It was one of the most anticipated weekends of football in recent memory, with Round 1 of the FA WSL ushering in a new era for our Australians and New Zealanders abroad.
Seven Matildas made their debuts in the competition, alongside one Football Fern. Read up on the big moments in the first round below.
What. A. Day. 🤩
Who scored the best goal? 🤔#BarclaysFAWSL pic.twitter.com/p02B5JHviu
— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) September 6, 2020
Aston Villa 0 Manchester City 2
A newly-promoted Aston Villa made their debut as a fully professional team on Saturday against established league mainstays Manchester City. Within 25 minutes of kick-off, Georgia Stanway had leapt on and converted two defensive mistakes.
Despite the disappointing start, Villa put in a disciplined performance in the second half, curtailing opportunities from Ellen White, Chloe Kelly and Caroline Weir.
Arsenal FC 6 Reading 1
Fans from home settling in on Sunday night didn’t have to wait long to see Aussies light up their streams.
Arsenal kicked off the day against Reading, with Steph Catley making it to the team-sheet for her dual Arsenal/WSL debut – a formidable win that sent them to the top of the ladder.
The home side were quick to assert their dominance with Kim Little opening the account in the 15th minute. The W-League legend (just general football legend, really) sent a powerful volley into the goal on the end of Leah Williamson‘s crisp cross.
Reigning Golden Boot Vivianne Miedema followed shortly thereafter, coolly dancing around Reading keeper Grace Maloney. Jill Roord brought the side to 3-0 five minutes before the break.
Catley came off in the 69th minute (sad) and Caitlin Foord came on (rad) in a group substitution. Foord quickly made an impact with her assists on two more goals. She found both Roord – who ended up with a hat trick – and Miedema – a modest brace.
Danielle Carter‘s scored Reading’s lone goal against her previous side in the 89th minute, bearing down on a goalkeeping error.
https://twitter.com/ArsenalWFC/status/1302664813554864128
Brighton & Albion Cove 2 Birmingham City 0
Ferns defender Rebekah Stott had a big Sunday, getting a full 90 minutes, keeping a clean sheet and getting the win on her debut for Brighton. Oh, and did we mention she got a secondary assist too?
The home side had the better share of chances in the first half, hitting the crossbar twice.
Shortly after the break, Ireland’s Megan Connolly seized the lead with a contender for goal of the round.
The Seagulls kept their (webbed?) feet on the accelerator, doubling this minutes later. Stott went on a jaunt into the final third, giving the ball to Connolly to whip across onto the head of Netherlands’ Inessa Kaagman.
https://twitter.com/ElaineBucko/status/1302616371432501252
Bristol City 0 Everton 4
Finally, a rocky nine months after her initial six-month signing was announced, Hayley Raso made her debut for Everton. Chloe Logarzo and Ella Mastrantonio each clocked a full game for Bristol but it was by no means an easy introduction for the pair.
Captain Lucy Graham was integral to the Toffees’ win, contributing to all four goals. This started with a cheeky back-heel assist for Simone Magill to volley in, before scoring herself in the 21st.
Come second half, Graham got a brace by converting from the spot. France’s Valérie Gauvin rounded out the game after receiving the pass through from – no prizes for guessing – Graham.
2️⃣ Goals
2️⃣ Assists
1️⃣ Lucy Graham masterclass 😎@bristolcitywfc 🆚 @EvertonWomen📺 Highlights & Full Match on the FA Player now! 👇
— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) September 7, 2020
Tottenham Spurs 1 West Ham 1
Three Matildas made their club and league debut at The Hive, with Mackenzie Arnold getting a full game between the sticks. Ria Percival, now in her second season with Spurs after departing West Ham in 2019, also played 90 minutes.
A goalless first half gave way to increased intensity in the second. A tasty save from Arnold was quickly cancelled out on the subsequent corner by Grace Fisk‘s own goal. The Hammers were quick to respond, with Canada’s Adriana Leon sending in a cannon to the top right corner in the 57th minute.
In what could be considered the match up of the round, Emily Van Egmond came on in the 53rd minute and Alanna Kennedy in the 68th. It was noted by fans that Van Egmond’s first touch in the comp was a nutmeg.
Pick that one out! 🎯
🔥 @LeonAdriana9 🔥pic.twitter.com/HT9QHbigzU
— West Ham United Women (@westhamwomen) September 6, 2020
Manchester United 1 Chelsea 1
All eyes were on Sam Kerr as she started her second season with Chelsea.
The striker’s performance has been much discussed recently but she showed exactly why she’s the worth the fuss with a goal to her name. Fran Kirby crossed from the right in the 25th minute, with Kerr muscling around Kirsty Smith to get the crucial touch.
Kerr was subbed off for Beth England in the 66th minute.
The away side struggled to convert another to gain a more substantial lead, with a plucky Manchester United punishing them for it. Jackie Groenen streaked down the right flank, pinpointing Leah Galton in the box to equalise with a little over ten minutes to spare.
https://twitter.com/TheMatildas/status/1302608523382018048
League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| 1 | Arsenal | 1 | 1 | – | – | 6 | 1 | +5 | 3 |
| 2 | Everton | 1 | 1 | – | – | 4 | – | +4 | 3 |
| 3 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 1 | 1 | – | – | 2 | – | +2 | 3 |
| 4 | Manchester City | 1 | 1 | – | – | 2 | – | +2 | 3 |
| 5 | Chelsea | 1 | – | 1 | – | 1 | 1 | – | 1 |
| 6 | Manchester United | 1 | – | 1 | – | 1 | 1 | – | 1 |
| 7 | Tottenham Hotspur | 1 | – | 1 | – | 1 | 1 | – | 1 |
| 8 | West Ham United | 1 | – | 1 | – | 1 | 1 | – | 1 |
| 9 | Aston Villa | 1 | – | – | 1 | – | 2 | −2 | – |
| 10 | Birmingham City | 1 | – | – | 1 | – | 2 | −2 | – |
| 11 | Bristol City | 1 | – | – | 1 | – | 4 | −4 | – |
| 12 | Reading | 1 | – | – | 1 | 1 | 6 | −5 | – |
