The start of last month Chelsea had quadruple dreams that were crushed by Arsenal in the Conti Cup final. Then there was a treble dream but their successful run in the FA cup competition came to an end yesterday as Manchester United got their revenge for both the final last season and their trashing at Stamford Bridge by denying them a ticket to Wembley to face Tottenham Hotspur.
After the Lillywhite side of North London secured their own win in extra time, eyes turned to Leigh Sports Village to see who would join them.
Current leaders Chelsea showed signs of cracking under their tight schedule. That would be enough for any team but it also comes not less than a week after the international break, where nearly every single player in the starting XI played for country opposed to Manchester United who had a pretty much rested squad compared to their opponents.
Lucia García had a shock opening goal in a feisty match up between the two sides then Rachel Williams doubled the lead 22 minutes later. Again, the match was a prime example of how the international schedule is affecting club performances. Kadeisha Buchanan played in the SheBelieves final for Canada only four days ago and Jess Carter made the switch from centre back to left back for England to only go back today. Both of these players started the game and formed the centre back pairing.
It is not to make excuses for the visiting side but it is an important factor to remember when it comes to club performances. It is not the first time that we have seen this over the season. Teams like Leicester, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur kicked off their season campaigns with a bang opposed to the higher ranked sides in the table. A clear reason was because the teams had significantly less players at the World Cup so had more time to rest and recover.
Lauren James was able to pull one back in extra time for Chelsea in the first half. She had a frustrating game due to her retaliating to the Red’s fouls on her and a questionable incident with Millie Turner- which led to her seeing a yellow card.
Chelsea’s attack got better in the second half as Mayra Ramírez was able to cut through in the defence not long after the whistle blew in the restart but her efforts fell short. Whatever Emma Hayes’ half time pep talk was, it worked as they came out a different team and were attacking more. Ultimately it did not work for the reigning champions.
The visitors had two calls for a penalty. A handball from Katie Zelem and then Niamh Charles fouled in the box by Lucia García . The decision went against them.
The Blue’s play was scrappy at times so the Red’s were able to take advantage by taking a calmer approach to their play. They were sloppy and giving away more fouls than usual so the hosts were able to use that.
Manchester United struggled themselves at times to get into the game and were only able to clasp onto Chelsea’s mistakes opposed to making their own chances. Mary Earps found her groove again and was able to pull on some much needed saves for her side and ultimately were able to secure a back to back ticket to Wembley.
Tottenham Hotspur await the Reds but in a major twist in the tale, Spurs’ will have to do it without their shining star, Grace Clinton, because she is on loan from United. If that will be an advantage, time will tell.
MANCHESTER UNITED (4-2-3-1)
Earps; Mannion, Le Tissier, Turner, Blundell ; Naalsund, Zelem ; García, Toone, Galton ; Williams
Ben Gilby provides a full report from the game of the week along with all the details from the round’s other three matches along with photography from Rob Lizzi and Denyse McCulloch(15/4/24)
Above:Ella Lincoln (darker hair facing camera) celebrates after her corner ended up in the net to give Perth SC a 2-1 win over Balcatta Etna on Saturday. Photo supplied to Impetus by: Rob Lizzi.
Game of the week
Perth SC 2-1 Balcatta Etna
by Ben Gilby
Perth SC gained a vital win in the early context of the season as they put in a tactically astute display to become the first side this season to defeat Balcatta Etna in the NPLA WA.
This was a big game for so many reasons. Balcatta’s starting line-up contained a host of players who wore the Azzurri of the home side last season, along with visitors’ head coach Pete Rakic also returning to Dorrien Gardens. Perth SC conversely had Kim McCartney, Baxter Thew, and Epril Nossent in their squad – a trio who were with Balcatta last year.
After Perth SC’s reversal at home to Perth RedStar last weekend, Danielle Brogan’s side could ill-afford another loss to a team likely to be top-four rivals this season in successive weeks. Thanks to a well-organised performance across the park, there was no need to worry.
The Azzurri set their stall out from the start, and it was impressive. Not only were they looking to maintain possession at all times, but when they didn’t have the ball, they imposed a very tight press on Balcatta which limited the visitors’ potential ball-playing skills and threaded balls. It also had the impact, particularly in the first 25 minutes, of making Balcatta force the pass which earned Perth turnover ball.
The home side had a minor opportunity with a long-range shot after 12 minutes, but they would soon hit the front, and in some style too.
Just five minutes later, Ella Lincoln turned her opponent beautifully and advanced up the centre channel, and found Jess Flannery outside her. The hard-working attacker took the ball on before dispatching a powerful shot into the net with some aplomb.
Perth remained on the front foot and, just after the 20-minute mark, Charli Wainwright was denied by the tackle of Rachel Jarvis just as she was about to pull the trigger.
On the rare occasions that Balcatta were getting forward, they were well marshalled by the home side. A case in point was Monique Prinsloo’s sortie up the left flank which was rendered fruitless as she was pushed closer and closer to the touchline by the Perth defence.
With 31 minutes played, the Azzurri came desperately close to doubling their advantage as Flannery sent a vicious free-kick from left of centre outside of the box crashing off of the right-hand post.
Above: Balcatta Etna’s Liana Cook (darker shirt) contests possession on Saturday. Photo supplied to Impetus by: Rob Lizzi.
The remaining 10 minutes of the opening period saw the visitors at their best from an attacking perspective as Liana Cook sent a header goalwards from a corner that Bailey did well to get down and hold at her left-hand post.
Former Perth star Faye Phillips was also becoming ever-prominent for Balcatta. First, she floated in a free-kick that was headed clear into the path of Jamie-Lee Gale who hit a low long ranger shot which Bailey pushed away. Then, she forced Bailey into another save with an effort from outside the box.
It was the home side that made the first telling effort in the second period. If last week the story for Perth SC was not taking chances when they came, this week they put that right with a vital early goal.
Above: Ella Lincoln – another impressive performance. Photo supplied to Impetus by: Rob Lizzi.
Alyssa van Heurck lost possession to Lincoln on the edge of the box. The Perth attacker dispatched a goalward effort that Bailey got down well at the right-hand post to push away for a corner. Lincoln trotted over to take the set-piece, which on first viewing, looked to curled a sensational effort straight into the net, although it was subsequently tallied as an own goal by Liana Cook.
Shortly afterwards, it could have been game over without doubt as Flannery looked up, saw Bennett well off her line, and lifted an exquisite lob over her former teammate, but also just over the bar.
Perth SC were ruthless and relentless – they were giving Balcatta no space in which to play, with the tight defensive press combined with Azzuri shirts looking to plug the channels as well.
Above: Perth SC look to remain resolute at the back in the closing stages. Photo supplied to Impetus by: Rob Lizzi.
Just before the hour mark though, the visitors did get the ball in the net as Gale’s cross from the right to the back post ended up with Prinsloo sliding the ball home, only to see the offside flag raised.
They had better luck less than two minutes later as Abbey Meakins sent a powerful low free-kick into the right-hand corner of the net against her former Perth SC teammates. It was game on.
Both teams stepped up to the plate in a hugely enjoyable last 20 minutes. Meakins played in Gale on the edge of the box which brought Bailey into the action once more to save. Moments later there was a chance at the other end as Lincoln broke through and found Flannery outside her, but Bennett held firm in the Balcatta goal.
Flannery was expending a lot of energy once more. She is an absolute machine out there week-in-week-out. With five minutes remaining, she had another opportunity from a free-kick from the right of centre just outside the box, but Bennett saved. Also impressive was Charli Wainwright who turned her marker brilliantly to race through before being beaten by the acute angle she had left herself with.
Lucy Jerram has been in sensational form for Balcatta this season, but the tight press and organised defence of Perth SC meant that she cut a largely peripheral figure in this game – until that is the final moments when she had several chances to impact the outcome of this game.
Above: Charli Wainwright, who showed some excellent touch and skill once more on Saturday night. Photo supplied to Impetus by: Rob Lizzi.
The sighter came with two minutes of normal time remaining after she was found from a ball from the right, her shot went well over the top. A minute into stoppage time, Jerram raced in on Bailey who was trying to clear the ball and got the deflection, but it wouldn’t go goalwards. Then, moments later she got the opportunity to pull the trigger at last, but Bailey saved at the cost of a corner that was cleared.
This was an excellent victory for Perth SC, and with two big-name players with A-League Women and international experience tipped to be on their way to Dorrien Gardens, great things can happen at the club this year.
Whilst Balcatta have gone down to their first league defeat of the season, there is still plenty of time for their new-look team to gel – and with two A-League Women players thought to be coming their way in the near future too, exciting times remain at Grindleford Reserve.
Further images from Rob Lizzi at Perth SC v Balcatta Etna:
Round wrap:
Fremantle City 0-2 Hyundai NTC
Hyundai NTC continued their perfect start to the season by defeating a Fremantle City side that are still looking for their first win of the campaign after a tough opening three weeks of fixtures for the port city club.
The visitors took the lead with 21 minutes on the clock as, following an excellent controlled move of passing football, Maja Archibald was released to drive through the middle and lift a superb shot over Freo keeper Dayle Schroeder from the edge of the box.
GOAL! 20:55
Goal in the NPLWA – Women's competition for Hyundai NTC W in the Fremantle City W vs Hyundai NTC W match at Hilton Park.
The NTC left it until four minutes before the end to secure the points when Hannah Collins fired a penalty kick high into the right-hand roof of the net.
Murdoch University Melville 1-4 Subiaco
Above: Murdoch University Melville fire in a shot at home to Subiaco. Photo: Denyse McCulloch (Denyse RM Photography Facebook).
Subiaco gained their first win of the season with success at Besteam Stadium on Sunday against a Murdoch University Melville (MUM FC) side who are still looking for their first victory for 2024.
Subi hit the front just before the quarter-hour mark as they took advantage of the home side finding it hard to clear their lines. Danielle Suckling played the ball forward towards Tayna Campos who went one on one with home keeper Manon Gebauer, with the ball coming back for Frankie Murray Hocking to sweep home from close range.
Two minutes into stoppage time at the end of the first half, the visitors increased their advantage in some style. Shelby Cochran, to the right of centre in midfield laid a low ball back for Danielle Suckling to let fly with a sensational shot from almost 40 yards.
GOAL! 47:03
Goal in the NPLWA – Women's competition for Subiaco AFC W in the MUM FC W vs Subiaco AFC W match at Besteam Stadium at Murdoch University.
The home side got a foothold back in the game five minutes into the second half when Luana Ascenzo-Cabello’s corner on the right came into the back post and after a minor scramble, a penalty was awarded for an apparent handball. Up stepped Ascenzo-Cabello to dispatch the ball into the right-hand corner.
Subiaco secured the points with two late goals. First, Frankie Murray-Hocking’s free-kick on the right wing was met by the stooping head of Dakota Van-Vugt which looped the ball up over the MUM FC defence and in. Van-Vugt got her second from the toes of teammate Campos, directing the ball goalwards.
Above: Murdoch University Melville goalkeeper Manon Gebauer makes a save. Photo: Denyse McCulloch ( (Denyse RM Photography Facebook).
Perth RedStar 7-0 UWA-Nedlands
Perth RedStar went top of the NPLW WA ladder with a comprehensive win over league newcomers UWA-Nedlands at RedStar Arena on Sunday.
The home side went into the lead just after the half-hour mark when Reina Kagami played a short pass to Renee Leota who in turn found Lauren Continibali outside her on the right wing. The former Balcatta player ran up the line and played in a low ball for an unmarked Caitlin Doeglas who was centrally positioned on the edge of the box to lift a glorious first-time lofted shot into the net.
The hosts ultimately secured the points with a further two goals in two minutes before the break. Just six minutes after Doeglas’ goal, the hosts doubled their advantage. Some classy quick-footed passes on the right wing found Kagami just inside from the flank and over 25 yards from goal. The Japanese star looked up and lifted a sumptuous lob which, despite Morgan Springer’s best efforts to get a hand to, nestled into the back of the net.
GOAL! 36:32
Goal in the NPLWA – Women's competition for Perth Redstar W in the Perth Redstar W vs UWA Nedlands FC W match at Redstar Arena.
Continibali and Doeglas combined with deadly effect once more for RedStar’s third. Some superb footwork along the right once more from the former led to a centimetre-perfect ball played in for Doeglas who escaped from the attentions of the visiting defence to head home.
RedStar went on to add a further four goals to establish themselves as the new league leaders. First, 11 minutes into the second period, Doeglas was found on the left flank and crossed in for Jayna Ridley towards the back of the box who couldn’t quite get an effort in on goal, but was able to direct the ball for Olivia Wood to volley over Springer.
With 66 minutes played, it was 5-0 when a long-range shot from Carroll bounced its way into the bottom right corner of the net. Two minutes later, the scoring was completed as Ridley was brought down on the edge of the right-hand side of the box. Up stepped Carroll to curl the resulting free-kick into the near side corner of the net.
There was a quarter of an hour remaining when Arai Manami laid off to Ridley who played the ball straight across to Kagami outside her. It was another brilliant finish from Kagami who hit a first-time sidefooted shot into the right-hand corner of the net.
Above: A smiling Marianna Tabain (white shirt) was back in action for Subiaco. Photo: Denyse McCulloch (Denyse RM Photography Facebook).
Above: The Central Coast Mariners celebrate the penalty shootout win over Melbourne Victory. Photo: Central Coast Mariners
Melbourne Victory 0 (2)- 0 (4) Central Coast Mariners
The second elimination final pitted the Melbourne Victory against the might of the Central Coast Mariners. In very warm conditions both teams went in to the game with one focus – to win and go and through to the semifinals. Finals football is often fast and a feast for the eyes. This match would absolutely provide both of those elements.
As could be expected of these two teams, consistency if keeping the formation shape played a big part of the opening minutes of play. The Mariners were able to apply pressure early on with Wurigumula getting a tidy shot on goal however the trusty hands of the Victory keeper, Courtney Newbon, easily collected the ball.
The Victory flipped the tables on the Mariners with a lengthy run of quality possession. A lovely weighted through ball from Rankin to Chidiac opened up the first opportunity to score. Chidiac chased down the ball then delivered a beautiful cross to the penalty spot but her team mates didn’t get the memo so the ball was cleared by Mariners defender, Paige Hayward. This would be the first and certainly not the last nervous moment for Mariners coach, Emily Husband.
Just moments later in the 11th minute, the Mariners progressed the ball up the pitch with ease. Bryson found herself wide open on the right edge and had oodles of time to cross the ball dead centre in front of the Victory goal. Kyah Simon was able to get her head to the ball but she wasn’t able to direct the ball in quite the right direction and the Victory narrowly avoided going down a goal.
Beattie Goad was the inspiration behind the Victory’s breakout run in the 16th minute with a lovely pass down the left wing connecting with Rankin then Privitelli who unleashed a superb shot that the Mariners keeper, Dumont, palmed up over the crossbar for a corner. The Victory demonstrated why they are such a great team with this run of play.
It was off the back of a fast break by the Victory in the 21st minute that the Mariners demonstrated why they are so good. Five defenders raced back at full speed to shut down a counter attack off the back of Chidiac racing away with the ball. Eventually the okay was shut down as Isabel Gomez closed down the attack with a beautiful all of the ball tackle.
Mariners supporters next ‘heart in your mouth’ moment happened in the 28th minute as a poor free kick was picked up by Victory’s Kellond-Knight unmarked 10 meters in the Mariners half. Lowe and Chidiac both attempted shots on goal but neither were able to convert. The Victory appealed for hand ball as a Mariners defender who was prone on the ground raised her hands to stop the ball from hitting her in the face. The referee decided that the ball had not touched her hands but the ball had in fact connected with her face.
It was off a foul by Isabel Gomez in the 44th minute that presented the Victory with an opportunity to go ahead before half time. A well taken free kick by Alana Murphy saw the ball sail into the Mariners goal area and Victory defender Kayla Morrison being the recipient of the kick but her header was unable to find the target.
The first half finished 0-0.
Emily Husbands half time speech to the Mariners team almost reaped rewards immediately after play restarted in the second half as Martin put Wurigumula in space with ball who then set up Kyah Simon right in front of goal with a beautiful floating pass but a wayward toe poke sent the ball harmlessly over the bar. What was the very best opportunity to score went unconverted. Shortly after Martin again connected with Simon but once again the goal attempt wasn’t on target so another chance was squandered.
The pressure being applied to the Victory kept being applied and once again almost resulted in a score in the 50th minute. The Mariners high press play forced a turnover of possession with Badiwaya delivering a lovely attempt on goal that was spilled by the Victory goalkeeper, Newbon. Wurigumala, who was unmarked right in front of goal, couldn’t believe her luck and should have pocketed an easy goal but an entirely wayward shot ended in disappointment for the Mariners.
The Victory team absorbed 20 minutes of pressure from the Mariners before they were able to make their first foray on attack. A chipped long ball in the 64th minute fell just in behind the Mariners defenders and was collected by attacker Privitelli who laid a short pass back to Chidiac. The resulting strike went well wide of the Mariners goal and another brilliant opportunity was missed.
The experience of the Victory players came to the fore as Alex Chidiac was able to win a free kick right on the edge of the Mariners goal area in the 67th minute. Mariners defender, Irwin, cut down Chidiacs high speed attack and was very lucky to not concede a penalty, Irwin was rightly issued a yellow card. The free kick taken by Alana Murphy was easily dealt with by the goal keeper.
After a long period of play with the Victory dominating possession and momentum, the Mariners were able to reassert themselves in the 74th minute courtesy of an error with newly subbed teenage sensation Peta Trimis shooting from just outside the box. It would require a much higher quality shot to beat the quality of goal keeper Newbon.
With the 90 minute mark bearing down on the match, the Mariners went all in. Repeated shots on goal, pressure in and around the Victory box and a could have been/should have been opportunity to score in the 89th minute just couldn’t be converted. It was the extremely hard work of the Victory defenders that kept them in the match as Mariners attacker Simon had a great chance to score but, yet again, it wasn’t to be.
In an interesting play in the 93rd minute, Beadie Goad delivered a wonderful cross into the Mariners goal area but no Victory players were on hand to score. This play encapsulated the effort being made by Victory and the inability to close out the match. Would this moment come back to haunt them?
As the full time whistle blew the scores were locked up at 0-0 and an additional 30 minutes of play would give each team the opportunity to make a statement through scoring and secure a semifinal berth. Both teams had good chances to score in regular time but it wasn’t to be.
In the same way as the second half started, the Mariners started extra time with an intent to score early and close out the match. Immediately after restarting play, Galic took a swing at the ball but a lack of timing saw the ball roll away out of danger.
Not to be outdone Privitelli for the Victory floated a beautifully weighted pass into the oncoming player but Lowes header wasn’t able to be directed in the right direction. The momentum of Lowe’s body meant she didn’t have enough control of the ball. Shortly after in the 96th minute, Goad took a speculative shot on goal that hit a Mariners defender with the ball finding Privitelli who again just couldn’t get the ball on target. The momentum of the match was now entirely with the Victory. Wave after wave of attacks were dealt with by Dumont and no goals were scored.
And still after 105 minutes of play the score remained 0-0. Each team had plenty of chances to score but neither team had done so. The first team to score in this match would likely walk away the winners.
The Victory were determined to win and in the 108th minute a shot from Rachel Lowe that was should have been the match winner was cleared off the Mariners goal line by Isabel Gomez in a feat of absolute magic. How the ball didn’t go in was an absolute miracle.
An incredible goalline clearance from Isabel Gomez in extra-time! 🤯
The Mariners weren’t going to let the Victory take the win without a fight. The Mariners cut through the Victory midfield with ease with Wurigimala having two clear chances to score the winning goal in the 100th minute but the goalkeeping prowess of Newbon closed down the threat.
Not to be outdone, the fresh sub, Okino received a beautiful attacking pass from Goad in the 111th minute allowing her to set a path for the Mariners goal. Mariners defender Wardlow was able to close down the play denying the goal.
In yet another could/should have been goal scoring chance, the Victory were unable to convert in the 117th minute after the Mariners coughed up possession inside their own half. Okino again found herself with an opportunity to score but was denied and Chidiac was also unable to get a goal as she attempted to collect the loose ball and shoot.
How on earth the Mariners didn’t score the winning goal in the 119th minute is beyond belief. A well weighted floater from Martin to Wurigumula flashed across the face of goal and rolled harmlessly into the dead ball area.
This one is going the distance!
Last ditch defending from both teams in extra time means we're off to penalties 👀
— Paramount+ Australia (@ParamountPlusAU) April 14, 2024
At the end of 120 minutes neither team had been able to score and so the match was to be decided by penalties.
Victory’s goal keeper, Newbon, was unable to stop any of the Mariners attempts with all four going into the net. Whereas Casey Dumont demonstrated why she is one of the absolute best gain the league with a commanding performance in goal. With two penalties scored against her and two saved goals the Victory’s season was brought to an end.
— Paramount+ Australia (@ParamountPlusAU) April 14, 2024
Following some well deserved post match celebrations, the Central Coast Mariners now begin their preparations to lineup against a high quality Sydney FC in a new two leg home and away series to secure a spot in the final.
Above: Celebration time for Newcastle Jets in their superb Elimination Final win at Western United. Photo: A-League Women.
In what was a highly entertaining Elimination Final with 40 shots in total between both sides, Newcastle Jets have made it to the Semi-Finals with a 4-2 win over Western United. Newcastle will now play a two-legged encounter against Premiers Melbourne City for a spot in the A-League Women’s Grand Final.
Early on, United looked the most likely to have opened the scoring with a chance from outside the box by Aimee Medwin in the 10th minute. However, it was the Jets who scored first a minute later via Lauren Allan’s excellent pass that found Sarina Bolden who showed great control and skill to slot past Alyssa Dall’Oste and into the bottom right corner for her 13th goal of the season.
The Jets’ lead would only last 10 minutes as Tyla-Jay Vlajnic’s corner found Alana Cerne in the box whose first-time shot put the ball just past Tiahna Robertson and into the bottom left corner for her first goal in the A-League Women.
Eighteen minutes later, United thought they’d taken the lead as Catherine Zimmerman dispossessed Josie Wilson and went one-on-one with Robertson and, despite being on a tight angle was able to put the ball across which forced an own goal out of Wilson. However, the officials ruled that Zimmerman had fouled Wilson in getting to the ball in the first place.
Afterwards, the Jets really piled on the pressure in attack and in the 45th minute, were awarded a penalty due to a handball by Western’s Jaclyn Sawicki. Bolden converted into the top right corner to ensure that Newcastle went into the break ahead.
Eleven minutes into the second half, as Western’s Medwin shaped up for a shot, the lights went out at Tarneit at a really untimely moment for her. After a slight delay in proceedings in which the lights came back on, the match resumed with a dropball from outside the box for United.
Ten minutes later, United were awarded a penalty when Zimmerman was brought down in the box by Libby Copus-Brown. Zimmerman converted into the bottom right corner as Western equalised for the second time in the match.
As the second half drew to a close, both sides looked to find that elusive winner in normal time but to no avail, though Melina Ayres came agonisingly close to winning it for Newcastle in the fifth minute of stoppage time via a Lara Gooch cross into the box but couldn’t quite convert the opportunity.
With four minutes remaining in the opening period of extra-time, Ayres had better luck. Barbieri floated in a beautiful cross into her path in the box and the former Melbourne Victory player’s first-time shot nestled into the back of the net as Newcastle regained the lead once again. There aren’t many better ways to celebrate your birthday than scoring a crucial goal for your team.
With six minutes remaining of the extra half-hour, the Jets sealed the result once and for all as Sophie Hoban scored her first A-League Women goal from Ayres’ cross.What an occasion and moment to get your first goal in the league. Despite Western United’s best efforts, Newcastle held onto their two-goal lead come the final whistle.
Teams: WESTERN UNITED (4-3-3): Dall’Oste, Vlajnic, Maher, Cerne, Papadopoulos, Robers, Sawicki, M. Taranto, Medwin, Zimmerman, Johnson. Substitutes: Larsen, Sardo, Prakash, Hieda, De Domizio.
Above: Kyah Simon celebrating with her team. Image: Central Coast Mariners.
Impetus’ Ryan Miller-Woods reports on Central Coast Mariners’ media conference ahead of their preliminary final clash against Melbourne Victory. Head coach Emily Husband and Matilda Kyah Simon share their thoughts (14/4/24).
Kyah Simon, while she didn’t feature until Round 14 due to setbacks in her ACL recovery, has made up for lost time. Her experience and presence on the pitch have without a doubt been a significant benefit for the team since returning and will play a very important role should she feature on Sunday.
When asked how proud she and the team are to have made the finals, Simon said, “I think when you would have looked at the start of the season, how we’d go this year, I don’t think really anyone expected us to be in the finals. So, really proud of the girls for how we’ve fought this season, how we’ve played (having) left everything out on the pitch, week in, week out and reaping the benefits by being in finals football.”
Sunday’s match won’t be the easiest, especially against Melbourne Victory who appear to be peaking at the right time going finals. In their previous two encounters this season, Central Coast have failed to emerge victorious, with a defeat and a draw respectively.
When asked how she sums up Melbourne Victory as an opponent, Simon said, “Victory are a great team on paper. They’ve obviously had some mixed results throughout this season but they’ve got quality in their team, they’ve got a lot of experience and they’re a well-balanced team all throughout. So, expecting a tough challenge against them like it has been the two times we’ve played each other, but at the same time not focusing too much on their strengths and their qualities but more so on how we can exploit their weaknesses.”
Someone who can be very pleased with how their first season as an A-League Women’s head coach has gone is Emily Husband, who has instilled a playing style that’s really brought out the best from the players, especially the likes of Ash Irwin, Jazmin Wardlow, Bianca Galic, Wurigumula, Rola Badawiya, Peta Trimis, and Isabel Gomez.
Above: Emily Husband addresses the media. Image: Central Coast Mariners.
Furthermore, Husband has absolutely looked at home as the head coach for the Mariners and should she remain in the role for next season, the sky’s the limit for what the club can achieve in the league.
When asked what she expects from Melbourne Victory going into Sunday’s match, Husband said, “we’ve played them twice already this year. I thought they were both good games marginally decided by a couple of goals (and) a few moments. I know that we can go toe-to-toe with them, it’s just about who takes the moments on the day. They had a really good Round 22 against Sydney FC and showed the league what they’re truly capable of, but we’re not here to make up the numbers, we want to make sure we compete in this game and spoil the party.”
Ahead of their final in Melbourne, one thing in the Mariners’ favour is that they have the best away record in the league with seven wins and just four losses. When asked what it has been about the away games that have seen positive results for Central Coast, Husband said, “I think it’s just that camaraderie around the team, going into the game having spent that extra time together just bonds you a bit more on away trips and you go through periods of the day really similar, the girls prepare well and we’ve always changed the schedule according to what it is the groups needs. Playing away from home has suited us this season and we want to take advantage of that.”
Above:Bristol City’s trophy liftcelebrating their promotion from the Barclays Women’s Championship in the 22/23 season. Photo:The FA
As this season draws to a close, the title race in the Championship is beginning to heat up with just fourpoints separating the top four sides.
The four-way title race will inevitably be battled out until the final matchday with so little to divide those at the pinnacle. With just three match days remaining, who will be the next to lift the Championship trophy and advance into the WSL?
Sunderland
Sunderland are currently topping the table, accumulating 40 points so far this season. This situates them one point above Crystal Palace but have played an extra game than their second-place opponents. In recent fixtures, the Lasses have been in flying form picking up 12 points out of a possible 15 in their latest five.
With just two fixtures remaining, their final chances to secure their top of the table position are facing Charlton at home, before taking on Crystal Palace away, both of which are fellow title contenders. Thus, their concluding stretch to get their hands on the trophy will be a tough one, but certainly not impossible.
However, the one fixture they experienced defeat in their previous five was versus London City Lionesses. Before entering this game, London City were positioned just above the relegation zone where Ruesha Littlejohn’s 25th minute strike secured all three points for the home side, points which are beneficial for their safety in their league. Although Remi Allen’s takeover has transformed this London City side, thisloss for Sunderland may leave others questioning their consistency to beat near bottom of the table sides in games which could instead be used to boost goal difference.
Despite this, Sunderland have failed to pick up any points just four times through the entirety of this Championship season,points being shared four times, and winning 58% of their games so far. A demanding final two fixtures should not make promotion unachievable for Sunderland should they continue their excellent run of form.
Above: Sunderland celebrating one of three goals in their most recent fixture defeating WatfordPhoto: Sunderland AFC Women Official Media
Crystal Palace
Trailing one point behind Sunderland in second place is Crystal Palace. Having one game in hand from the league leaders could give Palace the opportunity to leapfrog Sunderland when this fixture is played. Across their previous five fixtures, Crystal Palace too have amassed 12 out of 15 possible points with 13 goals scored and just three conceded.
Their remaining three fixtures consist of Birmingham City at home, followed by facing Lewes away, then lastly facing title rivals Sunderland on the final day of the season. With the opportunity to add nine points to the table instead of six puts them at an advantage over Sunderland to jump to the top of the table.
With their second opponent currently sitting in the relegation zone, this could be deemed as an easy chance to pick up three points and improve their already dominating goal difference to boost their hopes of lifting the Championship trophy at the end of the season. Their first opponent however may be a tougher match as Birmingham City sit further up the tablecurrently in 5th place. City’s recent form saw them grab seven points out of a possible fifteen in their previous five fixturescompared to Palace’s twelve, meaning the Blues have the disadvantage of being the side who are less in form.
Despite this, the last fixture of the season will prove most challenging where the present first and second placed teams on the table go head-to-head. This game will be a vital decider on who will grab the top spot on the final day with just four points separating first and fourth in the league.
Another factor which may prove crucial in deciding who will lift the trophy is goal difference. Palace, throughout the season, have often won games with high score lines whilst conceding very few. This has resulted in them soaring abovethe other title contenders at present. If on the final day Palace were to be level on points at the top of the table with an opponent, it will presumably be them who secure promotion to the Women’s Super League.
Palace- similarly to Sunderland- have failed to pick up any points just four times this season, points being shared three times, and have won 63% of their 19 fixtures so far this season. This puts them in a great position to secure promotion as they are just one point behind Sunderland but also the potential advantage of having a game in hand.
Above: Crystal Palace celebrating a goal in their win vs Watford at Selhurst Park Photo: Crystal Palace Official Media
Southampton
Three points behind Crystal Palace in third place is Southampton. They have so far accumulated 36 points in 20 fixtures. The Saints have also been in good form in their recent fixtures having amassed nine points out of a possible fifteen in the previous five games.
Just two fixtures remain for the Saints with their final chance to add points to the table being against London City Lionesses at home before facing Charlton away, creating another title race clash for the final day of the season.
Their first opponent being London City Lionesses, a bottom end of the table side, could potentially give them the opportunity to add a further three points to their tally. However, Allen’s takeover of the team has saw London Citybeat teams they wouldn’t have expected to earlier in the season, such as Charlton and Sunderland, so the game could instead be a match which could go either way.
Their second opponent will inevitably prove a tougher match as they face title chasing rivals away from home. Again, these two top of the table clashes commencing on the last day of the season will ultimately decide who will lift the Championship title in one of the closest battles since its formation.
This season so far Southampton have won 60% of their games so far this season but despite this have failed to pick up any points in the rest of their fixtures played. Hence this has put them slightly behind in the title race.
Above: Southampton celebrating a goal in their win vs Lewes Photo: Southampton Official Media
Charlton Athletic
Level on points with Southampton but with a game in hand and sitting in fourth place is Charlton. In their recent fivefixtures, the Addicks have picked up seven points out of a possible fifteen.
Their three remaining fixtures to play consist of playing Watford away, before travelling to Sunderland and lastly followed by facing Southampton at home. This run of fixtures may prove a challenge as they face two title race rivals, however the potential advantage of having a game in hand could give Charlton the chance to takeover Southampton on the table.
With the Addicks’ first fixture being against Watford, this could be deemed as a good chance to add a further three points to the table as Watford sit rock bottom of the table and have picked up just three points out of a possible fifteen across their recent five fixtures.
Their final two fixtures will be a battle to pick up points facing two teams also fighting for promotion. The outcome of these fixtures will also be pivotal for overall outcome of who secures the title, especially the final day of fixtures whereby current first and second place face each other as well as current third and fourth place going head-to-head.
Charlton have lost just three of their fixtures so far this season, having the lowest loss rate out of all four teams in the title race, points have been shared six times, and have taken all three points in roughly 53% of their fixtures thus far. Despite the fairly difficult run of fixtures they face in the final few weeks of this season, securing promotion will not be impossible as they are only four points behind current league leaders with a game in hand, as well as having the opportunity to limit the points earned by two of their title rivals.
Before the final fixtures, just four points separate the four teams in the title race and the final matchday where they all go head-to-head will most likely give one of the fiercest title fights since the Championship’s establishment in 2014. With points being so tight between those at the top, goal difference may prove a pivotal factor if teams were to go level on points at the top. Crystal Palace currently dominate with their goal difference of 32, followed by Sunderland and Southampton level on 14 and Charlton trailing behind on 10. The two top of the table clashes on the final day of the season will inevitably decide who will lift the Championship title and secure promotion to the WSL.
A teenage Leah Williamson came onto the pitch as a substitute for Yankey in the 81st minute of Arsenal’s 2014 2-0 defeat to Birmingham City.
Only one day after her 17th birthday Williamson had made her senior debut at her childhood club, the club that she’d grown up supporting and playing for.
This appearance was only the beginning for Williamson; that year she went on to become a club regular, making 25 appearances, and now she has stepped onto the pitch in an Arsenal shirt well over 200 times.
On March 30, 2024, Arsenal uploaded a post on Instagram that pictured Williamson on the grass this season opposite an image of her 17-year-old self, playing in a number 14 shirt on her senior debut.
The last 10 years have been filled with achievements for Williamson, and it was that UEFA Women’s Champions League quarter final match that began her senior career.
In 2014, on Williamson’s first senior season, she was a part of the Arsenal squad that won the FA Women’s Cup. This was Williamson’s first taste of victory in professional football and only 12 days later she scored her first professional goal against Millwall Lionesses in the League Cup.
At the end of this 2013/2014 season, Williamson was named the League Cup Player of the Year. This individual accolade was followed closely by further recognition, in 2015 the player received the England Women’s Youth Player of the Year Award.
Williamson’s star quality on the pitch was being recognised, and under a week after her 18th birthday she signed her first professional contract with Arsenal.
Before claiming victory in the League Cup with Arsenal in 2015 and winning the FA cup in 2016, Williamson was named the 2015 PFA Young Player of the Year, an award that has since been received by Lauren Hemp, Beth Mead, Georgia Stanway, and many more talented ballers.
It was in the 2017/2018 season that Williamson moved from being a midfielder to playing in central defence. This switch came with the arrival of new Arsenal manager Joe Montemurro. It was this football season that saw Arsenal beat defending champions, Manchester City, to victory in the FA WSL Cup.
Williamson spent the 2018/2019 season confirming her position in defence, leading her to be voted as a member of the 2019/2020 PFA Team of the Year.
In 2017, the Arsenal player trained with the Senior Lionesses for the first time and in 2018 she made her senior England debut.
Now, when the England women’s team is mentioned, many picture Leah Williamson, the player who captained the English side to victory at the 2022 Women’s European Championships.
Meanwhile, Williamson remains the vice-captain of Arsenal, she is one of few international captains to not captain their domestic club.
Heartbreak came for Leah in 2023 when it was confirmed that she had suffered an ACL injury which meant that she would miss out on the 2023 World Cup, where she would have most likely been the captain of the Lionesses as they travelled to Australia.
After months of rehab, and time spent supporting Arsenal and England from the sidelines, Williamson made her first appearance since her ACL injury on January 21, 2024, against Reading in the Conti Cup.
Her comeback game highlighted what a talented player she is. Williamson’s play was fluid, it was as if she had spent no time off the pitch. She assisted a Beth Mead goal to confirm Arsenal’s victory – this was a full circle moment as both Mead and Williamson had gone through recovery together after suffering ACL injuries months apart from each other.
Since, the defender has suffered further minor injuries which led her to withdraw from England’s February camp that she had received a call up for. Now, however, her time has come; Williamson is back on camp with the Lionesses and fans are hopeful that she will make her return to international football at Wembley Stadium when England play Sweden on Friday April 5.
Over the last 10 years, Williamson has made her mark on domestic and international football. The defender has won numerous trophies with Arsenal and has led the Lionesses to their history making victory.
Looking back on the last 10 years not only highlights Williamson’s achievements, but also emphasises the opportunities that the player has had through Arsenal. Williamson moved through the ranks of Arsenal’s Centre of Excellence, which she signed to at just 9 years old, and is now a crucial part of their senior squad. Fans can only hope that she will remain at the club for many years to come.
Above: Millie Bright with the Chelsea captain’s armband for 2023/24. Photo: Chelsea Women.
Impetus takes a look at how Millie has brightened up her team and what she brings to the pitch, as well as looking at some of her top moments so far.
After 250 appearances for Chelsea, Millie Bright never fails to progress more and bring a certain energy to the squad. Bright is frequently referred to as a “defensive pillar” due to her exceptional defensive abilities. Because of her physical stature, she can pose a serious threat in the opposition’s box. She analyses the game effectively and frequently initiates attacks with sweeping passes from the back and as well as her ferocious tackles.
With excellent interplay and link-ups with Katie Chapman, Bright quickly established herself as one of the league’s most physically intimidating midfielders in her debut season at Chelsea. And by the time her first season as a blue was over, she had made her Champions League debut, won two titles (the Women’s FA Cup and the Women’s Super League), and made 26 appearances.
Ahead of the signing of Millie Bright in December 2014, general manager Paul Green said “she will add strength and physicality to the squad”, which she did. The strong performances and physicality that Millie Bright brought to the club did not go unnoticed, as she was named the 2015 Chelsea Players’ Player of the year by her fellow blues.
Bright grew in strength during her second season with Chelsea, starting all 15 league games, more than any other player. During this season, she began to experiment with and excel in a number of positions, including centre-half, full-back, and her usual midfield position. Her form was nothing short of consistent, as evidenced by her retention of the Chelsea Players’ Player of the Year and the title for Young Player of the Year.
At the start of the 2017 campaign, Bright signed a new three-and-a-half year contract which set the start of a sublime year for her. Bright began to start in defence and was a key part of Chelsea’s defensive line leading to the Blues to concede just five goals throughout all competitions, as well as establishing herself as a threat on set-pieces, scoring two. With just one loss on the season, Bright was able to add another trophy to her cabinet.
Above: Millie Bright and teammate Katie Chapman after winning the FA WSL 2017. Image: Millie Bright on Instagram.
Yet again for the 2017/2018 season, Millie Bright started more than any other of the blues with 33 starts throughout all competitions. Chelsea had the greatest defensive record in the top flight of women’s football in England thanks to Millie Bright’s defensive prowess, allowing in just 13 goals.
One of Millie Bright’s best moments of the 2017/2018 season came when she scored a crucial, superb goal in a 2-2 draw against Manchester City, who were the title contenders at the time. By the end of the season, Millie Bright once again assisted her team in winning not one, but two pieces of silverware: the WSL and the FA Cup.
The Chelsea defender’s form was so excellent she nominated for the PFA Women’s Player of the Year award as well as grabbing a well-deserved spot in the Team of the Year.
In the 2018/2019 season, Bright was named as the vice-captain behind Chelsea legend Kaz Carney. The vice-captain helped the Blues to kickstart their Champions League campaign by a spectacular 30-yard strike against SFK 2000 Sarajevo, one of two goals she scored that season.
Above: Magda Eriksson (left) and Millie Bright (right) lifting the Conti Cup trophy. Image: Chelsea Women.
As well as winning the WSL in the 2019/2020 season, the defender won her first Continental League Cup final after a 2-1 victory against Arsenal. After excellent performances in the back, even being named the November Player of the Month, Bright was named in the PFA’s Team of the Year for a second consecutive year.
Bright signed a contract extension ahead of the 2020/2021 campaign, committing herself to the “Pride of London” until 2023. She opened up the season with a magnificent long range strike against Manchester City in the Community Shield, a goal that displayed her love and commitment for the club.
The 2020/2021 season was the start of a strong partnership at the back between Bright and Eriksson, helping Chelsea retain two domestic titles. Throughout all competitions they kept an astonishing 25 clean sheets. Millie Bright’s defensive plays and link-ups in the team helped Chelsea women to reach their first Champions League final which they ultimately lost 4-0 to a firing Barcelona. Her outstanding play earned her her first selection in the 2020 FIFA FIFPro Women’s World 11.
Without Eriksson for 16 of the 39 games played in Chelsea’s 2021–2022 campaign, Millie Bright inherited the captaincy duties, leading to another trophy-filled season. The hard-work over this season for the Bright will lead to a space in the history books for chelsea women as she became the third player in the squad to reach 200 appearances aswell as being the sole player to have made 200 starts.
Above: Millie Bright of Chelsea with the Womens Super League Trophy by Paul Terry / Sportimage
The honours for Millie Bright poured in during this season, portraying her well-respected status in football. As for the second consecutive year in a row she was selected for a spot in the FIFPro Women’s World 11 after putting on a defensive masterclass to the World. Within the 2021/22 season two more trophies were added to the cabinet with another FA Cup and WSL title win, which earned her way into the PFA’s Team of the year for a third time.
As Chelsea Women qualified for the Champions League in their 2022/23 campaign, Bright set the stage in the first group stage fixture. After a flying cross in from Erin Cuthbert she slammed the ball into the back of the net with a magnificent volley which won Chelsea the game against PSG.
Millie Bright continued her outstanding performances since their Champions league opener, however unfortunately a knee injury in the first leg of the quarter final to lyon which took place in March meant that her season was to be cut short. However this didn’t stop her leadership skills from helping the team behind the sidelines to claim the WSL title for a fourth consecutive year and their third straight FA Cup.
Following her success from the 2022/23 season, Millie Bright was amongst the world best female footballers in the Women’s Ballon d’Or, where she was placed in 11th.
Ahead of the 2023/24 campaign Millie Bright was announced as the new Chelsea captain, after the departure of Magdalena Eriksson. One month into the season, the loyal blue made her 250th appearance for Chelsea women and put on a show by scoring in a thrashing 6-0 win against Aston Villa helping her team to stay top of the league.
With some important matches and challenges approaching Chelsea such as the FA Cup and Champions league semi-finals and a tight title race battle within the Barclays WSL; the return of Millie Bright couldn’t come quicker for the Blues and their supporters.
Millie Bright’s Top Moments for Chelsea
One of Millie Bright’s first key moments after signing for the club was after lifting up her first FA Cup silverware. Whilst standing in front of thousands of supporters at wembley, she was able to reflect on the brilliant season that she had and was ‘able to get a real understanding of the club she was at and the expectations they stood for.’
For the new blue this was the first time lifting any major piece of silverware and playing in such a big environment (Wembley). Emma Hayes gave the first of many motivational speeches to Millie Bright this day as she reassured her to ‘stay focused and to keep her eyes forward’ which at this time was the best thing she could have heard. As Bright said in an interview ‘this was just the start of a long journey ahead’.
Another magical moment for the blue in her career at chelsea, was making history by reaching the Club’s first Champions League Final. Although it is such a bittersweet moment due to losing against Barcelona women it is also a moment to remember as in this year both the Chelsea Men and Womens team reach the final.
3 years on, Millie Bright admits she is only starting to pick up her runners-up medal and realise how much of an accolade it is and being able to think about it without the emotions flooding back. However its just another reason which encourages the defender to keep progressing so that they are able to reach that point again and finally fill the missing space within Chelsea’s Trophy Cabinet.
After giving nine years of her life to the club, the captains armband was not just handed down to Millie Bright but was well and truly earnt by her hard work and loyalty to the club in which she now calls her home. Like a true leader, the captain of the blues said that no matter with or without the armband she will always give her absolute best when she steps out onto the pitch and her main aim is to be able to lead her team to success.
Above: Millie Bright with the captains armband via Chelsea women
Millie Bright has continuously served for the Blues by constantly providing flawless and incredible performances over the past 9 years. She has proved time and time again that her defensive skills puts her within the top defenders within Women’s Football making her journey with Chelsea one to put in the history book to continue to inspire the next generation.
Above: ParaMatildas’ Eloise Northam celebrates after the team’s Asia Cup win last year. Photo: Football Australia.
ParaMatildas head coach Kelly Stirton has named a 14-player squad for the team’s next training camp this weekend in Sydney.
The players selected contain regular faces such as Georgia Biekoff, Tahlia Blanshard, Lainee Harrison, and Eloise Northam, but also exciting young guns Lilah Flood (aged 14), Rebecca Jones, and Trinity McPhee who are all aiming to gain their first ParaMatildas cap in the coming months.
The world number one ranked ParaMatildas will be looking to follow up their runners-up spot at the last World Cup and their recent Asia Cup win with more success in the upcoming World Cup later this year.
Above: ParaMatildas will be back in training this weekend. Photo: Football Australia.
PARAMATILDAS TRAINING CAMP SQUAD:
Goalkeeper:
Carly Salmon (seven caps/four goals).
Defenders:
Rae Anderson (nine caps), Tahlia Blanshard (11 caps, one goal), Tamsin Colley (two caps, four goals), Karina Grigorian (seven caps, two goals).
Midfielders:
Georgia Biekoff (12 caps, 22 goals), Indiana Cooper (no caps/goals), Lilah Flood (no caps/goals), Rebecca Jones (no caps/goals), Trinity McPhee (no caps/goals), Eloise Northam (12 caps, nine goals).
Forwards:
Annmarie De Uriarte (seven caps/11 goals), Lainee Harrison (five caps/five goals), Charlize Tran (three caps/one goal).
Above: The ParaMatildas are one of the world’s most inspiring female teams. Photo: Football Australia.
Above: Clare Wheeler speaking earlier today. Image: Football Australia.
The Matildas trio of Clare Wheeler, Cortnee Vine, and Sharn Freier reflected earlier today about the development of the team’s playing style and the positives seen in the 2-0 victory over Mexico.
Everton midfielder Wheeler feels that the consequences of that new style and adaptable game plan were there for all to see yesterday.
“We knew the quality Mexico had off the back of beating the US…I think with our preparation and where we are as a team, our game plan is becoming clearer for everyone, we’re having to buy into it, we’re executing it, and I think the results are now showing this style of play and what we want to do heading into the Olympics.”
Reflecting on what the impact of the style of play that Tony Gustavsson and his coaching staff have introduced has been on her personally, Wheeler was full of smiles. “As a defensive midfielder, I love it.
“It’s all about passing the ball and breaking down lines with variety, and that’s something I love to do…it’s going to add styles of play for us and we’re going to have different variety to break down teams and that’s only a good thing going into the Olympics.
“Playing Mexico is good practice…against teams who will press aggressively, and I think it’s credit to the team how we adapted from the first half to the second half about how we beat that press…There definitely was a physicality to the game, the last couple of minutes was challenging with how direct they were going to get a goal.”
Wheeler’s additional minutes for the Matildas yesterday came after a season that has been so impressive on a personal level with Everton in the WSL. Whilst the Merseyside team have found it a challenge to put a consistent run of wins together, the 26-year-old has shone – something that she puts down to confidence.
“We’ve had an up-and-down year with injuries and transfers. But I think getting consistent minutes, and playing out of position as well – it’s all added to my confidence. I think you are just seeing a confident person out there who is enjoying her football.”
Wheeler is also well aware of how the WSL has made her a far better player – for a number of reasons.
“I think for me personally it’s the number of games we play – a full home and away season with cup games, but also playing against so many players from different national teams and so many different styles of play is something that’s really attractive about the league.”
Above: Cortnee Vine reflecting on her return to the international scene. Image: Football Australia.
Cortnee Vine is back. The smile, the runs – you name it. You can’t help but feel just how much she is loving the Matildas new style of play.
“We’ve started to play a new structure, so it was good to watch that football unfold against a team like Mexico who is a very good team, they have really good players and they are very technical and tactical. They figured out our system a little bit and adjusted well, so it was a really good competition for us.
“I’m loving this new structure. As a winger it’s going to be perfect for breaking the last line. The movement, the push-pulls we are doing…yeah, it’s my kind of game and I’m really happy with this change in structure,” she grinned.
Vine was back in the Matildas squad for this international window after taking some time away to get a bit of a break and remain with Sydney FC, and recognised that she needed to get back up to speed in camp.
“It felt to be good out there. Coming back in I had to really focus on the tactical side again, when you are away (from the national team) it kind of disappears a little bit as you focus on clubland…but with this new structure, it’s really fun to play as a striker.”
Vine is heading into form at the right time with the Olympics just a matter of months away. As someone who began doing athletics as a kid, the winger is doubly determined to make the squad.
“For me, the Olympics has been my dream ever since I was doing athletics at the age of nine…I think having this in our reach this year, you are going to do all you can. I’m going back to clubland to prove myself, if I have the opportunity to come into the next camp, trying to prove myself. There’s only 18 players picked for this squad – I really feel for Tony (Gustavsson) head coach.”
Vine is a person who thrives on positivity which strong sense of fun and humour. These are the things that bring out the best in her as a footballer. “I think it’s about being people who are my mates – it makes the football fun and makes me feel carefree…I think having that around, friends who support you and a coach that lets you thrive.”
With this international window now over, the attacker now jumps into the red heat of Finals football in the A-League Women with Sydney FC, and with the team finishing top two once more, Vine is delighted she doesn’t have to go straight from a long flight into a do or die game this weekend.
“It’s perfect for me, I get to come home and not go straight into a semi-final. It’s a different format this year…I think Ante (Juric, head coach) is running them a bit, they are not getting a break. It’s focus time.”
Above: Sharn Freier (right) comes on for her Matildas debut yesterday. Photo supplied to Impetus by: Football Australia.
Dreams can come true – just ask Sharn Freier who made her international debut at the age of 22 yesterday.
“I still can’t really believe it. It was an amazing feeling last night…it’s been a surreal last 24 hours,” the Brisbane Roar player said.
“I was very, very nervous. I really didn’t know what to expect…when they came down and said ‘you’re up!’ I was excited, I was numb, I didn’t want to think too much. I was very very nervous, but I was stoked. I was also focusing on what I had to do, focusing on the job that had to be done.”
Asked to describe what her first experience of international football was like, Freier summed it up in one word – fast.
“It went pretty fast to be honest. Even the minutes I had was definitely fast and I was trying to work myself in. It’s a lot faster, and it’s just making sure you are in the right position to make it a bit easier for yourself – always being alert and making sure you are ready for the next action…the pace of the game and the physicalness as well. You definitely need to be ready for anything that happens…”
Making your first appearance in the national team shirt is big for any player, but for Freier it comes just two years after suffering an ACL injury. She freely admits that earning that Matildas cap is even sweeter after overcoming that debilitating set back.
“It was always the dream (to play for the Matildas), but I didn’t think I’d ever be here. Doing my ACL was so big that I didn’t know what to expect, how I would come back, how long it would take. It was definitely a goal, but something I was doing day by day and trying to come back to the level I was at. I was a bit more proud in that sense as well, to come back that bit more stronger. Especially at this level it’s quite rewarding for the time and effort that was put back into playing.”
Freier is not going to rest on her laurels. The A-League Women season may be over for her Brisbane Roar side, but she is determined to keep at it to retain her place in the Matildas squad.
“It gives you a taste of what it’s like – it’s unbelievable. It just pushes you every day just keep work hard, play your best, it’s a really competitive environment. Just because you step on for a couple of minutes doesn’t mean anything…it’s important to take it in and enjoy it, but keep working hard and do everything you need to do to keep it going.”
Palace- similarly to Sunderland- have failed to pick up any points just four times this season, points being shared three times, and have won 63% of their 19 fixtures so far this season. This puts them in a great position to secure promotion as they are just one point behind Sunderland but also the potential advantage of having a game in hand.
This season so far Southampton have won 60% of their games so far this season but despite this have failed to pick up any points in the rest of their fixtures played. Hence this has put them slightly behind in the title race. 
Charlton have lost just three of their fixtures so far this season, having the lowest loss rate out of all four teams in the title race, points have been shared six times, and have taken all three points in roughly 53% of their fixtures thus far. Despite the fairly difficult run of fixtures they face in the final few weeks of this season, securing promotion will not be impossible as they are only four points behind current league leaders with a game in hand, as well as having the opportunity to limit the points earned by two of their title rivals.
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