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Kirk: Resilient Display Against Leaders Can Be A Springboard Apr 27, 2019 12:26:49 GMT

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Post by Everton News. on Apr 27, 2019 12:26:49 GMT

Kirk: Resilient Display Against Leaders Can Be A Springboard

Willie Kirk says Everton Ladies must use their impressive second-half display at WSL leaders Arsenal last weekend as “a springboard” ahead of their home clash with Reading on Sunday (2pm).

Having fallen two goals behind against the Gunners, the Toffees took the game to Joe Montemurro’s team and deservedly halved the deficit through Chaney Boye-Hlorkah’s drilled effort on the hour mark.

Kirk praised the resilience and ambition Everton displayed throughout the second period at Meadow Park.

He wants his team to replicate this effort for 90 minutes when Reading visit Southport FC’s Merseyrail Community Stadium.

A victory for the Blue Girls could see them close the gap on ninth-placed Brighton & Hove Albion to one point.

“It is imperative we use the second-half performance as a springboard for our final two matches of this season and beyond,” Kirk told evertonfc.com.

“Arsenal are on the verge of claiming the title and we ran them exceptionally close, forcing this country’s strongest team to alter their tactics and defend in numbers to get over the line.

“There is a sense in the dressing room that we are making forward strides, but nothing raises confidence more than winning matches.

“We have plenty still to play for and taking three points against Reading would potentially keep alive our hopes of climbing above Brighton.”

Kirk joined Everton as manager in December and says he has been encouraged by how his players have taken on board his methods during his time at the Club.

He says the mood is positive within the camp and stressed the importance of delivering a strong finish to the campaign.

After Sunday’s meeting with Reading, the Toffees round off their WSL campaign by taking on city rivals Liverpool at Prenton Park on 11 May.

“I am still learning about Everton and our players and the same is true for my staff,” said Kirk.

“We are happy with how this initial period in charge has unfolded, certainly in terms of the players absorbing our ideas and transferring what we do in training onto the field.

“The environment has improved and the mood is upbeat. We will do our best to finish the season with two victories, starting against Reading on Sunday.”

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Kirk: Resilient Display Against Leaders Can Be A Springboard Apr 28, 2019 16:44:43 GMT

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Post by rugbytoffee on Apr 28, 2019 16:44:43 GMT

Won 3-2

Everton Ladies showed great character to come from behind after conceding an early goal to beat Reading Women 3-2 at Southport’s Merseyrail Community Stadium on Sunday.

Goals from Inessa Kaagman, Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah and Simone Magill saw the Blues Girls claim victory in their last home game of the season after Reading’s Remi Allen handed the hosts a lead inside 10 minutes. Everton then struck back with three goals before Fara Williams scored a late consolation goal.

The win sees Everton move to within a point of ninth-place Brighton & Hove Albion with one game remaining in the 2018-19 WSL season.

Everton manager Willie Kirk made one change from the team that impressed and narrowly lost out 2-1 to WSL champions Arsenal last weekend, with right-back Emma Brownlie coming in for the injured Taylor Hinds.

Reading got off to a quick start when Allen opened the scoring in the eighth minute after Natasha Harding squared for her teammate to tap home from close range to put Kelly Chambers’ side ahead.

The Blue Girls looked to strike back straight away but Boye-Hlorkah’s volley from inside the box flew straight into the hands of Reading shot stopper Grace Moloney.

Rachel Furness looked to make it two for the visitors in the 19th minute but Dan Turner’s last-ditch block prevented a goal, and the Blue Girls captain then found herself at the other end of the pitch moments later with her driving run and left-footed shot producing a smart diving save from Moloney.

Everton’s first clear-cut chance of the match came from a corner in the 38th minute. Angharad James’ curling set piece was parried by the busy Moloney but only far enough to Boye-Hlorkah whose looping header was cleared off the line by Reading captain Kirsty Pearce.

Two minutes later, the hosts grabbed a much-deserved equaliser thanks to a majestic chip from Kaagman. Moloney’s poor clearance landed at the Dutch international’s feet and the midfielder made no mistake, lobbing the keeper from 20 yards out to bring Kirk’s side level just before the break.

Five minutes after the interval Everton took the lead for the first time in the match, the impressive Boye-Hlorkah claiming her second goal in as many weeks.

The winger picked the ball up 40 yards from goal on the left flank before cutting inside, beating two Reading players and firing into the bottom-right corner of Moloney’s goal.

Kirk’s side looked to turn the screw and grabbed a third 10 minutes later. Moloney’s parried save landed at the feet of Everton attacker Magill, who made no mistake in passing the ball into an empty net.

Reading got back into the match and gave the Blues Girls a nervy finish to the game with 15 minutes on the clock when Williams dinked the ball over Levell from a tight angle.

Kirk’s team showed the sort of character that helped them come back from Allen’s early strike with a determined performance in the remaining minutes of the match with their backs up against the wall to hold on for all three points.

Everton’s last match of the season sees them take on city rivals Liverpool Women on Saturday 11 May at Prenton Park (12.30pm)

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Kirk: Resilient Display Against Leaders Can Be A Springboard Apr 29, 2019 14:16:10 GMT

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Post by Everton News. on Apr 29, 2019 14:16:10 GMT

Kirk Salutes Ladies' Character After Reading Win

Boss Willie Kirk praised Everton Ladies’ character after they came from behind to beat Reading 3-2 at Southport’s Merseyrail Community Stadium in their final home game of the WSL season.

The Blue Girls fell behind in the eighth minute on Sunday when Remi Allen put the visitors ahead from close range. But Inessa Kaagman, Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah and Simone Magill scored three goals for the hosts before Fara Williams netted a late consolation goal that meant Everton picked up all three points in a five-goal thriller.

Kaagman, never shy of the spectacular, levelled the scores with the pick of the bunch when she lobbed Reading’s Grace Moloney from 20 yards out after the goalkeeper’s wayward clearance landed at the Dutch international’s feet. Boye-Hlorkah and Magill grabbed Everton’s second and third in the second half respectively in what proved to be an impressive comeback from Kirk’s side.

The week before, the Toffees showed similar grit and determination in pushing WSL champions Arsenal close despite conceding two first-half goals in an eventual 2-1 defeat.

Kirk was full of praise for his side who have displayed a resilient attitude in recent weeks.

The Ladies manager said: “To go a goal behind again, like we did last week, and show a lot of character to not only get back into the match but dominate for long periods was brilliant from the team.

“That’s two weeks in a row now that we’ve showed bags of character and that has been really pleasing to see.

“We’ve got the tools now where we know if we have to come from behind we can do it. Last week we showed we can put in a performance despite going in behind at half-time and against Reading we showed we can get a result.

“The team has shown they’ve got that character over the last few months, the group have worked really hard recently to build that resilience.”
The victory takes Everton to one point off ninth-place Brighton & Hove Albion with one game left in the 2018-19 WSL season.

Kirk also saluted Kaagman, who levelled the scores, and has four goals and four assists to her name in WSL this season.

He said: “She’s a top, top player. When she’s had a full season under her belt with us and plays in the World Cup over the summer, she’ll be all the better for it.”

The Toffees round off their WSL campaign by taking on Liverpool Women at Prenton Park on Saturday 11 May, where Everton will be looking to make it three wins from three over their city rivals this season (12.30pm).

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