Norfolk Weekend Wrap

by Darrell Allen (10/10/23)

Above: Ellie Smith celebrates after scoring the winner in Norwich City’s 2-1 win at Queens Park Rangers. Photo: Norwich City Women FC.

FA Women’s National League Division One South East

Norwich City came from behind to secure a 2-1 victory over Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road. Grace Stanley had given the hosts the lead but goals from Megan Todd and Ellie Smith saw the Canaries take the points back to Norfolk. They were however helped in their quest after Mya Francis-Pownall received a first-half red card.

Eastern Region Premier Division

Wroxham continued their good form with a 5-1 win over AFC Dunstable. Hannah Fuller scored a hat-trick with Lara Densley and Rebecca Russell scoring the others. Nyanzobe Fundikira scored for AFC Dunstable.

King’s Lynn Town were heavily beaten 14-0 away at Haringey Borough. Victoria Campbell and Emily Pickard scored a hat-trick each, Ronnell Humes, Kylie Manktelow, and Rimini Lowe all scored twice, with the remaining goals for Haringey Borough coming from Saoirse Hourigan and Marta Borica Boabonay.

Above: King’s Lynn Town Goalkeeper Erica Meale at full stretch in their game at Haringey Borough on Sunday. Photo: Stuart Cobb.

Eastern Region Division One North

After two disappointing Sundays, Mulbarton Belles picked up a fantastic 5-3 win at Stevenage Development thanks to a hat-trick from Rebekah Lake with Leah Brown and Samantha Walker scoring their other two goals. Stevenage’s scorers were Katie Boyle, Stephanie Fausse, and Remi Martin.

Fakenham Town continued their good form with a 6-2 win over Histon thanks to a brace from Shelley Woods with further goals from Chloe Gravett, Vicki Lubbock, Nicole Costin, and Olivia Baker. Ellie Cullum and Carla Penny scored for Histon.

Thetford Town were held at home by Newmarket Town at Mundford Road. In a game that saw Thetford lead 2-0 thanks to a brace from Kamile Omeleviciute they were disappointed to only get one point as Newmarket came back to get a draw with goals from Katie Spiers and Lidiya Mykhaylechko.

Above: Shelley Woods (centre) scored a brace for Fakenham Town (Yellow) in their 6-2 win against Histon. Photo: Ronnie Heyhoe.

Eastern Region League Cup First Round

Dussindale & Hellesdon Rovers continued their fine season with a stunning 3-0 win over Wormley Rovers thanks to goals from Rosie George, Karolina Kowalczyk, and Victoria Leyer.

Above: Mia Bambury (left) battling hard in Thetford Town’s 2-2 draw with Newmarket Town on in Eastern Region Division One North. Photo: SG Photography.

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Norfolk Women and Girls League Cup First Round

Bungay Town won 7-0 at Mundford. After a goalless opening 20 minutes, Porsha Renwick opened the scoring before Lauren Goulder added two more to give the visitors a 3-0 half-time lead. In the second period, four further goals followed as Lauren Goulder completed her hat-trick and Brooke Osborne, Lauren Purling, and Mia Rose all found the net themselves for a comprehensive victory.

Thorpe St. Andrew won a tricky-looking trip to Beccles Development in convincing fashion 8-3. Abi Simmons scored four with Tabiths Mileham scoring a hat-trick. Poppy Le-Beau got their other goal. Vicky Bloomfield scored twice for Beccles with Libby Elder also on the scoresheet.

North Walsham Town produced an impressive 3-0 win over Costessey Sports thanks to a brace from Kiera Brown and one from Rhiannon Holt.

Aylsham secured a much-needed win with a 7-1 success at Great Yarmouth Town. Jordan Arnoup led the way with a hat-trick and Carly Allum, Rhiannon Dack, Billie Myall, and Molly Webb all found the net for Aylsham. Lucie Morley scored the host’s only goal.

Stalham Town were 7-4 winners over South Walsham Lingwood. Charlotte Fisher and Amber Mayhew scored two each with Becky Houghton, Jessica Leslie, Laureena Reid scoring the other goals. Lingwood’s scorers were Leanne Smith, with two, and Nicola Hazell and Samantha Wood.

King’s Lynn Soccer Club vs Freethorpe, Long Stratton vs Horsford Harriers, Shrublands vs Red Rose and Martham vs University of East Anglia were all postponed as the result of sides forfeiting. This means that King’s Lynn Soccer Club, Long Stratton, Shrublands and UEA all enter the next round without playing a game.

Norfolk Women and Girls League Division Two

Bure Valley made it five wins from five games with a 9-0 win over Waveney. Emma Macmillan scored four, Maisie Redgrave added two, with Willow Nye, Jasmin Snelling and Sophie Allen scoring the other goals.

Above: Lauren Goulder scored a hat-trick in Bungay Town’s 7-0 win at Mundford on Sunday. Photo: Steve Wood.

Norfolk Women and Girls Seven’s Cup First Round

Left Field were 6-1 winners at Aylsham thanks to braces from Brogan O’Grady and Meadhbh Flynn. Rosa Davies-Jones and Joanne Baxter got their other goals with Samantha Robbins scoring for Aylsham.

Dussindale & Hellesdon were 6-0 winners at Bulldogs FC thanks to a hat-trick from Helen Finn, a couple from Alice Walker and one from Belinda Ballantyne.

Hockering were 2-0 winners at Cawston. Their goals came from Summer Davies and Maisie Hendry.

It was a day for away wins as seven of the eight first-round ties were won by the away side, FC Viking Valkyries continued the theme as Laura-Jane Tooke scored a hat-trick in their 5-0 win at Loddon United with Olivia Shaw and Jane Diver getting the other two.

Taverham were 2-0 winners at Madra with goals from Kiera Braithwaite and Chantel Davison.

Rockland were 6-0 winners at University of East Anglia. The goals came from Rebecca Humphreys, who netted four, and Natalie Heap and Hannah Godbold.

Horsford defeated Waveney 15-2 thanks to five goals from Kelly Mills, four goals from Robyn Nash, a hat-trick from Elizabeth Moulton, a brace from Caitlyn Arnup, and an own goal. Ashley Valentine-Moyles and Ellie McComb replied for Waveney

In the day’s only home win in the Sevens Cup, Mulbarton Wanderers were 9-0 winners over Yarmouth FC. Alice Ladbrooke scored a hat-trick, Eloise Peek hit two and the other four goals were scored by Joanne Hooper, Katie Ransome-Farmer, Julia Robathan, and Louise Rout.

Above: Bethany Seymour receiving her Mundford Player of the Match following their 7-0 defeat to Bungay Town on Sunday afternoon. Photo: Mundford FC

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The View From France

Jean-Pierre Thiesset summarizes the third round of 2023-2024 D1 Arkema season plus an exclusive photo gallery of Ellie Carpenter (10/10/23).

Above: Ellie Carpenter, number 12, celebrating Ada Hegerberg’s (number 14), goal. Photo: Jean-Pierre Thiesset for Impetus.

Saint-Etienne 0-1 Paris Saint-Germain

Saint-Etienne started this game well, but PSG quickly put their game in order and scored after five minutes. At the end of the first quarter, Saint-Etienne had two opportunities to score on the counter attack. The last quarter of the first half saw PSG take control but without scoring due to in part to the aggression of Saint-Etienne’s players, who received three yellow cards in the first half alone.

Above: Phoenetia Browne, Saint-Etienne, number 22, pink shirt in front. Photo: website Saint-Etienne, ASSE.fr.

Phoenetia Browne, Saint-Etienne forward, delivered a great performance in the first half causing many problems to the PSG defence and it would have surprised nobody if she scored, coming especially close near the end. Saint-Etienne were not outgunned at all in this match, and they were a good opposition to PSG, one of the contenders for the title. Scorers for Paris SG: Chawinga (5’). 

MATILDAS WATCH – Clare Hunt (Paris Saint-Germain)

Once again, Hunt did not feature.

Le Havre 1-4 Paris FC

This game started quickly with Louna Ribadeira who scored for Paris FC inside five minutes. Le Havre nearly levelled a couple of minutes later but having earlier set up Ribadiera, Louise Fleury scored herself on 23 minutes. Chiamaka Nnadozie made a great save in from Nadjma Ali Nadjim on 34 minutes to keep out Le Havre, but they were rewarded a minute later with a goal from Deja Davis.

Above: Louise Fleury, Paris FC, celebrating one of her three goals. Photo: Paris FC website.

Fleury added her second goal within two minutes of the restart before Laëtitia Philippe, Le Havre’s goalkeeper made a series of strong saves to keep Paris FC from adding to their total. They did make it four when Fleury completed her hat-trick on 76 minutes meaning she had been involved in all four goals. Scorers for Le Havre: Davis (35’). Scorers for Paris FC: Ribadeira (4’), Fleury (23’, 47’, 76’). 

MATILDAS WATCH – Sarah Hunter (Paris FC)

Hunter did not play.

Montpellier 3-1 Guingamp

Montpellier waited almost 60 minutes to start to score and closed the game in 10 minutes with 3 goals. Scorers for Montpellier: Robert (59’), Deslandes (62’), Mondésir (69’). Scorers for Guingamp: Léger (77’). 

Lille 2-1 Fleury

Despite a large possession of Lille (close to 70%), it was Fleury who scored early, inside two minutes, via Léa Le Garrec.Lille was rewarded for their domination by getting even at 1-1 on fifty minutes by Julie Rabanne and Jessie Roux put them ahead passing with three minutes to go. Scorers for Lille: Rabanne (50’ penalty), Roux (87’). Scorers for Fleury: Le Garrec (2’). Red card for a second yellow to Mariam Diakité, Fleury (54’ and 86’). 

Reims 1-0 Dijon

A straightforward win for Reims that puts them fourth in the standings of D1 Arkema just ahead of Paris Saint-Germain. Scorers for Reims: Gomes (71’). 

Olympique Lyonnais 4-0 Bordeaux

An easy game for Lyon who largely dominated Bordeaux with more than 70% of possession, 21 shots (six on target). With a little bit more efficiency, the score could have been even higher. It is important to point out the very good performance of Justine Lerond, Bordeaux’s goalkeeper, 23 years old, who made several great saves.

Above: Justine Lerond, in goal, making a save on a shot by Melchie Dumornay, white shirt. Photo: Jean-Pierre Thiesset for Impetus.

Ada Hegerberg, Lyon’s, first Ballon d’Or winner in 2018, returned and scored on 77 minutes.

Above: Ada Hegerberg, white shirt, scores. Photo: Jean-Pierre Thiesset for Impetus.

With this win, Lyon joined Paris FC at the head of the D1 Arkema standings. They are the only unbeaten sides after three rounds of football. Scorers for Lyon: Dumornay (24’), Diani (26’), Hegerberg (77’), Renard (85’ penalty). 

MATILDAS WATCH – Ellie Carpenter (Olympique Lyonnais)

Carpenter provided another great performance participating greatly in the clean sheet as the right-side defender. The Matildas star was also a key part of the attack, delivering several crosses.

Ellie Carpenter photo gallery

Exclusive photos from Jean-Pierre Thiesset from pitch side for Impetus. Ellie Carpenter is in the white shirt with the number 12.

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Goals galore as Dons defeat City

AFC Wimbledon 8-1 Cambridge City

by Isabelle Rogerson – AFC Wimbledon

Above: AFC Wimbledon’s Ashlee Hincks, who scored a brace yesterday. Photo: Ben Gilby.

AFC Wimbledon hit eight goals for the second match in a row, with Impetus sponsored Emma Plewa grabbing two along with Ashle Hincks.

It took just six minutes for the Dons to hit the front when Ellie Dorey, who had found herself in some space slotted the ball home superbly.

Just a matter of minutes after, the hosts won a set piece just outside the area. Hincks stood over it, and struck it beautifully into the bottom corner, for her 10th goal of the season. Hincks had the ball in the net again straight after kick-off, but the offside flag was up. In the opening quarter, it was one-way traffic from the Dons.

10 minutes before half-time, Plewa charged down the wing and sent an excellent ball into the box, that somehow evaded everyone. The ball was then picked up by Emily Donovan just inside the area, who took her chance, as she chipped the ball into the bottom right-hand corner.

As half-time approached, Cambridge City had a rare break-away. Their number 9 charged down the field at full pace and ended up one one-on-one with Faye Baker. She slotted her effort home, as it went in off the far post.

Just before the half-time whistle, Plewa found herself in acres of space in the middle of the park. The ball was slotted through to her perfectly, and she scored with a tidy finish from inside the box.

AFC Wimbledon started the second half how they ended the first. The Dons were pressuring the Cambridge City area as they sought after a fifth goal. Plewa scored her second of the game with a sensational strike from distance three minutes into the second period.

Moments later, Plewa was involved yet again as she put a low cross into the box. The ball met Ashleigh Goddard, who was there at the back post to tap it in.

The Dons kept searching for more goals. Molly Childerhouse passed the ball to substitute Sandra Soares Martins who was on the edge of the box. Her effort was fantastic, as the ball curled into the top right-hand corner.

Faye Baker gave the away side a chance to get a goal back from the penalty spot. As the clock ticked around to full time, Ashlee Hincks got herself on the scoresheet again. She got around the Cambridge City goalkeeper past the defence and finished the goal neatly into the bottom corner.

Teams: AFC WIMBLEDON: Baker, Brooks, Highman, Plewa, Hincks, Childerhouse, Gibson, Donovan, Billingham, Dorey, Goddard. Substitutes: Russell, Mann, Taylor, Soares Martin.

Scorers: Dorey, Hincks 2, Donovan, Plewa 2, Goddard, Soares Martins.

CAMBRIDGE CITY: Meollo, Pita, Fitzpatrick, Hubbard, Wodhams, Gardiner, Edwards, Shannon, Fraser, Wood, Stephenson. Substitutes: Ndlovu, Dhirani, Jackson.

Scorer: Wood.

Attendance: 137.

Photography Showcase

Impetus had photographers up and down the country at matches from the WSL down to tier six. Rafaella Macintosh, Karl Vallantine, and Jon Smalldon select their favourite images from the games they were at to share with you (9/10/23).

Above: Chloe Kelly gets a shot in on goal for Manchester City against Chelsea yesterday. Photo: Karl Vallantine for Impetus (9/10/23).

Liverpool 2-0 Aston Villa

from Rafaella Macintosh at Prenton Park

Barclays Women’s Super League (Tier One):

Manchester City 1-1 Chelsea

from Karl Vallantine at Joie Stadium

Barclays Women’s Super League (Tier One):

Newhaven 4-2 Dartford Reserves

from Jon Smalldon at The Trafalgar Ground

London & South-East Division One South (Tier Six):

Follow Impetus on social media – we’re @ImpetusFootball on Threads, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. DON’T MISS our brand new TikTok platform @ImpetusFootball too!

Trio of first half strikes see Spurs home and dry

Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 Bristol City

The Impetus team of Mia Kipling (in the press box) and Jay Patel (photography) combined at Brisbane Road yesterday to cover this WSL encounter (9/10/23).

Above: Spectacular action at Brisbane Road yesterday. Photo: Jay Patel.

Tottenham Hotspur gained their first win of the season after seeing off newly promoted Bristol City at Brisbane Road yesterday.

After impressing in defeat to Chelsea last weekend, Spurs hit the front via Olga Ahtinen in the 31st minute with an assist from Eveliina Summanen. The home team doubled their advantage just four minutes later when Martha Thomas profited from a mistake from City’s keeper Kalyan Marckese. Tottenham also took advantage of the four added minutes in the opening period as Summanen scored as their dominance was translated into a 30 lead at the break.

Photo: Jay Patel – Tottenham Hotspur v Bristol City.

Bristol City gained renewed hope just after the hour mark after Summanen handled in the box, allowing Amalie Thestrup to score from the spot in the 64th minute.

However, that was as good as it got for City. Spurs dominated the afternoon and the visitors couldn’t make their limited chances pay.

Photo: Jay Patel – Tottenham Hotspur v Bristol City.

Teams: TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR (4-3-3): Spencer, James, Bühler, Bartrip, Neville, Ahtinen, Spence, Summanen, Thomas, Clinton, Bizet.

Scorers: Ahtinen 31’, Thomas 35’, Summanen 45+4.

BRISTOL CITY (4-3-1-2): Marckese, Powell, Layzell, Aspin, Connolly, Rodgers, Napier, Mustaki, Thestrup, Jones, Morgan.

Scorer: Thestrup 64’.

Referee: Lauren Impey.

Attendance: 1,605.

Photo: Jay Patel – Tottenham Hotspur v Bristol City.

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Leitzig heroics help Leicester see off Everton

Leicester City 1-0 Everton

by Tom Coopey at The King Power Stadium for Impetus (9/10/23).

Above: Celebratory scenes after Leitzig saved a penalty to help Leicester grab the win Photo: Barclays WSL.

A well-fought win from Leicester City over Everton saw them grab the three points and retain their position at the top of the WSL.

It was another brilliant performance from Willie Kirk’s team which ensured they have recorded two consecutive wins to start the season off. Everton’s disappointing start continued, being sat just one place off the bottom on goal difference. 

Kirk made two changes to his winning side who beat Bristol City, with Jutta Rantala rewarded with her ‘super-sub’ appearance as well as Josie Green earning a start. Julie Thibaud and Aimee Palmer made way for the pair. The Toffees were looking to hit back after their defeat against Brighton and Hove Albion, with Justine Vanhaevermaet, Heather Payne, and Emma Bissell all coming into the starting 11. 

It was a lively start at the King Power Stadium, with both teams hungry to find that all-important goal. An early opportunity arose for Martina Piemonte, finding room on the edge of the box. A vicious strike by the Italian was pushed away well by Leicester goalkeeper Janina Leitzig for a corner. Down the other end, Lena Peterman had a brilliant chance. She caught Emily Ramsey off guard, but couldn’t compose herself to find the back of the net. 

Missy Goodwin had consecutive glorious chances, one linking up with Shannon O’Brien and the other pouncing on an error at the back. After 15 minutes, Leicester were beginning to find their rhythm and were knocking on the door. 

Everton were starting to settle into the game more, weathering the storm of the Leicester pressure. The Foxes were still looking to find the opener, but Everton’s organised defence said otherwise. The ball was in the back of the Leicester net, after Emma Bissell’s tidy finish, but the flag was up. 

The visitors grew into the game towards the end of the first period. Both teams were just lacking that cutting-edge in the final third. There was late drama at the end of the half, with a penalty awarded in stoppage time to the Toffees after Aileen Whelan committed a foul in the box. Justine Vanhaevermaet stepped up, looking for her first goal in an Everton shirt, but a sensational double stop by Leitzig kept the score level. The German summer signing made a brilliant dive to her right to deny the first attempt, before reacting quickly to the second effort. 

It was a close encounter for the first 45 minutes, with Leitzig the hero of the hour. After a stressful start for the visitors, they began to settle into the game. Neither side were able to break the deadlock, however, with the score goalless at the break.

Above: Janina Leitzig denying Justine Vanhevermaet from the spot. Photo: Barclays WSL.

An early opportunity opened up for Josie Green, with her effort from outside the box whistling just wide. A fast start from Everton saw Piemonte slip Bissell through, with the Bristol City loanee denied by Leitzig from close range. 

Piemonte had a wonderful chance to open the scoring and should have done. Hanna Bennison’s dinked ball to the back post found the 29-year-old, with her chested touch teeing her up for the volley, which dribbled just wide. 

Willie Kirk made his first move of the afternoon, as Hannah Cain came in for Shannon O’Brien with half an hour remaining. Chances were happening at both ends of the pitch, but being clinical was a problem for the sides. 

The deadlock was finally broken, as Lena Petermann found her second of the season to put the Foxes ahead. An astonishing weighted ball from Sam Tierney cut the Everton defence open, with Lena Petermann running in behind before a calm finish made it 1-0.

Above: Lena Petermann celebrates with her teammates after getting the winning goal Photo: Barclays WSL.

A double change from Kirk saw summer signings, Deanne Rose and Julie Thibaud come on to replace goalscorer, Petermann, and Australian international Courtney Nevin. Meanwhile, the Toffees also made a double change to try and improve their fortunes. Galii and Piemonte made way for Karoline Olesen and Nicoline Sorensen. 

Josie Green finished her match with 77 minutes played, with CJ Bott introduced. Leicester were holding their own, attempting to seek out their second three points of the season. Everton thought they’d found the equalising goal, with a deflected cross eventually bundled into the back of the net, only to be denied by the flag. 

Brian Sorensen had a last throw off the dice, making a triple substitution, in bid of finding a late leveller. With 8 minutes added on, Everton had their tails up to find a goal, whilst added time would feel like an age for the Foxes. 

Rantala nearly wrapped the win up for the home side, with her ambitious effort sailing just over the bar. There were cheers and relief around the King Power as the full-time whilst blew, seeing Leicester edge Everton to a big win. 

Teams: LEICESTER CITY: Leitzig, Nevin, Tierney, Howardm Rantala, Petermann, Whelan, Cayman, Green, Goodwin, O’Brien. Substitutes used: Cain (for O’Brien 63’), Rose (for Petermann 70’), Thibaud (for Nevin 70’), Bott (for Green 78’)

Scorers: Petermann 69’.

EVERTON: Ramsey, Veje, Bjorn, Vanhaevermaet, Bennison, Bissell, Hope, Piemonte, Payne, Finnigan, Galli. Substitutes used: Sorensen (for Piemonte 74’), Olseon (for Galli 74’), Campbell (for Vanhaevermaet 88’), Duggan (for Bissell 88’), Wheeler (for Hope 88’).

Referee: Stacey Fullicks.

Attendance: TBC.

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Manchester United v Arsenal Photo Gallery

Matthew Appleby was at the Leigh Sports Village for Impetus on Friday night to capture this excellent selection of images from Manchester United’s game with Arsenal (8/10/23).

Above: Celebration time for Manchester United on Friday night. Photo: Matthew Appleby for Impetus.

Click here to read Impetus’ Ruby Perry‘s report from the LSV press box on the match: https://impetusfootball.org/2023/10/07/late-show-from-lacasse-seals-a-point-for-arsenal/

Follow Impetus on social media – we’re @ImpetusFootball on Threads, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. DON’T MISS our brand new TikTok platform @ImpetusFootball too!

Late show from Lacasse seals a point for Arsenal

Manchester United 2-2 Arsenal

by Ruby Perry at the Leigh Sports Village for Impetus

Above: Arsenal celebrate Cloe Lacasse’s late equaliser. Photo: Barclays WSL.

Arsenal salvaged a point at Manchester United in second-half stoppage last night thanks to a sensational Cloe Lacasse strike.

With a crowd of 8,312 inside the Leigh Sports Village, including a vocal contingent from North London, it was the visitors who hit the front as Stina Blackstenius put the ball in the back of the net with fourteen minutes played.

However, United recovered their composure and would level thanks to a piece of goalkeeping that Sabrina D’Angelo would prefer to forget. Gabby George found Leah Galton who advanced towards D’Angelo who completely missed her attempt at clearing, allowing Galton to roll the ball into an empty net.

Above: Leah Galton puts Manchester United ahead. Photo: Manchester United Women.

Summer signing George’s influence was key as she continually showed great passing vision – supplying Galton in particular into huge space. However, the final chance of the half fell to Arsenal as Alessia Russo made it to the edge of the box but could only lift the ball over the top of the goal with Mary Earps advancing.

Into the second half the Gunners became more powerful after making a triple substitution. Steph Catley was developing an ability to race through into the box and Russo also became more prominent. In one move she showed great control and got a shot away under huge pressure in the box which Earps brilliantly got a foot to to keep the scores level.

Above: Arsenal’s Alessia Russo who came close several times against her former club. Photo: Arsenal Women.

The former United attacker came even closer later on as she let fly with a stunning effort that beat Earps but came cannoning back off the post.

However, with nine minutes, against the run of play, United hit the front thanks to Melvine Malard who capitalised on less that ideal defensive organisation once more from the visitors.

Then at the death came Lacasse’s stunning long range effort to seal what was a valuable point for Jonas Eidevall’s side.

To follow – Impetus’ Matthew Appleby’s exclusive photo gallery from the match.

Teams: MANCHESTER UNITED (4-2-3-1): Earps, George, Le Tissier, Blundell, Toone, Zelem, Galton, Ladd, Garcia, Turner, Geyse. Substitutes used: Miyazawa, Malard.

Scorers: Galton 27′, Malard 81′.

ARSENAL (3-4-3): D’Angelo, Beattie, Catley, Walti, Maritz, Pelova, Russo, Blackstenius, Codina, Little, Ilestedt. Substitutes used: Wubben-Moy, Lacasse, Foord, Maanum, McCabe.

Scorers: Blackstenius 14′, Lacasse 90+3.

Attendance: 8,312.

Follow Impetus on social media – we’re @ImpetusFootball on Threads, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. DON’T MISS our brand new TikTok platform @ImpetusFootball too!

Adelaide unveil trio of signings

6/10/23

Above: New Adelaide United signing Mariah Lee (right) seen in action during her time at Celtic. Photo: A-Leagues.

Nine days out from their season opener at home to Canberra United, Adelaide United today announced three further new signings.

First unveiled were Americans, Jenna Holtz and Mariah Lee. The Washington natives grew up playing together at Washington Premier F.C. and then battled against each other at two of the top universities in the American college system, Holtz for Santa Clara University and Lee for Stanford University.

Holtz arrives from Cacereño Femenino in Spain’s Segunda Federación, where she helped her team qualify for the play-offs, falling just shy of promotion.

She has previous proven leadership qualities, captaining the Seattle Sounders to their first Regional Championship and WPSL National Championship in 2018 after an undefeated season, and had a stint with Valadares Gaia F.C. Futebol Feminino in Portugal. The 27-year-old is an adaptable defender, able to play in any position across the backline and also in central midfield.

Above: Jenna Holtz pictured during her spell with Cacereno Femenino. Photo: Periodico Extremadura.

Lee is a strong forward who joins the squad with a plethora of international experience, recently spending the pre-season with OL Reign of the NWSL and prior to that played for Sporting Huelva of Spain’s Primera Division.

Notably, Lee scored six goals in 11 appearances for Celtic FC in 2021, including one of Celtic’s most important goals as a professional club.

Her winning strike against Rangers catapulted the Ghirls past their rivals in the hunt for Champions League football, endearing herself to the devoted Celtic faithful. Known to be a positive dressing room influence, the 27-year-old provides the Reds with yet another option in front of goal this season.

Head Coach, Adrian Stenta is delighted with the duo. “We welcome Jenna and Mariah to Australia and know they will fit in seamlessly here, as so many of our College affiliated players do,” he said.

“They have played throughout the world in different conditions and in front of passionate crowds, so we expect them to thrive in our fantastic environment here in Adelaide and across the A-Leagues. It takes a squad to win a Championship which remains our goal, and we believe Jenna and Mariah boost our depth immensely.”

Above: Annabel Haffenden, pictured during her time at Brisbane Roar. Photo: Brisbane Roar.

Then came the news the club had added former Brisbane Roar defender Annabel Haffendon to their squad after two seasons in Queensland.

Her 13 solid appearances earned her a contract with Swedish side, Vaxjo DFF, for which she featured five times, and she was also selected in the Young Matildas squad that faced New Zealand in Auckland last June.

With a total of 17 A-League games played, the 21-year-old can’t wait to get started with the Reds. “I’m really excited to be joining Adelaide and with the signings that have been made, it feels like a really solid squad has been built,” Haffenden said.

“I’m looking forward to continuing learning under a new coach in Adrian (Stenta) and taking my game to the next level here in Adelaide. After being injured for a time last season, I’m in a good place now and am keen to begin this new chapter with the Reds. Hopefully, we can achieve something special as a group.”

Head Coach, Adrian Stenta said: “Annie helps complete our squad brilliantly and she has the qualities to really solidify our defence. Her experience abroad and with the youth national set-up will bring a great deal to the group, as well as a calmness that we need when we’re under pressure.

“With a few new faces in the squad along with the best local South Australian talent, we’re very much looking forward to the start of what can be a memorable season for us.”

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Eidevall: “We need to improve our performance and show the real version of ourselves”

Impetus’ Morganne King was at Arsenal’s media conference with head coach Jonas Eidevall ahead of tomorrow night’s big trip to Manchester United (5/10/23).

Above: Arsenal head coach Jonas Eidevall, who this week signed a new contract. Photo: Morganna King for Impetus.

Arsenal are gearing up for the second game of their WSL campaign against Manchester United on Friday, buoyed by the news that head coach Jonas Eidevall signed a new three-year contract from the club yesterday.

Eidevall signed a new three-year deal with the club on Wednesday after joining Arsenal from Damallsvenskan side FC Rosengård in 2021. When congratulated on this he replied, “It is nice because the commitment is from both parties and it’s all in and it’s very ambitious and it’s about growing the club as much as possible and accelerating the growth of women’s football”.

Arsenal are consistently reaching record attendances; the most recently being a crowd of 54,000 at The Emirates on Sunday for their match against Liverpool. Ultimately the result was disappointing, however, the team are keen to prove themselves after their defeat.

When asked about the loss Eidevall commented; “It was a really wasted opportunity with having 55,000 people in the stand to not put on a better display and a better performance and not being able to energise them better. And my hope and my wish is that each one of them, that they return for Aston Villa game, so we can show them something completely different because they deserve that as well.”

Tomorrow’s clash up north against Manchester United will bring a new set of challenges for the Gunners. The Red Devils have brought in a selection of summer signings like Arsenal, who bagged English striker Alessia Russo in the recent transfer window, now set to face her previous club for whom she scored the game-winner the last time the clubs met. Eidevall spoke highly of her, “She’s a technical player, but she can also control the duels and be really physical and protect the ball. And it’s very, very seldom that you see players that can have all the aspects of it.” 

“You learn all the time you learn in football. Of course, what I didn’t like about last week was that I didn’t think we played with the right energy, too. And that can never happen, and that hasn’t happened to us in a long time.

Above: Arsenal’s new signing Alessia Russo will head back to her previous club Manchester United tomorrow night. Photo: Morganna King for Impetus.

“One thing this team has been excellent for is playing with the right amount of energy. Football is like that. Sometimes you do forget the basics or you don’t get them right on the day. But life is about how you respond in those moments and if you are defined by how you react to those situations. That’s what this week has been about and this is what Friday is about as well.” 

A recent topic of discussion in women’s football is whether VAR should be implemented more often on the women’s stage. Jonas Eidevall is adamant that if it is to be brought in then it needs to be done correctly and consistently.

“We see in the men’s game, even when it’s operated on a high level for it, still mistakes happen. So then we can understand that a more low budget system will generate even more mistakes. So the quality of the implementation of these things is really important. So let’s take the time and make sure that you have systems levels on all the competitions.”

After much speculation on her fitness, it was revealed that Beth Mead is not available for tomorrow’s fixture. This comes after she sustained an ACL injury in a game against Manchester United in November 2022.

Noelle Maritz was absent from training last week but she’s been described as “fit” for the upcoming match.

Asked for his overwhelming ambition from tomorrow night’s match, the Gunners boss concluded: “There is only one thing on my mind, and that’s to improve our performance, to show the real version of ourselves and to do everything in our power to try and win the football.”

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