Impetus’ Freya Ward was at St. George’s Park to observe England training and then joined the media conference with Rachel Daly (20/9/23).
Above: Rachel Daly (left) who spoke to the media from St. George’s Park, photographed at a pre-World Cup training session. Photo: Ben Phillips for Impetus.
The Lionesses have regrouped at St. George’s Park after a memorable summer where they just fell at the last hurdle losing 1-0 to Spain in the FIFA Women’s World Cup Final.
A squad of 21 were out in full training yesterday with Alex Greenwood and Laura Coombs both working independently inside, reportedly “to manage their load.” Other absentees from the session were the Arsenal duo of Alessia Russo and Lotte Wubben Moy, with Russo meeting up with the squad today and Wubben Moy withdrawing due to a minor injury having already been replaced by Aston Villa’s summer signing Lucy Parker who has joined up with the squad and is in full training.
The squad seemed eager for their new challenge ahead on Friday where they will be playing Scotland in their opening Nations League game at a sold-out Stadium of Light in Sunderland, just over a month after the World Cup Final
When Rachel Daly was asked for her opinion on the very tight turnaround from the Australia, she said “We’re footballers, it’s our job.” The Aston Villa star did mention that she does think the international calendar is playing its part in the injury epidemic in the women’s game and that ultimately this does need to be re-evaluated in the near future.
In other news, Mary Earps, the Lionesses’ saving grace this summer, was awarded the England Women’s Player of The Year award after having a phenomenal period in between the sticks both internationally and domestically for Manchester United. This achievement is even more outstanding given Earps’ thoughts of retiring from international football just a couple of years ago.
Reflecting on the influence of the England shot-stopper, Daly told the media: “Mary has been key to us for ages” which just really emphasises how important Sarina Weigman’s belief in the number one has been.
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Johnathan Stack brings us up to date with all the action from the weekend’s tier two action in England ahead of the league’s pause for the international window (20/9/23).
Above: Southampton celebrate during their excellent win at Reading. Photo: Grace Jones for Impetus.
Birmingham City 0-1 Charlton Athletic
Charlton grabbed a 1-0 win against 10-player Birmingham at St Andrew’s with Kayleigh Green scoring the game’s only goal from the penalty spot. Jade Pennock got her marching orders in the second half for a second bookable offence.
Sunderland 1-1 Crystal Palace
First and second in the table met at the Eppleton Colliery Football Ground and both sides went into this game unbeaten. It was Palace who took the lead early on as Elise Hughes was found in the box and her well-timed jump and header got the better of the Sunderland defence. Sunderland scored a late equaliser to get a share of the spoils: Brianna Westrup was the fastest to react to a long deep ball into the box to head home in the 90th minute. For Ben Gilby’s detailed report of this game for Impetus, click on this link: https://impetusfootball.org/2023/09/17/westrup-header-seals-draw-for-sunderland-in-battle-with-palace/
Watford 0-1 Blackburn Rovers
Above: Jade Richards celebrates her winning goal for Blackburn Rovers against Watford. Photo: Blackburn Rovers Women.
Blackburn got an important win as they won away at Watford. Captain Jade Richards got the game’s only goal as her header from a corner looped into the top corner just before half-time.
Durham 1-0 London City Lionesses
In a very tense and nervy game that saw both teams going back and forth in the North-East, Durham grabbed a 96th-minute winner against the London City Lionesses. Amy Andrews got the ball from a quick one-two to slot the winner home.
Reading 1-4 Southampton
Southampton put last week’s defeat to Sunderland out of their minds with a great 4-1 victory away to Reading. Molly Pike opened the scoring 10 minutes into the game as she latched on to a through ball and with her low shot found the left-hand side of the net. Eighteen minutes, later Katie Wilkinson doubled the Saint’s advantage from the spot after Pike earned her side penalty. Atlanta Primus made it 3-0 with seventeen minutes left. Pike involved again, this time with the assist. Jemma Purfield got Southampton’s fourth eight minutes from time to seal an empathetic win for the Saints. Charlotte Estcourt grabbed a consolation for the Royals late on but a good win for Southampton.
Sheffield United 1-0 Lewes
Above: Celebration time for Sheffield United. Photo: Sheffield United Women.
Sheffield United picked up the win against Lewes at Bramall Lane. Isobell Goodwin stuck the ball away from two yards to give the Blades their first win of the season.
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Above: Beth Jones, one of Pride Park’s scorers on Sunday, celebrates a goal last season. Photo: Shaun Hardwick.
After an entertaining Women’s FA Cup encounter last week at Nuneaton Borough, those expecting similar fare would have been disappointed in Pride Park’s opening Derbyshire Ladies League Division One (tier seven) game that, whilst competitive, the fluent quick interchanges that marked last week’s performance were seen only fleetingly.
Perhaps that is the result of pitching last season’s second and third-placed teams together for Pride Park’s first and Vics’ second League game of the season; nothing is decided in September but neither team will have wanted to drop points. Nevertheless, it was a terrific start to the season for Pride and great to secure three points – although it came at a heavy price in terms of injuries.
The first half was evenly balanced but with chances at a premium – Pride making the running in this respect, with half a dozen good opportunities to take the lead. Summer Evans and Beth Jones (twice) had gone close, and Loren Kitching almost opened her account immediately after coming on when the ball broke from a fifty-fifty between Jones and the ‘keeper but Kitching put her shot wide
Vics had been limited to a free kick on the halfway line which was floated into the box with a couple of attackers looking to get on the end of it but Howell claimed it confidently. Pride then survived a bit of a scare as Vics got down the line and crossed but Pride had got numbers back defending and the cross eluded the solitary striker and was cleared.
Pride finally broke the deadlock on 28 minutes from a classic counterattack, Annie Laight winning the ball from a Vics attacking throw in, laying off to Steph Eadon who hit a diagonal pass for Jones – despite close attention from a defender she rounded the onrushing goalkeeper, and slotted home from a tight angle.
The lead didn’t last long however, as Vics drew level when a cross from the right was headed in by Chelsie Tebble after 35 mins.
As half-time approached, Jones put the ball in the back of the net on the volley but was flagged offside. As the first half went into time added on there was a brilliant chance for Jones, fashioned by excellent pressing and recovery of possession by Ellie Coleman, who slipped the ball into Jones but she fired over from just inside the box.
Without really playing near their best, Pride had managed to fashion most of the first half’s best chances in an otherwise evenly balanced first forty-five minutes, and at half-time, it remained level at one apiece.
Pride came racing out of the blocks in the second half and within three minutes had restored their lead. Jones powered through onto a Laight clearance, held off a defender, and slotted the ball into the bottom corner to put the hosts back ahead.
Four minutes later Tash Allderidge’s corner was only half cleared and Kitching lobbed the keeper on her league debut to extend the lead.
As the half wore on the game opened up and there were chances for both sides – just after the hour Vics hit the post when a cross into the centre was met on the volley at close range, Izzy Wilsoncroft clearing the immediate danger and Eliot Sayavong completing the clearance. A couple of minutes later a free kick from wide on the right was tipped over well by Howell.
There was a good chance for the Pride on the counter from a corner after 66 minutes when Jones slipped Summer through one-one but the keeper got down well to hold the shot.
Howell in the Pride goal was called into action again on 70 minutes and responded brilliantly when Vics won a loose ball in the centre circle with their back four out of position slipped a striker in one-v-one but Howell stood up and cleared brilliantly, taking a knock for her trouble. Fortunately, she was able to continue after treatment.
There was another good chance for Evans after 75 minutes; Jones laid the ball off nicely for her who worked the space well but the shot just cleared the bar.
It felt like there were more goals, in the game and it was Vics who pulled one back on 78 minutes when a dipping shot was hit up and over Howell – although play should have been stopped for a head injury to Sophie Ayton in the build-up, in which Allderidge was also injured. Fortunately, the latter was able to continue after treatment – sportingly provided by Vics’ manager – while Ayton was attended to and although OK, was substituted as a precaution.
There was another lengthy delay after an injury to Evans, who wasn’t able to continue. With about 10 minutes of stoppage time to be added, Vics threw everything forward in search of an equaliser and it became increasingly frantic – deep into stoppage time one shot was blocked by Howell, and the follow-up was blocked by Izzy Wilsoncroft at the expense of a corner.
It then looked as though Jones had sealed it on the counter, but the Vics’ keeper pulled out an unbelievable save after Beth’s shot was deflected, but despite being wrong-footed the keeper somehow managed to get a hand to it and tip it onto the bar – and collect the rebound!
Pride dug in to see out the final three minutes to secure a win. The hosts weren’t at their best in the first half but improved in the second period, worked exceptionally hard, and dug deep to grind out a result. It’s a good three points to start the League campaign, although it came at a heavy price in terms of injuries to Evans and Impetus sponsored Otty Baker.
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Impetus’ Cymru correspondent Martin Townley returns for the new campaign with his first detailed review of all the Adran Leagues action from the opening day of the season (20/9/23).
Above: Katy Hosford (white shirt) looks to break through for Swansea Cityat Wrexham. Photo: Swansea City.
Adran Premier
Wrexham 3-3 Swansea City
Swansea started the game brightly with last season’s top scorer Stacy John-Davis having two early chances to give the Swans the lead. Her header was cleared from the line before she saw her shot hit the bar.
Despite Swansea’s good start, they found themselves behind in the 23rd minute. Keren Allen playing the ball though to Rebecca Pritchard who sent the ball past Claire Skinner.
In the 56th minute, Wrexham went two up after a good ball from Lilli Jones found Rosie Hughes in the box. Hughes calmly put the ball past the keeper.
Swansea put the pressure back on Wrexham and found a goal in the 75th minute. Delyth Morgan failed to hold on to Ellie Lake’s low cross and Robyn Pinder was first to the ball to turn in from close range.
Chloe Chivers levelled the game in the 80th minute with a volley from the edge of the box. There was more drama to come as Hannah Keryakoplis put Wrexham back in front. Chivers lost the ball and allowed Wrexham into the box where Hughes set up Keryakoplis to score.
Things got worse for Swansea one minute later as Ellie Lake was sent off for kicking out at Pritchard. The ten players of Swansea did manage to find another equaliser as captain Katy Hosford sent a lob from 25 yards over the keeper.
Cardiff Met 1-3 Cardiff City
Above: Cardiff City’s Meg Bowen, who put her side ahead. Photo: Cardiff City.
It took the champions just 15 minutes to take the lead at Cyncoed Campus. Megan Bowen slid in at the back post to turn in Ffion Price’s free kick.
Met hit back and Ingrid Adland fired in from outside the box on her Cardiff Met debut. Just before halftime, the Bluebirds were back in front. Rhianne Oakley picked the ball up on the right and made a driving run into the box before slotting the ball in at the near post.
In added time the Bluebirds added a third as Bowen turned in from close range after Catherine Walsh’s header was blocked.
Aberystwyth Town 3-0 Barry Town United
(Credit Aberystwyth Media)
Above: Lily Moralee-Hughes – one of a big crop of talented youngsters at Aberystwyth Town this season. Photo: Steve Williams Photography.
Aberystwyth Town enjoyed a sensational start to the season. trouncing Barry Town United 3-0 to go top of the league after the first round of matches.
The win came courtesy of two 15-year-old debutantes, Lily Moralee-Hughes with a first-half brace and Lleucu Mathias with one
Gavin Allen’s side started with four players making their first appearances in the Genero Adran Premier: Moralee-Hughes, Mathias, the versatile Imi Scourfield, and new goalkeeper Margot Farnes – all teenagers. There was another teenager on the bench, Impetus sponsored Modlen Gwynne.
And it was Moralee-Hughes and Mathias who grabbed the goals, while centre-half pairing Libby Isaac and Rebecca Mathias controlled things at the back.
It was the first match under new skipper Amy Jenkins’ official captaincy – and she couldn’t have been more delighted. “I’m so pleased with an amazing team performance,” she said afterwards. “Everyone worked so hard, and I’m delighted for the girls who made their debuts.”
Pontypridd United 1-3 The New Saints
The New Saints (TNS) got their season off with a win over likely rivals for a spot in the top half, Pontypridd. Danielle Staley gave TNS the lead after 30 minutes before Isobel Redding added the second in the 78th minute. Pontypridd mounted a late comeback attempt when Cerys Bufton scored with three minutes to play, but the Saints ended their chances as Caitlin Chapman added their third in the 89th minute.
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Above: Rachel Lawrence was a hat-trick hero for Norwich City in their 6-1 win over Haywards Heath Town at The Nest on Sunday. Credit: Norwich City Women FC
FA Women’s National League Division One South East
Norwich City responded to their disappointing draw with Cambridge United with a 6-1 thrashing of Haywards Heath Town at The Nest. Rachel Lawrence was the star with a superb hat-trick and the other goals for the Canaries came from Ellie Smith, Natasha Snelling, and Megan Todd. Sophie Phelps scored for Haywards Heath.
Eastern Region Premier Division
Wroxham produced arguably the standout result of the day for a Norfolk side with a stunning 4-2 away win at Needham Market. Ella Gambell scored a brace with Chelsea Clarke and Hannah Fuller grabbing the other two goals for the Yachtswomen. Lina Nagib scored both goals for Needham Market.
Elsewhere, the difficult start to the season continued for King’s Lynn Town with a 6-0 defeat at home to Stevenage. Amy Gooderham scored two for the visitors with Lilia Dempsey, Sophie Hendy, Emily Schofield and Kristal Clarke scoring their other goals.
Above: Jodie Hopkins (Blue) in action for King’s Lynn Town in their 6-0 defeat to Stevenage on Sunday. Photo: Edward Payne
Eastern Region Division One North
Something had to give in the Norfolk derby at Mundford Road as Thetford Town and Dussindale & Hellesdon Rovers both put their 100% records on the line, and it was visitors Dussindale & Hellesdon who extended theirs with a 1-0 victory thanks to a goal from Tallulah Bell.
Mulbarton Wanderers also continued their 100% winning start to the season with a 2-1 home success over Wootton Blue Cross thanks to a goal each from Rebekah Lake and Samantha Walker. Kelly Sutton was Wootton Blue Cross’s scorer.
It wasn’t such a good day for Fakenham Town who were beaten 7-2 on the road at Harpenden Town. Sophia Amanor scored four for the home side with Natalie Cloy, Chloe Dinsey and Jaime Curtain adding the others. Fakenham Town goals were scored by Olivia Baker and Chloe Gravett.
Above: Rebekah Lake (stripes) was a scorer for Mulbarton Wanderers in their 2-1 win over Wootton Blue Cross on Sunday. Photo: Ben Cunningham
Norfolk Women and Girls League Division One
Sprowston made it two wins from two with a 3-0 victory over Long Stratton. It was a special day for the club on their competitive return to their home ground on Blue Boar Lane and they celebrated in style with goals from Olivia Leggett, Lois Wright, and Mollie O’Callaghan.
Caister also made it two wins from two with a 4-1 away win at Aylsham thanks to a brace from Bethany Turner and one each from from Hazel Saddington and Molly Simms. Vicki Lubbock scored for Aylsham.
The University of East Anglia were 4-1 winners over Costessey Sports thanks to a hat-trick from Ella Burnley that included a sensational free kick and a spectacular volley. UEA’s other goal came from Mia Everitt whilst Freya Tyack scored for Costessey Sports.
King’s Lynn Soccer Club were 6-1 winners away to Thorpe St. Andrew thanks to four goals from Jordan Turner with Kelsey Ramm and Trinity Tokaji getting their other goals. Poppy Le-Beau scored for Thorpe St. Andrew.
The day’s other game between North Walsham Town and Mulbarton Development was abandoned due to a serious injury to Mulbarton player, Amy Coaker. Mulbarton were leading 2-1 at the time of the abandonment.
Norfolk Women and Girls League Division Two
Mundford sit top of tier eight with two wins from two after a 5-0 victory over Horsford Hurricanes thanks to five goals from five different scorers. Livvi Hodges, Sophia Price, Lauren Roberts. Niamh Underhill and Stevie-Leigh Makinson all put their names on the scoresheet.
FC Viking Valkyries also have an 100% record after two games with a 3-1 win at Horsford Harriers thanks to goals from Charlotte Kenny, Cerys Nicholas, and Megan Bird. Isla Toop scored for Horsford Harriers.
Bure Valley also made it two from two with a 2-0 victory at Shrublands thanks to goals from Willow Nye and Megan Swain.
Stalham Town were the fourth team to make it 100% from two games with a 6-3 win over Great Yarmouth Town thanks to a couple from Emma Gillespie, goals from Amber Mayhew and Claire Wilkins plus two own goals. A brace from Lacey Andrews and one from Courteney Beare accounted for Great Yarmouth’s goals.
Red Rose secured a 3-1 away win at Martham thanks to goals from Charmine Storey (two) and one from Katy Turner. Briony Punchard scored for Martham.
SWFC Lingwood were 4-2 winners at home to Freethorpe. Pipper Hebditch scored twice and with Leanne Smith and Nicola Hazell adding one each. Viktorija Miglane and Michaela Stordy scored for Freethorpe.
Above: Mundford sit top of Norfolk Women and Girls League Division Two with Two wins from their opening two games. Above: Mundford FC.
Suffolk Women’s Cup First Round
Norfolk Women and Girls League Division Two sides Waveney and Beccles Town Development were on cup duty and faced off against each other in the Suffolk Women’s Cup First Round. Beccles were 5-0 winners at Waveney with a brace from Saffron Jones-Yates and Phoebe Carter, Mia Wilson, and Millie Reeve all scoring.
Norfolk Women and Girls League 7’s Division One
Dussindale & Hellesdon were 3-1 winners at Left Field. Rita Alves got two and Alice Walker one whilst Meadhbh Flynn scored for Left Field.
Taverham were 8-0 winners at Loddon United thanks to four goals from Bryony Brierley, and two each from Kiera Braithwaite and Sophie Rose.
In the day’s other game, Mulbarton Wanderers were 1-0 winners at home to Rockland United thanks to a goal from Alice Ladbrooke.
Norfolk Women and Girls League 7’s Division Two
Aylsham were 2-1 winners over Cawston. Emma Wayte scored two for Aylsham with Caitlyn Lofty replying for Cawston.
Madra were 4-1 winners at Bulldogs thanks to a Michelle Williamson hat-trick and one from Gemma Williams, with Kirsty Turner scoring for Bulldogs.
The University of East Anglia were 7-0 winners over Hockering. Four goals from Alicia Renwick were added to by one each from Rita Bihari, Freya Fuller, and Abigial Agius.
FC Viking Valkyries were 4-0 winners over Yarmouth FC as Sharnie Tuck-Boast scored twice and Lisa Ferdani and Laura-Jane Tooke were both on target.
Above: Red Rose FC, who were delighted with their 3-1 win at Martham in Norfolk Women and Girls League Division Two on Sunday. Photo: Red Rose FC
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The D1 Arkema is back for the 2023/24 season, and so is Jean-Pierre Thiesset‘s weekly review of all the action across every match (19/9/23).
Above: Eugénie Le Sommer, 34 years old, who scored her 185th goal for Lyon in D1 Arkema. Photo: Damien LG, Olympique Lyonnais.
Le Havre 0-4 Olympique Lyonnais
The first half was largely dominated by Lyon who monopolized the ball with more than 70% possession and 14 shots including five on target. Lyon could have scored two or three more goals with a little bit more precision. Le Havre was dangerous on two or three counterattacks but got rid of the ball too quickly forward during this half to be effective. Eugénie Le Sommer, who scored a goal and delivered a decisive pass, had another great performance and has now scored 185 goals in D1 Arkema and 289 goals overall for Lyon. Wendie Renard also had an outstanding performance with one goal and an assist – coming from a pass after dribbling past the Le Havre defence.
Above: Ellie Carpenter (left hand side, number 12) celebrates with her teammates. Photo: Damien LG, Olympique Lyonnais.
Above: Ellie Carpenter celebrates her first title of the season (Trophée des championnes) with her teammates and Lyon fans on September 10, 2023. Photo: Jean-Pierre Thiesset for Impetus.
Carpenter played sixty minutes in this opening D1 Arkema game of the season. She provided a good performance as usual and played an influential role in Lyon keeping a clean sheet.
Scorers for Lyon: Eugénie Le Sommer (25’), Wendie Renard (47’), Daniëlle Van De Donk (73’), Vanessa Gilles (86’).
Fleury 3-1 Guingamp
At home, Fleury won after conceding at the beginning of the second half. A good start for a team that lost one of their best defenders, Julie Piga, over the summer.
Scorers for Fleury: Batcheba Louis (60’), Ewelina Kamczyk (70’, 73’). Scorers for Guingamp: Marie-Charlotte Léger (49’).
Montpellier 2-0 Dijon
Above: Faustine Robert (center, number 25) celebrating her goal. Photo: Montpellier website.
By scoring quickly, Montpellier established their domination and finished the job after halftime.
Scorers for Montpellier: Faustine Robert (3’, 74’).
Reims 2-0 Saint-Etienne
A dull game ended in a win for Reims. Both sides made a lot of mistakes and were obviously not in full gear yet. At least both teams woke up in the last 30 minutes and we started to see a more interesting football game.Saint-Etienne goalkeeper, Maryne Gignoux-Soulier, had an outstanding performance, making several saves that kept Reims scoreless. Reims also benefitted from the good performance of Lou-Ann Joly, midfielder, and Julie Pasquereau, defender.
Scorers for Reims: Shana Chossenote (35’, 78’). Lille 0-4 Paris FC. After eliminating Arsenal in UWCL LP-Group 3 game, Paris FC, away from home, gave no chance to the newly promoted Lille team. A good start for the team that wants to be a contender for at least the third place in D1 Arkema this season.
Above: Gaëtane Thiney, 37 years old, Paris FC forward, scored twice. Photo: Paris FC website.
MATILDAS WATCH – Sarah Hunter (Paris FC)
Above: Sarah Hunter, 19 years old, who signed up to 2026 with Paris FC. Photo: Paris FC website
Hunter, who signed a three-year contract with the club, did not play any part in this opening game of the season.
Scorers for Paris FC: Clara Matéo (14’), Gaëtane Thiney (45’, 89’), Louna Ribadeira (80’).
Bordeaux 0-3 Paris Saint-Germain
A game that only came alive during the 15 minute period at the end of the first half when PSG scored all three of their goals. Bordeaux, who lost twelve of its players, eight being starters, over the summer, had a lot of problems keeping the ball and was largely dominated (75% possession for PSG). Two ex-Lyon players were on the field for Bordeaux: Nesrine Bahlouli, 20 years old, and Mylaine Tarrieu, 28 years old.Sakina Karchaoui brightened the game with her outstanding performance scoring one goal and adding two assists. Marie-Antoinette Katoto played the last fifteen minutes after more than fourteen months out for injury.
Above: Sakina Karchaoui (bottom right-hand side) with her Paris SG teammates. Photo: Paris Saint-Germain website.
MATILDAS WATCH – Clare Hunt (Paris St. Germain)
Above: Clare Hunt upon arrival at Paris St. Germain. Photo: Paris Saint-Germain website.
Hunt, who signed a three years deal with PSG, did not play in the opening game of this season as it was felt to be too short a turnaround to integrate her in the team.
Scorers for Paris SG: Sakina Karchaoui (32’ Penalty), Sandy Baltimore (33’), Grace Geyoro (36’).
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Three clubs revealed additions to their squads for the 2023/24 season today. Impetus has all the news (19/9/23).
Above: Melbourne City’s new signing Taylor Otto. Photo: University of North Carolina Athletics.
Melbourne City today announced the signing of American defender, Taylor Otto, on a one-year deal.
The 25-year-old joins City from Gotham FC, having joined the NWSL side as a National Team Replacement Player during the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
A versatile defender, Otto spent the 2022/23 season playing an integral role for Celtic in the Scottish Women’s Premier League. During her time in Scotland, the Scottish Women’s Cup winner made 27 league appearances and netted two goals.
Pick 11 in the draft, the American began her professional footballing career with Racing Louisville. Otto made 11 league appearances in the NWSL between 2021 and 2022, before joining Scottish heavyweights, Celtic.
An athletic defender with the ability to move up the pitch as well as find the back of the net, Otto is set to boost Head Coach Dario Vidosic’s defensive stocks ahead of the 2023/24 season.
Speaking about her move to Melbourne, Otto said: “I’ve heard lots of really good things about the league and level here in Australia. Everyone at the club has been awesome so far and it’s been a really easy transition for me moving to Melbourne. I just can’t wait to get started and playing some games soon.
”I’m a player who likes to get on the ball, distribute and dictate the tempo of the game. I can’t wait to play alongside the great players here at City and compete for silverware this season.”
Reflecting on the qualities that his new signing brings to the club, City head coach Dario Vidosic said: “She’s coming off a really strong season with Celtic in Scotland and we expect her to be a strong physical presence in our team.
“Taylor also has the capability of playing in multiple roles for us, which will give us the added boost of more flexibility in the line-ups we put out on the pitch.”
Perth Glory
Above: Lilly Bailey (centre) with her Hyundai NTC team-mates Grace Johnston (left) and Georgia Cassidy (right), both of whom will join her at Perth Glory this season. Photo: Perth Glory.
Perth Glory have confirmed that Junior Matildas goalkeeper Lilly Bailey has been signed for the A-League Women 2023/24 season.
The 18-year-old Perth local arrives at the club off the back of a stellar 2023 season in which she was a key member of the Hyundai NTC side that claimed the WA State Cup and secured a fourth-place finish in the NPLW WA.
She is now relishing the prospect of taking the next step in her football journey with her hometown club. “I’m so excited to be able to come into the squad this season,” she said.
“I’ve been lucky to have been training in the background for a couple of years and have seen first-hand the amount of work that [Head Coach] Alex [Epakis], the staff and the team do. I’m keen to show what I can do, while also being there to support the team and help them achieve their goals.”
Glory Head Coach Alex Epakis believes that Bailey is a player with huge potential.
“Lilly is one of the most talented up-and-coming goalkeepers in the country,” he said, “and is another proud local player who is keen to play for her hometown club. She has been involved in various training blocks with our team over a number of years and I am very proud to be able to give her this opportunity to be part of the team and club moving into the new season.
“Lilly is a mature young person with a fearless mind-set which is very important for her position. Moreover, she is a player that will be able to grow and develop with great support and coaching. She has a bright future ahead and I am excited to see her progress and compete over the coming months.”
Wellington Phoenix
Above: Rylee Foster during her time with Liverpool. Photo: Liverpool FC.
Wellington Phoenix have given Rylee Foster the chance to return to professional football, nearly two years on from a horrific car accident that halted her promising career.
The Phoenix have signed the Canadian goalkeeper for the upcoming A-League Women season, after she said an emotional goodbye to Liverpool FC in June. Foster, 25, was told she would never play again after she was thrown from a car in Finland in October 2021.
She suffered a range of serious injuries, the most significant of which were seven fractures in her neck, and was placed into an immobilising ‘halo’ upon her return to Liverpool to prevent sudden movement that could have resulted in catastrophic damage.
“The fact that I’m alive is phenomenal,” Foster said. “The injury that I sustained is known to kill you instantly, if not become a tetraplegic, which is what Christopher Reeve was.”
Joining the Phoenix is very symbolic. It’s a new becoming. It’s an arising from something that was literally in ashes.
“I’ve been through a lot in the last two years, more than most people go through in their whole lives. There have been a lot of sacrifices and blood, sweat, and tears to get to this point, and a lot of hurdles in regard to physical and mental health.
I’m so happy that you’ll not only get to see me as a footballer here but the new and improved side of myself with all the lessons that I’ve learned over the last two years and the adversity I’ve faced. This new version of myself could potentially be the best of the best and that’s what I’m excited about.”
The former Canada age-group international has also thanked the Wellington Phoenix for showing faith in her.
“It was a massive risk, and it was a risk for all parties, not just the coaching staff, but the physios, the medical team, the stakeholders and the owners. The fact that they want to commit to my future, take care of me as a person and my overall wellbeing, but also be along for the journey and very invested in it is important.”
Foster believes the club’s training base at the New Zealand Campus of Innovation and Sport (NZCIS) is the perfect place for her to re-launch her career.
“With the way my body is now, I need to do a lot more TLC. I’ve already been a very committed athlete and doing the typical rest and recovery protocols, but I have to take it up an extra notch.
“To have access to all the state-of-the-art facilities at NZCIS like hydrotherapy, the saunas, the red light room, the physios whenever I need and the mental health support is incredible.
For Nix head coach Paul Temple, the announcement concludes his four-month search for a second goalkeeper to compete with incumbent Brianna Edwards.
“We’ve been pushing to have two high-quality players in every position so the squad is really competitive. Brianna was our number one goalkeeper in the league last year and we wanted to bring someone else in that could also be a number one goalkeeper.
“Those two can fight it out and there will be a really good competition for that place. I think that will bring the best out of both of them like it has everywhere else on the pitch.
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Above: AFC Wimbledon celebrate a goal in their win at home to Chesham United yesterday. Photo: Emily Topping.
Ashlee Hincks struck a double to help AFC Wimbledon back to winning ways in a thrilling match at Carshalton Athletic against Chesham United.
Kevin Foster’s side earned a 5-2 victory, though they didn’t have it all their own way as visitors Chesham had taken a 2-1 lead.
The breakthrough was made by the Dons after five minutes with Hincks sending in a free-kick that was saved by the keeper and Billie Brooks followed up to open the scoring. However, Dons keeper Faye Baker had to produce a wonderful fingertip save to deny a quick-fire equaliser.
It turned out to be only a temporary reprieve though as the visitors capitalised on a defensive mix-up, a long-range effort somehow finding a way into the bottom corner.
Another defensive lapse resulted in Chesham taking the lead, but Wimbledon’s captain stepped up to the mark to level matters. Hincks was again the provider as she sent through a lovely ball that Hannah Billingham latched onto, and she produced a fine finish to match the impressive approach play.
There was better to come as Billingham this time claimed an assist, sending over a cross that Fran Ali headed home superbly.
After taking a 3-2 lead into the second-half, there was better to come as Hincks got her first after a lovely ball from Emily Donovan.
And number five also came through Hincks, who scored with a shot that deceived the Chesham keeper.
It was a great way for the Dons to bounce back after defeat last weekend and a trip to Cambridge United is next up for AFC Wimbledon on Sunday.
Scorers: Brooks 3′, Billingham 39′, Ali 45+3′. Hincks 55′, 85′.
CHESHAM UNITED: Delves, Dixon, B. Fraser, Euman, Doerr, S. Smith, Makowska, Bebbington, T. Smith, Hetherington, G. Fraser. Substitutes: Lewis, Porter, Timms, Mabbs.
Scorers: Fraser 23′, 25′.
Attendance: 120.
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Every Monday, we’ll be publishing the best images from Impetus’ team of photographers who were covering matches for us at the weekend. This week, we had photographers at five matches from tier two to tier six. Here’s the best of their photographs (18/9/23).
Above: Reading and Southampton jostle ahead of the ball being played in yesterday. Photo: Grace Jones for Impetus.
Reading 1-4 Southampton
from Grace Jones
Tier Two – Barclays Women’s Championship
Rugby Borough 1-3 Hashtag United
from Lucy Copsey
Tier Three – FA Women’s National League Southern Premier
Middlesbrough 0-0 Stockport County
from Matthew Appleby
Tier Four – FA Women’s National League Division One North
Saltdean United 1-4 Fulham
from Mariella Prew
Tier Five – London & South-East Regional Premier
Hastings Town 2-7 Bromley
from Jon Smalldon
Tier Six – London & South-East Regional Division One South
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Above: Canberra United’s new signing Cannon Clough seen in action for Brisbane Roar. Photovia: Capital Football.
Canberra United today announced the signing of American Cannon Clough for the forthcoming A-League Women season.
The defender is no stranger to the competition having impressed for both Newcastle Jets and Brisbane Roar in the elite level in Australia.
Clough’s football journey began in her home state of Charlotte, North Carolina, where she earned all-state private division honours at High School before graduating from UNC Chapel Hill in the US College system.
“Cannon is a very experienced player who will add a degree of flexibility to our options with the ability to play centrally or out wide, and possess an astute football brain, great technique, and is a good communicator,” said Canberra United head coach Njegosh Popovich.
“Most importantly, as with all of our signings, Cannon will fit in really well into our group dynamic, understanding the culture of our club, and the league as a whole having made close to twenty appearances in the competition.”
Clough has played a fair bit of football in Australia outside of the A-League environment having proudly represented Lions FC in the Queensland NPL where the defender was nominated for the 2019 Queensland Player of the Year award.
Speaking about her arrival at the club, the American defender said: “I am looking forward to making my debut for Canberra United and am excited about the prospect of playing for the club in front of the amazing supporter base that we have at McKellar Park.
“Canberra United is a big club in Liberty A-League terms, have a great reputation for playing good football, and for developing players, and I have heard good things about the city and what it has to offer.
“I am pleased to be able to sign for the club and am grateful to Njegosh and his coaching staff for giving me the chance to show the Canberra faithful what I can offer.”
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