The 2014 FA WSL was the fourth season of the FA WSL, the top-level women's football league of England. The season began on 30 March and ended on 12 October.[1]

FA WSL
Season2014
ChampionsLiverpool
2013
2015

Liverpool L.F.C. are the defending champions from the 2013 FA WSL. The top two teams qualify for the 2015–16 UEFA Women's Champions League.[2]

Beginning in the 2014 season, the WSL added a second division, the WSL 2. Because the divisions are interconnected, WSL 1 teams face the risk of relegation for the first time in the league's history. There is, however, no connection to the third level Women's Premier League, so WSL 2 teams cannot be relegated.[3] WSL 1 consists of eight teams while the WSL 2 is made up of ten.

Starting places in both divisions were granted based on applications sent in by clubs, so Manchester City were able to enter its newly created women's team directly into the WSL 1. The governing body announced it will partially fund teams in the league, awarding £70,000 to clubs in WSL1 and £23,000 in WSL2.[4]

Team changes

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  • Lincoln Ladies were renamed Notts County Ladies and relocated from Lincoln to Nottingham.
  • Barnet were renamed London Bees.
  • Durham were a newly formed team admitted to the WSL 2.
  • Due to the new format, several movements between various leagues took place.

FA WSL 1

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Team Location Ground Manufacturer Sponsors 2013 WSL finish
Arsenal Borehamwood Meadow Park Nike Emirates 3rd
Birmingham City Solihull Damson Park Sondico Hollywood Monster 4th
Bristol Academy Filton Stoke Gifford Stadium Bristol Sports DAS 2nd
Chelsea Staines Wheatsheaf Park Adidas Samsung 7th
Manchester City Manchester Academy Stadium Nike Etihad Airways 12/13 Women's Premier League, 4th (promoted)
Everton Widnes Halton Stadium Nike Chang Beer 5th
Liverpool Widnes Halton Stadium Warrior Standard Chartered 1st
Notts County Ladies Nottingham Meadow Lane Fila Pinnacle 6th

Original FA WSL 2 teams

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Team Location Ground Manufacturer Sponsors last season
Aston Villa Sutton Coldfield Trevor Brown Memorial Ground Macron dafabet 12/13 FA Women's Premier League, 6th
Doncaster Rovers Belles Doncaster Keepmoat Stadium Jako BPP University 2013 WSL, 8th
Durham Durham New Ferens Park Hummel Wood Estate Agents new team
London Bees Canons Park The Hive Stadium Jako Stanmore College 12/13 FA Women's Premier League, 10th (as Barnet FC)
Millwall Lionesses London Champion Hill Protime Sports BT Sport 12/13 Women's Premier 2nd Level South, 2nd
Oxford United Oxford Rover Cowley Sports Ground Nike Polythene UK 12/13 Women's Combination South-West, 1st
Reading Tadley Barlow's Park Puma Waitrose 12/13 Women's Premier 2nd Level South, 1st
Sunderland Hetton-le-Hole Eppleton Colliery Welfare Ground Adidas Bidvest 12/13 FA Women's Premier League, 1st
Watford Berkhamsted Broadwater Puma McGinley Support Services 12/13 FA Women's Premier League, 2nd
Yeovil Town Sherborne Raleigh Grove Sondico Quaedam Yeovil Shopping 12/13 Women's Premier 2nd Level South, 3rd

FA WSL 1

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FA WSL 1
Season2014
ChampionsLiverpool
2nd WSL title
RelegatedEverton
Matches played56
Goals scored139 (2.48 per match)
Top goalscorerKaren Carney (8 goals)[5]
Biggest home winBristol Academy 5–2 Everton
(23 August 2014)
Chelsea 5–2 Everton
(5 October 2014)
Liverpool 3–0 Bristol Academy[1]
(12 October 2014)
Biggest away winManchester City 0–4 Arsenal[1]
(24 August 2014)
Highest scoringBristol Academy 5–2 Everton
(23 August 2014)
Bristol Academy 3–4 Arsenal[1]
(20 September 2014)
Chelsea 5–2 Everton
(5 October 2014)
Longest winning run4 games
Chelsea
Longest unbeaten run7 games
Birmingham City
Longest winless run14 games
Everton
Longest losing run5 games
Everton
Total attendance39,519[6]
Average attendance719[6]
2013
2015
All statistics correct as of 12 October 2014.

Liverpool retained the title on goal difference, after they and Chelsea finished level on 26 points.[7] Everton were relegated to the WSL 2 for the 2015 season after 21 years as a top flight club.[8]

Table

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Liverpool (C) 14 7 5 2 19 10 +9 26 Qualification to Champions League
2 Chelsea 14 8 2 4 23 16 +7 26
3 Birmingham City 14 7 4 3 20 14 +6 25
4 Arsenal 14 6 3 5 24 21 +3 21
5 Manchester City 14 6 1 7 13 16 −3 19
6 Notts County 14 4 6 4 12 8 +4 18
7 Bristol Academy 14 5 1 8 18 24 −6 16
8 Everton 14 0 4 10 10 30 −20 4 Relegation to FA WSL 2
Source: FA WSL
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
(C) Champions

Results

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Home \ Away ARS BIR BRI CHE EVE LIV MCI NTC
Arsenal 0–2 0–2 2–3 3–1 3–3 0–1 1–1
Birmingham City 1–2 2–1 2–1 0–0 1–2 2–0 2–2
Bristol Academy 3–4 1–3 0–2 5–2 1–3 1–0 0–2
Chelsea 2–1 3–1 2–1 5–2 0–0 2–1 0–0
Everton 1–2 0–0 1–1 1–2 2–2 0–3 0–2
Liverpool 0–1 1–1 3–0 2–0 1–0 1–0 1–0
Manchester City 0–4 1–2 0–2 2–1 2–0 1–0 1–0
Notts County 1–1 0–1 awd[a] 1–0 2–0 0–0 1–1
Updated to match(es) played on 12 October 2014. Source: FA WSL results
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
Notes:
  1. ^ Game awarded to Bristol Academy

Top scorers

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Rank Scorer Club Goals[5][9]
1 Karen Carney Birmingham City 8
2 Jessica Clarke Notts County 6
3 Eniola Aluko Chelsea 5
Yūki Ōgimi Chelsea
Jordan Nobbs Arsenal
Nikita Parris Everton
Casey Stoney Arsenal
Nicola Watts Bristol Academy
9 Danielle Carter Arsenal 4
Kirsty Linnett Birmingham City
Natalia Pablos Bristol Academy
Kelly Smith Arsenal

FA WSL 2

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FA WSL 2
Season2014
ChampionsSunderland
PromotedSunderland
Matches played90
Goals scored308 (3.42 per match)
Top goalscorerFran Kirby (24 goals)[5]
Biggest home winDoncaster Rovers Belles 7–0 London Bees[1]
(9 August 2014)
Biggest away winLondon Bees 0–9 Doncaster Rovers Belles[1]
(26 October 2014)
Highest scoringLondon Bees 1–9 Reading[1]
(5 October 2014)
Longest winning run7 games
Doncaster Rovers Belles
Longest unbeaten run15 games
Sunderland
Longest winless run9 games
London Bees
Longest losing run7 games
London Bees
2015
All statistics correct as of 26 October 2014.

The Doncaster Rovers Belles challenged for promotion until the final day, due to a 2-1 win over Sunderland.[10] Sunderland won the inaugural WSL 2 on the final day, with a 4-0 win over Millwall Lionesses.[11]

Table

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion
1 Sunderland (C) 18 15 2 1 47 15 +32 47 Promotion to FA WSL 1
2 Doncaster Rovers Belles 18 14 3 1 56 14 +42 45
3 Reading 18 13 2 3 60 21 +39 41
4 Aston Villa 18 9 3 6 25 26 −1 30
5 Yeovil Town 18 6 4 8 27 26 +1 22
6 Durham 18 5 3 10 19 32 −13 18
7 Watford 18 5 3 10 22 37 −15 18
8 Millwall Lionesses 18 4 3 11 20 36 −16 15
9 Oxford United 18 3 3 12 16 44 −28 12
10 London Bees 18 2 2 14 16 57 −41 8
Source: BBC Sport
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
(C) Champions

Results

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Home \ Away AST DON DUR LON MIL OXF REA SUN WAT YEO
Aston Villa 0–2 1–0 4–1 2–0 2–1 3–0 0–3 1–0 1–1
Doncaster Rovers Belles 6–1 2–0 7–0 4–1 4–1 5–2 1–1 2–0 2–0
Durham Women 2–0 0–0 2–1 1–4 1–2 0–3 2–4 1–2 1–1
London Bees 0–1 0–9 0–1 1–0 1–1 1–9 0–3 4–5 0–2
Millwall Lionesses 2–3 0–0 1–2 2–2 2–0 1–4 0–4 1–0 3–1
Oxford United 0–2 1–5 2–2 0–3 1–0 2–2 2–3 1–2 0–1
Reading 3–1 4–0 4–0 5–1 3–1 5–0 1–1 3–0 3–0
Sunderland 3–1 1–2 2–0 1–0 4–0 2–0 3–2 4–1 2–0
Watford 1–1 1–3 0–3 1–0 2–2 1–2 0–4 2–4 1–1
Yeovil Town 1–1 1–2 3–1 4–1 2–0 6–0 2–3 1–2 0–3
Updated to match(es) played on 26 October 2014. Source: FA WSL results
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Top scorers

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Rank Scorer Club Goals[5]
1 Fran Kirby Reading 24
2 Beth Mead Sunderland 13
3 Lauren Bruton Reading 11
Sue Smith Doncaster Rovers Belles
Sarah Wiltshire Watford
Yeovil Town
6 Keira Ramshaw Sunderland 10
Courtney Sweetman-Kirk Doncaster Rovers Belles
8 Bethany England Doncaster Rovers Belles 8
9 Millie Bright Doncaster Rovers Belles 7
10 Rachel Furness Sunderland 6
Katie Wilkinson Aston Villa
Jo Wilson Watford

FA WSL Cup

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The 2014 edition of the FA WSL Cup sees 18 teams play for the title. Teams are divided into three groups of six. The group winners plus the best runners-up advance to the semi-finals. Arsenal are the defending champions. The cup is played along with the season, the first matches are held on 30 April 2014.[12][13][14]

Group 1

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Arsenal advanced as best runners-up, having more points than the other second placed teams.

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification CHE ARS WAT MIL REA LON
1 Chelsea 5 4 0 1 22 5 +17 12 Advance to Knockout stage 2–0 13–0
2 Arsenal 5 4 0 1 17 2 +15 12 3–0 3–0 7–0
3 Watford 5 2 0 3 5 11 −6 6 1–2 1–5
4 Millwall Lionesses 5 1 2 2 3 8 −5 5 0–4 1–1
5 Reading[a] 5 2 1 2 12 4 +8 4 1–2 2–0 AWD[b]
6 London Bees 5 0 1 4 2 31 −29 1 1–3 0–0 1–8
Source: FA WSL
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
Notes:
  1. ^ Reading had three points deducted due to fielding a cup-tied player in the win against London Bees.[15]
  2. ^ Awarded win for Watford. Fixture was not played as Reading were removed from the Cup after fielding a cup-tied player the match earlier.[15]
Reading1–2Chelsea
  • Kirby   15'
Report
Attendance: 224
Referee: Antony Foster
Arsenal3–0Watford
Report
Attendance: 509
Referee: Paul Johnson

Millwall Lionesses1–1Reading
Report
Attendance: 210
Referee: Nigel Lugg
Watford1–5Chelsea
Report
Attendance: 232
Referee: Wayne Cartmel

London Bees1–3Watford
Report
Attendance: 427
Referee: Paul Forrester
Chelsea4–0Millwall Lionesses
Report
Attendance: 305
Referee: Reuben Simon
Reading2–0Arsenal
Report
Attendance: 387
Referee: Daniel Berry

Watford1–2Millwall Lionesses
Report
Attendance: 194
Referee: Tim Donnellan
London Bees1–8Reading
Report
Attendance: 496
Referee: Stephen Bates
Arsenal3–0Chelsea
Report
Attendance: 615
Referee: Dan Cook

Arsenal7–0London Bees
Report 1 Report 2
Attendance: 271
Referee: Tim Donnellan

ReadingCancelledWatford
Attendance: NA
Referee: NA
Millwall Lionesses0–4Arsenal
Report
Attendance: 225
Referee: Stuart Franklin
Chelsea13–0London Bees
Report 1 Report 2
Attendance: 267
Referee: Paul Johnson

Group 2

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification MCI LIV EVE DON SUN DUR
1 Manchester City 5 4 0 1 9 3 +6 12 Advance to Knockout stage 2–1 1–0 2–0
2 Liverpool 5 3 1 1 17 5 +12 10 0–0 3–2 6–0
3 Everton 5 3 1 1 8 2 +6 10 3–1 3–0
4 Doncaster Rovers Belles 5 2 0 3 8 10 −2 6 2–1 0–2
5 Sunderland 5 2 0 3 5 10 −5 6 0–2 3–0
6 Durham 5 0 0 5 2 19 −17 0 0–3 1–7 1–3
Source: FA WSL
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
Liverpool0–0Everton
Report
Attendance: 770
Referee: Craig Buxton
Sunderland3–0Durham
Report
Attendance: 393
Referee: Paul Brown
Doncaster Rovers Belles2–1Manchester City
Report
Attendance: 308
Referee: Anthony Tankard

Liverpool6–0Sunderland
Report
Attendance: 403
Referee: Nick Gibbons
Manchester City1–0Everton
Report
Attendance: 1,462
Referee: Richard Holmes
Durham1–3Doncaster Rovers Belles
Report
Attendance: 156
Referee: Lindsey Robinson

Manchester City2–1Liverpool
Report
Attendance: 746
Referee: Elizabeth Jane Simms
Everton3–0Durham
Report
Attendance: 331
Referee: Steve Rudd
Doncaster Rovers Belles0–2Sunderland
Report
Attendance: 321
Referee: Andrew Park

Durham1–7Liverpool
Report
Attendance: 339
Referee: Marc Edwards
Manchester City2–0Sunderland
Report
Attendance: 670
Referee: Paul Graham
Everton3–1Doncaster Rovers Belles
Report
Attendance: 288
Referee: David McNamara

Liverpool3–2Doncaster Rovers Belles
Report
Attendance: 402
Referee: Justin Hayes
Sunderland0–2Everton
Report
Attendance: 323
Referee: John Matthews
Durham0–3Manchester City
Report
Attendance: 379
Referee: Matthew Dicicco

Group 3

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification NTC BRI BIR YEO AST OXF
1 Notts County 5 4 1 0 16 1 +15 13 Advance to Knockout stage 1–1 5–0
2 Bristol Academy 5 3 2 0 17 4 +13 11 0–0 2–1 9–2
3 Birmingham City 5 3 0 2 6 8 −2 9 0–2 0–5 2–0
4 Yeovil Town 5 2 1 2 5 6 −1 7 0–4 1–2 2–0
5 Aston Villa 5 1 0 4 2 11 −9 3 0–2 1–0
6 Oxford United 5 0 0 5 2 18 −16 0 0–4 0–2
Source: FA WSL
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
Notts County5–0Aston Villa
Report
Attendance: 847
Referee: Stuart Richardson
Yeovil Town1–2Birmingham City
Report
Raleigh Grove, Sherborne
Attendance: 168
Referee: Glenn Barter
Bristol Academy9–2Oxford United Ladies
Report
Attendance: 723
Referee: Kevin Morris

Yeovil Town2–0Aston Villa
Report
Raleigh Grove, Sherborne
Attendance: 181
Referee: Stephen Fearnley
Notts County1–1Bristol Academy
Report
Attendance: 501
Referee: James Bell

Aston Villa0–2Birmingham City
Attendance: 602
Referee: Amy Rayner Fearn
Bristol Academy0–0Yeovil Town
Report
Attendance: 763
Referee: Lee Sheridan
Oxford United0–4Notts County
Report
Northcourt Road, Abingdon
Attendance: 286
Referee: Sian Piret

Birmingham City2–0Oxford United
Report
Attendance: 254
Referee: Sian Massey

Bristol Academy2–1Aston Villa
Report
Attendance: 524
Referee: Simon Shaw
Oxford United0–2Yeovil Town
Report
Northcourt Road, Abingdon
Attendance: 198
Referee: Ben James
Birmingham City0–2Notts County
Report
Attendance: 481
Referee: Akil Howson

Yeovil Town0–4Notts County
Report
Raleigh Grove, Sherborne
Attendance: 243
Referee: Adrian Quelch
Aston Villa1–0Oxford United
Report
Central Ground, Sutton Coldfield
Attendance: 235
Referee: Sarah Garratt
Birmingham City0–5Bristol Academy
Report
Attendance: 331
Referee: Dumitru-Ravel Cheosiaua

Knockout stage

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Semi-finals were drawn after the group stage and not predetermined. All teams play in the WSL 1. Arsenal reached their fourth final in as many years and meet Manchester City.[16]

 
Semi-finalsFinal
 
      
 
7 September
 
 
Arsenal (a.e.t.)2
 
16 October
 
Notts County0
 
Arsenal 0
 
7 September
 
Manchester City1
 
Chelsea0
 
 
Manchester City1
 

Semifinals

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Arsenal2–0 (a.e.t.)Notts County Ladies
Report
Attendance: 692
Referee: Ian Fissenden

Manchester City1–0Chelsea
Report
Attendance: 752
Referee: Helen Byrne

Final

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Wycombe Wanderers' Adams Park was to stage the final match. The match was broadcast live on BT Sport.[17][18][19]

Arsenal0–1Manchester City
Report Report (1)   73' Isobel Christiansen
Attendance: 3,697[20]
Referee: Nigel Lugg[20]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Fixtures and Results". FA WSL. 30 March 2014. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
  2. ^ "Women's Super League 1". FUTBOL 24. 20 April 2014. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
  3. ^ "New league structure for women's game for 2014/15". The FA. 29 November 2013. Retrieved 20 December 2013.
  4. ^ "FA WSL - 2014 Season Expansion". FA WSL. 30 October 2013. Retrieved 21 December 2013.
  5. ^ a b c d "Player Stats". FA WSL. 30 March 2014. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
  6. ^ a b "Fixtures & Results". Soccerway. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  7. ^ "Liverpool Ladies pip Chelsea to WSL title on dramatic final day". BBC Sport. 12 October 2014. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
  8. ^ "Women's Super League: Tears flow as Everton are relegated". BBC Sport. 28 September 2014. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
  9. ^ "WSL1 - 2014 Top scorers". Soccerway. 30 March 2014. Retrieved 1 May 2014.
  10. ^ "Doncaster Belles aiming to pip title rivals Sunderland on final day". BBC Sport. 23 October 2014. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
  11. ^ "Sunderland win promotion to Women's Super League top flight". BBC Sport. 26 October 2014. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
  12. ^ "WSL Continental Cup Group A". Who Scored. 1 May 2014. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
  13. ^ "WSL Continental Cup Group B". Who Scored. 30 April 2014. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
  14. ^ "WSL Continental Cup Group C". Who Scored. 30 April 2014. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
  15. ^ a b "Reading WFC removed from FA WSL Continental Cup". The FA. 11 July 2014. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
  16. ^ "Arsenal and Man City to contest Conti Cup final". She Kicks. 7 September 2014. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
  17. ^ "Continental Cup Final to be staged in Wycombe". The FA. 17 September 2014. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
  18. ^ "Final Live on BT Sport". FA WSL. 24 September 2014. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
  19. ^ "Continental Cup Final to be shown live on BT Sport". The FA. 24 September 2014. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
  20. ^ a b "City's Isobel Christiansen ends Arsenal Cup dominance". The FA. 16 October 2014. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
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  NODES
Note 3