Throughout pre-season, we try so hard to stay up to date with all of the latest news from friendly fixtures, however, sometimes the information just isn’t that easy to find.
Enter The Whole 115 Yards: Freya’s Friendlies Round-up, bringing you as many women’s friendly match results from this weekend as possible.
(Clubs featured in this week’s article play in either WSL, WSL2, SWPL, Serie A or Liga F).
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Saturday 9th August 2025
Burnley 1 – 4 Lazio
On Saturday morning, Matt Beard’s clarets welcomed Lazio, who play in Serie A Women, ahead of the men’s counterparts meeting at Turf Moor later that afternoon.
Despite early half-chances from both sides, Burnley’s defence held strong until just before the 30 minute mark when Clarisse Le Bihan broke the deadlock for the visitors. Burnley then enjoyed a period of dominance before Lazio doubled their lead through Goldoni, against the run of play.
Minutes after the restart, Goldoni was on the scoresheet again after converting a penalty before Burnley’s Matthews sent her shot just wide. Not long after the hour mark, Lazio converted yet another penalty this time through new signing Nicole Vernis (on loan from Lexington SC) to make it 0-4.
In the last ten minutes, Burnley were on the front foot and came close multiple times through Logan and Chadwick but it was Docherty who finally found the back of the net for the home side in the 90th minute.
– This was Burnley’s final pre-season friendly before the FA WNL Northern Premier Division begins on the 17th August.
– Lazio, on the other hand, don’t begin their season until the beginning of October but are in action at the end of August in the brand new Serie A Women’s League Cup where they will face Napoli.
Manchester City 0 – 0 Manchester United
Even though this friendly remained goalless, according to both clubs this was an evenly fought contest over three 20 minute matches.
For the reds of Manchester, new signing Julia Zigiotti Olme impressed in midfield while chances on goal for Leah Galton and Elisabeth Terland went just wide.
For City, it was the first time out under new manager, Andrée Jeglertz, as they created chances down the wings from youngsters Lily Murphy and Laura Blindkilde Brown with Khiara Keating pulling off a fantastic save to deny Terland. New goalkeeper Eartha Cumings played her first minutes in a City shirt.
– Manchester United have two more friendly fixtures against Real Betis and Liverpool before hosting PSV in the UEFA Women’s Champions League qualifiers at the end of August.
– Manchester City haven’t publicly announced they’re playing any other pre-season friendlies but they will be back in action when the WSL returns on Friday 5th September where they travel to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea.
Crystal Palace 5 – 0 Portsmouth
After being relegated from the WSL last season, Crystal Palace will be looking for a strong pre-season to start their WSL2 campaign with a bang.
The first 45 minutes between the two sides remained goalless but Palace were able to step up in the second half with two braces from Annabel Blanchard and new loan signing Lola Brown to make it 4-0, while it was Molly-Mae Sharpe who netted the fifth of the afternoon.
For Portsmouth, although the scoreline wasn’t flattering, it’s minutes in the legs and a great test against a strong team ahead of the new season which they too will want to start competitively.
In the 24/25 season, Pompey were tipped to be relegated after a disappointing start but a good run of form towards the latter stages of the season saw Portsmouth secure their place for the 25/26 with a few games in hand.
– Crystal Palace are due to face Brighton and Hove Albion and Southampton this month as they prepare for the WSL2 starting on the first weekend in September; along with other friendly matches they will not be publicising, according to their website.
– Portsmouth meanwhile have postponed their friendly against AFC Bournemouth and haven’t publicly advertised any future matches so will be back in action for the first game of the WSL2 season against Durham.
Aston Villa 5 – 1 Liverpool
After a turbulent few months for Liverpool, this was their first outing under new manager Gareth Taylor.
Despite taking an early lead through Marie Höbinger converting new signing Lily Woodham’s indirect free-kick, their advantage didn’t last long. Villa quickly equalised through Kirsty Hanson (assisted by Georgia Mullett)
and then doubled their lead through a Rachel Daly penalty. Not long after, Mullett finally got her name on the scoresheet for 3-1 while Jill Baijings (who has recently signed a permanent deal with the club) found their fourth of the afternoon. Finally, Sarah Mayling was able to tap in a loose ball for the final goal of the afternoon as the match finished 5-1.
Regardless of the scoreline, Gareth Taylor was able to give 22 players minutes in a very helpful run out against fellow WSL competition. Natalia Arroyo meanwhile was able to give valuable game time to Ellie Roebuck in goal as well as other new signings Lucia Kendall and Océane Deslandes.
– Liverpool will next host WSL2 side Durham for a friendly at Melwood Training Centre before facing Manchester United in two weeks time.
– Aston Villa will now depart for a warm weather camp including a friendly against Paris Saint-Germain. When the Lionesses return they will face Leicester City before facing Frauen Bundesliga side Union Berlin which is ticketed.
Newcastle 0 – 2 Atlético de Madrid – Sela Cup
The second double-header of the weekend saw the return of the Sela Cup to St. James’ Park and this time it was Atlético de Madrid who had travelled to face both the men’s and women’s teams on Saturday afternoon.
It was a tale of two halves, as the visitors dominated the opening 45 minutes with Sarriegi coming close to scoring twice before Vilde Bøe Risa finally found the back of the net. Around the 20 minute mark, her shot slipped through the gloves of keeper Claudia Moan for 0-1.
However, Moan was quick to get down as she tipped Rosa Otermin’s low shot around the post to deny the visitors doubling their lead. Newcastle’s defence held strong, however, until Portales was able to head home through the home team’s defence to double their lead in the final moments of the half.
As the second half began, Newcastle looked much more threatening and it was Molly Pike who continued to be dangerous in front of goal for the Magpies. It was then Pike’s dangerous run that led to Atlético keeper Gallardo being shown a straight red for handling the ball outside of the area within 10 minutes of the restart.
Without anymore goalkeepers available on the bench, midfielder Silvia Lloris stepped up and impressively tipped new signing Jordan Nobbs’ free-kick over the bar as her first call to action.
The hosts then enjoyed a period of possession against a reduced Atlético side but were unable to get back into the game and the final whistle blew at 0-2, with Atlético being crowned Sela Cup champions 2025.
– Newcastle have no more advertised pre-season friendlies before the WSL2 season begins on 7th September.
– Atlético Femenino are now fully focused on their league preparation as their Liga F campaign kicks off on 31st August against Espanyol.
Sunday 10th August 2025
Sparta Prague 0 – 1 West Ham
To end their warm weather training camp, the Irons achieved a slim victory against the 24/25 runners up of the 1 Liga Women thanks to Riko Ueki’s header in the first half.
The Japanese international was able to find the back of the net after an impressive delivery from Asseyi’s free-kick, with the French international herself coming close to adding her name on the scoresheet too.
Rehanne Skinner commented after the game that she was impressed with the way her side found a way to win in such hard conditions, especially keeping a clean sheet against a strong Czech side.
– West Ham haven’t publicised any further pre-season friendlies but will return in the WSL with their opening game against local rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
Milan 1 – 3 ACF Fiorentina
In this Italian friendly between two teams who were battling for the top spots last season, it was La Viola who came out victorious.
Milan had the better chances of the first half and took the lead through Swedish international Evelyn Ijeh around the twenty minute mark and kept their lead until half-time.
As play resumed, Fiorentina came out much more attacking and were soon in the lead thanks to a Bonfantini brace before a third and final goal from Madelen Janogy sealed the win for the visitors.
Overall, a very productive afternoon for both teams who only finished 6 points apart in the table last season.
– Fiorentina and Milan are back in action in the new Serie A Women’s League Cup, with Fiorentina being drawn into Group B and will face Como on 24th August. Milan, meanwhile, are in Group C and will face Sassuolo.
Hibernian 4 – 0 Durham
On Sunday afternoon, it was a hard fought match in Edinburgh as WSL2 side Durham were unfortunate not to take more against a very dominate Hibs side.
Within the first five minutes, Durham had a chance on goal after Grace Ede found Beth Hepple in the box but the shot went just wide.
Around the 20 minute mark, Hannah Jordan was able to break the deadlock for the Scottish side with their first chance of the game before Beth Hepple came close to finding an equaliser.
In the 37th minute, Durham’s Hannah Blake did have the ball in the back of the net but unfortunately the flag was raised and despite further chances for Hibs the half ended 1-0.
Durham came out of the gates fighting as the first real chance came their way as Blake was able to intercept a loose ball before finding Lambert but the chance was saved well by Schumacher. A Durham defensive mix-up then led to Hibs doubling their lead through McGovern. She was able to round the keeper to slot home the rebound of her initial shot that Sheppard had parried away. Within five minutes, McGovern had her brace to make it 3-0 and almost had a hat-trick but couldn’t place her header on target after Grant’s corner.
Hibs continued to dominate for the remainder of the game and netted their final goal through Kirsten Reilly. The midfielder was able to convert yet another powerful Grant corner, this time on the half-volley to secure the 4-0 win.
– For Hibernian this was an extremely strong finish to the end of their pre-season before the SWPL begins on 17th August where they will face Aberdeen in their opening match.
– Durham have another pre-season fixture arranged against WSL side Liverpool which is due to be played on 17th August.
Sheffield United 1 – 3 Glasgow City
Taking place in a neutral venue, the Blades took the lead around the 15 minute mark after a dominant start but City were determined to try and find an equaliser. The rest of the half remained fairly equal with chances at both ends: City keeper Gibson made a double save before the Blades’ keeper faced danger from midfielder Wróbel.
Minutes before the half ended, City finally levelled the scoring after Whelan crossed into the box to find Forrest for 1-1.
After the restart, City came out the dominant side and it wasn’t long before they took the lead through Golob’s header at the back post for 2-1.
Two minutes later, City netted their third and final of the afternoon as Wróbel finally got her name on the scoresheet as her powerful shot hit off the side post and deflected in over the line for 3-1.
– Glasgow City now turn to their league preparations for the SWPL which starts on 17th August.
– Sheffield United haven’t made any further pre-season friendlies public, however, they face Sunderland in their WSL2 season opener on the 5th September.
Other reported fixtures:
– Valencia vs Birmingham City
– Leicester City vs Everton
– Arsenal vs Southampton
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