Cricket-Match-Special ... A forum for discussion

sussexpob wrote:With Coronavirus stripping a lot of money from the game, I can see womens football suffering quite dramatically. One only has to look at the table, with Arsenal smashing in 30 goals in 4 games, to see a pretty noticeable gaps even in the small Premier League between the top power teams, and those woman's sides that coming from lower league teams. Bristol for instance have been annihilated this season.

not great as a spectacle to have such a massive gap in quality in such a small league.

Huddersfield Town women have declined the opportunity to apply for a place in the WSL, despite being top of the National League North for something like the 2nd season running. They don't have the £140k funds required to participate in a higher division.

Women's football has missed a trick in not operating like the ECB. Any significant interest is more likely to be orientated around the national side, rather than following nursery teams of a Premier League club.

The WSL should be like The Hundred. Franchises part owned by County FA's/Football clubs. Player drafts to evenly spread the talent. 9 teams in WSL1, 13 teams in WSL 2. WSL1 teams play each other 3 times, WSL2 twice (24 match regular season). Two up two down. WSL1 league leaders qualify for the Grand Final at Wembley, 2nd v 3rd in a midweek playoff. WSL2 league leaders win automatic promotion, 2nd-5th in a Football League style playoff. Playoff Final hosted at highest placed team's ground.

Chelsea Women reach the CL final, I think for the first time. Having watched the first game I thought Bayern would win but I was wrong. Can the men make it a double?

Chelsea win the league, as expected and still on for the quadruple I believe.

Chelsea were well and truly beaten last night. Barca were knocking it around at pace, similar to their male counterparts, whilst Chelsea looked slow and nervous.

Gingerfinch wrote:Chelsea were well and truly beaten last night. Barca were knocking it around at pace, similar to their male counterparts, whilst Chelsea looked slow and nervous.

What made me laugh is the forgiving nature of the press for the women. If Chelsea males had been blasted apart in minutes and embarrassed like that, heads would role.

The BBC instead told a sweet tale of Roman joining the team and them saying they'd make the final again

sussexpob wrote:

Gingerfinch wrote:Chelsea were well and truly beaten last night. Barca were knocking it around at pace, similar to their male counterparts, whilst Chelsea looked slow and nervous.

What made me laugh is the forgiving nature of the press for the women. If Chelsea males had been blasted apart in minutes and embarrassed like that, heads would role.

The BBC instead told a sweet tale of Roman joining the team and them saying they'd make the final again

It can be a bit patronising at times with the media and I doubt the players want it that way. Tuchel will be getting hammered by the media if City thump them 4-0. That said, I like Hayes and hope she gets them back to the final next year.

I see the BBC is showing live matches from the WSL

it's years too late, but they got there eventually. They should have been doing this from even before the WSL was formed

Well that was a frustrating game for an hour until Mead came on. How Mead isn't starting is beyond me. Saw her play at Reading a few weeks ago and she was brilliant.

just finished watching it, Ginger

it was actually a decent game. How England weren't 3 or 4 up at half time I have no idea. Taking Stokes off was a good move... she was by far the worst England player on the pitch. Not shuffling the defence after taking her off was an odd one. It left England looking horribly lop-sided, but maybe that was the plan to try and get NI to move the bus

Kirby looked short on confidence, which is a worry. Walsh still isn't impressing me... don't know what it is

NI were fielding a Durham player
It took me a while to realise because she plays under her maiden name for NI, but is known by her married name at Durham

As I was watching it, I did wonder if you were at the game with your girls

Durhamfootman wrote:As I was watching it, I did wonder if you were at the game with your girls

We had tickets but had to sell them as we're still isolating.

Yes Kirby was poor, trying to be to cute at times, adding to that, White's finishing was abysmal. I do like watching Hemp play who is like an old fashioned tricky winger.

Gingerfinch wrote:We had tickets but had to sell them as we're still isolating.

bummer!

Latvia were worse than N Ireland.

57 shots to zero, 10 goals and a missed pen.

There were also plenty of times when they should have shot but tried to walk the ball into the net.

I didn't realise this was on and there don't appear to be any highlights on offer on FTA at least

Oh Lordy

England beat Latvia 20-0. They needed 4 match balls to give to the players who scored hat tricks

Norway were leading Armenia 9-0 when weather ended the match half way through the second half

and people question why San Marino play international football