Above: Pride Park’s Steph Eadon (blue shirt), who capped a commanding performance in midfield with two goals. Photo: Shaun Hardwick.
There was a one-minute silence observed by all prior to the kick-off out of respect for and to commemorate player Maddy Cusack who passed away aged 27 last week. Maddy was a player in the DGLL before becoming a member of the League’s refereeing team at the central venue, prior to embarking on her professional career at Aston Villa and then Sheffield United.
This was the first time these teams had met so, for both, it was something of an unknown quantity. For Pride Park, this was a fourth game in 14 days. Three goals for Pride in a ten-minute spell starting on six minutes got them off to the ideal start with the home team dominating from the off.
Above: Pride Park mark a minute’s silence in memory of Maddy Cusack. Photo: Shaun Hardwick.
Steph Eadon started the scoring, after early pressure in which a corner had already hit the top of the crossbar, a shot was blocked and another saved. Picking the ball up in midfield she drove past three defenders and hit a shot into the corner from the edge of the area. Four minutes later she had her second, finishing off good build-up play with a shot to the same corner.
The third in a rampant spell for Pride came from a superbly flighted and weighted through ball by Katy Sharpe, making her first start, to find the run of Beth Jones who slotted past the keeper.
There was a good chance for Bakewell to pull one back but it was hit wide – but this was a rare foray by the visitors as Pride threatened to extend their lead – Jones, Eadon, Aimee Healy-Raynor, and Jones (again) all going close, before Healy-Raynor made it four, getting her first goal for Pride with a close range header from an Eadon cross.
Eadon was commanding midfield and pulling all the strings for Pride, and after another driving run took a shot from distance on the half-hour. The better option might have been to play the ball in for Jones, in space in the centre, but having already had joy from distance and sensing a hat-trick can perhaps be forgiven for going for goal!
Above: Beth Jones, slotting past the Bakewell Town goalkeeper for one of her three goals on Sunday. Photo: Shaun Hardwick.
Having been under the cosh for most of the half, Bakewell had a brilliant chance as former Pride player Lottie Bryan put in a burst of speed down the line before cutting in and hitting a goalbound effort, which Jade Howell did well to palm over at the expense of a corner.
There was a great chance for Maja to open her account for the season a couple of minutes before half-time when Annie Laight threaded an inch-perfect pass through, but she fired wide with just the keeper to beat. Just as it looked like there would be no further score before the break, Tash Allderidge picked up a layoff in midfield from Znamirowska and hit an unstoppable shot from distance into the top bin.
Pride had been dominant from start to finish in the half, taking a thoroughly deserved five-goal lead. The challenge in the second half would be to maintain the tempo and concentration and to match the standard set in the first half.
However, Bakewell had other ideas, making a good start to the half and pulled a goal back ten minutes in as a cross into the area wasn’t dealt with defensively, and was prodded home from close range.
Above: Aimee Healy-Raynor – on the score sheet for the first time after joining Pride in the summer. Photo: Shaun Hardwick.
As if stung by conceding, Pride immediately restored their advantage. Sharpe set Znamirowska away down the wing with a nice through ball. Znamirowska cut the ball back for Jones in the area and she turned inside the defender before blasting it home from eight yards.
Three minutes later Izzy Wilsoncroft played in a very inviting cross from the right and Znamirowska got a touch onto the unfortunate defender who could only deflect the ball into her own net.
A little of the momentum and tempo dropped off slightly, as did the number of opportunities, as rolling substitutes were used to provide brief rests to players in the middle of a testing schedule so early in the season. Pride were still dominating possession, however, although Bakewell did fashion a good opportunity that Sophie Ayton and Howell combined to get the ball away.
Eadon connected well with a corner but put her header over before Jones completed her hat-trick with a composed finish from Eliot Sayavong’s through ball. Bakewell had two good opportunities in the final ten minutes, firing over from the first after Pride failed to clear, and getting on the end of a cross inside the six-yard box but shooting straight at Howell.
As the final minutes played out, Ellie Coleman played a great ball through for Jones, but she took it too close to the keeper who was able to smother the ball, another great strike from distance by Eadon was just wide, and Healy-Raynor improvised with an opportunistic strike from distance, after intercepting a goal kick, but was unfortunate to see her strike dip onto the roof of the net with the keeper stranded.
There was time for one last chance for Pride, as Eadon slipped the ball across to Healy-Raynor in space but the keeper pulled off an excellent save.
Artwork: Graphics by PW.
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Impetus’ Andy Wicks was at Shrewsbury Town FC last night to capture the best of the action from England U23’s game with Belgium (26/9/23)
Above: Celebration time for Aggie Beever-Jones (left) and Missy Bo Kearns as theYoung Lionesses went 1-0 up last night. Photo: Andy Wicks for Impetus.
England U23 3-0 Belgium U23
England gained their victory in front of a record crowd for a women’s U23 international at Shrewsbury on Monday night.
Chelsea’s Aggie Beever-Jones put the hosts ahead after 24 minutes when an attempted clearance from Belgium’s goalkeeper rebounded off of her and into the net.
Kiera Skeels doubled the Young Lionesses’ lead with 20 minutes remaining after heading in the influential Missy-Bo Kearns’ corner. The scoring was completed after 82 minutes when Ruby Mace’s ball was volleyed home by Ella Morris.
Andy Wicks’ images for Impetus from The Croud Meadow
ENGLAND: Thomas, Morris, Pattinson, Mace, Ross, Skeels (Charlton Athletic), Naz Kearns, Beever-Jones, Blindkilde Brown, Clinton. Substitutes used: Ale (for Naz 62′), Filis (for Clinton 73′), Grant (for Kearns 83′), Harries (for Blindkilde Brown 83′).
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It’s Impetus’ weekly review of all the action in tiers three and below in Scotland (25/9/23).
Above: Buckie celebrate in their Highlands and Islands League Cup Final against Caithness. Photo: Donald Cameron/Sportpix.
Buckie Ladies have secured the Highlands and Islands League Cup with a 3-1 victory over Caithness in the final at Nairn County’s Station Park.
Caithness had gone ahead after Lorna Young put it into her own net, but Buckie surged back with goals from Rheo Laurenson, Lori Lappin, and Emily McAuslan to retain the cup.
The win was accompanied by early presentation of the ScottishPower Highlands and Islands League title trophy after Brora Rangers withdrew from the league and left Buckie’s lead at the top of the table unassailable.
Earlier in the day, Inverness Caledonian Thistle lifted the girls’ under 14s Highlands League cup after a thrilling final which saw both they and Ross County score in extra-time to send the final to penalties. In dramatic scenes, a save from Thistle keeper Josie O’Brien at Ross County’s eighth spot-kick ensured her side lifted the cup.
Championship and League One Cup
Above: Action from Rossvale (red and yellow) against Edinburgh Caledonia. Photo: Kelly Nielson.
Championship and League One Cup holders Edinburgh City progressed to the last eight with a 3-1 victory over Bonnyrigg Rose. First-half goals from Holly Aitchison and Niamh Naysmith were supplemented in the second half by an unlucky own goal from Rose. Bonnyrigg grabbed a late consolation from Eilidh Weir but exit the cup.
Also in the second round of SWF’s most senior cup competition, Ayr United and Inverness Caledonian Thistle recorded comfortable 6-0 wins against Hutchison Vale and Falkirk respectively, while 2021 winners Dryburgh Athletic are also through after beating East Fife 2-1 at Bayview. Westdyke beat Morton 6-2 at home to progress.
Rossvale saw off Edinburgh Caledonia 4-1 at Petershill, while Stenhousemuir became the only League One side to make the next round with a narrow 2-1 victory over Queen of the South.
Above: Impetus sponsored Lauren Coleman (left) who scored for her side in the win over Edinburgh Caledonia. Photo: Kelly Nielson.
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Above: Ashlee Hincks (9) jumps for joy at The Abbey Stadium yesterday after scoring for AFC Wimbledon with Impetus sponsored Emma Plewa (7) rushing in to join the party. Photo: Emily Topping.
Ashlee Hincks struck four goals to take her tally to 84 for AFC Wimbledon, as the Dons swept aside Cambridge United at the Abbey Stadium.
Wimbledon certainly had their scoring boots on as they marched to an 8-3 away win with Player of the Match Hincks leading the charge.
Manager Kevin Foster made one change to the line-up from last weekend’s win over Chesham United, with Molly Childerhouse coming in for Nicola Gibson.
The Dons started the game strongly with lots of energy, immediately finding space behind Cambridge’s defensive line. It would only take nine minutes for Wimbledon to take the lead, Hincks netting after getting on the end of a long ball from Billie Brooks.
However, the lead didn’t last long. A Cambridge United corner caused confusion in the box, and Stojko-Down managed to find the back of the net.
In response, Wimbledon made the most of their own corner at the other end when Hincks was given a second chance to send over a telling cross, and captain Hannah Billingham met the delivery with a fine half-volley that looped over the keeper.
Above: AFC Wimbledon and Cambridge United contest possession yesterday. Photo: Ben Phillips.
With just over half an hour on the clock, Impetus sponsored Emma Plewa sent through a long ball from close to the halfway line a cross that Ashleigh Goddard headed home for her third goal of the season.
Number four followed for the Dons after Emily Donovan had been brought down in the box. Following a delay after a Cambridge player had to be taken off on a stretcher, Hincks made no mistake with the penalty to make it 4-1, before Stojko-Down reduced the arrears.
A goal by Emily Donovan made it 5-2 at the break, and the Dons went into the second half after making one change with Nicola Gibson coming on for Rosie Russell at right-back.
Hincks helped herself to another two early in the second half, one of those after impressively rounding the keeper, and with the victory effectively assured a raft of changes followed.
Ellie Dorey, Sandra Soares Martins, Steph Mann, and Amy Taylor came on for Childerhouse, Plewa, Fran Ali, and Donovan respectively.
The Dons kept pushing to the very end, and just as we hit the 90-minute mark, Soares Martins found Dorey in the box, and she easily slotted in Wimbledon’s eighth of the game.
Cambridge had the last say when Fox found herself with plenty of space in the box to unleash a shot that beat Baker, but that failed to take the shine off a dominant Dons display.
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Impetus had photographers at four matches from tier four to tier six yesterday, and they’ve selected their favourite images to share (25/9/23).
Above: Eyes on the prize! Barnsley (red) and Middlesbrough tussle yesterday in the tier four FA Women’s National League Division One North. Photo: Matthew Appleby for Impetus.
Cambridge United 3-8 AFC Wimbledon
from Ben Phillips at The Abbey Stadium
FA Women’s National League Division One South-East (Tier Four)
Barnsley 0-0 Middlesbrough
from Matthew Appleby at Houghton Main Sports & Social Club
FA Women’s National League Division One North (Tier Four)
Woodley United 2-0 Eastleigh
from Andy Wicks at Bulmershe Pavilion
Southern Region Premier (Tier Five)
Brentford 3-2 Denham United
from Grace Jones at Bedfont Sports Club
London & South East Division One North (Tier Six)
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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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