SAME OLD STORY

So, it was the final we were all predicting.....Doncaster Rovers Belles v Arsenal in the women's Premier League Cup.

The two finalists clinched victories over Preston North End, and Chelsea. Doncaster beating PNE 3-1, and Arsenal beating their London rivals Chelsea 4-0.

The Belles scored twice within seven minutes of the game with goals coming form Rachel Williams and Emily Heckler. Preston managed to put up a fight despite the 2-0 deficit, and 6 minutes before half time they were reward with a goal from Anisha Bateman.

Suzanne Davies scored for Docaster Belles shortly after the break, and Preston North End soon ran out of steam to ensure it was the Belles who made it through to the final.

Sophie Perry of Chelsea, scored an own goal in the first half to open up the scoring, and gave Arsenal their 1-0 lead. Chelsea defended well and it wasn't until the 56th minute Arsenal increased their lead thanks to a close range shot from Julie Fleeting. Jane Ludlow then scored making it 3-0 before Fleeting scored the 4th to ensure a 5th consecutive appearance in the League Cup Final for the Arsenal Ladies - a record any team would be proud of!

Now for the final.....I can see Arsenal clinching the win but it wont be easy! Doncaster have proved their worth and will be relishing the chance to be the new cup holders!

A LITTLE ALL TOO FAMILIAR....

As the women's league gears up for a weekend of Cup action, looking at one of the semi-final fixtures I could not help but think this fixture wouldn't look out of place in the men's equivalent.

Tomorrow sees Chelsea take on their London rivals Arsenal in the FA Tesco Women’s Premier League Cup.

(The other fixture being Doncaster Rovers Belles v Preston North End)

Another interesting fact is that two of the teams involved in the semi-final matches have both already played in the final (Doncaster Rovers Belles, and Arsenal), something that is evident in the men's game as every year we pretty much see the same teams there, or there abouts.

So does this prove that women's and men's football aren't entirely worlds apart - well based on other issues unfortunately not, but still, a pattern is emerging similar to that in the men's league.

Now everyone knows how much money surrounds the male game and that the top 4 are generally making the most money, i.e Manchester United, Arsenal etc, and this can be down to how much backing they've received financially in the past - most particularly evident with Chelsea over recent years as now they've established themselves as one of the 'top 4' clubs.

If women's teams received more backing financially too, then surely this can only help to open the door further for a lot of other teams looking to compete with the success that Arsenal have managed! Bit of a coincidence that the team that's had the most financial backing in the league is the same team that are constantly winning trophies and containing most of the international players.

So again, clubs - TAKE THE TIME TO BACK YOUR WOMEN'S TEAM!!! It'll benefit everyone involved!

And finally.....Good luck to the teams over the weekend involved with various cup ties, and Chelsea and Preston - there's a chance to set up an unprecedented occasion for yourselves so extra good luck to you both!!

COVERAGE

Reading through the latest Premiership programme - (well I wasn't going to spend the full 90 minutes watching the Villa draw 0-0 to Fulham at home) I wandered about one of my friends who plays for the ladies team.

"Ooooh I wonder whether her photo will be in here" I thought to myself as I quickly flicked through. To my amazement - there was nothing!!! Not even a sniff of the league, the team, the teams latest result and so on!! I couldn't believe it!! I actually felt really sorry for them!!

A premiership team, who are taking the time and money to back a female squad, yet not even one measly mention in their match day programme! What's the point if they want to help promote the women's team and the game??

I can't speak on behalf of the other teams and programmes around the countries, but all I could think was that if a premiership team doesn't even mention them, I cant see a lot of the others doing otherwise! (Maybe with an exception of Arsenal as they're always doing so well)!

So yet another issue regarding the women's game and how they get unfairly treated, and how they receive little or no help of their supposed big brothers - it just adds to my thoughts about why the women's game will never, ever change!!

It's time to pull your fingers out clubs!!!! Get the women the recognition and notice they deserve!!! YOUR WOMENS TEAM NEEDS YOU!

THE FEMALE BODY OBSESSION

Everyday day countless magazines and newspapers publish articles on the female body. What's the perfect size, what's the wrong size, how we should all try and look and so on.

To coincide with this we are constantly fed info on how we can achieve this so-called 'perfect' look; what diets to try, exercise plans to undertake, along with all the other crap on what clothes suit our figures, followed closely by adverts for cosmetic surgery to help 'improve' us! What a confidence boost hey!

The nation's obsession with how we look can be partly to blame for the rising numbers of eating disorders amongst young women, and increasingly, men, and it doesn't help with the media's scrutiny on the celebrity role models we are supposed to aspire and look up to.

For instance, Amy Winehouse comes on the scene, she's loved, and we're told how this tiny celebrity has the perfect little frame - only later, we find out she has an eating disorder and countless other problems. But because of the initial build-up of how great she is, the idea is already planted in girls minds that this is the 'look' we should be trying to achieve.

It is the media's constant judgement that I believe is one of the main reasons why the country is dealing with so many eating disorders, a figure that is on the rise for both sexes.

If only they bothered to look a little closer to home! If they bothered to spend time giving admiration to the athletes and sport stars our country has produced and is continuing to produce, then maybe the idea of exercise and eating a healthy balanced diet would be far more appealing for people.

You only have to look at the women footballers, not only in this country, but around the world, to see that a great figure along with a healthy body is achievable, and achievable in the right way!

If only the media would concentrate on these worthwhile role-models rather than the countless wags and other z-listers who have had numerous alterations to create their so-called 'perfect' look, then maybe from an early age, we'd already have the idea that regular exercise and a balanced diet is the way to stay healthy and happy!!

And for the narrow minded boys out there who think women footballers are all 'butch', here's Rachel Unitt proving otherwise.....

BIRDS WHO LIKE BALLS....

Now I've got your attention with the sexual innuendo used for my title, I'll begin ;-)

If you've read my 'About Me' section you'll see that I'm currently studying for a degree in Sports Journalism at Staffordshire University. As part of our Web-based Journalism class we have had to start our own individual blogs, and this got me thinking. The only sport I'm really passionate about is football, but I didn't want to focus on my beloved Aston Villa as I knew I'd be too biased, and there was no way I was going to spend my time talking about another team, after all I wouldn't want to cheat on them ;-)

Then came up the subject of women's football. After watching their World Cup campaign, (briefly I admit), I thought to myself, how unfair is it that the sport goes unnoticed by the media? I realised this could be by chance to help promote the sport! (Don't worry though, I don't have myself down as a crusader or anything)!

Having friends who also play the game, I feel like I'd be doing them a favour as well by giving them some much deserved publicity. (Don't worry girls, you'll be getting a mention soon enough)!

After spending lots of night's in - yes I've had nothing better to do - I've countlessly sifted through websites, articles, and even undertaken a few interviews to give myself a huge insight on the game, and the problems surrounding it. The outcome.......

I'm shocked at how little support and backing women receive within the game, the amount of obstacles they come against, and the countless stick they have to put up with. No wonder there is such a negative image associated with women's football.

Follow me through my blog as I share my revelations, opinions, real-life stories, and general chit-chat of everything surrounding the women's game.

Speak to you soon, Anne-Marie x x x

p.s Oh, and my thought for the day, a publication as big as The Sun dedicates 14 pages to the world of sport, and what does the women's coverage receive??? A poxy 2 paragraphs!!!