Tom Freeman returns with his review of all the action in tiers three to five of the Scottish Women’s football pyramid (5/9/23).
Above: Rossvale celebrate a goal in their win over Inverness Caledonian Thistle. Photo supplied to Impetus by: Kelly Nielsen.
SWF Championship
Rossvale have gone clear at the top of the Scottish Women’s Championship for the first time since it became a national league, with a 4-2 victory at home against Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
Both sides came into the tie unbeaten from the first two weeks of the new season, and it would be the Highlanders who scored first through new signing Bella Viana.
But a double from Sarah Wardlaw, a goal from Megan Whiteford, and a strike from range by captain Lauren Coleman had the Glasgow side comfortable by halftime. Inverness applied pressure in the second half and despite a goal back from Kirsty Deans will be aggrieved by a missed penalty which may have changed the momentum.
Westdyke dropped their first points to Ayr United who won 6-2 through four goals from last season’s Championship player of the season Clare Docherty, complemented by strikes by Nicol and McBlain. A Kayleigh Traynor double was consolation for the visitors.
Elsewhere, Renfrew Ladies needed a last-minute goal from Nicole Telford to beat Edinburgh City 2-1, East Fife notched their first points of the new season with a 1-0 away victory against Dryburgh Athletic in Dundee, while Morton also got off the mark with a comprehensive 8-0 victory at home to Hutchison Vale.
Above: Rossvale (yellow and red) battle for possession with Inverness Caledonian Thistle. Photo supplied to Impetus by: Kelly Nielson.
SWF League One
League One saw a new derby as Forfar Farmington hosted Dundee West at Station Park, running out 5-0 winners to send them joint top of the table in week two, while another local rivalry saw Falkirk beat Stenhousemuir 3-0 in a game which saw both goalkeepers in commanding form. Falkirk manager Craig Tully saw red after an altercation with the referee before Kirsty Gilbert rounded the keeper to tap in, and strikes from distance by Iona Bridges and Kirsty Mcleod secured the points for his side.
Queen of the South suffered their first home defeat in a very long time at the hands of fellow League One newcomers Bonnyrigg Rose. The visitors netted early through Saffron McCabe then weathered the storm from the home side in the second half before scoring deep into added time through an Eilidh Weir counterattack to secure three points on the road.
Airdrie also recorded an impressive away win, beating St. Mirren 3-1 with goals from Megan Murray, Sophie Harrison, and Teri Deegan to join Forfar at the top.
Biffa Regional Leagues
In the regional SWFL, it was goals galore for Inverurie Locos, winning 16-0 against Westdyke Thistle while in the League Cup Kilwinning beat Nithsdale Wanderers 15-0. Orkney Women also won big in the ScottishPower Highlands and Islands league, a 10-1 victory against Nairn St. Ninian in Kirkwall closing the gap to table-topping Buckie Ladies, who recorded a 1-1 draw with Sutherland, to four points.
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Matthew Appleby returns with his regular photo galleries for Impetus. At the weekend, he captured all the action from the tier four FA Women’s National League Division One NOrth game between Hull City and Middlesbrough (5/9/23).
Above: Middlesbrough get a header in on goal at Hull City on Sunday. Photo: Matthew Appleby.
Hull City 4-1 Middlesbrough
A hat-trick from Helen Lynskey and a further strike from Hope Knight ensured that Hull City earned a big home win over Middlesbrough in Division One North of the FAWNL.
Bethany Guy was on target for Boro in the game played at Barton Town FC.
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Four clubs announce players plus there’s a big blow for a key member of the Wellington Phoenix squad (5/9/23).
Above: Lily Alfeld in action for Wellington Phoenix in 2021/22. She will miss the whole of the coming season with injury once more in a real blow for the club. Photo: Wollongong Mercury.
The Wellington Phoenix women will be without their inspirational leader Lily Alfeld for the 2023-24 A-League Women season.
Experienced goalkeeper Alfeld, club captain for the women’s first two seasons, won’t be able to play for the Phoenix in the upcoming campaign as she requires surgery on her back.
“It’s quite heartbreaking,” Alfeld said. “Going through last season with injuries this was the season I was looking forward to and had my sights set on.
“Unfortunately it hasn’t worked out that way, but at the same time it gives me a lot of time to get myself right, do the rehab thoroughly and properly, and there’s no time pressure.”
Alfeld was the team’s first signing in 2021 and was in goal for all but one of the Nix’s 14 matches in their inaugural season, leading the team to breakthrough wins over Canberra United and Western Sydney Wanderers.
Unfortunately the former age-group international missed the entirety of the 2022-23 campaign as a result of off-season knee surgery and the back injury, which started to trouble her in January and then flared up again in April just before she was due to join the Football Ferns for their pre-World Cup camp.
“It’s been incredibly frustrating as we were hoping the injury would heal with time. I’ve given it six to seven months, but I haven’t had the progress I’d hoped. The next step is surgery and hopefully that’ll mean I’ll be able to return to football next year. It’s looking really positive. My surgeon has operated on a lot of athletes who’ve been able to make a full recovery.”
Despite the frustrations, Alfeld remained a key part of the Phoenix women’s squad last season and could be heard cheering on the team from the stands at Sky Stadium.
Alfeld was recognised at the club’s awards night in May, when she was presented with the prestigious Lloyd Morrison Spirit of the Phoenix award.
New women’s head coach Paul Temple wants Alfeld to still be involved with the Phoenix this season.
“We’re talking to Lily about a role at the club and hopefully we’ll still have her around the team environment,” Temple said. “A team culture is built around its people and she’s an amazing person. We’d love to find a way in which Lily can still have a home here at the Phoenix.
“The best scenario is that we have her at NZCIS, and she can continue to do her rehab here and continue to have a positive influence on the group.”
Adelaide United
Above: Maruschka Waldus (right) in action for Adelaide United last season. Photo: Keep Up.
Experienced central defender, Maruschka Waldus has signed a two-year contract extension with Adelaide United.
Waldus has made a total of 29 appearances with three goals in her two seasons at Adelaide to date. She was the only outfield player to play every minute of their last Liberty A-League campaign, with her wealth of experience supporting Adelaide at the back.
The Dutch defender impressed immediately in her first stint with Adelaide in 2020/21, scoring two goals in 11 appearances on her way to claiming the Dianne Alagich Medal for an exceptional season.
Waldus, 30, believes United are building towards something special, making the choice to remain a Red an easy one.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to stay on with United. It’s a great opportunity to keep the momentum from the World Cup on a high and I hope we can leave a legacy and inspire a new generation. I’m passionate about the club. I hope that with my experience I can help the team and club to win prizes…and it’s exciting to help younger players to develop around me.”
Waldus has played all around the globe, and in recent times she featured for PSV Women in the 2021/22 Champions League against Arsenal.
Head Coach, Adrian Stenta said: “Maruschka is an important player for us and her experience is one you can build a backline – and team around.
“She is a popular member of the playing squad and always brings a lot to the group, possessing a great deal of knowledge in the game, as well as a high level of leadership and professionalism. We are thrilled she will remain with us for the next two seasons.”
Brisbane Roar
Above: Back at Brisbane for another season – Isabella Shuttleworth. Photo: Brisbane Roar.
Brisbane Roar will welcome back young shot-stopper Isabella Shuttleworth on a scholarship contract for the 2023/24 A-League Women season.
Shuttleworth began training with the Roar in 2021 before signing her first professional contract with the club ahead of the 2022/23 season. Her debut came in the home defeat against Adelaide United, taking over for an injured Mia Bailey before starting the remaining four games.
The 20-year-old looks forward to what the coming season holds: “I’m striving to get a full contract throughout the season or next year. But I’m here to support the girls and create a good competitive training environment. This is my fourth season with the Roar, and I feel each year is a progression from the last…I’m seeing myself grow both on and off the pitch which is very exciting.”
Shuttleworth aims to continue developing and play as many minutes as she can to secure a full contract in the future.
“I’m very excited to get training again with the girls, I’ve really missed it. Considering I’m scholarship, I have something to prove and fight for. My main goal is to break into the match day squad at least a couple of times,” the goalkeeper said. “But that all starts at training so I’m going to focus on working harder each session and hopefully Garrath sees the hard work.”
Head Coach Garrath McPherson describes Shuttleworth as having “the unique ‘team first’ mindset that is so important for goalkeepers.”
“They play in a position that is rarely substituted, selflessness and a growth mindset are so important for young goalkeepers to progress as professionals,” he said.
“Bella possesses these qualities and has already had more league experiences than that of her peers. She is an important part of our football club moving forward.”
Newcastle Jets revealed on Tuesday the signing of American goalkeeper Izzy Nino for the 2023/24 season.
Originally from Northville, Michigan in the United States, the 24-year-old joins the club from the University of Michigan where she has spent the previous six seasons.
Nino is excited to be linking up with Gary van Egmond’s side ahead of the new A-League Women’s season.
“This is a very exciting time for women’s football in Australia and I look forward to being a part of it here in Newcastle.
I am grateful for the opportunity to play football in a new country and experience a new lifestyle as I prepare for my first year of professional football.”
Perth Glory
Above: Perth Glory’s new signing Jessika Cowart in action for the Philippines. Photo: One Sport.
Perth Glory today announced that Philippines international defender/midfielder Jessika Cowart has joined the club for the 2023/24 season.
The 23-year-old, who is equally accomplished as a centre-back or holding midfielder, played in each of the Philippines’ three games at this year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup to take her tally of senior international caps past the 20-mark.
A standout performer at US collegiate level for the University of Washington Huskies between 2017 and 2021, Cowart gained her first experience of European football in the Turkish Women’s Football Super League with Caykur Rizespor.
A move to Swedish top-flight club IFK Kalmar followed earlier this year where she established herself as a first-team regular ahead of her involvement with the Philippines at the World Cup.
Glory’s new recruit is now excited to gain her first taste of A-League football. “After multiple conversations with the coaching staff,” she said, “I was impressed with their commitment not only to us as players on the field, but also as people off the field, and that is a big reason why I signed for Glory.
“I am highly impressed by the environment that has been built and it’s clear to me that this is a top organization and I’m honoured to be a part of it. The A-League is growing fast and furious and is a very competitive league. I hope to not only represent Perth well throughout the season, but also to help bring home a championship.”
Glory Head Coach Alex Epakis believes that Cowart’s range of qualities make her an ideal addition to the squad.
“Jess was a player who stood out to me during my time with the Philippines national team at the Women’s World Cup,” he said.
“She comes to us after a great personal experience from that World Cup campaign and past exposure to some strong competition from her recent time playing in the Swedish top division. Jess has a really strong technical skill-set which will allow us to build up and start our attacks from deep areas and help us be the type of attacking team we want to be.
“She is a versatile player who can play across midfield and defence and has a great tactical understanding of the game. Moreover, her character and energy is very infectious and I have no doubt she will be a strong and positive personality within the group this season.”
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Andy Wicks was at Kingsmeadow last night for Impetus to capture the best of the action from a dramatic pre-season friendly (4/9/23)
Above: Dramatic action from Kingsmeadow last night as AS Roma go for goal. Photo: Andy Wicks for Impetus.
Chelsea 3-2 AS Roma
Double winners Chelsea came from behind twice to see off Italian side AS Roma at Kingsmeadow last night thanks to a last-gasp winner from Aggie Beever-Jones.
With Roma hitting the front early on, a strong Chelsea side, welcoming back Fran Kirby, and a plethora of World Cup stars hit back twice with international stats Guro Reiten and Lauren James scoring the equalisers. Then in the final stages, 20-year-old striker Beever-Jones stepped up to seal the win.
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Above: Joy for AFC Wimbledon at Plough Lane yesterday. Photo: Ian Stephen.
Emily Donovan and Ashlee Hincks both struck doubles as AFC Wimbledon started their tier four FAWNL Division One South-East campaign with a thrilling victory in front of a big crowd at Plough Lane.
Kevin Foster’s side secured a 5-3 win over QPR, providing an entertaining spectacle for the crowd at the Cherry Red Records Stadium to enjoy.
There was simply no stopping the Dons from the outset. It took only four minutes for the breakthrough to be made when Hannah Billingham powered down the left-hand side and sent an excellent lowball into the box for Donovan to home.
The hosts enjoyed a lot of the ball in the opening 15 minutes and it didn’t take long to double the advantage. Following lovely link-up play between Ashlee Hincks and Ellie Dorey down the left, Hincks sent a threatening ball into the box and Donovan was in the right place at the right time once again.
However, QPR found a way back into the game in style when Kesha Petit danced her way into the box, and struck a spectacular solo effort, the ball nestling into the bottom corner.
Just before the 40-minute mark, after some slow reactions from the home side, QPR had themselves an equaliser, through Renai McCrea, to make it 2-2.
For the second-half, the Dons had to make a change with Sandra Soares Martins replacing the injured Ellie Dorey, but that didn’t stop a third goal for the hosts.
Ashleigh Goddard was challenged in the box by the QPR goalkeeper and she won the home side a penalty. Ashlee Hincks stepped up, and the Dons number 9 got off the mark for the season.
Goddard then got on the scoresheet herself, travelling with the ball and strikng it neatly from the edge of the box into the bottom left-hand corner.
Hincks made it five in style with a glorious strike from a free-kick, and though QPR reduced the arrears through Emelia Parsons, that failed to take the shine off an impressive victory for the Dons.
Above: Cote Rojas (pointing) celebrates a goal for Melbourne City last season – she returns to Canberra United this season. Photo: Melbourne City.
Canberra United have announced the return of Chilean international forward Maria ‘Cote’ Rojas after the South American signed a contract to appear in the 2023/24 A-League Women season.
Rojas first played for the club in the 2018 season, appearing eight times and scoring one goal, becoming something of a fan favourite with her robust displays, unique skill-set and effervescent attitude always on display.
“We are extremely happy to welcome Maria back to Canberra United for the new Liberty A-League season,” Canberra United Head Coach Njegosh Popovich said of the latest player to be unveiled in green for the 2023/24 campaign.
“Her ability is without question. She has terrific movement, can dribble well with the ball, has great vision, can create chances for others, and has the enviable knack of being able to score goals as well.
“Not only does she bring those qualities with her, but the experience also gained at international level and playing abroad will be a huge asset to our young group who can learn from her professionalism and attitude to the game.
“I am looking forward to Maria joining up with the squad and making a welcome return to McKellar Park.”
Rojas has had a wide and varied career, shining on these shores for Adelaide United, Sydney FC and Melbourne City, scoring four goals in five appearances for the latter including a strike in the win over her current club at Seiffert Oval in Queanbeyan last year.
An experienced international, having appeared 43 times for her country and netted eleven goals, she has played in the UEFA Champions League and at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, as well as appearing for clubs in Germany, the United States, Japan, Lithuania, Czech Republic, and Australia.
“I am so excited to be coming back to Canberra to play for Canberra United once more and to continue my playing career here in Australia,” Rojas commented about her return.
“I have many happy memories of my season with the club back in 2018, playing at McKellar Park in front of the passionate and loud supporters, those fans who are such a tremendous boost to the playing group.
“The Liberty A-League is a wonderful competition, and I am looking forward to starting training with the club, and to help the team be successful.”
Brisbane Roar
Above: Tamar Lebin (right) in action for Brisbane Roar against Western United last season. Photo: Brisbane Roar.
Brisbane Roar announced on Monday the re-signing of 19-year-old highly rated attacker Tamar Levin ahead of the 2023/24 A-League Women season on a multi-year deal.
Levin joined the club on a scholarship contract last season from the QAS NTC squad and is back to put on the orange for another season.
Known for her dribbling speed ability and vision in attack, the versatile attacker finished the 2022 NPL QLD season as top goal scorer for the FQ QAS.
After a great first season in the A-League Women playing 17 games and making one assist, the youngster looks forward to continuing developing, gaining confidence and learning from more experienced players.
“I’m very happy and excited to have re-signed with Roar and keen to be back in that environment. My time here has been great so far, being able to play at such a high level with a great group of girls. I also loved getting to travel and play all around Australia and New Zealand,” Levin said.
“Since joining the Roar, I have played in a number of different positions as well as different playing styles. This has helped me gain more confidence, and I feel I have improved physically. Also, it was great playing alongside more experienced players, which I learnt a lot from.”
I’m really looking forward to gaining more experience and more minutes in the A-League. I would love to start scoring some goals and help the team achieve the ultimate goal, winning!”
Head Coach Garrath McPherson looks forward to continuing Levin’s development as she pushes herself to an A-League level.
“Tamar was a standout young player for us across the last campaign. She made her debut in the first game of our season and from that point, has never looked back,” McPherson said.
Newcastle Jets
Above: Newcastle Jets’ new signing Maggie Shaw. Photo: Chattanooga Athletics.
Newcastle Jets have unveiled the signing of 23-year-old American Maggie Shaw for the 2023/24 A-League Women’s season.
Originally from Columbia in South Carolina, America, Shaw is versatile and can play at centre-back or left-back.
Previously, she has played for the University of Tennessee and Chattanooga Red Wolves in the USLW League.
Shaw joins the Jets with an impressive CV in her short career. The centre-back has previously won the Southern Conference defensive player of the year in 2020 and 2022.
The defender is eager to link up with Gary van Egmond’s side this season.
“I’m very excited and proud to begin here at Newcastle. Being able to represent this club, this town and the community with my new teammates feels like a dream come true. I’m honoured to be a part of the growth of football and female representation in this country.”
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Impetus’ Andy Wicks was at the Select Car Leasing Stadium last night to capture the best of the action as Reading hosted Charlton Athletic in the Championship (3/9/23)
Above: Reading goalkeeper Emily Orman looks to punch clear under Charlton challenges last night. Photo: Andy Wicks for Impetus.
Reading 0-0 Charlton Athletic
Reading battled with ten players for much of the second half to claim a point against south-east London opposition in their first home game in the Championship.
Sanne Troelsgaard was dismissed early in the second stanza, but the hosts dug in well against a Charlton side who worked hard all night. Carla Humphrey came close for the visitors with an effort from the edge of the box that hit the post.
Andy Wicks’ photo gallery from Reading for Impetus:
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Above: Izzy Groves signs for London City Lionesses. Photo supplied to Impetus by: London City Lionesses.
Championship side London City Lionesseslast night announced the addition of creative midfielder Izzy Groves, who arrives at Princes Park on a free transfer from US Saint-Malo.
The Jamaican playmaker has signed a one-year contract and is available for selection for the visit of Watford today.
“I’ve been loving the environment since I arrived,” the 24-year-old said when asked about her first week with the team.
“When I sat down with the coaches and spoke about what their main goal is, I was super excited to hear what they had to say and commit to the project. All of the girls have been very welcoming and I’m excited to get started on Sunday.
“I’ve always aspired to play in England and it definitely feels like a second home, with the fact that my mum was born here. It’s always been somewhere that I’ve wanted to be and I’m thrilled to join London City for the next phase of my career.”
Above: London City Lionesses’ new signing Izzy Groves. Photos supplied to Impetus by: London City Lionesses.
Groves boasts a wealth of professional experience, with stints in Portugal and France after a standout collegiate career at Roberts Wesleyan University.
The Toronto-born player spent the first two seasons of her professional career at Länk FC Vilaverdense, whom she captained to promotion as a rookie.
After an impressive run of form in Portugal, Groves was called up by Jamaica and earned a transfer to French Division 2 Féminine outfit US Saint-Malo.
“I like to play smart [defensively] and feel that my vision is definitely an important part of my game,” added Groves.
“I’m excited to have the opportunity to help the team in midfield and can’t wait to get started in the Women’s Championship.”
Groves will wear the No. 10 shirt during her time with London City.
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Above: Hyundai NTC celebrate with the State Cup after defeating Murdoch University Melville. Image: Football West.
Hyundai NTC 6-1 Murdoch University Melville
Hyundai NTC produced a clinical performance in front of goal to defeat Murdoch University Melville (MUM FC) at the brand new State Football Centre to clinch the State Cup on Saturday.
A hat-trick from Emily Garnett and further strikes from Louise Tana, Tanika Lala, and Klaudia Houlis sealed the win in a match played in frequent torrential downpours.
It was an action-packed first half – and the drama began from the opening minute as Violet Longmore cut in from the left and played a ball across that Tanika Lala couldn’t quite reach, but Louise Tana was on hand further back to dispatch into the net.
MUM FC tried to settle, but they couldn’t quite wrestle the initiative from Ben Anderton’s team. With 17 minutes on the clock, Lala burst through and went down in the box under Lucy Hope’s challenge, but penalty appeals were waved away.
However, just two minutes later, there was another penalty appeal, and this time with success as Charli Wainwright entered the box for Murdoch and looked to be pushed in the back by Hannah Collinson. Up stepped Clara Hoarau to hit a shot but NTC keeper Lilly Bailey saved excellently to her left.
The flurry of action continued unabated. With 22 minutes played, Grace Johnston found Tana, who laid off to Lala to fire a shot that Stacey Cavill got a hand on to block.
Within two minutes though, the NTC increased their lead. Lala’s cross from the right deflected off Hope and was headed across the area by Maja Archibald for Tana. She in turn fed possession to Emily Garnett to the left of the box to fire home.
Still the drama continued. Just before the half-hour mark, MUM FC’s young starlet Jessica Johnson picked up a loose pass deep in her own half and motored away before laying off a pass to Sophie Meaden. Meaden returned the favour as Johnson neared the box to slot home and reduce the deficit.
The NTC were not about to allow Murdoch University Melville to get any closer, and within two minutes restored their two-goal cushion. A throw-in on the left just outside the penalty area found Lala who turned and fired home. There were further opportunities for the teenage side to extend their advantage with Johnston seeing a long-range shot go over the top, and Cavill was called on again as the half edged towards its conclusion to make another save.
At the break the stats told the story with the NTC having eight shots on target to MUM FC’s one – Johnson’s goal – but David Biancuzzo’s side knew that if they could get another goal back early in the second half, it would be very much game on once more.
In a bid to do precisely that, Murdoch brought on top scorer Sam Mathers from the bench. MUM FC had the possession but would be limited to chances from outside the box as the NTC continued their stranglehold of the best opportunities. The first of which in the second 45 came via Garnett firing a shot in from the edge of the box that Cavill held.
Just before the hour mark, a free-kick around 15 yards inside the MUM FC half for the NTC was played in high by Mischa Anderson. Cavill came and punched the ball up but it could only be headed across to Garnett to spin and turn home her second and the NTC’s fourth of the afternoon.
Meaden was looking to provide an outlet for Murdoch, and with just over a quarter of an hour remaining, sent a shot curling wide of the right-hand post.
From the resulting goal kick, Mia Britton advanced up the right to feed Lala who cut in towards the box and squared for Garnett to complete her hat-trick.
The NTC were not finished, and with 10 minutes remaining, Georgia Cassidy fed Britton on the right once more and her cross caused chaos in the MUM FC box. Schubert was unable to clear, Cavill tried to palm away, but between then they couldn’t stop the ball from falling for Houlis to pounce to make it 6-1.
This was a fitting reward for the current talented crop of Western Australian teenage talent as they come towards the end of their journey together at the NTC. They now head into the Top Four Cup with silverware and real confidence to go one better than last year when they finished runners-up to Perth RedStar in the Top Four Cup Final.
For Murdoch University Melville, this will be a tough result, but they are a young team themselves at the start of their journey. This is a squad that, if they can stay together, has an exciting future, with a real chance to restore the club to its status of one who consistently competes for all trophies.
MURDOCH UNIVERSITY MELVILLE: Cavill, Hope, Burdett, Lehane, McQueen, C. Wainwright, Johnson, Schubert, Meaden, Hoarau, I. Wainwright. Substitutes: Brown, Ierino, Mathers, Beretovac, Ascenzo-Cabello.
Scorer: Johnson 28′.
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Above: Pride Park’s Tash Allderidge in action – U10 player Edie Hill put questions to her. Photo: Shaun Hardwick.
At the end of last season, Impetus partner club Pride Park ran a competition to find their best Junior Reporters.
To enter, participants were asked to submit no more than five questions they would like to ask one of our first team players – with the winners picked out by our expert football panel, including Impetus editor Ben Gilby, Jen O’Neill the editor of She Kicks Magazine and Faye Hackwell, freelance journalist and blog writer for Her Game Too.
In the first of our winners’ interviews, Edie Hill of the u10 Lionesses put her questions to our Ladies’ team captain and record appearance maker Tash Allderidge (185 appearances and 70 goals for the first team).
Edie: What do you do to keep teammates’ spirits high after a loss?
Tash: Although a loss can be really disappointing, we try to focus on the positives to keep spirits high. You usually learn more from a loss than a win, so instead of being disappointed from a loss, we use it to learn from our mistakes and become a better team.
Edie: What keeps you playing with the first team for Pride Park?
Tash: I’ve played football for Pride Park since I was 10 years old (playing for the U11s Girls team) and continued into the Ladies team. I enjoy playing for Pride Park because we have such a friendly team environment whilst also being really competitive in the league.
Edie: The team I play for sometimes lies down together after an enjoyable game as a bit of fun, do you have any celebratory dances or motions after a goal or win?
Tash: Not really, we generally high-five or fist bump on our way back for the restart after scoring and get ready to go again – although we did go mad in one game last season when Beth Jones scored a screamer from 25 yards that went in off the crossbar – in time added on with, literally, the last kick of the game – to earn us a draw at Draycott in March. We all went mad and ran across to mob her. As soon as the ref blew for kick-off, he blew again to end the match. You might have seen the goal in the goal of the season video – if not, it’s well worth watching! -> https://www.prideparkfc.com/videos/goals-of-the-season-2223-190989.html
Edie: If you could play football in any stadium, which one would you choose?
Tash: Personally, as a Newcastle United supporter, I would love to play at St James’ Park. The atmosphere at the stadium for home Newcastle United matches is incredible so it would be an amazing experience to play there!
Edie: Pride Park play in blue, if you could re-design your kit, what colours would you choose?
Tash: Although we don’t play in it very often, I really like the colours of our away kit (Fuchsia and navy blue) so I would probably redesign our home kit in those colours.
In our next feature interview, find out what Ladies’ striker Beth Jones had to say when she was is put on the spot by Katie-Louise Smith of our u9 Pumas.
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