Man City and Chelsea stars named on March's WSL player of the month shortlist

06 April 2021 18:30

Manchester City winger Lauren Hemp and Chelsea forward Fran Kirby are among the nominees for the Barclays WSL player of the month for March as the 2020/21 season nears its crunch conclusion.

They are joined on the award shortlist by Arsenal defender Lotte Wubben-Moy, Everton midfielder Hayley Raso and Bristol City forward Charlie Wellings.

Lotte Wubben-Moy helped Arsenal remain ironclad at the back | Marc Atkins/Getty Images

20-year-old Hemp, who is becoming a star for club and country despite her young age, made invaluable contributions as City continued winning throughout March to put the pressure firmly on reigning champions and current leaders Chelsea.

Hemp provided the assists that directly handed City two of those wins, laying on a late winner for Keira Walsh against Everton and an even later winner for Chloe Kelly against Reading.

Kirby had a fine month of her own in March as she continues to show her very best form just a year on from being sidelined with a career threatening illness.

Fran Kirby remains in her best form for Chelsea | Alex Livesey/Getty Images

The 27-year-old England favourite scored Chelsea’s first goal in the win over Everton, before then also assisting the second in a 3-0 win. Her partnership with Sam Kerr has also gone from strength to strength, setting up the Australian twice in a victory against Aston Villa.

Despite home defeats, Everton won handsomely on the road twice in March and Raso was in fine form for the 5-0 thrashing of a Brighton side that had previously won four games in a row.

The Australia international netted a perfect hat-trick in the game while Everton had earlier hammered Birmingham 4-0 as well.

Everton's Hayley Raso scored a perfect hat-trick in March | Clive Rose/Getty Images

Bristol City have managed to pull themselves up from the bottom of the WSL table and the contributions of Wellings in March have been a major reason why.

The 22-year-old scored a crucial first half equaliser in what proved to be a comeback win over Reading to kick off the month. She then also scored in a 1-1 draw against Birmingham, with the Robins ultimately taking five points in March to almost double their overall points tally.

Charlie Wellings helped Bristol City move up the WSL table | Naomi Baker/Getty Images

Meanwhile, Wubben-Moy has continued to prove her worth to Arsenal in her first season back with the Gunners after three years in the United States with the legendary UNC Tar Heels.

Wubben-Moy was a key player at the back as a resurgent Arsenal went unbeaten in the WSL in March, keeping three clean sheets in the process. That included a potentially tough game against Manchester United and a north London derby against Tottenham.

Fan can vote online for the winner until 12pm on Monday 12 April.


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Source: 90min