Football, as with any walk of life, is made up of a multitude of characters. The naturally skilled; the hard workers; the energisers; the personalities – these attributes are not mutually exclusive, but they are all part of why we follow the game passionately.
Every so often, you come across a footballer who encapsulates the lot. Jill Scott is one such individual – a skilled but tough opponent on the field with an undeniably engaging and infectious nature off it.
It has, at times, been a tough welcome to the Barclays FAWSL for Aston Villa. And as the winter descended on Walsall early on Saturday afternoon, they had to display all their fight and grit to earn a point against a confident Reading side.
The resilience of this season’s Reading side has not gone unnoticed. Yes, they have struggled to score goals, but they have five draws to their name this season, including Manchester City and Everton, while they took Manchester United pretty close.
This time last year, we were preparing for another She Believes Cup in America, unaware of all the things 2020 was going to throw at us. For Phil Neville and England, they were struggling for form off the back of the World Cup in France, but were heading into the tournament as cup holders with hopes of a fresh start.
Could this be the moment that will spark Bristol City’s season into life?
The Vixens have not had an easy time of it so far this campaign. They sit at the bottom of the Barclays FAWSL, having shipped 45 goals and without a win. But on a rainy Wednesday night in Twerton (what else does it do in the south west?!), they displayed the sort of resilience that might just give them a chance.
Just when you thought 2020 was bad enough, the first week of 2021 has gotten off to a rather tricky start for women’s football. As fans of the game first of all, it has been tough to follow and process as confusion, frustration and at times anger has swelled. To those who say the women’s game is boring, strap in.
A second half masterclass saw Aston Villa gain a vital win over Bristol in bottom of the table clash.
The full extent of Leicester City’s progress was illustrated on Wednesday afternoon as they battled past Birmingham City in the Continental Cup.
Manchester United maintained their spot at the top of the Barclays FAWSL against a resilient Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon.
Bristol capped off a rollercoaster ten days as they progressed to the quarterfinals of the Continental Cup.