Mariners clinch dramatic stoppage time win over Sydney

Sydney FC 1–2 Central Coast Mariners (17/01/24)

By Ben Carey

Above: Jada Whyman dives to try to save Wurigumula’s strike on goals. Photo: Sydney FC.

A rainy Wednesday night at Leichhardt Oval was the stage for the most dramatic and chaotic match of the season so far. The Central Coast Mariners pulled off an incredible win deep into stoppage time against the home side, Sydney FC. It was their first win against the Sky Blues since October 2009.

The first 20 or so minutes were a bit cagey, both sides testing each other out, but it’s fair to say that the Mariners had the better of the chances during the early phase of the match. Around the half hour mark, Sydney started creating a few more chances through the likes of Mackenzie Hawkesby and Kirsty Fenton, however Mariners keeper and A-League legend, Casey Dumont, was equal to each attempt on her goals.

The momentum soon swung back towards the Mariners though, and with a sprinkle of luck they scored their first goal of the campaign against Sydney. In the 34th minute, after a throw in, the Mariners lobbed a ball into Sydney’s box and the defenders were unable to clear it. American international, Jazmin Wardlow,attempted a low and quick cross inside the six-yard box. The ball was not going in, but unfortunately, it ricocheted off Charlotte Mclean’s foot and past Jada Whyman into the goals.

Sydney kept their heads held high and started to create more and more goal scoring opportunities, but Dumont and the Mariners defence were solid, and shut down every attempt. The first half finished off with the Central Coast in the lead, but only by a hair.

A few big changes were made at half time. Sydney brought on Matildas star and Unite Round match winner, Cortnee Vine, to increase their attacking threat. Meanwhile, the Mariners took off Dumont, who was in a lot of discomfort at the end of the first half. In her place they brought on experienced goalkeeper, Sarah Langman.

Initially, the second half felt much the same as the first, with the Mariners dominating possession and picking apart Sydney’s defence with quick passing and dynamic movement. However,Sydney FC slowly wrestled back control of the match, thanks in part to Vine’s pace and creativity. On the stroke of the hour, Vine picked out Hawkesby with an incredible pass through about three defenders, but Hawkesby just couldn’t finish it.

In the final 20 minutes of the match about five matches worth of chaos unfolded. Just before the 80-minute mark, Langman cameout of the 18-yard box to shut down an attack by Abbey Lemon but made a late challenge and brough the attacker down. Langman, who had allegedly just received a yellow card for time wasting, received another yellow and got sent off the pitch. This was a huge problem for the Mariners because she was already their backup keeper. Central Coast now had to survive the last 10 minutes plus stoppage with an outfield player in the goals. Defender, Ashley Irwin, stepped up and took on the responsibility. 

The free kick resulting from Langman’s foul was floated in to test Irwin (the makeshift keeper) and it was an awkward ball. After a scrap in the box, Tori Tumeth was able to slot the ball in behind the keeper. However, much to the dismay of Sydney fans, the goal was quickly disallowed for a foul on Irwin. 

A dramatic eight-minute stoppage time began after regular time expired. Just two minutes in, Hawkesby took an amazing free kick from about 40 yards out. It was a high, driven shot that caused the outfield keeper all sorts of trouble. Understandably, she could not hold onto it and spilled it into the goals. Hawkesby to Sydney’s rescue.

What looked certain to now be a dramatic draw took yet another couple of crazy turns right at the end of stoppage time. In the seventh minute of stoppage, after a Mariners corner, a handball was called against Tumeth after a scramble in the box. Chinese international, Wurigumula, stepped up to take it. She struck it well into the bottom left corner of the goals, but Whyman anticipated it and saved it. But the ball had so much force behind it that she couldn’t hold onto it, and Wurigumula put away the follow up, and moments later the full-time whistle blew. 

The whole thing was eerily reminiscent of Sydney FC’s dramatic 2022 semifinal clash with Melbourne City where Sydney staged a dramatic comeback in extra time against Melbourne City who lost their keeper, Melissa Barbieri, to a red card. This feels like the league play version of that.

Sydney will be bitterly disappointed with the result, but there are still many positives to take from the match. Whyman was exceptional in goals. Fenton put in a hell of a shift in the backline. And Hawkesby returned to top form late in the match, after a rusty couple of weeks back in the A-League. What was missing was firepower in the front line. Vine and Lemon did well, but it was too little too late. 

The Mariners on the other hand put in a great team performance across the board (including some help from the 12th player Lady Luck). Wardlow was particularly solid in the backline. Irwin out in a good 70 minutes in the backline beside Wardlow, beforesurviving a short but eventful 20 minutes in goals. And Wurigumula was not only in fine form all night, but she scoredthe goal that gave the Mariners three valuable points against one of the best teams to ever play the competition.

Sydney FC will next face Newcastle Jets on Sunday. Central Coast Mariners will play Western Sydney Wanderers later on that day. 

Teams: SYDNEY FC (4-3-3): Whyman, Fenton, Thompson, Mclean, Tumeth, Hawkesby, Ray, Kruger, Ibini, J. Dos Santos, Keane. Substitutes: Black, Chauvet, I. Dos Santos, Lemon, Vine.

Scorers: Hawkesby 90+2’.

CENTRAL COAST MARINERS (5–3–2): Dumont, Martin, Karambasis, Irwin, Wardlow, Badawiya, Quilligan, Hayward, Galic, Wurigumula, Evans. Substitutes: Langman, Bryson, Gomez, Karrys-Stahl, Trimis.

Scorers: Mclean (OG) 34’, Wurigumula 90+9’.

Referee: Bec Mackie

Attendance: TBC.

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A-League Women Weekly Awards

Members of the Impetus team of contributors covering the competition unveil their choices of player, coach, and event of the week. We’ll keep a tally of all the votes and just before Finals, reveal which player and coach have received the most votes across the season to be named the Impetus A-League Women Player and Coach of the Season 10/1/24

Player of the week

Ben Carey

Vesna Milivojevic. Once again she has hit top form at the perfect time. An exquisite cross to set up a header from Heyman, and an even better goal of her own just over 10 minutes later. She’s on another level entirely.

Kieran Yap

Peta Trimis was brilliant for Central Coast against Wellington Phoenix. She was aggressive and creative in attack, finished her goal well and almost sealed the game with another strong run and pass late in the game. Dynamic stuff from the Young Matilda.

Coach of the week

Ben Carey

Robbie Hooker. He led his side, Western Sydney Wanderers, to a historic win over league leaders, Melbourne City. What a resurgence his team is having.

Kieran Yap

Robbie Hooker for me too. His team was once again very well organised against a Melbourne City side that would have been favourites. The Wanderers goal might’ve seemed fortunate but they set the trap for City and executed it perfectly.

Moment of the week

Ben Carey

Michelle Heyman scoring her 100th ALW goal. What an incredible achievement for a legend of the game.

Kieran Yap

Princess Ibini’s assist for Cortnee Vine was art, Cass Davis’s backheel for Sarina Bolden was glorious and Peta Trimis’s goal was very nice, but it’s obviously Michelle Heyman this week.

It’s the moment of the week, the season, probably of the decade. 100 goals is historic.

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Rising ballers: under-19s lionesses to look out for this year

By Rachel Gore 20/1/24

Above The England Young Lionesses. Photo: Football Association

In November the England women’s under-19s finished their 2023 season with triumph at the Algarve Cup. 

The squad came away from this camp in Portugal undefeated with the players having showcased their talent on an international stage. 

The 25-player squad is full of young stars who impress when playing for both their clubs and their country.

Here are four of these talented players to look out for during the second half of the season. 

Freya Godfrey

Freya Godfrey is one of the more experienced members of the under-19s England squad having made her WSL debutplaying for Arsenal in May of 2023.

The attacking midfielder spent much of the 22/23 season playing for Ipswich Town under dual registration with Arsenal. She excelled on the pitch and even scored the winner in the team’s last match of the season. 

At the beginning of this season Godfrey went on loan toCharlton Athletic, who finished the 2023 portion of the season second in the Barclays Women’s Championship table. 

Godfrey not only impresses when playing for her club, but also when she takes to the pitch for England. During the Algarve Cup she played a huge role in the team’s success.

In their first game against Portugal, Godfrey scored England’s second goal 65 minutes into the match. This allowed England to come away with a draw.

After leading the team out in their second game, Godfrey worked her way onto the score sheet once more. Only 30 minutes into the match she scored against Sweden – a contribution towards the team’s 5-1 victory. 

The under-19s final match against the Netherlands, was Godfrey’s final opportunity to showcase her skill on this camp. She scored once again, the third goal of the game leading the girls to come out with a 3-3 draw and leave Portugal undefeated. 

As Freya Godfrey headed back to finish 2023 at Charlton Athletic it became clear to all that she’s one to watch, her presence on the pitch cannot go unnoticed.

Alexia Potter

Alexia (Lexi) Potter became the youngest-ever professional female player in England when she signed a professional contract with Chelsea in September at the age of 17. This signing came before she joined Crystal Palace on loan for the remained of the 23/24 season. 

Only 12 minutes after coming on as a substitute during Palace’s 14th November game against Lewes, Potter scored her first professional goal. Her entrance onto the pitch changed the game, when she came on the score was 1-1 but in the end, Palace came away victorious, winning 3-2.

Potter is a go-to captain when she plays for England, leading the under-17s to the semi-finals of the UEFA Euros in the summer and also captaining the under-19s during their first game of the Algarve Cup.

In the U19s most recent game against the Netherlands it was Lexi Potter’s corner that led to Godfrey’s goal. 

Potter’s come through the ranks of Chelsea’s academy and it seems like she will be a big part of their future when she returns after her season on loan at Crystal Palace. 

Ava Baker

Ava Baker made her professional debut for Leicester in January of 2022, just three days after she turned 16 years old. A couple of months later, in May, came her first WSL performance at Leicester’s final home match of the 22/23 season. 

Since then, Baker has become a crucial part of the Leicester City squad, playing in many of their matches. The teenager is gaining weekly experience in the WSL, playing against some of the best and most experienced players in the world. 

Baker has become a regular feature in the England youth teams having played in all three matches of the recent Algarve Cup. 

A product of Leicester City’s academy, it’s looking like Baker will go down in the club’s history book, and there’s no doubt we’ll see her in the senior Lionesses squad if she continues to play the way that she has been.

Ria Bose

Unlike the players we have already looked at, Ria Bose is yet to make her professional debut. However, the young Chelsea defender excels on the pitch.

Having recently come back from an ACL injury Bose has performed impressively, making exceptional tackles and blocks during games. 

During the Algarve Cup Bose started in two of the matches, coming on as a substitute in the other. 

Her impact on the pitch is huge, as is her presence on social media. The young baller has over 500,000 followers on TikTok and over 200,000 on Instagram. On these social media platforms, she posts about life as an academy player, at times going live during the girl’s downtime on England camps. 

Bose is a player that fans are growing to love and her performance on the pitch is evidence of the bright future she has ahead of her. 

What’s next for the under-19 England squad?

The under-19s will soon play in round two of qualification for next summer’s UEFA Women’s Under-19 EURO. 

After three victories, nine goals, and only one conceded goal at round one of these qualifications, the Young Lionesses have proven that they are a force to be reckoned with. 

The future of these players is bright, whether they’re currently playing in academies, the Championship or the WSL, their performances highlight the talent of young girls.

Look out for these girls, it seems like they’re going to be a big part of Lionesses’ squads of the future.

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Michelle Heyman’s 100th goal puts her in a league of her own

By Kieran Yap. Photography by Ryan Miller-Woods

Above: Michelle Heyman with Canberra United. Photo Ryan Miller-Woods for Impetus71

Michelle Heyman’s hundredth A-League Women’s goal was a moment fans across the league could celebrate.

Neither Canberra United or Adelaide United have been in flying form this season. Based on recent results, this was not a blockbuster game, but there was a real buzz around Leichhardt Oval on Saturday. Of all the games packed into Unite Round, this was the one to see, and much of that was down to one player, Michelle Heyman.

Heyman entered the round with 99 goals to her name in the A-League Women. She was already the leagues record goalscorer having beaten Sam Kerr’s 70. Records are made to be broken, but being the first to achieve something is eternal.

There was no logical or statistical reason to expect that Saturday would be the day. It could just as easily been in the weeks before when she selflessly teed up Nikki Flannery for a tap in, and the storybook finish would have been the following week in front of an adoring home crowd. Yet it felt like everyone in attendance knew it would happen.

It would probably have been more fitting for this game to have landed on a McKellar Park fixture for Canberra United, but Unite Round for all its teething problems offered fans from around the league to show up in support of a league legend and witness history being made.

Sometimes there’s just a feeling about a football match, a vibe before a ball is even kicked. Sometimes people know that something special is in the air, and fans from across the league sat in expectation.

Things were not looking good for Heyman or Canberra in the opening half. Adelaide had the majority of possession and created more scoring chances. But when they went ahead early in the second half, it seemed to only make Heyman’s 100th feel more inevitable. Now she HAD to score, not for herself, but because her team needed her to. There would surely be no stopping her.

When the goal came, it had all of her trademarks, the predatory instinct to take advantage of a defenders poor touch, the street-ball like way that she flicked it past them, and the acceleration that can take her beyond players 10 years her junior.

By the time that she broke clear, the finish was a formality, and she tucked it beyond Annalee Grove with confidence. The crowd erupted, streamers and Heyman face masks launched into the air. We had just seen history.

For a moment, Heyman celebrated the goal by herself, but once Flannery reached her the jubilation was kicked up another notch. Ever the team player, she took this moment to soak up what she had achieved, and took time to run to the bench for more high-fives.

There had been some confusion in the previous weeks. What looked at first like an Alana Cerne own goal against Western United had been official credited to Heyman, she removed any doubt by scoring almost immediately after. The crowd quickly changed their chants demanding “101” to “102.”

That third goal never came for Heyman, but Canberra went on to win 3-1 and give their captain a day to remember. This was simply one of the best occasions in the history of “The Dub.” It was one where fans from across the league could celebrate a player that few could directly cheer every week, but admired all the same.

Heyman’s level of adulation feels rare in the A-League Women community. Other players have been loved beyond team allegiances, but that has usually been the result of Matildas performances, like Cortnee Vine, or Sam Kerr. 

Heyman is an accomplished international footballer, but revered across the country for what she has done for the local game.

She has been here almost since the very beginning and delighted opposition fans despite the unavoidable inclination to fear what she will do to their team’s ladder position.

It is like showing up to watch your team play against Michael Jordan back in his era. You obviously want your side to win, but you also want her to do something that you can brag about seeing. Michelle Heyman is an “I was there when…” athlete.

When Australia plays Brazil, the ideal outcome for a spectator is to win 3-1 but for Marta to score a wonder goal. The same goes for A-League Women’s fans when Heyman’s Canberra United come to town.

But lets put that 100 goal achievement in glorious perspective. The entire W-League season was only 12 weeks long for much of her career. In her first season it was only 10 weeks long. 2023/24 is the first time there has been a full home and away season.

Since 2009, due mostly to the minimal season length she has only hit double figures four times. Two of those seasons occurred since her comeback in 2020/21. Heyman has only won the Golden Boot twice, both times more than 10 years ago, yet has always remained in contention.

Simply put, she has consistent to an unparalleled level in the A-League Women. There were only two seasons (2018/19, and 2012/13) where her scoring ratio dropped below one for every two games. this hundred goal tally has not been reached by a few outstanding seasons, but from year upon year of being among the best players in the competition.

Since her return from a 12 month sabbatical away from the game, she has scored 10 goals in 12 games, nine in 14, and 12 in 18. This season, despite Canberra’s form and her deeper position on the pitch, she still has seven goals in 11 games. Heyman has always been elite, she won two Julie Dolan medals ten years apart, and she does not seem to be slowing down in any observable way.

It is not just the numbers, it is the way that she plays. She is inventive, explosive and often uncontainable. Her first game back from retirement, she scored a three against Adelaide United, including a ridiculous close-range chip.

This is a player that is always watchable, and consistently produces the goods. In front of goal it often looks like the world slows down around her. We are all on Michelle Heyman time when she is preparing to shoot.

She now stands alone as the greatest striker that the domestic women’s league has ever seen.

Where she sits in the list of all time great Australian footballers is a discussion for the sad day when she eventually hangs up the boots for good. But her name is guaranteed to be on the shortlist.

If you were at Leichhardt Oval you witnessed greatness achieve history. Michelle Heyman is the benchmark, she has earned this latest record by producing 14 years of consistent unrivalled excellence. It is a privilege to watch her play and it was an amazing feeling to see her hundredth goal amongst an army of adoring fans.

Even in a team game, sometimes you just have to sit back and applaud a remarkable individual.

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London City Lionesses overcome first half struggles against lower league Moneyfields to secure win

By Tara Alice Murray at Princes Park, Dartford. 14/1/24

Above: London City Lionesses celebrate as they progress into the next round. Photo: Mariella Prew

A tense and physical game in the fourth round of the FA Cup saw London City Lionesses triumphing over Moneyfields after a close-run first half.

The matchup of Championship side London City Lionesses against fourth-tier Moneyfields in the fourth round proper of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup saw two teams vying to make history by taking their club a step further through the cup than ever before. For Moneyfields, founded in 2017, this was their first time past the first-round proper of this cup and the team did not back down from the challenge facing them.

The game saw strong attacking and physical starts from both sides, with Moneyfields pressing hard against the London City Lionesses backline and immediately producing chances. 

Sisters, Kayleigh and Bekah Tonks, along with Sophie Phelps and Emma Moody were able to absorb any pressure that came their way with Lionesses unable to test debutant Rose Kite in the Moneyfields goal.

Throughout the first half, the teams felt evenly matched. Both teams struggled to maintain possession but managed to produce several chances with Moneyfields creating multiple breakaways past London City Lionesses’ backline.

As the fourth official signalled for one minute of added time, Moneys hearts were broken when London City Lionesses finally managed to produce the opening goal through Ruesha Littlejohn’s wonderful finish.

In the second half, both teams came out strong resulting in an aggressive start to the half and the first card of the game was drawn against London City Lionesses’ Georgia Brougham booking her in the 48th minute.

As the 50th minute rolled around London City lionesses began to command the game, maintaining possession and controlling the pitch. This culminated in a 55th-minute goal by London City Lionesses’ number two Grace Neville which was followed by a 59th-minute goal from Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah – arguably the goal of the game.

London City Lionesses continued to push forward in search of another goal however, they were impeded by many excellent saves by Rose Kite. Moneys demonstrated incredible perseverance and tenacity throughout the game managing to create excellent forward plays despite finding themselves unable to convert these to goals.

In the 67th minute, both teams made substitutions with Connie Scofield and Leanne Cowan taking over from Rusha Littlejohn and Emma Mukandi for London City Lionesses and Kiera Heslam replacing Kimberly Fuller for Moneyfields.

These substitutions caused immediate change in the game with Danielle Carter producing a goal for London City Lionesses from a corner in the 69th minute. 

Moneyfields attempted to create some change in the game making substitutions in the 74th minute and 80th minutes to no avail. London City Lionesses also adjusted their line-up in the 78th minute replacing Grace Neville, Lucy Fitzgerald and Lois Joel with Niamh Farrelly, Tinaya Alexander, and Izzy Groves.

London City Lionesses were successful in holding off an ever-persistent Moneyfields and saw out the game a 4-0 victory.

Teams:

London City Lionesses: Cull (GK), Neville, Mukandi, Brougham, Joel (C), Fitzgerald, Carter, Wilde, Culver, Littlejohn, Boye-Hlorkah 

Substitutes Used: Scofield (67’), Cowen (67’), Farrelly (78’), Alexander (78’), Groves. (78’)

Goal scorers – Littlejohn (45+1’), Neville (55’), Boye-Hlorkah (59’), Carter (69’)

Moneyfields: Kite (GK), Moody, Phelps, Pearce, Taylor, Burgess, Fuller, R.Tonks, K.Tonks, Simmonds, Wilson-Wilton (C)

Substitutes Used: Heslam (67’), Hay (74’), Jenkins (80’), Wild (80’)

Attendance – Unannounced

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Millwall Lionesses suffer heavy defeat at home.

Millwall Lionesses 1-5 Ebbsfleet United

By Myles Thornton at St Paul’s Sports Ground. 15/1/24

Millwall Lionesses were defeated 5-1 by Ebbsfleet United at St Paul’s Sports Ground on Sunday afternoon. 

The lionesses came into the game, you’d think, full of confidence following a 6-2 win this time last week against Sutton United Ladies in the LSE Regional League Cup. Ebbsfleet came into the game following on from a 2-1 loss away to Saltdean in the same competition. 

However, after just 11 minutes, Ebbsfleet United were ahead. A well worked team move saw Amelia Woodgate take on a shot which found the back of the net. 

Then, just before the 25 minute mark, Woodgate found the ball at her feet once again, and she launched a great shot into the top right corner. 

It was neatly 3 for The Fleet when Georgia Perch had a good chance but it went just wide. 

Teni Charles then chipped the ball over Millwall goalkeeper and academy graduate Wiktoria Gmiterek and made it 3-0 on 35 minutes. 

Things only got worse for Millwall in the second half, although they had a couple of spells where they looked like they could push on and find the back of the net, they allowed The Fleet’s pressure and with just over 10 minutes to go the visitors got a fourth. Dan Carlton put a good ball into the box and it was scrambled into the back of the net. 

Ellie Pace made it 5 on 89 minutes. Woodgate, who already had a brace in the game, put the ball across the face of goal and Pace was there to tap it in. 

Shannan Drewe got one back for Millwall though going into added on time. But it was too little too late as the Lionesses fell to their 7th defeat of the season. 

After the game, Ebbsfleet United’s manager Quinton Naidoo told club media it was “a really really good performance” and said it “doesn’t happen by luck and it’s been made on the training pitch”. 

I asked Millwall Co Manager Adam Rowland his thoughts post match and he said “It was always going to be a tough game today against a strong side in Ebbsfleet. 
We started well however after a mistake we gifted them their first goal. We couldn’t seem to get back on the front foot from then on and didn’t play the best football that we know we can play. It wasn’t our best day at the office so we will knuckle down and move on to next training this week and focus on next weekend. It’s currently a building process at the club as we continue to work with what we have while trying to bring in more players and add some more quality to our squad as we continue to build.”

Next up for the Lionesses is a home tie against QPR in the Capital Cup on Sunday 21st January 2024and Ebbsfleet will take on Dorking Wanderers away from home in the league on the same day.

Teams:

Millwall: Gmiterek, Huseyin, Payne, Bailey, Chapman, Butler (C), Napper, Young, Garwood, Drewe, Burr. Subs: Seely, Joyce, Jones, Bennett, James. 

Scorers: Drewe 90’

Ebbsfleet United: Roberts, Iron, Waud, Porter, Simmons, O’Shea, Woodgate, Russ, Pearch, Charles, Carlton. Subs: Murton, Willis, Pace, Jestin, Reynolds

Scorers: Woodgate 10’, 24’, Charles 35’, Carlton 79′, Pace 85′

Attendance: 40

Referee: Vince Kennedy

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Arsenal sweep past Watford in F.A Cup

Arsenal 5-1 Watford

By Liberty Simons 15/1/24

Above: Stina Blackstenius scores Arsenal’s third goal. Photo: Arsenal FC Twitter.

In a game that saw six Gunners on the score sheet, Arsenal beat Watford to progress to the fifth round of the FA Cup.

Both WSL’s Arsenal and Championship’s Watford were in fine voice at Meadow Park, as the two sides met in the FA Cup. The teams, who have a close connection due to their consistent partnership in loaning young Gunners out to the Championship side, were pushing for a ball in the hat of the next round. The starting XI for Arsenal was new signing Emily Fox and for Watford, the dual-registry players from Arsenal, Michelle Agyemang, Katie Reid and Laila Harbert. The home side lost their usual red and white in support of their ‘No More Red’ campaign for the first time, instead in a stark all white kit, to take a stand against youth violence and knife crime in the capital.

With a display of white papers from the home crowd to support the campaign at kick of, It didn’t take long for the home side to find the net. The scoring opened within the first 10 minutes, with Alessia Russo converting her chance. With the initial effort by Victoria Pelova saved by Jacqueline Goldsmid but then split to the feet of the number 23, true striker’s vision sees Russo punt it home. The midfielder was involved again in the second just 5 minutes later, Pelova’sawareness to allow the ball to pass through her legs from the in short corner pass between Katie Mccabe and Beth Mead on the right hand side, saw Lia Wälti able to strike it from the edge of the box into the bottom corner.

The comfortable 2 goal cushion within 15 minutes saw way to a slurry of Arsenal chances, with no end product. Chances saw Russo hit the post and go wide, whilst Caitlin Foord also had some missed chances. However, the home side were combining well in the midfield and building well against Watford. The linkup play was tainted with the classic Arsenal touch, smooth and silky, but was lacking in the execution in front of goal. The lack of lethal edge continued until half time of the Arsenal, whilst Watford grew into the game. Whilst most of their creation was snuffed out with simple interceptions from Arsenal, the Championship side were building well into the game, as well as making life hard for the Gunners. Watford’s growing communication and link up play fought against Arsenal’s, with the visitors managing to keep it at 2-0 at the break.

The second half saw Watford continue to grow, pushing into the Arsenal half with real conviction for the first time in the game. The visitors was combining well and creating with the chances they were getting. Whilst this was in bursts due to the sheer dominance Arsenal had in possession, it was clear to see that Watford were playing as a team and were on the same page. The introduction of Abbie Lafayette and Sophie Mclean in the 55th minute helped frustrate the Arsenal attacking line further as Watford strengthened their defence grip. However, it was the quadruple substitute for Arsenal that finally saw them able to convert. 2 minutes after being subbed on, a pin perfect through ball from Pelova, again, found StinaBlackstenius in the box, outdoing Corinne Henson to slot it home. 

The pressure from Watford saw them getting one back ten minutes later. A rushed pass from Lotte Wubben-Moy as she was being pressured in the box didn’t find the target of her teammate but instead, found Andria Georgiou who tapped it into Poppy Wilson who put it on a plate for Agyemang to convert. The childhood Gooner didn’t celebrate, but simply walked away from the goal as if it didn’t even happen. The people who did celebrate? The travelling Watford supporters who were loud in voice all game, battling against the ever present Arsenal supporters.

The final throws of action came in a three minute span where Arsenal were finally able to capitalise on the plethora of corners they had been awarded. An excellent in swinging corner from McCabe perfectly found Amanda Ilestedt who rose highest to see it comfortably past Goldsmid. 3 minutes later, Blackstenius found Leonhardsen-Maanum in space in the box, where she was able to slot it in to the bottom corner on her left foot. With some excellent saves from Goldsmid in the closing minutes, the game ended 5-1.

With excellent performances from Arsenal’s new signing Emily Fox, Victoria Pelova and Kyra Cooney-Cross in the second half, the home side progress into the next round of the FA Cup. That being said, with performances well above their age range, and the talent to go far in the game, praise must be place on the Watford (and Arsenal) youngsters, who made life hard for their parent club.

TEAMS:

ARSENAL: Manuela Zinsberger (GK), Emily Fox, Lotte Wubben-Moy, Beth Mead, Vivianne Miedema, Lia Wälti, Katie McCabe (C), Caitlin Foord, Victoria Pelova, Alessia Russo, Amanda Ilestedt.

SUBSITIUES USED: Frida Maanum, Close Lacasse, StinaBlackstenius, Laia Codina, Kyra Cooney-Cross

SCORERS: Alessia Russo (7’), Lia Wälti (12’), Stina Blackstenius (66’), Ilestedt (86’), Maanum (89’)

WATFORD: Jacqueline Goldsmid (GK), Lucia Leon, Anne Meiwald, Michelle Agyemang, Andria Gerorgiou (C), Laila Harbert, Poppy Wilson, Florence Fyfe, Coral Haines, Katie Reid, Corinne Henson.

SUBSTITUES USED: Abbie Lafayette, Charlotte Fleming, Sophie Mclean, Carly Johns, Allison Palisch

SCORERS: Michelle Agyemang (77’)

Referee: Adewunmi Soneye

Attendance: 3,739

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Chelsea win F.A Cup tie against West Ham in extra time

Chelsea 3-1 West Ham

By Freya Ward 14/1/24

Above: Chelsea celebrate a goal over West Ham. Photo: Chelsea FC Twitter.

After a long wait for football fans across the country, the top teams in women’s football are back in action with the return of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup.

Current title holders Chelsea were looking to defend their title against visitors West Ham and that is exactly what they did although it didn’t come as easy as they would have hoped.

Chelsea lined up with Lauren James in the number nine position in the noticeable absence of super star striker Sam Kerr, who earlier this week announced that she had torn her ACL(Anterior Cruciate Ligament) whilst on a training camp with Chelsea in Morocco and will be spending the remainder of the season sidelined.

The first 10 minutes of the game were end to end with bothsides having a couple of chances at goal, each were calmly defended by the opposition.

The opening goal of the game came in the 18th minute in open play from the Hammer’s number 20, Viviane Asseyi

Chelsea seemingly came back fighting with a couple more chances, including Erin Cuthbert winning the home side a corner, unfortunately for the blues’ Eve Perriset’s set piecestruggled to connect with any of her teammates keeping the Hammer’s 1-0 up. The blues continued to fight with a Guro Reiten effort etching the crossbar in the 37th minute of play before play being pulled back for offside.

Each side was awarded a free kick in the closing minutes of the first half both Asseyi and Perriset’s efforts were saved by the goalkeepers keeping the visitors 1-0 up at the end of the first half.

Still 1-0 10 minutes into the second half Chelsea boss Emma Hayes made a triple substitution in hopes of altering Chelsea’sdisappointing fate; a notable name entering the pitch was Swedish international Nathalie Bjorn for her Chelsea debutafter signing earlier in the week from Women’s Super League side Everton.

A shift in mentality saw a narrow miss hitting the side netting from another Perisett corner, this positive run of play continued for the home side and after a difficult 69 minutes for Chelsea, super sub-Mia Fishel made it level giving the blues the glimpse of hope they needed  to defend their title.

West Ham manager Rehanne Skinner made changes to her side in attempts of a positive response to Chelsea’s equaliser, but the Blues were a difficult force to reckon with after their game altering goal.

A nail-biting moment for Chelsea players and fans alike came in the 88th minute with Zeciera Musovic spilling the ball out of her hands after claiming Asseyi’s free kick, this was quickly dealt with by Chelsea’s defence, keeping their hopes of a late winner alive.

A desperate last-minute effort from James blazed over the crossbar just before the final whistle blew sending the game to extra time.

The first 10 minutes of extra time were dominated by Chelsea putting lots of pressure on West Ham’s wearing defence however, nothing was converted until the 11th minute where Cuthbert headed the ball past Mackenzie Arnold, putting Chelsea in the lead for the first time all game. Soon after, just1 minute after entering the pitch Aggie Beever-jones scored the goal that sealed Chelsea’s victory connecting onto a graceful chip, but after closer inspection the goal was awarded to Sjoeke Nusken who tapped it over the line.

The second half of extra time wasn’t as action packed as the previous half, west ham tried their hardest but Chelsea’s hard work meant that their efforts weren’t enough to see the game to penalties ending in heartbreak for the Hammers.

Teams: CHELSEA: Zecira Musovic(GK), Sophie Ingle(C), Jess Carter,Lauren James, Guro Reiten, AshleyLawrence, Fran Kirby, Eve Perriset, Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, Erin Cuthbert, Kadeisha Buchanan.

Substitutes used: Bjorn, Leupolz,Fishel, Nusken, Beever-Jones

Scorers: Fishel (69’), Cuthbert(100’),Nusken(105’)

WEST HAM: Mackenzie Arnold(GK)(C), Kirsty Smith, Risa Shimizu, Amber Tysiak, Emma Snerle, Riko Ueki, Shelina Zadorsky, Honoka Hayashi, Viviane Asseyi, Shannon  Cooke, Katrina Gorry.

Scorers: Asseyi 18’

Substitutes used: Ziu, Denton, Harries,  Ademiluyi 

Referee: Emily Heaslip

Attendance: TBC

Caspers haunts City and puts Wanderers into top four

Western Sydney Wanderers 1-0 Melbourne City

By Kieran Yap 15/1/24

Above: Wanderers players celebrate their goal against Melbourne City. Photo: Western Sydney Wanderers.

Western Sydney Wanderers delivered a statement to the rest of the competition with a 1-0 win against league leaders Melbourne City. The result see’s them leap into the top four and continues an impressive run of form that has seen them slowly become one of the sides to watch this season.

Holly Caspers’s 67th minute strike was the only goal of the game, but it was not a dull affair. Both sides set out to attack, albeit in very different styles.

Melbourne City set up in their familiar formation, with Leticia Mckenna returning to attacking midfield and looked to keep possession, build attacks and create high percentage chances. The Wanderers continued to make the most of the explosive pace of Sophie Harding and Maliah Morris  on the counterattack.

Western Sydney’s game is based around more than just waiting for opportunities. They have developed a way of creating them through forcing errors and turnovers. The move of brilliant young defender Alexia Apostolakis to midfield has helped create an early line of defence and made it much more difficult for teams to pass their way through the middle.

Melbourne City are still Melbourne City, and although the Wanderers were set up to deal with their style of play, the visitors still had plenty of joy and created enough chances to win the game. Daniela Galic continued her  eye catching form as a wide attacker, and she linked up with Mckenna to create one of the best chances of the first half. Galic’s pass to the overlapping midfielder was perfectly timed and Mckenna’s whipped in ball created havoc that almost resulted in an own goal.

Emina Ekic almost opened the scoring in the next attack when her shot crashed off the woodwork following buildup between Galic and Hannah Wilkinson.

The Wanderers brought the best out of Lysianne Proulx in the City goal with a stinging shot from Morris that was spectacularly palmed away.

The second half saw much the same patter, but City were given their best chance to win the match with a penalty kick. Pollicina is usually deadly from the spot but her shot was saved by a diving Kaylie Collins.

The winning goal came from both teams playing to their strengths, but the Wanderers winning the moment. Proulx attempted to play the ball out from the back, and Holly Caspers cut off the pass before chipping the backpedalling goalkeeper.

The Wanderers had set up their press intelligently and left the space open in the middle, inviting the pass and ready to cut it off.

The finish was classy, but the trap was perfectly executed and the Wanderers mobbed their playmaker in celebration for her first of the season.

The win puts Western Sydney in fourth, and may provide a roadmap to stopping the seemingly runaway Melbourne City. However, just because you know what they will do, does not mean that you can stop them.

Western Sydney were able to on this occasion and deserved the win, but City will be ruing their missed chances too.

Teams:

Western Sydney Wanderers 3-4-3: Collins (GK), McComansky, Harrison, Bruce, Rue, Apostolakis, Price, Matos, Caspers, Morris, Harding

Scorer: Caspers 67’

Melbourne City 4-3-3: Proulx, Torpey, Stott, Otto, Grosso, Ekic, Pollicina, Hughes, Galic, Mckenna, Wilkinson.

Referee: Isabella Blaess

Attendance: TBC

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Vine returns to game breaking best for Sydney FC

Sydney FC 1-0 Western United

By Jonathon Hagger 14/1/24

Above: Cortnee Vine is mobbed by teammates after her winning goal. Photo: Sydney FC

The Unite Round of 2024 provided an opportunity for Sydneysiders and keen fans to watch a rematch of the 2022/23 A League Women’s Grand Final.


Both Sydney and Western United coaches made some strategic changes to their player formations. Kat Smith, Uniteds coach, sent Chloe Logarzo into a forward position as striker. On the other side Ante Juric, Sydney FC coach, put his faith in the young gun Jynaya Dos Santos.


In the early stages of the match both sides spent a lot of time getting their side settled. While United dominated possession and field position, Sydney comfortably kept United at bay. The few times Sydney won possession and went on the counter attack, the United defenders stood strong.


Logarzo took the first corner of the match in the 11th minute placing the ball perfectly and a deflection from a Sydney defender gave United a clear path to the goal. Sadly the football gods weren’t smiling on Alana Cerne of United as the ball hit the goalpost with the Sydney defenders quickly clearing their line.


Uniteds second attacking corner in the 15th minute resulted in another missed opportunity as the Sydney defence went to sleep giving Cerne another free shot at goal as her headed ball hit the crossbar.
Sydney found themselves in an unusual position in the 19th minute with their first real attack on goal. Hillary Bell, United goalkeeper, was able to easily gather in the ball and stop the attack. It was at this point that Sydney found their offensive legs.


Fast feet and precision passing provided United with another excellent opportunity to score in the 29th minute but, yet again, the football gods denied the goal. Hieda, Uniteds midfield magician, opened up the Sydney defence up with ease and found herself open in front of goal but Jada Whyman (Sydney GK) was able to go full stretch and the shot rolled wide of the goal.


Yet another United corner, in the 39th minute, saw the ball end up at the feet of Cerne who took a swing but a Sydney body got in the way.
Goodness knows how Sydney managed to end the first half with the score at only 0-0. The momentum in the second half remained with Western United coming out strong and Sydney trying to find cohesion.


It took until 8 minutes in the second half for Sydney to create a goal scoring opportunity with Princess Ibini looping a lovely pass into the path of Mackenzie Hawkesby but the ball just sailed beyond her reach.
Repeated assertive plays with Ibini and Kirsty Fenton linking up down the left channel sent a clear message that Sydney were in the fight!

The 60th minute saw the coaches of both teams ring the changes and bring on their big guns. Sydney moved first with Courtnee Vine followed soon after by United bringing on last seasons top goal scorer Hannah Keane. Both players made an immediate impact on the match bringing a ton of fresh energy. Cue end to end football!


The 69th minute resulted in Vine Time happening with Courtnee pinching a wonderful goal as she sneaked in behind Uniteds defence and beat the keeper. Sydney went ahead 1-0.
The start of light rain as the match entered its final ten minutes did nothing to dampen Sydneys attacking approach. Following the referee not sighting a hand ball by a Sydney defender in their goal ata, Abbey Lemon received a beautiful long pass down the right hand side which she fired towards the United goal requiring the goalkeeper to swat the ball away over the top of the goal.


Throughout the additional time period United tried with all their might to score and square up the match however it just didn’t happen.
The old cliche that ‘it was a game of two halves’ describes this match perfectly. United absolutely dominated the first half whereas Sydney FC had all the momentum in the second half.


The football gods smiled upon Sydney FC for Unite Round with the match ending up 1-0 in Sydneys favour.
Final thoughts. Both teams played good quality football and each side had multiple opportunities to win the match. All players from both teams can hold their heads high as they all played well.


Sydney looked flat energy wise without Courtnee Vine but incredible when she came on. Uniteds performances have improved each week and their losing this match can only be put down to bad luck.
Young players to keep an eye on in future matches – Abbey Lemon (Sydney) and Avaani Prakash (United).


TEAMS: SYDNEY FC (4-1-2-3). Whyman, Tumeth, McLean, Thompson, Fenton, Hawkesby, Hollman, Ray, Keane, Dos Santos, Ibini.
Substitutes: Lemon (68’), Vine (60’), Dos Santos, Kruger, Black.

Scorer: Vine 70’


WESTERN UNITED (4-2-3-1). Beall, Vlajnic, Maher, Cerne, Papadopoulos, M Taranto, Roberts, Hieda, Sawicki, A Taranto, Logarzo.
Substitutes: Keane (64’), Prakash (80’), Sardo (64’), Dakic, Dall’Oste. Scorer – Vine 70’.

Referee : Casey Reibelt

Attendance: TBC.

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