Darrell Allen provides his weekly round-up of all the women’s football action in Norfolk, including the county’s seven-a-side scene(12/4/23).
Above: It’s a smile from Amy Magnus (far right) as she celebrates giving King’s Lynn Town the lead in their 3-1 win at Royston Town. Photo: Richard Brown.
Eastern Region Premier Division
King’s Lynn Town made it back-to-back wins with a 3-1 victory at Royston Town. Goals from Amy Magnus, Georgia Freeman, and Jodie Hopkins saw the Norfolk side claim all three points. Laura Mills scored for Royston.
It wasn’t such a good day for Wroxham who had led at Needham Market at the break thanks to a goal from Lucy Bradford before second-half strikes from Paige Wakefield and former Yachtswomen player Amber Cantwell saw the hosts end the afternoon victorious.
Above: FormerWroxham player Amber Cantwell, who scored the winner in Needham Market’s 2-1 win over the Norfolk side. Photo: Ben Pooley
Eastern Region Division One North
Just like last week, Fakenham Town and Newmarket Town shared the points, only this time in Norfolk. Holly Corley and Lidiya Mykhaylechko had given the visitors the lead but the Norfolk side came roaring back with goals from Sophie Lubbock and Vicky Lubbock to claim a valuable point.
Norfolk Women and Girls League Division One
Leaders Dussindale and Hellesdon Rovers came out of the blocks fast with four first-half goals against the University of East Anglia. A brace from Shanice Sutton plus further goals from Phoebe Green and Karolina Kowalczyk had given them a comfortable lead. They held on despite a UEA fight back with two goals from Ella Burnley halving the deficit in a 4-2 win for the hosts.
It was a story of braces at Mundford Road as Thetford Town and Long Stratton played out a very competitive 2-2 draw. Thetford Town captain Melissa Boulton had given her side a two-goal lead but Long Stratton super striker and tier seven’s Golden Boot leader Luci Middleton continued her pursuit of that honour with a double herself which saw it end all square.
Above: Celebrations for Laura Martins, Kamile Omeleviciute, and Melissa Boulton (right) as Boulton scored twice in Thetford’s 2-2 draw against Long Stratton at Mundford Road. Photo: SG Photography.
Norfolk Women and Girls League Division Two
Aylsham continued their good form with a 3-0 win at King’s Lynn Soccer Club, Gabrielle Cobb, Florence Simpkin, and Jemma Bunting saw the visitors make it three wins in the space of a week after they won last Sunday at Blofield and their reverse fixture 4-1 against Blofield under the lights on Tuesday night. All in all, a very successful week for Steve Kenny’s team.
A Niamh Underhill hat-trick and a goal from Sharn Thompson saw Bulldogs FC pick up an impressive 4-2 win at home to FC Viking Valkyries. The visitors had Chloe Yarham and Alexandra Denes to thank for their goals but they weren’t enough to take home any points.
Norfolk Women and Girls Plate Cup Quarter Final
In the one remaining Quarter Final, Freethorpe and North Walsham Town played out a classic cup tie with the latter running out 3-2 winners thanks to goals from Kiera Brown, Sophie Hall, and Grace Monsey. Freethorpe’s goals came from Eden Simmonds and Kiera Squires.
The Semi-Final ties will see Mulbarton Belles host North Walsham Town and Thorpe St. Andrew host Mulbarton Belles Development with both games taking place on Sunday 23rd April.
Norfolk Women and Girls League Seven’s Division One
In the day’s only game in the county’s top seven’s league, Horsford and Rockland United shared the points in a 0-0 draw.
Norfolk Women and Girls League 7’s Division Two
There was also just one game in Division Two with Taverham winning 6-0 at home to Great Yarmouth Town. Katie Fray scored a hat-trick with the other goals coming from Keri Boorman, Kate Morris, and Rebecca Kirby.
Above: Smiles all round from Hannah Claughton and scorer of Aylsham’s second goal Gabrille Cobb (right) in their 3-0 win at King’s Lynn Soccer Club. Photo: Ben Cunningham
Above: Charli Grant celebrates her goal for Australia against England. Photo: Football Australia
Australia had mixed results over the two games in this international window, but fairly consistent performances. Overall, the international window should be seen as a successful one, despite some lingering concerns.
Although a 1-0 loss to Scotland frustrated some fans, elation followed the 2-0 win over European Champions England. Taken as a whole this international window is encouraging. The Matildas’ trajectory generally feels upward, but 99 days out from the World Cup, some questions still need convincing answers.
The Scotland game felt worse at the time than it does when watched again. Australia created several good chances throughout the game. Most came in the second half and only after they fell behind to a Nicole Docherty screamer, but Cortnee Vine and Mary Fowler both had opportunities to equalise with only the woodwork and some excellent goalkeeping denying them.
Clare Hunt’s long-range effort deserved a goal, with the only downside being that it seemed to encourage others to try their luck from range with less success.
Statistics do not tell the entire story, but the first game was relatively even, Australia had two shots on target to Scotland’s four, neither side dominated possession, and Mackenzie Arnold was dependable, only beaten by an unstoppable effort.
Above: Tony Gustavsson gives advice to Mackenzie Arnold during the match against Scotland. Photo: Hannah Parnell for Impetus.
The second game against England felt better, but The Lionesses had 10 more shots on goal than Australia, with the shots on target reversed. England had four against two.
England also dominated possession with 71% and had plenty of luck down their right flank against Charli Grant. Although the 21-year-old defender had the last laugh and proved that only one stat matters when she scored to help Australia win 2-0.
Here is what we can draw from this window. Australia can play in different ways, depending on the opposition. It is something that Tony Gustavsson has been trying to develop since the pre-Olympic friendlies.
In that tournament, The Matildas played for the result, changing formation and tactics to suit each opponent and occasion. While previous iterations of The Matildas have been more fun to watch or even higher scoring, this tactical evolution of the team is essential to beating high-placed European opposition, something they had not been able to do for years.
Against England, Australia defended deeper, but reasonably comfortably. Ellie Carpenter curbed her natural attacking game to sit back and keep an eye on the numerous threats that England possessed. Only Lauren James got a clear sight of goal and Arnold was once again equal to it.
Above: Ellie Carpenter in action against England – the right back curbed her attacking tendencies to help counter England’s attacking threats. Photo: Football Australia.
When their chances arrived, they took them. Sam Kerr poked one home above Mary Earps after capitalizing on a Leah Williamson error, and set up another after peeling wide to cross for Charli Grant.
Against Scotland, although Australia created some good chances, there was not cutting edge to finish them off. Fowler would have expected to bury her shot after one of the best passing moves in recent Matildas history, and Vine was unlucky on two occasions. Larissa Crummer struggled to get o the end of chances, and the performance of Kerr in the second, theoretically more difficult match showed the difference that the Chelsea star makes.
This is the main area of concern left in the Matildas setup. There is now more defensive depth than there has been since 2015. The midfield is missing Chloe Logazro, Emily van Egmond, and Elise Kellond Knight from 2019, but is functioning well. Clare Wheeler and Alex Chidiac are both capable across multiple roles should they be called on.
Up front, Australia were missing too many guns in the first game. Sam Kerr, Caitlin Foord, Emily Gielnik, and Kyah Simon were all missing. Gustavsson has chosen Crummer primarily for her pressing abilities, but in the absence of an in-form striker, the chances they created were not converted.
This is not cause for major concern. It is an issue that will be fixed with time, but there is no guarantee any of these players will be available at the World Cup.
Above: Alex Chidiac receives instructions before coming on against Scotland – is it time to give her a starting role? Photo: Hannah Parnell for Impetus.
Michelle Heyman seems to be out of contention for a call-up, but within the current squad a solution needs to be found. It is the only area where the impressive depth building project still needs completion.
Alex Chidiac is an excellent pressing player and Mary Fowler is a fantastic finisher. Could the pair be tried together in the absence of Kerr and Foord?
Tameka Yallop ended the England game in a moon boot but was used at left-back against Scotland as Australia chased a goal. Yallop is a good goal-scoring option and has played in attack at club level for years. Should her injury be overcome quickly, she is another option.
This is a minor quibble. Foord is expected to return to the field by Arsenal’s Champions League semi-final, and the attack has not relied too heavily on Kerr in recent matches before this window.
Overall, this window shows that The Matildas’ preparation continues to go well. It is only hampered by injuries or the type of experimentation that friendlies are designed for.
Above: Sam Kerr and Charli Grant – Australia’s goalscorers against England embrace. Photo: Football Australia.
Much of the aggravation that some Matildas fans feel after poor results come from different preferences of how the team should play. Gustavsson has used this window to set up to play in different ways. He is right when he says “sometimes you’re not as bad as people say when you lose, but you’re not as good people say you are when you win either.”
It is tempting to look at what could have happened or criticise individual players in a loss, but the bigger picture remains the focus, and without knowing exactly what has been asked of players it is difficult to assess them. We can only look at the team performance, and over both games, they were good against strong opposition.
We learned plenty in these two games, there are some fixable issues and some impressive discoveries.
Australia can match it with the best. a defensive game plan can work, and Charli Grant can fill in for almost any position across the back line.
Kyra Cooney-Cross continues to grow. Ellie Carpenter has slotted straight back into the side, and Mackenzie Arnold is now brimming with confidence. Most crucially, the gap between Australia’s worst football, and their best is as small as it has ever been. When they are under the pump as they were for periods against Scotland, they do not collapse. When they concede, they are able to recover.
Some tinkering remains, it probably always will, and finding a replacement for the world’s best striker if she’s injured or unavailable is a mighty task. But things are looking up, as the World Cup closes in, optimism should be high.
For this week’s WA on Wednesday interviews featuring the NPLW WA clubs, Perth RedStar head coach Carlos Vega Mena spoke exclusively to Ben Gilby about their unbeaten season of 2022, preparations for the 2023 season, and how he views the NPLW WA more widely this year (12/4/23).
Above: Perth RedStar head coach Carlos Vega Mena. Photo: Fotoenzo.
Last season was about as good as it could possibly have been for Perth RedStar. The newly merged club won all four trophies available to them (one under their original guise as Northern Redbacks) as part of an unbeaten season.
Head coach Carlos Vega Mena looked back on that incredible year saying: “There is no question that the 2022 season is one the team, the club, and myself will never forget.
“Going completely unbeaten in all competitions was an obvious highlight, but the desire and togetherness of the team throughout the year was a pleasure to witness. The key achievements were winning all four major competitions available and also seeing our players be nominated for awards.”
RedStar were relentless and had that quality that all the best teams do – making the most of scoring opportunities when they came – and punishing the opposition for not taking their own. It was another outstanding campaign for the club’s legendary Larissa Walsh, who finished as the competition’s top scorer.
Above: Larissa Walsh, last season’s NPLW WA top scorer has moved to Calder United in Victoria’s NPLW. Photo: Perth RedStar.
However, going into this season, Vega Mena’s side have lost Walsh to NPLW Victoria side Calder United, who have a strong relationship with A-League Women outfit Western United. Two other icons, Shawn Billam has retired, and Carla Bennett has suffered a serious knee injury.
The RedStar head coach reflected on those losses: “Larry’s (Larissa Walsh) goalscoring record spoke for itself last year and it was only going to be a matter of time until real external interest surrounded her talents. Calder United are a club known for developing and progressing players in Victoria so it’s great to see Larry take on the challenge of a new league while testing her own capabilities. We fully support her in her endeavours.
“Shawn is an invaluable member of the club and now holds the role of NPLWA – Women’s first team assistant coach. She works directly beside me and continues to be a massive part of our team, guiding and mentoring the players.
“Carla is in the early stages of recovery after successful surgery was performed. She was on the bench with us throughout the night series, crutches in hand, and will continue to be with us on the sidelines throughout the competition. We look forward to supporting Carla to a full recovery and plan to keep her involved with the squad as much as possible throughout the journey.”
Throughout its history, back as Northern Redbacks, the club has been renowned for spotting talent, developing young players, and giving them opportunities to perform on the highest possible stage. Vega Mena has added some significant new talent to his first-team squad. He outlined the new arrivals in Perth’s northern suburbs.
Above: Chiori Ikeda in action. Perth RedStar’s new signing has had a big impact in the early weeks of the season. Photo: Perth RedStar.
“Chiori Ikeda (midfielder/wing) and Reina Kagami (midfielder/six) both join us directly from Japan. The duo has proved to be exciting additions for far, showing real professional quality, and are a great fit with the squad.
“Chiori is 23 and is from Okinawa and spent six years at Kamimura Gakuen in Kagoshima, one of the most famous and strongest secondary schools in football in Japan. She then went to Daito Bunka University in Saitama and played there for four years as a right winger.
Reina is 25 and is a former teammate of Chiori’s from Daito Bunka University. From Ibaraki, she achieved great results with her high school and university teams. After graduating from Daito Buka University she has been playing for Enagic Ryukyu Deigos in Okinawa in Kyushu Women’s League First Division since April 2021 as a centre back and defensive midfielder.”
“Casey Webb, 32 is a former Northern Redbacks winger who was sidelined with an ACL injury. She is easing back into playing and we are very happy to have her back.
“Additionally, we are fortunate to have a strong under-21 team with some very talented players who have come through the ranks. This season has seen some new additions to the group who bring extra depth on the pitch.
Above: New signing Abbey Woolley in action for Perth RedStar. The youngster had an impressive campaign for Hyundai NTC last season. Photo: Perth RedStar.
“Abbey Woolley has joined us from Hyundai NTC. She provides a sound technical basis to her game and can play across multiple positions on the pitch. Natalia Vega Mena has also joined us from Hyundai NTC. She is a fast-thinking technical player who is an intelligent midfielder on the pitch. Katie Ritchie joins us from Perth SC. Katie was the captain of Perth SC’s U21s last year. She is a fast-thinking, sharp midfielder with high technical standards.”
Perth RedStar started 2023 making it through to the Night Series Grand Final against Perth SC – a game that truly had it all. Before our discussion moved to that particular showdown, the Perth RedStar head coach considered the tournament as a whole.
“The Night Series is a valuable preseason competition that gives teams an opportunity to get on the pitch and rectify any issues they may have. It was interesting to see the new faces in the squads and to see these players on the pitch. I think the competition showed that we will have a competitive season with several clubs offering up strong teams who look like they can challenge for the title.”
The final itself saw RedStar build a 2-0 lead and then suffer the heartache of conceding a late equaliser to Perth SC which forced the game into a penalty shoot-out in which Vega Mena’s side came out second best.
“The Night Series final was a good test for the squad and showed the real competitive nature the league can take on this year. I believe over the 90 minutes we had more than enough opportunities to be walking away with a trophy, but unfortunately, football doesn’t work like that sometimes.
Above: Perth RedStar players in the huddle at the Night Series Grand Final against Perth SC. Photo: Fotoenzo/Football West via Perth RedStar.
“Both sides produced diligent displays, with chances on either end of the pitch, however, there wasn’t a winner after 90 minutes of play so it was off to penalties for an outcome. It was a tough way to finish the Night Series competition, but we played our hearts out on the pitch.”
Vega Mena views the Night Series as a barometer by which to judge the strength of the NPLW WA this season. He believes, from what he has seen so far, that the league could be extremely tight and competitive this year.
“All the teams in the league bar one or two have the potential to cause damage this season. There is a good spread of talent throughout the league, with quite a bit of player movement. It will be interesting to see how the teams perform.
You look at the youthful energy and talent of NTC, the strength of Fremantle City, Perth SC, and Balcatta – all squads that will provide good competition. Subiaco has been working hard, and Murdoch University Melville has a young squad full of energy.
“I think the league this year has the building blocks to be competitive across the board. Teams have strengthened, mentalities are stronger and teams are hungry.”
Above: The Perth RedStar team that took to the pitch for their opening round game against Hyundai NTC in the 2023 NPLW WA. Photo: Perth RedStar.
Whilst the Perth RedStar head coach would love to retain the silverware that the club still holds, he believes that player development and keeping standards high will be the best indicators of a good season.
“Player development is always a priority at the club. As a coach, helping the younger players develop and being able to give them time on the pitch is a true sign of success. They are the future of the club.
“As I have always said, we want to be able to turn up every week and perform to the standards we expect of ourselves. We continue to focus on one game at a time with the aim of being competitive and challenging every team we face.
“We have a proven philosophy that we stick to and if we can execute this every week with a sprinkle of individual brilliance here and there, we can look forward to hopefully another successful year.”
by Rachel Cohen at the GTech Community Stadium forImpetus(12/4/23).
Above: Charli Grant (second left) celebrates her goal last night with (left to right) Kyra Cooney-Cross, Cortnee Vine, and Mary Fowler. Photo: Football Australia.
Tony Gustavsson’s buoyant Matildas ended England’s 30-game unbeaten run with a performance full of their trademark ‘Never Say Die’ spirit at Brentford last night.
Sarina Wiegman will hope that a loss for The Lionesses’ at this stage of the World Cup build-up will provide the team with a chance to learn. At least that was the positive that the players offered up as they struggled to make sense of what had happened after the full-time whistle had blown.
The Australian players on the other, hand, were buoyant. They had scored two goals without reply and despite a raft of injuries demonstrated that they might be a decent outside bet when the World Cup kicks off on their home soil in 100 days.
Australia came into this game having lost to Scotland 1-0 the previous Friday. But earlier this year they had racked up a series of impressive victories over highly-ranked teams, including Spain and Canada.
Above: Australia’s two goalscorers – Sam Kerr and Charli Grant embrace. Photo: Football Australia.
England’s form prior to the loss, was impressive – a 30-game unbeaten run stretching back to the start of Sarina Wiegman’s time at the helm. This had spanned games against all the teams ranked above them. They did, however, show weaknesses in a slightly-edgy Finalissima victory over Brazil in which the South American side pushed England back before equalling late in the second half.
The starting line-ups were largely unchanged from the two nations’ most recent games. England made just two changes from the team that beat Brazil on penalties on Thursday.
The first was an enforced swap, with Esme Morgan getting her fourth cap in place of the injured Greenwood. This swap meant that Williamson has now been part of three different central-defensive partnerships this year, with Greenwood herself having moved centrally to cover for the also injured Millie Bright. The other change was that Chloe Kelly started ahead of Lauren James. But since these two players, alongside Lauren Hemp have been used in rotation in the attacking wing positions it was less of a surprise.
Meanwhile, this game saw Sam Kerr return to the Australian starting lineup, having sat out the Scotland game with a niggle and in order to manage game time, given an intense period for her club side, Chelsea. The only other change saw the experienced Tameka Yallop start ahead of Cortnee Vine.
The first goal came on 32 minutes in a mixture of beauty and chaos. The beauty was there in Hunt’s lovely long diagonal ball over the top to Kerr. It was followed by the chaos: Williamson got to the ball just ahead of Kerr but made an ill-fated attempt to head it softly to Earps and safety.
Above: Sam Kerr celebrates her goal with Hayley Raso (left) and Tameka Yallop, with Mary Fowler about to join the party. Photo: Football Australia.
Instead, she placed the ball in the no man’s land between the striker and keeper with Kerr always the more likely to reach it first. All that was needed then was for her to dink it over Earps and goal-ward. It was a goal that we have seen Kerr score often enough that it felt inevitable, but at the feet of a lesser striker there would have been a multitude of ways to fumble. Some may argue taht Kerr was offside when Hunt’s pass was played. But it was marginal. There was no VAR. And the goal stood.
Later during the press conference, Kerr reflected on how she foresaw where the opportunity might be: “Honestly I thought the ball was going to get to me…without Leah touching it. But the wind kind of was swirly all night, so I just had to prey on it.
“Obviously, as a striker, that’s kind of what you do. You have to hope that someone makes a mistake. I just had to make sure I was there. And once I saw that it was kind of floating, I kind of knew. That there was going to be a miscommunication between the two.”
The second goal came on 67 minutes. It started with a defense splitting pass from Hayley Raso that allowed Kerr to run onto the ball in between Carter and Morgan down Australia’s right. As she reached the ball and before taking a touch Kerr looked up, saw Charli Grant, arriving in space at the far corner of the area, and crossed the ball, angling it backwards into the perfect area for Grant to head home. It was helped on its way by a deflection off Williamson’s arm that left Earps with no chance. This was Grant’s first-ever goal for her country and she later described herself as ‘just pumped’.
Australia head coach Tony Gustavsson, talked about Grant exemplifying “the grit in this team”, “a lot of what this team stands for”. He highlighted her determination to wait out periods not playing for her club and her “commitment to always get one day better” saying that he was “so happy for her”.
Above: Charli Grant celebrates her goal with Hayley Raso, Mary Fowler, and Cortnee Vine. Photo: Football Australia.
He also highlighted “the work that Australian football is doing with the players” as essential to the team’s performance, especially the Australian national team’s scouting programme with scouts watching games and even “watching training” to identify the relatively unsung players that have come together to make up this squad.
Gustavsson was pleased with the way his team had managed the game. “You saw a lot of tournament football out there. And there was a lot of tactical things in that game that we have practiced in terms of game management and tournament football and just, you know, what it takes when it comes to tournament mode. And a lot of those things were applied tonight.”
The two goals were Australia’s only shots on target. But they were not an anomaly. Rather throughout the game England’s back line were discombobulated by the Matildas’ counter-attacking game and despite only five shots registering, there were at least another few opportunities – Mary Fowler received the ball in the box, but got her feet tangled in the first half; Kerr fired wide just after the break, Katrina Gorry’s shot was blocked, Kerr was caught just offside over and again.
In contrast, England had over 70 percent of possession. But they were unable to find a way through Australia’s compact defense: two banks of four at times so close they could touch one another. Over and again England attempted to exploit their width: moving the ball to the touchline before crossing into the box.
Some of these attempts produced decent chances or at least half-chances. There was Alessia Russo’s miscued overhead kick, Ella Toone’s blocked shot, Williamson’s weak header, Lucy Bronze’s header over, Rachel Daly’s wide header, Lauren James’ shots over and wide of the bar, and in the dying minutes Chloe Kelly’s trio of efforts to make something happen. But when none of this worked, England did not have much of a Plan B.
Above: Kyra Cooney-Cross and Katrina Gorry who both put in impressive shifts. Photo: Football Australia.
Or at least Plan B also did not work or did not have time to work. Because Wiegman did make changes: bringing Daly in for Toone at number 10 and then, in the 84th minute, Jess Park for Jess Carter (which meant the back four became a back three).
Both these substitutions increased England’s competitiveness in the centre of midfield where Australia had at times dominated. But in the event, neither, proved sufficient to unsettle Australia. Meanwhile, England’s inability to be clinical in front of goal and Australia’s aggression on and off the ball continued to define the game.
There were other changes forced on both managers by injury. Lauren Hemp, wearing a face mask after sustaining an injury against Brazil, came off after 28 minutes, replaced by Lauren James. James had moments where she almost sparked the team into life – driving at players, cutting inside and taking shots. But it wasn’t her day.
Tameka Yallop, who was involved in some early battles against Bronze and Hemp was injured in a clash with Chloe Kelly and went off after 40 minutes, replaced by Cortnee Vine who was then herself replaced by Clare Wheeler after she went down in the centre of the pitch on 86 minutes.
This game showed England at their most fragile at the back. The most obvious defensive issue is that Williamson and Morgan (in centre midfield) and Esme Morgan and Jess Carter (on the defensive left) are not very familiar with one another. If Millie Bright is back before the World Cup this may be less of an issue.
Above: Katrina Gorry, Charli Grant, Kyra Cooney-Cross, and Ellie Carpenter share their joy after the final whistle. Photo: Football Australia.
But if she is not it is not yet clear that Wiegman has a perfect solution (with the Williamson-Greenwood pairing also showing some weaknesses in the Brazil game). The Lionesses’ boss explained her choice to start Morgan “I think she’s a very talented good center back and I wanted to see her.” The defensive frailty may have been exacerbated by Hemp’s early departure. Of England’s three wingers, she is the most defensively astute – perhaps the reason why she played more minutes than even the in-form Mead during the last Euros.
The other answer is that Australia are very good at moving the ball forward quickly into dangerous positions. Kerr was exceptional, leading the line and key to both goals. But Fowler also had a standout game alongside her, meaning that the England defence could not simply focus on stopping Kerr.
Raso, Katrina Gorry, and Kyra Cooney-Cross pressed relentlessly. That meant that over and again there was an Australian body or leg in the way. Most often more than one. And Australia were a persistent threat on the counter with players, from front to back, comfortable on the ball and willing to run at England.
This game was never about what happened on the night as much as what it told fans, players, and coaches about the looming World Cup. By the close, Australia had won but both teams probably still see this summer’s tournament as winnable. Both are ranked in the FIFA Top 10 and this game demonstrated why.
For Australia the World Cup is a home tournament and, as captain Sam Kerr has commented Australia play better in front of a home crowd – something demonstrated with victories over Canada and Spain alongside their resounding win against a Czech team that had stopped the USA from scoring. Their win over England shows that they can win against different types of teams, even when they give up possession or are the underdogs.
For England, the loss will hurt but, in light of their form over the last two years, this is unlikely to seriously dent confidence or expectations. It may however provide food for thought. And if Sarina Wiegman decides that the team still lacks something it may yet open up opportunities for fringe players to come into the fold.
Meanwhile, with the end of the international window, both nations will have to wait a while before ironing out any glitches. And then there is just one final game for each team to finesse their preparations. Australia will be playing France in July. England’s final opponents are yet to be determined.
Teams: ENGLAND (4-3-3): Earps, Bronze, Williamson, Morgan, Carter, Stanway, Walsh, Toone, Kelly, Russo, Hemp. Substitutes used: James (for Hemp 28′), Daly (for Toone 60′), Park (for Carter 84′).
from the ATWFC media teamwith photography from Perry Dobbins
Above: Pontypridd United lift the Genero Adran Plate for finishing in fifth place in the league after the split. Photo: Perry Dobbins.
Aberystwyth Town had to settle for sixth place in the 2022/23 Genero Adran Premier as a fine streak of form came to an end.
They finished the league season with a disappointing 3-0 loss on the road at the hands of Plate champions Pontypridd United at USW Sport Park.
It ended a run of four successive victories and no goals conceded – including a 3-0 win over Abergavenny in the final home match – which gives the Seasiders plenty of heart looking ahead to next season.
They will also look back with fondness on runs to the semi-finals of both the Genero Adran Trophy and the FAW Women’s Cup.
Above: Aberystwyth Town in possession at Pontypridd United on Sunday. Photo: Perry Dobbins.
Manager Gavin Allen described it as “a season of highs and lows” – and is already looking forward to 2023/24.
“We’ve given opportunities to young players coming through, with our U19s doing well,” he reflected.
“We have a great bunch of girls and we are looking at recruitment to strengthen the squad and compete again next season.”
The campaign is not quite over, though – they now face Llanfair United in the final of the CWFA Ladies Challenge Cup on Friday 21st April at Llanidloes (7.30pm kick-off).
Bulleen Lions recorded their first win of the season, Heidelberg United defeated a dangerous Box Hill United and the NPLW Victoria might have a new star striker as Round Four once again delivered some incredible games.
Above: Heidelberg United (yellow) and South Melbourne face off. Photo: Jack Dilks.
FV Emerging 4-4 Bayside United SC
Two weeks ago, this column wrote that FV Emerging’s 6-1 loss to South Melbourne should not be a huge cause for concern. The development team can sometimes be inconsistent and may take some time to grow into the season, but the talent remains indisputable. Against Bayside United FC on Friday night, they showed what they can do.
The 4-4 draw will be viewed as a two points lost by the youngsters, but the performance was commendable, and the winning mentality is already instilled in this side. Bayside United have also done more than enough to show they are in this league to fight for every point.
This game was nothing but goals, both teams attacked from the start and FV Emerging were on fire early. Anika Dovaston received the ball in midfield and after spreading it wide, she eventually received it back from Alana Cortellino.
The ball in, might have been intended as a cross, but deceived the keeper to open the scoring. FV Emerging were 1-0 up in the third minute.
Emilie Keppens scored twice for Emerging by the 16th minute to give them a shock 3-0 lead.
On both occasions, quick and directed attacks allowed the striker to get behind the defence, and her composure was matched by the finishes.
Bayside hit back in similar style. A long ball forward by Sienna Fogarty found Olivia Bomford. She got close to goal before tucking it into the bottom corner.
Bomford was involved in Bayside’s next goal. She brought the ball down at the edge of the box and played it low into a dangerous area. New recruit Caitlin Storay beat the defenders to the ball and nicked it beyond the goalkeeper to score Bayside’s second and make it 3-2 before half-time.
FV Emerging regained their two-goal cushion in the 56th minute. Cortellino was put into space after some patient passing. She raced in from the wing and laid in on a platter for Keppens to bring up her hattrick. This was an easier finish than her other two goals, but another example of the strikers strong instincts.
Bayside were not finished yet. Julia Budiongo kept them in the contest with an incredible half-volley. FV Emerging spent the rest of the match under siege, and although it looked likely that they would hold on for the win, a dramatic equaliser eventually arrived.
In the 97th minute. Kayla Deaver reached a high cross. At great personal risk, she attacked the ball and nodded it into the net to rescue a late draw for Bayside United.
South Melbourne 1-3 Bulleen Lions
Bulleen Lions and South Melbourne braved arctic conditions on Saturday. Although South have been early standard bearers this season, they entered this game with attacker Caitlin Picket in goal. A combination of international call-ups and injury put her in the hot seat, against a team hungry for their first win.
South looked set to continue their strong form early. Tayla Christensen scored from their first opportunity in the 25th minute. She held off the challenge of Lani Johnson to lift the ball over Gaby Garton. The goal has been recorded as an own goal to Johnson, but the view provided looks like Christensen’s goal.
Bulleen sprung to life in the second half. The tricky and creative Rosie Rodger was at the heart of their equaliser. Her twisting run did not result in a shot on target, but the ball fell to Audrey Oastler who tapped it home from close range.
Oatsler’s second and Bulleen’s third arrived just minutes later. Sensing an opportunity, she launched an effort from more than 20 yards. Pickett could do little to stop the strike, and Bulleen had the goal that would deliver them a first win of the season.
Heidelberg United 3-2 Box Hill United
Heidelberg United appear to be switching into top gear already this season. Results are improving and their trademark aggressive style with and without the ball is once again a joy to watch. They came up against a dangerous Box Hill United. The pace of Anais Josefski up front made the visitors a potentially tricky opponent, but The Bergers struck first through Nicole Blackett.
The chance was made through their pressing efforts. Box Hill struggled to play the ball from defence, and once it fell to Blackett 18 yards from goal, she did not hesitate. The first time shot, crashed into the net to set the tone for a fast-paced afternoon of football.
Asuka Doi almost equalised for Box Hill with a towering header that somehow bounced off the crossbar, but Steph Galea doubled Heidelberg’s advantage soon after.
The captain was played through from deep and clipped the ball over the keeper in style. It was Galea’s third goal of the season, and she looks in deadly form so far.
Doi provided Box Bill with a lifeline in the 54th minute. She was unmarked from a corner but was not in a particularly dangerous area. Her header looped high and long over Melissa Maizels to make it 2-1 and it was game on once again.
Heidelberg’s cushion was restored with another long pass. This time it was Patricia Charalambous who was on the end of it and finished calmly to make it 3-1.
It would not be a Box Hill game without Josefski turning on the afterburners. Her powerful, run between the Heidelberg back four took her wide of the goal, but her cross won a penalty after it was judged to be a handball.
Doi tucked away the spot kick to give Box Hill some hope, but the game ended 3-2.
Southern United 0-3 Preston Lions
A wonder goal from Hailee Mesiti set the tone for Preston’s win away from home. The Lions kept up the pressure after a corner kick, and a high looping shot from the edge of the area found the back of the net.
Miri Nishimura’s effort from 18 yards extended the lead for the visitors. As with the first goal, it was a mix of class and persistence.
Preston effectively sealed the win when Rachel Stirton beat her defender to a low cross. her shot was somewhat scuffed, but wrongfooted the keeper to make it 3-0. This was the first match of the season that Preston had scored more than one goal. That they had it from three different scorers will be very encouraging for the coming rounds.
The result takes Preston into the top three with a game in hand over fourth-placed Alamein, and keeps them clear of Bulleen and South Melbourne on points.
Boroondara-Carey Eagles 3-0 Alamein FC
Kurea Okino was in imperious form as Boroondara-Carey defeated Alamein FC at home. The Japanese striker chased down a hopeful pass and buried the chance to open the scoring in the second minute.
Another lofted pass gave Okino a half-chance in the 55th minute. She bustled past two Alamein defenders and shot high into the roof of the net from close range. Her hattrick was brought up in the 77th minute to complete the days scoring. The half-volley was another fantastic finish by the league’s top scorer. It was a deadly mix of technique, power, and placement to give the keeper no chance.
The conclusion of Round Four sees Boroondara-Carey Eagles in top spot, but Heidelberg United steadily catching up. It was Alamein’s first loss of the season, but Bulleen Lion’s first.
Box Hill slid down the ladder, but Preston Lions continued their undefeated run. No clear patterns have emerged, anybody can still win on their day, and the league table remains intriguing and unpredictable so far.
Nathan Edwards reports from Australia head coach Tony Gustavsson‘s media conference today ahead of their match with England tomorrow (10/4/23).
Above: Australia head coach Tony Gustavsson believes his side will invoke their renowned Never Say Die spirit tomorrow night against England. Photo: Hannah Parnell for Impetus.
Matildas boss Tony Gustavsson said that it would be a “massive achievement” to beat England in a game that will be “one of the toughest challenges” that Australia “won’t shy away from.”
Gustavsson will see his side face the recently crowned Finalissima Champions tomorrow night at Brentford, in preparation for the World Cup in July and August where the sides could potentially meet in the last sixteen stage.
Australia’s first friendly in this international window ended in a 1-0 defeat to Scotland, but the match against England, who have been undefeated during Sarina Wiegman’s reign, will offer a different test.
“Right now, they’re (England) the number one team to beat,” Gustavsson said.
“They have a 30-game unbeaten streak, and you look at the football they play as well, they play modern football. They have a high intensity, their pressing game is fantastic, and the ball movement is brilliant.
“Not only have they had this streak against low-ranked opposition, but they have also done it against the top-ranked teams and they still have these results and performances.
“It is going to be one of the toughest challenges we have faced as a team, and we will do it away, in England, which will make it tougher, and with other circumstances out of our control.”
Above: Tony Gustavsson offers advice to Mackenzie Arnold during Australia’s game with Scotland on Friday. Photo: Hannah Parnell for Impetus.
Ahead of these friendlies, Gustavsson said his side had over “500 caps missing,” with Emily van Egmond and Holly McNamara joining that extended injury list.
The Matildas head coach has seen his squad diminish as the days have gone on during the camp but still wants to use this England game to learn about his squad, ahead of them hosting the World Cup, with New Zealand.
He said, “No matter who steps onto the field, we need to stay true and loyal to our identity, whilst testing ourselves.
“We need to see where we are with our play style, we are still going to try and press as aggressively as we always do, but we know it’s going to be a huge challenge.
“We are coming to play our attacking game, we aren’t here just to keep the score down, and let’s try to survive this game, which might cost us but we are going to be true to who we are.”
Australia haven’t faced England since their 1-1 draw in 2018 at Craven Cottage, and it would be Gustavsson’s first experience managing against the Lionesses, and he will relish the test.
“If you go into the game asking the question ‘where are we?’ and ‘where are they?’ then it will be one of the biggest achievements from the players in terms of overachieving.
“I also know what lives inside this team, and that never say die attitude of the Matildas that has been here way before I was here, and we are going to bring that tomorrow. “We are not going to shy away from this, and it is the toughest challenge ever
Matthew Appleby was pitchside to capture the best of the action in the tier four FA Women’s National League Division One North match at Stockton (10/4/23).
Above: Jess Dawson celebrates after putting Middlesbrough 1-0 up yesterday. Photo: Matthew Appleby.
Middlesbrough 2-2 Leeds United
Leeds United came from 2-0 down to earn a share of the spoils against Middlesbrough yesterday with both of their goals in the final 15 minutes.
Boro went ahead after 31 minutes when Jess Mett’s ball in found Jess Dawson who fired home at the second attempt. They doubled their advantage just before the break when Armani Maxwell’s pressure forced a weak backpass which she managed to get onto and hit a first-time effort into the net.
However, Leeds hit back to claim a point with two goals in a four-minute spell. First, thanks to a cross-shot that flew in, and the leveller came when a long through ball was met with an excellent finish.
The Matildas defender Charli Grant spoke to the media ahead of Australia’s friendly with England tomorrow. Ben Gilby reports (10/4/23).
Above: Charli Grant sharing her thoughts ahead of tomorrow’s match with England. Image: Football Australia.
Charli Grant’s continual growth has seen the South Australian become an international regular and she is about to face, perhaps her toughest challenge yet against the European champions England on Tuesday.
Speaking from The Matildas’ Surrey training base, the Vittsjö defender affirmed how she thrives on the challenge that tomorrow night’s game will bring against a side who are unbeaten in 30 matches.
“England is a very exciting challenge for us to see where we are ahead of a World Cup. They definitely have one of the best forwards in the world at the moment. It’s a real challenge for our backline. Defensively they were (also) superb in the Euros and in recent friendly matches.
Above: Charli Grant strides forward for Australia against Scotland. Photo: Hannah Parnell for Impetus.
“I love the challenge and coming up against different quality strikers and forwards. It makes my game get better.”
Grant will most likely start in the left-back role against the Lionesses. Whilst this is not a position that many Australian fans have seen her play in, it is the position she plays weekly for Vittsjö in the Damallsvenskan.
The former Adelaide United defender reviewed her performance in the role against Scotland on Good Friday saying: “I was really happy to get the opportunity to play left back, it’s big shoes to fill with Steph out. I was happy to provide some attacking options, I just need to be better with my final passes.”
Reflecting on the team’s back four formation for the game at Wimbledon, Grant said: “It was exciting to have Ellie (Carpenter) back in the team and play in the same side as her. Clare (Hunt) has come in and done exceptionally well. She looks like she has been in the team for years. Polks (Clare Polkinghorne) is always there with composure and leadership.”
Australia’s own unbeaten run came to an end against Scotland on Friday, and whilst there could be a sense of frustration in The Matildas’ challenges in converting the chances they made, Grant is focusing on the positives from that match.
“We had a lot of goalscoring opportunities. We did well with build-up play and there was also some good defensive efforts, and have to take that as a positive.”
Photos from Sunday Matildas Training in Surrey from Rachel Bach/Football Australia:
impetusfootball.org 