Impetus‘ Aimee Logan provides a post-match analysis, from Molineux on the Conti CupFinal(1/4/24).
Above: Arsenal lift the Conti Cup at Molineux on Sunday. Photo: Arsenal.
The FA Women’s Continental Tyres League Cup Final once again brought together to sides at the top of women’s football in England. Arsenal versus Chelsea is always a game for the history books.
The atmosphere, for the entirety of the game, was electric. In the end it was Stina Blackstenius strike that sealed The Gunners their second consecutive Conti Cup win and a record seventh time overall.
A recent WSL meeting, only two weeks prior, saw Chelsea dominate Arsenal in a 3-1 victory at Stamford Bridge. Arguably, the Blues were positioned as the favourites to win. With the quadruple on the line for Emma Hayes, Jonas Eidevall would have known the importance of Arsenal bringing home their own silverware. With the WSL title race looking to be out of reach for Arsenal and their early departures from the UEFA Women’s Champions League and FA Cup, could this be their only silverware of the season?
Unlike recent line-ups, Eidevall named his Australian trio on the bench at the start of the game, leaving room in the starting XI for Emily Fox, Frida Maanum and Cloe Lacasse to start for Arsenal. Fox and Lacasse have been incredible in their first season in North London and are already loved by Arsenal fans.
Above: Arsenal fans packed into Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Molineux stadium to support their team.Photo: Arsenal FC
The first half brought all the excitement any football fan would expect from a final: end-to-end action and chances for either team to make a mark on the score sheet. A gap opened on the edge of the box for Chelsea and a strike from Mayra Ramirez to the bottom corner of Zinsberger’s goal put Chelsea 1-0 up.
In contrast to the WSL, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) was used in the fixture. After and on-field review, the referee determined that the ball hit Erin Cuthbert’s hand before the shot was taken from Ramirez, ruling the goal out and giving Arsenal, and their fans, another lifeline, and more opportunity to take home the cup.
The backline of both teams looked rocky in different periods. The occasional mistakes and miscommunication that could’ve cost the teams a goal, was prevented by goalkeepers Hannah Hampton and Manuela Zinsberger who were collectively immense for their respective teams throughout the game.
An unexpected sub from Arsenal at halftime saw Leah Williamson depart and World Cup champion Laia Codina enter the pitch. After her recent trophy successes with Spain, Codina isn’t a stranger to lifting a cup.
Above: Leah Williamson celebrating with Laia Codina after they lifted the Conti Cup. Photo: Arsenal FC.
The second half continued as the first with neither team finding an opportunity to get on the score sheet. Eidevall is known to use his substitutes well and these 45 minutes saw the Australian trio finally make their appearances.
Caitlin Foord has recently faced criticism from Arsenal fans as she hasn’t been as clinical in front of goal as they may have liked. Even though the Matildas star wasn’t on the score sheet, her attacking movements on and off the ball were impressive and she proved her critics wrong.
Steph Catley helped lead the back line with Lotte Wubben-Moy, Codina and Fox. Catley was given the challenge of marking Chelsea’s Lauren James, but this didn’t appear to phase the Matildas defender. She was an assertive figure in both boxes and kept the defensive line strong for her team.
Finally, Kyra Cooney-Cross. The young star made her late arrival to Arsenal on the deadline day in September and its fair to say that she’s proven to be a talented midfielder ever since. I think that she has grown with the Arsenal team massively this season. That could be as a result of the midfielders of Kim Little, Lia Walti, Frida Maanum and Victoria Pelova that she plays alongside.
Above: The Australian trio of Caitlin Foord (left), Steph Catey (centre), and Kyra Cooney-Cross (right) with the Conti Cup trophy. Photo: Arsenal FC.
A scare for Eidevall and his team just before the game progressed into extra time as Frida Maanum dropped to the floor, off the ball. Her teammates were quickly concerned of her condition and rushed to her side and emphasised the need for quick medical attention. Shortly after the paramedics reached her on the pitch, she was lifted onto a stretcher and carried down into the tunnel to receive further treatment.
The most recent update from the club was that Maanum was stable and talking to medical staff. Moments like that made the crowd realise that there is more to the world than winning titles and every fan in the stadium was wishing for Frida Maanum to be okay.
The full-time whistle blew and gave the players the opportunity to regroup with their managers and teammates ready for another 30 minutes. In the first 15 minutes, both Arsenal and Chelsea couldn’t get on the score sheet as the defence held firm for both teams.
Just as the stadium prepared themselves for a penalty shootout, a central run from Cooney-Cross placed Arsenal in a powerful move of attack. The Arsenal 32 strode past her defenders and passed the ball perfectly to a waiting Foord on the wing. Foord set up the waiting Stina Blackstenius to strike the ball past Hampton. With four minutes to go until penalties, Arsenal sealed the victory.
Above: Stina Blackstenius celebrates with Alessia Russo after she scores the last minute winner. Photo: Arsenal FC.
Celebrations were in full swing, but the moment was arguably bittersweet with the thought of Maanum in the changing room not being able to be part of the post victory scenes with her team that she is such a vital part of.
A main fault for Chelsea was Emma Hayes’ lack of use of substitutes. The West London side had a threatening bench that could have been well-utilised in this game, but Hayes only used three substitutes, one of which being Aggie Beever-Jones in the last minute which left too little time to make impact.
In my opinion, I think Arsenal deserved to take the title. The play from Pelova, Codina and Zinsberger kept them in the game right to the last minute. Football does come down to fine margins, and that was no different in this final. At moments it could have gone either way but Blackstenius’ strike was that vital difference.
Above: The Arsenal team mob Stina Blackstenius (centre) as she wins her team the cup. Photo: Arsenal FC.
Arsenal took away a piece of silverware for the season and prevented Hayes from walking away at the end of this season, with the quadruple. In terms of other trophies, for Chelsea, it’s still all to play for as it remains tight between themselves and Manchester City at the top of the WSL table. The Blues also are set to face Manchester United in the FA Cup semi-final and Barcelona in the UEFA Women’s Champions League semi-final.
For Arsenal, this looks to be the only cup the team will finish the season with the top of the WSL table looking too far out of reach.
Impetus’ coverage of the NPLW WA is back for another season with an increased depth of coverage. Ben Gilby and Ava-Marianne Elliott provide a full report from one game each, along with all the details from the round’s other two matches. Cat Bryant supplies a superb photo gallery from our game of the week (1/4/24).
Above: Hyundai NTC’s Theodora Mouithy charges forward at UWA-Nedlands yesterday. Photo supplied to Impetus by: Cat Bryant.
Game of the week:
UWA-Nedlands 1-2 Hyundai NTC
by Ben Gilby
The NTC dominated the possession and territory at UWA Sports Park on Sunday afternoon to run out winners in UWA-Nedlands’ first-ever NPLW WA match, but the home side produced a well-disciplined performance that showed they will be no pushovers at this level.
UWA-Nedlands’ squad has been boosted since promotion with the arrival of players with US and European experience such as goalkeeper Morgan Springer and attacker Michaela Thawley – both of whom would have influential afternoons along with established club star Emily Dinsdale.
Above: Hyundai NTC (blue) and UWA-Nedlands battle for possession yesterday. Photo supplied to Impetus by: Cat Bryant.
Thawley is an excellent player with good touch and close control. She also has the vision to bring team-mates into play and see opportunities early which are all highly desirable assets for a player to have at this level. Dinsdale worked hard throughout. She was looking to provide an outlet as well as assisting at the back. Her efforts along the right flank where she was involved in a fascinating battle with Violet Longmore caught the eye throughout.
Whilst the NTC have lost the spine of last year’s team with the likes of Lilly Bailey, Georgia Cassidy, Grace Johnston, Tanika Lala, Ischia Brooking, and Ruby Cuthbert gaining A-League Women contracts and moving out of the team’s under-19 age bracket, there was still a host of real talent with NPLW WA experience in the teenage side who have been joined by Jessica Johnson who showcased her outrageous ability at such a tender age for Murdoch University Melville last season.
Above: Hyundai NTC goalkeeper Jessica Skinner takes a catch at UWA-Nedlands yesterday. Photo supplied to Impetus by: Cat Bryant.
The visitors dominated the opening exchanges with a focus on the right flank and the dangerous Klaudia Houlis was lively on the opposite side. With Hannah Collins looking for outlets in the centre of midfield and Jessica Johnson popping up all across the front third, the NTC were bubbling with creativity. They were that bit quicker to press when not in possession, that bit crisper in the pass – as you would expect from a side, the bulk of whom have played together at this level for longer than the home side.
Twenty minutes in, the NTC turned up the pressure. After calls for a free kick after a challenge on Theodora Mouithy on the left-hand edge of the box, the ball was played back to Longmore who hit a stunning curling shot that Morgan Springer brilliantly pushed away for a corner.
Above: UWA-Nedlands and Hyundai NTC battle it out yesterday. Photosupplied to Impetus by: Cat Bryant.
A second corner was forced with Jessica Johnson playing the ball in for Collins to get an effort in on goal that Springer saved at the cost of a third straight flag kick – this time on the right. Jessica Johnson played a 1-2 from the set piece with Nelli Johnson before playing in a high ball for Longmore to head home from towards the back post.
To their credit, UWA-Nedlands regrouped and focused on their block, trying to force the visitors to play from deeper. Yet Longmore was becoming ever more influential now in this period with her vision and runs along with Maja Archibald who was able to draw triangular passing moves under pressure to create outlets.
Ten minutes before the interval, the NTC doubled their advantage when Jessica Johnson found Mia Britton outside her on the right wing. Britton played a supremely weighted ball that both dissected the home defence and found the path of Houlis who comfortably found the net from just outside the six-yard box.
Above: UWA-Nedlands (green) and Hyundai NTC battle for possession yesterday. Photo supplied to Impetus by: Cat Bryant.
The home side kept battling were rewarded as the clock ticked towards the 45th minute as a long ball was lofted over the top for Michaela Thawley to run onto and then lob Jessica Skinner with some aplomb to gain the honour of scoring UWA-Nedlands’ first-ever NPLW WA goal.
There was still time for NTC to come close to re-establishing their two-goal lead before the interval as Houlis was played through and tried to lift the ball over Springer, but couldn’t get sufficient height on her effort.
Above: Hyundai NTC looking for a breakthrough at UWA Sports Park yesterday. Photo supplied to Impetus by: Cat Bryant.
The visitors came out firing as the second half started, with Jessica Johnson dinking a clever pass through to Archibald who fired wide of the left-hand post. They continued with the early momentum forcing Springer into two further excellent saves. First from a long-range effort, and then from a cross shot on the left.
UWA-Nedlands now employed a much higher press, but whilst it worked well as a tactic and ensured that the visitors wouldn’t add to their tally, it allowed the NTC to showcase their ability to patiently probe and play some technically excellent triangular passing movements.
Above: A physical battle for possession yesterday at UWA Sports Park. Photo supplied to Impetus by: Cat Bryant.
The visitors’ passing game made UWA-Nedlands chase the ball for much of the remainder of the game – but the hosts were exceptionally well disciplined, well structured, and did the hard yards.
There would be only two further real opportunities on goal in the second period, one for each side. First, for the hosts, Dinsdale ran down the right and cut in to get a shot away that was saved by Skinner. Then, five minutes from the end, Springer was called into action to deny Houlis when the attacker got a shot away which the home keeper had to push away.
Above: UWA-Nedlands (green) worked extremely hard yesterday against Hyundai NTC. Photo supplied to Impetus by: Cat Bryant.
There were lots of positives for UWA-Nedlands to take away from their first-ever NPLW WA match, and they will cause problems for the sides likely to be around them in the ladder if they can maintain their discipline and use the likes of Thawley and Dinsdale offensively.
The NTC may well feel they didn’t get the goals that their domination of territory and possession deserved, but they faced a hard-working opponent who fought hard for the whole 90 minutes.
HYUNDAI NTC: Skinner, Longmore, O’Halloran, Collinson, N. Johnson, Mouithy, Collins, J. Johnson, Houlis, Archibald, Britton. Substitutes: Clayton, Phillips, Tana, E. Gaspar, Hope, C. Gaspar.
Scorers: Longmore 21′, Houlis 35′.
In-depth review:
Perth SC 2-0 Fremantle City
by Ava-Marianne Elliott
Above: Jessica Flannery, scorer of Perth SC’s second goal against Fremantle City on Saturday. Photo supplied to Impetus by: Rob Lizzi.
Perth SC produced a dominant display at Dorrien Gardens that pushed Fremantle City to their limits.
From kick-off, the game started on a relatively even foot as both sides fought to gain and hold the control of possession, however from the get-go, it started to appear that the fixture was going to be challenging for Fremantle.
The Azzurri were able to find a breakthrough with just 14 minutes on the clock when a corner that initially looked like a missed chance after hitting the bar fell to an awaiting Matilda Boehm. Despite the crowd in front of goal, and close attention from the visitors’ defence, Boehm produced the space to strike the ball into the back of the net to give the home side the lead.
Following the goal, Perth SC took control and left Freo struggling to break any further than the well-structured backline. The stream of play down Perth’s right side of the pitch to bypass the visitors’ midfield was a particularly prevalent threat consistently throughout the half.
The host thought they had doubled their advantage during the 31st minute when Sophia Papalia’s shot that hit the far post rebounded to Ella Lincoln’s feet for a quality strike that should’ve sealed a 2-0 lead. Much to Perth SC’s dismay, the goal was disallowed, and Freo still had the chance to find an equaliser before the half-time whistle.
Lincoln was unlucky shortly afterwards with an ambitious shot that was forced out of play for a corner by Dayle Schroeder in the Freo goal. Perth SC went into the break a goal up. There was work to be done for Fremantle to find an equaliser to push themselves back in contention for the three points.
The second half kicked off with Perth SC predictably charging forwards on the stronger foot, and the relentless combination of Lincoln, Jess Flannery, and Tamsyn Hannan in the frontline wasted no time in returning to testing the Freo backline.
Above: Ella Lincoln, pictured during the Night Series this season, who went close on several occasions for Perth SC. Photo supplied to Impetus by: Denyse McCulloch.
Following a string of well-executed attacking build-up play, Perth SC were awarded a free kick in the 50th minute, and Janice Kiama was shown a yellow card. Despite the opportunity, McAllister’s free kick frustratingly fell straight into the hands of an awaiting Schroeder.
It would take until the 55th minute for the first real opportunity of the second half with Lincoln involved again, firing a shot at goal from the edge of the box which excruciatingly hit the bar.
Fremantle’s best opportunity of the game followed in quick succession, as they built up on the counter-attack, surging from box to box. The Perth SC defence were stretched and tested, but the resulting shot from Olivia Trueman crept wide of the right-hand side of Stacey Cavill’s goal after taking a deflection.
Anna Powell made way for Mikayla Lyon in the 65th minute, before disaster struck for Fremantle just a minute later. An excellent run from Jess Flannery left her with space in front of goal to take a shot, only for Maya Spatafore to put in a challenge on the edge of the 18-yard box which resulted in a straight red card. The punishment was then doubled as the resulting free-kick saw Flannery double the home side’s lead.
With work to do, the port city side set out to try and pull one back. With a few promising spells of attack consistently in a row, a free-kick just on the edge of the penalty area seemed like a perfect opportunity, but Sofie Osborne sent the shot over the bar.
The Azzurri wore the Freo defence down until the very last seconds of extra time, where Schroeder was forced to make a save just moments before the referee blew the final whistle, officially sealing a win for Perth SC after an eventful, action-packed 90 minutes of play.
Above: Lucy Jerram cracks home the second of her four goals on Thursday evening for Balcatta Etna at Murdoch University Melville. Image: Streamer.
The 2024 season opened on Thursday night at Besteam Stadium as Balcatta Etna comfortably dispatched Murdoch University Melville (MUM FC) Lucy Jerram claiming four goals and Jamie-Lee Gale bagging a brace and several assists.
It took the visitors six minutes to hit the front. A superbly weighted lofted ball out from the left flank found Jamie-Lee Gale in acres of space to the right of centre outside the box. The former Perth Glory player needed no second invitation to take a touch and roll the ball across MUM FC goalkeeper Manon Gebauer into the left-hand corner of the net.
However, the hosts levelled just before the half-hour mark when Taylor Reid took advantage of a loose clearance from Balcatta keeper Isabella Comito to drive the ball into the roof of the net from the edge of the six-yard box.
It was one-way traffic after the break as Jerram took the bit between her teeth. Her return to Western Australia after a spell playing in the Northern NSW NPL was hotly anticipated by fans, and she has wasted no time showing why. A series of strong performances in the pre-season Night Series with goals already flowing before her efforts in this round-one encounter.
Just three minutes into the second period, Judy Connolly took possession in the centre of the field, danced her way between two would-be tacklers, and accelerated away from another before laying a centimetre perfect low through ball into the path of Jerram, who was around 35 yards from goal, accelerated away and placed the ball under the diving Gebauer.
Above: Abbey Meakins slots home from the penalty spot to put Balcatta Etna 4-1 up. Image: Streamer.
With 53 minutes on the clock, Gale broke through on the left flank to pull over a cross that was missed by the MUM FC defence, allowing Jerram to fire home a vicious shot parallel to the penalty spot. Moments later, from the spot, Abbey Meakins made it 4-1, dispatching a low penalty into the right-hand corner of the net.
Just after the hour mark, another clinical Balcatta move led to another goal. This time, Gale was found with yet another perfect low pass into her feet, and the attacker eased past her marker and rolled the ball across the box. It would take a deflection off of Gebauer into the path of Jerram whose second effort looped up into the path of the onrushing Gale to nod home.
Jerram completed the scoring with two goals in three minutes. First, the visitors’ ability along the flanks were shown once more as Gale’s ball from the right came across to the attacker in the number three shirt, who cracked home another powerful shot from a central position on the edge of the box. Then, with 73 minutes played, Jerram was found by yet another perfectly weighted low pass to accelerate away and drive another classy finish into the net.
Whilst Balcatta will face sterner tests this season, this performance showed two aspects that the rest of the NPLW WA will need to take note of – the combination of pace and centimetre-perfect passing. These are skill sets that opponents will need to counteract when playing against Pete Rakic’s team. Give them the slightest opportunity to do either and you’ll be in trouble. Allow them any chance to do both at the same time, and it becomes an uphill task of Everest proportions.
Perth RedStar 4-0 Subiaco
Above: Caitlin Doeglas (19) hits her shot across Ashleigh Riddle in the Subiaco goal to put Perth RedStar 2-0 up yesterday. Image: Streamer.
Perth RedStar began their league campaign with victory over Subiaco at RedStar Arena with Caitlin Doeglas scoring one and providing two assists for the defending champions’ four goals.
Carlos Vega Mena’s side hit the front with just four minutes on the clock when Caitlin Doeglas won possession from the visitors’ Shelby Cochran and played the ball across for Sarah Carroll to turn home.
The lead was doubled with 23 minutes on the clock when Doeglas began a storming run from inside her own half. The former Perth Glory star had open field ahead of her to run into, before beating Liz Wallwork and calmly slotting the ball into the net from the left across Subi goalkeeper Ashleigh Riddle.
Seven minutes before the break, it was 3-0 as Quyen Doan rose to head home from Douglas’ corner on the right.
The scoring was completed just before the hour mark when the visitors lost possession when trying to play out from the back with the ball falling for Reina Kagami to advance and slot home.
Each week Ben Gilby will be on the Impetus TikTok platform with his take on the week’s NPLW WA action. Click on this link for this week’s video: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZGeaVKBWH/
by Jonathon Hagger with additional reporting from Ben Gilby (31/3/24)
Above: A battle for possession at Macedonia Park today. Photo: Perth Glory.
Melbourne City secured the victory they needed to lift the Premier’s Plate in Western Australia.
Dario Vidosic’s side took advantage of Sydney FC’s final-week failure to secure three points in two matches over the past five days to lift silverware in the final game of the regular season.
Whilst the outcome ensured that Perth’s winless run in 2024 extended to an 11th game, there was some positivity for the home fans as Western Australian teenage star Tanika Lala hit her first-ever A-League Women’s goal in only her second appearance this season as a substitute.
With Perth Glory’s season concluding at the end of the match, club pride was on the line. A team that is playing for pride is a very dangerous opponent. On the other hand, Melbourne City came into the match with everything to play for as a win would put them in first place on the A-League table and secure the Premiers Plate. Results from earlier matches played in round 22 set up what would be a phenomenal closing round spectacle.
It was Perth who started the match with focus and poise. Their domination of possession looked like it could well be that they could end their winless run.
City had other ideas though and in the seventh minute, Rhianna Pollicina unleashed a cracking shot that beat Morgan Aquino’s strong effort to stop the goal. City made their own luck through playing a tough high press that forced the Glory to try and play out from their area. Pollicina received the ball from an innocuous throw in space and with a classy turn and accurate kick City went ahead.
— Paramount+ Australia (@ParamountPlusAU) March 31, 2024
Despite going down a goal early, Perth retained their poise and structure for the next period of play. Millie Farrow repeatedly applied pressure on the City defenders with no results to show for her efforts. With a number of strong drives into the visitors’ goal area, she showed that she wasn’t prepared to settle for a loss. Farrow’s attacking mindset was infectious as the Perth forwards and midfield rallied.
The momentum of the match swung in favour of City from the 20th minute. Following see-saw play as both teams ventured up and down the pitch, the visitors created a magnificent chance to score in the 36th minute as Henry directed a well-weighted pass right across the face of the Perth goal. Unfortunately for City, no players were in a position to connect with the ball and the strong chance was squandered.
Shortly after a free kick for the visitors outside the goal area on the right-hand side created a real opportunity. Pollicina’s pinpoint accurate kick dropped into space in the goal area and a retreating Glory defender almost knocked the ball into the net. Aquino did a great job to bat the ball away.
The second half started at full speed with end-to-end play as City were forced on the defensive in the 51st minute as Farrow barged through weak defence to set up in a one-on-one situation against the very experienced Barbara in goal. Unfortunately for the Perth striker, the ball accelerated just beyond her reach and was collected safely by the keeper. Cheering from the Perth fans rang loud as they enjoyed the demonstration of quality attacking play.
Above: Melbourne City’s Leah Davidson (18) looks to escape from Millie Farrow. Photo: Melbourne City.
The introduction of Grace Jale provided Perth with fresh offensive power. Following some strong play deep in City’s half, a corner kick taken by Lowry was deftly targeted at the City goal but a wonder save denied a certain goal.
Following Farrow’s lead, Susan Phonsongkham started taking the initiative and applied huge amounts of pressure in City’s half from the 60th minute. With beautiful light touches on the ball, swivels, and turns, City were being kept on their toes.
The visitors weren’t going to let Perth have all the play, and from the 75th minute started asserting their dominance again. They set up camp in Perth’s half and relentlessly searched for a second goal.
The introduction of Junior Matilda’s captain Shelby McMahon provided the spark for City to close out the match in the 88th minute. Patient build-up play in the midfield created space for the young gun to have a crack. A beautiful shot from a tight angle on the left-hand side of the goal was too powerful for Aquino and nestled itself in the net.
— Paramount+ Australia (@ParamountPlusAU) March 31, 2024
Whereas in most matches a team who goes 2-0 down with only a few minutes left to play will often drop their heads as the result is out of reach. Not Perth Glory. Three minutes into extra time a corner kick delivered in by Hana Lowry was put into the City net by the nugget from the Goldfields Tanika Lala. Her shot cut through a static City defensive line and completely beat the keeper.
Lala has been hotly tipped for a bright future for several years by those in the know in Western Australia after so many outstanding performances for the NTC in the NPLW WA. That the last word for the 2023/24 A-League Women regular season went to this teenage star was fitting.
Another positive for Perth was the performance of Farrow who was able to demonstrate her pace. With a never give up attitude, she inspires all around her. The English attacker has landed seven goals and four assists during her debut campaign in the A-League Women.
However, this was a desperately frustrating season for Perth Glory. A powerful start to the season which saw Alex Epakis’ side firmly established in the top two seems a long time ago now. No wins at all in 2024, a period which has seen the team score only nine goals, has resulted in the side only avoiding a place in the bottom two on goal difference.
There will need to be much soul-searching at the club as a season that had such high hopes has fizzled out to a depressing run of form. A largely consistent team selection throughout, the positives have been the performances of locally produced players although there remains an element of ‘what might have been’ had some of them been given more game time.
Tanika on Cloud 9 in La La Land! ✨
Another youngster finds the scoresheet in the final minutes of the regular season to nab a late goal for @PerthGloryFC but it isn't enough as Melbourne City secure the 3️⃣ points!#PERvMCYpic.twitter.com/6qBXfMtO17
— Paramount+ Australia (@ParamountPlusAU) March 31, 2024
The match came to a close with the final score line 2-1 – securing the Premier’s Plate for Melbourne City.
For the winners, Bryleeh Henry, the quiet yet hardworking defender was a key player. With a strong physical presence and great pace, opposition teams are always having to be aware of her positioning lest she catch them out. Henry has very accurate passing statistics and is super reliable.
Melbourne City are a team absolutely stacked with talent. From the goalkeepers to the strikers, every single position has players who could compete for starting spots in any team in the league. Expect Melbourne City to be playing in the A-League Women Grand Final.
Above: Alana Murphy and Cortnee Vine battle for possession in Sydney. Photo: Sydney FC
Easter Sunday at Leichardt Oval in Sydney saw one of the most important matches of the season take place with the premier’s plate and finals appearances on the line for each side.
Sydney came into the game after a surprise 1-0 loss to Canberra United which would’ve sealed them the fourth straight premier’s plate. Melbourne Victory also came off the controversial 3-2 Victory to the Newcastle Jets which put their finals live in the balance, needing at least a draw in this one to seal finals competition
Sydney FC welcomed back Shay Hollman to the lineup with Abbey Lemon dropping to the bench. Caley Tallon-Henniker retained her spot on the wing with Indiana Dos Santos unavailable. Beattie Goad returned for Melbourne Victory with Lia Privitelli returning to the bench. Jessika Nash also got the start at right-back in place of Emma Checker and Alana Murphy replaced Paige Zois in midfield.
As expected, the game started with both teams rather tense, neither team able to piece a meaningful move together through the first five minutes. As five minutes ticked over, the first shot on target was taken by the active Mackenzie Hawkesby, who struck a tame rolling effort from outside the box into the arms of Courtney Newbon.
The Victory’s first meaningful chance came from a similar long range effort from Sara D’Appolonia which was competently dealt with by Jada Mathyssen-Whyman. The 24 year-old shined in their defeat against Newcastle and looked determined to avenge the loss for her side.
A play initiated by Murphy and D’Appolonia in midfield allowed Emily Gielnik some space in the box which she used to play the ball across toward Goad. Tori Tumeth and Whyman were ultimately able to diffuse the situation.
The counter-attack resulted in a challenging half-volley for Cortnee Vine which she directed wide. Vine was making frequent runs behind the defence, looking to create space and opportunities while running at or around Jamilla Rankin. Newbon proved equal to a run a moment later, rushing off her line to prevent a Vine strike.
Melbourne Victory opened the scoring in the 17th minute. A well played corner by Goad was looped in to captain Kayla Ann Morrison who drove a header to the far post. The teenager Tallon-Henniker was able to deflect the ball off the line but only as far as Alana Murphy who was able to convert and put Melbourne in a great spot for finals.
The game remained back and forth with a particularly high work rate in the midfield as Taylor Ray, Hawkesby, and Hollman battled it out with Alex Chidiac, D’Appolonia and Murphy with many exchanges of possession.
In the 27th minute, a missed header from Margaux Chauvet released Gielnik on goal. Her shot to the near-post was well struck but a well-positioned Whyman was able to hold onto the ball.
An interesting pattern to observe in the first-half was the alternative approaches taken by both teams going forward. Sydney FC played their build-up very narrowly up the middle, seldom spreading the ball wider than the width of the penalty box. There were points when Ray and Hawkesby were almost standing next to each other in the midfield.
On the other side however, while having less possession, the Victory looked to use the full width of the pitch. This was usually in an effort to find the catalyst of Gielnik but Goad also proved a handful on the left side, meaning that the difference in build-up play was rather striking.
At 37 minutes, a strange incident after a tame cross from the Victory led to Whyman overreacting to some contact from Chidiac after collecting the ball. Whyman swung her foot at Chidiac which resulted in a yellow card for the keeper and a penalty awarded to Melbourne Victory. Rachel Lowe converted clinically from the penalty spot with a well directed effort to the right of Whyman.
Just before half-time, Ray played the ball in to Tallon-Henniker. The inverted winger moved the ball onto her preferred right side and struck a curled effort at goal which went straight to Newbon who was having a strong game in goal.
Sydney started the second-half with great energy, Shea Connors was subbed in for Tallon-Henniker and was immediately involved in two very promising entries into the box, one of which was half a meter away from being converted by Cortnee Vine.
The game opened up in the second half as Sydney abandoned their narrow approach with the introduction of Connors. Connors and Princess Ibini were both trying to create down the left side to allow for Vine to roam on the right. Ibini created a great chance in the 52nd minute after beating Nash on the dribble and drifting the ball across to Vine who volleyed off target.
Neither team was able to put the final pass through to create chances through the first 15 minutes of the second-half. Nash and Tori Hansen combined well to contain the pressure Sydney were creating down that left flank.
Sydney continued to try and create chances with their superior possession. Just after the hour mark, Cortnee Vine cut in onto her left foot but was unable to test Newbon with her shot after using her pace to get by Rankin.
A change in the 63rd minute immediately paid dividends for the Melbourne Victory. They brought Privitelli in for Lowe which meant that Gielnik moved to centre forward. Goad played the ball through to a running Rankin who played a great cross from the byline to Gielnik who converted expertly at the near post.
Sydney were trying to get back into the game any way they could, using their substitutions to introduce Zara Kruger and Aideen Keane before the 70-minute mark in order to try and create something with the younger players. The Victory midfield and defence still proved solid, not giving away any major chances for a significant period of play.
In stoppage time, Melbourne put the icing on the cake as Charlotte Mclean forfeited possession at the back and Sara D’Appolonia was able to play in Chidiac who converted her first goal of the season to make the final score 4-0.
Melbourne held onto their lead in what was a very impressive and comprehensive win against the potential premiers. Not only did they clinch a finals position, but also set themselves into third position thanks to their goal difference. Victory will take this momentum into the finals and may have good odds of winning.
Teams: SYDNEY FC (4-3-3): Whyman, Tumeth, Thompson, McLean, Chauvet, Hollman, Ray, Hawkesby,Vine, Ibini, Tallon-Henniker. Substitutes: Black, Lemon, Kruger, Connors, Keane.
Above:Vesna Milivojević dribbles with the ball.Photo:Canberra United.
Canberra United pulled off a late comeback win against Brisbane Roar on Saturday in what could be Canberra’s last evergame in the competition. There was an incredible crowd of almost 3,000 that came out to watch the game, which is a Perry Park record for an A-League Women’s match.
It was a slow and cagey start to the match, but both sides grew into the match. Brisbane Roar dominated the first half in terms of possession and chances. Brisbane’s high press put a lot of pressure on Canberra’s backline. Around the 30-minute mark the Roar missed a couple of big chances, but the momentum was definitely in their favour. The building pressure from the home side finally paid off a minute before half time when a well placed corner kick from Deborah-Anne De La Harpe found the head of Roar centre back Jenna McCormick who slipped it past the keeper to put Brisbane ahead before the break.
.@brisbaneroar lead at half-time through Jenna McCormick's header 🦁👏
And she kisses her ring finger in celebration to mark her engagement this week 💍
Canberra came out with purpose in the second half and Brisbane seemed to be a little bit complacent. A couple of minutes into the second half, a bad turnover from the Roar keeper to a United midfielder put the home side under immediate pressure. A shot from outside the 18-yard box hit the crossbar and dropped to Michelle Heyman, who brought it down on her chest but scuffed the attempt harmlessly into the keeper’s gloves. The home crowd breathed a sigh of relief.
It was an even contest after that with both sides having half chances up each end, but in the last 10 minutes of the match disaster struck for the home side. Some great build up play from Canberra down the right flank tore through Brisbane’s defence and Heyman picked up the ball in the six-yard box and tucked it behind the keeper to level the game.
Another 𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲-making goal for Michelle Heyman 🙌🔥
Two minutes later, a superb midfield link-up between Vesna Milivojević and Heyman caught the Brisbane Roar defence sleeping. Milivojević found herself in acres of space to run at the keeper and slot it past her for the late winner.
— Paramount+ Australia (@ParamountPlusAU) March 30, 2024
After conceding the second goal, the home side seemed pretty defeated, and Canberra were able to close out the game without much resistance from Brisbane. That said, an amazing goal-line clearance from Leah Scarpelli, prevented the Roar from going down another goal at the death.
For Brisbane, it was a disappointing end to a disappointing season. To be fair, they were missing a hugely influential player in Tameka Yallop, who had a hand in most of Brisbane’s successes throughout the season. But ultimately it was the Roar’s poor late game management and inability to convert on chances that dug their own grave. Brisbane had glimpses of brilliance throughout the campaign, but they could never seem to hold onto it for several games in a row. Alex Smith’s leadership has proven to be a positive change, however, and being able to work with the team during the preseason and a full campaign will be massive for the side.
For Canberra, it was a surprisingly good end to perhaps their last ever season in the A-League Women’s competition. They were outplayed in the first half, but they didn’t hang their head in defeat, they persisted and showed a lot of desire and fight in the second half. In the end the combination of Heyman and Milivojević proved to be Brisbane Roar’s kryptonite. Hopefully there is some good news for Canberra in the coming weeks. But if not, it’s been a pleasure watching you play.
Above: Wellington Phoenix celebrate against Western Sydney Wanderers earlier today. Photo: stuff.co.nz
In Mackenzie Barry’s 50th appearance for the Wellington Phoenix, Wellington ended their season on a high with a 2-0 win against Western Sydney Wanderers at Porirua Park. For the Wanderers, they’ll have to rely on their cross-town rivals Sydney FC to emerge victorious against Melbourne Victory tomorrow for them to make the Finals.
In the sixth minute, Wellington had a golden opportunity to have opened the scoring via a mistimed pass by Western Sydney’s Alexia Apostolakis which Isabel Cox pounced on and advanced to be one-on-one with Sham Khamis but was unable to put the ball around the keeper.
Within the first ten minutes, the Phoenix were the ones making the opportunities and controlling the flow of the match. While Western Sydney did some things well defensively early on, there were moments where it felt like they were inviting Wellington to capitalise on one of their mistakes.
In the 17th minute, Wellington opened the scoring thanks to a beautiful first-time floated cross by Manaia Elliott to find Emma Main in the box beat Khamis with a diving header. Main’s fourth goal of the season was a deserved lead for the hosts. Surely she now has to be in contention for a call-up to the Football Ferns.
An unfortunate coming together occurred ten minutes later between Kate Taylor and Ella Buchanan saw a delay in proceedings as a result. While Buchanan was able to continue in the match relatively unscathed the same couldn’t be said for Taylor as she was substituted off the pitch in the 33rd minute which potentially could impact her spot in New Zealand’s matches against Thailand next month.
Western Sydney had their best chance of the first half just before the break via Apostolakis who crossed the ball into the box which was then knocked down by Buchanan into the path of Danika Matos whose first-time shot towards goal just went over the bar.
Early on in the second half, the Wanderers started to create more chances in attack but their failure to take any of them came back to haunt Robbie Hooker’s side.
Ten minutes into the second half, Hope Breslin provided a floated through ball for Main who was able to run onto it and outrun Wanderers defender Vicky Bruce. While Bruce tried to get into the way of Main’s eventual shot in the box, it wasn’t enough, and despite Khamis’ attempts, the ball went into the back of the net for Main and Wellington’s second goal of the match.
Western Sydney, despite being two goals down still showed that intent within the final third to get something from the match itself as in the 71st minute, Cushla Rue came close to halving the deficit thanks to a great pass by Talia Younis, but Rue’s shot went wide of the mark.
A very special moment occurred in the 80th minute off the back of a recent call-up to the Football Ferns in place of club teammate Brianna Edwards, goalkeeper Aimee Danieli made her A-League Women’s debut as she replaced Rylee Foster between the sticks. Danieli’s debut also meant that Wellington had used every possible player available to them in their squad this season.
This victory brings to an end Wellington Phoenix’s most successful season since joining the competition in 2021/22. Nine wins from 22 matches compared to only five wins in their 32 games prior to this campaign. Fans in New Zealand will be hoping for an even better return next time.
Impetus’ Ava-Marianne Elliot, Ben Gilby, and Ryan Miller-Woods report on three different clubs’ pressers ahead of the final round (30/3/24).
Perth Glory
By Ben Gilby
Defender Jessika Cowart believes that Perth Glory owe their fans a performance as they look to end their run of 10 matches without a win and deny Melbourne City a potential Premier’s Plate in the process.
The Western Australian side started 2024 well established in the top two of the ladder, but no victories this calendar year at all sees the Glory enter the final week of the season in the bottom three. The Philippines World Cup player believes the team need to finally put that run to an end to give the club’s supporters some positives at the end of an extremely frustrating season.
“We have everything to play for to prove to ourselves and the fans and the community that we can still play good football. I think it’s been a really positive message – just keep our head in the game mentally and physically.
Above: Perth Glory’s Jessika Cowart speaking ahead of this weekend’s game with Melbourne City at Macedonia Park. Image: Perth Glory.
“Every time we play in front of them (our fans) we owe them a performance, and it’s our last game of the season, last home game, it’s important for us to give them something to take away from the season.”
Despite a long run of poor results, the 24-year-old hails the team ethic established within the Perth squad. “I’m proud of the way we play every week – just how headstrong and resilient we are,” she enthused.
Cowart has been a regular starter for the club and it’s been a season of challenges – being in a new country, a new club and team mates, and a league programme that is busier than anything she has ever experienced.
Looking back on her 2023/24 in the A-League Women season, the defender admitted: “It’s definitely been eye opening. I love Australia and I love the league.”
“I definitely found it very, very more competitive – way than I could have asked for. This is the longest amount of games I’ve played in one season, and I’ve found some good and some bad in it. I’ve had to navigate those challenges that come with 22 games, but, overall it’s been such a positive experience and I’m so glad I got the opportunity to play in this league.”
Such was the amount of strapping used on Cowart in last weekend’s game at Brisbane Roar, she felt it imperative to reassure fans that there are no injury concerns. With a huge grin on her face the Philippines international laughed: “You know what, at the end of the season I think every player is held together by tape anyway!
“As much strapping I can get I will – anything to hold me together! It’s funny to look back at the games and I think ‘Jeez! That was a lot of tape!”
After Sydney FC’s defeat at Canberra United in midweek, Perth’s final day opponents Melbourne City know that if they defeat the Glory then they can still wrestle the Premier’s Plate from the Harbour City club. However, Cowart believes the need for the Western Australian side to put things right in front of their fans is more important that what their Victorian visitors are aiming for.
“I think they (Melbourne City) are really in form right now, they are playing some really good matches and they have some huge firepower on that team. We’ll watch them, we’ll see what they can do. They obviously have a lot to play for, but we have just as much, if not more to prove.”
Sydney FC
By Ava-Marianne Elliot
Above: Ante Juric speaking to the media. Image: Sydney FC.
Ahead of the final game of the regular season, Sydney FC Head Coach Ante Juric addressed the media following a shock 1-0 loss against Canberra United on Wednesday. With the final game of the regular season just around the corner, attention turns to Sydney as they fight to retain their number one spot, which they currently hold onto by a singular point.
The discussion opened with Juric commentating on how the loss felt, particularly when a win could’ve secured the Premiership for Sydney for a record-breaking fourth consecutive year. “It hurts that we lost more than anything. Yeah, the Premiership was nice and it was something, but I don’t like to lose, and we haven’t lost for about ten weeks, so that hurts firstly.”
Ahead of Sunday, the eyes and focus of the team now turn to the home fixture against Victory. Juric noted that the squad are a resilient group, and that the loss was “a downer, but we’re strong mentally and I know we’ll bounce back.”
With an accolade for the club at stake and tension running high in what’s set to be a competitive battle between two sides, Juric further outlined that “we’re focused more on the game, and then obviously from that game we get a Premiership potentially, but we’ll just focus on the game and putting a hundred percent in.”
“We’ve had a history, especially in the last couple of years, but from day one in the A-Leagues with Victory so I’m sure the fans will enjoy it. The two clubs, it’s big, it’s both things on the line, different things, but both on the line and we’re desperately waiting for that game.”
“You never want to lose, but sometimes a loss is good.” Although the loss against Canberra was tough to face, Juric shed light on the positives of it coming at the right time to spur additional motivation heading into a must-win game. Come Sunday, Sydney will be well and truly fuelled up to face Victory and defend their first-place position with the aim to walk away with the Premiership in hand.
Above: Defender Charlotte Mclean speaking to the press. Image: Sydney FC.
Alongside Juric, defender Charlotte Mclean also spoke to the media ahead of a competitive fixture this Sunday. When asked about the loss to Canberra, she said “I think reflecting upon the game, we probably could’ve maintained better possession, especially in that first half.” Further, she added, “it’s that kind of fine line between maybe maintaining a little bit more possession, but still being that aggressive, attacking Sydney FC.”
Mentality will undoubtedly play a huge role in Sydney walking away with a win on Sunday, and after a tough mid-week fixture, Mclean additionally addressed that she hopes the team “have two really good days of training and recover well and come in on Sunday fiery.”
Reflecting on a relatively turbulent season for the club after injuries and departures, Mclean also noted that “if we do win this Premiership, touch wood, it will definitely be the sweetest or the most hard earned one, we’ve had such a hard year.”
Alongside her praise for her teammates, particularly the young players of the squad who have adapted to the mindset and values of the club so well, Mclean had praise for head coach Juric. “Our defensive record, I think that tells more about a coach than an attacking record. I think defence is all about structure and organisation, and he’s the person that sets that up, and he’s the one that drives that within us. I think that’s such a big reflection on him as a coach.”
Looking ahead to the final series, all six teams will undoubtedly storm into the competition fighting and the tough nature of the challenge is something she looks forwards too, “most teams are going to get that two weeks off, so everyone’s going to be ready and raging.”
To conclude the discussion, the subject fell to what was to come next for the league now a full home and away season is in place, and where the next developments need to lie, “we’re always aiming for full professional. At the moment, we’re part time, and obviously I guess the aim would be to get to that full-time professionalism because hopefully then we’ll have access to those full-time physios, and things like that where our bodies will be able to handle the schedule a bit better.”
Wellington Phoenix
By Ryan Miller-Woods
Above: Paul Temple speaking to the press. Image: Wellington Phoenix.
The media heard from Wellington Phoenix Head Coach Paul Temple and Mackenzie Barry ahead of the team’s final match of the season against Western Sydney Wanderers on Saturday.
While the Phoenix are out of contention for the Finals, they can still influence who makes the top six in their match against the Wanderers and end their season on a high. If Wellington wins, then Western Sydney (currently sixth on the ladder) will have to wait on the result in the match between Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory for their fate to be decided.
When asked on how he’ll be approaching the final match of Wellington’s season, Temple said, “definitely still want to win. I think it’s that we finish in style (and) give the fans something to cheer about and end our season on a good note. I think that’s important for momentum and for the future. There’s loads of positives you can get out of it, so we’ll be attacking the game the same as we have all season. Everyone’s very determined to finish strongly.”
Overall, there are a lot of positives that can be taken out of this campaign for Wellington, in terms of more goals scored, wins throughout a season, and more points than the previous two seasons combined. As well as those, they have been playing with a style that has brought out the best from the players within the squad, keeping a great home record, and showing that they can take it to any club in the league.
In saying that, Wellington would feel disappointed in some capacity that they aren’t making the finals given how they performed as a whole. Subsequently, there were periods in the season that they would feel that they could have, and probably should have, got more from. Nevertheless, there’s a lot of promise for Wellington going into next season and are more than capable of making the finals.
When asked how he’d assess the season as a whole, Temple said, “I think we fell short of the targets on the table for sure. We all believed and felt that we should be in the (top) six. I don’t feel any differently about that. We’ve only got ourselves to kind of blame. There’s a long period in the season where we had a number of narrow defeats and I think the key learning for this group to go forward, we’ve got to be able to turn those tight games where we’re behind by one into draws or into wins. We haven’t done that enough to kind of build points in that period. But, there’s lots of positives for us in terms of way more points, way more wins and scoring way more goals so we’ve made a lot of progress in those other areas.”
Above: Mackenzie Barry addressing her 50th game. Image: Wellington Phoenix.
On Saturday, it’ll be a special match for Mackenzie Barry as if should she feature against Western Sydney, she’ll be the first player for Wellington Phoenix to have made 50 appearances in the A-League Women. She has been a massively integral player not only in the squad and within the backline but throughout her time with the club.
When asked on how she reflects on her time with the club, Barry said, “super excited! I’m proud of myself, it’s been a long journey (and) it’s been a long three years. The first couple of years were pretty tricky, finding our feet, but I have developed so much as a player, so I’m so thankful for every game that I’ve ever played. Bring on the 50th.”
Barry has always been an important player for the Phoenix but this season, in particular, with the injuries that have occurred in the squad, especially with defenders, her role within the team has expanded in a wider sense and has been essential for the club this season.
When asked on how she’d assess the club’s season, Barry said, “we’re a bit disappointed we haven’t reached the top six but overall more wins, a lot more goals scored. So I think we can be pretty happy with it. Not every game went our way, bit inconsistent still but definitely a building block and we’re moving in the right direction.”
Follow Impetus ’71 on social media –
Twitter (X):@impetusfootball and @impetus71TikTok: @Impetus71Facebook:@Impetus71
Above: Canberra United in the recent win over Sydney FC. Photo: Canberra United
Canberra United’s future remains unknown. Being one of the most successful clubs in the history of the A-League Women and having a passionate and committed fan base may not be enough to save it. Former Matilda and Julie Dolan medal winner Ash Sykes talks to Impetus Football about what the club means to people, and why losing it is unthinkable to many.
Sykes was one of Canberra United’s most accomplished players. The club legend played 105 times for the club over two stints, scored 40 goals including goal of the year in 2014. She won two Championships and two Premierships with the club that she joined when the W-League was first formed. Like many of their players, she joined and was nurtured as a hopeful youngster, and became a local hero.
“I was super proud to play for Canberra United,” said Sykes.
“They gave me a chance when I was 16 to get a run at elite football when the W-League first started.
“They mean basically everything to my career and that’s why I spent so many years playing for them and why I still am a passionate fan now of the club.
“The club means a lot to the region. The supporters themselves have been super vocal and passionate since day one.
“That’s also why you want to play for a club like Canberra.
“When the club first started…we had great investment compared to some of the other clubs in the league, we had great players domestically and internationally coming to play for us.
“Other things like searching out women’s kits suppliers, and being one of the first clubs to be able to do that. It goes to show the dedication of the people at the club had for it as well.
“All of those things plus the (on field) success mean that I want to see this club continue and have always been a massive supporter of trying to get whoever wants to play for them to come along. To lose that for the region would be devastating.”
Sykes enjoyed a distinguished career and Canberra United. In her third season the club finished top of the table, undefeated and won the Grand Final where she opened the scoring. That season remains a fond memory for herself and many fans.
“I think the third season when we went undefeated, that’s probably a massive highlight. It was a culmination of a few years of work behind the scenes.
“Jitka (Klimkova) as coach put the final pieces of the puzzle together. Looking back and remembering the Grand Final with a packed Mckellar Park with standing room only, fans going wild it couldn’t have been a more perfect day for the club and it culminated a few years of building into that premiership window.
Canberra United is a rarity in football. A top tier women’s club without ties to a men’s team. It is one of the reasons it is beloved by neutrals in Australia, but is currently one of the causes of the current distress. The governing body in Australia is eager to expand the men’s competition into Canberra.
There has been a conspicuous lack of information throughout the last 12 months. There have been indications that a deal was close, but none eventuated. Iconic captain Michelle Heyman sounded at alarm in the Canberra Times, and the APL wants the issue resolved by the end of the season.
The result is that fans, current players and former wearers of the jersey feel left in the dark.
“All we wants is an assurance that there is still a commitment to the club and doing what needs to happen to make sure it stays alive,” says Sykes
“It’s meant a lot to our lives and I’m sure it’s going to mean a lot to other players lives in the future.”
Work continues behind the scenes, to ensure that season 2024/25 takes place for Canberra United. While official updates remain scarce, hope remains that something can be done and Capital Football is allowed continue to operate the club as normal until a final deal can be reached should they wish to do so.
Until that is announced, fans will remain nervous, but a short term solution would be welcome news.
In the storied history of Australian football, the club is special. Women’s football in Australia is a close-knit community. The good of the game usually ends up trumping club rivalries, and although Canberra United has been the destroyer of many fans dreams, it occupies an important place in the minds of many fans.
They have produced home grown talents like Sasha Grove, Emma Illijoski, Grace Maher and Nikki Flannery, alongside capped internationals like Kirstie Mewis and Maria Rojas and Vesna Milivojevic.
Along with Sykes and Heyman, Canberra United has been a regular source of Matildas down the years with the likes of Hayley Raso, Ellie Carpenter and Lydia Williams all playing for the club in their early years.
The opportunities that it has provided for young players is just one of the reasons it is such an important part of the football ecosystem, but that impact is most felt locally.
“It means that the Canberra region no longer has an elite pathway,” says Sykes of the worst case scenario.
“That’s part of the reason why everyone has been pushing for an ALM team as well. So that all the boys in that region have an elite pathway to progress through.
“We can’t lose the women’s side of that, especially since it’s been there and established already for 16 years.
“The Canberra United academy has already folded at the end of last year which is a real shame. Off the back of a World Cup, you’d hope to see progress not backwards steps and a place like Canberra prides itself on being progressive in terms of politics and everything else.
“I’m amazed that a club in the nation’s capital has gotten itself into a situation where we’re even talking about this.
“I hope that its not the case and it is going to continue, so these types of hypotheticals we don’t need to go into.
“One of the junior clubs had an over 300% increase in registration’s for this upcoming winter season, just because of the Matildas run at the World Cup and how big that was.
“I think it goes to show how important it is to have these things broadcast and for people to see.
“This local Canberra United team provides that as well. A link between the Matildas, Canberra and the local juniors and I think we need to make sure it stays for everyone.”
“Canberra as a region had probably outperformed its population in terms of developing players for the national teams. You really don’t want to see that fall away.”
From the Matildas that played there, to the kids that dream of stepping onto the pitch, to those who sit in the stands or watch from afar, Canberra United is home. It has a glorious past, and hope remains for a promising future.
Above:Newcastle Jets celebrate at Coopers Stadium today. Photo: Newcastle Jets.
With the chance of being able to play finals football depending on a big win and other match results going their way, the Newcastle Jets could only play their match against Adelaide United in one way, full throttle. While Adelaide United continued to languish at the bottom of the A-League table they are a team capable of beating any other team when luck is on their side. Playing in front of their home crowd at Coopers Stadium in Adelaide, the pressure was applied right from the kickoff.
The Jets employed a full press style of play as they attempted to contain Adelaide in their half. The first five minutes of the match were totally frenetic with the Jets pressuring the defence as they looked for their lethal strike weapon, Sarina Bolden, who has had an incredible season since being added to the playing squad. It was Bolden who was delivered a beautiful pass by Lauren Allan who got away the first shot on target in the seventh minute. A lovely strike was unable to beat Adelaide’s goal keeper, Grove, who deflected the ball away into her defensive player with the ball eventually being cleared for a throw.
The match settled into a more sustainable rhythm following the first goal scoring opportunity. Both teams battling hard to get entry into attacking position. Newcastle wonder kid, Lara Gooch, setup the second scoring opportunity with a lovely weighted pass into the front of goal. Melindaj Barbieri headed the ball towards the open net and what looked like a certain goal fell just wide of the upright and went out for a corner. If this style of play would continue, the Adelaide coaching teams nerves would be absolutely shot after 90 minutes.
Isabel Hodgson, Adelaide striker, swung the momentum back towards her side in the 16th minute, when she unleashed a heatseeker shot on goal that was brilliantly saved by Grove. The fully outstretched keeper for her fingertips to the ball. Had Grove not been quite so well placed then a goal was certain. The resulting corner kick provided Adelaide another opportunity to score as the ball pin-balled around in the goal area, eventually going out for a goal kick.
Giving up is not in the Adelaide playbook and Chelsie Dawber demonstrated this in the 22nd minute after receiving the ball in space as Holmes dissected the Jets midfield defensive line. A shot from the top of the box was again deflected away by Robertson for a corner. Adelaide were incredibly unlucky not to score.
A lapse of concentration by the Adelaide players paved the way for captain Cass Davis to open the scoring in the 26thminute. A long range speculator shot off the left boot flew wide of Grove, finding the back of the net.
You can’t ask for a better way to celebrate your 150th A-Leagues game than this 🚀😳@NewcastleJetsFC captain Cass Davis goes BANG in her milestone match!
End to end football ensued with both teams having excellent opportunities to score but neither team able to capitalise. Newcastle’s Lara Gooch plagued Adelaide’s defenders on the right hand side repeatedly with a very near miss happening in the 34th minute with the goalkeepers foot being the barrier. Immediately following this, at the other end of the pitch, Dawber had an opportunity to score as she beat the Jets defenders but couldn’t beat the keeper. Non stop action!
One of the emerging superstars for the Newcastle Jets showed again, in the 41st minute, why she is a Young Matilda. Following repeated runs in behind the Adelaide defenders, Lara Gooch had luck on her side as a pass into the goal area ricocheted off a defender and into the goal.
Lapses of concentration by the Adelaide defenders cost them a third goal before half time. A poor kick by the keeper was intercepted by Lauren Allan who went on to score an easy goal in the 46th minute. Allan was rewarded for her strong efforts throughout the match.
The halftime break wasn’t long enough for Adelaide as they coughed up another goal in the opening plays of the second half. Beautiful passing by Sarina Bolden unleashed Gooch who spun her way through the defenders and scored her second goal in the 46th minute.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗵 this is from 19-year-old Young Matildas gun Lara Gooch! 🎯😮💨
The Jets youngster secures her brace and how about the set up from Sarina Bolden 🙌
Even though they were trailing by four goals, Adelaide showed they were still in the fight in the 49th minute as they got their own shot on goal away as Chelsie Dawber had a crack. Young keeper Robertson once again kept the ball from going inmaintaining a clean sheet. Soon after in the 52nd minute, the Adelaide midfield found cohesion and strung together a fabulous cross field play through short passes that ended up with Mariah Lee hitting the crossbar!
Unfortunately for Adelaide, Newcastle weren’t satisfied with only four goals. They were ready to push more more. Emma Dundas received the ball at the top of the Adelaide box, spun, weaved and shot the ball into the back of the net. There was nothing Grove could do as the Jets went up 5-0 in the 57thminute. Again, defensive lapses by the Adelaide defenders cost them badly.
16-year-old Emma Dundas scores her first-ever A-Leagues goal and it is one to savour 🥰⚽️ 🙌
Super sub striker Melina Ayres was brought into the match after 58 minutes of play and in the 61st minute she scored yet another goal for the Jets. A beautiful long pass over the top of the Adelaide defence reached Ayres, who had cut through with a well times run to stay in side. A tight angle wasn’t enough to stop Ayres from scoring with the score line moving to 6-0 to the Jets.
If there was a mercy rule and teams could surrender, Adelaide would have played it in the 69th minute as yet another defensive blunder gifted the Jets the ball. Melina Ayres confidently picked the pocket of the defender and launched another shot that flew past the outstretched arms of the goal keeper without being touched.
It’s SEVEN 🤯 A 𝐛𝐨𝐦𝐛 from Melina Ayres has Newcastle on track for their biggest win in Liberty A-League history 🚀
Two goals off the bench for the second week running – she’s on fire!
As the match entered the final stages, the Adelaide players would have been able to justify feeling hard done by. A tackle on their attacking player inside the Jets goal area was waved away as being fair by the referee. What might have been their chance to reclaim some pride was extinguished. Another opportunity soon presented itself as Adelaide were awarded a free kick deep in the Jets area. A well delivered kick found the head of an attacking player but the ball splayed wide.
As if seven goals weren’t enough, Newcastle were able to strike again in the 94th minute following patient build up and short passing involving Dundas, Bolden, Ayres, Hammondand Huynh. An unselfish Bolden set up her team to score as she laid off the ball in the goal area and Huynh’s shot ricocheted off the post and into the goal.
— Paramount+ Australia (@ParamountPlusAU) March 29, 2024
Thankfully the Adelaide team were able to ignore the score line and kept pushing for the entirety of the match. Mariah Lee in particular was not going to give up and kept fighting until the very end. The very end came soon enough as Newcastle crushed Adelaide 8-0 in a thoroughly dominant performance.
Players to watch.
Dylan Holmes. The anchor of the Adelaide midfield is strong in all areas of her play. She is a players player as she always gives her absolute all when playing. Holmes has incredible vision that she uses to spot openings and put her players into space. Holmes is the centre piece of the Adelaide structure will hopefully have a better season in the year ahead.
Tiahna Robertson. Being given an opportunity to be the starting goalkeeper for a few weeks at the end of the season, Robertson looked like a well weathered keeper even though she is very young. Stepping up into the big time didn’t phase her as she made a bunch of fantastic saves. The young second choice keeper let everyone know she’s the real deal.
— Paramount+ Australia (@ParamountPlusAU) March 29, 2024
Adelaide United are a good team with talented players. Their finishing last this season is not a fair reflection of the amount of dedication and heart the team play with. The 2023/24 season was one of ‘what if’s’ for Adelaide. What if they had taken their opportunities? What if they had been able to pick up more wins? If some high quality signings of off contract players are made in the off-season to bolster their back four, Adelaide could improve remarkably next season. Adelaide has the foundations and structure, they just need to find a winning formula.
Adelaide United (4-3-3): Grove, Holtz, Tonkin, Waldus, E Hodgson, Holmes, Blake, Sasaki, Dawber, I Hodgson, Jancevski.
Subs: Wilson (64’), Morgan (51’), Lee (51’), Dewey (72’), Panagaris (64’).
Above: Leah Williamson holds the Euros trophy. Photo: BBC
Sarina Wiegman announced her squad for the Lionesses’ first two UEFA Euro 2025 qualifiers against Sweden and the Republic of Ireland.
Captain Leah Williamson will link up with her England teammates for the first time since April 2023 following a spell out on the sidelines after an anterior cruciate ligament injury ruled her out of last year’s Women’s World Cup.
The Arsenal defender was originally selected for the February friendlies, but was forced to withdraw due to a minor hamstring injury.
Wiegman’s only other switch comes in the form of Maya Le Tissier, who is replaced by her Manchester United teammate Millie Turner – the latter came in during the February camp to step in due to the absence of Williamson.
The Lionesses will again be without Millie Bright who is recovering from a knee injury.
In the Middle of the Park
Above: Jess Park and Lauren Hemp celebrate. Photo: Manchester City
Jess Park, who scored two impressive goals in Saturday’s Manchester Derby, keeps her place in the senior squad and has a chance to claim a spot in the midfield this International window.
Wiegman watched on at the Etihad Stadium as the 22-year-old impeccably stepped into midfield in Jill Roord’s absence by bagging a late first half brace before strength, intelligence and a superb through ball to the feet of Kahdija Shaw helped City to a third immediately after the interval.
Park also assisted Lauren Hemp’s opener in Manchester City’s 4-1 victory away to Brighton and Hove Albion. In February, the City midfielder set up Shaw for an early match winner away to Women’s Super League title race rivals Chelsea in near identical fashion to her assist in the derby.
The Lionesses boss was complimentary of the midfielder in her press conference, Wiegman said:
“She’s doing well, she’s enjoying her game. I think she plays with a lot of joy and with a lot of freedom.
“She has had a lot of patience over the last year… she went to Everton [on loan] and came back then needed a little more patience.
“But she was ready to start when, unfortunately, Roord got injured and I think she’s doing a good job.”
Sarina Wiegman on Jess Park’s recent form.
The Squad in Full
Goalkeepers: Mary Earps, Hannah Hampton, Khiara Keating.
The omnipresent Earps once again heads the goalkeepers alongside Manchester City’s Keating and Chelsea’s Hampton, who has kept three clean sheets from four since the previous International break.
In defence there are few surprises as another ever-present in Bronze keeps her place in the squad as Barcelona’s Champions League defence rolls on. Chelsea duo Carter and Charles and Man City’s versatile pair Greenwood and Morgan are again called up. Finally, fresh from her first goal of the season for Arsenal there is space for Wubben-Moy.
Midfielders: Grace Clinton, Fran Kirby, Jess Park, Georgia Stanway, Ella Toone, Keira Walsh.
An unchanged midfield selection sees Clinton, who netted a goal on her senior debut against Austria, again selected. The aforementioned Park sees her recent run of form rewarded with another call up, alongside Kirby, Stanway, Toone and Walsh.
With plenty of competition at the top end of the pitch Wiegman definitely would have had some tough decisions to make. She has again, like in midfield, gone unchanged from February – no doubt to the disappointment of the likes of Nikita Parris and Beth England.
“If you look at the squad and you look at the competition up front, it is so tight and so competitive that I have to make choices.”
Wiegman on England’s firing forwards.
It was goals galore for the Lionesses in February, as Hemp, Daly, Mead and Russo all found themselves on the scoresheets. James will hope that she can take her impressive club form into the upcoming Euros qualifiers, with the 22-year-old netting in three of her last five fixtures for Chelsea in all competitions. Kelly will again provide an option out wide.
Wiegman’s side will face Sweden at Wembley Stadium on Friday 5th April before taking on Ireland in Dublin on Tuesday 9th April.
impetusfootball.org 