Above: Pride Park’s Steph Eadon, who returned to outfield duties after a heroic spell in goal during recent weeks. Photo: Shaun Hardwick.
Pride welcomed back Jade Howell (although distinctly under the weather) in goal after a two-game absence, and it was good to see Steph Eadon return to outfield after her knee injury for the trip to Sandiacre Town on Sunday.
Sandiacre made a fast start and had the first chance of the game after six minutes when there was a break through the middle. The striker appeared to be away and clear but was checked by an outstanding recovery tackle by Eliot Sayavong, although the ball broke for the striker to have a shot which was gathered by Jade Howell.
Shortly afterwards, Sandiacre broke down the right and the cross into the centre found a striker on the edge of the area, her quick turn and shot rebounded off Howell, who also held the follow-up shot on the rebound.
Having weathered the early Sandiacre pressure, Pride started to grow into the game and almost went ahead after 11 minutes when Tash Allderidge won the ball in midfield and slid a pass to Summer Evans and her first-time pass around the corner put Beth Jones through on goal – and Jones’ shot from the edge of the area was tipped around the post by the ‘keeper.
Above: Beth Jones, who put in another influential performance for Pride Park. Photo: Shaun Hardwick
There was nothing the goalkeeper could do after 19 minutes however when Evans again found Jones in space and in the clear and she clipped the ball over the advancing goalkeeper from the edge of the area and Pride Park went ahead.
Sandiacre were, however, given a way back in after 26 minutes when Pride conceded an unnecessary corner which fell to a Sandiacre player inside the area, and her shot was diverted in by another attacker to level the score.
Jones made a run down the right flank and delivered a cross into the centre where Evans, Eadon, and Impetus sponsored Ella Kew had made ground – Eadon rose to glance a header just wide at full stretch.
A couple of minutes later Evans was played in beyond the Sandiacre defence but the move was called back by an offside flag – which looked like a mistaken call.
Two minutes before half-time Sandiacre attacked down the Pride right, a clearance was cut out and played straight back to a player on the flank who cut inside and her shot from 25 yards beat Howell so at the break, it was advantage Sandiacre.
Above: Rachel Weaver in action for Pride Park earlier this season. Photo: Shaun Hardwick.
The first opportunity of the second half came seven minutes after the restart. A corner was sent into the centre and resulted in a scramble on the edge of Sandiacre’s six-yard box, before falling to Hannah Kwiatek who swivelled and hit a shot on the turn but it was wide of the goal.
An injury to Bleu Lewis-Wilson ended her game prematurely when she limped off – only ten minutes after coming on. It’s bad luck for Lewis-Wilson who has only recently returned from an injury that forced her to miss the first half of the season.
Sandiacre extended their lead after 55’ when, after an attack down the right, the ball broke from a contested challenge to a player 25 yards out and she struck a shot beyond Howell to give Sandiacre a two-goal cushion.
Pride responded almost immediately; Allderidge won the ball in midfield, and played a pass out to Rachel Weaver, who hit the ball forward to Jones – her header on was blocked and fell to Kew, who played a pass into Jones’ path for her to clip a shot beyond the keeper.
Just after the hour Allderidge and Evans combined to find Jones, who worked a yard of space and shot just wide. Sandiacre had a couple of attacks leading to shots, both off target before the game’s key moment came on 80 minutes.
Above: Pride Park’s Bleu Lewis-Wilson, who suffered another injury on returning to action in the match. Photo: Shaun Hardwick
Jones ran down the left, beat one defender, and drove into the penalty area, a second defender came across and went to ground, appearing to clean Jones out. The angle of the defender’s approach and subsequent travel of the ball indicated it was a foul but the referee’s decision to give a corner kick was baffling.
It proved to be the game’s decisive moment. From the corner, Evans’ header was blocked on the line by a defender and collected by the ‘keeper. Pride, who had pushed players forward in search of an equaliser were then caught on the break as Sandiacre countered and extended their lead, and then added to it with a second goal in as many minutes.
Despite this, Pride pulled one back straight from the kick-off. Eadon and Rachel Weaver combined before Weaver played a superb through ball for Jones to get across her marker and divert the ball past the keeper from the edge of the area for a sublime move and finish. It was the pick of the goals but was no more than a consolation, as Sandiacre saw the game out for a win.
It had been an evenly contested game between two committed teams playing differing styles. The defeat ended Pride’s nine-game unbeaten run (a new club record) – their last defeat being over five months ago. The challenge now will be to get over this setback quickly and start another run.
There’s no game for Pride Park next Sunday (Easter Sunday) but they return to action with an evening game against Borrowash Victoria at Moorways on Wednesday 12th April (kick-off at 7pm).
Above: Emily Sutcliffe launches into the air after scoring for the Boroondara-Carey Eagles. Image supplied with permission by: Passion Creations. (https://m.facebook.com/passioncreations)
Alamein 5-1 Southern United
The Victorian NPLW ladder is still taking shape, but after three rounds Alamein sit on top of the table. Following an impressive and somewhat surprising 4-2 win over Calder United in round two, they backed that up with a 5-1 demolition of Southern United.
The goals came in bursts at Dorothy Laver West Reserve. Chinatsu Shidara opened the scoring in on the 36th minute. Alamein’s corner kick was parried by the Southern United goalkeeper, and Shidara headed home from point-blank range.
The lead lasted only 60 seconds before Kiera Meyers equalised for the visitors. After receiving the ball centrally, she feigned a shot on her right foot to create some space, before curling it home from long range on her left.
That reprieve also lasted mere seconds, as Alamein retook the lead directly from the kick off. Savanna Anastosopoulos sped through the Southern United defence to score the third goal in as many minutes.
The chaos subsided for a time, and Southern United worked their way into the contest. Chances were harder to come by and it took until the 72nd minute for more goals to arrive. Anastosopoulos was in the thick of the action again. Her persistence at the edge of the area did not result in another goal for herself, but after repeated attempts to get a shot away, she laid the ball back to Sidney Allen.
The captain launched a powerful, low strike from 18 yards to extend Alamein’s lead to 3-1.
Allen scored her second before the 80th minute. Her pace took her clear of the Southern defence, and she had the poise to finish beyond the keeper. As in the first half, Southern United conceded twice in quick succession, they are new to this level, and so far their opposition has taken full advantage of their adjustment period.
Allen brought up her hat trick in injury time. Confusion at the back left Alisa Chechelnitsky on the turf, and Allen was able to score unopposed to put an exclamation point on a strong performance from Alamein FC.
The win continues Alamein’s strong start to the 2023 season. They remain undefeated and have scored 12 goals in the first three weeks.
The season will only get tougher, and every point counts. New manager Keanu Giumarra has gotten them off to a terrific start.
Box Hill United 1-5 Boroondara-Carey Eagles
Round Three’s other goal-fest came when Box Hill United hosted Boroondara Eagles. Box Hill had been flying high in the opening weeks, but the visiting Eagles looked on from the opening stages.
This was Kurea Okino’s night. The Japanese striker scored her first in the fifth minute. A strong attack down the right flank found Okino almost unmarked in the box. Her shot was rifled into the roof of the net to start the scoring on an eventful night.
Box Hill have been fairly free-scoring in the opening weeks. One of the main reasons for that is Anais Josefski. The wide attacker is blessed with pace, and an eye for goal, and her ninth-minute equaliser was one of her best.
Josefski controlled a dropping ball and cut outside the defender with a quick change of pace. With most onlookers and defenders expecting a shot. Josefski struck a venomous effort at the near post, sneaking the ball in at the most acute angle.
The spectacular equaliser seemed to spur on the visitors more than the home side. Okino brought up her second with another ruthless finish. One touch to take the ball into space, and the second to bury it into the net.
Haley Geurts got in on the act for Boroondara with the best goal on a night filled with incredible strikes. A cleverly worked corner was played flat and to the edge of the penalty box. Geurts struck it first time and it swerved into the net, catching everybody by surprise except the cannon-footed Eagle.
I’m not normally a fan of short or tricky corners. But this is spectacular from Borooondara Eagle’s Hayley Guerts.
Emily Sutcliffe scored their fourth. A low corner kick was not properly cleared by Box Hill, and Sutcliffe struck a half volley into the bottom corner.
Josefski almost struck back for Box Hill. Maxine Di Blasi’s pass cut out the defence and Josefski was one on one with the keeper. It is a situation where she can be expected to bury to strike, but it was denied with some great goalkeeping by Deanna Bottalico.
Boroondara scored their fifth as a result of a counterattack. Box Hill’s corner was repelled and Rebecca Lim raced clear before weaving in and out to torment the home side’s defence. Her eventual shot was scuffed, but she was judged to have been clipped in the area. Okino brought up her hat trick with a confident penalty kick.
The big win puts The Eagles in second spot, and they join Alamein and Heidelberg United as the only undefeated sides in the league.
Preston Lions 1-0 Calder United
Preston Lions returned from the bye to face Calder United. Preston looked the more promising of the two sides. Melanie Camilleri saw her point-blank shot stopped by a fantastic Lara El-Hayek save.
She would not make the same mistake twice. As Calder tried to play the ball out from the back, it was stolen by Miri Nishimura. Camilleri was on the end of the eventual pass and hammered home the finish for the only goal of the game.
The loss means that Calder United currently sit in ninth place, but the season is young, and reinforcements will likely arrive from Western United. Nobody will be counting them out just yet.
Bayside United 0-2 Heidelberg United
Heidelberg United climbed to third with a 2-0 win over Bayside United SC. Captain Stephanie Galea scored both goals in the opening half. Bayside’s slow build-up from the back was eventually pounced on by Galea who ran close to goal before clipping it over the keeper in the 14th minute.
She doubled her tally in the 45th minute. It was another interception from Bayside’s possession play, and although she was on the end of a mazy run and pass, Galea’s finish was once again sublime.
With South Melbourne sitting the week out with a bye, The Bergers were able to leapfrog them into the top three. More importantly, there is an obvious momentum building by the team from Olympic Village.
Bulleen Lions 0-0 FV Emerging
The final game of the round saw The Bulleen Lions fight out a goalless draw with FV Emerging. Following the NTC side’s thrashing by South Melbourne in Round Two, this was an encouraging response.
However, the focus is on Bulleen who are winless after three weeks. Importantly, they have not lost either. They are playing a cohesive consistent style, and even without their A-League talent, have some game breakers in the squad. There is a feeling the tide will turn for them as it is starting to at Heidelberg.
It is a long season, and there is still plenty of football to play, but Round Three of the Victorian NPLW displayed some incredible individual moments. They will be hard to top.
To kick-off our new series of WA on Wednesday interviews featuring the NPLW WA clubs, Perth SC head coach Peter Rakic spoke exclusively to Ben Gilby about their Night Series Grand Final success, preparations for the 2023 season, and how he views the NPLW WA more widely this year (5/4/23).
Above: Perth SC head coach Peter Rakic – his exciting team have started the 2023 campaign powerfully. Photo: Rob Lizzi.
They’ve had the best possible start to the 2023 season. A first piece of silverware gained by defeating the previously unbeaten Perth RedStar in the Night Series Grand Final, and have two wins from two to start the NPLW WA season. Perth SC head coach Peter Rakic believes it has given his team “a taste of what they have to fight for.”
Reflecting on his team’s Night Series Final win over RedStar, coming from 2-0 down in the 90 minutes before taking the trophy after a penalty shoot-out, Rakic said: From a mindset point of view it gives the group that taste of what we have to fight for, and what this squad can achieve even with our backs against the wall.
“It was just a firm reminder to the girls of the brand of football that we play and what it produces for us, demanding more of the ball and attempting to be in control. That’s what we needed. I already felt that the belief was there, and I could see it in the body language of the players involved, so the talk was short and direct, to the point of embracing that challenge and using it to fight back. Having that mentality is what changed everything, but having the likes of Gemma (Craine) and Ellie (La Monte) come off the bench is what really enabled us to put on that forward pressure.”
However, the Perth SC head coach admits that his side’s Night Series campaign was far from straightforward. “I’ll be honest, it was tough for us because we didn’t play much football prior to our first game. There was such a heavy focus on fitness and conditioning because I wanted a higher level of intensity in 2023, and this took priority over everything at the beginning.
“While it was good seeing the girls pushing through a grueling fitness schedule, it meant that we had little to no time in working on actual specifics, and the first few matches I thought we were totally unorganised, but I take full responsibility for this. It quickly turned into a manner of sink or swim, and this is where that cohesion and early resilience started to show.
Above: Perth SC celebrate winning their first ever trophy – the 2023 Night Series. Photo: Rob Lizzi.
“Our football has definitely gone from strength to strength each week and our structure and new system is starting to click, but the girls’ attitudes towards embracing more change was excellent.”
Perth SC’s Night Series Final victory was a huge moment for the squad, as it landed them their first silverware, but Rakic is now fully focused on what’s ahead.
“For me as a coach, it’s done and dusted, and we must remain focused more so than ever. While it was such a great feeling to win the first piece of silverware for the club, I’m also well aware that we still have to overcome both NTC and RedStar in 90 minutes where penalties won’t give us that lifeline, and this is where it will matter most.”
Perth SC will have that opportunity on Good Friday when they take on RedStar at Dorrien Gardens in their first meeting against the defending champions in this year’s NPLW WA.
RedStar lost their opening game of the season to an impressive Hyundai NTC side who they defeated in last year’s Top Four Cup Final, Rakic sees this season’s NPL competition as potentially a lot more open than last season.
Above: Peter Rakic in discussion with Jess Bryne. Photo: Rob Lizzi.
“I think we’re in for some real upsets this year as we’ve already witnessed from round one, and it could truly prove to be a nail-biting contest in the fight for the top four. With regards to who may challenge us the closest, I think we saw hints of that already through the Night Series.
We have a very tough opening to the season taking on Fremantle City (a game the Azzurri won 6-0), RedStar, then Murdoch University Melville, and NTC, so if the fight for the top is as close as it appears to be, then these fixtures may well hold the capacity to shape our season very early on.”
Perth SC went into this season determined to improve on their 2022 campaign which saw them finish second on the final ladder and runners-up in the State Cup. Their Top Four Cup campaign saw an opening defeat to Perth RedStar before going down three days later to Hyundai NTC in the Preliminary Final. Looking back, Rakic feels there was a lot that could be used to inspire his team for this year.
“It was a season that we felt we could build on and use as motivation to stay hungry, ensuring our standards were consistently moving in the upward direction. Maybe there were moments where we did deserve more, but unfortunately, that can be football. It was always a matter of fine margins and despite coming out empty-handed, we made very good progress towards a plan that was heavily thought out.”
The Azzurri have managed to retain the majority of their squad for this season, with the exception of a few of the year’s stars, as the club’s head coach explained.
Above: Gemma Craine’s return to Perth SC is a huge boost for the Dorrien Gardens club. Photo: Rob Lizzi.
“We, unfortunately, lost our captain Zoee Spadano who remains in Italy playing futsal and we are yet to know if she will return at any point. Caitlin Doeglas went looking for further opportunities over East and signed for Sydney NPL side Northern Tigers, Nadia Harvey was next as she made the move to Premier division side Hamersly Rovers, Jess Byrne who was player-assistant last season has stepped down from playing to fulfil the assistant role more permanently, and lastly Emma McMurdo, who parted ways with the club before the beginning of round one.”
However, on the other side of the ledger, Perth SC have been able to strengthen, first with the return of the hugely talented Gemma Craine, after almost a year out of the game after being injured for Perth Glory in the A-League Women. The attacker’s restoration to the club is something that excites Rakic.
“Gemma has been immense; she adds so much energy to our playing style and she is always so dangerous when going forward. I’ve always admired her as a player when I first saw her break into the Perth scene with Balcatta many years ago, and it’s been a pleasure to be able to cross paths and work with someone that possesses an abundance of real footballing qualities. She was sorely missed in 2022.”
There are also a number of further major additions to the Azzurri squad which underlines the real threat that Perth SC pose this season, as the club’s head coach outlined.
“Poppie Hooks and Ellie La Monte were obvious targets for me as I had worked with them previously at Murdoch University Melville and Queens Park. The move for Ellie made sense due to our short supply of attackers last year and losing Caitlin to Northern Tigers.
Above: Ellie La Monte has been in fine form for Perth SC in the opening weeks of the NPLW WA season. Photo: Rob Lizzi.
“Poppie was someone I had been pursuing from the first season with Perth, only it made even more sense now that we lost Nadia and Jess, and I was forced to bolster our defensive line. Monique Godding was another addition that I admired for quite some time, a player who I believe deserved more public recognition for the consistent performances she would put on display in the heart of Balcatta’s midfield, so after Zoee’s move to Italy, I knew I had a big hole to fill and Mon was the perfect candidate.
“Another face we are yet to see is Matilda Bohm, Matilda was playing in Poland’s Division One before relocating to Australia and she’s already added a breath of fresh air to our system, a very calm and technical presence on the ball which will form another line of strength to our central areas and I’m very excited to get her involved.”
Rakic believes that whilst his own team’s prospects look strong, the wider league looks to be far closer this time round. “So far there looks to be more balance between teams, and there was a lot of movement in the off-season which could give us a completely different picture this year. Respectively the score lines between the top six appear to have levelled out as well and I think in turn we’ll see a much more competitive league.”
When it comes to what he wants to see from his own team this season, Rakic is clear. “It’s hugely important that we show growth on what we achieved and where we finished in all comps last year, and not just from a league table position or a cup final perspective.
“We have to work on the little things that left us empty-handed, building on a consistent week-to-week performance throughout, dropping less points in games that we deserved more out of, scoring more goals, conceding less, having a cleaner disciplinary record, and establishing a firm fight with our fellow title contenders.
“If we are fortunate enough to be reaching cup finals then that’s always a bonus and its excellent to be in the running for any extra silverware, but I think you’ll find the energy and ambition around the Perth camp is to be in a position to lift the league title, and if this can be achieved, I know myself and the team can walk away from 2023 feeling incredibly proud and accomplished.”
Andy Wicks was at Australia’s training session today in Surrey as Tony Gustavsson’s team prepare to take on Scotland at AFC Wimbledon on Good Friday (4/4/23).
Above: Amy Sayer (left) and Matilda McNamara, who were today added to the Matildas squad after injury withdrawals.Photo: Andy Wicks for Impetus.
Australia have confirmed that Caitlin Foord and Alanna Kennedy will play no part in their games with Scotland and England in this international window.
Amy Sayer and Matilda McNamara have been called up in their place and began training with the team in Surrey today.
Manchester City’s Kennedy was ruled out due to a late-acquired injury prior to reporting to camp, while Foord sustained a hamstring injury during Arsenal’s weekend fixture. Both Kennedy and Foord will remain with their Women’s Super League club sides for rehabilitation.
USA-based Sayer, 21, is a familiar face around the national team set up having been a regular member of the Matildas squad since June 2022 and has six caps. The Sydney-born midfielder was a member of the Cup of Nations winning squad in February 2023.
South Australian McNamara returns to the squad after the 24-year-old last year made her international debut in a friendly against Thailand in Gosford.
Andy Wicks’ EXCLUSIVE photo gallery from Matildas training today for Impetus:
Darrell Allen provides his weekly round-up of all the women’s football action in Norfolk, including the county’s seven-a-side scene(4/4/23).
Above: Ella Gambell (left) who scored for Norwich City against Chesham United on Sunday. Photo: Norwich City Women.
FA Women’s National League Division One South East
Norwich City were comfortable 3-0 winners over Chesham United. An own goal, alongside strikes from Alice Parker and Ella Gambell ensured the hosts’ victory.
Eastern Region Premier Division
King’s Lynn Town recorded a much-needed 5-2 victory at Bowers & Pitsea. Amy Magnus scored a hat-trick with Alice Collins and Rachel Skinner finding the other goals. Maddie Thomas scored both of Bowers & Pitsea’s goals.
Above: Amy Magnus (blue kit) scored a hat-trick in King’s Lynn Town’s 5-2 win at Bowers & Pitsea. Photo: Tim Smith
Eastern Region Division One North
Fakenham Town picked up a very creditable 1-1 draw at Newmarket Town. Katie Spires had given Newmarket the lead before Shelley Woods equalised for the Norfolk side.
Norfolk Women and Girls League Division One
Mulbarton Belles maintained their 100% record with a 2-0 win at Long Stratton thanks to goals from Rebekah Lake and Molly Ryan. Thetford Town were 6-0 winners at Stalham Town. Dayna Howard and Kamile Omeleviciute both scored twice with Stacey Roper and Chelsea Page getting the others. Sprowston won a seven-goal thriller at Caister 4-3. Kelsi Adams scored a brace and Holly Whayman and Courtney Leggett got a goal each for Sprowston. Nicole Sheldrake, Molly Sims, and Rebecca Waters scored Caister’s goals.
Above: Dayna Howard scored twice and was Player of the Match in Thetford Town’s 6-0 win at Stalham Town. Photo: Ben Cunningham
Norfolk Women and Girls League Division Two
Aylsham were 6-2 winners at Blofield United. Jordan Arnoup scored a hat-trick with Carly Allum (2) and Sophie-Jayne O’Connor scoring the others. Bailey Duffield got both of Blofield United’s goals. Shrublands picked up a 2-1 away win at Bulldogs FC thanks to two goals Lacey Andrews. Amber May scored for Bulldogs. Thorpe St. Andrew overwhelmed home side Horsford 9-1. Abi Simmons scored a hat-trick, Poppy Le-Beau hit the net twice and Emma Clark, Natasha Frankland, Libby Gibbs, and Tabitha Mileham also got on the scoresheet. Megan Tooke scored Horsford’s only goal.
Above: Jordan Arnoup scored a hat-trick in Aylsham’s 6-2 win at Blofield United. Photo: Ben Cunningham
Norfolk Women and Girls League Sevens Division One
Mulbarton Belles were 4-0 winners over Dussindale & Hellesdon thanks to goals from Charlotte Groves, Lucy Kean, Alice Ladbrooke, and Lisa Webster. Whilst, in the day’s other Division One game, the University of East Anglia were 1-0 winners over Left Field.
Norfolk Women and Girls League Sevens Division Two
Taverham won 5-0 at Red Rose with goals from Katie Fray (two), Kiera Braithwaite, Hannah Taylor, and Kate Morris.
Above: Natasha Frankland (left) scored for Thorpe St. Andrew in their 9-1 win at Horsford in the Norfolk Women and Girls League Division Two. Photo: Thorpe St. Andrew.
Martin Townley and Perry Dobbins combine to deliver excellent coverage of the weekend’s games in Wales’ top leagues. Martin rounds up the action, and Perry‘s photo gallery this week comes from the Adran Premier game between Barry Town United and Pontypridd United (4/4/23).
Above: Pontypridd United celebrate their Plate Conference win after drawing at Barry Town United. Photo: Perry Dobbins.
Round-Up
The New Saints stunned Swansea City as Emily Ridge grabbed the winner in a 2-1 victory. Cardiff City win the Cardiff derby as they beat Met 2-1. Pontypridd United win the Plate Conference after a draw at Barry Town United. Adran South champions Briton Ferry Llansawel needed two goals in added time to overcome Cascade who came from 2-0 down to level.
Adran Premier
The New Saints 2-1 Swansea City
Above: Emily Ridge, scorer of The New Saints’ winning goal against Swansea City. Photo: Andrew Donnison F28 Online.
The New Saints pulled off their biggest win of the season as they stunned Swansea City.
The Saints who have been steadily improving across the season took the lead on the half-hour mark thanks to a penalty from Beth Lewis. Five minutes before the break, Swansea were level as Katy Hosford grabbed the equaliser. The visitors made serval changes as they looked to change the game, but it was the Saints who got the vital goal. Emily Ridge scoring in the 74th minute to secure a big win for the home side.
Cardiff Met 0-2 Cardiff City
Above: Eliza Collie, who scored both of Cardiff City’s goals as they won the derby against Cardiff Met. Photo: Cardiff City Women.
Cardiff City continued their unbeaten run in the league as they won the Cardiff derby. Eliza Collie scored both goals for the Bluebirds who will play their final game against Swansea City on the 15th April at Cardiff City Stadium.
Barry Town United 1-1 Pontypridd United
Pontypridd United won the Plate Conference for the second year in a row. A 1-1 draw at Jenner Park was good enough to secure the Plate once again. After a goalless first half, Sophie Norman gave the yellow and blue shirted hosts the lead in the 52nd minute. Alison Witts got the equaliser for Pontypridd in the 76th minute to seal the Plate.
Perry Dobbins’ Photo Gallery from Barry Town United v Pontypridd United
Aberystwyth Town 3-0 Abergavenny
Aberystwyth continued their good run of form with a third win in a row. Three goals in the first half from Emily Thomas, Shauna Chambers, and Amy Jenkins were enough to give Aber the win. Impetus sponsored youngsters Modlen Gwynne and Ella Thomas came on as substitutes.
Adran North
Llandudno 5-1 Llanfair United
Llandudno sign off for the season with a 5-1 win over Llanfair United. Rebecca Jarvis-Evans, Maddie Williams, Sioned Phillips, Sofie Owen, and Erin Doran with the goals for Llandudno as they finish the season off in style.
Adran South
Cascade YC 3-5 Briton Ferry Llansawel
Above: Briton Ferry Llansawel – Adran South champions 2022/23. Photo: Briton Ferry Llansawel.
A thrilling game at CCB Centre for Sporting Excellence as Adran South champions Briton Ferry beat Cascade with two late goals.
Cascade started the game strongly as they looked to take the gloss of Ferry’s trophy lift. However, they found themselves two goals down after 10 minutes as Megan Kearle struck twice for the Reds. Cascade kept their heads up and pulled a goal back when Molly Chapman headed in from Annalise Lewis’ corner. Five minutes after and Ferry restored the two-goal lead as Laura-May Walkley turned in from close range.
In the second half, Cascade stopped Briton Ferry from playing and were pushing to get back in the game. Molly Chapman got her second in the 58th minute and Chrystalla Moreton levelled the game in the 76th minute. There was a late twist as the game went into added time as a stunning strike from Walkley put Ferry back in front to wild celebrations from the travelling Ferry supporters. They were cheering again as Manon Thomas turned the ball in from Fleur Jenkins’ cross.
Portland and San Diego remain undefeated and more in NWSL Round Two
Above: Portland Thorns players celebrate after scoring against Kansas City Current. Photo: Portland Thorns.
The Portland Thorns made light work of Kansas City Current with a 4-1 victory away from home in a repeat of last season’s Championship Final.
Portland took the early lead through Crystal Dunn following a short corner three minutes into the game. The Thorns had Kansas on the ropes early on with a flurry of chances after going ahead.
Current relented under the pressure as Sophia Smith was brought down by rookie Gabrielle Robinson inside the 18-yard area. After a lengthy VAR check, Smith got the decision and slotted her spot kick in the bottom left corner beyond Adrianna Franch’s reach.
French kept the scores respectable when she denied Smith’s left-footed shot with her shins for a corner and another barrage of chances in the first half.
Current’s start to the second half was much improved as they made forays into Portland’s half with Mace almost combining with Michelle Cooper in the 48th minute only for the rookie to sky the chance. Kate Del Fava found herself with a chance to half the deficit a minute later but she too skied her chance.
The home crowd did find a reason to cheer when Cece Kizer headed in a free kick at the back post on the hour mark after relentless goal-chasing.
Despite the spirited fightback in the second period, Sophia Smith put the game to bed. Dribbling past a sea of defenders, the 22-year-old managed to stay balanced and squeeze her effort past Franch.
The 2022 MVP then completed her first senior hat trick with two minutes of normal time remaining with a sublime finish from just outside the area.
Above: Racing Louisville’s Abby Erceg contests a set-piece against Washington Spirit. Photo: Racing Louisville.
Elsewhere on Saturday, Racing Louisville came from two goals down to earn a point at home against the Washington Spirit. A first-half brace from Ashley Hatch had put the team from the capital ahead in the opening period before Abby Erceg halved the deficit for the home side within a minute of the second half.
The equaliser came in the 65th minute through Brazilian Ary Borges who pounced on a loose ball to find the back of the net with a superb volley.
In other matches across the day, Houston Dash condemned Chicago Red Stars to their second defeat of the season with a 2-1 win at the Seatgeek Stadium in Chicago. Goals from Maria Sanchez and Diana Ordonez on either side of a Natalie Jacobs own goal secured the points for Dash as the two attackers made history becoming the first Mexican teammates to score in the same game.
Gotham FC slumped to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of OL Reign in a game that had a delayed start due to weather conditions. Jess Fishlock and Bethany Balcer were on hand to give Laura Harvey’s side their first three points of the season.
San Diego Wave made it two wins out of two with a 3-1 over the North Carolina Courage at the SnapDragon stadium. Teenager Jaedyn Shaw opened the scoring in the 39th minute with her second goal of the season while Alex Morgan continued her scoring streak from last season with a second-half brace before Kerolin Nicoli scored Courage’s consolation from the spot with thirteen minutes remaining.
Above: Angel City’s Alyssa Thompson (left) and Orlando Pride’s Emily Madril battle it out. Photo: NWSL.
Sunday evening served up a tense battle between Orlando Pride and Angel City FC as both teams were looking to register their first points of the season.
A frantic opening half saw neither team dominate but Angel City drew first blood when Claire Emslie dispatched her penalty in the 39th minute. Coming out of the tunnel after the break, Orlando had renewed energy and got their reward when rookie Messiah Bright burst through her markers and snuck her effort past DiDi Haracic in Angel City’s goal to restore parity.
The game would descend into chaos in the final minutes when the away side were awarded another penalty after a lengthy VAR check but Emslie saw her attempt matched up by Anna Moorhouse in Pride goal.
Deep into stoppage time, Angel City would steal the three points through substitute Katie Johnson’s near-post header to beat an on-rushing Moorhouse.
Above: Sydney FC lift the Premiers Plate on Saturday. Photo: Kris Goman for Impetus.
When Ante Juric took over as Sydney FC manager ahead of the 2017/18 season, there was something that stood out in his team which made it unlike competitors – a high number of youth players who had never played senior games before.
This wasn’t due to lack of choice or budget, this was the beginning of a long-term project which would change the women’s game in Australia, and kickstart a new era of Sydney’s complete domination of the W-League.
The mixture of youth and experience was an impressive one. Within his first season, Juric guided Sydney to the Grand Final, narrowly losing out to a star-studded Melbourne City side stacked with internationals.
The next season he brought in three American internationals who played a huge part in Juric winning a championship, but it was the following season that really showed what Juric was about. Blooding young players and giving them a chance.
During 2016-19, the Matildas first eleven and extended squad all still played in the W-League. By the start of 2019/20, there were considerably fewer internationals in the league. Sydney lost Chloe Logarzo and Caitlin Foord to well-deserved overseas moves mid-season, and instead of panicking, Sydney had already planned.
Above: Caitlin Foord during her time at Sydney FC. Photo: (Sydney) Daily Telegraph
Taylor Ray, Princess Ibini, Mackenzie Hawkesby, Remy Siemsen, and many more had already made first-team appearances by the beginning of the season, and those players all stepped up. Hawkesby had never made a league appearance prior to 2019/20.
Sydney staged a late charge for the title in 2019/20, but lost out again to Melbourne City in the first pandemic affected Grand Final. Sydney’s starting XI was buoyed by the experience of Ellie Brush, Teresa Polias, Alanna Kennedy, and Aubrey Bledsoe, but didn’t manage to win. A solitary goal to Steph Catley from a Bledsoe error denied the plucky underdogs.
City were stacked with international talent and a squad who were all well above the level of the Dub. Sydney fielded a youthful team for the most part. City hardly outplayed Sydney – they were just lucky and perhaps more experienced.
The next season, though, things were very different. The COVID-19 pandemic had resulted in reduced internationals and a change in club approaches to the W-League. City lost Ellie Carpenter, Steph Catley, Lydia Williams, Kyah Simon, Yukari Kinga, and Aivi Luik.
Juric had foreseen the Matildas’ exodus overseas though. Somehow, he knew the Australian talent who made up the Matildas would go overseas sooner rather than later. The vision of the former centreback meant he had planned for this.
Above: Remy Siemsen. Photo: Wikipedia.
Scouring the NPL, the Australian youth sides, and seemingly every football pitch in the city, Juric named his first post-COVID squad. He lost the likes of Foord, Logarzo, Kennedy, De Vanna, and foreign stars Bledsoe, Huerta, and Latsko.
Who did he replace them with?
Cortnee Vine, Mackenzie Hawkesby, Charlotte McLean, Princess Ibini, Jada Whyman, Taylor Ray, and Remy Siemsen. Aside from Siemsen and Ibini, none had really had consistent first-team opportunities in the league.
The signings of Vine, Whyman, and McLean are particularly interesting.
Vine had been played as a striker at several clubs with a fairly poor return. Juric saw her pace and rebranded her as a winger. This completely changed things. Explosive on the counter and growing in confidence, it became a signature move for Vine to bang the ball in front of her and chase after it, before slotting away in a one-on-one.
Whyman had been part of a consistently poor Wanderers side, keeping the net for a side who were just not good enough for this level. In Whyman, he found his new number one. With renewed confidence, she became a pillar of this side.
Then there’s McLean. Never previously playing in the first tier, she went straight to a starting position under Juric as centre-back. The Sydney Uni player was a significant find for Juric — he became accustomed to asking why these players hadn’t been plucked by other clubs.
In the opening game of 2020/21, Sydney played Western Sydney Wanderers and ran out 3-0 winners. Vine scored the opener, while Whyman and McLean kept clean sheets. Princess Ibini, who made her debut at 15 in 2015, scored a brace in what was the beginning of a new stage in her career at age 21.
Sydney were well ahead of the pack by the early rounds of 20/21. His side just bamboozled past opposition, with Vine, Ibini, and Siemsen becoming a ruthless trio.
Impressive too was Whyman’s transformation. She became assured, strong, and carried an air of confidence in the side. She kept clean sheets in seven games in her debut season, and oozed confidence which had never really been there during her Wanderers days.
Clare Wheeler was another standout. The former Newcastle Jets midfielder came into her own under Juric, with her sole season in Sky Blue resulting in an overseas move.
The key moment of 20/21 was an away victory at Melbourne City which showed exactly where the two sides had differed in approaches since the previous season. Sydney were all over City, with their youthful side running rings around a City side who featured very few of their starting players from the previous season’s Grand Final.
Sydney won the Premier’s Plate in 20/21, plastering teams and producing impressive individual performances. The Sky Blues needed to win the last game of the season to claim the first Plate in 8 years, with Teresa Polias and Princess Ibini scoring from a free-kick and penalty respectively.
Sydney again lost the Grand Final, however. Whyman produced an absolute masterclass performance, but a 120th-minute corner snuck in — with a suspicion of a foul on Whyman or a falsely awarded corner.
Losing with the very last kick of the game would kill most teams and managers for years to come. Instead, Juric took his team to the very next level, again promoting more youth players.
Sydney signed Rachel Lowe, Sarah Hunter, experienced Chilean international Maria Cote Rojas, and New Zealander Paige Satchell. Defender Ellie Brush was ruled out in pre-season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, so the side was challenged at CB.
Above: Cote Rojas (left) in action for Sydney FC last season. Photo: Sydney FC.
Inspirational captain Polias, similarly, wasn’t to be part of this season. The legendary leader was hanging up her boots to start a family. Natalie Tobin was named captain, with the midfielder becoming a ball-playing centreback.
Somehow, despite setbacks, Juric got his side to a record that may not be broken anytime soon. Whyman, at her very best and with a tremendous back four, broke the record for consecutive clean sheets. While some records like this come from the keeper having nothing to do, not this one. Whyman almost every game had to make crucial saves.
Vine also came into mercurial form during 21/22. Yet again alongside a strong front three, she showed her brilliance. The forward shone in a front three which she arguably headlined — all of whom were under the age of 23.
Make no mistake with Mackenzie Hawkesby’s contribution either. Hawkesby had taken over Polias’s set piece duties and deep playmaking with aplomb. The Figtree local even netted a hat-trick against Wellington In Wollongong. Her transformation is incredible. Within a season, she became not just a crucial player for Sydney, but one of the best midfielders in the league.
Sydney won the 21/22 premiership at a relative canter, albeit waiting until the final day and needing a win in Adelaide to secure it. Then came the finals.
The semi-final was possibly Juric and Sydney’s finest hour. 2-0 down at home to Melbourne City, goals to Vine, and Rojas fought Sydney back to 2-2 with the last kick of the game, with City down to 10 players.
Then comes the first half of extra time. With almost the first corner for the restart, Hunter makes it 3-2. Hunter’s first goal for Sydney FC since joining from Wanderers. What a time to score it.
Vine scores the sealer as City go down to nine, sending Sydney to another season decider. A monumental victory — the greatest game I’ve ever witnessed — the perfect embodiment of Juric’s Sydney.
Well documented in the Paramount Plus series Sky Blue: Inside Sydney FC is how Juric approaches team talks and the mentality of his players. Never one to yell, Juric has a measured approach with his players and fosters a positive environment. The former Sydney Olympic player consistently tells his players to enjoy themselves playing, even during do-or-die matches.
This is perhaps unsurprising, Juric is also a school teacher and this sort of leadership seems to come naturally to him. Perhaps it’s no shock he has such a faith in youth.
At 2-2 in the semi final with extra time looming, listen to Ante Juric's speech to our @aleaguewomen's side 🤯🥰
Take a look behind the scenes in Sky Blue: Inside Sydney FC on @ParamountPlusAU 📺
This confidence he imbues in his players is clear to see, and when they aren’t at their best, they’ll often be just a half-time break from revving back up to their finest. His speech to his players during the astonishing 4-2 semi-final is an absolute gem. It’s a stark contrast to some of the angry-shouty managers which adorn men’s football, it’s instead a methodical and compassionate speech.
Sydney again lost the Grand Final, again to Melbourne Victory, but this only seems to make this side stronger and give Juric even more belief in what his young side were capable of. The Sky Blues lost several players ahead of the 22/23 season, including stalwart defender Ellie Brush, left back mainstay Ally Green, Maria Rojas, and Paige Satchell.
Thanks to an ongoing stability he has fostered which involved blooding youth early, players were able to step up from within again. Juric doesn’t make many overseas signings, with 22/23 seeing American college star Madison Haley join, as well as New Zealand international Anna Green.
While rivals have seen revolving doors of players coming through, often involving precarious loan deals from America which end before the season does, Sydney have maintained an image of consistency. In Juric’s era, Sydney have not lost a player from a loan deal early.
Remy Siemsen came and went during the early parts of the season, but Juric was again quick to replace her. Top-of-the-table rivals Western United lost a key player early in the season when McDonald’s guest stint ended and never truly recovered.
Sydney embarked on a historic threepeat of premierships, playing excellent football and seeing young players rise. Most emphatic of these was 15-year-old midfielder Indiana Dos Santos, who came from seemingly nowhere to anchor the midfield in the latter half of the season.
Few other managers in the league would’ve given a 15-year-old with zero senior experience the opportunity, especially in a run of crucial games to win a trophy. Juric does, and again, this faith was repaid, and Dos Santos became Sydney’s youngest-ever goalscorer.
Check out this goal from our YOUNGEST EVER GOAL SCORER 🤩
When Sydney beat Newcastle Jets 4-0 to claim the 2022/23 Premier’s Plate, it was done with a starting XI featuring entirely Australians, and an average age of 21.2 years-old. In fact, the average age of the squad has gotten lower year-on-year for premiership-deciding matches. 2021’s 2-1 victory against Victory saw a starting XI averaging 22.3 years, and 2022’s side who beat Adelaide 1-0 at Hindmarsh at a similarly impressive 21.8 years.
The infamous Alan Hansen quote of “you can’t win anything with kids” has been well and truly put to bed by Juric, who is all but assured legendary status at Sydney FC, and surely a favorite to take over the national team one day. His legacy at Sydney will be the unearthing of gem players, all while dominating the league and setting the standard.
Jamie Dunkin is a long-time Sydney FC fan, and runs the Twitter account @asothdotcom
Ashley Griffiths from Griffters World Photography was pitchside to capture the action as Shifnal Town overcame Prees United 10-0 in the Tom Farmer Cup Semi-Final on Sunday. Shifnal will now go on to face Shrewsbury Town in the final (4/4/23).
Above: Pride in the badge as Shifnal Town make the Tom Farmer Cup Final. Photo: Griffters World Photography.
Jean-Pierre Thiesset summarizes the 18th round of 2022-2023 D1 Arkema season. Plus, an update on France’s national team(3/4/23)
Above: Hervé Renard (center) with Laurent Bonadéi (left) and David Ducci (right). Photo: Antonio Mesa / FFF.
News from France’s national squad
France have announced their new head coach, Hervé Renard. Renard, 54 years old, is one of the best French coaches. Until now, he has only worked with men’s teams, but with very good results: He won two African Cup of Nations with two different countries (Zambia in 2012, Ivory Coast in 2015) and beat Argentina with the Saudi Arabian squad at the 2022 World Cup.
His first list of players for the friendly games to prepare for theWorld Cup reveal a few surprises: Wendie Renard is back in the team after she fell out against Corinne Diacre, as well as Eugénie Le Sommer (who was not selected in the group for Euro 2022) and Léa Le Garrec from Fleury (who hadn’t been selected since November 24th 2017). To be noted too, the return of Amel Majri after giving birth last year.
The full squad for the friendly games against Colombia (Clermont-Ferrand, April 7, 2023) and Canada (Le Mans, April 11, 2023):
Defenders: Selma Bacha (Lyon), Estelle Cascarino (Manchester United, England), Hawa Cissoko (West Ham, England), Elisa De Almeida (Paris SG), Magou Doucouré (Reims), Sakina Karchaoui (Paris SG), Maëlle Lakrar (Montpellier), Eve Périsset (Chelsea, England), Wendie Renard (Lyon).
Midfielders: Kenza Dali (Aston Villa, England), Laurina Fazer (Paris SG), Grace Geyoro (Paris SG), Oriane Jean-François (Paris SG), Léa Le Garrec (Fleury), Amel Majri (Lyon), Sandie Toletti (Real Madrid, Spain).
Forwards: Viviane Asseyi (West Ham, England), Sandy Baltimore (Paris SG), Kessya Busy (Reims), Delphine Cascarino (Lyon), Eugénie Le Sommer (Lyon), Clara Matéo (Paris FC), Ouleymata Sarr (Paris FC).
D1 Arkema Round-Up Week 18
Rodez 1-2 Reims
In an even encounter, Reims were more efficient and consolidated their sixth place in the table with this win. They can even hope to look at the fifth place as they are only two points behind Montpellier. Rodez are still in the fight with Dijon for the tenth place to stay in D1 Arkema next season, but remain a point in areers. Goal for Rodez from Alexandria Lamontagne (19). Goals for Reims from Kethna Louis (10), Kessya Busy (75).
Paris FC 2-2 Guingamp
Paris FC dominated the match but, again, they were not efficient enough to win; with 28 shots against 10 for Guingamp they should have scored more than two goals. With this second draw in a row, they let Fleury reduce the gap to three points; the race for 3rd place and the qualifying spot it offers for the UEFA Women’s Champions League is far from settled. Goals for Paris FC from Clara Matéo (44), Mathilde Bourdieu (78). Goals for Guingamp from Sarah Cambot (18), Anissa Lahmari (59 penalty).
Fleury 1-0 Dijon
Fleury dominated this match and deserved their win. They could have led the game by two goals if the beautiful freekick from Léa Le Garrec (who was selected for France’s squad for the first time since 24th November 2017) did not end up coming back off the right post at the 49th minute. However, Manon Heil’s failure to grasp a corner two minutes from time could have allowed Dijon to obtain a draw. This is a very good result for Fleury that reduces the gap between themselves and Paris FC to three points gives them renewed hope of winning the race for the third qualifying spot for the UEFA Women’s Champions League next season. Red card: Kysha Sylla, Dijon (81). Goal for Fleury Julie Piga (4).
Soyaux 1-5 Montpellier
Montpellier won this game comprehensively. Soyaux continued to lose and will probably go down to D2 next season. Goals for Montpellier from Lena Petermann (30), Dominika Skorvankova (39), Nérilia Mondésir (60, 72), Charlotte Bilbault (81 penalty). Goal for Soyaux from Fadimatou Aretouyap (46).
Le Havre 0-7 Olympique Lyonnais
Lyon, after their disappointment in the Champions League, being eliminated by Chelsea in midweek at the Quarter-Final stage, demolished Le Havre, scoring seven times. Lyon dominated the match with almost 70% of possession, and Le Havre only had four shots during all match. Goals for Lyon from Romane Enguehard (10 Own Goal), Janice Cayman (14), Damaris Egurrola (32), Signe Bruun (41), Sara Däbritz (63), Ada Hegerberg (68), Inès Benyahia (70).
Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 Bordeaux
Paris St. Germain were dominant, recording almost 70% of possession, but despite this it was a sterile match. It took them until 10 minutes into the second period to score their only goal. The absence of Kadidiatou Diani, who fractured her collarbone in the team’s midweek Champions League defeat to VfL Wolfsburg match, was detrimental to PSG’s efficiency in attack.Goal for Paris SG from Aissatou Traoré (55).
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