Above: Christiane Endler in action Photo: Christiane Endler Instagram.
After qualifying for the Final of the Pan American Games, legendary Chilean goalkeeper Christiane Endler announced her retirement from international football. Genevieve Henry looks at her career and impact on the game.
The Chilean Women’s National team, known affectionately as “La Roja” had a successful night, beating the United States U-20 team (they elected to send the youth team instead of the senior due to NWSL playoffs), but it was ultimately a disappointing occasion. La Roja will be facing Mexico for glory without their stalwart shot-stopper to save them. Endler is not playing in the final due to being recalled by her club, Olympique Lyonnais.
Since she was 18, Endler has been a mainstay with La Roja. For a goalkeeper, that is an incredible achievement. After impressing in the youth national team from 2008-2009, Endler began her career as a footballer with the reputation to pull off impossible saves.
The 32 year-old made 104 appearances for her country, and many of those were spectacularly remarkable. Endler is a phenomenon, able to almost single-handedly keep her side in games and propel them to higher levels. Although they were rarely able to secure points at a high level, their goal difference was always fairly good.
Throughout a tumultuous time for Chilean women’s football, Endler not only played in horrendous conditions, but fought for her teammates and women’s football as a whole. With corrupt coaches, teenage boys as training partners, and little to no information about their careers, Endler and the Chilean team fought on. She played a big part in creating the union that ultimately allowed them to return to competition.
Things got better throughout her time, with Endler captaining her country to a second place finish at the 2018 Copa América Feminina and subsequently securing qualification for their first ever Women’s World Cup. Then, she began her rise to the top.
Drawn in a tough group, with the USA, Sweden, and Thailand, Endler was destined to have quite a bit of work to do. Although she only managed one clean sheet, Endler put in the performances of a lifetime against Sweden and the USA. But, even with narrowly missing out on the round of sixteen, Endler gained massive recognition. After another tough qualification path, she managed to once again bring her country to a major tournament. Endler captained her side at the 2021 Olympics, proving that she was a major reason for her country’s success.
Throughout her career, Endler became highly appreciated at club level in France with both Paris Saint-Germain and Olympique Lyonnais. She is a three-time Division One champion as well as a UEFA Women’s Champions League winner with Lyon. But, her club career isn’t over just yet and she will surely continue to rise and grow.
Endler’s career is littered with recognition for her skills for both club and country. The nine-time Chilean Footballer of the Year was named The Best FIFA Goalkeeper in 2021, as well as coming second three times. She is a Zamora Trophy winner, for letting in the fewest goals during her time in Spain with Valencia, as well as winning countless goalkeeper of the season awards in France with both PSG and Lyon. She was even named in the UWCL Squad of the Season for three years straight, from 2019-2020, 2020-21, and 2021-22. While her recognition for her work with Chile was admittedly less, her impact could not be described with simple trophies and awards.
Though her time with Chile has come to an end, she will be remembered for much more than her supreme shot-stopping skills. Endler’s legacy is one of leadership and advocacy. Chilean football would not have come this far without Christiane Endler, and it certainly won’t be the same without her.
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For this week’s Midweek Dub interview, Alex Epakis, head coach of league leaders Perth Glory speaks exclusively to Impetus’ Ben Gilby about his team’s start to the season, recruitment, andand how the club has evolved during his four-year tenure (2/11/23).
Above: Perth Glory head coach Alex Epakis. Photo: Getty Images, supplied to Impetus by: Perth Glory FC.
Perth Glory head coachAlex Epakis has praised his side’s “good start” to the season but believes passionately thatthe Western Australians are nowhere near their potential yet.
The Glory have won both their opening A-League Women matches without conceding a goal, and sit proudly top of the table. This great start has come as the result of a lot of hard work during the close season.
“We’ve had a good start,” Epakis recognised, “and we want to acknowledge that. There is a lot more happening on the training pitch that we want to bring to the games. We have a lot more in the tank.”
At the end of last season, where, for the second campaign in a row Perth narrowly missed out on Finals football, Epakis and his staff conducted an extensive review of everything they did in a bid to identify the extras they could do to ensure the club make it this time. Recruitment was a part of that.
Above: Susan Phonsongkham (right) jumps for joy after scoring Perth Glory’s winner against Newcastle Jets this season. Photo: Perth Glory FC.
“I wanted our group to have a different X-Factor. I don’t just mean from a playing style perspective, but also from a character profile. Sometimes you need to look for players that can bring personality that can bring teammates along, and add some steel along the spine. It doesn’t have to be in terms of caps, number of games, or even age. Just a different profile and characters among the pressures of competing – you need a balance of players that can lift a group.
“I had to see a level of resilience and something in their character – if we’re on the pitch under pressure, are you someone who is going to help win and do you have the character to drive others around you and make them accountable?”
That recruitment has included an influx of players from the NPLW WA – both young talent with huge potential to more experienced local stars. I asked Epakis whether this was down to the fact that the NPLW WA has increased in quality, or whether it is down to the fact that last season had a particularly talented crop of players.
“It’s a mixture of both. Every few years there is an emergence of a crop of young players. You look at the Hana Lowry, Bella Wallhead, Abbey Green, cohort three or four years ago. Now we have another crop who have come through not just at the NTC but other local NPLW clubs.
“I’m really impressed with the impact that they have had already. Those who haven’t had a chance yet – they are still performing very well and I’m really excited about what they are capable of and giving them an opportunity to play for their hometown club. It’s improving, there is no doubt about that. A lot of the local clubs and local coaches should feel good about that – there are good games, good competition and good quality.”
Epakis went into detail about some of the local players that he brought in ahead of this season, starting with the teenage duo of Grace Johnston and Georgia Cassidy from Hyundai NTC.
Above: Grace Johnston (right) in action on her professional debut for Perth Glory in round one of the A-League Women at home to Western United. Photo: Paul Kane/Getty Images, supplied to Impetus by: Perth Glory FC.
Johnston is a hard-working player, who often gets through so much of the tough, unseen jobs that can make the difference between winning and losing. Cassidy is a cultured youngster who can play centimetre-perfect through balls, hit a stunning long-range shot or set-piece, and put in some crunching tackles. The pair have played both Perth’s opening games, and have looked like they have been professional footballers for years rather than weeks.
“It’s quite incredible,” Epakis said of the duo. “Both of them have spent a bit of time with us in the past. They really absorbed and took to the challenge of what this was about from day one of pre-season. There was a focus and competitiveness and were buying into what it means to be in the group.
“They have shown moments where they look like 30 or 40 gamers, but they are only two gamers. It’s credit to them and to the older players who have created an environment to support them. They are doing great things, but there are a lot of people who have contributed to that – the senior players in particular.”
Above: Georgia Cassidy – local teenager made good. Photo: Manny Tamayo, supplied to Impetus by: Perth Glory FC.
A more experienced local player who was offered a contract in the close season was Tia Stonehill. A prolific goalscorer around the NPLW WA for a number of years, Stonehill came back from a serious injury that left her needing extensive care and having to learn to walk again. The striker came back to action this year with Balcatta Etna and produced a succession of spectacular all-action displays and score another bucket full of goals.
“Tia is someone who had a standout season in the local competition,” Epakis said. “Her goalscoring has always been something that caught my eye, but more this year than anything was her movement and effort off the ball. Tracking back and pressing. She developed more elements to her game.
“She showed me that she should be in this mix and given an opportunity. She’s coming in at a good time in her career when she’s had to overcome a lot of things. Just because she doesn’t have A-League experience doesn’t mean she’s not going to be a fantastic player for us. I believe she will add to our attacking quality.”
Above: Tia Stonehill – an all action striker. Photo: Manny Tamayo, supplied to Impetus by: Perth Glory FC.
“She came into pre-season a few weeks late because she had some commitments with work (Stonehill is a prison officer) – now we are trying to fast-track her and catch her up. She’s understanding the tactical approach, she’s understanding the physical approach and she has a really exciting story behind her – returning from setbacks, but she is going to have a positive impact on the season.”
A major arrival from overseas has been striker Millie Farrow. The English attacker has been a standout player in the opening weeks of the season with an incredible work rate, popping up all over the front third, and going the extra yard to link up with her teammates as well as getting efforts in on goal herself. Farrow is the epitome of the “X-Factor character” that the Glory identified at the start of our conversation.
“Millie is like a character I’ve never worked with before. She is a real fantastic human. She has a great aura and vibe about her. Then you look at what she does on the pitch. She’s such a competitor, she’s fierce, she’s on the edge. She finds solutions to moments that, as a coach, you can’t coach. It’s just instinct. She is helping the team a lot.”
Above: Millie Farrow in action for Perth Glory in their A-League Women round two win over Newcastle Jets. Photo: Paul Kane/Getty Images, supplied to Impetus by: Perth Glory FC.
“I had come across the name Millie Farrow four or five months ago. It just so happened that Izzy Dalton, who we had signed in the off-season indicated that Millie was looking to leave her USA club and was looking for a new opportunity. From her first chat, I knew she was a person I wanted to bring in and help lead the attack.”
Apart from the opening wins and clean sheets, one of the aspects about Perth’s play that has impacted most on me so far this season is the real focus on game management. This allowed the Western Australians to close out a 2-0 win over last season’s beaten Grand Finalists Western United on the opening day, and then in round two, produce a real professional effort in closing down a threatening Newcastle Jets who were pressing for an equaliser in the last 15 minutes.
“It’s absolutely something we’ve been working on,” the Glory head coach explained. “It goes back to how you manage the game when you don’t have momentum. When you are defending a 1-0 lead against a forward-playing team and direct team (such as Newcastle Jets), you need characters who will step up and win key duels. We got hurt in those last year and the year before.
“It was a good challenge for the group to face early on in the season. We took a lot away from that last 15 minutes against the Jets. It wasn’t pretty, but it was a powerful moment for this group and where we want to be as we’ll be in that situation again as the season goes on.”
Above: Perth Glory during the 2021/21 season – Alex Epakis first campaign in charge. Photo: Perth Glory FC.
Epakis is now into his fourth season as head coach of Perth Glory. During that time he’s had to deal with putting together an incredibly young team just weeks before the start of his first-ever season as an A-League coach, and a very young one himself at that, and then be forced to play home games 3,300 km away for a year due to COVID. Despite this, the team have grown and only missed out on Finals football narrowly. To conclude our conversation, I asked the Glory boss what he had learned about himself over those four years.
“I have really valued each season at the club and the opportunity to build towards creating a competitive and successful A-League Women team. The club has had to deal with and work through some very difficult times in particular during COVID. But we are now past this and the club is entering a really exciting phase. It is a club with rich history and I’m focused everyday to contribute to that history and help the team create winning moments.
“I have certainly had to evolve and develop all my leadership and coaching facets across the four years and learn to be very agile in my decisions and planning during some of the unforeseen events we have navigated. There have been challenges no doubt, but all the experiences have culminated to give me the mindset and skill set to really lead with clarity and focus.”
That clarity and focus, along with a strong depth to this season’s squad are coming together to create something very special in the West.
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Impetus had Rob Lizzi pitch side to capture our third of three photo galleries from Australia’s Olympic qualifier with Chinese Taipei at HBF Park in Perth (2/11/23).
Above: Sam Kerr calls for the ball in the match against Chinese Taipei yesterday. Photo: Rob Lizzi for Impetus.
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Impetus had Cat Bryant pitch side to capture our second of three photo galleries from Australia’s Olympic qualifier with Chinese Taipei at HBF Park in Perth (2/11/23).
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Report by Kelechi Osunwa, exclusive photo gallery from Kris Goman at HBF Park, Perth (1/11/23).
Above: Sam Kerr celebrates her goal against Chinese Taipei today. Photo: Kris Goman for Impetus.
Australia wrapped up top spot in their group for round two of the 2024 AFC Women’s Olympic qualifying stage and secured a spot in the playoffs after a professional 3-0 win over Chinese Taipei at HBF Park.
The Matildas were made to work for the win over the Mulans with all goals occurring deep into the second half after a spirited first-half display.
A long-range strike by Mary Fowler proved to be the catalyst and laid the platform for Sam Kerr to double the lead before substitute Tameka Yallop put the icing on the cake to make it 3-0.
While the Matildas were guaranteed to finish top of their group, barring an extraordinary 15-goal loss against the Chinese Taipei, there was added motivation for the team to secure the much-coveted number-one seed in the playoffs.
Above: Chinese Taipei goalkeeper Cheng Ssu-yu, who had an impressive game. Photo: Kris Goman for Impetus.
Their intent was evident from the first whistle with Chinese Taipei encamped at the edge of their box and Katrina Gorry striking the first shot in anger in the first five minutes. Mulans’ custodian Cheng Ssu-yu was kept busy in the opening stages saving the effort from Goory and then pushing away a Caitlin Foord effort from distance.
The Matildas increased the pressure and looked to exploit space on the wing with Fowler, Steph Catley, and Foord combining well on the left side. The trio often found themselves in great positions but Chen Ying-Hui and Wu Kia-Ching placed their body on the line to block several shots and crosses.
Australia’s best chance of the opening moments came from an in-swinging Catley corner that found the head of Alanna Kennedy. The defender did well to evade her marker and rose brilliantly to meet the ball but headed wide.
It was corners galore for the Matildas, and Fowler had guilt-edged opportunities from two of them. The first was when she reacted quickest to a half clearance from Ssu Yu’s punch, only to see her half volley cannoned off the cross and away to safety. The second came after a well-worked set-piece routine saw Catley lay the ball on a plate for Fowler only for the winger to snatch at the chance and blaze over.
Foord and Fowler combined to give the Matildas their best chance in open play. The two shifted the ball from the left and to find Gorry. But the midfield sent a tame effort straight to the grateful arms of Ssu-yu.
Australia kept knocking, and Taipei stood firm. While they lacked an outlet to relieve pressure, the Mulans’ defensive shape and scrambling cover kept them in the contest. The best example came from two point-blank blocks to deny Fowler.
Above: Kyra Cooney-Cross breaks through today against Chinese Taipei. Photo: Kris Goman for Impetus.
After an incisive run into the box by Kyra Cooney-Cross, the ball broke to Fowler on the edge of the six-yard box. But the duo of Chiung-Ying and Ying-Hui reacted terrifically to block the initial shot and the follow-up.
Sam Kerr who, earlier had been named runner-up in the Ballon d’Or Féminin and crowed best player in Asia, remained subdued for much of the first half, headed over the bar from a good position to ensure that the two sides remained goalless at the break.
Kerr had the first chance of the second half with substitute Grant breaking the Chinese Taipei offside trap but Kerr seemed to get caught in two minds between controlling the ball and shooting first time. The striker’s indecision led to her doing neither and Ssu-Yu smothering the opportunity.
Ssu-Yu seemed to grow in confidence and became more commanding as she stopped a number of long-range efforts before rushing and reacting quickly to stop Kerr from latching onto a dangerous cross and frustrate Foord who looked to recreate her effort from the weekend when she skipped past one defender and shot from a tight angle only to be equalled by the Mulans’ custodian.
As Chinese Taipei remained resolute and disciplined it looked like it would take something spectacular to break the deadlock and it came from Fowler.
The forward controlled a cross-field pass before gliding infield and unleashing a right foot effort high into the far post and sending the home faithful into a frenzy.
Above: Mary Fowler (11) celebrates her goal that put The Matildas ahead today. Photo: Kris Goman for Impetus.
Kerr was able to double the Matildas’ lead with her last touch of the ball before being substituted. The tireless Foord beat her marker down the line and let in a low driven cross that Zhuo Li-Ping could only inadvertently deflect into the path of Kerr to tap home before walking off the pitch to a standing ovation from the home faithful.
Gorry nearly made it 3-0 after stealing the ball from a high press. The midfielder strode into the box and powered an effort that forced an outstanding full-stretch save from Ssu-yu to frustrate the midfielder once more.
Australia did eventually make it three when substitute Yallop got on the end of Amy Sayer’s pass to tap home. The goal owed much to the industrious effort of Foord who did well to hold off her marker and force a shot-come-pass across the Chinese Taipei goalmouth for Sayers to lay off to Yallop.
It finished 3-0 and while the Matildas will claim the win, points, and qualification, the Mulans’ head coach Chan Hiu Ming will be buoyed by the spirited nature of his team’s performance as they defended valiantly and attempted to play out the back whenever presented with the opportunity. He will be most pleased that Ssu-yu ensured the score remained respectable with some timely claims from crosses late in the game.
Job done for the Matildas as the result ensures that they finish as the highest ranked first place team and they will now go on to face Uzbekistan over two legs, first away on 24th February before the home leg four days later.
What is evident from the three fixtures here in Perth is that the Matildas have gone some way in improving their performances against deep-lying defences and will go into the next stage with added hopes of being their in Paris for the 2024 Olympics.
Kris Goman’s EXCLUSIVE photo gallery from HBF Park for Impetus
Still to come from HBF Park – further photo galleries from Rob Lizzi and Cat Bryant for Impetus.
Jean-Pierre Thiesset summarizes France’s pair of UEFA Women’s Nations League matches Norway. First, away in Oslo, then at home in Reims(1/11/23).
Above: The France team that started their UEFA Nations League game in Oslo against Norway. Photo: Tim GUIGON / FFF.
Norway 1-2 France
Ullevaal Stadium, Oslo, Norway – 27th October
The first serious opportunity was for Norway in the fourth minute, but it was France who opened the scoring when a cross from Julie Dufour was diverted into her own net by Maren Mjelde twenty minutes later.
France suffocated Norway in midfield with a big press and dominated the first half with more than 60% of possession. The game was more equal at the beginning of the second half, and Norway got even by scoring on the hour by Marit Bratberg Lund who pushed the ball in after a mess in front of the goal.
The fact that Sakina Karchaoui tried too often to control the ball for too long instead of releasing it sooner did not help France to be dangerous in the first quarter of the second half. Thankfully for France, the Selma Bacha – Wendie Renard duo struck again; Bacha with the corner kick and Renard putting the ball home with a header to put France ahead on 69 minutes.
After their second goal, France took the game on and had several great opportunities to score. In the last 10 minutes, Norway players pushed more to try to get even, and they had several opportunities, but without being able to score.
Above: France’s Julie Dufour (15) in action in Oslo – she took the player of the match award on her first start for her country. Photo: Tim GUIGON / FFF.
Especially noteworthy was the very good performance of Julie Dufour, 22 years old, for her first selection as starter in the French team; she was involved in a lot of the most dangerous actions and delivered a decisive pass. Dufour was also elected best player of the match. A special mention for Wendie Renard who was captain for the 80th time and she scored her 37th goal for her 153rd selection in France team.
FRANCE (4-3-3:) Picaud, Karchaoui, Renard, Mbock, De Almeida, Bacha, Henry, Geyoro, Dufour, Le Sommer, Diani. Substitutes: Becho, Toletti, Majri, Baltimore.
Scorers: Mjelde (23’ Own Goal), Renard (69’).
Referee: Rebecca Welch (ENG).
Attendance: 9,062.
France 0-0 Norway
Auguste Delaune Stadium, Reims, France – 31st October
France came close to opening the scoring on 25 minutes but Aurora Mikalsen, Norway’s goalkeeper, importantly saved Sandy Baltimore’s shot from distance. France had more than 60% of possession and five corners, but not with a lot of true opportunities.
France players put more speed in their play at the beginning of second half and had two opportunities in the first five minutes, which prompted another great save from Mikalsen in the 67th minute, and, again France continued to push but Sandy Baltimore’s shot hit the post on 70 minutes.
There were a lot of inaccuracies in the French passing which prevented them from being more dangerous in front of the goal. There was another shot by Amandine Henry that hit the right-hand post in the 85th minute, and then the crossbar was found by Eugénie Le Sommer one minute later, but still no goal came for France. They had 22 shots with only five on target.
Teams: FRANCE (4-3-3): Picaud, Karchaoui, Renard, Mbock, De Almeida, Geyoro, Henry, Toletti, Dufour, Le Sommer, Baltimore. Substitutes: Diani, Lakrar, Becho, Bourdieu.
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Darrell Allen rounds up all the weekend’s games for Norfolk’s teams in 11-aside and seven-aside action, with Lucy Chen providing a detailed report of Norwich City’s FAWNL Cup trip to London Bees (31/10/23).
Above: Norwich City come together after their defeat at higher league London Bees on Sunday. Photo: Norwich City Women.
London Bees 2-0 Norwich City
by Lucy Chen at The Hive
Norwich City traveled to the capital on Sunday to take on London Bees in the first round of the FAWNL Cup.
Though one division below the hosts, the Canaries came into the game in top form, unbeaten across all competitions so far in the season. Manager Martin Herdman made a number of changes, with Ellie Smith among those returning to the lineup. Midfielder Millie Daviss came in at right back with Anna Larkins remaining in central defense and Hope Strauss in midfield. Kathryn Stanley and Olivia Cook were on the wings with Shannon Shaw up front.
Norwich City started off with their usual high-press approach but the hosts dealt with it well and managed to play out and create a number of chances.
In the 14th minute, Smith picked up the ball and tried to drive forward but ran into traffic and lose possession. Two minutes later, the number 9 tried to look for Cook ahead of her but was crowded out by defenders once more. Smith is the Canaries’ creative hub and arguably most important player, and as she struggled to get into the game, so did City. Smith typically plays as a free 10, but she was deployed deeper in a box-to-box role next to Strauss, with Todd at 10.
The visitors used an asymmetrical buildup with Daviss often staying deeper as the third center-back while left-back Lauren Tomlinson given the freedom to push on. In 32nd minute, for example, Tomlinson made a brilliant run down the left and fired in a cross that was cleared, and the Canaries mostly attacked down that flank with Strauss providing cover.
Daviss’ more conservative positioning meant that the Canaries were reliant on Smith getting on the ball deeper on the right and progressing play using her individual quality. But Smith is a technical player and lacks the engine to carry the ball over long distances while under pressure, and the deeper role prevented her from getting on the ball higher where she’s at her best.
Norwich sought to overload the left then switch to Cook on the right. Cook is a striker by trade and was asked to run in behind and get on the end of balls in from the left, but the number 23 had a frustrating half. The 38th minute saw one of the many instances when she tried to get on the end of a switch but was beaten to it by defenders.
Bees’ centre-backs were composed on and off the ball and their ability to read the game and recover quickly meant that though the Bees’ defensive line was tested by the Canaries many times, it was never beaten. Two minutes later, Bees broke forward and Kayla Potter fired her shot off the crossbar into the net.
Above: Norwich City’s Shannon Shaw (left) in action against London Bees on Sunday. Photo: Norwich City Women.
City switched to a 3-4-1-2 for the second half with a back three of Strauss, Flye, and Larkins while the wings backs were giving full attacking license. Knights took up Smith’s earlier role of collecting the ball deep and progressing play and the Canaries’ midfield flowed better instantly.
Further changes just before the hour mark gave Norwich two natural wing backs while Morran anchoring the midfield allowed Smith to play as the 10 with Todd joining Lawrence in the front two. Momentum shifted and the Canaries pushed for the equalizer with more possession higher up the pitch and more chances being created.
In the 74th minute, a promising ball in was slightly overhit. Six minutes later, Jess Harper – who’d come on for Tomlinson – received a switch on the left but her cross was cleared.
In the end, the hosts were the ones who found the back of the net again, with a screamer from well outside the box going into the top right corner in the 84th minute. The Canaries looked to respond and Todd hit the crossbar less than a minute later. A well-struck free kick Harper came close in the 89th minute but in the end, Norwich City simply could not score.
With a 2-0 defeat, the Canaries are out of the League Cup in their first defeat of the season. They will play Impetus partner club Ashford Town (Middx) at The Nest next on the 5th November.
Above: Lara Densley being presented her Player of the Match award by Wroxham Chairman James Blower after their 1-0 win over Haringey Borough. Photo: Wroxham FC.
An 86th-minute winner from Lara Densley saw Wroxham secure a 1-0 win over Haringey Borough. King’s Lynn Town were defeated 1-0 at St. Albans City as Becky Shephard scored for the hosts.
Eastern Region Division One North
Dussindale and Hellesdon Rovers’ fine season continued as they defeated Histon 3-0 thanks to goals from Tallulah Bell, Rosie George, and Abby Hutchin. Fakenham Town picked up a point at Stevenage Development with a 1-1 draw. Shelley Woods scored for Fakenham with Ella Mercer scoring for Stevenage Development.
FA Cup Third Qualifying Round
Goals from Katie Fray and Kamile Omeleviciute saw Thetford Town beat Lawford 2-1 to reach the First Round Proper whilst Cate Jackson scored for Lawford. Thetford will now host Enfield Town in the next round on 12th November.
Above: Action from the match between St Albans City (yellow) and King’s Lynn Town. Photo: Stuart Cobb.
Norfolk Women and Girls League Division One
Mulbarton Wanderers Development lead the division after a comfortable 3-0 win over the University of East Anglia which saw Charlotte Groves score a brace and Megan Anderton get their other goal.
Caister remain unbeaten following a 3-1 win at Costessey Sports. Hazel Saddington, Bethany Turner, and Paige Samwell scored for Caister with Lauren Monument finding the net for Costessey Sports.
King’s Lynn Soccer Club and Bungay Town shared the points in a 2-2 draw, Ellie Panks and Leeanne Smith scoring for Lynn with Lauren Goulder and Ruby Roos Bungay Town’s scorers.
North Walsham Town were 4-2 winners over Thorpe St. Andrew thanks to two goals from Lucy Taylor and other goals from Kiera Brown and Violet Rayner. Thorpe St. Andrew had Sarah Rooke and an own goal to thank for their goals.
Norfolk Women and Girls League Division Two
Beccles Town Development were 5-3 winners over Bure Valley thanks to a brace from Saffron Jones-Yates and other goals from Mia Wilson, Lola Brewster, and Millie Reeve. Emma Macmillan found the net twice for Beccles with Maisie Redhead getting their other goal.
Cerys Nicholas scored four as FC Viking Valkyries beat Great Yarmouth Town 8-1. Their other four goals came thanks to a brace from Charlotte Kenny and one each from Tillie Thrower and Ellie Jarmy. Lucie Morley scored for Great Yarmouth Town.
Horsford Harriers beat Martham 3-0 courtesy of two from Amelia Buck and one from Ella Kreuz. A hat-trick apiece from Bethany Freestone and Maisie Nichols saw Horsford Hurricanes take a 6-1 win at South Walsham Lingwood with Gemma Burwood scoring for the hosts.
Above: Costessey Sports put in another promising performance against Caister but were beaten 3-1. Photo: Ben Cunningham.
Rachel Adams scored twice and Samantha Burgess got the other as Shrublands were 3-1 winners at home to Red Rose. Chelsea Godden scored for the visitors. Emma Gillespie and Amber Mayhew were the goalscorers in Shrublands’ 2-0 win over Mundford. To complete a busy day of Tier Eight action, Lily-Ann Marples and Kiera Squires both scored as Freethorpe won 2-0 at Waveney.
Norfolk Women and Girls League Sevens Division One
Dussindale and Hellesdon were 8-0 winners over Waveney thanks to six goals from Helen Finn with Alice Walker and Corrina Brock getting their other goals. Elizabeth Moulton scored twice as Horsford beat Taverham 2-1. Hannah Parker scored for Taverham.
Left Field were 3-1 winners over Rockland through goals from Joanne Baxter, Ruth Howes and Meadbh Flynn. Mulbarton Development beat Loddon United 11-0. Joanne Hooper and Alice Ladbrooke scored a hat trick each with Julia Robathan and Molly Ryan adding two each, whilst the other goal came from Eloise Peek.
Norfolk Women and Girls League Sevens Division Two
The University of East Anglia were 5-0 winners at Yarmouth FC.Cawston and Hockering shared the points in a 2-2 draw.
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Impetus had Kris Goman pitch side at Optus Stadium to capture this excellent set of images from Australia’s Olympic qualifier with the Philippines (31/10/23).
Above: Ellie Carpenter (centre) shows her delight after Sam Kerr scores for The Matildas. Photo: Kris Goman for Impetus.
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Impetus had Aimee Reynolds in the press box and Lucy Atherton pitch side on photography duty to provide the best possible coverage from the Manchester City Academy Stadium last night (31/10/23).
Above: England’s Ruby Mace looks to challenge her Portuguese opponent Ana Teles (20). Photo: Lucy Atherton for Impetus.
Jess Naz’s goal early in the second half set England on the way to an important win over Portugal last night in Manchester.
During the first half, Emma Coates’ Young Lionesses dominated possession with a few early chances. One of these was in the tenth minute, when Aston Villa’s summer signing Ebony Salmon went close after defender Poppy Pattinson neatly slotted it through the middle.
While England were the more attacking side, Portugal did have a few chances, meaning Southampton’s Kayla Rendall needed to stay alert to keep the ball out of the back of the net, commanding her area comfortably. In the final few minutes of the half Chelsea’s Aggie Beever-Jones had a brilliant chance but sadly the final shot wasn’t executed to plan.
Above: Katie Robinson warming up for the Young Lionesses last night. She would leave the field before half-time due to injury. Photo: Lucy Atherton for Impetus.
In the last minute of the half, Katie Robinson got subbed off due for 23-year-old Jessica Naz after going down a few minutes prior and sustaining an injury. Having left the pitch for treatment she was then unable to continue which left Coates’ side vulnerable for a while. The break saw both teams going in goalless.
Seconds after play resumed in the second half Tottenham Hotspur’s young forward Naz scored after a lovely ball round from Sheffield United’s Tara Bourne went past Portugal’s strong backline, making it 1-0 to the home team. Naz made a difference throughout the half giving the Lionesses that extra push they lacked in the first half. Then 41 minutes into the second half, Charlton Athletic’s Kiera Skeels scored a superb header after mixed play in the box during the 76th minute.
In the final 20 minutes of the second half, the Young Lionesses created multiple chances giving Carolina Viloa much to do protecting the net. Beartriz Teixeira’s side proceeded to get more frustrated as it went on as the play began to get even more scrappy with the added four minutes.
After the game, 20-year-old Beever-Jones spoke to the media about her chances which saw her hitting the crossbar and post multiple times stating: “It just wasn’t my day today but I’m proud of the others on the scoresheet.” She was also questioned alongside Coates about Lioness head coach Sarina Wiegman saying: ”We play every game thinking she’s watching us so we are always aiming to perform the best we can.”
Lucy Atherton’s photo gallery from the Academy Stadium for Impetus:
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Impetus‘ Ben Gilby speaks exclusively to Pete Rakic who led a Perth SC side riddled by injuries to the best NPLW WA season in their history, and his exciting plans for 2024 (31/10/23).
Above: Pete Rakic, who led Perth SC to the most successful campaign in the club’s history. Photo: Rob Lizzi.
Pete Rakic is a highly respected head coach in the Western Australia women’s football scene. His Perth SC side suffered a horrific run of injuries during the 2023 season, with players having to step into unfamiliar positions and a plethora of youngsters given a chance, he guided his team to the most successful campaign in their NPLW WA history.
Runners-up in the league and a place in the Top Four Cup Final despite a host of regular players being on the sidelines followed a hugely impressive start to the season when full strength which saw the team lift their first-ever silverware in coming from behind to defeat Perth RedStar on penalties in the pre-season Night Series Cup Final.
Asked about his overarching emotions on the season just finished at the Dorrien Gardens club, Rakic said: “It was a tiring one. I think as a team we collectively feel exhausted by it and I feel like that’s the best way of putting it. While I feel frustrated about the circumstances we had to endure, I’m also proud of the achievement with second place in both the league and the Top Four Cup.”
Above: Pete Rakic with the Night Series Cup won after a superb comeback against Perth RedStar. Photo: Rob Lizzi.
Looking back on that Cup Final success, Rakic reflected that it showed what a full-strength Azzurri side could have achieved: “We had multiple players fighting for spots in the starting 11 so having that competition each week raised the standards immensely, and there was evidence of that in the second half performance (in the Top Four Cup Final when Perth SC came from behind), it wasn’t just the desire to win, individuals had the desire to prove a point.”
He went on to say: “Some of the new faces in the team took a little longer to get comfortable but I could see progress each week, and we saw the potential in the squad after the first few rounds which stretched an unbeaten run of games to 11 including the Night Series. For me, this demonstrated how ready we were to put up a title challenge.
Perth SC’s NPLW WA campaign began with a succession of home games due to their Dorrien Gardens stadium being used as a World Cup training base, and FIFA requiring sole possession of it before and during the tournament. Whilst Rakic does not believe their front-loaded home schedule adversely impacted their season too much, he does point to more instances of the team playing on pitches where the size and condition are variable as it “always seems to dictate the flow of the game and our intentions with the ball.”
Then the injuries struck with just about every senior, regular player missing game time during the campaign. It was the stuff of nightmares for any head coach, and ultimately something that Rakic puts down to sheer bad luck.
“A lot of the injuries that were suffered this year were totally innocuous, I think it would be very different if it were repetitive soft tissue damage, then we’d have to start analysing player loads more, but this wasn’t the case. Take Abbey Meakins for example, a ball was kicked into her wrist during a training session which ended her season – it’s just something we couldn’t even avoid at that point and she became the fourthplayer to undergo surgery, soon to be five when Jaime Duncanson starts her long recovery from an ACL rupture on the last day of the regular season.”
Above: In charge on the touchline – Pete Rakic. Photo: Rob Lizzi.
Added to the injury crisis were the usual instances of player unavailability due to a combination of demands outside of football and selection for representative football. The challenges were never-ending for Rakic and naturally ended up impacting results.
“The consistency with our results circles back around to player availability and the injuries. This obviously comes back on me as a coach as well, when it came to matchday selection, I felt as though my hands were tied for a lot of it. Losing players so often meant so many reshuffles, not only with players in the first team but also our under 21’s, so not having any fresh legs coming off the bench to make an impact was a big turning point in our season.”
In hugely difficult situations, Rakic’s Perth players stepped up to the plate. Young Ella Lincoln took the captain’s armband and flourished, and countless players were forced into playing in unfamiliar positions. These are all aspects that last season’s Perth SC head coach looks back on with pride.
“The mentality to keep grinding out results and determination to win was something I couldn’t fault, it quickly became a ‘nothing to lose’ type attitude. As you mentioned, some of the players who were needed in multiple positions had to make sacrifices for the team, and it didn’t go unnoticed. It was pleasing for me to see the recognition they received from their teammates for these performances, and it will directly reflect on our season award winners.”
Finishing second in the NPLW WA in the face of a strong challenge from talent-stacked Fremantle City and Hyundai NTC sides was a fine achievement, and Rakic was full of praise for the efforts of both teams.
Above: Making a point – Pete Rakic. Photo: Rob Lizzi.
“They appeared to have their own struggles like we did, so consistency in their results was also another factor in the race for the Top Four. NTC having the (National) NTC Challenge mid-season is always going to be tough, it’s such a big spike in player loads and then returning back home to chase wins in rescheduled fixtures is another thing that’s difficult to manage, but overall their finish in the top four, State Cup win and the abundance of A-League Women contracts that were earned by their players goes to show a very successful season for (head coach) Ben Anderton and his young group.
“Fremantle on the other hand have always been such a powerhouse of a team and they have so much potential to be fighting for silverware. They’ve proven to be a very physical team which makes it quite hard to play against, and with a number of very influential individuals that drive their quality in big matches, it’s always something to be wary of. I think we’ll see them forever being a nuisance in the race for the Top Four, and if they continue to attract players like Abbey Green, maybe one day we’ll see them pushing for that title.”
With Perth SC continuing to achieve the wins that they needed to secure second spot, their Top Four Cup campaign, already going to be a tough one due to the injuries suddenly became even tougher due to having players called up to the State Schoolgirls squad who were playing during the same period as the season-ending NPLW Finals. Rakic admits that their Top Four campaign effectively ended up being played by a group of players who had simply run out of juice.
“It probably showed our season in a nutshell. We had our moments, and this is where any game can turn on its head, but to beat Perth RedStar (NPLW WA league champions and eventual Top Four Cup winners) you have to be on top of your game for the full 90. With such an experienced side, they capitalise so well on mistakes and they punish you for it, this was, unfortunately, our fate on the day. But it’s a huge congrats to them for winning the double in back-to-back seasons, because without RedStar, who else would we be chasing?
“I’m always happy to reach a final, but the girls deserve a better chance. I hope one day the format is changed and we aren’t seeing a finalist play three games in six days. They’ve fought for 21 games already just to be there, so they’re owed better conditions to finish their season off, not just for the possibility of winning silverware, but also for the display of quality women’s football.”
With the season over, and post-campaign reflections made, Rakic and Perth SC have parted company. Yet such is the esteem that the coach is held in, he has very quickly been given a new role as head coach of Balcatta Etna in the NPLW WA.
Above: Grindleford Reserve, home of Balcatta Etna, Pete Rakic’s new club. Photo: Ben Gilby.
Reflecting on what attracted him to the position at Grindleford Reserve, Rakic told me: “It’s the prospect of coaching a club that has such a burning desire to achieve great things together, it’s always been quite clear with how they’ve presented themselves on the pitch.
“The backroom staff behind the program have also made their ambitions and intentions quite clear which have aligned with visions of my own. I’m thoroughly looking forward to another firm challenge and working with the football operations staff to help drive this team in an upwards direction.”
Balcatta have long been a club with real potential in the NPLW WA but have never quite yet managed to put together the consistent challenge for a top-four place that their team on paper could have done. Their new head coach believes that with an examination of the team’s playing style and boosting an already solid squad, that potential could finally be reached.
“While I do agree that previous squads have had huge potential and some really exciting individuals, I feel as though there’s always much more to consider, with the football that’s being played on the park being a big factor.
“Every coach has their view on how they want the game to be played, so I hope to bring a style of football to the club that asserts more control on the pitch, and in turn, I’m confident this will create a team that performs more consistently. With a strong focus on building on what’s already established, I also hope to create a very competitive environment with competition for spots in all areas of the squad, I’ve always believed that is imperative for success.”
Above: Peter Rakic (right) is welcomed by Balcatta Etna as their new NPLW WA head coach for the 2024 season. Photo: Balcatta Etna FC.
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