“I think with Birmingham slowing the game down quite a bit we struggled to try and get our flow and rhythm. Sam’s goal a little before half-time helped us. 
“The girls were able to relax and we were able to play a half-pitch practice in the second-half which is what we wanted.
“It’s important to keep winning. We know where we are at as a team and how well we are progressing and the things we need to improve on. 

Despite the hefty scoreline Taylor’s did not have things entirely their own way in the game’s early stages

Gareth Taylor’s team have not dropped points in the league since a 2-2 draw with Man United in NovemberCredit: Reuters

The low block of Carla Ward’s aces and a few impressive stops from Hannah Hampton managed to keep City at bay for the first 40 minutes.
Taylor’s players threatened early in the exchange – moved from Birmingham’s home turf to St George’s Park – forcing a superb save from Hampton in the 14th minute. 
The Lionesses starlet showed why she is seen as a contender for England’s No1 shirt saving Ellen White’s header and denying a  downward-headed effort from Steph Houghton. 

We have to pick ourselves up and dust ourselves off. This result won’t define us
Carla Ward

Moments later Blues had a decent looking free-kick themselves with Ellen White heading Sarah Mayling’s floated effort out of City’s penalty area.
And it was White’s team who would eventually get the breakthrough with Sam Mewis heading in her fifth goal of the season close to half-time.
In the second-half City doubled their lead with Mewis latching onto a ball volleyed off the line to snatch her second in the 53rd minute. 
Taylor’s players increased their tally moments later. 
This time with Mewis turning provider for Lauren Hemp with her floated effort reaching the back of the net.
And the England starlet required treatment for a few minutes after appearing to hurt herself in the process of scoring.
Playmaker Caroline Weir wrapped up the victory netting City’s final goal of the match in the 67th minute. 
The result leaves Birmingham winless in five games and five points ahead of bottom-placed Bristol before a tricky match against Arsenal.

Carla Ward said she was “disappointed but not disheartened” by Birmingham’s loss to Manchester CityCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Ward: “We have to pick ourselves up and dust ourselves off. This result won’t define us. 
“This will make us stronger and we have got to kick on.
“This is a group who have been written off all season but we will take each game as it comes.”

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JONATHAN MORGAN warned his Leicester aces against breaking Covid-19 protocols in future after revealing his disappointment in players partying during lockdown. 
And the Foxes boss reckons his team cannot afford to make any mistakes in their bid to win a Women’s Super League spot next term.  

Jonathan Morgan says Leicester City were left “disappointed” by party involving the club’s players

Morgan, whose team play Crystal Palace on Sunday, was speaking for the first time since it was reported that 10 of his aces attended an illegal house party.
Three members of Leicester City men’s under-23’s squad and two players from Birmingham City Women are also thought to have been at the gathering. 
The incident which occurred on February 13 – the day of Foxes’ postponed game against Durham – led to the Leicester players involved being fined. 
Morgan told BBC Radio Leicester: “We were naturally disappointed and upset with what happened. 

“We dealt quite swiftly internally to make sure we held the parties involved accountable. 
“We have to educate them on the severity of the situation. It’s a very isolated incident. It’s not what we’re known for. 
“They know how many people they’ve let down, and the people of Leicester.
“We made it very clear to them. We then gave them a period of reflection, and people’s views were made heard to them. 

Leicester will be looking to pick up their ninth win on the bounce when they play Crystal PalaceCredit: PA
“They needed to understand that this isn’t a mistake they can make again.
“From our view now, we want to focus on the next league game. But, the girls involved are disappointed in themselves. 
“It was a gross misjudgement. We want to draw a line underneath it now.”
Leicester, who are pushing to reach the top-flight for the first time in their 17-year history, are in a tight promotion battle with unbeaten Durham. 
The Women’s Championship leaders are currently level on points with their rivals who face a tricky clash against in-form London City Lionesses.
The Foxes have won eight games on the bounce since their 4-0 defeat away to London City in November. 

Durham have played 23 matches and are yet to lose a game in the Women’s ChampionshipCredit: Represented by ZUMA Press, Inc.

Morgan added:  “There’s no real room for error anymore.
“It’s between us and Durham and we want to go and win promotion.
“We hope our in-possession game will be the difference this weekend.”
The FA says the postponed clash between Durham and Leicester has been rescheduled for Sunday 14 March. 
The match is set to take place at Maiden Castle.
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MANCHESTER UNITED have suffered a fresh injury blow with Leah Galton side-lined for the next few months.
The club confirmed in a statement that the winger damaged her ankle ligaments during their 3-0 derby defeat to rivals Manchester City.

Galton will be out for the next few months United sayCredit: Getty Images – Getty

United said that they will be working with the 26-year-old over the next few months to aid her recovery.
The statement read: “The club can confirm that Leah Galton has suffered ankle ligament damage and will spend the next couple of months working closely with the medical team on her rehabilitation.
“Everyone at the club wishes Leah a speedy recovery.”
Despite the setback, Galton appeared in a buoyant mood on social media and said she’ll be back soon.

In response to a get well soon post from the club, Galton responded: “I’ll be back.”
The injury will be a huge blow to the Red Devils in their pursuit of a top-two WSL finish.
She’s been an instrumental figure in United’s title push and is their joint-top scorer.
Prior to her injury, Galton featured in all the club’s WSL games so far and scooped the WSL Player of the Month for December 2020.

Earlier this month Galton had signed a contract extension with the club until 2024.

She was injured during United’s loss to Man CityCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Galton has been a revelation at the club this season and featured in every WSL game prior to her injuryCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Upon penning the new deal she said: “It’s a massive honour for me to sign a new long-term deal with the club.”
But Galton isn’t boss Casey Stoney’s only injury headache as other hit-woman Tobin Heath is also on the crocked list.
Heath, 32, was unplayable before her injury, scoring four goals in just eight games.

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ANGHARAD JAMES will bid farewell to Reading at the end of the season after sealing a move to North Carolina Courage on a multi-year deal.
The news comes days after the Royals confirmed Jess Fishlock will end her loan in April to return to OL Reign. 

Angharad James will leave Reading at the end of the season to join North Carolina CourageCredit: Getty Images – Getty

James, who has 83 Wales caps, joined Reading in July 2019, following a two-year stint at rivals Everton.  
And the WSL midfield ace has made 29 appearances across all competitions for Kelly Chambers side who play Bristol next. 
James, 26, told Reading’s website: “I want to take this opportunity to say a massive thank you to everyone at Reading for making me feel so welcome during my time here. 
“I can’t thank Kelly and her staff enough. I only have praise and admiration for them, for giving me the opportunity to grow and express myself on the pitch, they have been instrumental in my development.

“To the girls, who I have made some unbelievable friendships with, I can’t thank you enough for your support and I wish you and the club every success for the future. 
“I’d also like to thank the fans for their continued support, it’s a shame you’ve only been able to watch us twice this season. You are a loyal and lovely bunch, so thank you. 
“I move to North Carolina in the knowledge that I gave everything to Reading and I’ll continue to do so until the end of the season.
“Thank you all, from the bottom of my heart.”

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James, who moved to Reading in 2019, has played 83 times for WalesCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Royals boss Kelly Chambers said: “I’m extremely disappointed to be losing Haz. 
“She has been a key member of the team and is a player that has developed so much over the last two seasons. 
“When speaking to Haz I completely understand her decision to jump at the opportunity she has been given. 
“I wish her all the best in her new adventure and thank her for her huge contribution to the club over the last two seasons.”
James, who played her first game in Wales’ senior side at the age of 17, began her career in Arsenal’s academy at 16. 

James’s new team-mates at North Carolina Courage will include Brazil star DebinhaCredit: Represented by ZUMA Press, Inc.
And she made her Gunners debut in 2011 at 17 as a sub for Gilly Flaherty in the club’s 6-0 home win against Bobruichanka Bobruisk in the Women’s Champions League. 
The switch to the Courage will see James join a National Women’s Soccer League side which includes Brazil star Debinha, Republic of Ireland forward Denise O’Sullivan and USA ace Jessica McDonald. 
And the club, who won the NWSL championship in 2018 and 2019, made headlines after Naomi Osaka decided to invest in the side.
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EILEEN WADE’S fondest West Ham memories include clutching the European Cup Winners’ Cup on the night the team won the trophy in 1965.
And now the Newham-born grandmother who overcame a battle with anxiety is helping older Hammers fans struggling with loneliness.

Eileen (pictured centre) has been supporting West Ham all her life and helps tackle loneliness with Any Old Irons

Eileen (top-left) had her photo taken with West Ham’s European Cup Winners’ Cup on the night they won the trophy in 1965

Eileen, 73, whose family have supported West Ham for more than 100 years, is a member of Any Old Irons.
The over 60s group – established by the club – have been meeting since 2015 and built friendships around their love of the team.
Reaching older fans dealing with the emotional burden of living their lives alone or with little contact with family or friends is part of their work.
Their efforts have intensified with pandemic restrictions leaving many cut-off from loved ones.

And they have been backed by West Ham and its Prem players such as Mark Noble, and by Kate Longhurst and her WSL team-mates who play Chelsea next.
Eileen said: “When the lockdown started, I was really frightened because all the things I do and places I went to started to close down. 
“Last year, I couldn’t see my family very much at all.
“My eldest son’s daughter – my oldest granddaughter Hannah – is 22. She has Down’s syndrome.

“She’s brilliant, loves dancing and loves showing me new dance routines.
“I’ve hardly seen my grandchildren and haven’t been able to mix very easily with my family.

Hammers legend Tony Cottee is among the club’s stars involved with Any Old Irons
“We had an hour on Christmas Day in my garage. My eldest son stood in the garage and I stood in the garden.
“It was a Christmas like no other, but we all survived it.
“With Any Old Irons I have been encouraged to do Zoom even though I’m a bit of a dinosaur with technology.
“But I am getting the hang of it and for the first time ever, I had a Zoom disco with my granddaughter.
“But that’s what Any Old Irons is about actually. It’s about encouraging older people to get involved with things like new technology.
“We have really been emphasising we will eventually get back together in person otherwise people might think that it would never start again. 
“And there’s a lot of people who would really be devastated if they didn’t have the group.”

Since the lockdown, West Ham has been showing members how to get online, host virtual gatherings and join podcasts with famous fans like Ray Winstone.
And with the club’s help, the group has grown from having a few members to more than 100.
Eileen adds: “I joined right at the beginning when a friend of mine saw an advert from David Gold, the co-chairman. 
“He was hosting an afternoon tea at West Ham in the boardroom so we went along to that and really loved it. 
“When we started to have little get-togethers of our own before Any Old Irons went official we only had about three people.  
“And now there are more than 110 of us so it’s really blossomed and it’s been brilliant.”

Any Old Irons members have been using video calls, newsletters and Facebook to keep in touch
Being involved in the group played a part in helping Eileen get her confidence back after her 44-year-long marriage ended in 2014.
And the mother-of-two, who is a retired secretary, says “hitting rock bottom” prompted her to turn her life around.
Eileen said: “After I got divorced, I would cross the street rather than talk to anybody.
“I just went as downhill as it’s possible to go and then I think sometimes you reach a point in your life and you think, ‘I’m going to try and get things together’.
“So, I started to join clubs, gradually doing new things and that was at the beginning of my time with Any Old Irons as well.
“I remember I had the chance to do like an interview for Match of the Day and I wouldn’t do it, I was too scared at the time.

Mark Noble is among the West Ham players backing the Any Old Irons
“But now I’m really proud to be part of Any Old Irons and to have brought around 40 people in and seen how much they enjoy it.
“This includes elderly men who’ve lost their wives.
“Football is the starting point, but you’ll always find someone who is in a similar situation, and then they get chatting and you can see them blossom.”

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