Darrell Allen provides his weekly round-up of all the women’s footballaction in Norfolk, including the county’s seven-a-side action (25/4/23).
Above: AFC Wimbledon goalkeeper Faye Baker claims the ball at Plough Lane on Sunday against Norwich City as the Dons keeper sealed another clean sheet. Photo: Richard Brown.
FA Women’s National League Division One South East
Norwich City’s final game of the season ended in defeat as they went down 1-0 to AFC Wimbledon, who extended their eight-month unbeaten run in the league. The Dons had Emma Plewa to thank for their winning goal. For George Jones’ full report and photos from Richard Brown and Emily Topping, click on this link: https://impetusfootball.org/2023/05/02/canaries-wings-clipped-as-plewa-strikes-winner-for-dons/
Eastern Region Premier Division
Wroxham were beaten 2-1 at home by Stevenage. Holly Walker had given the Norfolk side a lead on 84 minutes but goals late on from Jodie Bellinger and Mathilda Filder saw Stevenage claim a dramatic comeback win.
King’s Lynn Town also lost 2-1, going down by that score to Bedford. The visitors scored through Lauren Coppin and Aliya Bhatti with Tilly Sands scoring for the West Norfolk side.
Eastern Region Division One North
A fantastic day for Fakenham Town saw them defeat Newmarket Town 6-2 at Clipbush Park. Sophie Lubbock scored a hat-trick, Shelley Woods a brace with Chloe Gravett adding one of her own. Abbie Corbyn and Katie Hayes were the scorers for Newmarket Town.
Above: Long Stratton celebrate their fantastic 5-0 win at the University of East Anglia with a team photo in the dressing room after the game. Photo: Long Stratton Women FC.
Norfolk Women and Girls’ League Division One
Mulbarton Belles won the big top-of-the-table clash as they defeated Dussindale and Hellesdon 3-1 at Mulberry Park with goals coming from Sophie Jermy, Rebekah Lake, and Molly Ryan. Chelsea Brister scored for the visitors.
Long Stratton recorded an impressive 5-0 win at the University of East Anglia. Captain Samantha Walker led the way with two and Luci Middleton, Mary-Anne Hoy, and Mia Wilkinson also were on target.
Two goals from Lauren Goulder and one from Selina Rowland saw Bungay Town win 3-1 at home to Beccles Town. Mia Rose scored for Beccles.
Sprowston beat Caister 4-1 in their final game of the season thanks to two goals each from Nyah White and Kelsi Adams. Rebecca Waters scored for Caister.
Above: Aylsham Captain Jordan Arnoup scored five in their 7-0 victory over Shrublands which saw them clinch promotion. Photo: Ben Cunningham.
Norfolk Women and Girls’ League Division Two
Aylsham were 7-0 winners over Shrublands thanks to five goals from their captain Jordan Arnoup, one from Chelsea Crowey, and an own goal. With the win, Steve Kenny’s team clinched promotion to Division One.
North Walsham Town continued their fine season with a 3-1 win at Blofield United with Kiera Brown bagging a hat-trick. Darcy Peters scored for Blofield.
Horsford picked up an impressive 2-1 away win at Freethorpe. Maisie Nichols and Evie Tolson scored for Horsford with Lily-Ann Marples scoring for Freethorpe.
King’s Lynn Soccer Club were 2-0 winners at home to Mulbarton Belles Development with goals from Taeya Mayes and Jordan Turner.
Thorpe St. Andrew were 6-1 winners at home to FC Viking Valkyries thanks to a brace from Abi Simmons and further goals from Poppy Le-Beau, Natasha Frankland, Rebecca Sutton, and Chloe Musson-Pipe. Cerys Nicholas scored for the visitors.
Norfolk Women and Girls’ League Sevens Division One
Left Field FC were 4-0 winners at home to Kirkley and Pakefield. A hat-trick from Brogan O’Grady and one from Tamsin Leah seeing them claim a big win.
Mulbarton Belles won 2-1 at the University of East Anglia thanks to goals from Alice Ladbrooke and Lisa Webster with Holly Buck scoring the UEA goal.
Pure drama as Loddon United secured promotion with the last kick of the game. They won 2-1 at Great Yarmouth with Toni Noble and Leanne Smith hitting the back of the net for the visitors and Mollie Rimmell scoring for Great Yarmouth.
Above: Loddon United celebrate their promotion to Sevens Division One after a 2-1 win at Great Yarmouth Town. Photo: Loddon United FC.
Martin Townley reports from Cymru head coach Gemma Grainger‘s media conference after their UEFA Women’s Nations League draw (3/5/23).
Above: Cymru boss Gemma Grainger. Photo: FAW.
Cymru head coach Gemma Grainger told the media after the UEFA Nations League draw that her side will be hard for any opponent to face.
Grainger believes strongly that this also includes her side’s upcoming friendly against the USA in July.
“I think that we’re a hard team for anyone to play because we are resilient from a defensive perspective, we pride ourselves on that. But now we’re really starting to implement more consistently our in possession style of play. So, we’re a great test. And I hope that’s what we can be for them.”
Cymru will face Denmark, Germany, and Iceland in the inaugural UEFA Women’s Nations League. Grainger’s team last faced Iceland back in February, a match that ended in a goalless draw. Their last meeting with Denmark came in April 2021, in what was Grainger’s second game. Jess Fishlock scored in a 1-1 friendly draw. Germany will provide the toughest test for Cymru, with the sides not meeting since 2008.
With the Nations League being played before the Euro 2025 qualifiers, the Cymru boss outlined what she wants from this challenging series of matches.
“We want to learn what we need to learn. And we want to make sure that we keep progressing as a team, and that’s what the Nations League has got to do for us, we’ve got to go into those games with the mentality that we’ve had, since the Switzerland game.
“Since last October, that mentality, that shift, keep building on our style of play, and make sure that when playing these games, that we represent everything that we’ve been building, because that’s how we will qualify for the European Championships.”
The Nations League will be a welcome return to competitive matches after Cymru missed out on World Cup qualification. The side have played six friendlies since then without defeat, but Grainger will welcome the return of competitive matches.
“I think after the Switzerland game and the intensity that we worked at throughout the World Cup campaign. You can’t put a foot wrong during those campaigns, we knew what we had to do in every game, and the intensity, and the mentality is high.
“I think it’s been a nice opportunity to lower that a little bit. Not in terms of our performances, but in terms of our approach and the review after the World Cup campaign.
“So, we’ve certainly utilised our time well. I’m happy with the friendly fixtures that we’ve played during that time, and the challenges that they’ve given us, and I know that US will be hopefully the next step towards that.
“I think it’s been a real balance; it can be very intense in competition. But I think we know we’ve had that break, and we’re hungry to make sure that we step into September and be ready to compete.
With Euro 2022 finalist Germany being paired with Cymru, Grainger is hopeful of more record-breaking nights in Cardiff with the nation’s last two games at Cardiff City Stadium seeing a record attendance and a record attendance for a friendly.
“I know that they’re (Germany) the highest-ranked team in the group. So naturally, they will hopefully bring in the crowds. I think that really will support us because we play at our best when we are in Cardiff when we do have the crowd there.
“It’s exciting to think what we could do in that space; we keep breaking those records in terms of attendance. I’m excited to see when Germany do come to play, and hopefully, we can make sure we break that (attendance) record again.”
Above: Norwich City head clear under pressure in the first half on Sunday. Photo: Richard Brown.
Emma Plewa’s first-half goal was enough for AFC Wimbledon to end an impressive season with victory at the Cherry Red Records Stadium.
A crowd of 1,138 watched Kevin Foster’s side defeat Norwich City – which meant the Dons extended an unbeaten league run that stretched back to August.
Above: AFC Wimbledon look to break away in front of a packed Ry Stand at Plough Lane on Sunday. Photo: Emily Topping.
Following the narrow Capital Cup Final defeat at the hands of an Arsenal Academy side that fielded some players with WSL experience in midweek, the Dons started on the front foot but were unable to capitalise on earning a succession of corners.
Norwich grew into the game and started to frustate Wimbledon. Several dangerous balls were played across the box, but no-one in a yellow and green shirt was able to connect.
Above: A midfield tussle for possession at Plough Lane. Photo: Richard Brown.
However, the Dons were always the more composed in their play, and the breakthrough came 10 minutes before the break. A clinical finish by Emma Plewa put the Dons 1-0 up after Chloe Sampson’s relentless pressing had created the opening.
The Dons continued to have the lion’s share of possession after half-time but struggled to create any clear-cut opportunities. There was an emotional moment 20 minutes from time as Emily Oliver came on for her final appearance in a Dons shirt before heading to America to pursue scholarship opportunities.
Above: Safe hands Faye Baker claims the ball for AFC Wimbledon. Photo: Richard Brown.
Further pressure from AFC Wimbledon failed to yield the cushion of a second goal, but the final whistle signalled yet another victory for the Dons. who finished as runners-up in the league after another excellent campaign.
After the game, Ashlee Hincks was confirmed as winning the Golden Boot for the second successive season despite missing eight weeks of the season through injury. The end-of-season awards held later in the day saw Rosie Russell rewarded for her consistently sensational performances by being named Young Player of the Year, and captain Hannah Billingham as player of the year.
Above: AFC Wimbledon captain Hannah Billingham with her Player of the Year Trophy. Below: Rosie Russell with the AFC Wimbledon Young Player of the Year Award. Both photos: AFC Wimbledon.
Elsewhere, Faye Baker almost won the FAWNL Division One SE Golden Glove once again. There is plenty of talent in the Wimbledon ranks, and hopes will be high that they go one better next time around.
Teams: AFC WIMBLEDON: Baker, Russell (Oliver), Brooks, Highman, Billingham, Ali (Heria), Donovan, Dorey (Taylor), Plewa, Hincks, Sampson (Chitole-Porter).
Above: Cwmbran Celtic celebrate after their South Wales FA Women’s Cup Final win against higher level opponents Cascade YC. Photo: Perry Dobbins.
If the Welsh women’s football pyramid needed an advert, this was it!
Perhaps Cascade were favourites to win this South Wales FA Women’s Cup Final at the SDM Glass Stadium in Bridgend, because they currently reside in tier two of Welsh football with Cwmbran Celtic in tier three, although Cwmbran had other thoughts.
In an exciting match, Cwmbran took the lead through Kim Harrison after 10 minutes, Cascade then equalised on the half-hour mark through Anny Lewis. This is how it stayed until half-time.
Following the break Cwmbran restored their lead thanks to Jodie Challenger’s goal with 61 played. This was the start of a dramatic spell of three goals in six minutes as Molly Chapman levelled just two minutes later, only for Sian Anthony to score the winner for Cwmbran with 67 on the clock.
Perry Dobbins’ photo gallery from the South Wales FA Women’s Cup Final:
Teams: CASCADE YC: Lewis, Hamer, Carroll, Thomas, Evans, Watkins, Davies, Chapman, Lloyd, A. Lewis (Kemp 64′), Pascoe (Whittle 68′), Moreton. Unused subs: R. Lewis, Moger, James.
Scorers: A. Lewis 30′, Chapman 63′.
CWMBRAN CELTIC: Davies, Anthony, Challenger, Perkins, Meaney, F. Anthony, Breakwell-Bounds, N. Shwartz, Harrison (Shipley 46′), G. Shwartz, G. Cridland (A. Cridland 82′). Unused subs: H. Anthony, Roderick, Stokes.
Scorers: Harrison 10′, Challenger 61′, Anthony 67′.
Above:Gleniffer celebrate their vital win over Dundee West in SWF League One. Photo: Ger Harley / Sportpix
SWF Championship
Inverness Caledonian Thistle secured fifth position with a 2-1 home victory over Greenock Morton, with Dryburgh Athletic falling to a 3-2 defeat at Ayr United. The third tier now splits for three final games with Livingston needing only a point from their home tie with second-placed Renfrew next week to win the title and secure promotion to the SWPL2.
Just three points separate Renfrew Ladies and third-placed Rossvale in the race for a playoff spot with the side who finish seventh in SWPL2. With the Championship expanding to ten teams next season, there will be no relegation to League One.
Above: The Greenock Morton team who took on Inverness Caledonian Thistle at the weekend. Photo: Greenock Morton FC.
SWF League One
The Fourth tier of women’s football in Scotland is set for a nail-biting finish after Gleniffer Thistle leapfrogged Dundee West at the foot of the table by beating them 3-2 in the rain in Paisley.
The win is only Gleniffer’s second win of the season but puts a point between the two teams heading into the final league matches next Sunday. Gleniffer will travel to Airdrie Ladies, while Dundee West host BSC Glasgow hoping their Paisley rivals drop points.
In the promotion race, second-placed Falkirk needed to defeat unbeaten league champions FC Edinburgh at home to secure second but lost 2-0 with a goal by in-form Edinburgh forward Nic Rutherford and another from winger Jayden Simmons in injury time.
Above: Tough tackling action as St. Mirren (stripes) host Stenhousemuir. Photo: Allan Picken.
Meanwhile, third-placed Westdyke ran amok in the North East, beating Edinburgh Caledonia 6-1 with four goals from the league’s top scorer Kayleigh Traynor and strikes by Chloe Ferries and Bethany Cochrane.
With one remaining promotion slot in play, the results set up a mouth-watering final-day decider at the Falkirk Stadium with a point separating the home side and visitors Westdyke.
Elsewhere, around 300 fans watched an entertaining 1-1 draw between St. Mirren and Stenhousemuir at the club’s main SMiSA Stadium, Stenny ruing a missed second-half penalty to settle for a point.
Biffa SWFL
Queen of the South became the first side to win a Biffa SWFL regional league as part of the women’s football pyramid, running out 10-0 winners at Nithsdale Wanderers. Holly Ovens scored five as the Dumfries side became SWFL South champions and secured at least a play-off spot for promotion to the national League One next season.
Dunfermline Athletic moved back into the top half of Biffa SWFL East after beating Central Girls 6-2 in Grangemouth. The Pars play Falkirk Development on Wednesday night at East End Park, the first time the women’s team has used the main club stadium.
Above: Dunfermline Athletic celebrate during their 6-2 win over Central Girls. Photo: Thomas Sands Media.
Suvadeep Biswas was at St. Andrews for Impetus to capture all the action as the top two sides in this season’s Championship faced off in the final game of the season(1/5/23).
Above: Shania Hayles fires in a shot for Bristol City yesterday. Photo: Suvadeep Biswas for Impetus.
Birmingham City 2-0 Bristol City
Birmingham City ended the Championship season by recording their seventh successive win, defeating already promoted Bristol City 2-0 at St. Andrews.
Whilst the Westcountry side’s win over Charlton Athletic last week robbed this clash of the Championship promotion decider, the Midlands side were thrilled to gain the three points to ensure that their positive end to this season will roll into a bid to ensure a WSL return next year.
Lucy Quinn put the Blues ahead with 15 minutes played, dispatching a pass from Charlie Devlin into the bottom corner. Right on half time, Devlin saw her header saved by visiting keeper Fran Bentley but was on hand to direct the rebound home.
Whilst Bristol City’s season ended in defeat, it doesn’t cloud what has been a superb campaign for them, crowning their return to the WSL after two years away. They are certainly not going back up to make up the numbers.
Matthew Appleby was at the Academy Stadium yesterday to capture all the action for Impetus from the WSL match (1/5/23).
Above: Khadija Shaw jumps for joy after putting Manchester City ahead with her 18th goal of the season yesterday. Photo: Matthew Appleby for Impetus.
Manchester City 4-1 Reading
Manchester City closed the gap on WSL leaders and cross-city rivals Manchester United to two points after coming from behind to seal a comprehensive win over a Reading side who are two points adrift at the bottom of the table.
The Berkshire visitors hit the front in the opening minute thanks to Sanne Troelsgaard’s curling effort. The lead lasted fifteen minutes before Chloe Kelly levelled. Khadija Shaw put the hosts ahead with 24 minutes on the clock as her bullet header from Alex Greenwood’s corner sealed her 18th goal WSL goal of the season.
Lauren Hemp made it 3-0 within two minutes of the second-half opening before Steph Houghton sealed the win with 20 minutes remaining.
Gareth Taylor’s team’s forthcoming clash with Manchester United now takes on added significance in the WSL title race, and with Chelsea in third with three games in hand, we’re set for a thrilling end to the season both at the top and bottom.
Matthew Appleby’s photo gallery from the Academy Stadium:
Ben Gilby provides a full report from the game of the week plus all the details from the other matches in Western Australia’s NPL Women’s competition (1/5/23).
Above: Maja Archibald (19) raises her hands to celebrate as Klaudia Houlis (next to goalkeeper) puts Hyundai NTC 1-0 up at Perth SC yesterday. Photo: Fotoenzo.
Game of the week:
Perth SC 1-3 Hyundai NTC
Hyundai NTC continued their 100% winning record at the start of the 2023 NPLW WA season defeating previously unbeaten Perth SC at Dorrien Gardens on Sunday.
Two goals in the final eight minutes – a period which also saw Perth SC’s Liana Cook and head coach Peter Rakic sent off, sealed NTC’s win, which sees them end the round two points clear at the summit.
The NTC made several changes with both Tanika Lala and Anna Powell on the bench plus some of their squad away on Junior Matildas Asian Cup Qualifying duty. It allowed Daisy Gronewald-Shield to enter the starting line-up.
Peter Rakic was able to welcome back Gemma Craine after several weeks on the injury sidelines and the Derbyshire-born attacker was involved in the earliest of exchanges in the period when the home side were marginally the more offensively dangerous.
Above: Gemma Craine in action yesterday on her return from injury. Photo: Fotoenzo.
As the game began to settle, the talented teenagers began to develop a foothold and show defensive solidity and organisation. This in turn allowed Mia Britton to push on and show her skill on the right-hand side.
Just before the 20-minute mark, Britton was found as a result of an excellent clearance from Lilly Bailey, and she danced up the flank and played a perfectly weighted low cross in for Klaudia Houlis to sweep into the net at the back post to make the scoresheet for the third successive week.
This was the first goal Perth SC had conceded all season in the NPLW WA, but they hit back well. Matilda Bohm found Craine in the box, but the former Perth Glory striker was crowded out.
Abbey Meakins then floated a free-kick into the mix from 25 yards for Alyssa Van Heurck, but the header was just wide. Shortly afterwards though, the Azzurri were level.
Above: A tussle for possession in yesterday’s game at Dorrien Gardens. Photo: Fotoenzo.
Judy Connolly showed real tenacity to try and maintain possession amidst the attention of three would-be tacklers. The ball was eventually recycled for Monique Godding who found Meakins to play a low pass into space for Ellie La Monte to beat a challenge and slide home into the far corner.
Britton continued to threaten along the right, and it was from this flank that NTC almost re-took the lead with three minutes of the half remaining as Misha Anderson’s free-kick just outside the box came back off of the bar.
There was still time for Perth to fashion one final chance for the half as Poppie Hooks found La Monte to the left-hand side of the area, but her shot sailed across the face of goal.
The second half was a real arm wrestle with chances few and far between, but for the majority of the period, the better ones fell the way of the home side. First, with four minutes played Faye Phillips fed La Monte who raced up the right flank and fed Connolly who laid a low ball across goal that Craine couldn’t quite connect with.
Above: Delight for Klaudia Houlis (14) who continued her superb recent goalscoring record yesterday. Photo: Fotoenzo.
Then, with just under 20 minutes remaining, NTC keeper Bailey found it hard to claim a high corner from the left and van Heurck fired in a shot that Anderson did brilliantly to get a block on which caused the ball to fly high over the bar.
It was in the last 10 minutes when the match swung in the visitors’ favour. Powell drove down the wing to play a ball in that Van Heurck looked to clear only for Georgia Cassidy to regain possession and advance into the box and was brought down with a penalty awarded. The aftermath saw a second yellow card for Cook and Azzurri boss Peter Rakic was sent off before Cassidy stepped up to dispatch the penalty confidently.
Three minutes into stoppage time, the teenage side sealed the win as Maja Archibald’s cross-field pass picked out Louise Tana around the six-yard box to slot home.
The NTC now hit top spot, two points ahead of Perth SC, with RedStar just a further point behind. It’s looking like a thrilling three-way title race this season, and with Fremantle City and Murdoch University Melville starting to find some form, there are many months of fascinating action ahead in WA.
Murdoch University Melville 10-0 Curtin University
Curtin’s tough run of results continued when round five got underway on Friday night.
Murdoch University Melville hit the front with 19 minutes on the clock as Clara Hoarau played a delightful through ball into the path of Vanessa Miller who raced through unmarked, drew Curtin keeper Hanna Stoney, nutmegged her, and calmly dispatched the ball home.
They doubled their advantage four minutes later as Samantha Mathers ran onto a through ball along the right and played a low ball in that Curtin failed to clear allowing Hoarau to turn and allow Miller to score from 10 yards.
Goal!! for Murdoch University Melville out of NPL Women – Western Australia at Wormail Civil Stadium at Murdoch in the 27:30 mark of the First Half. Score MU Melville 3:0 Curtin Uni FC
With 27 minutes played, it was 3-0 as Sophie Meaden fed Jessica Johnson who danced past three Curtin defenders before firing a shot from the edge of the box into the net. Miller completed her hattrick 10 minutes before the break as the hosts played an intelligent high ball that took out all of the Curtin outfield players and allowed Miller to run through with all the time in the world to lift a glorious chip over Stoney as the hosts went in 4-0 ahead at the break
Within 10 minutes of the re-start, Murdoch University Melville hit three further goals, with Samantha Mathers bagging a brace with skipper Charli Wainwright netting her first of the night with a super shot from the edge of the box. Claudia Hoarau made it 8-0 on the hour mark with a stunning curled effort before, both Johnson and Wainwright both grabbed their second goals to complete the rout.
Curtin are still looking for their first goal after nine games this season (five NPLW WA matches, three in the Night Series, and one State Cup) and they face a major challenge to avoid finishing bottom.
Perth RedStar 3-0 Balcatta Etna
Three second-half goals sealed maximum points for Carlos Vega Mena’s side at RedStar Arena on Sunday afternoon.
After a goalless first half, RedStar hit the front 10 minutes into the second period as they dispossessed the visitors out on the left allowing Reina Kagami to stride forward and lift the ball over Gabby Dal Bosco in the Balcatta goal.
Goal!! for Perth RedStar FC (women) out of NPL Women – Western Australia at ECU Joondalup Football Stadium in the 89:00 mark of the Second Half. Score Perth RedStar FC 3:0 Balcatta FC
The hosts doubled their lead four minutes later as Balcatta failed to clear a high ball that came into the box from the left with Olivia Wood heading against the bar before the rebound was played back across goal by Quyen Doan for Renee Leota to score.
In the final minute, an attempted Balcatta clearance struck Hannah Insch and fell into the path of Kagami who took the ball on before curling a superb shot into the top of the net.
Fremantle City 1-0 Subiaco
Freo claimed an important three points as their top four challenge begins to gather pace.
They racked up 24 shots, nine of which were on target and won the corner count 12-1, but the only goal of the afternoon at Hilton Park came nine minutes into the second half. A neat interplay of passing on the right ended with Kat Jukic playing in her fellow former Perth Glory player Jamie-Lee Gale to fire under Ashleigh Riddle and into the far corner.
Goal!! for Fremantle City FC (women) out of NPL Women – Western Australia at Hilton Reserve in the 53:57 mark of the Second Half. Score Fremantle City 1:0 Subiaco AFC
The port city side will host the unbeaten NTC next weekend whilst Greg Farrell’s Subiaco, who are also looking to challenge the higher echelons of the ladder this season, host defending champions Perth RedStar at Rosalie Park.
Report by Kieran Yap, EXCLUSIVE photography from Kris Goman at CommBank Stadium for Impetus.
Above: Sydney FC lift the trophy after their Grand Final success today against Western United. Photo: Kris Goman for Impetus.
Madison Haley’s brace will get the headlines, Nat Tobin lifted the trophy, and Mackenzie Hawkesby was dominant. But this was a crowning moment for a truly dominant team.
Ante Juric has built a dynasty at Sydney FC and finished on top of the league for three seasons in a row. For each of those campaigns, they have made the Grand Final and been beaten at the last hurdle, sometimes in the last seconds.
That albatross is not off the neck of Sydney FC. There are no more questions about this team. This group of players, build around youth, and blessed with talent have now conquered all.
There is a constant discussion in Australian football, of “which matters more, the finals or the premiership?”
Above: A tussle for possession in today’s Grand Final. Photo: Kris Goman for Impetus.
The premiership is a massive achievement, it takes a remarkable level of quality and consistency. You cannot win it through luck. However, the geography of Australia means that the knockout series still has value. Teams like Perth Glory and Brisbane Roar simply have harder travel schedules than the sides in Victoria and NSW, where the majority of the competition call home.
The finals give the top four teams an even chance at silverware, and by the jubilation after the whistle, and the aggression from the first, this was a title that Sydney FC desperately wanted to win.
They were on from the start. They had to be against the day’s opponent. Western United had beaten every other top-four side this season. They have been tactically versatile, dangerous in attack, and disciplined in defence. Western United boasted the golden boot winner Hannah Keane, and arguably the league’s top goalkeeper in Hillary Beale.
In midfield, they did not have the names that have interested Matildas selectors like Sydney FC, but the Taranto twins have been in sensational form in their first A-League Women season since 2018, and Jaclyn Sawacki is the captain of The Philippines national team.
In defence, Alana Cerne has done enough to be awarded a Future Matildas scholarship and Stacey Papadopoulos has carried her NPLW form seamlessly into the elite level.
There are not a lot of weaknesses in this Western United squad. Sydney FC did not take them lightly in the first final, but they were determined to come out of the blocks fast in the rematch.
Above: Cortnee Vine plays a ball into the box. Photo: Kris Goman for Impetus
Cortnee Vine was the most obvious danger for Mark Torcaso’s team. In the absence of Angela Beard, they were forced into a reshuffle. Tyla-Jay Vlajnic was one of the league’s best full-backs at Melbourne City but has been used in attack for most of her career at Western.
She moved to her old role with Danielle Steer coming onto the wing. Vine enjoyed plenty of space in the early stages. Whether the ball came over the top or was played to her feet, she was able to drive into the penalty area. Vlajnic did well to keep pace, but allowing her to run is just waiting for punishment and eventually, that came. Vine was able to win repeated corners and Mackenzie Hawkesby’s delivery made for an easy-headed finish by Haley.
The same play was repeated again soon after. This time, the corner kick was knocked away by Beall but Nat Tobin headed the rebound over the line to make it 2-0 by the 18th minute.
Western are still dangerous when wounded, and Keane was lively up front for the Victorian side. She had some half chances that she managed to direct on target, but Jada Whyman was well-positioned to save on each occasion.
It was a difficult match for Western United to get back into. Sydney FC defended deep and rarely with less than four players. They did not want to let Khali Johnson or Hannah Keane get in behind them. Sarah Hunter was composed as a holding midfielder. She applied pressure to Western’s midfield and moved the ball quickly when she had it.
Above: Nat Tobin’s header crosses the line and Sydney FC are 2-0 up. Photo: Kris Goman for Impetus.
Hunter basically ran the show for Sydney FC. Her passing is always decisive, her positioning is excellent and her tackling is rapidly improving. She was almost faultless in the Grand Final, and she had to be. Sydney FC’s midfield was otherwise very attacking. Rachel Lowe and Mackenzie Hawkesby often ran ahead of the strikers.
Hawkesby played her best game for some time. She has been the league’s most productive midfielder and created more chances than any other. But she has been quieter in recent weeks. Her passing range and off-ball movement was marvellous, and her set piece delivery was the difference early. She set the tone for the match.
Princess Ibini was well marshalled for most of the game by Papadopoulos, but one weaving, dangerous run into the box caused momentary panic. It was only a slight grab of the arm by the full-back, and Ibini did not go down, but the referee awarded a penalty. The Matildas winger dispatched the spot kick emphatically. It never looked like missing.
That made it 3-0 and it felt like it was a bridge too far for Western United. They continued to push for a lifeline, but Madison Haley put the final nail in the coffin with a late second. She did not have many chances in the game but took them when they came. Two goals was a good reward for the hard-working striker.
A 4-0 loss feels harsh on Western United. They will feel like they played their worst football at the biggest moment. However, nobody should lose of how far this side has come in what feels like an instant. This team was only announced in June of 2022, in that time they have assembled a brand-new team, recruited players from The Philippines, USA, Canada, and Guyana. These players have supported a group of players that are among Victoria’s best, but Australia’s most unheralded NPLW stars.
Above: Sydney FC acclaim Madison Haley’s second goal that sealed the 4-0 win today. Photo: Kris Goman for Impetus.
They stepped into their first A-League Women’s season as an untested side and their first game was a win against the defending champions. Mark Torcaso’s team build on that foundation to come within one game of a Championship, but they still have created history. This is the start of something for Western United, not the end.
Sydney FC simply could not be denied on this occasion. In front of a record crowd, they turned on the style while matching Western’s trademark effort. The feeling at the end must have been one of jubilation but also relief. Sydney FC are finally Champions for the first time since 2018/19. After four consecutive losses on the big day, they finally have their trophy and are the first team to win the double since Melbourne City in 2019/20.
Congratulations Sydney FC.
Kris Goman’s exclusive Grand Final photo gallery from CommBank Stadium
Teams: WESTERN UNITED (4-3-3): Beall, Papadopoulos, Cerne, Cummings, Vljanic, Sawicki, Robers, A. Taranto, Steer, Keane, Johnson. Substitutes: Dall O’ste, Sardo, Dakic, Jaber, M. Taranto.
SYDNEY FC (4-3-3): Whyman, Mclean, Fenton, Hunter, Lowe, Haley, Vine, Tobin, Hawkesby, Rule, Ibini. Substitutes: Offer (GK), de la Harpe, Hollman, I. Dos Santos, Badawiya.
Scorers: Haley 4’, 90+1’. Tobin 18’. Ibini 63’.
Referee: Casey Reibelt.
Attendance: 9,519
Artwork: Charlotte Stacey, founder of On Her Side.
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