Above: Ischia Brooking (blue shirt) in action for Hyundai NTC during the NPLW WA season. Photo supplied to Impetus by: Denyse McCulloch.
Western Sydney Wanderers have confirmed the scholarship signing of rising star Ischia Brooking for the next two A-League Women seasons.
Brooking joins Western Sydney off the back of the Junior Matildas qualification campaign for the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup where she played a pivotal role in the national team’s qualification.
The 14-year-old has been part of Football West’s NTC Program and was last year crowned the U16s Player of the Tournament at the National Youth Championship for Girls in Coffs Harbour.
Head coach Kat Smith spoke highly of Brooking’s potential.
“Ischia is one of Australia’s brightest young talents, and we at Western Sydney Wanderers see massive potential in her and believe she’ll make her mark on the pro game,” said Smith.
“With good dribbling skills, a superb range of passing and a keen eye for goal from any distance, she is a joy to watch.
“We expect Ischia to take this opportunity to join this opportunity to join the professional environment with a growth mindset and unwavering commitment to not only develop as an individual but also to contribute to the club’s goals.”
Brooking said she was inspired to take the next step.
“The facilities here (at Wanderers Football Park) are incredible, so I definitely wanted to join the Wanderers the minute I came to the ground,” said Brooking.
“Game time in general (in the A-League Women would be an honour, just to step on the pitch. Hopefully throughout my time at the Wanderers, I hope to get into the starting line-up.
Above: Rachel Daly (left) and Lucy Bronze celebrate on Friday night. Photo: Lionesses.
England overcame a typically energetic and stubborn Scotland side at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light.
The game took place amidst the backdrop of the tragic news of Sheffield United midfielder Maddy Cusack’s passing. It united the women’s game in grief and marked by a poignant minute’s silence before the game.
England, buoyed by a raucous atmosphere from a sell-out crowd in a stadium which can hold just under 48,000, started strongly and emphasised that with two goals that came courtesy of Lucy Bronze and Lauren Hemp.
However, the longer the half went on, the more Scotland grew into the action. They have always been tough, stubborn opponents, and demonstrated just that when Kirsty Hanson got a goal back before the interval.
Above: Lauren Hemp in possession against Scotland’s Christy Grimshaw. Photo: Lionesses.
The visitors continued to cause problems after the break with Hanson coming close with a header which needed Mary Earps to be at her best to deny the Aston Villa forward.
Scotland provided England with a real challenge and relentless puzzles to solve throughout the game. This was a tough game that Sarina Wiegman’s side will feel pleased to have got over the line on to take three points from their first-ever UEFA Nations League encounter. They ended matchday one second in the group behind Belgium and now face yet another tough task on Tuesday when they travel to the Netherlands.
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Above: Kyra Cooney-Cross in action for Australia during the FIFA 2023 Women’s World Cup. Photo: Football Australia.
By Kieran Yap, Liberty Simons and Genevieve Henry. (23/9/23)
Melbourne Victory/ Western Sydney Wanderers: 2017-2022
There were only a few hundred people in AAMI Park when Kyra Cooney-Cross announced herself as a potential star, but when the 15-year-old striker tore past Matildas defender Alana Kennedy it was clear that we might have been witnessing the emergency of a brilliant talent.
Nothing is certain in football, and for every prodigy that burns bright, there are many more that do not grow or sustain it. The pressures of elite football are high, and the sacrifices required for players in a league with part time pay mean that few are able to truly focus on football.
History will show that Kyra Cooney-Cross made it. She still has her best years ahead of her, but at the age of 21, she has won two A-League Women’s Championships, the domestic cup in Sweden and starred in a World Cup.
Her deeds have already lived up to that early potential, and we still have no real clue how good she could actually be. But It was not all smooth sailing, and the A-League Women provided her with the challenges and opportunities to eventually become women’s football’s most expensive player.
Her first two seasons at Melbourne Victory saw limited opportunities and she progressed more slowly than first hoped. This was still a very young player, but even in a side built around youth she was only able to secure 16 appearances over two seasons, many as a substitute.
Cooney-Cross made the decision to go on loan to Western Sydney Wanderers for the 2019/2020 season. There she was trusted with a starting role, and repaid that faith with a standout season that saw her nominated for the Young Footballer of the Year.
A Round One free kick set the tone for Cooney-Cross at the Wanderers, and she would finish the season with four goals as the team finished in the top four for the only time in their history.
What a way to win on opening night!
Kyra Cooney-Cross's free-kick eludes everybody, nestling into the back of the net.
It was more than just the statistics though. Critically her role changed, and we saw the first transformation from quicksilver attacker to the creative force she would become.
Cooney-Cross moved into a slightly deeper and more central role. That pace that had torn past defenders was now being used to find pockets of space and deliver passes to the likes of Lynn Williams.
When she returned to Melbourne Victory the following season, she was a player transformed, and under the guidance of Jeff Hopkins and the mentorship of Lisa De Vanna, Cooney-Cross became the driving force behind Victory’s strong 2020/2021 campaign.
It was like she was fully aware of her abilities, and was starting to relish the responsibility of impacting games. Cooney-Cross would routinely carry the ball through the middle of the pitch, breaking up defensive formations through sheer will, vision and ability.
Scores a goal and even has a cheeky dance on the pitch too💃
Kyra Cooney-Cross provides a beautiful ball to MelindaJ Barbieri who makes it 2⃣-0⃣ for @gomvfc.
She scored goals, but also developed a more combative personality. She was now able and willing to fight for the ball, to scrap as much as sculp. The artist had developed an edge.
It all came together on Grand Final day. Cooney-Cross looked like she was on a one-woman mission to win the game herself. Testing Jada Whyman in the Sydney goal from a variety of ranges and angles.
Whyman was the only thing stopping Cooney-Cross that day, until she couln’t anymore. With what was almost the final kick of the game, she scored directly from a corner. It was something that she had periodically tried throughout the season, and she backed herself to do it when it mattered most.
When a teenage Kyra Cooney-Cross scored THIS to win a Liberty A-League Championship, we knew she was destined for 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 ✨
2021/22 was her final season in Victory colors. The common narrative is that it was a quiet one by her outlandish standards. She was now a senior Matilda and Olympian, and big things were expected, especially with the addition of Alex Chidiac to the team and a short term reunion with Lynn Williams.
Cooney-Cross was not at her sparkling best that season, but most Victory fans admire her all the more for it. A Round one injury to centre back Kayla Morrision meant that the whole team had to reshuffle. Cooney-Cross had to quickly adapt to a deeper, more tactically disciplined role screening the makeshift defence. In short, on the verge of a European contract and a home World Cup, she sacrificed her own game for good of the team.
At this stage, she was not a natural “six,” and a defensive role is still not her ideal position, but she added another string to her bow, kept things ticking over for Melbourne and in the end had another championship medal around her neck.
It did not thrill the neutrals, but for Melbourne fans this was the season where Cooney-Cross went from star to club legend.
Kyra Cooney-Cross’s A-League career saw her transform from an electrifying but raw striker, to a crafty playmaker, then to a box-to-box dominant midfielder before bowing out as a deep lying distributer and tackler.
This progression would be astounding over the course of an entire career. She did it all before turning 20. By the time she left Australia she was widely regarded as the best player in the league, and she was more than ready for what was next.
Kieran Yap
Hammarby 2022-2023
The Damallsvenskan has often been considered as the place that harvests the next generation. Cooney-Cross is no exception to a long list of players that have grown in the Swedish league and then left ready for some absolutely top sides. The Stockholm based side Hammarby IF may not have the same prestige as some of their league rivals, but in her two seasons in the capital, the youngster was instrumental in not only lifting silverware for the side but pushing them into, and sustaining their place, in a tight title race.
One area of great interest in Cooney-Cross’ time in Sweden is how she would develop with a European style. It’s no surprise that since leaving Melbourne, the youngster will have played under three Swedish head coaches, for club and country. Under Pablo Piñones Arce at Hammarby, Cooney-Cross has excelled in what I have long considered the ‘Swedish style’ of football but has reinvented her own style of midfield maestro in it.
In Sweden, Cooney-Cross has perfected her role as the defensive number 8. Cooney-Cross’ time at Hammarby was a time of great involvement for the midfield as a whole. Cooney-Cross durability and adaptability in the middle of the park made her a key figure to the side. A lot of build-ups came from the Australian.
As well as making play, she was also a key figure in tracking back and stopping the backline from being penetrated. The use of the midfield was key in a game to dictate in play, especially down the centre. Whilst all sides the midfielder plays for obviously does utilise the wings, the stability and set-up from the central midfield is key in big moments. Considering that this is a similar approach that Tony Gustavsson has for the Australian National Team, and Jonas Eidvall has for Arsenal, Cooney-Cross’ adaptability to both defend and attack makes her an incredibly key figure.
Ett mål på 30 matcher i Hammarbytröjan blev för Kyra Cooney-Cross – men vilket mål det var!🤤@hammarbyfotboll@_OBOSDamallsv
Whilst not necessarily one to shoot, unless it’s an in-curler from a corner or a free kick, the midfielder has mastered the art of assisting at Hammarby. Her artful assists come from her stability in midfield. Her light and airy presence on the ball as she drives through midfield means that whilst she is marked and will be heavily marked during her time at Arsenal, she can weave around opposition and still make a difference.
Through this, Cooney-Cross proved at Hammarby that she can get herself into the perfect positions, away from her markers, to provide assists, especially in key moments. Her pass from a congested midfield to Maika Hamano in the Svenska Cupen Final provided this. The perfected weighted ball from the halfway line, to find Hamano in space, not only provided the final goal to see the Stockholm side to lift silverware but provided one of Cooney-Cross’ best moments of the season.
In her just under two seasons in the Damallsvenskan, Cooney-Cross has played in a fifth place finishing Hammarby side to being in a team within grasping reach of the league title. Across those two-ish seasons, not counting her leaving and the injury she joined the club with that kept her away from the pitch last season for a bit, the youngster was instrumental in an ever-changing set-up.
Piñones Arce has not shied away from switching formations based on oppositions. Whether he was operating with a five in midfield with Cooney-Cross slightly to one side of that setup, or a five at the back with the midfielder directly central in front, her adaptability has been second to none.
Towards the end of last season, all be it a forced change due to injuries, Eidevall experimented with different formations and set-ups. Whilst he did not go for the five at the back, he did utilise a five in midfield and maybe inclined to again this season. Cooney-Cross comfort in changing formations will not only make her an asset to the North London side but will help her settle into the new team well.
Her versatility in formations, as well as personal positioning on the pitch, means she can not only add stability and depth for the side, but makes her a key asset for the future as she continues to grow her already impressive game.
From the loud and fervent fans of the Swedish capital to the loud and fervent fans of the London capital, Cooney-Cross will fit in well at Arsenal and the WSL and will only push her already impressive gameplay even further. Greatness truly does await the 21-year-old; Arsenal are a lucky team to have her.
Liberty Simons
In Green and Gold- 2016-
Kyra Cooney-Cross has been on the Australian main stage since she was 14. She was first called up to the U-17 team in 2016 for the 2017 U-16 Asian Championship Qualifiers, where she scored six goals over five games. After finishing at the top of their group, they qualified for the tournament. In the finals, they failed to make it out of the group stage, but Cooney-Cross managed to get a goal. Overall, she scored 21 goals in 22 appearances for the national team youth levels.
In 2019, Cooney-Cross was named as a standby player for the Matildas’ World Cup campaign. She floated in and about the senior national team for years but it wasn’t until Tony Gustavsson was appointed that she really got her chance. She made her debut against Denmark in June 2021 but her next couple of months weren’t all that remarkable.
She was selected for the Tokyo Olympics but made only substitute appearances. She was consistently named in squads and subbed on, but she didn’t quite find her feet until late 2022, when Gustavsson found a way to utilise her at her best.
The return of Katrina Gorry greatly supplemented Cooney-Cross’s growth spectacularly. Cooney-Cross began to play in a more defensive role than previously and it suited her well. With Gorry alongside her, she was free not only to make brave challenges, but to drive forward to create opportunities for her attackers.
Cooney-Cross had a breakout year in 2023. Her performance at the Cup of Nations cemented her place as a part of the history-making Matildas. Her effort is palpable everytime she steps out on the field and that’s what sets her apart from the rest.
The Matildas’ communication and understanding on the pitch allowed her to shine, showing off her impressive engine and aggression. Although she has no goals to her name in her 25 appearances, her impact is so much more than that. She advances both the attack and the defence with her tenacity and pressure.
Even before the 2023 Women’s World Cup, she was hailed as one of the best young players around. She lived up to the hype. Arsenal have gained a superstar.
Above: New Central Coast Mariners signing Faye Bryson. Photo supplied to Impetus by: Central Coast Mariners.
Central Coast Mariners today unveiled the signing of former Women’s Super League defender Faye Bryson for the upcoming A-League Women’s season.
The 26-year-old Englishwoman signs having most recently played for Reading FC, making 37 appearances over two seasons with the club. Originally starting her youth career with Liverpool FC’s academy, Bryson made the switch to Everton. She captained the side to the 2014 FA Women’s Youth Cup Final, before making her senior debut in April 2015.
Bryson made her WSL debut during the 2017/18 season, before spending another two campaigns with The Toffees. Following this stint, the defender opted for a new challenge, putting pen to paper on a deal with Bristol City.
Another two seasons of WSL followed in Bristol, before eventually signing with Reading. The defender now ventures to Australia in the hunt for a new footballing experience, signing with the Mariners for the 2023/24 season.
Central Coast Mariners Head Coach Emily Husband is thrilled to have secured the signing of Bryson, seeing her as an important member of the squad.
“I am excited to have someone of Faye’s quality signing for us at the Central Coast Mariners ahead of this season. She possesses great game understanding and awareness which comes from playing in a competition with the quality of the Women’s Super League,” Husband said.
“Having played for the likes of Everton and Reading, she has brilliant experience facing some of the best players in world football. Faye has a great engine and is technically really strong which will be extremely important for us this season. She will add a lot to our squad ahead of this campaign.”
Bryson is thrilled to be starting her footballing adventure in Australia with Central Coast Mariners.
“I am really excited to have signed for the Mariners for this upcoming season. It has always been an ambition of mine to play abroad and since arriving on the Central Coast the club have welcomed me with open arms, making it already feel like a home away from home,” she said.
“It’s been really nice getting to know the girls and forming new connections. I’m really looking forward to creating something special this season.”
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Above: Kyah Simon – back at Central Coast Mariners. Photo supplied to Impetus by: Central Coast Mariners.
Australian internationals Kyah Simon and Emily Gielnik have moved back to the A-League Women after several years in England’s Women’s Super League.
The 32-year-old Simon has joined Central Coast Mariners from Tottenham Hotspur. The attacker boasts serious international experience, having featured for the Matildas 111 times, scoring 29 goals along the way. She has been selected in three FIFA Women’s World Cup squads, including the most recent 2023 edition on home soil, as well as taking part in two Olympic Games.
Simon began her professional footballing career at the Central Coast Mariners, scoring five goals in nine appearances. The striker then moved to Sydney FC, while later playing in the A-League Women’s competition for Melbourne City.
In total, the Matilda has played 108 A-League Women’s matches including six Grand Finals, scoring 50 goals and winning four A-League Championships. She has also won both the Julie Dolan Medal and the competition’s Golden Boot.
Simon has an extensive resume in domestic football overseas, playing seven seasons in America for both the Boston Breakers and Houston Dash.
Following her stint in America, Simon moved to Europe, joining Dutch giants PSV. In her sole season with the club, they finished second in the Eredivisie, before she secured a contract in the Women’s Super League with Tottenham Hotspur. The forward scored three goals in 16 appearances for the club, before a serious injury
The Matilda now returns back to where it all began, signing with the Central Coast Mariners ahead of the upcoming campaign. The striker is extremely excited to be wearing the Yellow and Navy this season, ready for a huge campaign in Mariners colours.
“I’m really pleased to have signed for Central Coast and to be back here in Australia playing in the A-League. Mariners being my first A-League club in the inaugural season, they’ve always held a special place in my heart and it’s a real full circle moment for me,” Simon said.
“The closer I came to this decision, the more it felt right for a number of reasons, coming off a really difficult 10 or so months it was a priority of mine to be somewhere I felt supported and to be in an environment surrounded by the best medical care and resources. I can’t wait to get out on the pitch with the girls and hopefully can help the team in any way I can in making this season a special and memorable one.”
Mariners Head Coach Emily Husband is thrilled to have the striker on board, seeing Simon as an incredible addition heading into the start of the season.
“The versatility and quality Kyah possesses as a forward, who has experience in some of the best leagues in women’s football, is an exciting signing for us,” Husband said.
“Her international career speaks for itself as she has scored in both the Olympic Games and World Cups. To bring that experience and proven ability to score in big moments to the Central Coast is excellent. Kyah has a fantastic character, and she will make an immediate impact on the group.”
Above: Emily Gielnik (centre) in action for Aston Villa last season. Photo: Suvadeep Biswas for Impetus.
Meanwhile, also today, Melbourne Victory announced the signing of forward Emily Gielnik.
The Matilda joins the Club from English Women’s Super League side Aston Villa, where she made 24 appearances and scored three times. Gielnik has also made 109 A-League Women’s appearances, netting 46 goals in her time in the league.
Gielnik returns for her second stint at Victory after leading the line for the side in the 2018/19 Premiership season, and has represented her country 54 times, featuring at the 2020 Olympic Games and the 2019 World Cup.
Melbourne Victory Head Coach, Jeff Hopkins said he was thrilled to re-link with Gielnik for the upcoming season.
“We’re incredibly excited to have Emily back at Melbourne Victory,” Hopkins said.
“It’s wonderful to have a player of her calibre return to the league and join our squad for the upcoming season and we know she will be an important contributor with her experience and guile in front of goal.
“Her career at domestic and international level speaks for itself and we’re looking forward to seeing what she can produce back in the A-League Women’s competition.”
Gielnik was also looking forward to returning to Melbourne Victory.
“I’m excited to be back at Victory and working with Jeff and the team for the upcoming season and I can’t wait to get started,” the striker said.
“I had a great experience during my first stint at the Club, winning Victory’s first Premiership in the A-League Women’s competition, and I’m looking forward to achieving more success with the squad this season.
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Impetus’ Aimee Reynolds was at St. George’s Park today to review England training and join the media conference with head coach Sarina Wiegman and captain Millie Bright.
Above: England head coach Sarina Wiegman at today’s media conference at St. George’s Park. Photo: Lucy Atherton for Impetus.
Ahead of England’s first-ever UEFA Nations League game against Scotland tomorrow night at a sold-out Stadium Of Light, Lionesses head coach Sarina Wiegman and captain Millie Bright spoke to the media at St George’s Park today.
Wiegman revealed that she has decided that Arsenal striker Alessia Russo will be rested for the game considering the fact that she has had such a quick turnaround from recent Champions League qualifying games. Important conversations have been had on what needs to be done to take care of top-level players with such a busy schedule currently. Everyone else appears to be fit and ready ahead of tomorrow.
The clash with the ‘Auld Enemy’ will be England’s first international game back since their defeat in the Women’s World Cup final against Spain. Bright spoke out about how the squad is excited to be back out on the grass together despite the very quick turnaround from the tournament in Australia, allied to the fact that the squad have only had a short amount of pre-season and some are yet to play a game for a club. Regardless, motivations are high for a strong performance.
Above: Millie Bright in training today. Photo: Lucy Atherton for Impetus.
Throughout the World Cup, there were ongoing conversations around player bonuses and pay, it was announced in today’s media conference by Bright that: “Luckily they are in a position to come to an agreement” with the FA after many talks that have been going on over the past months. The team as a collect are still discussing the future of it.
The Chelsea star also mentioned how important the outcomes of the talks will be for the future Lionesses: “I think it’s the whole package that comes with the game, it’s more than finances, it’s what comes with the next generations.” So far the deals with the FA are undisclosed.
On Wednesday, England keeper Mary Earps was announced as England Women’s Player of the Year which was thoroughly deserved. Both Bright and Wiegman praised their number one: ”She’s been significant since I came in and is on very good form and has great performances.” This is the latest in a long line of awards for Earps, as over the last 14 months, she has been named FIFA Best Women’s Goalkeeper, Golden Glove at the World Cup, and Barclays WSL Golden Glove Winner 22/23 season.
Wiegman and Bright also shared their thoughts on the news of Baroness Sue Campbell stepping down from her role as director of women’s football at the Football Association next year. The 74-year-old has occupied her role in the FA since 2016.
The Lionesses highlighted Campbell’s “incredible impact on women’s football” and her influence in schools having been a Physical Education teacher previously. Bright summed up Campbell’s influence as: “Incredible with all the work she does for the woman’s game past present and the next generations.”
Lucy Atherton’s photo gallery from England training today at St. George’s Park for Impetus
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Impetus’ Cymru correspondent Martin Townley reports from Cymru’s media conference today featuring head coach Gemma Grainger and captain Sophie Ingle(21/9/23).
Above:Cymru head coach Gemma Grainger. Photo: FAW.
Cymru manager Gemma Grainger described being in the new Women’s Nations League A as exactly where she wants her team to be.
Speaking to the media ahead of Cymru’s opening Group Three game away to Iceland, Grainger expects a very different encounter to the last one between the sides. They met back in February at the Pinatar Cup which ended 0-0. Iceland would go on to win the Pinatar Cup with Cymru finishing in second.
“I think this game will be very different. Although the game in February was a certain style of play, since then, we’ve both played different opposition and different formations have been used.”
This match will see Cymru finally return to fully competitive football, their last was a World Cup play-loss to Switzerland in November 2022. Cymru captain Sophie Ingle is eager for a return to this type of encounter.
“I think you do slightly have a different mentality when it’s a friendly because you can work on things, there’s no pressure. But as soon as you come back into competitive games, it’s always exciting. This is why we play football; we want to play the best teams that we can.
Cymru will be the lowest-ranked team in their group, but Ingle says it’s not an issue. “We don’t really care about that. We just want to prove to ourselves mainly that we are good enough to compete against these teams and show that we are developing as a nation”.
Cymru have a fully fit squad going into Friday’s match with Grainger having a positive selection problem.
“It’s something that I really welcome as a manager, and hasn’t always been the case all of the time I’ve been here. But now I’m finding that I’m in positions where it’s a harder decision”.
Grainger then went on to praise the work her players have been doing at club level as the reason she is now finding selecting a team more difficult.
“That’s as a result of those players going away, and really dedicating their time to that to their club football, which is something that we wanted to really support and making good decisions around where to play, and those decisions are paying off at a national team level.
“We’ve seen it with the USA game in July, with the physical preparation that was required to compete at that level in the off-season, and how seriously our players are taking, playing both at Club and national team level.”
Most outside of Cymru will be expecting Grainger’s side to finish fourth in this group but the head coach told the media of her vision and expectations.
“Internally, they’re very much not our expectations, our expectations are to perform, and ultimately, we want to qualify for the European Championships. And being in League A gives us the best opportunity.
“There are 16 teams in League A which represents the same number of teams that would represent in a European Championships and a group stage. So, we use every single opportunity, we must make sure that our mindset and our mentality is focused on what we want to do.
“But at the same time, we want to enjoy the journey. So, success looks like us enjoying this journey and learning quickly. It’s competing, and it’s taking the next steps because as a team since the Switzerland game last year, apart from the US, we were unbeaten. So that gives us that belief that when we do play teams that not only, we can compete with them, but we can also win games. And that’s what we want to do.”
The match will take place at the Laugardalsvöllur in Reykjavík with a 19:00 kick. The other match in Group Three is Denmark v Germany again on Friday kick off at 17:00.
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Above: Teagan Thompson in action for Brisbane Roar last season. Photo supplied to Impetus by: Brisbane Roar.
Brisbane Roar
The Queensland side today welcomed back defender Teagan Thompson ahead of the 2023/24 A-League Women season.
Thompson made her debut last season in December against Western Sydney Wanderers where she played a full 90 minutes coming in as an eight-week injury replacement.
The right-back was on loan from National Premier League (NPL) Queensland Women’s Champion, Lions FC last season and now joins Brisbane Roar after head coach Garrath McPherson took notice of her impressive performances.
After getting a taste for the A-League level, the 25-year-old has worked hard and is raring to go this season as she aims to reach the top four with the squad.
“I worked really hard to make my debut for Roar last season. It was an insight into a more professional league with higher intensity. Ever since I got a taste for that I was hungrier to pursue something more,” Thompson said.
“It ignited a desire for me to attain a full-term contract. It’s nice for my hard work to pay off,” she added.
Head Coach Garrath McPherson looks forward to the impact Thompson will make on the squad this season with her can-do attitude.
“I really admire her competitive mindset and desire to win. You can see it in the way she approaches all aspects of her football; her on-field training, her gym, her recovery. This will have a positive impact on our locker room and help drive those around her to be better,” McPherson said.
Perth Glory
Above: New Perth Glory signing Anika Stajčić seen here in action for the Young Matildas. Photo: Football Australia.
The club today revealed that exciting young forward Anika Stajčićhas joined for the 2023/24 season.
The 17-year-old made her A-League debut for Sydney FC last season, ironically against Glory at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium in Round 16, having previously risen to prominence with Football NSW Institute in the NPLW New South Wales.
The Young Matildas representative is now looking forward to opening a new chapter in her fledgling career with Glory.
“I’m really excited to be here in Perth. I want to get a bit more playing time than I got at Sydney last season and I definitely feel that the team here is very together, really connected and willing to fight for each other,” she said.
“I’m confident that we can make the Finals this year having been pretty unlucky to have just missed out in the past couple of seasons. We definitely have a high spirit and I think that can really take us far in this competition.”
Glory Head Coach Alex Epakis is thrilled to have brought another young player with huge potential into the squad.
“Anika is an exciting attacker in the early stages of her career. She comes to our club with Young Matildas and ALW experiences which we hope to build on further,” he said.
“Anika holds a very strong competitive mentality, along with a good attacking skill-set and she is very eager to make her mark on this team and contribute to the team’s success. We have a very exciting group of young players in our squad and Anika adds further quality.”
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Impetus’ Freya Ward was at St. George’s Park to observe England training and then joined the media conference with Rachel Daly (20/9/23).
Above: Rachel Daly (left) who spoke to the media from St. George’s Park, photographed at a pre-World Cup training session. Photo: Ben Phillips for Impetus.
The Lionesses have regrouped at St. George’s Park after a memorable summer where they just fell at the last hurdle losing 1-0 to Spain in the FIFA Women’s World Cup Final.
A squad of 21 were out in full training yesterday with Alex Greenwood and Laura Coombs both working independently inside, reportedly “to manage their load.” Other absentees from the session were the Arsenal duo of Alessia Russo and Lotte Wubben Moy, with Russo meeting up with the squad today and Wubben Moy withdrawing due to a minor injury having already been replaced by Aston Villa’s summer signing Lucy Parker who has joined up with the squad and is in full training.
The squad seemed eager for their new challenge ahead on Friday where they will be playing Scotland in their opening Nations League game at a sold-out Stadium of Light in Sunderland, just over a month after the World Cup Final
When Rachel Daly was asked for her opinion on the very tight turnaround from the Australia, she said “We’re footballers, it’s our job.” The Aston Villa star did mention that she does think the international calendar is playing its part in the injury epidemic in the women’s game and that ultimately this does need to be re-evaluated in the near future.
In other news, Mary Earps, the Lionesses’ saving grace this summer, was awarded the England Women’s Player of The Year award after having a phenomenal period in between the sticks both internationally and domestically for Manchester United. This achievement is even more outstanding given Earps’ thoughts of retiring from international football just a couple of years ago.
Reflecting on the influence of the England shot-stopper, Daly told the media: “Mary has been key to us for ages” which just really emphasises how important Sarina Weigman’s belief in the number one has been.
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Johnathan Stack brings us up to date with all the action from the weekend’s tier two action in England ahead of the league’s pause for the international window (20/9/23).
Above: Southampton celebrate during their excellent win at Reading. Photo: Grace Jones for Impetus.
Birmingham City 0-1 Charlton Athletic
Charlton grabbed a 1-0 win against 10-player Birmingham at St Andrew’s with Kayleigh Green scoring the game’s only goal from the penalty spot. Jade Pennock got her marching orders in the second half for a second bookable offence.
Sunderland 1-1 Crystal Palace
First and second in the table met at the Eppleton Colliery Football Ground and both sides went into this game unbeaten. It was Palace who took the lead early on as Elise Hughes was found in the box and her well-timed jump and header got the better of the Sunderland defence. Sunderland scored a late equaliser to get a share of the spoils: Brianna Westrup was the fastest to react to a long deep ball into the box to head home in the 90th minute. For Ben Gilby’s detailed report of this game for Impetus, click on this link: https://impetusfootball.org/2023/09/17/westrup-header-seals-draw-for-sunderland-in-battle-with-palace/
Watford 0-1 Blackburn Rovers
Above: Jade Richards celebrates her winning goal for Blackburn Rovers against Watford. Photo: Blackburn Rovers Women.
Blackburn got an important win as they won away at Watford. Captain Jade Richards got the game’s only goal as her header from a corner looped into the top corner just before half-time.
Durham 1-0 London City Lionesses
In a very tense and nervy game that saw both teams going back and forth in the North-East, Durham grabbed a 96th-minute winner against the London City Lionesses. Amy Andrews got the ball from a quick one-two to slot the winner home.
Reading 1-4 Southampton
Southampton put last week’s defeat to Sunderland out of their minds with a great 4-1 victory away to Reading. Molly Pike opened the scoring 10 minutes into the game as she latched on to a through ball and with her low shot found the left-hand side of the net. Eighteen minutes, later Katie Wilkinson doubled the Saint’s advantage from the spot after Pike earned her side penalty. Atlanta Primus made it 3-0 with seventeen minutes left. Pike involved again, this time with the assist. Jemma Purfield got Southampton’s fourth eight minutes from time to seal an empathetic win for the Saints. Charlotte Estcourt grabbed a consolation for the Royals late on but a good win for Southampton.
Sheffield United 1-0 Lewes
Above: Celebration time for Sheffield United. Photo: Sheffield United Women.
Sheffield United picked up the win against Lewes at Bramall Lane. Isobell Goodwin stuck the ball away from two yards to give the Blades their first win of the season.
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