Above: Cymru head coach Gemma Grainger. Photo: FAW.
Gemma Grainger has announced her 26-player Cymru squad for the opening matches of the UEFA Women’s Nations League, away to Iceland and home to Denmark.
Rachel Rowe returns to the squad after missing July’s 2-0 defeat to the USA in San Jose, while Hannah Cain misses out due to injury. Mary McAteer and Lauren Thomas are the two uncapped players in the squad, with Wrexham-born Thomas receiving her first senior team call-up.
The fixtures are the start of the first-ever UEFA Women’s Nations League competition, where Cymru will face Iceland, Denmark, and Germany in League A.
The competition is also a potential opportunity for Grainger’s side to guarantee a qualification place for the 2025 UEFA Women’s European Championships.
Cymru squad:
Laura O’SULLIVAN (Cardiff City Ladies), Olivia CLARK (Watford – On loan from Bristol City), Safia MIDDLETON-PATEL (Manchester United), Rhiannon ROBERTS (Real Betis), Charlie ESTCOURT (Reading), Hayley LADD (Manchester United), Josie GREEN (Leicester City), Gemma EVANS (Manchester United), Lily WOODHAM (Reading), Esther MORGAN (Heart of Midlothian), Ella POWELL (Bristol City), Sophie INGLE (Chelsea), Angharad JAMES (Tottenham Hotspur), Anna FILBEY (Crystal Palace), Jess FISHLOCK (OL Reign), Ceri HOLLAND (Liverpool), Ffion MORGAN (Bristol City), Megan WYNNE (Southampton), Rachel ROWE (Rangers), Carrie JONES (Bristol City), Kayleigh GREEN (Charlton Athletic), Elise HUGHES (Crystal Palace), Mary MCATEER (Sunderland), Chloe WILLIAMS (Blackburn Rovers), Alice GRIFFITHS (Southampton), Lauren THOMAS (Blackburn Rovers).
Above: Young Lionesses head coach Emma Coates. Photo: The FA.
Head Coach Emma Coates has named a 23-strong squad for the England U23 squad’s first two fixtures of the new campaign
The Young Lionesses will travel away to Norway to kick off the season before hosting Belgium at home in Shrewsbury.
The Young Lionesses, who remain undefeated in 2023, will first travel to Bryne to take on Norway on Thursday 21 September (17:30 BST). Emma Coates’ side will then welcome Belgium to the New Meadow, home of Shrewsbury Town FC, on Monday 25th September (19:00 BST).
The fixtures form part of a new organised competition for the WU23s in the 2023-24 season, which will see the age group compete against fellow European nations in a league format across the course of the campaign.
Emma Coates said: “It’s going to be a hugely exciting year for the WU23s as we compete in our first structured competition. As the women’s game continues to grow, we need to ensure our WU23 age group is connected to the pathway to the senior team, and this competition gives us the chance to do exactly that.
Above: Liverpool’s Missy Bo Kearns, one of the players called up by the Young Lionesses. Photo: Liverpool FC.
“The first two fixtures against Norway and Belgium will be a tough test against quality opposition, which is exactly what we want to start our campaign strongly. We hope to see a good crowd turnout in Shrewsbury to cheer the team on in our first home game of the new season.”
The squad
Goalkeepers: Lucy Thomas (Birmingham City), Fran Bentley (Bristol City), Kayla Rendell (Southampton).
Defenders: Poppy Pattinson (Brighton & Hove Albion), Naomi Layzell (Bristol City), Mia Ross (Charlton Athletic), Kiera Skeels (Charlton Athletic), Tara Bourne (Sheffield United), Ella Morris (Southampton), Asmita Ale (Tottenham Hotspur), Anouk Denton (West Ham United).
Midfielders: Laura Blindkilde Brown (Aston Villa), Ruby Grant (BK Häcken), Missy Bo Kearns (Liverpool), Ruby Mace (Manchester City), Grace Clinton (Tottenham Hotspur, on loan from Manchester United), Melisa Filis (West Ham United).
Forwards: Freya Gregory (Aston Villa), Aggie Beever-Jones (Chelsea), Missy Goodwin (Leicester City), Molly Pike (Southampton), Jessica Naz (Tottenham Hotspur), Emma Harries (West Ham United).
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by Morganna King at Wembley Stadium forImpetus(13/9/23)
Above: England head coach Sarina Wiegman, who announced her squad for the Lionesses’ forthcoming matches this afternoon. Photo: Suvadeep Biswas.
Ahead of the 2023 Nations League group stages commencing in just over a week’s time, England women’s manager Sarina Wiegman announced her 24-player squad to take on Belgium, the Netherlands, and Scotland after an eventful summer over in Australia.
Once again Lionesses captain Leah Williamson has missed out on selection due to her ACL injury. Following on from the Women’s World Cup, Chelsea captain and England Vice Captain Millie Bright steps up to fill the role.
Keira Walsh also misses out on this break’s squad with what is described as a “small calf injury” by the England manager and has nothing to do with the injury she sustained in the World Cup after being forced to come off against Denmark.
Lucy Staniforth re-enters the squad to take her place. She was listed as one of the reserves for the Lionesses’ squad before they jetted off to Australia but dropped out due to injury. Jess Park and Maya Le Tissier also step back into the squad after travelling to Australia to train with the squad pre World Cup. “They did really well, they’ve been great team players” Wiegman voiced.
Questions were raised about the notable absences of Beth Mead and Fran Kirby as they are both beginning their return from injury and are training amongst their respective clubs. “In their mind, they’re ready to go” Wiegman added. Unfortunately with them playing so few minutes and there being so much talent amongst the Lionesses, there isn’t a place available for them at this moment in time but Wiegman is adamant that they will have their chance to prove themselves for upcoming camps.
It was no doubt a difficult task for Wiegman to pick this squad prior to the commencement of the Women’s Super League which is where the majority of the England squad play. The Lionsses boss describes the situation as “such a short turnaround” in relation to the small gap in between the likes of the World Cup, club pre-season, Champions League qualifiers, and now the Nations League campaign.
Above: Leah Williamson – still absent for the Lionesses due to her ACL injury. Photo: Ben Phillips for Impetus.
When asked about the short break between the World Cup and the current international break Sarina commented: “Yes I am very worried, players need some rest too”. One of the main concerns around this scheduling issue is the fact that “some players only had six days off”.
“You want to perform at the highest level with the team, it’s so intense- players are not robots. The game is developing so quickly therefore you run into problems that you need to find solutions about quickly”.
Tottenham Hotspur striker Bethany England failed to make the cut in this month’s squad due to injury after fighting to make an appearance in the World Cup. This comes after she had surgery on her hip on the 6th September which was also described as an “ongoing issue”.
The Nations League format allows qualification for competitions such as the Olympics and the Women’s World Cup. This creates a tricky situation for England’s Nations League group as losing to Scotland would mean Team GB fails to qualify for the Olympics.
The Lionesses are drawn into Group A of the Nations League meaning they will face Belgium who they played in the Arnold Clark Cup this year, Netherlands whom England boss Sarina Wiegman used to coach, and Scotland who they have historical rivalry.
When asked about Scotland as an opposition Wiegman commented “They’ve had some impressive results”. She also spoke about how there are many familiar players amongst the opposition squad as many of them play in the Women’s Super League.
A pressing issue of the implementation of the Nations League format into women’s football is not only the scheduling but the fact that all games play internationally are now important. “Players need to be ready to step up” is Wiegman’s view on the situation due to the fact that some players will have fewer minutes if the entire squad is fully fit. Despite this, she views it as a positive which brings opportunities for winning more trophies as well as unpredictability and competitiveness.
England’s first game of their Nations League campaign kicks off on the 22nd September against Scotland at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland.
LIONESSES SQUAD:
Goalkeepers: Mary Earps, Hannah Hampton, Ellie Roebuck.
Defenders: Millie Bright, Lucy Bronze, Jess Carter, Niamh Charles, Alex Greenwood, Maya Le Tissier, Esme Morgan, Lotte Wubben-Moy
Midfielders: Laura Coombs, Jordan Nobbs, Georgia Stanway, Ella Toone, Katie Zelem
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Above: Gemma Craine, scorer of Perth SC’s first goal, in action against Hyundai NTC earlier this season. Photo: Fotoenzo.
Perth SC overcame injuries and unavailability to produce a superb first-half performance that yielded three goals to defeat Hyundai NTC in the Top Four Cup Preliminary Final tonight.
Despite Perth head coach Pete Rakic having to shuffle his pack once more, his side looked to establish themselves in the early exchanges.
Indeed, The Azzurri hit the front with just seven minutes played as Ella Lincoln put in a superb challenge to dispossess Anna Powell and motor away before sliding a pass in for Gemma Craine which bisected the NTC defence. Craine took one touch and side-footed the ball across Lilly Bailey in the visitors’ goal and into the net.
Perth continued in the ascendency with Craine imposing herself on the game at every opportunity. Also catching the eye in the opening period was youngster Alanna Ottobrino with her eagerness to get involved in this vital encounter for her side.
Above: Faye Phillips who was involved in Perth SC’s second goal, and scored a stunning third. Photo: Rob Lizzi.
With 21 minutes played, Faye Phillips played a ball into the centre from the right for Lincoln on for Ottobrino who found Rachel Jarvis. Her low shot took an awkward deflection off of Lincoln which wrong-footed Bailey and allowed the ball to trickle in.
It got better still for the hosts 12 minutes before the break as Lincoln moved along to the right-hand side and played a pass square for Phillips who looked up and curled a sensational finish into the far corner from around 25 yards.
NTC tried to respond with good work from Niamh Devitt who worked her way through and hit a shot that rolled narrowly wide of the right-hand post.
The visitors came out after the break on the front foot as they looked to get a foothold back in the game. They couldn’t quite find the breakthrough – despite Maja Archibald providing for Sophia Brooks to flash an effort narrowly over the bar.
Perth SC now go on to Saturday’s Top Four Cup Final against Perth RedStar at the State Football Centre in Queen’s Park. Their efforts across such an injury-ravaged season have been heroic – they will now be going out to end the year the way they started it in the Night Series Final against the same opposition.
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Above:Pride Park debutant Loren Kitching (left) in a battle for possession on Sunday. Photo: Simon Kimber Photography/NBFC.
Pride Park’s FA Cup run ended at the first hurdle but only after a terrific effort against higher-league opposition in front of a crowd of over 200.
After taking an early lead, Pride were pegged back by what looked a soft penalty. The hosts went ahead from a deflected shot at the start of the second half before Pride gradually built up pressure on the Nuneaton goal. Despite their best efforts, they couldn’t find the breakthrough, before Borough hit Pride with a sucker punch on the counter five minutes into time added on to clinch the win.
The new season got underway on Sunday with a trip to Nuneaton Borough for the Women’s FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round. There were competitive debuts for Ellie-Mae Coleman, Loren Kitching, Katy Sharpe, and Aimee Healy-Raynor.
Pride were quickly into their stride from the kick-off, making all the running with some sublime football as they found little pockets of space and moved the ball around quickly – Tash Allderidge getting the first shot on goal within the first minute, but it was partially blocked and was collected by the keeper.
Beth Jones fired in a shot, held by the Nuneaton keeper, before Pride took a deserved lead after seven minutes when Beth Jones slid a terrific pass through the Nuneaton back line for Summer Evans to finish.
Despite Pride’s excellent start, it was inevitable that the Regional League side would come into the game more, and a close-range effort was gathered by Jade Howell after 11 minutes. Two minutes later Nuneaton were awarded what appeared to be a soft penalty after the striker was judged to have been tripped as she entered the penalty area. Borough took advantage from the spot to draw level.
The remainder of the first half was fairly even – there was a great chance for Beth Jones after combining with Ellie-Mae Coleman, but Jones fired her shot wide after 20 minutes. After receiving the ball back from a corner, Allderidge hit a curling shot which was held by the keeper. Steph Eadon and Summer Evans had shots saved just after the half-hour, and at the other end, Jade Howell collected one shot on goal and was able to watch a couple of shots go safely wide.
Sophie Ayton did well to block a shot, then in the closing minutes of the first half there was a let-off for Pride when Nuneaton’s striker reached the ball just ahead of Howell but her shot from an angle went across the face of goal.
Above: Annie Laight (left) in a chase at Nuneaton Borough. Photo: Simon Kimber Photography/NBFC.
Nuneaton took the lead almost straight after the restart. A clearance was picked up in the centre and although Ayton did well to close down the striker and partially block the shot, the shot deflected up high and looped over Howell to drop just under the bar.
It was a cruel way to go behind and it momentarily upset Pride’s rhythm, whereas the goal gave Nuneaton added impetus and for a brief period they pushed for another, but Howell was able to collect a loose ball and watch a header go wide of the post.
Pride recovered their composure and started to push for an equaliser; Ayton’s opportunistic shot from distance was deflected just wide on the hour, Eadon’s header from the resultant corner was cleared off the line. Coleman latched on to a clearance but her volley was held by the keeper.
Eadon intercepted in midfield and drove forward before hitting a low, driven shot that had the keeper scrambling but she managed to get down to it and turn it round the post – from the resulting corner Steph got up well but her header dropped onto the roof of the net.
Beth Jones collected a throw-in from Izzy Wilsoncroft before turning and fizzing a shot across the face of goal and wide of the far post. All three available substitutions were made by Pride at the drink break, without any loss of momentum as all three substitutes slotted in seamlessly.
Steph Eadon picked up a clearance, and despite the close attention of a defender got her shot away which the keeper couldn’t hold but gathered at the second attempt just ahead of Evans.
Heading into the last ten minutes of normal time, Jones turned infield after collecting another Wilsoncroft throw, worked half a yard of space but didn’t quite connect with her left-footed shot which ran through to the keeper, and Evans managed to connect with a Allderidge corner but it was saved by the keeper.
In terms of attacking it had been all Pride Park from the hour mark onwards, but the ball just wasn’t falling kindly. As the game headed into time added on there were a couple of nearly-but-not-quite through balls before, as Pride pushed forward, Nuneaton broke away to deliver the sucker punch in the final minute.
It was a tremendous effort by the players who gave everything against higher League opposition – a neutral observer would have been pushed to identify which was the higher-ranked team, as Pride had the majority of possession and created the most opportunities in an otherwise very evenly contested match, played in a great spirit.
The game really could have gone either way – Pride just didn’t have the necessary slice of luck when they needed it, but they can be proud of their performance! The challenge now is to take this level of performance into the league.
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Four clubs announced new arrivals on Wednesday ahead of the new A-League Women season. Impetus has all the details(13/9/23).
Above: New Brisbane Roar goalkeeper Jordan Silkowitz. Photo: Iowa State University Athletics.
Brisbane Roar
Brisbane Roar today welcomed shot-stopper Jordan Silkowitz from the United States ahead of the 2023/24 Liberty A-League season.
Silkowitz made history earlier this year, when she was the first ever player, and goalkeeper, to be drafted into the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) out of Iowa State University by Kansas City Current.
For the Iowa State Cyclones, she started in all 43 games she was available for over three years and finished with 324 saves which is the fifth all-time for the school. Now ready for a new challenge, Silkowitz has made the trip to Brisbane for an exciting season with the Roar.
“I’m super excited for the opportunity. The World Cup created so much buzz around soccer in Australia. It’s so cool to see the investment in women’s sport after that and just the support from everyone in the country and around the world too,” Silkowitz said.
“I’m excited to get to Australia and see a different culture and play the game I love,” she added. “Just with talking to Garrath and the club, I’m super excited to be in a new environment and I’m excited to be a part of the goals that the club has. I can’t wait to get out there and meet the team and crush those goals.”
Head Coach Garrath McPherson looks forward to seeing Silkowitz in action for Brisbane Roar after upholding an outstanding reputation at Kansas City.
“Jordan is a young goalkeeper with unlimited potential. The current coaching staff at Kansas City speak incredibly highly of her qualities as a professional athlete,” McPherson said.
She is coming from another world-class competition and is hungry for games. In the conversations we’ve had, her enthusiasm, positivity, and desire to improve shone through,” he added.
Melbourne Victory
Above: Tori Hansen – soon to arrive at Melbourne Victory. Photo: The Daily Tar Heel.
Melbourne Victory announced on Wednesday the signing of American defender Tori Hansen for the 2023/24 A-League Women season.
The 22-year-old joins the Club on loan from American NWSL side Orlando Pride, after joining the Pride as the 25th pick in the 2023 NWSL Draft.
Hansen has represented her country at youth international level and played four seasons at the University of North Carolina where she made 65 appearances over four seasons in college.
Melbourne Victory Head Coach, Jeff Hopkins said Hansen will look to add more defensive competition to the squad’s roster for the upcoming season.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Tori to the team,” Hopkins said. “She is a young, up-and-coming defender who has been impressive at college level and we believe she will be a great fit to our strong defensive group.
“We’ve built an exciting, dynamic squad for the upcoming campaign that we believe will challenge for the title once again this season and we’re excited to see what Tori and the team can produce this season.”
Hansen was also looking forward to her first experience of the A-League Women’s competition. “I’m delighted to be joining Melbourne Victory and can’t wait for the challenge ahead,” Hansen said.
“The A-League is a competition that has continued to grow in its stature globally and the opportunity to test myself at this level is exciting. The goal now is to give everything I can for Jeff and the team this season and achieve the ultimate success with this group.”
Wellington Phoenix
Above: Annalie Longo – ready for the new campaign at Wellington Phoenix. Photo: stuff.co.nz.
The New Zealanders have secured champion midfielder Annalie Longo as their final outfield signing for the 2023-24 A-League Women season.
The 131-cap Football Fern has penned a one-year deal with the Nix, 12 months on from suffering a serious knee injury which forced her to miss the entirety of the 2022-23 season.
Longo, 32, fought back to make the final 23-strong New Zealand squad for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and featured in two of the Ferns’ group matches. She can’t wait to realise a childhood dream with the Phoenix.
“As a little girl growing up I always wanted to play professional football in New Zealand,” Longo said.
“To have signed last year and then unfortunately the circumstances with the knee meant I couldn’t be part of the squad, there was that little piece of unfinished business in terms of being able to play for the Phoenix.
“I was a mad supporter last season. I was almost at every game doing the commentating or supporting the team and now to finally be signed, to be here and be part of the group is special.”
The former Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory player is a proven winner. She has won seven national league titles, including six in eight years with the Canterbury United Pride, and has been part of two championship-winning sides in Australia.
“I want to be part of a team that’s successful. I’ve managed to do that with two teams in the A-League previously so I want to bring that experience to this group and really strive for a finals finish.
“In the last two years, the team has done well, but it’s been a struggle in terms of picking up results. As a group we all want to strive to win games, to be exciting to watch, be creative when we have the ball and score goals. That’s the way I want to play.”
Western Sydney Wanderers
Above: Kaylie Collins – Western Sydney Wanderers’ new goalkeeper. Photo: USC Athletics.
Western Sydney Wanderers today confirmed the loan signing of goalkeeper Kaylie Collins from National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) side Orlando Pride for the upcoming A-League Women season.
Collins has been in the top flight of the United States competition since 2021 and will be looking to secure more match minutes in Western Sydney.
Prior to the NWSL, Collins had a prolific college career at USC Trojans where she won the NCAA Division I Women’s Soccer Championship and Pac-12 Conference Goalkeeper of the Year.
Head coach Kat Smith welcomed Kaylie to the club. “With our established technical attributes and personality profile, Kaylie is a great fit,” said Smith.
“We are happy to add more quality to our goalkeeper stocks; competition breeds excellence.
“Having achieved success throughout her career, we know that Kaylie will further add to the winning mentality we are building in our squad.”
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Jean-Pierre Thiesset summarizes the “Trophée des Championnes” 2023 game between Olympique Lyonnais and Paris Saint-Germain(12/9/23).
Above: Lyon celebrates their first title of the 2023/24 season: the Trophée des Championnes. Photo: courtesy of Pauline Figuet.
Olympique Lyonnais 2-0 Paris Saint-Germain
Taking place in the central French city of Troyes, this opening game of the 2023/4 season was between the two best teams of D1 Arkema and the first with the presence of Michele Kang, Lyon’s new owner.
Above: Michele Kang, Lyon’s President, greeting the Lyon fans before the game. Photo: Jean-Pierre Thiesset.
It was a pleasant game with a lot of action but perhaps not as much as everyone expected. Both teams are still in a preparation phase, and we saw a lack of connection between Lyon’s players that allowed PSG to dominate the first 30 minutes but the Parisians could not capitalise, with Christiane Endler stopping the few shots that found the target.
Above: Christiane Endler, Lyon goalkeeper in action. Photo: Jean-Pierre Thiesset.
Melchie Dumornay, a World Cup star with Haiti, in her first game with Lyon, scored a wonderful goal on 35 minutes: a header on a cross from Eugénie Le Sommer.
Above: Player of the match, Melchie Dumornay (white jersey) in action during the game. Photo: Jean-Pierre Thiesset.
In the second half, on 67 minutes, Eugénie Le Sommer deflected a shot from Lindsey Horan to score the 2nd goal for Lyon. Le Sommer’s was a fine individual performance, with one goal and one assist.
Above: Lindsey Horan (white jersey) hits a shot that led to Eugénie Le Sommer’s goal. Photo: Jean-Pierre Thiesset.
Above: Eugénie Le Sommer seems very pleased with the 1st title of the season. Photo: Jean-Pierre Thiesset.
No doubt that when the new players are fully integrated into this Lyon side they will be very difficult to beat.
Teams: OLYMPIQUE LYONNAIS (4-3-3): Endler, Bacha, Renard, Gilles, Carpenter, Van De Donk, Egurrola, Horan. Dumornay, Le Sommer, Diani. Substitutes: Morroni, Majri, Marozsan, Becho, Mbock.
Scorer: Dumornay (35’), Le Sommer (67’).
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN (5-3-2): Kiedrzynek – Karchaoui, Le Guilly, De Almeida, Calligaris, Vangsgaard – Groenen, Jean-François, Geyoro – Baltimore, Martens. Substitutes: Payne, Bachmann, Fazer, Vitoria.
Attendance: 5,283.
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Above:Cambridge United’s Ruth Fox (left) battles with Norwich City’s Anna Larkins in Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Carrow Road. Photo: Ben Phillips.
FA Women’s National League Division One South East
On a blisteringly hot day for all teams, Norwich City were held to a 1-1 draw by Cambridge United at Carrow Road in a match played in front of a crowd of 4,849. Isabella Simmonds had given Cambridge United the lead on 22 minutes, but Norwich earned a point with a penalty from Megan Todd two minutes after halftime. It was an important goal as it continued the Canaries unbeaten start to the season.
Eastern Region Premier Division
It was a day that provided no points for Norfolk sides in tier five. Wroxham were beaten 4-2 at home by Real Bedford. Bedford led 3-0 at the break but an improved second half from the Yachtswomen saw Lauren Bullard and Rebecca Russell get two back for the hosts but Bedford secured all the points with a late goal of their own. Bedford’s scorers were Gemma Croucher, Natasha Fensome, and Francesca Partridge who scored two.
Elsewhere in the division, King’s Lynn Town were beaten 8-0 at Royston Town. It was a tale of braces at Garden Walk as Emma Slater, Rebecca Vass, and Anneliese Georgiou all got two goals each with Charlotte South and Poppy Smith grabbing the others for the home side.
Above: Rebecca Russell scored and was Player of the Match for Wroxham in their 4-2 defeat at home to Real Bedford on Sunday. Photo: Wroxham Women FC.
FA Cup First Qualifying Round
Dussindale & HellesdonRovers continued their fine start to the season by winning away to Fulbourn Institute Bluebirds 3-1 thanks to goals from Calista Tink, Shanice Sutton and Rosie George. Institute replied through Marie Stubbings.
Thetford Town secured an emphatic passage into the next round with an 11-0 victory over Cambridge Rangers with a hat-trick from Katie Fray, two each from Kate Morris and Kamile Omeleviciute, and goals from Alice Collins, Dayna Howard, Mary-Anne Hoy and Jordanne Sillitoe. It was a result that continues Luke Pickford’s side’s impressive start to the season with 20 goals scored and zero conceded across all competitions.
In the day’s other tie involving a Norfolk side, Long Stratton were beaten 3-2 at home by Brantham Athletic. M’Leah Wright scored twice for the visitors with Laura Turley getting their other goal. Long Stratton had Grace Wall and Elsie Downer to thank for their goals.
Elsewhere, Fakenham Town and Mulbarton Wanderers sealed places in the next round without playing a game as their opponents Brett Vale and East Bergholt United, respectively, both unfortunately folded after the draw was made.
Above: Action from the FA Cup match between Long Stratton (red) and Brantham Athletic. Photo: Darren Gilham (Women’s Football East).
Norfolk Women and Girls League Division One
On the opening day for the Norfolk Women and Girls League, Bungay Town started as they mean to go on with a 3-1 victory over newly promoted Aylsham at Maltings Meadow. Ciera Flatt scored two outstanding free kicks with Selina Rowland scoring the other. Rhiannon Dack was the scorer on the day for Aylsham.
Caister also started their season with a 3-1 victory over the University of East Anglia (UEA) at the Allendale. Despite an impressive effort from UEA, with just 11 players and no recognised goalkeeper, Caister won through goals from Ellie Hills, Rebecca Waters and Bethany Turner – Ella Burnley got a goal back late in the affair for UEA.
Sprowston were 7-2 winners on the road at King’s Lynn Soccer Club with Rosie Milligan scoring twice and Kelsi Adams, Bailey Duffield, Courtney Leggett, Phoebe Green, and Lola Howard adding one each. Chloe Edwards and Viktorija Burkauskaite got the goals for the home side.
Costessey Sports enjoyed their first-ever game in Division One in fine style with a 4-2 home victory over Thorpe St. Andrew. Tallie Chilleystone scored two with Layla Watts and Alice Wharam getting the other goals. Abi Simmons scored both of the goals for Thorpe St Andrew.
In the day’s other Tier Seven game, Mulbarton Development claimed a 3-0 victory over North Walsham Town thanks to goals from Alice Smith, Charlotte Groves and Amy Coaker.
Above: Ciera Flatt was a two-goal hero for Bungay Town in their 3-1 victory over Aylsham on Sunday. Photo: Steve Wood
Norfolk Women and Girls League Division Two
Beccles Town Development secured an 8-0 victory over Red Rose thanks to a hat-trick from Megan Sergeant, two each from Libby Elder and Saffron Jones-Yates. Vicky Bloomfield grabbed the other.
Bure Valley were 6-1 winners over Horsford Harriers as Emma Macmillan, Willow Nye, and Maisie Redgrave all scored twice with Isla Toop responding for Horsford.
FC Viking Valkyries started the season with a 7-1 win victory over SWFC Lingwood thanks to an amazing six goals from Jessica Bennett with Charlotte Kenny adding one, and Piper Hebditch scored for SWFC Lingwood.
Stalham Town were 3-2 winners at Freethorpe thanks to goals from Charlotte Fisher, Amber Mayhew and Claire Wilkins. Viktorija Miglane scored both goals for Freethorpe.
Shrublands were 8-2 winners at Great Yarmouth with Rachel Adams and Neneh Jeffery (two each), and Chloe Bailey, Alivia Powell, Ruby Timms, and Holly Gillies all getting on the scoresheet. Hannah Halfnight and Lucie Morley scored for Great Yarmouth.
Mundford were 10-0 winners at Martham thanks to a hat-trick from Livvi Hodges, two from Lauren Roberts, and one each from Stevie-Leigh Malkinson, Bethany Seymour, Tiffany Seymour, Niamh Underhill and Georgia-Louise Dargan.
After all those goals, the day’s other tier eight game saw Horsford Hurricanes and Waveney play out a 0-0 draw.
Above: Action from Bure Valley’s 6-1 win over Horsford Harriers (Sky Blue). Photo: Shay Porter.
Norfolk Women and Girls League Sevens Division One
Dussindale and Hellesdon and Horsford shared the spoils in an exciting 2-2 draw at The Nest. Rita Alves and Helen Finn scored for Dussindale and Hellesdon with Caitlyn Arnup and Elizabeth Moulton scoring for Horsford.
Rockland United were 4-1 winners over Loddon United thanks to two each from Rebecca Humphreys and Daisy Eke, with Jade Wilson scoring for Loddon.
Left Field started the season with a 2-1 win at Taverham. Tamsin Leah scored both and Sophie Rose scored for Taverham.
Mulbarton Wanderers were 7-1 winners at Waveney thanks to four goals from Alice Ladbrooke, two from Julia Robathan, and one from Emmie Jarvis. Niamh Payne scored for Waveney.
Norfolk Women and Girls League 7’s Division Two
Bulldogs and Aylsham played out a 1-1 draw, Fabiana Valimamade scored for Bulldogs with Emma Wayte scoring for Aylsham. Hockering were 3-0 winners at Madra thanks to goals from Lydia Auston-Coull, Maisie Hendry, and Summer Davies.
Above: Sprowston were 7-2 winners at Kings Lynn Soccer Club and went top of Norfolk Women and Girls League Division One in their new away kit on Sunday. Photo: Sprowston Women Football Club
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Tom Freemanprovides a detailed review of all the action from tiers three and four in Scotland(12/9/23).
Above: Morton (blue and white) contest possession during their trip to Edinburgh City in the SWF Championship. Photo: Alex Todd / Sportpix.
SWF Championship
Three red cards marred Edinburgh City’s first home game of the Scottish Women’s Championship, as last season’s League One winners were held 2-2 by Morton in the torrential rain at Meadowbank.
Amy Hay initially marked her return to the capital club by scoring an early goal followed by a second-half strike by Holly Aitchison. But Morton Captain Nicole Haggerty pulled one back from outside the box, then second-half sub Rhiana Rankin showed great composure to equalise on 71 minutes.
A flurry of cards followed, with Hay picking up her second red of the season for a kickout and Emma Yorkston also seeing red following an exchange with the referee after Morton striker Gracie Cairney had seen yellow.
City then had goalkeeper Rachel Docherty to thank as Morton applied the pressure before more cards were shown in the final minutes, including a third red card for the home side’s Charlotte McDougall on the final whistle.
Championship leaders Rossvale remain unbeaten after a comfortable 4-0 victory in Aberdeen against Westdyke, while Ayr United kept pace in second with a 9-0 victory over Hutchison Vale’s depleted squad.
Inverness Caledonian Thistle returned to winning ways as a Rhea Hossack double saw off visiting Dryburgh Athletic in a 2-1 victory, captain Laura Boag nodding home for the Dundee side. The victory keeps the Highlanders level on points with second-placed Ayr.
Meanwhile, doubles from Emma Paterson and Micheala Brown helped Renfrew Ladies to an impressive 5-2 victory at East Fife to see them into fourth.
SWF League One
In the top-of-the-table clash in League One, Forfar Farmington took advantage of AirdrieLadies having two players sent off in the first half to claim a 3-1 victory to send the Angus side clear at the top of the table.
Queen of the South romped to an 11-0 victory over Giffnock with six goals from Holly Ovens, a hat-trick for Georgia Wilson, and a goal each for Charlotte Bryden and Maisie Copland sending a signal of intent from the newly promoted side.
Fellow newcomers Bonnyrigg Rose beat BSC Glasgow at Poltonhall, an early strike by Saffron McCabe cancelled out by a spectacular goal from distance by BSC skipper Sam McManus before two quick goals from Caitlin Lowe and Alexis Curry secured the points for the home side in the first half.
Elsewhere, Falkirk beat St. Mirren 2-0 at home and a Helen Templeton hat-trick helped Stenhousemuir to a 7-1 victory over Dundee West.
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Above: Jerry Collins Stadium, where Wellington Phoenix will play six A-League Women matches during 2023/24. Photo: stuff.co.nz
Wellington Phoenix will take half a dozen matches to Jerry Collins Stadium in Porirua Park during the upcoming A-League Women season.
The recently upgraded stadium, a training venue for the FIFA Women’s World Cup, will host six A-League matches from December through until the end of the season in late March.
The Phoenix will play at Porirua Park for the first time on Sunday, December 10, when they will meet three-time champions Melbourne Victory.
They will host the Central Coast Mariners, who are returning to the league after a 13-year absence, and Canberra United in Porirua in January before Adelaide United visit in February.
Reigning A-League champions Sydney FC will play the Nix at Porirua Park on Sunday, March 17, before ending the home and away season against Western Sydney Wanderers in Porirua on Saturday, March 30.
Phoenix general manager David Dome revealed that the announcement today is the culmination of a long term search for a suitable arena: “We’ve been looking for a more intimate venue for the women to play this season and believe Porirua Park is the perfect fit.
“Our fans will be able to get closer to the action than ever before and we will be able to create a real carnival atmosphere alongside the football.
“We’re also looking at how we can help get our supporters to and from Porirua train station on match days.”
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