West Ham Take Points off Chelsea | Blind Date: Arsenal Edition

March 31, 2025

WOMEN’S FOOTBALL WEEKLY
IN THIS WEEK’S ROUND-UP...

  • Picks from the pitch: Shekiera Martinez on fire

  • Latest headlines: Liga F brings in VAR alternative

  • Kit drop: Kappa x Acne Studios

  • What we’re watching: Our pick of the week’s upcoming matches

  • Jobs: New opportunities in football

⚽ PICKS FROM THE PITCH

Our top five WSL moments this week

  1. Beth Mead’s 50th WSL goal was followed up with this top bins curler. 

  2. Kirsty Hanson, take a bow. She scored from the tightest angle after a beautiful long ball from Missy Bo Kearns, securing Villa’s first win since December.

  3. Miedema was not messing about for City’s 90th-minute winner

  4. Shekiera Martinez bagged a brace for West Ham and took two points off the league leaders while she was at it. Our fave was her opening effort… as cool as you like.

  5. A cheeky little volley from Drew Spence rounds things off this week.

RESULTS: WSL MATCHDAY 18

AS IT STANDS

🚨ICYMI

Top Headlines

📹 Liga F will introduce Football Video Support (FVS) next season as a cheaper alternative to VAR. Rather than everything being checked in real time, FVS gives coaches a fixed number of challenges which can be made at any time (think challenges in tennis). When a challenge is made, the FVS team will check the ref’s decision. 

🗑️ Following an extensive consultation period with clubs, fans, and parents of younger players, the FA has shelved its plan to introduce WSL B teams in the lower leagues of the women’s football pyramid.

🏟️ Brighton will explore whether pitch surfaces impact the risk of injury to female players as it designs and installs the pitch at its new women’s stadium. They’re planning to work with local universities to research playing surfaces and their impact on women’s injuries. 

👏 Fran Kirby has been recalled to the England squad for the upcoming double header against Belgium. Fellow Brighton team-mate, 22-year-old midfielder Maisie Symonds, got her first senior call-up. Get the full Lionesses squad here. 

😡 Barbra Banda was the victim of hateful language from a Gotham fan during their clash with Banda’s Orlando Pride. The incident is being investigated. 

🗓️ West Ham United’s home game against Manchester United will be broadcast on Sky and has been moved to 12 noon on Saturday 19 April. 

🤨 After a brand launch that failed miserably and a name that was ridiculed by fans and pretty much everyone else, Bos Nation FC went back to the drawing board. They had a consultation period, listened to fans and, with a lot of buildup, relaunched their name this week as…. Boston Legacy FC (they made an infographic of the naming process in case anyone was wondering). Guess what? The fans hate it.

📚 WHAT WE’RE READING
👀 FAVE FINDS

Lucy Bronze has joined the National Autistic Society as an ambassador, where she’ll raise awareness about autism and advocate on the organisation’s behalf.

“There were times in my life where things might have been easier for me if there wasn't a stigma, if I felt I could be more open about it. I want young autistic boys and girls to be happy with who they are and not be misunderstood.” – Lucy Bronze.

Fancy a football blind date? Arsenal is inviting single fans to apply for a spot on their … wait for it 🥁… new dating show. Yes, you read that right. Applications close at 23:59 on 11 April

✍️ INSIDE TRACK

Manchester United’s Geyse has completed a loan to Gotham FC for the remainder of the NWSL season. Geyse had made her desire to leave United clear following the death of her brother earlier this year, saying she was deeply unhappy at the club. Regarding the loan deal, the club has said Geyse’s well-being has been at the centre of its thinking.

🩼 ACL + INJURY UPDATES

Georgia Stanway is running again! She’s been recovering from an LCL injury she sustained in January. There’s every chance she might be back to full fitness ahead of this summer’s Euros.

👟 KIT DROP

Kappa and Acne Studios have collaborated on a 90s football fashion extravaganza. Fold-over tongue astros, check. Tracksuits, caps, socks… check. A bag that looks like a fortune cookie, double-check. Available now. 

FC Bayern x adidas x BSTN collab is hitting some pretty earthy home notes. The collection nods to Munich throughout, from the jersey’s reptile pattern referencing local street art ‘the wall lizard’ to the Bavaria statue tee. You can get your hands on the collection now.

🏆 UWCL QUARTER-FINALS

The Champion’s League quarter-finals already feel like a million years ago, but in case you missed it, here’s our super snappy recap.

  • After the first leg was played on what looked like a swamp, Arsenal couldn’t wait to be back on solid grass for the return fixture. They turned up the drama to high as they welcomed Real Madrid to the Emirates for the second leg. They went into it 2-0 down and left as 3-2 winners. (Highlights)

  • Lyon finished off their Bayern Munich demolition job, it ended 6-1 on aggregate to set up an Arsenal semi-final. (Highlights)

  • It was a game too far for Manchester City. Chelsea’s intense, never-ending press resulted in three first-half goals and a 3-2 win on aggregate, sending them through to the semifinals. (Highlights)

  • Meanwhile, Barcelona went a bit mad, beating Wolfsburg 6-1 and (checks notes) 10-2 on aggregate. (Highlights)

That leaves us with the third Chelsea vs Barcelona UWCL semi-final in a row. The semi-finals have two legs; the first leg matches as follows:

  • Arsenal vs Lyon - 19 April, 12:30

  • Barcelona vs Chelsea - 20 April, 17:00

🛋️ DITCH THE SOFA

Upcoming Events

The Lost Lionesses
The Place Theatre, Bedford 15-19 April
Based on actual events, “The Lost Lionesses” tells the story of a Bedfordshire-based team of pioneering young women who travel to Mexico to play in the 1971 women’s football World Cup in front of 90,000 people.
Get your tickets here

BallerFC - England vs Belgium Screenings
Signature Brew Blackhorse Road, London E17 5QJ
4 April - Doors 19:00, KO 20:00
8 April - Doors 19:00, KO 19:30
More info

Is there a women’s football event happening near you? Give us a heads-up.

📺 WEEKLY WATCHLIST

What We’re Watching

UEFA Women's Nations League
Friday 4 April 2025
19:15 - Wales vs Denmark [BBC One Wales, BBC iPlayer]
19:35 - Scotland vs Germany [BBC Alba, BBC iPlayer]
20:00 - England vs Belgium [ITV1, ITVX]

Tuesday 8 April 2025
16:45 - Germany vs Scotland [BBC Scotland, BBC iPlayer]
18:00 - Northern Ireland vs Romania [BBC iPlayer]
18:00 - Sweden vs Wales [BBC Two Wales, BBC iPlayer]
19:30 - Belgium vs England [ITV4, ITVX]

All kick-off times are BST

📂 JOBS, JOBS, JOBS

More Women Working in Football

  • Women's Performance Lifestyle Coordinator (FTC, Part-Time) | The Football Association | Apply by 3 April

  • Business Strategy & Performance Manager | The Football Association | Apply by 6 April

  • In-House Lawyer | Birmingham City FC | Apply by 13 April

  • Head of Operations & Player Services - Women's Team | Chelsea FC | Apply now

  • Editorial designer/project manager (freelancer) | FIFA | Apply now

P.S. If you know a WSL fan who’d love to read this email, please forward this one or share a link :)

More women watching, playing and working in football