Bulls taken all the way in Championship thriller

Bulls FC Academy 1 University of New South Wales FC 1  : 4-2 on penalties

By Texi Smith 15/9/26

Above: Bulls FC lift the trophy. Photo: Texi Smith

Bulls FC Academy clinched the 2026 NSW NPL Women’s championship on Sunday but only after University of New South Wales FC had taken the grand final to penalties with a dramatic last-gasp extra-time equaliser.

A world-class free-kick from A-League star Sarah Hunter looked to have secured the premiers’ second straight championship title only for a Demi Koulizakis header to delay the celebrations with seconds remaining on the clock. The tie was ultimately concluded with spot kicks, Bulls imperious from 12 yards, Ashley Hughes making two saves to confirm the win and restart the celebrations at Jubliee Stadium.

A beautiful sunny spring Sunday welcomed the two teams to south Sydney, a decent turnout in the only open stand making plenty of noise as the players entered the field, the Bulls inflatable mascot not surviving the line-up, but the players looking primed for action. A-League quality was sprinkled throughout both squads, Hunter joined by Janaya Dos Santos and a host of Bulls players with experience at the top level, while UNSW boasted Abby Lemon, Poppy Channing, Lexie Moreno and Angelique Hristodoulou among their team of stars.

The pace of Daniella Naeimi was going to be a feature today, starting on the right but switching sides to the Bulls’ left to run at the UNSW defence, but with Aya Yamahata and Channing looking comfortable in the centre of defence, the students were not letting anything past. Dos Santos freed Naeimi on the left who cut in to curl a shot just over, but the first half, played in a strong breeze, was punctuated by stoppages for injury. Gemma Ferris expressed her annoyance at the distance of the wall from a free kick on the right for the Bulls, taking the ball back a yard to make the ten, but the shot was too cute and easily saved by Erin Naylor. An exciting half ended with Dos Santos turning sweetly in the box to fire well wide, the Bulls knowing that they had dominated the first 45 minutes but had lacked the killer touch.

The second half was in its infancy when Alexia Karrys-Stahl got away with a high foot on Liz Barwick-Grey to romp down the right for UNSW, and her cross was perfect for Ava Collins, but she completely missed her kick when the crowd expected the net to bulge. Seconds later, Collins was played in for a one-on-one with Hughes, the Bulls keeper happy to smother the shot that was too close to her. Hughes had to be smart to stop Chloe Smith dancing around her to score, grabbing the ball from between the striker’s feet accompanying cries for a penalty in the process. The game had swung with the wind advantage, and Moreno went close when trying an audacious Olimpico free kick from near the corner flag.

Bulls started to change the momentum, Claudia Valetta taking far too long with a shooting opportunity when well placed in the area, and a corner was then headed into the turf by Ferris, the ball bouncing onto the bar, Jade Guichon trying the overhead kick but blazing over. Guichon then made headway up the right to cross for substitute Gracie Bishop to skew a shot wide at the far post. The game had changed complexion; Hunter ran at the defence and offloaded to Guichon but the cross was overhit, Dos Santos showed good skill to cut inside, her dangerous cross unable to find a teammate, and it was Dos Santos again who stepped inside to curl in an effort after good approach work, but the shot lacked conviction. When Valetta again took a split-second too long, the rebound fell invitingly for Petria Phillips to fire just wide. The four additional minutes couldn’t deliver the goal, despite substitute Olivia Vanderlaan beating Yamahata and firing a shot across goal in the final move of regulation time.

There was a hint of tiredness as extra time wore on – UNSW wasting a corner into the side netting, and the referee having to intervene to untangle Bishop and UNSW’s Skye Casacchia, whose laces were tangled in a coming-together. The Bulls pushed, Dos Santos turning well to shoot, the resulting corner dealt with well by Nayler with the sun in her eyes. The game was open, flowing and exciting now, and when Jennifer Kokoris lifted in a dangerous cross shot that Bulls keeper Hughes saved, she had no idea that her next contribution would be to concede the free kick that would lead to the opening goal. It looked too far out, surely Hunter wouldn’t try her luck from here, but she connected perfectly with the ball and the shot flew past Nayler into the top left-hand corner of the goal for a world-class grand final strike. The manner of the celebration made some fans think that this was golden goal, but we still had another half of extra time to come.

Karrys-Stahl tried to emulate Hunter from a free kick in a similar position, the shot flying handsomely over the bar, and Daniela Naccari couldn’t throw a boot at a cross to divert the ball in. Karrys-Stahl had already hit a corner disappointingly into the side-netting, but this time goalkeeper Nayler was up for the corner kick. The cross was perfect, Nayler was there, but it was Demi Koulizakis who got the head to it, and she sent the ball past Hughes with 119 minutes on the clock. What drama, such emotion on the field and on the bench, but more was to come as UNSW won another corner within seconds. Nayler wasn’t game to come up for this one, but in an almighty scramble in the Bulls’ penalty area, a suggestion of a handball and a last-ditch goal-line clearance kept the score at 1-1 and the game was destined to be settled on penalties.

While penalties are often considered a lottery, this shoot-out was only going to have one winner. With the impending men’s grand final, and warm-ups taking place behind the goal, the Sydney United players were invited to vacate the area, a win for women’s football! The supreme confidence of the Bulls, with Hunter powering in the first penalty, wasn’t matched by Yamahata who placed her shot too close to Hughes who saved well. Two more superb penalties from the Bulls sandwiched a drilled penalty by Channing that just crept in, and by the time Naccari stepped up, she knew she had to score to save the game. Her short run up and placed shot offered a simple save for Hughes and the celebrations could now resume for the Bulls, taking out the Championship grand final in dramatic fashion. The celebrations were lengthy as the trophy was hoisted, and the wins continued as the celebrations totally overshadowed the entrance of the men’s teams for the second game of the double-header.

Congratulations to Bulls FC Academy for securing a second straight premiership and championship double, but they did it the hard way today, taken right to the end by a spirited UNSW team. NPL Women’s football in NSW is over for 2026, and with a number of these players in A-League action, we should expect the quality of the women’s game to be on the surge. Special mention to Liz Barwick-Grey for a commanding performance at the heart of the Bulls defence, and also to Aya Yamahata of UNSW who will be disappointed to have missed her spot kick in an otherwise flawless display.

Bulls FC Academy :  Hughes, Phillips, Ferris, Barwick-Grey, Valletta, Souza , Naeimi Meli, Jynaya Dos Santos, Hunter , Guichon Substitutes: Vanderlaan, Hawkins, Bishop, Simonsen, Franklin, Surjan, Harpur.

Goals: Hunter 105’

UNSW FC : Nayler, Karrys-Stahl, Puxty, Yamahata, Channing, Koulizakis, Moreno, Smith, Collins, Lemon, Hristodoulou. Substitutes: Singh, Casacchia, Hammond, Kokoris, Burton, Naccari Vais, Kokoris, Naccari.

Goals: Koulizakis 120’

@ImpetusFootball on Threads, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.

Trailblazers: The Arsenal Women’s Column

By Roberto Revilla (13/9/26)

Above: Renee Slegers with her players after a training session. Photo: Arsenal FC

Arsenal v Crystal Palace: Gunners must turn control into goals

Arsenal host Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday 13 September at 2.45pm in the second weekend of the Women’s Super League season, with both sides seeking to build on opening-day victories.

Arsenal began their campaign with a 1-0 win at Brighton and Hove Albion, where Lisa Baum scored the decisive goal just 10 minutes into her competitive debut.

It wasn’t a spectacular performance, and there were moments when the match became more uncomfortable than necessary, but Brighton had prevented Arsenal from winning on their previous two league visits. Keeping a clean sheet and returning to London with three points represented a significant start.

There was also plenty in the performance to encourage head coach Renée Slegers as Arsenal’s new players began to settle.

Georgia Stanway offered a different route through the first line of pressure from a deeper midfield position, Ona Batlle moved into some intriguing areas from full-back and Baum looked remarkably comfortable combining with Alessia Russo and attacking the space ahead of her.

The frustration was that Arsenal enjoyed enough possession and reached enough promising positions to make the afternoon considerably easier. Too many attacks slowed around the penalty area or ended without forcing Brighton goalkeeper Sophie Baggaley into a meaningful save.

When a team lead by only one goal, it doesn’t particularly matter how much of the match they have controlled because one deflection, set piece or unfortunate decision can undo an otherwise good performance.

Palace will arrive at the Emirates with the same number of points after beating Everton 1-0 in their first match back in the WSL, so this won’t simply be Arsenal welcoming a nervous newly promoted side.

The central question is whether Arsenal can combine the control and defensive security shown at Brighton with the speed, precision and ruthlessness that were sometimes missing in the final third.

Palace may not expect to dominate possession, but their opening victory demonstrated that they don’t require much of the ball to win.

Potter’s Palace return with momentum

Crystal Palace’s previous attempt to survive in the WSL lasted only one season.

They finished bottom with 10 points, won twice, and conceded an average of three goals per match, suggesting the gap between the top two divisions had been too large for the squad they had assembled.

The Palace side returning to the WSL are considerably different.

Jo Potter took charge in June 2025 following two seasons with Rangers, where she won four trophies and established a strong reputation for developing young players.

Palace began last season slowly, but Potter’s ideas gradually took hold, and they produced an exceptional run during the closing months of the campaign. They climbed the table and secured the second automatic promotion place on the final day, finishing level on points with champions Birmingham City.

This wasn’t a team that drifted into the WSL because the competition expanded. By the end of the season, Palace were producing sustained promotion form under a manager whose influence had become increasingly clear.

The club have since retained much of the core that earned promotion while recruiting several players who already understand the demands of the top division.

Bethany England is the most recognisable addition. She brings goals, leadership and considerable WSL experience, while former Tottenham Hotspur defender Molly Bartrip adds similar knowledge at the back.

Palace have also signed France international goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin on loan, an ambitious piece of recruitment for a newly promoted side.

Lexi Lloyd-Smith joined from Bristol City after finishing as the leading scorer in WSL2 with 11 league goals. She scored the winner against Everton on her Palace debut, requiring only 34 minutes to demonstrate that she could carry her threat into the top division.

Shannon O’Brien, Teyah Goldie and Fuka Tsunoda have also arrived, while captain Aimee Everett, Annabel Blanchard and Ashleigh Weerden remain from the promotion-winning squad.

My Cato’s anterior cruciate ligament injury was a significant setback before the campaign began, but Palace appear much better prepared for the WSL than they were two seasons ago.

An administrative issue hangs over their opening victory after Palace used four separate substitution opportunities against Everton when competition rules permit only three.

The breach remains under investigation and could result in a sanction. Whatever is eventually decided, it doesn’t change what Arsenal must learn from the performance itself.

Palace were organised, carried an attacking threat and found a way to defeat an established WSL side. Arsenal must therefore prepare for a proper contest rather than a ceremonial welcome back to the division.

Possession alone won’t be enough

Palace recorded only 40 per cent possession against Everton, but produced 10 shots and placed six on target.

Everton had more of the ball and attempted 14 shots, but only two were on target. Those figures suggest Palace were comfortable letting their opponents have possession without letting that control become especially dangerous.

Potter’s starting side had a strong defensive structure, with Everett, Bartrip and Jamie-Lee Napier providing experience at the back, but Palace didn’t simply retreat towards their penalty area and hope to survive.

They selected moments to press higher and when possession was recovered, they attempted to turn those moments into attacks before Everton could reorganise.

Lloyd-Smith offers pace and movement across the front, Blanchard can find useful pockets around the attacking line and England provides a focal point who can occupy the centre-backs and receive early passes when Palace need to escape pressure.

O’Brien attempted to catch Courtney Brosnan away from her line during the first half, while substitute Abbie Larkin struck the crossbar after Palace recovered possession through a high press.

Arsenal can’t assume every Palace attack will begin with a deep defensive block and a hopeful pass towards England.

There were moments at Brighton when Arsenal’s attacking shape left space behind the first line of pressure. Leah Williamson was booked after stopping a Brighton counterattack and Palace have players capable of exploiting similar situations.

If Arsenal commit numbers forward, lose possession in a poor area and leave space behind their full-backs, Lloyd-Smith and O’Brien can turn one loose pass into a significant chance.

England’s role will also be important even if she isn’t carrying the ball herself. Her movement can occupy Williamson and Steph Catley, or whichever central defensive partnership Slegers selects, while creating room for runners around her.

The experienced forward also cleared an Everton attempt from the goal line during stoppage time, demonstrating the defensive contribution Potter expects from her senior players when Palace are protecting a lead.

Arsenal’s challenge won’t simply involve breaking down 11 players camped around their own penalty area.

They will need to move Palace from side to side, play more quickly around the box than they did at Brighton and remain properly organised behind the attack whenever possession is lost.

Arsenal should control the ball and create opportunities, but Palace’s performance against Everton suggests they won’t be concerned by losing the possession statistics.

Arsenal’s challenge is to make that possession count before Palace can recover their defensive shape.

Arsenal selection

Slegers may be tempted to use the depth of her squad and make changes against newly promoted opposition, but there is a strong argument for retaining most of the side that started at Brighton.

That team won, kept a clean sheet and included four players making their first competitive Arsenal starts. Allowing those relationships to develop may be more valuable than substantially changing the side after one match.

Baum should retain her place after contributing much more than the winning goal.

She combined intelligently with Russo, carried the ball with purpose and repeatedly attacked the available space. That directness could prove important against a Palace defence attempting to recover into its shape.

Olivia Smith had quieter periods at Brighton, but her ability to receive the ball in a wide position and drive directly at a defender remains one of Arsenal’s clearest methods of disrupting an organised defensive block.

If Palace narrow the spaces through the centre, Smith and Baum can force their defensive line to make difficult decisions about how far it is prepared to stretch.

Stanway’s deeper midfield role also gave Arsenal something different at Brighton. She could collect possession from the centre-backs before driving forward or passing over the opposition’s first line of pressure, while Kim Little and Mariona Caldentey moved into more advanced positions.

Arsenal are likely to have even more possession against Palace and may find less space through the middle, so the midfield must circulate the ball quickly enough to prevent the visitors from simply moving across the pitch and resetting their shape.

The same back four could also continue, assuming everybody has recovered from the Brighton match.

Emily Fox and Batlle offer width and movement from full-back, while Williamson and Catley have the passing range required to shift Palace’s defensive shape before looking for the forwards.

Lotte Wubben-Moy will be pushing for a return and Élisa de Almeida will soon enter the selection conversation, but Williamson and Catley kept a clean sheet at Brighton. There is no immediate need to disrupt that partnership merely to demonstrate the number of options available.

The principal uncertainty is whether Géraldine Reuteler and Selina Cerci will be available.

Neither player was included in the squad at Brighton and it was confirmed that their absences weren’t injury-related. Further team news is required before any conclusions can be drawn.

The provisional Arsenal team is Misa Rodríguez in goal, with Fox, Williamson, Catley and Batlle in defence. Stanway, Little and Caldentey form the midfield, with Baum and Smith supporting Russo in attack.

That selection may appear conservative with so many players waiting for an opportunity, but Arsenal should have enough variety among their substitutes to change the nature of the contest if their possession becomes too slow or predictable.

First goal could prove decisive

The speed with which Arsenal score the opening goal may determine the shape of the match.

The longer Palace can remain compact while protecting a level score, the more the afternoon will begin to suit the visitors.

An early Arsenal goal would force Palace to decide whether to continue waiting for transitions or commit more players forward. Once those spaces appear, Arsenal’s attacking quality should become increasingly difficult to contain.

If the match remains goalless after an hour, the crowd could become restless, Arsenal may begin forcing passes that weren’t previously available and Palace’s belief will grow with every attack they survive.

That doesn’t mean Arsenal should start by shooting from distance just because an early goal would be useful.

They must move the ball with purpose, find Smith and Baum before Palace can double up against them and create opportunities from inside the penalty area rather than accumulating possession for its own sake.

Arsenal must also manage the space behind their full-backs, particularly when England moves towards the ball and Lloyd-Smith begins running beyond her.

Palace don’t need to create numerous clear chances if Arsenal give them one very good opportunity. Rodríguez could experience another afternoon when concentration matters more than the number of saves she is required to make.

Arsenal should still win. Their squad is stronger; the match is at the Emirates and a team with serious intentions of winning the WSL must take three points from home fixtures against newly promoted opposition.

Palace won’t arrive merely hoping to enjoy the occasion. They have momentum, have strengthened intelligently and have already beaten an established WSL side.

Prediction: Arsenal 3-0 Crystal Palace, with Russo scoring first, Baum continuing her impressive start and a substitute adding the third as Palace begin to tire.

Roberto Revilla is the founder and host of Arsenal Women: Trailblazers, an independent podcast and website providing in-depth analysis and coverage of Arsenal Women. You can find the podcast and Roberto’s latest Arsenal Women writing at Arsenal Women: Trailblazers.

@ImpetusFootball on Threads, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.

“Our intent and ambition is to win every game”

By Chloe Reynolds (12/9/26)

Above: Gareth Taylor preparing his side for their first home clash of the season. Photo: Liverpool FC

Ahead of their first home game of the season, Gareth Taylor sat down with the media and addressed their questions.

Following their win vs Charlton in MW1, Taylor provided injury updates:  

Pretty much everyone came through okay, few little niggles here and there. I think it was the first time we had a few players that had played 90 minutes, that was good. I think we always looked previously in the preseason to get as many 90 minutes under our belts as possible but felt like we got some really good volume in training. So, not necessarily gaining that, but we’ve got good volume in training and use the games in a way where we could build up to those 90 minutes. It was good, and fortunately, we were in a good position to be able to look after key players, who probably use more energy in 60 minutes than other players would. And then on top of that, Maisie Truman would be back closer to the squad this weekend and also Roman Haug.

Captain Grace Fisk bagged a brace and played a part in securing the clean sheet against Charlton in the Reds first game of the season, here is what Taylor had to say about it:

She’s been great. I’ve spoken highly of her for a long time not just as a player, but also as a person and the way she carries herself. I think she’s an exceptional captain. She’s really well respected by everybody at the club, all of the girls. She’s really well supported by the leadership group of Marie, Sam Kerr, and Jenna Clark. I think she does a lot for this team. She’s very good as a player. I think performance last weekend, was a performance where she could show what she can do with the ball, she’ll have games potentially more so this weekend, where it’s gonna be a little bit more out of possession as well, where I think she’s really good.

Someone who Taylor will know well is new summer signing Khaira Keating, who Taylor worked with during his time at Manchester City, and he spoke about what having her back in his side means:

We’ve been really fortunate in convincing Khiara to come. We didn’t have to convince her too much because obviously we had history and she knows the size of Liverpool, and her sisters in the academy as well, so that was nice for her. Khiara’s not daft, she saw that there was a platform here to be able to go and showcase what she can do. All of these girls really want to achieve international honours, and Khiara’s no different. She’s done it before; she will continue to compete at that level. But for us, it’s just really important to have, firstly, a goalkeeper who’s able to execute, a goalkeeper who understands the idea, I think Khiara’s going to be important for us.”

Taylor also spoke about what he expects from a strong Tottenham side, who also won their opening game last weekend:

We know the way that they’re going to try and animate in possession, we know what they try and do defensively. I think they have good individual quality in their team. There’s no secrets, it’d be the same for them in terms of what they know about us, I think it’ll always be about what happens on the day and who’s able to execute better, with and without the ball. I think that gives you a large reflection on where the scoreline’s going to lie and fall one way or the other, but I expect it to be tight, one way or the other. I’ve never been one to focus on the result, I always focus on the performance because then hopefully the performance takes care of the result, that’s not always the case. There are times when you can play really well and not get anything, and there’s times when you don’t play so well, and you come away with 3 points. Always about the performance for us. We train with a good intensity here at Melwood and we make sure that the players are prepared for games, and, you know, we see the game almost as an extension of our training. We understand the importance of it is more different than training of course, I expect the game to be fairly tight.

It has been a difficult year for the club on and off the pitch. Everyone involved has experienced spending half of last season rock bottom of the league with a depleted squad due to heavy injuries. But alongside the negative performances, the losses of Matt Beard and John Humble has made Taylor’s first year as head coach that little more difficult. Here is what he had to say when reflecting on how the side came together:

It’s kind of hard maybe to put into words of how you approach and deal with these things. The anniversary of Matt is coming up soon, the anniversary of John Humble, our Kitman, who passed, is coming up in October. No one can prepare you for those types of situations and everybody deals with grief in different ways. On top of that, we were suffering on the pitch a little bit with injuries, with availability of players, losing players out of the door, of coming late into the club. There was a lot to contend with, and every one of us, players, staff, and representatives of the club, would have gone through that period differently and experienced it differently. And that’s really tough. We celebrate together in the good moments, we suffer together, as difficult a season as it was, it really provided us with situations where you go full. This is a really special place to be, and I feel going through those experiences as much as they were nice, and as much as they don’t go away, they don’t, because, you know, we’re at that time again of the year where these things happen to us, you know, over a space of a month, and… Like I say, people really recognise the teammate that have in front of them, the teammate that had to the side of them and behind them, and, yeah, we really stood together in that period, and, and went on that journey together, and came out of it the other side, and that’s the beauty of life, and, and also of football, that, you know, there’s always light at the end of the tunnel, and sometimes it can look like a million miles away, but what you need to do in those moments is stick together. And we were really together in that time, and come out at the other side, and I feel that we’re better for it, never nice, never want to experience that. Again, but I feel like we are much better for it, and we are closer. That was really tough, but we went through it together. We stood together, and we all come out of it the other side.

Liverpool host Tottenham Hotspur at the St Helen’s Stadium on Sunday 13th September with kick off commencing at 14:00.

@ImpetusFootball on Threads, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.

Trailblazers: The Arsenal Women’s Column

Impetus is proud to welcome Roberto Revilla from the Arsenal Women Trailblazers podcast and website. Each week, Roberto will be providing us with a column analysing the Gunners’ most recent games and looks ahead to what’s coming up for the team.

Above: Georgia Stanway (left), Steph Catley (centre), and Leah Williamson (right) come together in Arsenal’s win over Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday. Photo: cozphotos for Impetus.

Lisa Baum’s spectacular first Women’s Super League goal gave Arsenal a 1-0 victory over Brighton and Hove Albion at Broadfield Stadium on Sunday as Renée Slegers’ side opened their league campaign with three points, despite the hosts increasingly exposing some of the risks within Arsenal’s evolving system.

For the opening 20 minutes, Arsenal looked capable of producing something considerably more emphatic.

Many of the combinations that had appeared throughout pre-season were immediately visible. Georgia Stanway collected the ball from deep, Mariona Caldentey roamed across midfield, Arsenal’s full-backs pushed high and Baum and Olivia Smith moved between attacking areas rather than remaining fixed to their respective wings.

Most noticeably, Arsenal won the ball back quickly.

When Brighton had possession, Arsenal hunted in packs, often surrounding the player on the ball with two or three yellow shirts. It gave Slegers’ side control of the opening stages and offered an early indication of how much more aggressive Arsenal want to become without the ball this season.

Then Baum announced herself to the WSL.

The 19-year-old collected possession centrally and ran directly at Brighton’s defence, drifting towards the left side of the penalty area before unleashing a magnificent strike into the nearside top corner.

It was an extraordinary way to score a first WSL goal, although there was considerably more to Baum’s performance than the moment which ultimately decided the match.

Baum offered Arsenal much more than a goal
Above: Lisa Baum dances her way towards goal for Arsenal on Sunday. Photo: cozphotos for Impetus.

There was some intrigue around Slegers’ decision to start Baum in Arsenal’s opening league game, particularly given the attacking options available to her, but it did not take long to understand the thinking.

Baum was constantly moving.

She began on the left but appeared centrally, combined with Alessia Russo, interchanged positions with Smith and later operated from the opposite side. There was also a revealing moment during the first half when she tracked Kiko Seike all the way back towards Arsenal’s box before dispossessing the Brighton forward.

For a side increasingly reliant on rotations in attacking areas, that willingness to move was important, but so too was the defensive work required when those rotations broke down.

Baum also demonstrated why her ability to carry the ball could become particularly useful. Early in the second half, she drove through the Brighton defence again, gliding beyond several challenges before eventually producing a shot which was comfortably saved by Chiamaka Nnadozie.

Slegers said afterwards that Baum’s performances throughout pre-season had convinced her that she was ready to start, praising the teenager’s maturity, composure and willingness to work.

On the evidence of her first WSL appearance, Baum gave her head coach plenty to think about when selecting her next starting eleven.

Stanway was already changing Arsenal’s midfield
Above: Georgia Stanway (right) looks to block a cross from Brighton & Hove Albion’s Kiko Seike. Photo: cozphotos for Impetus.

If Baum produced the game’s defining moment, Stanway was arguably the player who best demonstrated how this Arsenal side may evolve.

The England midfielder repeatedly dropped towards the defensive line to collect possession, sometimes allowing Steph Catley to move wider and Ona Batlle to advance further forward.

From there, Stanway gave Arsenal options.

They could continue to progress through the shorter combinations which became familiar under Slegers last season, but Stanway also offered something different: the ability to look beyond the immediate pass and move Arsenal forward much more quickly.

Leah Williamson was similarly willing to look for longer passes into Arsenal’s attacking players.

Slegers spoke after the match about wanting Arsenal to retain their ability to progress through the lines while becoming less predictable, and Stanway appeared central to that idea.

The challenge was deciding when to use it.

There were periods, particularly during the second half, when Arsenal appeared almost too keen to attack immediately after regaining possession. They would win the ball, look forward, lose it and then have to recover again.

Stanway gave Arsenal another way of progressing the ball. The next stage may be recognising when the game requires them not to progress it at all.

Brighton found the space Arsenal left behind
Above: Steph Catley, who plays an integral role in Arsenal’s defence under their new playing system. Photo: cozphotos for Impetus.

The warning signs had actually arrived before Baum scored.

Nnadozie’s long pass released Seike down Brighton’s right and, although Batlle recovered impressively to reduce the angle, Misa Rodríguez was still required to make an important early save.

Brighton repeatedly returned to that area.

This looked likely to be one of the trade-offs within Slegers’ increasingly adventurous system. Arsenal wanted Batlle high because of what she could offer in attacking areas, but that inevitably created space behind her when possession changed.

Catley consequently found herself providing important cover on several occasions.

Initially Arsenal’s aggressive counter-press prevented Brighton from exploiting those spaces consistently. Once Arturo Ruiz’s side began finding ways through that first pressure, however, the match changed.

Seike remained a threat, Fran Kirby became increasingly influential and Brighton gradually worked their way into the contest.

Arsenal still created opportunities. Smith’s strength and low delivery gave Russo an excellent chance to double the advantage, only for the striker to fire over, while Nnadozie later denied Russo after Stanway had played her through.

Brighton had not taken complete control. They had simply worked out how to make Arsenal considerably less comfortable.

Rodríguez provided the security Arsenal needed

That discomfort increased after half-time.

Brighton emerged with renewed intent and Rodríguez was required to save from Marisa Olislagers shortly after the restart.

The Spanish goalkeeper’s contribution throughout the afternoon went beyond the saves. She dealt confidently with balls into her area, came from her goal when Brighton threatened the space behind Arsenal’s defence and produced one particularly authoritative punch during a period of sustained second-half pressure.

Perhaps just as importantly, Rodríguez appeared willing to slow the game down.

As possession began switching rapidly between the two teams, Arsenal struggled to establish any meaningful rhythm. They would regain the ball only to surrender it again, forcing themselves into another defensive transition.

Rodríguez occasionally became the player willing to hold possession, allow Arsenal to reset and begin again.

On an afternoon when Brighton repeatedly threatened to turn Arsenal’s defensive risk into an equaliser, her composure proved every bit as valuable as her saves.

Arsenal could not quite calm the game down
Above: Ona Batlle (right), looks to counter the threat of Kiko Seike on Sunday. Photo: cozphotos for Impetus.

Slegers attempted to change the momentum by introducing Caitlin Foord and Chloe Kelly for Baum and Smith shortly after the hour.

Stina Blackstenius subsequently replaced Caldentey, with Russo dropping into a deeper position, before Frida Maanum and Smilla Holmberg were introduced late on.

There were opportunities to make the game safe. Foord caused problems after coming on and Blackstenius was denied by Nnadozie as Brighton increasingly committed players forward in search of an equaliser.

Yet Arsenal never quite regained the control they had enjoyed during the opening stages.

That may ultimately have been the most useful lesson from their opening afternoon. There will be occasions when the aggressive press, positional rotations and willingness to attack space quickly make Arsenal extremely difficult to contain. There will also be moments when the first pressure is beaten and those same attacking positions leave space for opponents to exploit.

The answer is not necessarily for Slegers to make Arsenal less adventurous.

There may simply be occasions when Arsenal need to become more patient, retain possession, make the opposition chase and allow their structure to reset before attacking again.

That balance between risk and control will take time, particularly with new players being integrated into a system which had largely only been tested during pre-season.

Arsenal nevertheless left Brighton with something they failed to collect from the corresponding fixture last season: three points.

Baum announced herself with a spectacular first WSL goal, Stanway already looked capable of changing the way Arsenal build attacks and Rodríguez demonstrated why her arrival could prove so important.

It was not the statement performance Arsenal’s opening 20 minutes suggested might be coming, but on an afternoon when Brighton found ways to expose some of the risks within Slegers’ new-look side, Arsenal demonstrated another quality which could become just as important over the course of a long season.

They found a way to win.

Roberto Revilla is the founder and host of Arsenal Women: Trailblazers, an independent podcast and website providing in-depth analysis and coverage of Arsenal Women. You can find the podcast and Roberto’s latest Arsenal Women writing at Arsenal Women: Trailblazers.

NPLW Vic Finals: Aideen rises for Avondale and Briedis breaks the deadlock for Bulleen

By Kieran Yap 9/9/26

Above: Aideen Keane. Photo: Joao Tam for NPL Victoria

Bulleen Lions and Avondale FC are both through to the NPLW Victoria Semi Finals after wins over South Melbourne and Boroondara Eagles respectively. Two very different games took place over the weekend that featured intriguing battles and incredible individual displays.

Saturday saw Bulleen Lions defeat South Melbourne 2-1 at the Veneto Club.  Bulleen coach Caitlin Friend made several changes from the side that lost to Alamein FC in Round 26. Claudia Mihocic, Tiffany Eliadis and Maja Markovski all returned to the starting XI. Teenage goalkeeper Alyssia Ierardo started between the posts again.

South made fewer changes, but were without goalscoring midfielder Clancy Westaway, she joined Bulleen’s Alyssa Dall ‘Oste in A-League pre-season with Perth Glory.

Although both sides were in attack mode, scoring chances were rare in the first half. Both teams were looking to set the tempo with neither really controlling momentum. In a positive sign for Bulleen, Mihocic looked to have brought her A-game to the knockout rounds. The centre back made some crucial interventions as South looked to utilise their pace on the break.

Francesco Iermano and Emily Roach were South Melbourne’s most creative outlets, while for the home side, Alana Cortellino was able to get free on the right, but finding targets in the box was made difficult by diligent and organized defending.

The first turning point of the match occurred around half an hour in and was an unfortunate one.

South’s star defender Bella Wallhead had to be substituted with an ankle injury. Coach Justin Micallef rolled the dice with a slight tactical change, swapping her for rising striker Heidi Dalton.

The game opened up more in the second half. Tiffany Eliadis had been everywhere in the first 45, and scored a spectacular goal to break the deadlock. Sarah Cain’s pass found it’s way through South Melbourne’s crowded defence and the ball bounced up for Eliadis. She struck a powerful half volley that crashed into the goal off the underside of the bar and Bulleen were 1-0 up in the 46th minute.

For most of the remaining 44 minutes, Bulleen were in their groove. Despite the torrential rain, they exchanged one-touch passes across the pitch. Markovski began to impose herself on the game and Nia Salleh was energetic and creative off the bench. Ierardo was well protected by Mihocic and Catherine Renahan, but when she was called on, she showed composure and strong hands.

South still had the weapons to score though, and it always felt like Bulleen needed a second goal. When Olivia Bomford’s hit the upright after another excellent team move, the football gods decided to inject some cruel fate on the home side.

Emily Roach has been one of South Melbourne’s best players this season and it was always going to be a matter of time before she impacted this match. She did so in the 86th minute with a miracle pass to find the run of Emily Collier.

She outpaced the Bulleen defence and sent the visiting fans into raptures with the late equaliser, sending the game into extra time.

With no goals in the first period of extra time, penalties loomed. Markovski almost caught Geo Candy out with a speculative but intelligent gamble from distance but the ball skimmed widev of the post.

In the 116th minute, the matchwinner arrived, Ava Briedis raced onto Markovski’s well placed long pass and took the ball deep into attack, forcing Candy to commit before coolly finishing into the far bottom corner.

South surged forward in search of an equaliser and the home fans loudly demanded the final whistle. They eventually got their wish and Bulleen were through to another semi-final to face the premiers in a rematch of the epic Nike FC Cup quarter final.

South Melbourne’s season is over, and in the immediate aftermath they will be disappointed, but this was a strong campaign. Micallef’s side were minutes away from a semi-final and played an entertaining style of football throughout the season that trusted in individual talent, the exuberance of youth and the versality of their more experienced stars.

South Melbourne unearthed some serious talent this season. Alexis Pantazoulos and Heidi Dalton burst onto the scene and went from eye-catching debut’s to consistent performers.

Wallhead’s formed justified the hype of her pre-season signing, and Meisha Westland was outstanding in South’s engine room. They were not missing much this season, and it is something they can build on.

Sunday’s game was another classic, albeit of a different style.

If the first final was a careful game of chess, this match was like a game of chess from the movies where they use a timer and everyone goes as fast as possible.

Avondale FC vs Boroondara Eagles was a match played at full throttle from minute one. It ended 5-3  but there could easily have been more goals.  The most basic description of this match was as a battle between Sarah Brunner on Boroondara’s left flank and Aideen Keane on Avondale’s.

Both wingers started the game at full pace, running at the fullbacks at every opportunity, looking to break the game open.

They were not the only threats though. Coco Parker’s twisting run earned the visitors a penalty which was comfortably scored by Kanako Higuchi.

The 8th minute lead was short lived. A harmless foul deep in midfield gave Elise Kellond-Knight a free kick and her delivery eluded everyone to bounce into the net just seven minutes later.

Keane began to cause problems. An effort crashed off the crossbar and she was getting in crosses. In midfield, Emma Vane sand Taylor Ray were in a battle for control of midfield that ended even at the break.

The game was just as lively in the second half, but with more goals. Sloane Young had been relatively well marshalled up until this point but created enough space to cut onto her left foot and give Avondale a 2-1 lead in the 54th minute.

Brunner answered for Boroondara before the hour mark. She delivered a pinpoint corner for Genevieve Fontes to head powerfully into the net.

Avondale re-took the lead in the 73rd minute in incredible style. Keane collected the ball on the left, cut inside and continued to shift towards the other flank, looking, waiting for an opening to shoot.

She shaped to shoot on her right boot but found Higuchi blocking her path, then shifted back onto her left and scored from the edge of the box on the opposite side of the pitch from where she started.

The battle of the wingers continued, and Brunner stepped up to reply again, The American chased down a lost cause as Avondale played the ball in defence, blocking the clearance from Brooke Bennet and finishing into an open net from an acute angle. 3-3 with 13 minute left on the clock.

It was going to take something special to separate these teams, and that something was Aideen Keane. The Australian U23 international had the entire defence backpedalling, expecting another driving run. Instead she unleashed a rocket from 25 yards to give Avondale a 4-3 lead in the 80th minute.

It was the third goal in the space of 10 minutes of play.

Boroondara did not lose faith though, and kept pushing for an equaliser. That came with risk, and when Keane got in the way of a free kick, she then hurtled forward, taking two defenders and the goalkeeper out of the equation after a 40 yard sprint. Hannah Wilkinson followed up to seal the win with Avondale’s fifth of the afternoon.

That sends the newly promoted but powerfully constructed teams into the preliminary final to face Essendon Royals. It also ends another impressive season for Boroondara.

The Eagles always recruit well, play entertaining football and bring some new stars to this league and this year was no exception.

Emma Vane was an artist in midfield, Brunner was electric, while Coco Parker and Priya Savarirayan were constant creative threats.

Boroondara are always worth watching, and although they fell at this hurdle, they played some brilliant football and featured in the game of the season so far.

Congratulations to Michale Maroulis and his team for another terrific season.

Good luck to Avondale in the next round of matches.

@ImpetusFootball on Threads, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.

Ambitious Eagles on the dawn of a second chance

by Alyce Collett (6/9/26)

Above: Crystal Palace are back in the WSL after only one season away from the top flight, but will things go better this time around? Photo: via WSL Football.

It is a historic day for Crystal Palace, because after only one season away from the top flight of English women’s football the Eagles are back.

If you talk to anyone in the Crystal Palace camp, they are ambitious and certainly not overawed by the challenge in front of them this season as they get set to take on Everton this afternoon.

Crystal Palace stalwart Molly-Mae Sharpe spoke to the media ahead of the new season, and she noted that her side has taken plenty of lessons from the last time they were in the Women’s Super League, back in 2024/25.

“We obviously want as many points on the board as we can in the early days” Sharpe said.

“But I think it’s also a lot going to be about our performance. You’ve seen in the WSL a lot of times where teams might be pinned in and they get out with a one-nil win or they end up drawing against the big teams, and I think results like that are going to be really important.

“But we are looking to make a statement in this league. We’re not here to make up the numbers. We certainly don’t think that. So we want to do well, and we want to get as many points on the board early as we possibly can.”

Sharpe also confirmed that the team’s past WSL experience has helped them prepare slightly different for this campaign compared to last time.

“I think this year we’re not taking anything for granted” Sharpe explained

“We know that it’s going to be a fight every single week, every single day in training. You’re fighting against your teammates to make them better and make yourself better, and I think that’s something we’re all taking very seriously this year.

“Also when it comes to analysis, stuff like that, pre-season, everything’s been very professional and well set out for us, and everything’s thought out from the minute we get here till the minute we leave.

“So I think that’s all been really good. But I think, like I said, the main part is not being naive this year. We know it’s going to be a fight. We know we’re going to win games, we’re going to lose games, we’re going to draw games, but it’s just about getting them results and making sure we can, whatever the result is, let it go quickly and move on to the next week.”

Normally the promoted side really struggles to stay in the top flight for more than one season in a row – the notable exception being London City – but Sharpe agreed that trying to stay up is made easier this time around because Palace are not the only newly promoted team.

“We are in the same boat as Birmingham and Charlton, but I think we probably have a little bit of edge that we’ve been there, done that, and we didn’t do it clearly very well enough to stay up” Sharpe said.

“So I think now we’ve got that experience. We know what it takes to stay in this league, and it’s something we’re certainly going to do and going to try our best to do.

“But I think having Birmingham and Charlton coming up as well, they’re the games we’re going to look at and think ‘Girls, we want the points from these games.’ That’ll help bump us up in the league, definitely.”

Crystal Palace have been ambitious in their offseason signings, bringing in a number of experienced players like Molly Bartrip and Beth England.

“I think obviously bringing Molly and Beth in, already they’ve already showed leadership skills in and around training and games that we’ve played so far” Sharpe explained.

“I think especially Beth brings a wealth of experience, national team level as well, which I think will help, and at the end of the day, we need to score goals to win.

“Molly’s going to help us not let goals in, and Beth’s going to help us score goals, and I think at the end of the day, that’s what we need. We need to score goals, and we need to get points on the board.”

Crystal Palace’s return to the Women’s Super League kicks off later today when they host Everton at the VBS Community Stadium.

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“Trust the process” says Everton star ahead of new campaign

by Alyce Collett (6/9/26)

Above: Maz Pacheco and her Everton team mates will certainly be looking for a much more straightforward season than last year was. Photo: via Everton Women.

It is the dawn of a new season for Everton, with the Toffees looking to build upon a 2025/26 season that could have gone better but also could have gone much worse.

Speaking to Impetus Football ahead of today’s season opener against Crystal Palace, Everton star Maz Pacheco had one simple message for the fans.

 “I think trust the process is a big one” Pacheco said.

“It’s a project. Obviously we’re not like the Arsenals with massive budget, London City with a huge budget, but we do have quality players and I think just get behind the girls, get behind the manager, and they’ll see the quality pull through.”

Pacheco was forthright in her summary of how last season went for Everton, which saw the side finish in eighth place on the table for the third season in a row.

“It was, I say, a rollercoaster” Pacheco said.

“We had a lot of ups, we had a lot of downs. It wasn’t quite smooth sailing as I think all of us wanted.

“Obviously, there was a lot of change of staff, a lot of change of manager into a new one, so our boat wasn’t as steady as we’d have liked. But I feel like you could see the quality we had in the group, especially against your Arsenals, Chelsea away, Man City.

“So it’s like this season we want to capitalize on that and make sure we perform majority of the games that we play. That’s what we’re looking for in the new season.”

Pacheco also said that the mood in the group ahead of the season has “been good, very exciting.”

“Obviously, we’ve got a bunch of new players coming in, and obviously it’s getting to know them as well as, as getting to know Scott [Phelan, new permanent Everton head coach] still. Because Scott did come in halfway through the season, so it’s still getting to know his style and how he wants us to play” Pacheco said.

“But the mood of the group I think is very excited. We’re all having fun, and we’ve got a good bunch around us.”

It was another busy offseason for Everton on the signing front, bringing in a number of new players such as Holly McNamara, Julia Rantala and Naomi Layzell.

“I think we’ve got a bunch of personality” Pacheco said when asked about what her new teammates have brought to the group.

“Obviously they’re very good on the pitch, very direct players. We’ve got a lot of players that filled gaps that we had.

“Obviously we’ve let a few girls go last season, we needed to recruit, but definitely just hardworking, technical ability, and just exciting players. So I think that’s something that the fans will look forward to next season.”

The preseason just finished is Pacheco’s second at Everton, and she described it as “Very, very, very different I’d say” from her first at the club.

“I’m much more settled now” Pacheco noted.

“I’m settled into being more of a senior player, which is quite new for me. I think I’m always used to being the young one that I can get away with murder. But obviously, as the years have gone on – which I’ve not realized – I’m getting older, I’m getting more towards 30 and there’s some 19, 21 year olds that like to remind me, like Ruby Mace, that I’m an old one in the squad.

“So yeah I feel a bit more settled, feel like a little bit more of a leader, which is being quite nice, but also being challenged at left back. Obviously we’ve got me and Hika[ru Kitagawa] who can play there and it’s been very competitive between us, which has been a learning curve and I’ve enjoyed it.”

On a personal note, Pacheco’s goals for the upcoming season were simple and straightforward.

“I think for me to be a starting 11 player, make an impact on the pitch” Pacheco explained.

“So whether that’s my defending or attacking, and definitely become more of a leader.”

Everton’s Women’s Super League season kicks off later today when they visit Crystal Palace at the VBS Community Stadium.

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Renee Slegers’ Press Conference

By Chloe Reynolds (5/10/26)

Above: Renee Slegers smiling in training before her side faces Brighton. Photo: Arsenal FC

Arsenal face off against Brighton & Hove Albion in their WSL season opener and head coach Renee Slegers sat down with the media to address her side’s targets for the season, how the summer transfer window went, and how they have prepared for their opponents.

Slegers shared the team news for the weekend revealing that the game comes a little bit too soon for deadline day signing Elisa De Almeida.

“Our rehab players at the moment are Daphne van Domselaar, Katie Reid, and Michelle Agyemang, and everyone else is fit to play.  

“(it) will probably be too early for Elisa, first day, yesterday, her visa had to come through, no training for her today.

“So, there will be one session to then go in. So, it’s probably a little bit too early. We really want to get it right with her.”

The Gunners have had an extremely successful transfer window, signing eight players including some big names such as Ona Batlle and Georgia Stanway, and Slegers has said that this transfer window was a long time in the making.

“I think the work that’s been going on in the background for a long time between Claire, Jody, Kevin, and their recruitment department.

“It’s been so strong, so we’ve been planning for this window for a long time. Of course, age is part of what we look at as one of the factors.

“So, really happy that we get players in their prime ages where we see this. They’re at their prime, but there’s more to come from these players.


“But also, the younger ones that we were so happy. We got them on board. They chose us. They want to be part of Arsenal as well, if you look at Isabella and Lisa, they’re young, but they’re so mature for their age, and I’m really, really impressed with where they are and the courage that they’ve shown, the humility that they’ve shown as well.


“So, yeah, age plays a role in the decisions we make and I think with all these coming in, I’m so happy with the strategy behind it.”

It’s been a long time since Arsenal have won the WSL title, and the Dutch head coach has spoken about her ambitions of lifting that trophy in May.

“That’s something we’re going after, and of course we are because we Arsenal and that’s something we should have as a goal, so definitely the WSL.


“I think last time was 2018/2019 for Arsenal. And yeah, there’s a real hunger. Of course, there’s other competitions, the draw for Champions League was today (September 4) and there’s the FA Cup.

“So, those competitions are very important for us as well, but the WSL that’s something because it’s with the two teams coming in, there’s more games, it’s symbolic for endurance and consistency, and that’s something where we really have our mind set.”

Brighton have recently announced that they have a new coach in Arturo Ruiz and Slegers spoke about the quality the Seagulls have.

“I think they’re a good team. They know when to press and press aggressively and make spaces small quickly, but they also know how to be patient and make it really compact in front of their goals.

“So yeah, it’s been hard games for us, we acknowledge that. We won the game at the Emirates but the other two weren’t the results we wanted, we look forward to the challenge and we know that there’s things that they will make hard for us.


“And of course, there’s a big belief in what we’re doing at the moment, the quality that we possess and the different tools that we have to use on Sunday. So, I really look forward to the input.”

It will be a tough start to the season for the Gunners as they will have Champions League games falling alongside WSL encounters, and Slegers has shared how she plans to manage the squad.

“What we’ve done in the window that we have so many good players that can play for us when the short turnarounds come and when we see necessary.


“Of course, we prepare for the opposition that we’re going to face. So, there’s a lot of preparation. We have our ideas, but then it’s still when the moments are there, we have to see how everything is playing out in the moment.

“So, there’s still a lot of course, late decision making in those short turnarounds and stuff.”

Arsenal face Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday with the game kicking off at 12:00.

@ImpetusFootball on Threads, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.

NPLW Vic R26: Congratulations to Box Hill United

By Kieran Yap 2/9/26

Above: Box Hill celebrates their premiership. Photo: Box Hill United Pythagoras Instagram. Ashley Perez Photography

Box Hill United are the premiers of 2026. Last year’s Grand Final winners ended a convincing campaign on top of the table after a win away against Melbourne City. Elsewhere, Essendon Royals ended the year in second place, South Melbourne are set to meet Bulleen and Avondale will face Boroondara.

There was still plenty to play for in the final round of the Victorian NPLW. While Box Hill were highly favoured to get a result against their relegated opposition, Essendon held out hope of a miracle, but needed a win against a South Melbourne side who also needed to guarantee their own finals spot.

South Melbourne began in the ascendancy on their way to a 3-1 win at Lakeside Stadium, and took full advantage of that early momentum. Alexis Pantazopoulos was an early menace for the home side and opened the scoring in the 23rd minute. The striker beat Zara Board to the ball out side, and finished from an improbable angle and distance.

Pantazopoulos was the creator of South’s second goal in the 27th minute. Her wizardly out wide ended with another optimistic shot that bounced off the bar in favour of Emily Collier. She finished unopposed to make it 2-0.

But Essendon always score, and although Golden Boot winner Kelli McGroarty was relatively well marshalled by the South backline, she still found ways to cause problems. A cushioned first touch and incisive pass almost set up Maggie Jenkins for a goal. McGroarty later converted a penalty to pull one back before half time.

Essendon grew into the game and after going two goals down, they generally controlled play. Grace Maher dropped deeper, Jenkins and Akeisha Sandhu’s influence grew, but although they created chances, South Melbourne’s defence led by Bella Wallhead and driven by a terrific Grace Taranto performance held strong.

South secured the win when Emily Roach sent a curling ball in after a corner was partially cleared. Annebel Haffenden rose highest to nod it past Board to make it 3-1.

It would turn out to be a crucial result, with Alamein FC chasing a spot in the top six.

They gave themselves every chance to leapfrog South with a 2-0 win at home against Bulleen Lions. Neven Duston’s penalty set up the result, which was sealed late by former Bulleen forward Anais Josefski in the 93rd minute.

Bulleen could not drop below fourth place or go above third in the final round, so with their finals path set, they rested several usual starters. Maja Markovski, Tiffany Eliadis, Claudia Mihocic and Olivia Bomford all started on the bench. Alyssia Ierardo started in goal ahead of Alyssa Dall’ Oste.

Alamain tried to attack from the outset. Summer Laskey was an early danger in the opening half and Emma Runnalls also tested the Bulleen goalkeeper. Bulleen were for the most part restricted to long range efforts. Alamein’s fullback’s Jessica Shilton and Chelsea Blissett restricted Bulleen’s strength out wide.

Josefski’s eventual sealer was a brilliant goal. She raced onto a long ball from defence and ther finish to loft the ball over Ierardo at full pace was beautiful to watch.

The win gave Alamein faint hope of finals football, but they fell short by three points in another strong season.

Boroondara Eagles ended the campaign in sixth place following a 2-2 draw with Keilor Park. Abby Holmes was the hero for the visitors, giving them a 2-0 lead before the hour mark. Runa Komidori’s long free kick was met with a brave header running towards goal by Holmes who directed the ball past Mia Mossman for the opener.

Holmes brought up her brace in the 52nd minuts with a late contender for goal of the season. Komidori’s free kick was the source once again, and Holmes equalled her previous bravery with brilliant technique for her second. She angled her body and scored with an athletic overhead kick to double the lead for the visitors.

Boroondara can never realty be counted out though and Madeline Darragh’s high cross set up Geneveive Fontes to pull one back with a leaping back post header. Fonte’s equalled Holmes’s tally for the game with a 90th minute strike to pull the sides level and give Boroondara a precious point to insure against Alamein’s win elsewhere.

Heidelberg United ended their campaign with a 1-0 win against Bentleigh Greens. Rosie Wild’s 25th minute header was enough to win the game. This was Bentleigh’s last game in the NPLW for now. They were essentially relegated long ago, but deserve plaudits for the way that they attacked the second half of the season. Bentleigh still  had one of the most impressive transfer windows in the league and played some highly entertaining football in the second half of the season, but could not recover from the way they started in the league.

That effort may not be in vain, although the two sides promoted from the VPL have signally their intention to play in the top tier, there is always a chance something will change off-field and Bentleigh can received a lifeline after finishing above Melbourne City.

Preston Lions ended their year on a high, coming from a goal down to win 2-1 against Melbourne Victory’s U23’s.

Sienna Saveska’s trickery in attack set up Leyla Hussein to score the first goal of the game, Melbourne City bound Aimee Medwin ran from deep to overall Erika Di Tella and score from wide to draw the side’s level.

Victory conceded again almost directly from the kick off. Valentine Pursey’s terrific form of late continued when she battled in the six yard box to make room and finish off Eva Harrington’s cross.

Neither side’s ladder position could change from this game, but it was good for Preston to end their campaign on a positive note after showing plenty of potential in an ultimately  inconsistent year.

Avondale FC jumped to third with a 5-1 win away against  Spring Hills FC. The visitors started strongly. Sloane Young had two efforts on goal before Hannah Wilkinson intercepted a short back pass and set up Alana Bogers to finish into an empty net on 25 minutes.

Wilkinson doubled the lead soon after with a terrific first-time finish. Asuka Miyata’s tackle spilled the ball into the path of the former Football Fern and she scored her 18th goal of the season.

The attacks kept coming from Avondale and Aideen Keane’s pace set up Young for their third early in the second half. Beattie Goad scored their fourth to complete a patient end-to-end passing move that she helped start in midfield.

Keane made it 5-0 with a tidy finish in the 87th minute to cap off a near complete performance from Avondale, but Aleks Sinclair provided the home side with a late consolation goal in added time. The Spring Hills star won the ball after a speculative pass forward and kept her composure to give the home side something to celebrate on a tough afternoon.

Now to Casey Fields where Box Hill United only needed a draw to be crowned Premiers of 2026. Given that they were facing bottom placed Melbourne City, most at the club would have been confident of that result, and started in typically swashbuckling style.

Rhianna Pollicina tested Dali Gorr Burchmore twice in the opening exchanges, but the Junior Matildas goalkeeper was in strong form.

Kiara Berecelli’s attempt from distance was on target, but once against Gorr Burchmore was equal to the task.

It took until the hour mark for Box Hill to find the breakthrough. Sofia Sakalis provided a perfect pass to split the defence and Maho Murakami’s eventual shot was spilled into the path of Kawano who scored her 10th of the season.

To City’s credit, they defended well for the remainder of the game, But Box Hill looked like they knew they had it in bag. They maintained the lead comfortably and earned their first top place finish in NPLW history.

In Appreciation of Box Hill United.

What a season Box Hill Pythagoras have had under coach Kogulan Sabaratnam. After winning the championship in sauntering style last year, they started 2026 in much the same form. From Round One they looked dangerous and barely put a foot wrong throughout the campaign, losing only four times and playing some outstanding football.

Box Hill passed the ball quickly, their forwards interchanged and they had numerous targets each capable of creating something out of nothing. Erin Keyt established herself as one of the league’s best players in the opening weeks, Kiara Bercelli ended with 18 assists off the wing, and Kawano grew into the season to become another consistent goal scorers.

Rhianna Pollicina, Holly Murray and Carina Rossi each added A-League experience to the side. Rossi scored five goals in just six appearances, while Murray and Laura Pickett reinforced the side defensively as Pollicina pulled the strings alongside Murakami in midfield.

Late in the home and away rounds, Sofia Sakalis rejoined the squad. The club legend feels like a new signing on the eve of finals and is the type of player most clubs could only dream of signing. Box Hill had the luxury of brining Sakalis in after a well earned rest and she looks deadly, sharp and hungry for more silverware.

Keeley Segavcic was one of the signings of the season. The former Western Sydney Wanderers goalkeeper was a crucial part of the clubs success and likely helped give them the confidence to attack so freely.

Leading Box Hill was captain Sofia Palywoda. In a season where she interchanged between midfield and defence, Palywoda was the foundation of Box Hill’s success and a beacon of consistency and stability in a team that derived strength and belief from her presence.

Box Hill have been a thrill to watch. Last season was no fluke, they have looked unbeatable at times, and are deserved premiers. Now they will have a week’s rest before a semi final and a chance at more glory.

@ImpetusFootball on Threads, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.

NPLW VIC R25: Box Hill in the box seat, Victory have a season to be proud of

By Kieran Yap 26/8/26

Above: Melbourne Victory’s NPLW squad. Photo: Passion Creations

The premiership is going down to the final day, Boroondara secure finals football, and Maja wins another Markovski derby for Bulleen Lions.

Friday night saw Bentleigh Greens face off against Preston Lions with both sides looking to end the season on a high. What proceeded was a fairy even but still attacking match that saw both sides denied by strong goalkeeping and missed opportunities for a 0-0 draw.

Mizuho Yamada was the first player to test Melissa Barbieri in the Bentleigh goal. Valentine Pursey and Fiorina Iaria were next to bring out saves from the NPL icon. Pursey’s chance was one of the best attacking passages of play for the game and resulted in one of the saves of the round. Holly Massie’s slick backheel set Pursey up directly in front of goal, but Barbieri stretched to the top corner to deny her.

The home side’s best chances of the first half came through Kaitlin Tolios and Kiera Meyers. Both had efforts from the edge of the box comfortably dealt with by Charlotte Hrehoresin

Bentleigh had more shots in the second half, but Preston were well set up defensively. Anastasia Theodosiou and Kate Dunne both had good attempts but were too far out to trouble Hrehoresin.

On Saturday, Box Hill United defeated Keilor Park SC 3-0 in a fairly routine win by their standards. Rhianna Pollicina was a standout for the visitors throughout the game, and she set up Kiara Bercelli to get things started early. Her cross in the fourth minute set up Juri Kawana for the easiest of finishes.

Pollicina scored Box Hill’s second after half time. After repeated attempts on goal, the playmaker tricked her way into a little bit of space at the edge of the box and rifled her effort into the top corner.

Box Hill then flexed their depth. Sakalis and Bercelli exited the field to be replaced by Gabrielle Simpson and Erin Keyt and Box Hill’s dominance continued.

Pollicina was once again at the heart of the third goal. Her corner kick was perfectly delivered and met by captain Sofia Palywoda to end the days scoring.

Despite the scoreline, Keilor were dedicated and determined in defence. Maggie Byrne backed up her performance last week with another solid outing and although Box Hill had 16 shots on goal for the game, plenty were blocked or from long range.

But scoring feels like an inevitability for them and the goals can come from anywhere. Adding a player like Sakalis to the lineup in the last few weeks is a boast that few clubs can match and Bercelli now had 18 assists for the season. Box Hill only need a draw against Melbourne City in Round 26 to be crowned premier’s but they will be pursued until the final minutes by Essendon.

Essendon Royals were done no favours by Keilor Park, but did their part in the 3-1  win over Heidelberg United.

The rampant Royals established early momentum over the side they defeated in the Nike Fc Cup final. Akeisha Sandhu’s 11th minute corner kick causes chaos and after bouncing around the box, the goal was eventually scored by Ayano Koizumi’s half volley.

Kelli McGroarty scored her now customary goal for Essendon’s second immediately after. A visit for Key Cross Reserve is incomplete without a McGroarty goal and she scored the best of the game after shifting feet and launching a rocket from 18 yards.

Maggie Jenkins played a big part in creating that opportunity. Her flick over her opponent’s head and square pass opened up the initial space, and the Perth Glory bound striker added another of her own to seal the result.

The New Zealand international flicked on Bronte Peel’s perfectly flighted pass to nod the ball beyond Mia Bailey for Essendon’s third before half time.

To Heidelberg’s credit, the game did not descend into a  whitewash. Sarah Assuma’s cool finish on the counter attack gave the visitors some hope with half an hour to play, but Essendon are now accustomed to winning and even without Grace Maher or Bella Sewards, they never looked like surrendering the lead.

Essendon now face a trip to South Melbourne in Round 26, they need a win and hope for a miracle from Melbourne City to claim a second trophy of the season.

Avondale FC kept their hopes of a third place finish alive after coming back from three goals down to draw 3-3 with Boroondara Eagles. In a fairly open game, it was Boroondara who gained the early upper hand. Their pressing game created early opportunities that shook the woodwork curtsy of Priya Savarirayan.

Eventually, they were rewarded for the bright start. Sarah Brunner burst down the left flank, cut inside and threaded a well-placed pass for Genevieve Fontes to slot home.

Brunner doubled the lead herself, getting behind the defence, rounding the goalkeeper and maintaining her balance to make it 2-0 in the 28th minute.

Fontes had a brace before half time when she turned the ball in after Savarirayan’s cross evaded everyone else. The first shot was blocked, but Fontes made no mistake on the rebound and the score was 3-0 to Boroondara at half time.

Avondale regained the upper hand in the second half, but found Taylen Wolf in spectacular form. Shots from Hannah Wikinson, Aideen Keane and Asuka Miyata were all stopped by the Eagles goalkeeper and  it looked as though it was never going to happen for the hosts.

In the 80th minute, the game turned on its head. Elise Kellond-Knight’s corner caused a goalmouth scramble and Beattie Goad pulled one back for Avondale.

Keanes pace began to cause problems for Boroondara and she set up Sloane Young for the home side’s second. Young still had plenty to do when she received the cut back, and finished from an acute angle. 3-2 in the 82nd minute.

Heartbreak for Boroondara and elation for Avondale arrived just a minute later. Aideen Keane controlled a high ball into the box and slammed her shot beyond Wolf for an 83rd minute equaliser. The was a thrilling game, that probably deserved a draw, but will feel like three points lost for Boroondara, while serving as another ominous reminder of what Avondale FC are capable of.

An injury time winner by Anastazia Simic gave Melbourne Victory a dramatic 2-1 win over Alamein FC.

Victory scored an early opener when Sienna Saveska intercepted a clearance by Miranda Templeman. With the Alamein goalkeeper having lost her footing and scrambling to get back into position, Saveska curled the ball into the net from 18 yards.

Emma Runnalls brought Alamien level in the second half. Her finish from a set piece was the result of a well-worked corner routine. It was 1-1 in a game where chances seemed hard to come by.

Victory’s winner arrived when a draw looked certain. Simic scoring her first for the season with a goal that was unfortunately cut out by the broadcast.

It was a costly defeat for Alamein, who are within touching distance of the top six. But they need a win next weekend against Bulleen Lions and hope that a motivated Essendon outscore South Melbourne.

A high scoring afternoon at The Veneto Club saw Bulleen Lions defeat Spring Hills FC 3-2 in dramatic fashion. Maja Markvoski was the hero in the win over her the side coached by her father, but it looked like the visitors day for most of the match.

Bulleen took the lead in the 25th minute through Cartherine Renehan. Bulleen have a reputation for scoring from set pieces but this was still a shock. Renehan delivered from deep, and the ball somehow sailed over everyone and directly into the net.

Lauren Antonello equalised for Spring Hills in the 29th minute following a direct and pacey attack from the visitors. Antonello rounded Alyssa Dall’ Oste for a simple finish to make it 1-1.

Spring Hills had the wind in their sails and seized the moment. Roisin Murphy’s run down the left ended with a well placed cross that Bulleen could not deal with. Rachel Gillies turned the ball in to give her side the lead in the 32nd minute.

Bulleen have fight, depth, and a striker seemingly determined to establish household bragging rights. Maja Markovski drew the sides level early in the second half. Tiffany Eliadis’s deep cross causes panic and Markovski kept her head and feet to slot the ball past Ayana Aoyagi.

That same combination delivered the late winner. Eliadis curled the pass behind the Spring Hills defence and Markovski lofted the ball into the net with an athletic and well place finish.

Bulleen are out of the title race, but can maintain their hold on third place with a win away to Alamein FC next week. Spring Hills gave the home side a scare, but they found a way in front of their fans.

Bulleen’s form may have been up and down in the second half of the season, but they may be in a good position in finals, they have a strong, experienced team and crucially will likely not lose many key players to A-League pre-season.

Goals to Bella Wallhead, Clancy Westaway and Heidi Dalton gave South Melbourne a 3-0 win at home against Melbourne City.

Wallhead scored the first goal within minutes of kickoff. The star defender sent a glancing header across goal and into the far corner of the net. City managed  to regain some possession if not momentum and prevent the floodgates opening, but could not create any chances themselves.

Emily Roach forced Dali Gorr Burchmore into two saves before half time, while Alexis Pantazopoulos tried her luck from distance.

South eventually doubled the advantage midway through the second half. Westaway was on the spot and reacted quickest to score her third of the NPLW season.

Heidi Dalton added the icing on the cake deep into added time. The substitute striker scored with a header following a well-organized free kick routine by South Melbourne.

The win sees South sit just inside the top six, three points clear of Alamein FC and two behind Boroondara. They will need a result against Essendon in the final round to be certain of their place in the finals.

In Appreciation of Melbourne Victory’s debut season

Melbourne Victory will finish in eight place, seven points off a finals position, but they have had a season to be proud of. The inaugural Victory side made an impact of the league and allowed fans of the A-League Women club to stay excited about the shirt in the off-season.

Victory started strong. A Round One win over Bulleen Lions was hard fought and impressive. Under then-coach Santi Escudero, they showed that they could match it and beat the best in the state.

Results for the rest of the season were mixed, and player availability became an issue, but they overcame the absences of Poppy O’Keeffe (Young Matildas duty), Chloe Mckenzie, (injury), Emily Rutkoswki (transferred overseas), Fiorina Iaria (Preston Lions) and Rosie Curtis to remain competitive throughout the season and finish with a respectable ladder posotion for a youth side in their first season.

Ironically, had Victory’s A-League Team not made the finals, player availability might have meant the NPLW side did, but that is part of the juggling act the club had to manage.

More than a few players distinguished themselves, and have hopefully given Jeff Hopkins something to consider for the upcoming A-League Women campaign.

Jasmine Millar developed into one of the most consistent young attackers in the NPLW . Her 10 goal contributions made her Victory’s leading threat.

O’Keeffe reaffirmed her reputation as a midfielder you can build a team around. The deep lying playmaker operated at 86% passing accuracy, often under pressure. Leyla Hussein earned a junior Matildas call up off the back of five goals and three assists with one game still to play.

Porscha Tam and Aeryn Tarrant continued on their respective path’s to becoming top tier defenders and Mila Bulic joined them as a player to watch.

Avoiding relegation was a priority for these players, and they did that easily, but for the coaches and staff, the main goal was to develop players capable of senior, professional football.

Over the course of this season, these young players took significant steps toward that goal. Victory played a confident, attacking style of football and scored some impressive goals, the liked of Sienna Techera and Sienna Saveska only enhanced already sparkling reputations, while Ella O’Grady has fans calling for her to be the main striker in Round One of the A-League season.

These players will continue to improve, but on the strength of this season alone, and based on the progress of the individual players, the project already looks to have been a success.

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