Her Team Her Dream

There is truly something special about a matchday at St. Helen’s. It might be our new stadium, but it has quickly become a family favourite. As usual, we arrived early and headed straight to the V Bar, where my daughter immediately made her way to the friendship bracelet-making table. She absolutely loves this activity whenever it’s available, making bracelets for all of us while chatting with other young Liverpool fans and forming new connections. Willem, on the other hand, brought his ball and enjoyed a kickabout until the brilliant local artist Helen Maw started performing—at which point both kids couldn’t resist dancing. I may have joined in, too!

No pre-match at St. Helen’s would be complete for us without a visit from Mighty Red. Both kids adore him, and Willem always insists on getting at least one cuddle. Inside the ground, there was some classic Mighty Red chaos—Martin had three hot dogs, but Mighty Red wanted three hot dogs. As Martin ran away, he would have been booked for simulation on the pitch as he ended up tumbling between two seats in comedic fashion!

A Special Connection

What made today even more special was the opportunity to meet up with fellow Liverpool Women fans. The fantastic Cath from sheshoots_shetours created a WhatsApp group for people attending the match to connect, and what an incredible group of people they are. I’ve been to a few matches before, but I have never felt as included and accepted as I did today. Having people to chat with was wonderful, and the generosity was overwhelming—one of the women gave Andrea a banner to design, another gifted her a team poster to get signed, and she got to wave a flag again during You’ll Never Walk Alone. These amazing women made today unforgettable for both Andrea and me. The sense of community was beyond anything I could have imagined.

The Match: Liverpool vs. Aston Villa

Both teams came into this match following 4-0 defeats. Aston Villa’s form had been below expectations, though they showed promise in their opening match against Chelsea, despite the loss. Liverpool’s form had been inconsistent but had seen some strong recent results. Coming into the game, Aston Villa sat 11th in the table, while Liverpool were in 6th place. Both teams had recently appointed new managers—Natalia Arroyo for Villa on January 25th and Amber Whiteley as Liverpool’s interim manager following Matt Beard’s departure on February 25th. I was particularly worried about Missy Bo Kearns and Miri Taylor—both former Liverpool players. In football, former players always seem to come back to haunt their old teams.

After an emotional rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone, the match got underway. The opening minutes were cagey as both teams tested each other. A double foul on Liverpool’s Holland, involving both ex-Liverpool players Taylor and Kearns, led to a stoppage while she received treatment for a shoulder injury. This set the tone for the rest of the match, as Holland endured a physical battle throughout.

Key Moments

• 30th min: Liverpool won a free kick, taken by Hobinger to Holland, who forced a brilliant save from D’Angelo.
• 44th min: Grant passed to Salmon, who set up Daly, but her shot went over the bar under pressure from Fisk.
• 45th min: A foul on Holland by Taylor resulted in a yellow card for Miri Taylor. The resulting free kick caused chaos in the box but didn’t result in a goal.

At halftime, the match had been fairly even with few clear-cut chances. A goal could completely change the game, but I didn’t anticipate just how much it would impact the teams.

Second Half

The second half promised more action:

• 53rd min: Villa upped the pressure. A pass from Liverpool’s Laws to Matthews was intercepted by Grant near the penalty box, leading to a corner.
• 55th min: Holland pressured Aston Villa into a mistake. Maritz’s pass bounced off Kearns and fell to Holland, who was through on goal. As she attempted to round the keeper, she was brought down—penalty to Liverpool! Hobinger calmly slotted it to the left. Liverpool 1-0 Aston Villa.
• 57th min: Villa responded immediately. A free kick found Pacheco, who crossed for Grant, forcing a spectacular save from Laws.
• 59th min: Villa continued their pressure, working a throw-in into the box. Daly headed over the bar.
• 68th min: Missy Bo Kearns played a perfectly weighted ball to substitute Hanson. Laws came out, but Hanson slotted it past her and three defenders. Liverpool 1-1 Aston Villa.
• 75th min: Kearns worked her way past Liverpool’s defense and delivered a cross to the near post, where a Liverpool substitute accidentally put it into their own net under pressure. Liverpool 1-2 Aston Villa.

The final moments saw Liverpool desperately trying to find an equaliser, but Villa expertly ran down the clock by keeping the ball in the corner. The final whistle blew, confirming a 1-2 defeat for Liverpool. Not the result we wanted.

A Memorable Ending

However, our day didn’t end there! At the start of the season, it was announced that players would no longer come to the stands to meet fans due to increasing demand. Instead, a competition was introduced, allowing ten lucky fans per match to meet the players—and Andrea had won! We went to the designated location, and Andrea got to meet several players and have her team sheet signed. She was too starstruck to talk much, but Willem, unfazed, happily chatted with Bonner, informing her that she had been playing on the pitch for Liverpool (as if she didn’t already know!).

These are the moments that create lasting memories—watching Andrea’s excitement as she met these incredible athletes, who took the time to engage with fans even after a tough result.

Though the result wasn’t what we hoped for, the day was still unforgettable. Spending quality time with my family, meeting an amazing group of women, and feeling like part of a real community—that’s what made this day so special.

Your Guide to Attending a Liverpool Women’s Match at St Helens
If you’re planning to catch the Liverpool Ladies in action at St. Helens, here’s everything you need to know to make your matchday experience smooth and stress-free.

Buying Tickets
Tickets for Liverpool Women’s matches can be purchased online at profile.liverpoolfc.com. If you don’t already have an account, you’ll need to create one—it’s quick and easy! 

Electronic Tickets
Once you’ve secured your tickets, they’ll be sent to you electronically about a week before the match. Make sure to download them to your phone ahead of time. There’s nothing worse than holding up the queue because your internet decides to slow down at the worst possible moment. 

Parking
There is parking available at the ground—simply drive in and follow the directions to the designated areas. I always make sure to arrive early to secure a spot!

The Pre-Match Email
Don’t overlook the email sent by the club in the lead-up to the game. It’s packed with useful information about what’s happening around the ground before kickoff, including fan activities, food and drink options, and more. It’s also your go-to source for important details like the bag policy.

Bag Policy
All Liverpool matches have a strict bag policy, so plan accordingly. Only bags smaller than A5 size are allowed, unless you have medical reasons for needing a larger bag. If that’s the case, make sure to contact the club in advance for permission. 

Final Tips
Arrive early to soak in the atmosphere, grab some merch, and maybe even enjoy a bite to eat. Being prepared will let you focus on what really matters: cheering on the team and enjoying the game.