The 12 captains of the Championship – Part One

Emily Evans profiles the leaders of each of the Championship clubs (27/12/23).

Christie Harrison-Murray

Birmingham City

Above: Birmingham City’s Christie Harrison-Murray. Photo: Birmingham City Women’s Twitter.

The Scottish international is an attacking midfielder, who joined Birmingham City in 2020, becoming captain at the start of this season. She currently has made over 70 appearances for the Blues. Harrison-Murray’s previous clubs include the likes of Arsenal, Bristol Academy, Doncaster Rovers Belles, and Liverpool. As of Christmas 2023, the Blues currently hold first place in the Championship table, after coming in at second place in the 22/23 season, just one point off promoted Bristol City.  

Since making her national team debut in 2010, she has 80 senior caps for her country and has been playing for them since the under 17s. Some of her biggest appearances include being selected for the Women’s Euro squad in 2017 and the Women’s World Cup squad in 2019.  

Kate Longhurst

Charlton Athletic

Above: Kate Longhurst. Photo: Charlton Athletic Football Club. 

The 34-year-old midfielder had been involved in the Women’s Super League from 2011, when she joined Chelsea, and reached the FA Cup final in 2012. She made the move to Liverpool, winning back-to-back WSL titles in 2013 and 2014. After spending five years at the club, Longhurst moved south to West Ham United before moving to Charlton Athletic in the summer of 2023.  

The midfielder has represented England at many of the youth age groups, and scored a goal to secure the 2-0 win for England in the Nationwide under-17 Tournament final against Scotland.  

Brianna Westrup

Sunderland

Above: Sunderland skipper Brianna Westrup. Photo: Sunderland AFC. 

Playing as a defender, the Scottish international joined Sunderland in 2022 and has thus far made 23 appearances for the club, scoring three goals. During 2019-2020, she played for Newcastle United, before moving to Rangers in 2020. She stayed there until the end of 2022, when she won the club’s Player of the Year, before moving to Sunderland.  

The 26-year-old was selected to be part of the Scotland squad in 2021, due to her mother being born there. She made her international debut that month during the game against Northern Ireland where they won 1-0. Since then, she has two caps for Scotland.  

Aimee Everett
Above: Crystal Palace’s 22-year-old captain Aimee Everett. Photo: Crystal Palace.  

Everett joined Crystal Palace in the summer of 2021 after leaving Leicester City, having won the Championship with them. During her first season at the South London club, she won Palace’s Player of the Season award. The midfielder made 18 appearances last campaign, and since the start of this season, has made 11 appearances and scored two goals.  

After first signing for Crystal Palace, Everett stated: “Personally, I’d like to get as many minutes as possible, to gain lots of experience and improve my game. As a club, I’d like to help us win games and improve on where the team finished in the league last year and show how good of a club Palace is.”

Rosie Parnell

Southampton

Above: Southampton’s Rosie Parnell. Photo: Isabelle Field for Southampton FC.

The 27-year-old defender joined Southampton in 2019. Parnell started her journey out at Townhill under-10s, while also representing Southampton’s Centre of Excellence between the ages of nine and 12. After that, the defender moved to Reading’s Centre of Excellence to represent them at the under-14s level, before moving to Oxford United at 19 years of age singing for four years. Parnell joined the Saints and played a crucial role in the team winning the promotion in the 21/22 season.  

Sarah Wilson

Durham

Above: Durham captain Sarah Wilson. Photo: George Ledger Photography.

Sarah Wilson joined Durham in 2014 and currently stands as one of the longest-serving players at the club, she received the captain’s armband not long after she joined. The 32-year-old centre-back is currently very close to reaching 200 appearances for the North-East side, and in the 2020/21 season, she led the club to the runners-up spot in the Championship.

Don’t miss Part Two of Emily Evans’ profile of all the Championship captains on the site tomorrow (Thursday 28th December).

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Vidosic: “There’s still a lot further we can go”

by Ben Gilby (27/12/23)

Above: Melbourne City boss Dario Vidosic addressing the media today. Image: Melbourne City.

Melbourne City head coach Dario Vidosic believes he has a potential Championship winning squad assembled ahead of tomorrow’s game with Brisbane Roar at AAMI Park, but knows his team still has to make improvements in order to reach their potential.

Reflecting on his team’s win in the pre-Christmas Melbourne derby that put them clear at the top of the A-League Women, Vidosic said: “It was a great game…for us to walk away as winners of that game with a dominant performance, it didn’t really reflect our dominance on the scoreboard, but we’re starting to put things together…it’s just putting the ball in the back of the net, and that’s the most important thing.”

Conversion rate is just one area that the City boss believes his side can improve in. He is also looking for his side to be a bit “smarter” at times.

“There are quality teams and quality players (in the A-League Women) and we are going to give away chances. We are cleaning things up, and learning how teams adapt to us. Many are deciding to drop off and wait for those transitional moments. We just need to be a bit more smarter in how we conduct our play and how much risk we play to that and how we organise those moments. It’s about improving each week and I think there’s a lot further we can still go.”

Once work on those areas begins to bear fruit, Vidosic believes his side are more than capable of bringing silverware back to Melbourne.

“I think we do. We lost Holly (McNamara) early…but we have been able to adapt. We are still creating so many chances and it’s going to continue to evolve. The girls are taking in all the information and are able to apply it. We had a much more complete performance against Melbourne (Victory last time out) and we are looking to take that even further against Brisbane.”

City go into tomorrow’s game with the Roar with no injury concerns. The game begins a period of three matches against sides currently outside the top six. However, Vidosic doesn’t see this period of fixtures being any easier than their previous games which included encounters with top-three rivals Perth Glory and Melbourne Victory.

“When we go to teams, or when they come to us, we know we come with a large target on our back, especially being league leaders at the moment. I don’t think there are any weak teams. If you don’t show up it’s going to be a very tough game.”

Whilst it’s been a season of ups and downs for Brisbane Roar, the City boss sees real progression in the Queensland side since the arrival of new head coach Alex Smith.

“With the coaching change, they’ve gone a bit more possession-based. They did very well against Sydney (last time out, a 1-1 draw) they caused them problems. They are a little bit more direct, but they still want to have the ball, and they counter-press, so we’re expecting a good tussle tomorrow and they will be up for it.”

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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 (24/12/23).

Player of the week:
Above: Chloe Logarzo celebrates her goal for Western United on Friday – it capped a superb personal display from the Matilda. Photo: Liberty A-League.

BEN GILBY: Chloe Logarzo. The Matildas star put in a hugely influential display, especially in the first half of Western United’s win over Perth Glory on Friday. Logarzo lined up magnificently with Hannah Keane, making intelligent runs, and finding perfectly weighted passes, and the icing on the cake was a goal on her birthday to seal the win.

KIERAN YAP: Mariana Speckmaier. The Venezuelan is the striker that the Phoenix have been missing for the last few seasons. Against the Jets yesterday, she was an electric presence. Her confidence spread through the side and her penalty was emphatically struck.

BEN CAREY: Rylee Foster. She was crucial in Wellington Phoenix’s victory over Newcastle Jets. Six saves and a clean sheet against a very attack-minded Jets. Absolute brick wall. Macca would be proud.

Coach of the week:
Above: Western United head coach Kat Smith, who received two votes this week. Image: Western United.

BEN GILBY: Kat Smith. The new Western United head coach had certainly done her homework on Perth Glory. Smith constructed her team to ensure that Glory’s key creative midfielders Susan Phonsongkham and Sofia Sakalis were largely nullified. Grace Jale was completely wrapped up, and Millie Farrow was forced deeper and deeper to look for attacking opportunities. This, plus her dynamic attacking duo of Chloe Logarzo and Hannah Keane were key to Western United downing the league leaders.

KIERAN YAP: Dario Vidosic. It’s hard to go past a win against a local rival that he had never beaten as a coach in a match to reverse a slight blip. A strong result.

BEN CAREY: Kat Smith. Leading her team to victory over the league leaders was a huge effort. Her work at the team is finally paying off. Not only did Western United defend well, but their attacks were strong and relentless. They might be back to last season’s form before too long thanks to Smith.

Moment of the week:
Above: Emina Ekic – her winning goal in the Melbourne derby was huge in the context of what it has done to the ladder. Image: Melbourne City.

BEN GILBY: Emina Ekic’s winning goal in the Melbourne derby. It ensured that City went into the holiday period three points clear at the top of the ladder. Defeat for Ekic’s side would have led to a three-way log jam between City, Victory, and Perth on 17 points. The goal and the resulting win were huge.

KIERAN YAP: Annalee Grove’s last-minute save from Sophie Harding for Adelaide United at Western Sydney Wanderers.

BEN CAREY: Ash Brodigan’s long-range strike for Brisbane Roar that beat Sydney FC keeper Jada Whyman at the near post. That doesn’t happen very often. What an effort.

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The Phoenix fly past Jets in Wellington

Wellington Phoenix 2-0 Newcastle Jets

By Jonathon Hagger at Sky Stadium (23/12/23)

Above: Mariana Speckmeier and Hope Breslin celebrating. Photo: Imrayssnaps.

The Wellington Phoenix women versus the Newcastle Jets promised to be an interesting matchup with both teams starting the ninth round of the Liberty A-League in very different form.

In the previous round, the Phoenix blew an opportunity to go top of the table whereas the Jets had a big win over Western United. Just one week later how would the teams fare? With the departure of Emily van Egmond after her four week cameo with the Jets, questions were raised about how well they would go without her. 

After their disappointing performance the week before, coach Paul Temple rang the changes for the Phoenix. Nix supporters were surprised by the decision to move set piece specialist Michaela Foster, usually a defensive left back, into the midfield. This opened space at the back for the very in-form Zoe McMeeken to start and show why she is a hot talent prospect.

The Jets came out firing and put the Phoenix under pressure immediately with an attempt on goal from outside the box by Sarina Bolden. The pressure continued with Lorena Baumann and Libby Copus-Brown’s shots being cleared away by the Nix. Had any of the Jets early four shots been successful the energy of the match would have been different but it wasn’t to be. Cass Davis’ shot from outside the box curled nicely towards the goal however the Nix goalkeeper had the ball in her sights and made a strong bat away. 

A breakout run and some fancy footwork by Macey Fraser put her in wide open space in the Jets goal area. Her cross towards two Nix players, Speckmeier and Breslin, didn’t find either player and the best chance of the match to go ahead with the early goal was missed. 

The momentum in the matched swung entirely to the Phoenix when Hope Breslin was fouled in the Jets goal area after being brought down unnecessarily. Mariana Speckmeier coolly slotted the ball past Isobel Nino to go up 1-0 at the 34 minute mark. 

Just five minutes later in the 39th minute, the Phoenix secured a second goal to widen the score line to 2-0. Once again it was Speckmeier beautiful cross found the left foot of Breslin who was standing unguarded with an unobstructed view of the goal, who thumped the ball into the Jets net. Not even the very classy Jets defender Claudia Cicco was able to stop the goal. 

The Jets did not relent and attempted to fight their way back into the match searching for their first goal before halftime with shots on target by Copus-Brown, Barbieri, and Cicco all being denied. 

The teams went into the sheds at halftime with the score at 2-0.

Following the halftime break, a light rain started falling resulting in the Sky Stadium pitch becoming greasy, affecting both teams ability to stay upright. The slick surface took quite some getting used to. 

It was the Phoenix who attempted to close the match out in the 52nd minute as the ball pin-balled around in the Jets goal area however the back of the net was not to be found on this occasion. 

In the 56th minute the Phoenix brand new import signing, Isabel Cox, came into the match for her first appearance. Cox displayed all the qualities of a talented player and slotted into the team with ease. Everyone had to wait until the 71st minute for Fraser to slot through a slick pass to Cox giving her a clean shot at the Jets.

However, visiting goalkeeper Nino shut down the play. The Jets then quickly progressed the ball down the pitch to get a shot on the Phoenix goal that was well saved by Rylee Foster however in the motion of falling, Foster’s head collided with the goalpost after a diving save resulting in a considerable delay of play.

Phoenix players and supporters collectively held their breath in the 86th minute as Kate Taylor went down clutching her knee following a high-speed collision with Jets defender Milan Hammond. Thankfully the knock to the knee did not result in a serious injury and Taylor resumed play after a couple of minutes.

The remainder of the match was uneventful with both teams having chances to press with neither team managing to score. The Phoenix secured the three points for the win and the Jets return to Newcastle thinking about how to plug the gap that van Egmond has left. 

The game stats tell the story of how the match went with the Phoenix dominating possession and being far more accurate with their passing. The Jets had more shots on goal but the quality of the shots taken didn’t really trouble the Phoenix too much.

Wellington Phoenix ended the match as the deserved winner. Quality performances with Speckmeier on attack and Rylee Foster on defence saw the Phoenix win whereas in seasons past the match would more likely have finished in a draw.

Performances of note for the Jets – Claudia Cicco is a future talent of the senior Matildas team. She is very quick, versatile and knows where to be when on the pitch, both in attack and in defence. Lorena Baumann is also a quality player who is confident to shoot the ball when she sees an opening. SarinaBolden is a very classy striker who knows how to score goals but the Phoenix defenders were better than her on the day.

Both teams had plenty of chances to win this match but what ultimately separated the two teams was the quality of possession and shots taken. Gary van Egmond, Jets coach, will be putting his thinking cap on in the next few days as the Jets search for a way to bounce back from an underwhelming performance.

Paul Temple, Phoenix coach, will be able to enjoy his Christmas lunch without having to think about football, knowing that his team has a deep quality of depth that should see the Nix playing finals football.

Teams: WELLINGTON PHOENIX (4-3-3): R Foster, Davidson, Barry, Lake, McMeeken, Longo, Taylor, M Foster, Breslin, Fraser, Speckmeier. Substitutes: Edwards, Whinham, Cox, Robertson, Elliot.

Scorers: Speckmeier 34’, Breslin 39’.

NEWCASTLE JETS (3-1-2-1-3): Nino, Cicco, Prior, Wilson, Davis, Baumann, Copus-Brown, Hoban, Allan, Bolden, Barbieri. Substitutes: Rochaix, Huynh, Karipidis, Dundas, Hammond. 

Referee: Mikayla Ryan.

Attendance: 2,614. 

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Great Wall of Grove wins the day for Adelaide United

Western Sydney Wanderers 0-1 Adelaide United

By Kieran Yap (23/12/23)

Above: Adelaide United celebrate Dylan Holmes’s goal. Photo: Adelaide United.

A second-minute Dylan Holmes strike was enough to give Adelaide a 1-0 win against Western Sydney, but the three points did not come easy in an entertaining and dramatic match.

Adelaide came into this round looking for their second win of the season. They defeated the high-flying Wellington Phoenix in Round Eight, and another three points would give supporters hope that the season was starting to turn around.

Western Sydney had not lost in three matches, thanks largely to the scoring form of Sophie Harding. The mobile and dynamic striker had scored in each of those games to propel her to Golden Boot favouritism.

The game began in fast fashion and did not slow down from that point on. Nanako Sasaki cut off an attempted Wanderers clearance and threaded the ball into the path of Holmes. The Reds midfielder fired across goal and into the bottom corner to put Adelaide in the rare position of having a lead to defend.

That early goal meant that the game immediately opened up. Western Sydney pushed forward almost immediately in hopes of levelling the scores. This sort of match suits Adelaide United’s style of play and it made for an entertaining if low-scoring afternoon.

Harding was at the heart of everything good for The Wanderers. She has the size and strength to play with her back to goal, but the mobility and pace to turn and immediately trouble defences. Her movement across both flanks makes her a hard player to mark, and ultimately the entire back four’s responsibility.

When Harding spun free, surged forward, and played in Danika Matos, a goal looked certain. However, Adelaide’s goalkeeper Annalee Grove produced perfect timing and positioning to deny the goal.

Grove would prove to be the deciding factor in this game by the end of 90 minutes, but Adelaide United were unlucky to not extend their lead. The visitors repeatedly threatened with long quick passes from deep as the Wanderers continued to push upfield.

The Red’s back four were regularly being tested, but for the most part, were able to repel the Wanderers’ attacks with a safety-first approach. They prioritised getting the ball to the midfielders and strikers in the quickest way possible. Lateral passing in the backline was rare from either side.

Harding continued to threaten and after another run, she set up Holly Caspers for a one-on-one with Grove. Once again, the Australian Under 23 representative prevented an almost certain equaliser.

Adelaide United coach Adrian Stenta doubled down on his attacking philosophy and introduced Alana Jancevski and Emily Condon to the proceedings, followed later by Katie Bowler. The attacking trio’s arrival meant that there was little chance of Adelaide focussing on protecting the lead. They wanted to keep the pressure on the Wanderers and perhaps reduce the influence of playmaking centre back Amy Harrison.

Condon came closest to scoring a second. Her curling effort from the edge of the box looked headed for the bottom corner, but it skimmed past the post to the relief of goalkeeper Kaylie Collins.

Adelaide’s all-out attack style almost backfired when defender Ella Tonkin was sent off for a second yellow card. Sasaki dropped back, but they looked more vulnerable in the dying minute without a crucial player.

Wanderers substitute Ella Abdul-Massih almost set up a late reprieve after delivering a beautiful long pass behind the Adelaide defence. As Harding ran onto the pass, two possible stories began to emerge.

In one, Harding solidifies her place as the league’s in-form striker and enhanced her reputation as a potential match-winner. In the other Grove was the hero for a second week in a row.

Against any other goalkeeper, the first possibility would have been the likely result, but Grove was in no mood to be beaten in this match. She provided the late heroics to deny the Wanderers a point and secure her side three on the road.

Teams: WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS (3-4-3): Collins, McComasky, Harrison, Bruce, Rue, Apostolakis, Ferris, Matos, Morris, Caspers, Harding. Substitutes: Brooking, Breier, Abdul-Massih, Keir, Segavcic.

ADELAIDE UNITED (4-3-3): Grove, I Hodgson, Tonkin, Waldus, E Hodgson, Holmes, Sasaki, Morgan, Dawber, Lee, Blake. Substitutes: Condon, Holtz, Bowler, Jancevski, Jenkins.

Scorers: Holmes 2’.

Referee: Bec Mackie.

Attendance: 548.

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Wurigumula sets the stage for Central Coast Win

Canberra United 0-3 Central Coast Mariners

By Ryan Miller-Woods (23/12/23)

Above: Wurigumula for Central Coast Mariners. Photo: Central Coast Mariners.

Central Coast Mariners achieved their third win of the season with a 3-0 win against Canberra United at McKellar Park. Once more, for Canberra, despite having created chances, it just wasn’t their day, and they remain at the bottom of the ladder.

Within the first 10 minutes of the match, Canberra were the ones that had made the most dangerous of the chances in attack as well as the majority of possession in that period of 55.4% but Central Coast looked strong defensively at that time. Overall it was an even encounter early in the proceedings.

In the 19th minute, Bianca Galic from outside the box had a great opportunity to open the scoring for Central Coast as her shot was saved by Canberra’s goalkeeper Coco Majstorovic and tipped up and off the crossbar. Despite the shot not going in, Galic’s control of the ball that set herself up for that chance at goal was very impressive.

Four minutes later, Vesna Milivojevic came very close to scoring her ninth goal of the season as her shot just went wide of the goal which kept Central Coast’s goalkeeper Sarah Langman on notice. Milivojevic’s control of the ball and eventual shot was yet another example of just how great she has been this season for Canberra with her making the simple things look brilliant.

In the 29th minute, Isabel Gomez provided an integral pass to Wurigumula who made a great run with the ball provided towards goal. She saw her chance and went for it as her powerful shot from outside the box went sailing past Majstorovic and into the top left corner for the opening goal of the match.

As the half progressed, the more it felt like Central Coast was slightly more dangerous in attack with the chances they had made as they could have gone further ahead if they weren’t denied by the crossbar.

Something that was apparent in the first half and continued into the second half was how Central Coast built up their passages in plays which really was good to watch and was a massive benefit to them with the chances created.

In the 69th minute, Central Coast doubled their lead thanks to a great through ball by Paige Hayward which was mistimed by Canberra’s Cannon Clough and found Wurigumula. She went around the goalkeeper in the box and slotted the ball into the back of the net for her third goal both of her A-League career.

Five minutes later, Central Coast all but sealed the three points for themselves as Peta Trimis made a great run into the box from a fast break and her shot went past Majstorovic and into the bottom right corner. It was the Mariners’ third goal of the match and Trimis’ first goal in the A-League Women.

Teams: CANBERRA UNITED (3-5-1-1): Majstorovic, Ilijoski, Nathan, Grove, Christopherson, Clark, Clough, Milivojevic, Flannery, Stanic-Floody, Heyman. Substitutes: Ritchie, McKenzie, Rojas, Jackson, Bertolissio.

CENTRAL COAST MARINERS (3-4-1-2): Langman, Wardlow, King, Irwin, Hayward, Gomez, Quilligan, Bryson, Galic, Badawiya, Wurigumula. Substitutes: Dumont, Rasmussen, Karrys-Stahl, Karambasis, Trimis.

Scorers: Wurigumula 29’, 69’. Trimis 74’.

Referee: Isabella Libri.

Attendance: 1,285.

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Ekic goal ensures Melbourne City has a merry Christmas

Melbourne City 1-0 Melbourne Victory

By Emma Burke (23/12/23)

Above: Laura Hughes puts City into another attack. Photo: Melbourne City.

Melbourne City have come away with three points in the Christmas Melbourne derby, defeating Melbourne Victory 1-0 thanks to an early goal from Emina Ekic.

City came out firing, looking to prove a point after drawing last week to Central Coast Mariners and losing to Perth Glory in round seven.

They found their opening goal through Emina Ekic, after being released by Rhianna Pollicina. Ekic worked her way into the box and then sent Victory Captain Kayla Morrison in the wrong direction. With no one in front of her, Ekic was then free to slide the ball into the far corner, past a diving Lydia Williams. 

City were in charge on the scoreboard and on the field from there, spending the rest of the first half all over Victory, giving them very little time or room to work with the ball.

Victory clearly received a strong message from their head coach Jeff Hopkins at the break, as their return for the second half saw them almost immediately find an equaliser. 

Midfielder Rachel Lowe found herself in space and fired across the face of goal. Unfortunately for Lowe, her shot only managed to rattle the far post, and not City’s defensive line, who were able to clear the danger.

While Victory were trying to work their way back into the game, City were still looking to further their lead. 

Opportunities came and went for Kurea Okino, hit the post, and Lowe again who was on the receiving end of a brilliantly timed cutback from Beattie Goad.

The return of Kaitlyn Torpey for City also came with a slew of chances, none of which she was able to convert in the heat of the moment.

While City will be happy to see themselves returning to the top of the table, they’re likely rueing the same thing Victory will be, a lack of conviction in front of goal.

Teams: MELBOURNE CITY (4-2-2-2): Proulx, Chinnama (70’ Henry), Stott, Otto, Grosso, Hughes, L. McKenna (54’ Torpey), Pollicina, Galic, Ekic, Wilkinson.

Scorers: Ekic 10′

MELBOURNE VICTORY (4-2-3-1): Williams, Rankin, Nash (85’ Checker), Morrison, Hansen, Kellond-Knight (71’ D’Appolonia), Murphy, Lowe, Goad, Weinert, Okino (71’ Privitelli)

Referee: Kate Jacewicz.

Attendance: 6,286.

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In focus: The influence of Arsenal’s Matildas

by Claudia Loy (22/12/23).

Above: Caitlin Foord (left) and Steph Catley with the Conti Cup last season. They are now joined at Arsenal by their international teammate, the young gun Kyra Cooney-Cross. Photo: Arsenal Women.

Until their defeat to Tottenham Hotspur last Saturday, Arsenal’s WSL season had been heading in an upward trajectory. In this article, I look specifically at how their trio of Matildas have been contributing to the campaign to date.

Caitlin Foord and Steph Catley are solid, dependable, and deserving of their regular starting place in the team. They often play the full ninety minutes and encapsulate the desire on show by the team, linking well down the left-hand side.

Above: Kyra Cooney-Cross in possession for Arsenal in last weekend’s North London derby at Tottenham. Photo: Mariella Prew for Impetus.

Foord assisted Catley for Arsenal’s opener against Manchester City at Meadow Park, and Catley said post-match that they know where the other one is instinctively. New summer signing Kyra Cooney-Cross put in player-of-the-month performances in November and subsequently produced another outstanding performance against Spurs in the Conti Cup on 13th December.

These players encapsulate what Arsenal are about; a high level of versatility, desire, and teamwork which is also on show by the Matildas at international level. 

Foord works fluidly on the flanks in games, switching between them at times. This is important in the way that Jonas Eidevall’s side vary their attacks. The Shellharbour native is often crucial in the build-up to goals, particularly opening goals, and her energetic driving runs are consistently difficult to defend against.

Above: Caitlin Foord (centre, red shirt) competes in an aerial challenge against Aston Villa in October at The Emirates. Photo: Ben Phillips for Impetus.

This was the case fot the equalising goal against Aston Villa at the Emirates in October and the opener against Chelsea at the same venue recently. The Matildas are used to travelling long distances, and their fitness is never in question. There never seems to be a sign of fatigue. Every time they come back from international duty they almost seem reinvigorated, which is extremely impressive. 

During the Chelsea game, Catley put on the afterburners and put in a well-timed, goal-saving tackle when the match was at 3-1 to Arsenal. An experienced defender who is nearing 50 appearances for The Gunners, her experience really showed in this moment.

This was a crucial tackle, given that if the score had become 3-2 with 30 minutes to go, the outcome of the whole game could have been different. The Melbournian showed a lot of grit and determination to run back and slide in. This is another example of the Matildas stereotypical ‘Never Say Die’ spirit that has been brought to North London.

Above: Steph Catley on the ball for Arsenal at The Emirates in their opening home game against Liverpool. Photo: Mariella Prew for Impetus.

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Brisbane wrestle a point from trip to Sydney

Sydney FC 1-1 Brisbane Roar

by Ben Carey (22/12/23).

Above: Fiona Worts (sky blue shirt) and Tameka Yallop tussle for control of the ball today. Photo: Sydney FC.

A sunkissed Leichhardt Oval with a good crowd inside was the stage of Sydney FC’s second showdown of the season against Brisbane Roar today.

Brisbane claimed the win in the first match back in October after a wonder strike from Chelsea Blissett and then some excellent defending. Sydney came into the match hoping to get revenge for that early season loss. Conversely, Brisbane came trying to win both home and away matches against Sydney for the first time ever.

The first 10 minutes belonged to the hosts. They had the possession and the chances. However, Brisbane defended well and absorbed the pressure. In the 12th minute, against the run of play, they struck first. Sharn Freier made an excellent interception in the middle of the pitch, working hard to get the ball out to Ash Brodigan, who took a touch just outside the 18-yard box and then launched the ball into the Sydney goal, beating Jada Whyman at the near post.

For the rest of the half, Brisbane dominated possession, but Sydney had the better chances. Just before the halftime break, they were able to momentarily wrestle back control of the match. Some incredible work from Kirsty Fenton drew several Roar defenders out and she whipped in a quick and low ball into the box, which beat Jordan Silkowitz and set up Matildas star, Cortnee Vine, for an easy tap in to square up the match.

The sun had gone down and the floodlights had taken over by the time the second half began. The second period of the match was just as competitive and hotly contested as the first.

Around the hour mark there were two very impressive attempts on goal in rapid succession. First, after some great build-up play, Mia Corbin was able to play in Tameka Yallop, who was shut down just in time by Charlotte Mclean. Straight away up the other end, Vine set up Fiona Worts, but that too was shut down by Brisbane defenders, notably Jenna McCormick. This exciting, end-to-end passage of play summed up the whole of the second half.

Around the 80-minute mark, the Roar had their best chance of the half when Freier made another great run into the final third and took aim at the goals. Newly signed Roar striker, Bonnie Davies, was well-positioned for the follow-up and caused Whyman to spill the ball.

Sydney frantically tried to clear it, resulting in the ball rolling into the net. However, for a second week in a row, Brisbane saw a potential winning goal disallowed, this time due to Davies’ contact with Whyman being ruled a foul. The last 10 minutes of the match were hard fought, but neither side could break the deadlock.

Although they didn’t win, Brisbane Roar looked in excellent form against last season’s Champions. The visitors dominated possession for the whole match, which is a very impressive feat. Their positioning was well organised, and their movement was quicker. Brisbane’s passing was faster and more accurate; a lot of quick, short, and intentional passes, which resulted in more possession and fewer turnovers.

The way Roar played today was a lot like Wellington Phoenix have been doing so far this season. If I didn’t know any better I’d say Brisbane head coach, Alex Smith, called up Wellington Phoenix coach, Paul Temple, during the week and asked for some pointers.

Freier and Brodigan were fantastic up front for Brisbane, combining to create the early goal, along with a number of other opportunities. Once again, Freier used her pace and great footwork to outfox her opponents and set up her teammates in dangerous positions. Brodigan’s long distance strike was phenomenal, a contender for goal of the week for sure.

Hollie Palmer had a great game playing in the midfield, creating a number of chances, and taking several shots on goal herself, one of which missed by about two feet. The whole backline put in a good shift, but most impressive was Teagan Thompson, who was given the difficult task of keeping Vine quiet. That duel in particular was very fun to watch. Vine got the best of her in the first half, but Thompson had her number in the second.

By contrast, although Sydney FC didn’t have a whole lot of possession, they were definitely more effective with the ball when they had it. Both sides created a lot of good chances, but Sydney probably just had the edge. The team put in a good shift, but I have no doubt they will be disappointed to walk away from the match without the win, given the chances they had.

Despite that, Vine and Fenton had a sensational game. Both were quick, dynamic, and utterly relentless. Sydney may have lost Tobin, but they have Vine back, and for that, they can be very thankful.

Teams: SYDNEY FC (4-3-3): Tumeth, Chauvet, McLean, Fenton, Caspers, Hollman, Kruger, Vine, Worts, Ibini. Substitutes: Franco, J. Thompson, Keane, Dos Santos, Ray.

Scorers: Vine 42’.

BRISBANE ROAR (4-3-3): Silkowitz, Scarpelli, McCormick, T. Thompson, Freier, Palmer, Norrie, Kirkup, Yallop, Corbin, Brodigan. Substitutes: Richards, De La Harpe, McQueen, Stephenson, Davies.

Scorers: Brodigan 12’.

Referee: Isabella Mossin.

Attendance: 3,241.

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Logarzo masterclass seals Glory for Western United

Western United 1-0 Perth Glory

by Ben Gilby (22/12/23)

Above: Chloe Logarzo (centre) celebrates her birthday goal by blowing a kiss. Photo: Liberty A-League.

Western United put in a hugely impressive performance in both defence and attack to record an excellent victory over A-League Women leaders Perth Glory at City Vista Recreation Reserve thanks to a goal from Chloe Logarzo, who was hugely impressive throughout.

Perth Glory welcomed back Grace Jale who missed last weekend’s home game with Sydney FC up front to renew her fruitful partnership with English attacker Millie Farrow.

It was the visitors who had the first opportunity as their high press yielded instant results. With six minutes played, Julia Sardo’s crossfield ball was snaffled up by Perth’s Susan Phonsongkham who advanced in on goal to feed Farrow who’s effort was pushed away by Hillary Beall in the Western United goal at the cost of a corner that was cleared.

The hosts settled and grew to dominate the chances and offensive possession for the half. Celebrating her 29th birthday, Matildas star Chloe Logarzo was on fire, and combining outstandingly with Hannah Keane. With eight minutes on the clock, Logarzo ran through on the left flank before squaring for Jaclyn Sawicki, stationed centrally on the edge of the box, but the shot went just wide of the right hand post.

Logarzo and Keane’s partnership cranked up even further shortly afterwards with the latter threading a glorious ball that dissected three Perth defenders to find Logarzo who was eventually covered brilliantly by Sadie Lawrence at the cost of a corner. Tyla-Jay Vlajnić’s flag kick curled in and bounced off of the bar.

Whilst Perth’s ability to get forward was being severely curtailed by Kat Smith’s side, they conjured up a great opportunity on the quarter hour mark. Farrow got between two defenders showing great strength to push off Vlajnić and get a shot away that Beall dealt with excellently.

Just three minutes later, the Logarzo show was responsible for the game’s opening goal as Mel Taranto skipped between two defenders and squared the ball back to the Matildas star positioned centrally on the edge of the box to hit a powerful shot into the net for a birthday goal.

Just after the 20 minute mark, Logarzo was back at her creative best once more as she found Keane on the edge of the box for the American striker to fire a shot between Lawrence and Jessika Cowart that went wide of the left hand post with Morgan Aquino at full stretch in the Perth goal.

United were now rampant in attack. Grace Maher hit a powerful shot from the edge of the box that Aquino pushed out to the left with Keane’s follow up cannoning off of the post and out.

Just before the interval, Keane shot from picked up the ball outside the box on the left and saw her shot awkwardly pushed out for a corner on the right by Aquino. The set piece came in from Vlajnić for Adriana Taranto to send a header goalwards only to se the effort come back off of the bar.

United’s faster movement of the ball, high press and rapid interplay was a persistent threat on the league leaders’ goal in the opening half. Half-time would be an opportunity for Glory head coach Alex Epakis to tighten things up at the back whilst looking to increase the pace of Perth’s forward movement of the ball as United were having plenty of time to re-establish their defensive system and maintain a high press on Glory’s attackers when the visitors were in possession.

Above: Millie Farrow (left) worked incredibly hard all afternoon for Perth Glory today. Photo: Liberty A-League.

Sofia Sakalis, Jale, and Phonsongkham were being starved of possession, and with it reduced the creative opportunities for Perth offensively. Three changes were made early in the second period, and the Western Australian side were more compact in the defensive line, with the result that Western United had fewer shots on goal and limited chances to extend their lead. However, the second part of the puzzle that Epakis and his team needed to solve proved harder to rectify.

The Glory were not able to mount rapid fire attacks as United still kept Phonsongkham tied up. Farrow continued to work supremly hard – but with reduced rapidity in her side’s build up allied with the home side’s rapid defensive press, the visitors had hardly any opportunities to equalise. A golden one came two minutes into stoppage time.

Farrow got away from Alana Cerne on the left. The ball came to Hana Lowry for a follow up that was covered excellently by Stacey Papadopoulos. The hosts could have settled the result shortly afterwards as substitute Keiwa Hieda broke through, but couldn’t find a finish.

It’s now advantage to the Melbourne clubs ahead of their big derby tomorrow in the race to be league leaders at Christmas. A win for City would put them two points clear of Perth at the A-League Women summit. Success for Melbourne Victory would see Jeff Hopkins’ side equal on points with both Perth and their cross city rivals.

Teams: WESTERN UNITED (4-4-2): Beall, Sardo, Maher, Papadopoulos, A. Taranto, Sawicki, M. Taranto, Vlajnić, Keane, Logarzo. Substitutes: Dakic, Dall’Oste (GK), Hieda, Prakash, Robers.

Scorer: Logarzo 18′.

PERTH GLORY (4-1-3-2): Aquino, Anton, Cowart, Lawrence, Rigby, Cassidy, Sakalis, Lowry, Phonsongkham, Jale, Farrow. Substitutes: Quezada, Dalton, James (GK), Johnston, Mihocic.

Referee: Rebecca Durcau.

Attendance: 1,900.

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