Nice one Si - I bet that 2nd pic takes pride of place on your girls' wall or is it in the living room, displayed by Proud Parents?
Glad it went okay, pity it wasn't a win, but wins were precious few this season. Here's hoping next season ends on a more positive note for LLFC than the match report shows - even though they were up against tough opponents. Have a read, look at the video, decide for yourself if it was a penno
Oh and that Rachel Yankey has always been a star - wish she played for us......
Arsenal defeat Reds to claim title (video can be watched here -
http://www.liverpoolladiesfc.com/matchesReport/liverpool_v_arsenal_28_august_2011_report.html )
Sunday 28 August 2011
In the final WSL game of the campaign, two Rachel Yankey goals condemned Liverpool to defeat against an Arsenal team that were crowned champions after the final whistle.
The Gunners travelled north knowing that a win would see them clinch the inaugural WSL title, while Robbie Johnson's Liverpool went into the game trying to register a first home win of the season, knowing a point could move them off the bottom of the table.
For Liverpool, captain Vicky Jones moved up into a defensive midfield role, while Katie Brusell started the advanced position of the 4-2-3-1 formation.
The Gunners line-up featured a plethora of current and ex-England internationals, but seemed to start nervously as the home side went toe-to-toe with Laura Harvey's team in the opening minutes.
In fact, the first effort on goal came from Liverpool, but Michelle Evans' free kick sailed harmlessly over Emma Byrne's crossbar.
However, a matter of seconds later, Arsenal took one step towards the title courtesy of a great move between Yankey and Danielle Carter.
Yankey fed Carter and continued her run down the left hand side. Carter was then able to pick out her team-mate with a perfect through ball and Yankey did the rest with a low finish that beat Danielle Gibbons at the near post.
Brusell had Liverpool's best moment midway through the first half, when she got the better of Faye White and drove into the area. However, she seemed to be caught in two minds and her cross shot went wide.
Yankey then could have doubled her tally twice in two minutes, first with a dipping effort that went inches over, and secondly when Carter broke down the right hand side, her cross arrived at Yankey at an awkward height and her sliced volley went high and wide.
The England winger wasn't to be denied though, and put the would-be champions 2-0 up after 36 minutes.
Ellen White did well down the right flank before sending in a cross that Yankey was able to convert past Gibbons.
Jayne Ludlow could have made it three just before half time, but her shot was smothered by Gibbons at close range.
Half time: Liverpool 0-2 Arsenal Yankey had a chance to complete her hat-trick just minutes into the second half, but she failed to get her head onto Niamh Fahey's inviting cross from the right.
With an hour gone, Liverpool ensured that Arsenal weren't going to have it all their own way by pulling a goal back in strange circumstances.
Evans floated in a deep free-kick, and, with Nicky Twohig up challenging, Faye White and Byrne collided with each other, causing the goalkeeper to spill the ball. Brusell was then on hand to finish into the empty from eight yards out.
Despite seeing their lead halved, Arsenal kept pushing for a title-clinching third, and almost got it when first, Carter struck a shot wide then Ellen White headed Yankey's cross into the side netting.
When the third did come, it was all of Liverpool's own making. The otherwise impressive Emma Jones lost the ball to Ellen White in a dangerous area before pulling the England striker back on the byline to concede a penalty.
Kim Little stepped up and made no mistake from the spot, drilling powerfully into the roof of the net.
From then, the momentum was all with the Gunners and both Ellen White and substitute Steph Houghton both came close to adding a fourth.
As it was though, three was enough to secure a victory and top spot, with Arsenal amd England captain Faye White lifting the trophy on the Skelmersdale pitch after the game.
The result means that Liverpool finish bottom of the league, having claimed just a single win throughout the season. The two teams will meet again next Sunday in the quarter-final of the Continental Cup.
Full time: Liverpool 1-3 Arsenal