Millwall supporters' club
Welcome to Princes Park for today's FA Women's Championship game
MILLWALL vs CHARLTON
Here is your complementary e-programme.
View from the Chairman
Dear fans,
I’d like to extend the Club's welcome to our visitors from Charlton, most notably their directors, management, players, staff and supporters, and I wish them an enjoyable visit to the New Den.
The games are coming thick and fast and our team have had a lot to contend with, as for many of them, this is their debut season as first team footballers in the Championship. No doubt its been tough, but we have the strength and character within the squad to do this and everyone, players, management and supporters alike, must continue to believe that the games ahead are winnable. Last season the team was in similar position and after a difficult start went on a brilliant unbeaten run. This team are capable of delivering and that must now be everyone’s sole focus.
Last week's result was a great disappointment, but not wholly unexpected, when you consider that we were up against probably the best team in the league. I have a lot of experience of our opponents last week, they are tough, well organised and talented but they are beatable, like all teams that step out over the white line to play.
We started well and with a bit of luck might have taken the lead. Unfortunately, that did not happen and when you are up against, arguably, the best finishers in the league, one moment’s lack of concentration or focus will be punished. It is no surprise that they are sitting at the top of the table this season.
Now is not the time to point the finger or lay the blame, or debate what has taken place. Now is the time to focus on the game today and not the past. The Millwall family must get behind the team, as you have done, so far, all season. Our back room staff are constantly looking at what we all can do to improve and develop the players into a confident and winning team. A pride of players representing the Club and the community. There will be plenty of time at the end of the season to look back and see what we can do better next season.
I personally continue to be positive about our destiny and l know the management and squad are on the same lines and with this attitude l believe we will get the results we need.
As always let’s be loud, let’s be proud and let’s all get behind our girls today.
Enjoy the game!
Diane Culligan
Chairman
View from the manager
Hello,
Hello everyone and welcome back to Princes Park. I hope our opposition players, staff and supporters have had a pleasant and safe short trip here.
Last week was a tough one to take, although we have to give credit to Tottenham. They have invested well in their squad this season to ensure promotion and I fully expect to see them in the Super League next year.
My team have inspired me this week, after a heavy defeat like that we came together, said what we needed to say, and I can’t fault their application in training this week. We have worked hard as a group to hopefully ensure our fantastic supporters won’t see a performance like that again.
Chris Phillips
1st Team Manager
On to today’s game and we entertain Charlton. They are on a great run of form which sees them currently sitting 3rd in the league. We faced them earlier in the season in what I thought was a very tight game.
I do feel my team have been unlucky at times this year and we just haven’t got the rub of the green or a 50/50 decision go in our favour so far. At some point our luck has to change and we can turn these narrow defeats into draws or wins.
It also gives me great pride to see the Millwall faithful stick with my team. I say it in all my notes but your support is always noticed by my team and I and we can thank you enough.
It’s been a great week for the club with back to back wins for the men’s team. Let’s hope some of that good fortune comes to the Lionesses too.
about our sponsor
SETL is a company which is bringing game changing technology to the financial services. SETL's investors include some of the worlds largest companies such as Citibank, Deloitte, Computershare and Credit Agricole. Each of these investors recognises the potential for SETL to do things differently and in a way which will transform the way that finance works. In pursuing this vision, SETL is not afraid to challenge established positions. To say that something has 'always been done that way' is not a good reason to consider better ways to do things. SETL is very much a challenger. It is a growing team of dedicated individuals who are willing to take on the big companies and organisations. No challenge is unopposed and SETL has had to face opposition who are well resourced and who want to protect their positions.
The Lionesses will face challenges of a similar nature - big clubs with big reputations and big budgets thinking they have a right of way. SETL sees in the Lionesses a spirit which will not be dominated by others, is fiercely loyal to its traditions and will meet those challenges with skill, hard work and determination.
We wish the Lionesses good luck in their game today against Charlton. SETL is proud to be a supporter and sponsor of the Lionesses and looks forward to a successful season.
Anthony Culligan
Founder
CAPTAIN'S COMMENT
Each game, one of the three club captains will update us on how the squad is preparing and how they see the season progressing.
This week it is the turn of defender, Leanne Cowan.
Good afternoon and welcome back to Princes Park for a local London derby.
I’d like to thank all of our fans who have travelled to today’s game, and extend a warm welcome to the Charlton team, staff and fans who have also made the journey.
We will be looking to bounce back in terms of performances after last week. Sometimes you have to learn the hard way in football, but hopefully it’s the wake up call we need to kick on and try and get some points on the board.
With everyone back from international duty and people returning from injuries competition for places is high and we’ve had a good intense week of training. We hope to take this intensity into today’s game against a strong team who are in a good run of form. Everyone loves an underdog though right?
Come on girls!
MIIIILLLLLL!!
Leanne Cowan
Captain
match preview
Last week will definitely have been pushed into the back of the minds of the Lionesses after Spurs gave Millwall their first real thumping of the season. The side from North London ran out 8-0 winners on Sunday and Millwall will be determined to make sure things change this weekend as they host a Charlton side that has already beaten Millwall this season, 4-2 in the continental cup. It was the newly formed Millwall team's first competitive game so a lot has changed since that game in late August and goals from Evie Clarke and Gabby Ravenscroft actually saw the side lead for a period of the game. The side have come along way since then and bar last weeks performance have constantly been growing and performing better each week, something they will be looking to take into Sundays game.
With Spurs the only side in the league with a perfect record after their opening four league games, they will look to make it five when they host Millwall on Sunday. Millwall will need no introduction to former Lionesses Rianna Dean and Megan Wynne - both were influential in the Lionesses successful season last year and both seemed to have settled into the North London side very well. The pair are scoring goals and continuing their impressive performances from last season. Rianna was Millwall's top scorer last season and looks this season to fire Spurs to the top of the league in only her second season in professional football.
Annie Rossiter and Lia Cataldo returned from international duty on Wednesday and now are available for selection ahead of Sunday's game. Chris stated in his post-match interview against Leicester that the side missed the duo and would have used them off the bench if they were avaliable. The two will add more depth to the squad and can allow Chris to utilise his full squad more effectively. One player who will look to continue her recent impressive performances is midfielder, Beth Lumsden. After her superb free kick that flew into the top corner, Beth will be hoping to get on the score sheet again as Millwall look to cause an upset.
The side have been working hard to change their fortunes this season, but have fallen just short of the hurdle on a couple of occasions. With this arguably their hardest league of the season so far, Millwall will need to find their rhythm and play how they have in spells in games to ensure they come away from North London with some points.
featured player
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After a truly magnificent goal against Leicester, Beth Lumsden will be looking to add to that when the Lionesses go again at home against Charlton. Formerly of Arsenal, Beth is a physical player who likes to get stuck in and the midfielder also has some flair about her and can hit a ball well. If recent performances are anything to go by, Beth has certainly been give Chris a reason for her name to be on the team sheet Sunday.
One of many players that joined from Arsenal, Beth has showed her quality and why she had been at the WSL club. Her quality on the ball and the ability to pick a pass out of nowhere makes her a real asset to the side and with the experience of Georgie Giddings alongside her, the youngster is only going to improve.
With their side still in search of their first league win, can Millwall turn to Beth to drive them to it on Sunday against Charlton? Her first goal for the club will surely give her an added boost and extra motivation to now go on and help the side push up the table.
the visitors
Charlton have made quite the start to life in the championship. They sit pretty in 3rd and have had some impressive results so far this season. The side from south London added to their squad this season with Amber Stobbs arriving from West Ham, who has brought real quality and flair to the side. Millwall fans will need no introduction to other recruit Leigh Nicol, after spending a few years at Millwall in which the midfielder picked up a player of the season award, the midfielder joined the addicks this season after Millwall revamped their whole squad.
They come into this game having already beaten the Lionesses once this season. It was however in the WSL cup when the addicks ran out 4-2 winners on a cold rainy day at VCD athletic. Gabby Ravenscroft and Evie Clarke got the goals but Charlton showed their class in the second half to fight back from 2-1 down to claim the win.
They now make the trip to Dartford in search of another league win. A South London derby always brings a more exciting game and this one should be no different.
#RADIOROAR
This season we want you to be our DJ on matchdays. So throughout the season, we want you to send in your song choices that you want to be heard at the game.
It couldn’t be easier to pick a song, so tweet us your choice using #RadioRoar or look out for our Instagram story to request your favourite track. Get your requests in by 5pm on Friday and you could be on our matchday playlist for the next home match at Princes Park.
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FEATURE | FIFA's Global STRATEGY
Earlier this month, FIFA launched its first ever global strategy for women’s football, with a clear message of empowerment underpinning plans to grow the game, get more girls involved earlier and keep women in football longer.
FIFA Chief Women’s Football Officer Sarai Bareman said: “We’re trying to change the perception, that women’s football is not this kind of poor little sister waiting for the handout from the big brother of men’s football. We want to bring it into the mainstream.”
“Everybody in FIFA and across football’s governing bodies should be looking at football as just football.”
The strategy is linked to the FIFA 2.0 vision statement from 2016 which covered plans to advance women’s football in just three of its 69 pages.
The new strategy has three key goals:
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To grow participation
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Enhance commercial value, and
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Build the foundations of the game
FIFA aims to achieve these goals by focusing on five areas:
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Develop and grow – teaching, mentoring and developing skills from grassroots
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Showcase the game – more tournaments for countries and clubs
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Communicate and commercialise – improved marketing and promotional opportunities
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Govern and lead – encouraging more women to get involved in running the game
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Educate and empower – using the power of women’s football to make a difference around the world
And of course, FIFA has some specific targets to hit:
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60 million female players around the world
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Double the number of women’s youth leagues worldwide
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Ensure women are voted onto every governing body exec committee
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Achieve a broadcast audience of 1m for next year’s World Cup in France.
FIFA, which has been widely criticised for its failure to provide clear leadership and embrace the Women’s game before now, is hoping that the strategy will help clear the way forward for the sport but accepts that there are major challenges ahead.
Bareman said: “There’s still a massive piece of work that needs to be done. Making sure the decision makers, especially the ones who are responsible for the funding and the resources, understand how much an opportunity exists in the women’s game is a big, big part of our strategy.”
“Some countries are already well advanced,” she said. “And to be honest, they’re not our target. We’re trying to reach those ones that need a lot more help and support from us in order to push the women’s game forward.”
This is a welcome step forward in the global development of the women’s game. However, given that FIFA has scheduled the Women’s World Cup final for the same July day as two major men’s tournaments – the CONCACAF Gold Cup final in Chicago and the COPA America final in Rio – the women’s game will need to continue to shout a bit louder to be heard above the din of their more established brothers.
Match report
Spurs went top of the league as they showed their class by putting 8 past Millwall. After recent improvement in their performances, the Lionesses would have seen this as an opportunity to stop Spurs continuing their 100% start to the season.
Spurs started like they were on a mission and got the home fans cheering from the off, Spurs remained on the front foot for a long period at the start as they looked for an opener, not letting Millwall get out of their own half. Former Lionesses Megan Wynne and Rianna Dean were causing trouble for Millwall, Megan down the wing was constantly getting the ball into the box and Rianna Dean was making her presence known.
It took Spurs 20 minutes to get their first, Addison beat an on rushing Grace Taylor to the ball as the forward headed the ball over Grace and into the net, A goal the hosts feel was coming and now wanted more hoping this goal would push them on for even more. With the hosts in front, Millwall would have to re group and avoid going even further behind.
Despite Millwall's best attempts at keeping the gap to only one, a one minute moment of madness saw Spurs score two goals and all but kill off the game. The first one of these two came on the 29th minute when former Lionesses Rianna Dean got her first of the day. Then a minute later it was 3 as Wiltshire reacted quickest to Grace Taylor's save and tapped home from close range as the side from North London found themselves in a very comfortable position only 30 minutes into the game.
With Spurs in cruise control they didn't stop their attacking relentless footballing style that had got them this lead, Millwall had barley had more than a minute on the ball with Spurs shutting down very quickly and not allowing Millwall to play, Grace Taylor had to make a few saves to deny Spurs a fourth but couldn't stop Neville who made in 4 with 10 minutes to go until the break, Spurs were flying and with the home fans behind them, they were going into the break with an impressive 4 goal lead.
With Millwall 4 goals behind, Chris introduced Freya to the team at half time in hope the midfielder could help sure up the defensive side, Millwall started brightly in the second half but Rianna Dean took a tumble in the penalty area and smashed home the following penalty, It was her second of the game and that goal deflated a very positive Millwall side. The Lionesses did not give up despite the scoreline and kept trying to break through what was a very organised backline of Spurs but just couldn't find that final pass in the final third.
Millwall kept going, they kept battling, up against a very good Spurs side who were just having one of those days when everything was going to plan. Baptiste then got on the score sheet for Spurs on the hour mark, another well taken goal by the hosts and Millwall found themselves 6 behind against a Spurs side who were showing everyone why they are top of the league.
The day was just not meant to be Millwall's despite how much work they were putting in, Spurs showed skill and trickery that was causing Millwall problems all game, The hosts then won their second penalty of the game through their quick feet and it was Rianna Dean who stepped up again to complete her hat trick, The striker went to the same place and got the same result, increasing Spur's lead to 7 (seven). Millwall were trying to stop a rampant Spurs from finding the back of the net but Spurs were catching Millwall on a bad day and made it 8 (eight) with less than 10 minutes to go. Addison got through the Millwall defence before firing home her second of the game as Spurs comfortably wrapped up the game in style.
The game was Tottenham's as they went top of the league, above title favourites Manchester United by two points, Millwall who had played so well in recent performances were off the pace and made to pay by a good Spurs side, the result may have flattered the hosts but Millwall just couldn't get it to work today.
It ended 8-0 a result Chris will only hope will teach this young Lionesses side a tough lesson, its onwards and upwards for this Lionesses side however who need to recharge their battery's for this Sunday's clash against Charlton Athletic.
Millwall Lionesses Starting XI:
Taylor, Mackie (Bailes 45), Priest, Giddings, Powell, Rossiter, Fitzgerald, Lumsden (Guzowska 74), Cataldo, Clarke, Ravenscroft (Auguste 64)
Millwall Lionesses unused subs: Sansom, Bailey
Tottenham Starting XI:
Morgan, Mclean, Hector (Leon 63), Wiltshire (Martin 56), Dean, Schillaci, Wynne, Addison, Naz, Neville, Haines (Baptiste 56)
Tottenham unused subs: Gibbon, Meiwald, Green, Vyse
HIGHLIGHTS | Key moments
Tottenham 8-0 Millwall
LEAGUE TABLE
Today's teams
Millwall Starting XI:
13. Chloe Sansom
3. Leanne Cowan ©
5. Riva Casley
6. Ylenia Priest
8. Beth Lumsden
10. Lia Cataldo
12. Beth Powell
14. Georgie Giddings
17. Lucy Fitzgerald
20. Annie Rossiter
Subs: Taylor, Bailes, Ravenscroft, Harford, Charles, Guzowska, Bailey
Charlton Starting XI:
1. Katie Startup
2. Charlotte Kerr
6. Grace Coombs
10. Charlotte Gurr
11. Amber Stobbs
16. Kit Graham
17. Harley Bennett
22. Lily Agg
24. Lilli Maple
26. April Bowers
37. Liz Ejupi
Subs: Clifford, Bryan, Bailes, Wheeler, Nicol, Churchill
legal info
The FA Women’s Championship strongly supports recent FA statements that there should be a zero tolerance approach against racism and all forms of discrimination. Accordingly, any form of discriminatory abuse, whether it be based on race or ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, faith, age, ability or any other form of abuse will be reported to The Football Association for action by that Association. (The FA 0800 085 0508/Kick It Out 020 7253 0162)