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

Follow Impetus ’71 on social media –

Twitter (X): @impetusfootball and @impetus71 TikTok: @Impetus71 Facebook: @Impetus71 

Instagram: @Impetus_71 Threads: @Impetus_71

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

Follow Impetus ’71 on social media –

Twitter (X): @impetusfootball and @impetus71 TikTok: @Impetus71 Facebook: @Impetus71 

Instagram: @Impetus_71 Threads: @Impetus_71

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

Follow Impetus ’71 on social media –

Twitter (X): @impetusfootball and @impetus71 TikTok: @Impetus71 Facebook: @Impetus71 

Instagram: @Impetus_71 Threads: @Impetus_71

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

Follow Impetus ’71 on social media –

Twitter (X): @impetusfootball and @impetus71 TikTok: @Impetus71 Facebook: @Impetus71 

Instagram: @Impetus_71 Threads: @Impetus_71

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.

Follow Impetus ’71 on social media –

Twitter (X): @impetusfootball and @impetus71 TikTok: @Impetus71 Facebook: @Impetus71 

Instagram: @Impetus_71 Threads: @Impetus_71

Heyman’s hundredth sets up Canberra Win.

Canberra United 3-1 Adelaide United

By Ryan Miller-Woods 14/1/24

Above: Michelle Heyman is congratulated by teammates after bringing up a century of goals. PHOTO: Canberra United.

Canberra United achieved their second win of the season against Adelaide United at Leichhardt Oval with a 3-1 victory that moved them off the bottom of the ladder as Michelle Heyman made history as she became the first player in the A-League Women to score 100 goals.

Heyman almost scored in the fourth minute as Vesna Milivojevic provided a through ball for Nicki Flannery to cross. Adelaide’s Ella Tonkin’s first touch accidentally laid it off to Heyman whose shot at goal was blocked by Annalee Grove.

Adelaide came close to scoring twelve minutes later from a corner as the ball was whipped at the back post that found Tonkin who passed it to Alana Jancevski. Her shot was prevented via a great save by Chloe Lincoln. Despite there being chances for both sides throughout the first half neither team broke the deadlock but it still felt like someone was going to score.

Adelaide’s second half got off to an amazing start as Mariah Lee intercepted the ball and passed to Hannah Blake. Blake returned the ball for Lee in the box who crossed for Isabel Hodgson to give Adelaide the lead.

Adelaide’s joy only lasted four minutes before Heyman intercepted a ball to put her 1 on 1 with Annalee Grove.  Her shot went into the bottom right corner for Canberra to equalise.

Most importantly for Heyman made it her 100th goal in the A-League Women. What an achievement by one of the country’s best players to have ever played in the league.

Eighty-six seconds later, Heyman scored again thanks to a great combination by Tegan Bertolissio and Milivojevic . as

Heyman’s header from the centre of the box went over Grove and into the bottom left corner for Canberra’s second goal of the match. It was her seventh goal of the season and her 101st in the A-League Women.

Thirteen minutes later, Canberra scored their third and final goal. Bertolissio provided a brilliant through ball to Milivojevic who went past Adelaide’s Zoe Tolland and put herself in the most ideal position from outside the box.

She timed her shot beautifully as the ball went past A. Grove and into the top left corner. It was Milivojevic’s ninth goal of the A-League Women’s season. 

Milivojevic has been outstanding so far this season and this goal showed her spatial awareness with the ball and technique to time everything just right set her up perfectly to score.

In the 73rd minute, an Adelaide pass from the back was given away to Milivojevic who floated her cross into the box for Heyman. Her her header came very close to delivering a hat-trick as the ball just went wide of the goal to Adelaide’s relief.

No further goals were scored but come the final whistle Canberra secured a very important win for their season that put them a point ahead of Adelaide on the ladder and up to 11th. Hopefully for Canberra, given they are on a four-game undefeated streak, it is a sign of things to come.

Teams: Canberra United (4-4-1-1): Lincoln, Clark, S. Grove, Jackson, Clough, Murray, Stanic-Floody, Heyman, Christopherson, Milivojevic, Flannery. Substitutes: Majstorovic, Rojas, Nathan, Whittall, Bertolissio.

Scorers: Heyman 50’, 51’, Milivojevic 64’.

Adelaide United (4-2-3-1): A.Grove, E. Hodgson, I. Hodgson, Tonkin, Waldus, Morgan, Blake, Sasaki, Tolland, Jancevski, Lee. Substitutes: Jenkins, Condon, Taylor, Holtz, Bowler.

Scorers: I. Hodgson 46’.

Referee: Rebecca Durcau.

Attendance: 1,883.

Follow Impetus ’71 on social media –

Twitter (X): @impetusfootball and @impetus71 TikTok: @Impetus71 Facebook: @Impetus71 

Instagram: @Impetus_71 Threads: @Impetus_71

10 player Roar unable to hold off the flight of the Jets

Brisbane Roar 1-2 Newcastle Jets

By Callum Logie (13/01/24).

Above: Brisbane Roar’s Mia Corbin dribbling the ball against the Newcastle Jets Photo: Brisbane Roar

Two teams fighting hard to rise up the table clashed in Unite Round as the Brisbane Roar took on the Newcastle Jets at Leichardt Oval. Tameka Yallop celebrated her 150th appearance in the Liberty A-Leagues in this match. 

The Brisbane Roar came off a hard fought 2-1 victory over the Phoenix and hoping for more heroics from their attacking players in Tameka Yallop, Kijah Stephenson and Mia Corbin. The Newcastle Jets came into the match off of a thrilling 3-3 draw with Canberra United and were looking to make a late push up into finals contention with a positive result here.

Brisbane’s starting XI was unchanged from their victory over Wellington in this fixture while the Jets made a couple of changes. The formation moved to a traditional 4-4-2 with Natasha Prior getting the start at centre back alongside Zoe Karapidis with Claudia Cicco and Sophie Hoban slotted in as the fullbacks. 

Brisbane Roar started strong, dominating possession in the first 15 minutes and peppering the goal with a number of shots. Leah Scarpelli put a chance wide after a rare venture forward in the first ten minutes and Kijah Stephenson tested Isobel Nino at around 1t minutes with a low driven effort on goal. 

After dominating the early proceedings, the Roar dropped back a touch and almost conceded with Mindy Barbieri striking the crossbar from range against the run of play. This brought the Jets right back into contention as they played with better possession and created some more chances. 

Corbin put a snapshot wide from just inside the box a moment later and then on the other end, Cassidy Davis forced a good save from Jordan Silkowitz. Corbin created a half chance through pressing Isobel Nino in the Jets goal but the keeper recovered well to collect the ball in what was a very entertaining yet scoreless half.

The second half began with a lot more of the Jets going forward, winning several corners and looking to use their physicality to unsettle Silcowitz in goal. There were many tough tackles in midfield and a lot of added time was tacked on to the end due to the amount of injury concerns during the half. 

The game picked up a dramatic gear at the hour mark, with the Jets winning the ball in an advanced position and passing forward to Lorena Baumann who was looking to break away. While it appeared that there were defenders between Baumann and the goal, Holly McQueen took down the breaking Baumann which lead to Isabella Libri brandishing a red card to the Roar defender. 

After celebrating the sending off as if it was a goal, Sarina Bolden was able to open the scoring on the 63rd as a very clever flick on from Davis at the edge of the box released the forward who put away her sixth goal in seven games. 

The lead was however only a brief one as Tameka Yallop broke forward up the right wing two minutes later before squaring the ball across to Mia Corbin who hit the top corner with her effort for the equaliser. Despite being down to 10 players, Brisbane remained competitive and continued to create chances. 

On the 77th minute, Yallop was once again involved but not in the way she would’ve wanted to have an impact. Mindy Barbieri attempted an Olimpico corner which deflected off the head of Yallop and gave the Jets back the lead. While Barbieri celebrated, it was considered a Yallop own goal. 

The Roar pushed continuing to try and find an equaliser despite the disadvantage. 6 minutes of added time proved to be just not enough as the Jets hung on for an important win. 

Roar fans will feel hard done by with the result hear as they dominated the first half and showed great chance creation with Yallop and Stephenson often breaking forward. However, credit should be given to the Jets defence and Isobel Nino. Nino made a number of important saves and the right side of the defence of Cicco and Prior proved to contain Stephenson well, particularly in the second half. 

Going forward, the Jets did look a potent package, particularly with the creativity of Barbieri and Davis creating several chances. If the Jets are to continue being successful in their endeavour to climb the table, they will need to look to create opportunities for Sarina Bolden, and these two players may be the perfect catalyst for doing so alongside Baumann. 

Teams: BRISBANE ROAR (3-4-1-2): Silkowitz, Scarpelli, McCormick, McQueen, Freier, Palmer, Norrie, De La Harpe, Yallop, Stephenson, Corbin. Substitutes: Richards, Levin, Thompson, Davies, Hecher

Scorers: Corbin 65′.

NEWCASTLE JETS (4-4-2): Nino, Hoban, Karipidis, Prior, Cicco, Baumann, Davis, Copus-Brown, Allan, Barbieri, Bolden. Substitutes: Rochaix, Dundas, Gooch, Ayres, Wilson

Scorers: Bolden 63′, Yallop (og) 77′.

Referee: Isabella Libri

Attendance: TBC

Follow Impetus on social media –

Twitter (X): @impetusfootball and @impetus71 TikTok: @Impetus71 Facebook: @Impetus71 

Instagram: @Impetus_71 Threads: @Impetus_71

Trimis rises against The Phoenix

Wellington Phoenix 1-2 Central Coast Mariners

By Kieran Yap 13/1/24

Above: The Mariners celebrate the win against Wellington. Photo: Central Coast Mariners.

An third minute Emma Main goal was not enough for Wellington Phoenix to overcome a Peta Trimis inspired Central Coast Mariners. 

A tough and tightly contested game was highlighted by three well taken goals, with Main opening the scoring for The Phoenix in just the third minute. Casey Dumont’s clearance was charged down by the onrushing and high pressing Wellington attackers and when the ball eventually fell to Main, she made no mistake with the finish.

As the match evolved, neither side wanted to give an inch, The Mariners we’re happy to concede fouls rather than let the speedy Phoenix attackers get loose, but at times the trickery and movement of Mariana Speckmaier proved too much to handle. 

Central Coast’s prodigious attacker Peta Trimis  grew into the game and became a menacing presence with her direct running and strong decision making in the final third. Her ability to twist and accelerate quickly made her’s one of the most eye catching performances of the evening. 

Despite the promising start by Wellington, the result effectively turned before half time. Roma Badawiya levelled the scores in the 23rd minute with a brilliant solo effort. 

After receiving the ball wide of the goal, the Mariners striker shifted feet and changed direction quickly to create space and then closed in on goal before sliding the ball beyond Rylee Foster. 

Just over 10 minutes later, Trimis had one herself after completing a swift attacking move to give the Mariners a 2-1 lead. 

The Young Matilda almost up up a third late in the game, but Foster was able to smother Annaliese Rasmussen  attempt at goal after the perfectly timed pass had set her free.

Trimis’s early season form recently earned her a call up to the Australian Under 20 side and she showed glimpses of her strong potential in the 3-1 loss against China. Since returning from national team duty the winger has seemingly gone up another level again. Against The Phoenix she announced herself as the latest rising star of this competition. 

This was an impressive result by the Mariners and backed up by another encouraging performance. They have steel and creativity with the likes of Bianca Galic able to add goal threat to their wpl established midfield presence.

It was not all bad news for the Phoenix either. This was a winnable game and they will be frustrated by the result and the Mariners ability to disrupt their game plan, but this is not a form dip by Paul Temple’s team. 

They still found ways to threaten and with Alyssa Whinham returning to the starting lineup for the first time in over a year. They are adding yet another weapon to an arsenal that already includes Speckmaier, Michaela Foster and Macey Fraser.

The rest of the season appears promising for both sides.

Teams

Wellington Phoenix: R Foster, McMeeken, Barry, Lake, Fraser, Longo, Taylor, M Foster, Main, Whinham, Speckmaier. Substitutes: Brown, Breslin, Davidson, Feinberg-Danieli, Jaber.

Scorer: Main 3’

Central Coast Mariners: Dumont, Bryson, Irwin, Karambasis, Wardlow, Badawiya, Gomez, Trimis, Galic, Evans, Wurigumula. Substitutes: Hayward, Martin, Rasmussen, Lobo, Langman.

Scorers: Badawiya 23’ Trimis 34’

Referee:  Bec Mackie

Attendance: 1198

Victory and Glory play for the win but leave with a draw

Melbourne Victory 1-1 Perth Glory

By Emma Burke 12/1/24

Above: Kayla Morrison (right) and Quinley Quezada fight for possession. Photo: Melbourne Victory.

The opening game of the inaugural A-Leagues Unite Round saw Melbourne Victory and Perth Glory leave Leichhardt Oval with a point apiece after neither team found a winner in their 1-1 draw. 

Victory opened the scoring through another Rachel Lowe goal, in the first half, her sixth of the season now. Lowe provided a glancing header to complete defender Jamilla Rankin’s perfectly placed cross, which beat Perth Glory keeper Morgan Aquino and give Melbourne the lead.

The response from Perth came in the second half, when midfielder Hana Lowry delivered a corner kick to the mouth of the goal. While the ball did look to be on target for an Olimpico for Lowry, it took a final slight touch from Jamilla Rankin’s head before hitting the inside netting of the goal.

Both sides looked eager to score a final, winning goal, and bounce back from their losses last week, Perth through a long ranged effort from Claudia Mihocic that rattled the crossbar, and Melbourne through Rachel Lowe’s driving challenge that Aquino was able to palm away.

Even the return of Emily Gielnik to the field for Victory was unable to turn the tides for Melbourne. After weeks out on the sideline due to a calf injury, Gielnik saw her first minutes on the pitch since November. 

Gielnik’s best chance on goal from her cameo appearance was ruled offside after being saved by Aquino.

The result of this game leaves both teams’ position on the ladder unchanged, with Round 13 to come where Victory will travel to face Canberra United, and Glory will play host to Brisbane Roar.

Melbourne Victory (5-3-3):  Newbon, D’Appolonia, Hansen, Morrison, Checker, Rankin, Murphy, Kellond-Knight, Chidiac, Weinert, Lowe Substitutes: Candy, Zois, Curtis, Gielnik, Privitelli


Scorers: Lowe 28’, Rankin 60’ (OG)

Perth Glory (4-4-2): Aquino, Anton, Cowart, Mihocic, Rigby, Lowry, Dalton, Cassidy, Quezada, Farrow, Jale Substitutes: James, Sakalis, Lawrence, Johnston, Phonsongkham

Referee: Caitlin Williams

Attendance: TBC