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Young Lionesses: U23 and U19 squads revealed for international window

22/11/23

Above: Chelsea’s in-form Aggie Beever-Jones – one of many stars in the U23 squad announced today. Photo: Ben Gilby for Impetus.

England U23s

Head Coach Emma Coates has selected a 23-player squad for the Young Lionesses’ upcoming fixtures against France and Spain.

England’s U23s are back in action for the final two matches of 2023 and will look to close out the year with their unbeaten status intact.

Emma Coates’ side will first travel away to Paris to face France on Thursday 30 November (15:00 GMT), before welcoming Spain to the Pirelli Stadium, home of Burton Albion, on Monday 4th December (19:00 GMT), with tickets still on sale priced at just £5 for adults and £3 for concessions.

The Young Lionesses go into the final international window of the year in fine form as they remain undefeated in 2023, most recently drawing 1-1 away to Italy and defeating Portugal 2-0 at home. The final away fixture of the year presents a new test for the WU23s who are yet to face France, while the home fixture marks familiar opposition with the age group last facing Spain also in Burton in a 0-0 draw back in February.

England U23’s boss Emma Coates said: “It’s been a really successful year for our WU23 age group. On the pitch, we’ve put in some positive team performances and this season we’ve seen two players move across to the senior squad. Our ultimate objective is to maintain a flow of players ready-made for our senior team. We have an exciting group of players coming through our system; we’re focused on developing them technically and tactically but also helping them grow as people.

“We’re looking forward to our final two fixtures of the year and will be looking to close out the year with two more strong performances. I’d encourage all Lionesses fans to get their tickets for the match in Burton to come and cheer us on and see the next generation of Lionesses.”

The Squad

Goalkeepers: Emily Ramsey (Everton), Kayla Rendell (Southampton), Lucy Thomas (Birmingham City)

Defenders: Brooke Aspin (Bristol City, on loan from Chelsea), Anouk Denton (West Ham), Naomi Layzell (Bristol City), Ella Morris (Southampton), Poppy Pattinson (Brighton & Hove Albion), Mia Ross (Charlton Athletic), Kiera Skeels (Charlton Athletic)

Midfielders: Laura Blindkilde Brown (Aston Villa), Ruby Grant (BK Hacken), Missy Bo Kearns (Liverpool), Lucia Kendall (Southampton), Ruby Mace (Manchester City), Jessica Park (Manchester City), Molly Pike (Southampton), Maisie Symonds (Brighton & Hove Albion)

Forwards: Aggie Beever-Jones (Chelsea), Freya Gregory (Reading, on loan from Aston Villa), Jessica Naz (Tottenham Hotspur), Katie Robinson (Brighton & Hove Albion), Ebony Salmon (Aston Villa).

England U19s

A 24-strong squad will travel to Portugal for the Algarve Cup tournament tournament over the coming weeks.

The Young Lionesses will close out the year at the tournament with fixtures against the Netherlands, Sweden, and Portugal. All three fixtures will be played on the sunny Algarve coast.

England WU19s will be looking to finish the year strongly as they look ahead to round two of qualification for next summer’s UEFA Women’s Under 19 EURO which will take place in the new year. The Young Lionesses came through round one with flying colours with three victories, scoring nine goals and conceding just once.

The Algarve Cup Schedule:

England v Portugal

Tuesday 28 November

15:00 GMT KO, Estadio Nora, Ferreiras Futebol Clube

England v Sweden

Friday 1 December

15:00 GMT KO, Estadio Municipal de Albufeira

England v Netherlands

Monday 4 December

13:00 GMT KO, Estadio Nora, Ferreiras Futebol Clube

The Squad:

Goalkeepers: Eve Annets (Reading), Katie Cox (Chelsea)

Defenders: Ria Bose (Chelsea), Cerys Brown (Chelsea), Grace Ede (Sunderland), Lois Marley-Paraskevas (Manchester City, dual registered with Burnley), Lucy Newell (Manchester United, dual registered with West Bromwich Albion), Jessica Osborne (Auburn University), Katie Reid (Arsenal, dual registered with Watford), Mari Ward (Bristol City)

Midfielders: Ashanti Akpan (Chelsea), Araya Dennis (Arsenal, dual registered with Crystal Palace), Maddy Earl (Arsenal), Keira Flannery (West Ham), Shauna Guyatt (Crystal Palace), Laila Harbert (Arsenal, dual registered with Watford), Alexia Potter (Chelsea, dual registered with Crystal Palace)

Forwards: Michelle Agyemang (Arsenal, dual registered with Watford), Ava Baker (Leicester City), Mia Enderby (Liverpool), Freya Godfrey (Arsenal, loan to Charlton Athletic), Georgia Mullett (Aston Villa), Poppy Pritchard (Durham), Katy Watson (Sunderland)

The Young Lionesses will close out 2023 at the Algarve Cup, with fixtures against the Netherlands, Sweden and Portugal. All three fixtures will be played on the sunny Algarve coast.

The Algarve Cup Schedule:

England v Portugal

Tuesday 28 November

15:00 GMT KO, Estadio Nora, Ferreiras Futebol Clube

England v Sweden

Friday 1 December

15:00 GMT KO, Estadio Municipal de Albufeira

England v the Netherlands

Monday 4 December

13:00 GMT KO, Estadio Nora, Ferreiras Futebol Clube

The Squad:

Goalkeepers: Eve Annets (Reading), Katie Cox (Chelsea)

Epakis & Jale: We’re making the long trip to bring the points home

by Ben Gilby (22/11/23)

Above: Perth Glory head coach Alex Epakis speaking to the media today. Image: Perth Glory.

A-League Women leaders Perth Glory are about to make one of the longest journeys in any of the world’s leagues to fulfil a domestic club fixture as they prepare to face Wellington Phoenix at Auckland’s Mount Smart Stadium this Saturday.

Perth to Auckland is a distance of over 5,300kms (over 3,300 miles). The flight takes at least six and a half hours. If those numbers are not big enough by themselves, throw in a five-hour time difference between the two locations as well.

However, if one team are used to making long journeys for away games, it’s Perth Glory, and head coach Alex Epakis believes his team thrives on it.

“I think as a group we become a lot stronger and more unified when we spend that time together. We travel every second week, for the other teams they come to us once a season. We utilise that time together, to prepare and focus on the match.

“We’re focused on our business in terms of making sure we’re going there to win the points and come back home. If we focus on the journey, the travelling, and the time difference, then we’re thinking on things we don’t need to.”

Glory go into the game having come back from 2-1 down in the fifth minute of stoppage time to keep their unbeaten start to the season alive thanks to Hana Lowry’s equalising goal against Melbourne Victory. Whilst it was the first game this campaign that the Western Australians haven’t won, Epakis took a lot out of the outcome.

“We took a lot away from it – whilst we didn’t walk away with three points, we walked away with a lot of positives that will hold us in good stead for the rest of the season.

“We dominated a large period of the game and had certain opportunities to go two up and we didn’t nail them, but the intent to get more goals after already going ahead is something that, as a group that I’ve really challenged them (to do). Then to have the sucker punch of going behind was going to be a different test.

“Did we have enough in us in the last 10 minutes to find a goal? We did. I had real belief that we would do that…it was a really good learning moment for us and we learned a lot about us as a group in that last 10 minutes. The players believed that they were going to do it. They have that belief that they were not going to lose.”

Saturday’s encounter sees leaders Perth travelling to third place Wellington Phoenix – two teams that don’t traditionally find themselves so close to the leading positions.

“It might not look how it normally looks in the table at the moment, but everyone right now is based on merit and on consistent performances. We want to make sure that where we are now is where we will be at the end of the season,” Epakis enthused.

In terms of availability, the Glory are, overall in good shape, with Epakis reporting just one player, goalkeeper Sally James having a question mark over her, saying “Sally picked up a head knock in the warm-up for the last match and is touch and go.”

In terms of what he expects from the game, Perth’s head coach predicted: “It will be a really structured game. Phoenix have a very clear style of play, they like to build up and there will be a certain focus on keeping the ball and trying to play through the lines.

“For us, we’re quite similar in that regard and we need to manage the transition moments. We need to minimise what they do in those situations and take advantage of what we can do in transition. We know the conditions over there, there’s going to be wind, it’s going to be cold, so we build into that.”

**Above:** Grace Jale, hugely excited to go back to her home city of Auckland to represent her new team. **Image:** Perth Glory.

Grace Jale is one of Perth Glory’s shining lights this season, and the striker spoke of her excitement to return to her home city of Auckland to play for her new club this weekend.

Reflecting on the main differences between Perth and her native New Zealand, Jale laughed: “Ah, it’s hot. Not just a little bit hot, a lot hot! It’s been good. I think coming in, I was a bit nervous…we all just get along off the field, and that translates on the field. We’ve had a good start, and just need to make that gap at the top a bit bigger!”

Maintaining her beaming smile, the attacker outlined why she’s enjoying the season so much so far: “I’m playing striker here which is nice. I’ve been a winger for my other teams. I have more of a striker’s mentality. Scoring the goals isn’t my priority. Winning is my priority. I like assists too, so I’m happy!”

With Auckland’s Mount Smart Stadium staging this Saturday’s game, Jale will be heading to her home city to play for the Glory this weekend, and she’ll have a particularly big cheer squad of family and friends there to roar her and Perth on. “Oh it’s very exciting! They’ve got their tickets!”

The Perth striker was part of Wellington Phoenix’s foundation team in the A-League competition, and Jale takes great pride at their progress since. “I’m happy for them. I started for the A-League with them at the bottom. They have come a long way. They have a lot of young and international players, which is a good one for them.”

Whilst Jale was all smiles when talking to the media, she’ll have her serious game face on when the whistle goes on Saturday – and you wouldn’t bet against her finding the net yet again when she takes on her former side.

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The View From France

Jean-Pierre Thiesset summarises the eighth round of the 2023-2024 D1 Arkema season. Plus, his MATILDAS WATCH and photos from pitch side at Olympique Lyonnais game (21/11/23).

Above: Alice Pinguet, Dijon’s goalkeeper, in one of her numerous saves. Photo: Jean-Pierre Thiesset for Impetus.

Olympique Lyonnais 4-1 Dijon

Lyon’s Melchie Dumornay, a World Cup star with Haiti earlier this year, received her trophy for being October’s Player of the Month. It is often said that it is not easy to play a domestic club match between two UWCL games and so it has proved again. Lyon coach, Sonia Bompastor, rested several key players at rest and the team played a full hour without a recognised centre forward. Dijon took advantage by who opening the scoring with a lob by Diaz from 35 meters in the 25th minute.

**Above:** Alice Sombath, Lyon. Photo: Jean-Pierre Thiesset for *Impetus*.

Lyon equalised before the break as Alice Sombath scored from distance, helped by a mistake by Dijon’s goalkeeper, Alice Pinguet, who otherwise had a good game. With a few changes, and the entrance of Ada Hegerberg on the hour, the hosts took control of the game, and Dumornay quickly scored on a cross from Hegerberg to give the lead to her team.

**Above:** Melchie Dumornay, Lyon, white shirt in the centre (6), celebrating her goal with “rabbit ears” expression. **Photo:** Jean-Pierre Thiesset for *Impetus.*

Sara Däbritz added a sealing third goal just before stoppage time.

Scorers for Lyon: Sombath (34’), Dumornay (70’), Hegerberg (73’), Däbritz (89’). Scorer for Dijon: Diaz (25’).

MATILDAS WATCH – Ellie Carpenter (Olympique Lyonnais) To keep her ready for the UWCL game which will take place on Wednesday, Carpenter did not play in this game.

Le Havre 2-0 Guingamp

This was an important first win for Le Havre this season against a fellow struggler on the ladder.

**Above:** Chancelle Effa Effa, Le Havre, Blue shirt in the centre. Behind of the left, Inès Benyahia (25). **Photo:** Guingamp website.

Scorers for Le Havre: Benyahia (29’ penalty), Davis (44’).

Lille 1-2 Saint-Etienne

Another game between two teams who are fighting near the bottom of the standings. With this win, Saint-Etienne close in on Lille. Scorer for Lille: Roux (2’). Scorers for Saint-Etienne: Browne (57’ penalty), Elmore (72’).

Montpellier 2-1 Reims

Montpellier dominated this game and deserved their win even though the scoreline was close. Scorers for Montpellier: Louis (51’), Ouchène (54’). Scorer for Reims: Imuran (69’).

Paris Saint-Germain 2-1 Fleury

PSG won at home but made it difficult for themselves. The win was secured only by scoring in the very last minute. With this win, PSG regain the third place in the standing.

**Above:** The Paris St. Germain team that took on Fleury with Clare Hunt, centre in the back row. **Photo:** L. Pestel / Paris Saint-Germain.

Scorers for Paris SG: Katoto (13’), Groenen (90’+7). Scorer for Fleury: Kamczyk (40’).

MATILDAS WATCH – Clare Hunt (Paris Saint-Germain) Hunt started in defence for the second time this month in D1 Arkema.

Paris FC 1-0 Bordeaux

Bordeaux played with five players under twenty years of age in this game: Marie-Sergine Ateluce (17), Maïté Mendiburu (15), Hillary Diaz (19), Fiona Maëva Liaigre (18), and Maëlle Seguin (19).

**Above:** Maïté Mendiburu, Bordeaux goalkeeper, 15 years old. Photo: Bordeaux website.

There was a huge opportunity for Paris FC on 30 minutes when the ball hit the post and was saved twice on the line by Bordeaux. This was followed by another great save by Liaigre on her goal line ten minutes later, keeping out a shot from Daphne Corboz. At last, on forty-one minutes, Paris FC confirmed their domination, (they had more than 70% of ball possession) by scoring through Clara Matéo from a pass from Louise Fleury. We had to wait until the 81st minute to see Bordeaux’s first of only three shots of the match. Scorer for Paris FC: Matéo (41’).

MATILDAS WATCH – Sarah Hunter (Paris FC) Hunter was in the matchday squad and entered the game at halftime in midfield.

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Norfolk Weekend Wrap

by Darrell Allen (21/11/23).

Above: Ellie Smith (yellow) scored for Norwich City in their 1-1 draw at Worthing on Sunday. Photo: Norwich City Women FC.

FA Women’s National League Division One South East

Norwich City and Worthing shared the points in a 1-1 draw on the south coast. Chloe Winchester had given Worthing a half-time lead before Ellie Smith equalised for the visitors in the second half.

Eastern Region Premier Division

Norfolk’s two tier five sides, Wroxham and King’s Lynn Town faced off at Trafford Park on Sunday with hosts Wroxham running out 6-0 winners thanks to braces from Luci Middleton and Hannah Fuller and a goal each from Ella Gambell and Rebecca Russell.

Eastern Region Division One North

Mulbarton Wanderers‘ Norfolk derby against Thetford Town, as well as Dussindale and Hellesdon Rovers‘ scheduled trip to Biggleswade United were both postponed due to waterlogged pitches.

**Above:** King’s Lynn Town’s goalkeeper gathers the ball as part of an impressive performance that saw her voted opposition player of the match by Wroxham in the Norfolk Derby on Sunday despite being on the losing side 6-0. **Photo:** Stuart Cobb.

Norfolk Women’s Cup Second Round

The University of East Anglia (UEA) were 5-1 winners over King’s Lynn Soccer Club. Natasha Harvey scored two, with Hannah Thompson, Neha Mann, and Evie Bloom also on target for UEA. Chloe Edwards found the net for King’s Lynn Soccer Club.

Sprowston beat Long Stratton 2-0 with goals from Kelsi Adams and Mollie O’Callaghan. Stalham Town won 3-1 away at Bure Valley. Emma Gillespie two and Amber Mayhew one, with Emma Macmillan scoring for the hosts.

FC Viking Valkyries beat Great Yarmouth 4-3 on the road. Their goals were two from Tilly Thrower, a penalty from Cerys Nicholas, and one from Ellie Jarmy. Lacey Andrews scored a brace for Great Yarmouth with Courteney Beare scoring their third goal.

The day’s other two ties that should have seen Caister host Aylsham and Costessey Sports welcome South Walsham Lingwood were both postponed and awarded as home walkovers.

Suffolk Women’s Cup Second Round

Two Norfolk Women and Girls League sides were in action with Beccles Town Development losing 14-0 at Needham Market. Lucy Loombs scored five, Lina Nagib scored a hat-trick, Emma Drake and Paige Wakefield got two each, with Amber Cantwell and Hayley Kindred getting the other two goals. The game between Bungay Town and Woodbridge Town was abandoned.

**Above:** Needham Market celebrate a goal in their 14-0 win over Beccles Town on Sunday. Photo: Ben Pooley.

Norfolk Women and Girls League Division Two

Shrublands were 10-1 winners over Horsford Hurricanes thanks to four goals from Hannah Halfnight, a hat-trick from Ellie Fewkes-Woodrow, along with further goals from Rachel Adams, Amy Durdin, and Neneh Jeffery. Alice Godden scored Horsford’s only goal of the day.

Norfolk Women and Girls League Sevens Division One

Dussindale and Hellesdon were 5-0 winners at Horsford thanks to Helen Finn and Eniko Kadar (two each) and Alice Walker scoring.

Left Field beat Taverham 5-2 winners. Their goals came from Brogan O’Grady (two) and one each for Rosa Davies-Jones, Meadhbh Flynn, and Sophie Grosse. Kiera Braithwaite scored both goals for Taverham.

Rockland United were 3-0 winners at Loddon United thanks to a brace from Rebecca Humphreys and an own goal.

Mulbarton Wanderers were 12-0 winners over Waveney thanks to five goals from Alice Ladbrooke, four from Lou Rout, a goal each from Joanne Hooper and Eloise Peek plus an own goal.

**Above:** Rachel Cossey, who was player of the match for Wroxham in their 6-0 win vs King’s Lynn Town on Sunday. Photo: Wroxham Women FC.

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Blayney unveils Young Matildas squad for China test

23/11/23

Above: Georgia Cassidy (purple shirt), so impressive in her first A-League season, has received a Young Matildas call-up. Photo: Getty Images, supplied to Impetus by: Perth Glory FC.

Young Matildas head coach Leah Blayney has named a 24-player squad as The Young Matildas continue their preparations for the AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup when they face fellow qualifiers, China, in a two-match international series later early next month.

China will host Australia’s U-20 Women’s National Team in Xiamen on Sunday 3rd December and Wednesday 6th December at the Auxiliary Field of Xiamen Egret Stadium.

The fixtures form a crucial part of Head Coach Leah Blayney’s groundwork for the side as they aim to qualify for the 2024 U-20 Women’s World Cup Colombia with a top-four finish at the continental championships.

Blayney has selected a 24-player squad for the tour laden with A-League Women’s talent as reward for strong performances in the opening five rounds of the 2023/2024 season.

Among those selected are Georgia Cassidy and Grace Johnston who have both been in outstanding form for Perth Glory in their first-ever campaigns at A-League Women level, coming straight out of the Hyundai NTC squad in the NPLW WA.

Also in the squad are Daniela Galic who has been impressive for Melbourne City so far, Melbourne Victory’s Jessika Nash, Sydney FC’s excellent Dos Santos sisters Indiana and Jynaya as well as the Newcastle Jets pair Lara Gooch and Claudia Cicco.

**Above:** Indiana Dos Santos (right) – the young Sydney FC star has been called up by Leah Blayney. **Photo:** A-League Women.

“It has been an exciting start to the 2023/24 A-League Women’s season, and we have already witnessed an impressive level of technical skill, tactical awareness, physicality, and commitment to continuous development from youth players all across the league,” Blayney said.

“This squad has been selected to reflect and recognise those showings and ongoing performances within our recent national team environments.

“For a number of the players, it has been a little while since they have been with the national team group, so getting up to speed with the primary goal. For those who were a part of the qualification campaign, it is yet another chance to continue laying the platform for 2024,” Blayney concluded.

Football Australia CEO, James Johnson, said: “The tour of China is a significant opportunity for the CommBank Young Matildas to continue to build towards a key tournament in next year’s AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup.”

“It builds upon our concerted approach to provide high-quality match minutes for the next generation of footballers and, as former AFC U-20 champions, China is one such nation that will provide invaluable international experience for the players.

China qualified for the eight nation AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup after finishing Group B winners in round two and is a six-time FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup participant.

Young Matildas Squad:

Alexia	APOSTOLAKIS	Defender	Western Sydney Wanderers FC / Football NSW
Milly	BOUGHTON	Forward	Tottenham Hotspurs FC / Football NSW
Georgia	CASSIDY	Midfielder	Perth Glory FC / Football West
Claudia	CICCO	Forward	Newcastle Jets FC / Football NSW
Indiana	DOS SANTOS	Midfielder	Sydney FC / Football NSW
Jynaya	DOS SANTOS	Forward	Sydney FC / Football NSW
Tahlia	FRANCO	Goalkeeper	Sydney FC / Football NSW
Daniela	GALIC	Midfielder	Melbourne City FC / Football NSW
Lara	GOOCH	Forward	Newcastle Jets FC / Northern NSW Football
Sasha	GROVE	Forward	Canberra United FC / Capital Football
Milan	HAMMOND	Forward	Newcastle Jets FC / Northern NSW Football
Shay	HOLLMAN	Midfielder	Sydney FC / Football NSW
Kahli	JOHNSON	Forward	Western United FC / Football NSW
Grace	JOHNSTON	Defender	Perth Glory FC / Football West
Zoe	KARIPIDIS	Defender	Newcastle Jets FC / Northern NSW Football
Zara	KRUGER	Midfielder	Sydney FC / Football Queensland
Chloe	LINCOLN	Goalkeeper	Canberra United FC / Football NSW
Maya	LOBO	Defender	Central Coast Mariners FC / Football NSW
Alana	MURPHY	Midfielder	Melbourne Victory FC / Football Victoria
Jessika	NASH	Defender	Melbourne Victory FC / Football NSW
Ella	O’GRADY	Forward	Melbourne Victory FC / Football Queensland
Avaani	PRAKASH	Midfielder	Western United FC / Football NSW
Naomi	THOMAS-CHINNAMA	Defender	Melbourne City FC / Football Victoria
Peta	TRIMIS	Forward	Central Coast Mariners FC / Football NSW

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Last gasp Daly devastates West Ham

West Ham United 2-3 Aston Villa

by Beth McCowen at the Chigwell Construction Stadium for Impetus (20/11/23).

Above: Anna Patten (arm raised) celebrates Aston Villa’s opening goal with Rachel Corsie (6). Photo: Aston Villa Women.

Rachel Daly’s strike in stoppage time at the end of the game secured Aston Villa’s second successive win against a fellow WSL struggler.

Carla Ward and Rehanne Skinner’s sides were both equally desperate for some points going into this clash. They each sit low in the WSL table as of late, and this pivotal result means West Ham drop down to 11^th, whilst Villa have finally clawed their way up to ninth.

The match was fast-paced from the first touch, with the Hammers producing the better opportunities to begin with as Riko Ueki, looked lively and Sarah Mayling was also called upon to make an important block to clear a chance from Kirsty Smith for West Ham.

As the game progressed, despite their strong presence, the visitors were being put under pressure. The Irons’ number two, Kirsty Smith, made an excellent run into the box, sending the defender the wrong way. She was then brought down, which resulted in a penalty. This was calmly executed by Viviane Asseyi, giving West Ham the lead.

The Hammers continued to look dangerous after this, but Aston Villa held their own. Ward’s side suddenly came to life at the half-an-hour mark. They appeared to have learned from their defensive errors against Chelsea, and it must be noted that having both Hanson and Dali back on the pitch only serves to improve their performances.

The 30^th minute saw Villa with a corner-induced equalizer, secured through an impressive header by Patten.

West Ham’s backline appeared to struggle after this setback, but their fan-favourite captain and goalkeeper, Mackenzie Arnold, did a superb job at stopping Villa from expanding on their current position. However, her opposite number, Daphne van Domselaar made a very important save in stoppage time at the end of the first half.

**Above:** Rachel Daly (right) and Kenza Dali acclaim Aston Villa’s victory. **Photo:** Aston Villa Women.

The second half saw Villa looking threatening, but once again West Ham’s Arnold proved why she is one of the world’s best at present. The Matildas star was not only making important saves and passing well under pressure but commanding her defenders in a strategically effective way.

Villa earned themselves a brilliant goal in the 49^th minute from their number 24, Adriana Leon. There was chaos in the box in the build-up, but her great strike left Arnold with no chance.

Rachel Daly delivered a masterclass in footwork during the second half, impressively keeping the ball in possession, and knowing exactly when to bring it back out and look for a new opportunity.

With just over 10 minutes remaining, an outstanding goal from Lisa Evans saw West Ham put themselves back in the game.

Villa’s defence tightened up again after this. Tensions were rising, and Arnold made another great save to stop Ward’s side from regaining their lead.

Then, two minutes into stoppage time at the end, Daly delivered a top-quality strike. Villa’s number nine also played a vital role in their defence during the latter stages of the match, clearing a ball from the goal line to preserve her side’s lead.

West Ham immediately countered, but their accuracy was not quite good enough to secure a goal. The final corner of the game was for the Irons, with virtually everyone in the box but no no avail. Right before the final whistle, van Domselaar made another vital save. This match saw some impressive play from both sides in all areas of the pitch, but particularly from the two goalkeepers.

In the end, Aston Villa narrowly managed to take away all three points. Both sides gave a performance to be proud of. This was an important victory for Aston Villa, and a frustrating loss for Skinner’s West Ham United.

Teams: WEST HAM UNITED (5-3-2): Arnold, Smith, Shimizu, Stringer, Tysiak, Ueki, Harries, Filis, Asseyi, Cooke, Cissoko. Substitutes: Walsh, Evans, Atkinson, Ziu, Denton, Stapleton, Ademiluyi, Flannery.

Scorers: Asseyi (27’), Evans (80’).

ASTON VILLA (4-3-3): van Domselaar, Mayling, Patten, Turner, Pacheco, Dali, Corsie, Blindkilde Brown, Leon, Daly, Hanson. Substitutes: Staniforth, Lehmann, Nobbs, McLoughlin, Salmon, Mullett, Leat, Magill.

Scorers: Patten (31’), Leon (50’), Daly (90+2).

Referee: Keith Stroud.

Attendance: 1,406.

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A-League Women Weekly Awards

Impetus’ team of contributors covering the competition unveil their choices as player, coach, and event of the week. The votes are tallied up across the season and totals revealed just before Finals as we crown our Player and Coach of the Season (20/11/23)

Player of the week:

**Above:** Two votes for Holly McNamara this week as the Australian football family keeps everything crossed that injury news isn’t as severe as feared. **Photo:** Football Australia.

BEN GILBY: Whilst we await confirmation of what could be another devastating long-term injury, Holly McNamara deserves recognition for another fine performance, capped by two goals for Melbourne City at Newcastle Jets.

KIERAN YAP: Emily van Egmond looked a class above. She scored one, set up another, and dominated against Melbourne City’s midfield for most of the game.

BEN CAREY: Holly McNamara. Another sensational performance pulled City out of a big hole against the Jets. McNamara not only scored the equalising goal to bring City back from a 1-2 deficit against the Jets, but she scored the game-winning goal in stoppage time as well. Hopefully, her injury is only short-term, and not another dreaded ACL.

Coach of the week:

BEN GILBY: Still unbeaten, still top of the table – but this week Alex Epakis‘ Perth Glory had to do it the hard way. After missing a golden opportunity to go 2-0 up against Melbourne Victory with 15 minutes left, the Western Australian side found themselves 2-1 behind deep into stoppage time. Yet such is the belief and determination that Epakis has instilled into his young team, they kept plugging away and Hana Lowry was on the end of a sensational team move to seal the equaliser at the death.

KIERAN YAP: Emily Husband. A good win for the Mariners and a very organised performance by her team against the in-form Wellington Phoenix.

BEN CAREY: Emily Husband. Leading her team, Central Coast Mariners, to a statement win over the in-form Wellington Phoenix was impressive. The Mariners now sit in fifth spot on the ladder. Extraordinary for her first season in charge.

Event of the week:

**Above:** Hana Lowry (8), centre, celebrates her late, late leveller with Perth Glory team mates. **Photo:** Rob Lizzi for *Impetus*.

BEN GILBY: Hana Lowry’s late leveller for Perth Glory against Melbourne Victory. A superb team move involving Grace Johnston, Quinley Quezada, and Susan Phonsongkham, who found the local star with a sumptuous cushioned side-footed pass.

KIERAN YAP: Hana Lowry’s late equaliser for Perth Glory was a moment of composure and class. The three points looked headed home with Melbourne Victory until Lowry scored her second of the game. She’s gone up another level this season and is taking responsibility for games instead of just contributing.

BEN CAREY: Hana Lowry’s sensational equaliser against Melbourne Victory late into stoppage time.

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McNamara injury mars Melbourne City win

Newcastle Jets 2-3 Melbourne City

By Emma Burke (19/11/23).

Above: Melbourne City players swarm Daniela Galic after her opening goal. Photo: Melbourne City

What should have been an exciting win for Melbourne City with a last-gasp goal in extra time, ended in despair as the game-winning scorer Holly McNamara was stretchered off the pitch with what looked to be a knee injury.

By half-time Newcastle Jets lead the visiting Melbourne City 2-1, despite City opening the scoring early through Daniela Galic. Galic collected the scraps of a blocked attempt at goal by Kaitlin Torpey, and ploughed home an impressive volley.

Newcastle were able to level the score only minutes later through hometown hero Emily van Egmond, who made her first of four appearances on her guest contract for the team.

Van Egmond set the play up initially releasing Laura Gooch down the left side of the pitch and the cross from Gooch came back to her in what was really a very extended one-two play. City keeper Lysianne Proulx had already come off her line to cut off the cross, but the ball was just out of reach, leaving van Egmond to chip the ball into goal with ease.

The Jets extended their lead, through the same two players, only this time, van Egmond played a long ball over the top of City’s defence that Gooch was able to collect on the run and then outpaced Melbourne’s captain Rebekah Stott, a feat that not many manage, and lured Proulx out of the six-yard-box to then shoot low at the far post and score.

Tensions had been rising throughout the game, and it all came to a head after a strong challenge from Jets’ Libby Copus-Brown on McNamara. Rhianna Pollicina ended up swooping into the situation, shoving Copus-Brown and players from both teams crowded around the two and McNamara, who was still on the ground.

Both Copus-Brown and Pollicina were awarded yellow cards for the altercation, and it looked as though the referee had managed to calm both sides down with the sanctions.

It appeared that Newcastle were going to deliver City their first loss of the season, however, Holly McNamara is inevitable, and she tied up the scoreline for the second time.

A corner delivered by Pollicina initially found the head of Hannah Wilkinson, but she was unable to connect well with the ball and it spilled out of the box. Galic was able to recycle the ball back in with a cross of her own, and this time targeted McNamara, whose head was this time able to direct the ball into the net.

The inevitability of McNamara continued, and Newcastle were unable to hold on to the draw. Emina Ekic played a pass around the Newcastle defensive line, and McNamara was perfectly timed to run onto the ball and beat out her defender. The shot she took was as last minute as they come, which did hit the back of the next, but didn’t prevent her from being slightly collected by Newcastle keeper, Isobel Nino.

McNamara landed heavily on her right knee and looked to be in serious pain from the collision. She was unable to stand and was eventually stretchered off the pitch. She had also just been announced as a squad member for the Matildas final fixtures of 2023, two games in Canada, her first selection since returning to form after rupturing her ACL in February 2022.

City were able to close out the game and take all three points, but it was likely not the way they wanted to.

Teams: NEWCASTLE JETS (4-3-3): Nino, Cicco, Karipidis, Prior, Baumann (53’ Wilson), van Egmond, Hoban (73’ Barbieri), Davis, Copus-Brown, Gooch (82’ Dundas), Allan (83’ Milan Hammond)

Scorers: van Egmond 14’, Gooch 32’.

MELBOURNE CITY (4-4-2): Proulx, Grosso, Stott, Otto (66’ Thomas-Chinnama), Torpey, Ekic, Hughes (66’ L.McKenna), Pollicina, Galic (83’ Davidson), Wilkinson, McNamara (90+6’ T.McKenna)

Scorers: Galic 8’, McNamara 78’, 90+2’.

Referee: Asaka Koizumi

Attendance: 3,207

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Contentious goal gives Western United the win in Brisbane

Brisbane Roar 0-1 Western United

by Ben Carey at Ballymore Stadium (19/11/23).

Above: Brisbane Roar’s Sharn Freier and Western United’s Alana Cerne challenge for the ball. Photo: Western United.

Western United recorded a tight 1-0 win over Brisbane Roar on a warm, overcast Sunday afternoon in the Sunshine State.

The match was the second that the Roar have played at Ballymore Stadium, and the atmosphere was fantastic. There was a healthy crowd of 2,486 people, a fair bit lower than the record-breaking home game against Sydney FC last month, but still a considerable step up from the average of 900 or so who attended home matches last season.

The Roar came out guns blazing. For almost 10 minutes they had the lion’s share (pun intended) of the possession, their passing was quick and accurate, and their attacking intentions were clear. There was some very good build-up play, but no final product.

Western United’s first dangerous attempt on goal came from a beautiful link-up between Matildas legend, Chloe Logarzo, and last season’s Golden Boot winner, Hannah Keane. But Brisbane Roar keeper, Jordan Silkowitz, pulled out a top-drawer save to keep the visitors scoreless.

A minute later, Lorgazo whipped in a corner kick that caused a chaotic scramble in the box. Kahli Johnson made an attempt on goal that Silkowitz appeared to have miraculously cleared from the ground. What followed was deep confusion from every player on the field and everyone in the stands.

Silkowitz grabbed the ball and placed it in front of her to take a free kick, but many of the players had returned to the centre for a kick-off, suggesting that the ball had crossed the line and Western United had scored a goal. The crowd remained confused because there was no announcement over the loudspeaker.

From that point on Western United looked the stronger of the two sides, dominating possession and creating dangerous chances up the Roar’s end of the field. But Brisbane was able to shut down most of these attacks in the midfield or in the backline. The Roar also launched a few good attacks themselves, however, none of them amounted to much.

In the 85^th minute, a weak header clearance from a Roar player fell to Keane, who blazed into the box and whipped a wicked cross to Johnson who took a first-time shot at goal, but Silkowitz made a spectacular, point-blank diving save to deny her.

A minute later, up the other end of the pitch, Tameka Yallop was fouled right on the edge of the box. The crowd thought it might be a penalty for a few moments, but instead it was a free kick.

The Roar fought hard right to the death, with late substitutes Hannah Holgersen and Rebecca Kirkup injecting a new energy into Brisbane’s front line. There was also a lot of promising buildup play from Mia Corbin, Sharn Freier, and Yallop, but still no final product. Western United were able to close out the game for a 1-0 win.

Brisbane Roar showed moments of promise during the match, but they were often too slow and didn’t have much intent or accuracy with their passing, which resulted in giving away possession very cheaply. Players like Freier and Corbin were often able to make good runs down the side and through the middle respectively, but there was never anyone there in support, so the attacks always fizzled out.

Part of this is probably due to having so many young and inexperienced players in the squad, and part of it is perhaps a result of playing their first game under the newly appointed head coach, Alex Smith.

Western United put in a good team effort to grab the win. Julia Sardo and Grace Maher were very solid in the backline, and Johnson was menacing up front. Last season’s Goalkeeper of the Year, Hilary Beall put in a good shift as well, although she didn’t have a whole lot of work to do.

It was Beall’s first game back with the club after warming the bench in the NWSL for her club Racing Louisville. Well, if the NWSL won’t recognise her immense talent, the A-League certainly will. What a blessing she will be to Western United for the rest of the season.

Teams: BRISBANE ROAR (5-4-1): Silkowitz, Scarpelli, McCormick, Stephenson, Blissett, McQueen, Thompson, Norrie, Palmer, Freier, Corbin. Substitutes: K. Richards, Yallop, Brodigan, Kirkup, Holgersen.

Teams: WESTERN UNITED (4-2-3-1): Beall, Sardo, Cerne, Maher, Papadopoulos, Sawicki, M. Taranto, L. Richards, Logarzo, Johnson, Keane. Substitutes: Dall’Oste, Dakic, Hieda, Robers, A. Taranto.

Scorers: Johnson 10’.

Referee: Rebecca Durcau.

Attendance: 2,486

Homophobia: Why is it so prevalent in the men’s game compared to women’s football?

by Trinity Brown (19/11/23)

Above: The LGBTQAI+ flying at Camp Nou. Photo: FC Barcelona.

Male footballers tend to come out as gay after they retire, compared to the openness of the women’s game, where it is never seen as a particularly big deal if the players identify as gay.

One can name many female footballers who are gay. In fact, it is a bit of a stereotype of the community, whereas most couldn’t name more than one gay men’s footballer, if any. So why is there such a difference? This article will try to analyse and give opinions on this discrepancy.

The fan base has a massive part in why some male players feel like they cannot come out. If one looks at the posts from Pride Month, they could see that many people who watch men’s football are incredibly homophobic.

“Arsenal remove this ugly flag be normal as last year.”

To comments like

“I support Arsenal since I was a child and I never felt shame of that, until now so sad.”

The harsh reality of this is it isn’t necessary to hunt for these comments. The definition of the noun “shame” in the Oxford dictionary is, “a painful feeling of humiliation or distress caused by the consciousness of wrong or foolish behaviour.” Shame is an immensely powerful word. One could say that in the men’s game there are fans who have not changed with the times.

**Above:** Pernille Harder (right) and Magdalena Eriksson at the 2019 World Cup. **Photo:** Inside FIFA.

Part of the reason why I as an individual were not into football growing up is because of the culture of it being homophobic. I disliked football up until the women’s Euros in 2022. Seeing players who were gay and a fan base that was extremely accepting made me rethink my ideas about football.

By some of the players being openly gay, it creates a more accepting atmosphere where one can go to a game and not have to hide the fact they are gay for fear of harassment. Having talented players come out and be openly in a relationship with another player of the same sex creates a sense of feeling that homophobia is not welcome in the women’s game and will not be tolerated.

Football chants and trying to distract the players during the game are both a big part of the men’s game. This creates an atmosphere that implies that it is in fact embarrassing to be gay. Being gay is even seen as a weakness to some, in fact, it’s common that when a player falls over, they get heckled and called homophobic slurs in an attempt to humiliate them.

Young fans often see homophobic chants simply as “banter”. Whether they think it is all a big joke, or if they are using the word “banter” as an excuse to be homophobic, this can teach young, impressionable minds that it is actually acceptable to be homophobic.