Mariella Prew was at the Broadfield Stadium for Impetus last night to capture all the action in a match that had huge importance at both the top and bottom of the table (11/5/23).
Above: Brighton & Hove Albion’s Emma Kullberg keeps a close eye on Caitlin Foord as the Australian returned from injury last night. Photo: Mariella Prew for Impetus.
Brighton and Hove Albion 0-4 Arsenal
Arsenal moved back into the Champions League qualification places at the expense of Manchester City after what turned out to be a comfortable win in Crawley over Brighton and Hove Albion last night.
Jonas Eidevall’s side built an early two-goal lead within the opening ten minutes thanks to a brace from Stina Blackstenius. The Swedish international also saw a potential hat-trick-clinching goal chalked off for offside which replays showed to be an incorrect decision.
With six minutes to go before the break, Frida Maanum headed home to make it 3-0 and there was still time before the end of the half for Victoria Pelova to get on the scoresheet.
Arsenal had further positives in the return to action of Australian international Caitlin Foord with 25 minutes remaining. The Gunners are third with a game in hand on both Manchester City immediately below them and leaders Manchester United who are six points ahead of them.
Chelsea’s 6-0 thrashing of Leicester City last night moves the defending champions to within a point of United with a game in hand still, which will be played at West Ham United next Wednesday.
Mariella Prew’s exclusive photo gallery from the Broadfield Stadium for Impetus:
Above: Nicole Blackett brings up her hat trick for Heidelberg United. Photo:Passion Creations. @Jaotam Instagram
FV Emerging 1-1 Calder United
Calder United travelled to face Victoria’s most promising young players in the first game of the round. Last season’s much-changed champions were coming off a strong result from round seven. The 4-2 win against Heidelberg United was one of their strongest displays of the season, the game was determined by individual moments of brilliance but built on a foundation of good team defence and aggressive pressing. So were the champs back? Not if FV Emerging had anything to say about it.
FV Emerging have been impressive to watch so far, and the results have not really reflected their performances. Put simply, they are difficult to play against and dangerous going forward. This is how it played out for much of the game, Calder United had chances and plenty of the ball, but struggled to break down the Emerging defence. It took until the 55th minute to break the deadlock. Lucy Richards thrashed home a goal after a corner kick caused a goalmouth scramble.
FV Emerging were not cowed by going behind. They have the weapons in attack, and the confidence to use them. In the trickery of Alana Cortellino and the vision of Candice Kilderry, they have genuine game-breaking players. The pair combined five minutes later to set up Emily Keppens for a stylish equaliser.
Kilderry’s through ball put Cortellino into space, then the cross was met by Keppens’ well-timed run and finish. It would be the last goal of the game, but a worthy equaliser.
Heidelberg United 6-1 Southern United
Johnno Clemente welcomed back an A-League Women star for Heidelberg’s match against Southern United.
The Berger’s were looking to respond to the loss against Calder and the addition of Perth Glory midfielder Tijan McKenna was a boost to their hopes. Elwen Parbery opened the scoring in the 15th minute. The winger’s corner kick swung straight into the net beyond the keeper’s grasp and over the head of the leaping Steph Galea. It was a spectacular way to open her account for the season.
The home side doubled their lead early in the second half. A Southern United goal kick fell short and although Galea’s strike was repelled, the goalkeeper could do little about the rebound. Substitute Nicole Blackett made it 2-0. Rina Omiya added a third after some neat interplay around the edge of the box. One incisive pass by Kathryn Vlahopoulos put her behind the defence and a composed finish put Heidelberg in cruise control.
Blackett brought up her brace with a stunning first-time strike. Galea’s run and cutback put the attacker in a good position. The shot was well-struck and left the defence with no time to react. 4-0.
Southern United earned a lifeline with a 70th-minute penalty kick from a handball. Yuka Sato stepped up and hit it low but a little too wide, Melissa Maizels chose the correct side, but the post denied Southern United a goal. Tijan McKenna announced her return to the competition with an incredible strike to bring up their fifth. Omiya tried to craft an opening and was denied by the Southern defence. She backtracked and played it back to the deep-lying Mckenna, who looked up and launched over the out-of-position goalkeeper. Despite a good effort to save, McKenna had her first of the season, and sent a reminder of why she is so highly regarded in this competition.
Southern continued to attack despite the scoreline and scored in the late stages of the game. Jade Tam’s long pass found Rhiannon Kelleher, who looked to have been forced too wide to trouble Maizels. Her lofted shot was perfectly placed and stunned the crowd in attendance. Heidelberg would have the last word, however. Blackett stood over the free kick, and there was only ever going to be one result. Her long-range effort brought up an injury time hattrick and a 6-1 result for the home side.
Above: Tijan McKenna in action for Heidelberg United last season. Photo: Gold Leaf Creative.
South Melbourne 3-1 Preston Lions
When South Melbourne signed Danielle Wise, it was a statement of intent. The striker’s arrival was announced closer to the last postseason than this year’s pre-season and with the Golden Boot winner in their ranks, expectations were growing.
Against the high-flying Preston Lions, Wise showed why she was so sought after. Her pace, directness and willingness to shoot caused problems for the visitors and delighted the home crowd.
Her opening goal was that of a penalty box poacher. Tayla Christensen’s run was capped off with a perfect curling cross. Janna Lawson arrived to meet it at the far post, but it bounced off the woodwork. Wise reacted quickest to turn it home. South Melbourne went into the break with a 2-0 lead thanks to an own goal. Leia Varley’s deep cross was bundled into her own net by Delaney Lindahl. There was little she could do. Had she not made an effort, a South Melbourne attacker surely would have.
Wise made it 3-0 in a dominant second half. Dragana Kljajic sent in a perfect long ball for the speedster to run onto. Once she was clear of the defenders, Wise only needed one more touch to flick it past the onrushing keeper. Preston have been good this season and although they were well beaten by South Melbourne, they showed flashes of why they are near the top of the table.
Miri Nishimura scored one of the best goals of the round as a late consolation. Preston’s defensive pressure won the ball back, and it eventually fell the Nishimura. Her first touch juggled it past the defender and also served to set herself up for an incredible half-volley that flew into the net. The match finished 3-1, but these are two very watchable sides and this game was a treat.
Bayside United 3-1 Box Hill United
An Anais Josefski strike was not enough for Box Hill to get a win. Bayside United were simply stronger in attack against the struggling, but dangerous visitors.
Kayla Deaver found the back of the net for Bayside in the 31st minute. Caitlin Storay won possession out wide and her long ball found Deaver who still had plenty to do. Her pace looked like it had taken her clear of the defence, but she stopped and propped to create some space. From outside of the area, she took aim and rifled home the opening goal.
Josefski pulled Box Hill level after a swift counterattack ended with the striker finishing off Emma Langley’s low cross. It was an excellent move, as Box Hill went from almost conceding to the equaliser with four direct, aggressive passes. Bayside re-took the lead before halftime. Another direct play led to Julia Budiongo racing onto a loose ball and tucking it away to make it 2-1.
Maryam Anvari doubled the lead and sealed the points late in the match. Bayside’s press won the ball, and Budiongo was slipped in behind the defence. She rounded the keeper, but Ava Walters managed to get a hand to it. Anvari was on hand to finish the rebound once again.
Bulleen Lions 2-1 Alamein
This was an intriguing contest. Alamein have started the season strong, while Bulleen are still growing into the campaign. Caitlin Friend’s side have remained difficult to beat even if the goals have not really started flowing, and they have started to grind out wins in the league and the Nike FC Cup.
The opening goal came from route one football. Katie Beck’s long free kick was placed nicdely at the edge of the area. Audrey Oastler directed the flick-on toward goal and Caitlin O’Brien was on hand to score from close range. Ashleigh Lefevre was on the end of a nice passing move for Alamein’s equaliser. Elaina Vatcky and Rebecca Saber linked up and spread the ball wide to the fast-arriving Lefevre. The finish was hit without hesitation, and it was 1-1 in the second half.
The game was won from a corner kick in the 50th minute. It is unclear who got the final touch, but Bulleen Lions celebrated a team win as they continue to find form and fight out victories.
At the end of the round, Boroondara-Carey Eagles remain on top despite having the bye. Alamein’s loss cost them a chance to move into first position but Heidelberg and South Melbourne climb into third and fourth respectively. It remains an unpredictable league and round eight was an entertaining as ever. Next week, Heidelberg United will face their toughest test so far against Boroondara-Carey, while Bulleen will face off against Preston as the two Lions do battle.
Jean-Pierre Thiesset summarizes the 20th round of the 2022-2023 D1 Arkema season (9/5/23).
Above: Fleury in possession against Montpellier at the weekend. Photo: FC Fleury 91 Feminines.
Dijon 0-3 Olympique Lyonnais
Lyon were comfortable winners in a match in which they dominated from start to finish, enjoying 66% possession, eight corners, and 17 shots, of which eight were on target. Goals: Lyon – Vanessa Gilles (7), Vicki Becho (44), Ada Hegerberg (69).
Paris Saint-Germain 0–0 Paris FC
In the Paris derby, PSG enjoyed more than 70% possession but with Marie-Antoinette Katoto still absent and Kadidiatou Diani injured for three weeks, they could not score.
Fleury 1-2 Montpellier
In an even encounter, the absence of Léa Le Garrec did not allow Fleury to play their usual game. Montpellier were more efficient and scored twice. The loss puts Fleury’s qualification the Champions League next season in jeopardy, especially with Paris FC earning a draw at Paris Saint-Germain. Fleury’s Sarah Kassi was sent off for a second yellow card on 88 minutes. Goals:Fleury – Ewelina Kamczyk (4). Montpellier – Maëlle Lakrar (29), Nérilia Mondésir (57).
Rodez 1-1 Bordeaux
Bordeaux dominated this game but could not force a win. The draw means Rodez still have a chance to retain their D1 Arkema status for another season. Goals:Rodez – Océane Saunier (54). Bordeaux – Shameeta Fishley (47).
Soyaux 1-2 Guingamp
Guingamp dominated the game and, with the victory, coming via an injury-time goal in the second half, they have guaranteed their place in next season’s D1 Arkema. Goals:Soyaux – Morgane Belkhiter (35). Guingamp – Sarah Cambot (48), Alison Peniguel (90+4).
Le Havre 0–5 Reims
In a well-balanced game according to the match statistics, Le Havre could not score even though they had six corners and twelve shots. Goals: Reims – Melchie Dumornay (48, 77), Rofiat Imuran (54), Kelly Gadea (70, Own Goal), Shana Soukeyna Nathalie Chossenotte (90+2).
Above: Livingston celebrate a goal in their dramatic match with Renfrew that saw them clinch promotion to the SWPL2. Photo: Aimee Todd/Sportpix.
SWF Championship
Livingston are SWF Championship winners after coming back at home to rescue a point against Renfrew Ladies. The West Lothian club needed only a draw to clinch the title and secure a place in the Scottish Women’s Premier League 2 next season.
Three times Renfrew had gone ahead, but a late goal by Lionesses striker Ashley Elizabeth sent the home fans into raptures. The club have been congratulated on social media by Scotland’s First Minister Humza Yousaf and several of the first team players from the men’s club, as well as Championship rivals.
Above: Ayr United (white) power in a shot against Rossvale. Photo supplied to Impetus by: Kelly Nielson.
Rossvale saw off Ayr United 3-0 as their bid for promotion via the play-offs continues. Megan Whiteford, Louise McJacobs, and Cheryl Watt scored the goals. Inverness Caledonian Thistle defeated Dryburgh 2-1 thanks to goals from Katie Cleland and Julia Scott. Alma Codegoni was on target for Dryburgh.
SWF League One
Above: FC Edinburgh celebrate with the SWF League One champions trophy. Photo: Ger Harley/Sportpix.
The final day in SWF League One also provided high-stakes drama. Dundee West took advantage of Gleniffer Thistle losing in Airdrie to secure their place in the national leagues with a 3-0 victory over BSC Glasgow at home. Laura-Ann Johnston scored from the halfway line in a victory that had too often eluded the Dundee side this season.
FC Edinburgh completed an entire league campaign undefeated with a comprehensive 6-1 victory over St. Mirren ahead of the trophy presentation at Meadowbank. Pop band The Eves were on hand to present the League One trophy in front of a big crowd.
Meanwhile, Northeast club Westdyke will be joining them in the Championship next season after defeating Falkirk 2-0 at the Falkirk Stadium.
Falkirk’s top scorer Suzanne Wyatt had the opportunity to put the Bairns ahead from the spot, but her penalty was saved before Kayleigh Traynor scored her 35th goal of the season to supplement a strike by Chloe Ferries.
Biffa SWFL
Above: Harmony Row after sealing the SWFL West title. Photo: Harmony Row FC.
The SWFL East saw Bonnyrigg Rose defeat Central Girls 4-0, Livingston Reserves completed a great day for the club with a 6-0 win over Murieston United, and McDermid won 9-1 at Aberdour.
In the SWFL North, Inverurie Locos defeated Westdyke Thistle 5-1 and Huntly lost a nine-goal thriller 5-4 to Forfar Farmington. There were two matches in the SWFL South, with Kilwinning seeing off Stewarton United 3-1 and Queen of the South won 10-1 at Nithsdale Wanderers.
Harmony Row secured the SWFL West title with a 5-1 victory over Bishopton in the league’s only game of the weekend.
Above: Defensive pressure is applied as Rossvale (yellow and red) host Ayr United in the SWF Championship. Photo supplied to Impetus by: Kelly Nielson.
Above: The panel discussion at Southampton’s St. Mary’s Stadium. Photo: Andy Wicks for Impetus.
Impetus was fortunate to be invited to St Mary’s Stadium by Southampton FC for a hospitality day and to join a women’s football panel with Tom Rose (Southampton FC, Head of Marketing) and Sarah Batters (Southampton FC, Director of Marketing and Partnerships) to discuss the club, both where it is now and where it wants to be in the future.
Last season was a landmark year for Southampton as they beat Wolverhampton Wanderers in the FA Women’s National League (FAWNL) Play-off final at Stockport County’s Edgeley Park to reach the Barclays’ Women’s Championship for the first time in their history. Following this, Southampton hosted games at the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 in which the Lionesses sealed victory.
Batters started off by reminiscing about the season before which was such a successful season for the club, Sarah Batters said:
“I was just thinking this morning, about where we were 12 months ago (playing Wolves in the FAWNL Playoff Final]. And where we were was on a very cold day in Stockport, watching the girls play against Wolves to win promotion to the Barclays Women’s Championship.
“It was an absolutely incredible day and a really huge achievement from all the girls, as it was a real pivotal moment.
Above: Southampton celebrate after winning promotion to the Championship in the play-off last season at Stockport. Photo: Southampton FC.
“We had a pre-built plan if we were to gain promotion, that we were really going to change the way the club would approach our women and girls’ programme so it really felt like a moment in time and a moment in history for us of transforming our women’s and girls programme.”
A fortnight back, it was announced by the FA that the promotion and relegation situation between clubs in the FAWNL Northern and Southern Premiers plus the Barclays’ Women’s Super League would change so instead of one being relegated from the Championship and winners of the North and South leagues battling it out for a single place in the league above, there would be two relegation places in the championship and two promotion places – one each for the winner of the North and South league.
Sarah gave her thoughts on the situation on going through that process 12 months ago:
“I was devastated for Wolves, to win your league and not be able to go up. So hearing that announcement, it sums up the women’s game and where we are, that it is a place where we are still innovating and learning and working out the right ways to grow at the right time and I’m really glad they have made that step and the next step will really be to look at the promotion to the WSL.
“So with the promotion of the girls to the Championship, also came at a really amazing moment for us with the women’s Euros.
“We were lucky enough to host some of the games at St Mary’s and it really gave us the momentum to go: ‘Okay, how can we take the success of the women’s Euros, the success of holding those events here at St. Mary’s, and tying that in with the success of the promotion of our women’s team to really grow and really focus in being the best in the Championship?’
Above: Discussion at the panel event. Photo: Andy Wicks for Impetus.
“And that been our team’s focus, as we are an extremely competitive bunch and we absolutely obsess over ‘Have we got the highest attendance?’, ‘Have we got the most people coming?”
Tom Rose added: “It is really important to stress that a lot of this work, started four to five years ago maybe even longer.
“I think that with the women’s Euros success and us moving to St. Mary’s, it is quite easy to get lost in the success of this year. But actually, we have been working hard for many many years before that. The women’s team have gone from bottom of the pyramid and hopefully all the way to the top.
“It really is an amazing story of what we call, ‘The Southampton Way’, which is never stopping until we have reached our goals. “As a marketing team we have been on the journey with them, we have Kayla Rendell [who] has been there since the start and we think she will become England’s number one. It’s an amazing story and we have seen our crowds grow year on year since we were at AFC Totton.
“So we set all the best plans and then hope for external things to go your way, I think we got the best external thing of the success of the women’s euros so the good thing is we set those plans and really thrive off it.”
It is safe to say the club is definitely heading in the right direction and it will be interesting to see how Southampton do over the next few years and whether they can reach their goal of making it to the Women’s Super League.
Mariella Prew was at Broadfield Stadium yesterday to capture all the action for Impetus’ fourth WSL photo gallery of the weekend (8/5/23).
Above: Spectacular action from the match at Crawley yesterday. Photo: Mariella Prew for Impetus.
Brighton and Hove Albion 1-0 West Ham United
Brighton and Hove Albion took a huge step towards WSL safety with a 1-0 win over West Ham United that put them five points clear of the relegation position, with a game in hand over bottom side Reading.
The only goal came just before the hour mark when Kayleigh Green netted after a superb ball from Katie Robinson.
Mariella Prew’s exclusive photo gallery from the Broadfield Stadium for Impetus:
Teams: BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION (4-2-3-1): Walsh, Fox, Morse, Kullberg, Bergsvand, Connolly, Olme, Robinson, Terland, Green, Lee. Substitutes used: Pattinson (for Fox 45+4′), Sarri (for Green 77′), Stefanovic (for Terland 85′), Carter (for Lee 86′).
Scorer: Green 57′.
WEST HAM UNITED (4-4-1-1): Arnold, Parker, Fisk, Cissoko, Denton, Evans, Snerle, Longhurst, Atkinson, Brynjarsdottir, Asseyi. Substitutes used: Hayashi (for Atkinson 57′), Thestrup (for Longhurst 73′), Smith (for Denton 73′), Ademiluyi (for Evans 82′), Shimizu (for Snerle 83′).
Andy Wicks was at the SCL Stadium yesterday to capture all the action as a Rachel Daly-inspired Aston Villa pushed the Berkshire side closer to relegation (8/5/23).
Above: High-flying Alisha Lehmann, scorer of Aston Villa’s second goal in action yesterday. Photo: Andy Wicks for Impetus.
Reading 0-5 Aston Villa
Reading’s hopes of avoiding relegation to the Championship received a major setback as Aston Villa ran riot at the SCL Stadium yesterday afternoon.
Rachel Daly scored the first of her three of the afternoon when she had the freedom of Berkshire in the box to direct Kirsty Hanson’s cross into the net. Alisha Lehmann was fed by the Lionesses star to make it 2-0 with three minutes of the half remaining. There was still time for Hanson to make it three shortly afterwards.
Daly grabbed her second 10 minutes into the second period after Kenza Dali provided the pass and completed her hattrick from Maz Pacheco’s through ball to take her WSL tally to 20 in as many games.
Andy Wicks’ exclusive photo gallery from the SCL Stadium for Impetus
Matthew Appleby was at the Leigh Sports Village to capture the best of the action from a WSL match that had huge significance at both the top and bottom of the table(8/5/23).
Above: Alessia Russo celebrates after putting Manchester United 2-0 ahead to keep up their title charge yesterday. Photo: Matthew Appleby for Impetus.
Manchester United 3-0 Tottenham Hotspur
Marc Skinner’s side remain four points clear at the top of the WSL table after a comfortable victory over struggling Tottenham Hotspur.
Two goals in a three-minute spell just after the half-hour mark sealed the win. Leah Galton pounced on a poor backpass from Amy Turner to put the home side ahead, with Alessia Russo doubling the lead shortly afterwards when she netted from Ella Toone’s cross.
Nikita Parris completed the win eight minutes after the break after Spurs failed to clear in the box. Manchester United’s four-point advantage remains under threat from defending champions Chelsea, who have two games in hand.
Matthew Appleby’s photo gallery from Leigh Sports Village for Impetus:
Teams: MANCHESTER UNITED (4-2-3-1): Earps, Batlle, Le Tissier, Turner, Blundell, Ladd, Boa Rise, Parris, Toone, Galton, Russo. Substitutes used: Thomas (for Parris 63′), Garcia (for Galton 73′), Mannion (for Le Tissier 74′), Williams (for Toone 74′), Riviere (for Blundell 86′).
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 (8/5/23).
Above: Tash Rigby, shown here in action last season in the NPLW WA, was back for Fremantle City yesterday. Photo: Denyse McCulloch.
Game of the week:
Fremantle City 2-1 Hyundai NTC
Fremantle City became the first team to defeat Hyundai NTC this season in the NPL, and extended their own unbeaten run to three matches in the process at Hilton Park yesterday.
Freo fielded A-League Women stars Tash Rigby and Abbey Green for the first time this season, with both of the Perth Glory players influential on the action. The NTC also welcomed back Ischia Brooking and Ruby Cuthbert from their successful trip to the first stage of the U16 Asian Cup qualifying competition with the Junior Matildas.
The NTC’s unbeaten start to the campaign was under threat from the start as Fremantle City hit the front with just four minutes played. The teenage side tried to play out from the back with Ruby Cuthbert directing the ball back to goalkeeper Lilly Bailey, but Bailey’s attempted pass to Natasha Tanner was seized upon by Laura Waltman who jumped in to blast home.
Goal!! for Fremantle City FC (women) out of NPL Women – Western Australia at Hilton Reserve in the 03:18 mark of the First Half. Score Fremantle City 1:0 Hyundai NTC
Within two minutes the home side created once more as Olivia Trueman danced her way through, but just as she was about to pull the trigger, the NTC defence blocked well. There would be another opportunity from Waltman’s free kick on the far right hand side of the box that came in high, but Bailey claimed well.
Waltman was having a stand-out 45 – her ability on the ball and vision to bring her teammates into play was hugely influential on Freo’s offensive play.
Fremantle were well prepared, well drilled, and alert to NTC’s movements and style of play. They allowed the youngsters very little time on the ball to develop their trademark passing play. In addition, when in possession themselves, the home side were able to manufacture time to hold onto the ball and look for the right pass to play – feats that the NTC’s opponents thus far in 2023 had not been consistently successful at.
As the half entered its final 15 minutes, the NTC grabbed a foothold and began to mount their first sustained periods of pressure. Mia Britton, always a bundle of creativity on the right flank turned inside for Ruby Cuthbert who found Brooking. The Junior Matilda let fly from outside the box, and the shot rolled narrowly wide of the right-hand post.
Above: Mikayla Lyons, who scored Fremantle City’s second goal yesterday. Photo supplied to Impetus by: Mikyla Lyons.
The second period saw Fremantle threaten, but the NTC were always dangerous with a succession of rapid-paced counter-attacks, with the youngsters able to get plenty forward in support. Catherine Adams was working hard for the hosts to deny the jet-heeled visitors.
The bulk of Freo’s attacks in this period were coming via the right-hand side with Rigby and Maya Spatafore linking up well.
Just after the hour mark, NTC came close to levelling when Mischa Anderson’s free-kick from the right came in high towards the back post but Cuthbert couldn’t quite reach the ball.
Play was then halted for a spell with 20 minutes remaining when visiting goalkeeper Bailey collided with a Fremantle player when coming out to clear the ball, and had to be helped from the pitch with Megan Phillips coming on in her place.
Within moments the game caught fire with two goals in a minute. First, Gronewald-Shield played a centimetre perfect through ball for Brooking to run onto and slot home a superb finish to pull the NTC level.
Goal!! for Hyundai NTC U19 out of NPL Women – Western Australia at Hilton Reserve in the 73:40 mark of the Second Half. Score Fremantle City 1:1 Hyundai NTC
Yet from the re-start, Freo re-established their lead. Abbey Green broke along the left and cut in. Her first attempt at a low cross was blocked, but the ball rebounded for the Perth Glory A-League player to play it across for Mikayla Lyons to direct over the line from close range.
The drama was not over as, with eight minutes remaining, the NTC came agonisingly close to levelling. Klaudia Houlis was found by a long ball, her shot hit Dayle Schroeder in the Fremantle goal and looped up towards the net, but Annabelle Leek got back to clear the ball at the last possible second.
This was a huge win in the context of Fremantle City’s season. With their A-League Women players coming into the squad, and their unbeaten run extended, what originally appeared to be a three-way battle for the title this year could now be up to four or five with the port city side joining the race and Murdoch University Melville beginning to find form as well.
The NTC, who went into this round with a two-point cushion at the top of the ladder are now down to third, with fifth-placed MUM FC just three points adrift of them with the two sides meeting this Wednesday. Their starlet Tanika Lala is also going on trial in Scotland.
Murdoch University Melville claimed an important win in the battle to stay in touching distance of the top four with victory at Grindleford Reserve on Sunday afternoon.
It was the home side that went ahead in stoppage time at the end of the first half when Stacey Cavill’s goal kick went straight to Monique Prinsloo who played a 1-2 with Tia Stonehill before laying off for Andrea Bulgaru to score.
On the hour mark, MUM FC were level as a low ball in from the right fell for Sophie Meaden. Her initial shot was brilliantly saved by Gabby Dal Busco in the Balcatta goal, but the ball fell perfectly for Meaden to smash home from close range. Yet this would be just the beginning of a spell of four goals in nine minutes.
Goal!! for Murdoch University Melville out of NPL Women – Western Australia at Grindleford Park in the 59:41 mark of the Second Half. Score Balcatta FC 1:1 MU Melville
Yet, within seconds, Balcatta went back ahead as great work from Stonehill along the right wing ended with Prinsloo finding Bulgaru who turned and dispatched a low shot into the left hand corner of the net.
The rapid-fire nature of scoring continued five minutes later. Nicolina Ierino’s low pass from the right found Samantha Mathers in space, and her first-time lofted shot flew in to level the scores once more.
Murdoch University Melville claimed the victory with 20 minutes remaining as a low pass from the left was directed in by Jessica Johnson.
Subiaco 1-4 Perth RedStar
Perth RedStar jumped up to second place with victory at Rosalie Park on Sunday afternoon.
They hit the front with five minutes on the clock as Sophia Neal advanced up the right flank and squared for Olivia Wood to sweep home at the back post. Just 12 minutes later, they doubled their advantage as Reina Kagami pounced to take advantage of a heavy touch in the Subiaco defence to break through and slot home.
Goal!! for Subiaco AFC out of NPL Women – Western Australia at Rosalie Park East 1 in the 22:41 mark of the First Half. Score Subiaco AFC 1:2 Perth RedStar FC
The rapid-fire nature of the scoring continued as Subi got a goal back with 23 minutes on the clock, with some sensational play from Phoenix Brownlie who picked up the ball in her own half and laid off to Dakota van Vugt, who then moved it across for Marianna Tabain. The former Perth Glory star laid off a pass for Brownlie to run onto. Quyen Doan’s attempted challenge was shrugged off before Brownlie rifled home a brilliant finish.
RedStar finally sealed the points with five minutes to go. Jay Coleman found Jayna Ridley, who in turn laid a pass off for Kagami to run onto in the box and slot across Subiaco keeper Ashleigh Riddle and into the far corner.
The icing on the cake came with just over a minute remaining as Doan lifted a ball into the mix which rebounded off both Riddle and Kagami before going in possibly via a deflection, but Kagami will be claiming the hat-trick.
Perth SC 11-0 Curtin University
Perth SC returned to the summit after last week’s first loss of the season to the NTC a comfortable victory over rock-bottom Curtin University, who are still looking for their first goal in ten league and cup games this season.
It took The Azzurri 10 minutes to hit the front as Jaime Duncanson played a ball towards Abbey Meakins from the right. The favour was returned for Duncanson to lash home.
The floodgates then opened as expected. Within two minutes Perth doubled their lead as Matilda Bohm advanced into the box, held off several attempted tackles, and dispatched the ball into the left-hand side of the net. Another two minutes passed before Ella Lincoln ran onto a through ball just inside the Curtin half and calmly placed a shot into the net.
It was 4-0 when Abbey Meakins received the ball in acres of space and lifted it in. On the half-hour, Duncanson grabbed her second of the afternoon with a superb curling shot into the far corner.
Goal!! for Perth SC (women) – Finals out of NPL Women – Western Australia at Dorrien Gardens in the 28:23 mark of the First Half. Score Perth SC 5:0 Curtin Uni FC
Five minutes before the break, Duncanson completed her hat trick as Liana Cook’s effort was pushed up by the Curtin keeper and fell kindly for her to head into an empty net. There was still time for a seventh in the first half as Ellie La Monte dispatched a header into the goal.
Within 34 seconds of the second half kicking off, The Azzurri scored once more. This time, Poppie Hooks drove up the right flank and produced a pacey ball for Meakins to slam home for her second. Five minutes later, the attacker completed her hattrick to make it 9-0 when she was found in space to slot into the net.
Duncanson’s fourth made it 10 for Perth SC when she smashed a shot above the visiting keeper and in. Monique Godding turned the ball home from close range with 20 minutes remaining to complete the rout.
Above: Paul Temple, Wellington Phoenix’s new head coach. Photo: RNZ News.
Academy technical director Paul Temple has been appointed coach of Wellington Phoenix for the next two A-League Women seasons.
“I’m really excited because I’ve been at the club for a long time and I love the Phoenix,” Temple said.
“Being part of the club for so long you build a real affinity with the staff and the supporters so it’s a real privilege to be given the opportunity to lead the team into the next couple of seasons.”
He replaces Natalie Lawrence, who decided against seeking reappointment following a review of the 2022-23 campaign.
“We want to build on the strong foundations laid by Nat. There is a core group of players who are hardworking, humble, and have the mentality to improve. Supporters want to see those characteristics in their team. The task now is now to build on that good work and take the team into the playoffs.
“As a club we’re ambitious. We want to try to make the finals each year so the target will be to put a squad together that will get us into the playoffs and push the club forward.”
Above: Paul Temple, Wellington Phoenix’s new A-League Women head coach. Photo: Stuff.co.nz.
Temple has coached a variety of academy teams since moving to the capital at the start of 2016.
He started out as youth team coach before guiding the men’s reserves for three seasons. Last year he took over the women’s development group, which saw his coaching career come full circle.
The naturalised Kiwi burst onto the international scene in 2008 when he coached New Zealand at the inaugural FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Aotearoa, at the age of just 26.
He also took New Zealand to the 2012 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, as well as serving as an assistant coach for the NZ U-20 women’s team.
“Football’s really changing in the coaching space. You see so many more coaches going from women’s football to men’s football to women’s football. Coaching is very much fluid and changing now so I see it more as a coaching journey rather than the women’s or men’s game.
“There are so many similarities, but it’s been good to get back into the women’s side of things and working with them. There are slightly different challenges as a coach. It makes you a better coach all around I believe.”
More recently Paul Temple has been involved with New Zealand men’s age-group teams and he will leave for the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Argentina next weekend as Darren Bazeley’s assistant coach.
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