Above: Rossvale (yellow and red) battle against Ayr United yesterday. Photo: Kelly Nielson.
3/4/23
SWF Championship
Livingston continued their push for top spot with a 3-0 win at Hutchison Vale. Shannon Mulligan put the visitors ahead early in the game before two goals in the final five minutes from Sharon Hughes-Lee and Brogan Anderson sealed the points.
Renfrew are second, eight points adrift after a 4-1 win at Morton. Two penalties from Erin Gould, plus strikes from Michaela Brown and Emma Baird put the visitors in the driving seat before Laura Darroch’s late consolation from the spot.
Rossvale remain third after a 3-2 win at home to Ayr United. Laura McCulloch’s penalty put the Glasgow side ahead with eight minutes played before Megan Whiteford’s strike seven minutes before the break. The visitors hit back with goals from Clare Docherty and Kimberly Dick, but the home fans were thrilled as Morgan Anderson’s late goal sealed the points for Rossvale.
Inverness Caledonian Thistle gained a 4-2 win over Dryburgh Athletic. Two goals from Kayleigh McKenzie plus further strikes from Ioana McArthur and Rhea Hossack earned the three points for the Highlanders. Derrian Gollan and Emily Arthur were on target for the visitors.
SWF League One
Above: Edinburgh Caledonia (navy) take on Grampian Ladies yesterday. Photo: Alex Todd / Sportpix
Edinburgh Caledonia have secured a top-six finish win a 4-1 win over Grampian Ladies at Meadowbank on Sunday. A double from Margeux Durand-Watson and goals from Joanne Russell and Natalie Brown saw the capital side leapfrog the northeast team into the top half of the table.
Caley will now face St. Mirren at home on Sunday, followed by an Edinburgh derby on 16th April.
FC Edinburgh could win League One as early as this Sunday as they are 13 points ahead with 15 potential points in play, but they face a challenging trip to second-place Westdyke in Aberdeenshire.
Falkirk are level on points with Westdyke and open their post-split ties with a derby against local rivals Stenhousemuir on Sunday followed by an away trip to St. Mirren.
With the Championship being expanded to ten teams, the top two sides in League One who meet entry criteria will be promoted.
Above: Edinburgh Caledonia celebrate yesterday against Grampian Ladies. Photo: Alex Todd / Sportpix.
There will also be one team relegated from League One to the regional Biffa SWFL, while three teams will enter the national league to keep League One at 12 teams for next season.
Current bottom side Gleniffer Thistle are five points behind Dundee West and face Giffnock SC on Sunday, while the Dundee side host Grampian. Tenth-placed BSC Glasgow face Airdrie Ladies on Sunday knowing a win will all but secure their place in the national leagues.
Commenting, Scottish Women’s Football CEO Aileen Campbell said: “The move to four national leagues in women’s football in Scotland above our regional SWFL is a sign of the rapid growth in our game and League One has been an absolutely fantastic advert for that this season, with growing exposure in the local and national press.
“I want to congratulate Edinburgh Caledonia for securing that top-six place on the last day before the split and commiserate Grampian Ladies, who have also had a very good season so far.
“There will clearly be some fairly intense competitive ties to come in the remaining five games as we find out who will secure promotion to the Championship and who will be relegated to the regional divisions. Best of luck to all the League One teams for those final games.”
Above: AFC Wimbledon in possession against Cambridge City yesterday. Photo: Emily Topping.
AFC Wimbledon battled to a 2-1 win against Cambridge City on Sunday afternoon at Plough Lane in the tier four FA Women’s National League Division One South-East.
The Dons came into the game after an impressive victory over QPR but the busy fixture schedule continued to take its toll as Kevin Foster’s side appeared leggy on the way to another three points.
Prior to kick-off, the South-West London side announced the loan signing of Rebecca Chitolie-Porter from West Ham United until the end of the season. The new arrival started the game on the bench but would come on to make an impression in the closing stages.
Following a quiet opening quarter, some fine defending denied Emma Plewa a golden opportunity before Ellie Dorey rattled the crossbar with a long-range effort to signal the start of a period of domination from the Dons.
With five minutes remaining in the first half, Wimbledon got the lead they deserved as Plewa slotted home from close range after some fine work from Emily Donovan.
The second half saw the Dons continue to build their way into the game against a very well-drilled Cambridge City side. Their lead was increased 10 minutes in, as Dorey let fly from around 35 yards out.
However, the two-goal advantage would only last five minutes before Cambridge got a goal back via a clinical counterattack with Haile Richards scoring.
There was a real crowd-pleasing moment in the closing stages as Kelly-Jade Whelan came on for her first appearance for the Dons in five years to help see out the closing minutes and ensure we held on to all three points.
Speaking after the game, Whelan said: “We got the job done, we got the three points, and that is all that matters. We did make it hard for ourselves at times, but we got the goals we needed.”
Dons boss Kevin Foster reflected that he knows his team can be better: “We know that we can be better. The speed and the tempo that we played at wasn’t up to our usual standards. We need to be braver at breaking lines and making final third entries.”
AFC Wimbledon’s next game is at Carshalton Athletic on Sunday 16th April when they face Cambridge United. This is followed by their Capital Cup Final against Arsenal on Wednesday 26th April before the team’s final league game of the season against Norwich City at Plough Lane on 30th April. Tickets for the Norwich game are now available via our ONLINE TICKET SHOP.
For the final time this season, the Impetus team of writers and photographers covering the A-League Women select their player, coach, and event of the week. This week’s votes will be tallied up with all of the others this season, and we’ll be announcing the player and coach who has received the most weekly votes across the season ahead of the Grand Final(3/4/23).
Player of the Week:
Above: Cortnee Vine on the charge for Sydney FC on Saturday. Photo: Kris Goman for Impetus.
BEN GILBY: Cortnee Vine. What a week – a great performance against Perth Glory in midweek, and then two goals on Saturday to put the icing on Sydney FC’s Premiers Plate cake. It’s going to be hugely enjoyable to see how she can trouble the Lionesses net week.
KIERAN YAP: Holly McNamara. The Matildas prodigy was the best play on the field between Canberra United and Melbourne City. She scored a spectacular goal and set up City’s other two. Her pace, and control are impressive, but her decision-making sets her apart. A special player.
BEN CAREY:Cortnee Vine. She went Super Sayan against Perth Glory. She scored a goal and bagged two assists. She played with confidence, pace, and real vision. Her performance was an essential part of Sydney winning the match and allowing them to keep one hand on the premiership.
Coach of the Week:
Above: Sydney FC head coach Ante Juric makes a point earlier this season. Photo: Kris Goman for Impetus.
BEN GILBY: A third successive Premiers Plate for Sydney FC which is a stunning achievement. It can only be Ante Juric.
KIERAN YAP: Ante Juric. It was a ruthless, entertaining, and brilliant display from Sydney FC. Juric did not take the Newcastle Jets lightly, and his team delivered a third straight Premiership.
BEN CAREY:Nat Lawrence. Once again she led Wellington Phoenix to an inspired comeback against one of the league’s most established teams in Melbourne Victory. If the Phoenix can make some good signings in the off-season, I believe Lawrence’s team can have a very good campaign next season.
Event of the Week:
Above: Wellington Phoenix race back to get the game underway after their superb late show against Melbourne Victory. Photo: Keep Up.
BEN GILBY: Wellington Phoenix v Melbourne Victory. A great effort from the Nix who gained a point at the death from Grace Wisnewski. It emphasised the huge spirit in the team. It also set up a highly dramatic winner takes all clash the following day between Melbourne City and Canberra United.
KIERAN YAP: Grace Wisnewski’s late equaliser for Wellington Phoenix looked to have ended Melbourne Victory’s season. It came through persistence and opportunism. In the closing seconds of the game, she gave Phoenix fans something to celebrate and hope for the future.
BEN CAREY: Melbourne Victory v Wellington Phoenix. This game was exciting and chaotic. The two early goals from Victory, followed by an hour-long power struggle, the Phoenix desperate to claw their way back and avoid the wooden spoon. A stunner from Pritchard in the 75th minute, and then absolute chaos as Wisnewski slotted in the equaliser in the ninth and final minute of stoppage time. Edge of the seat stuff.
Artwork: Charlotte Stacey, founder of On Her Side.
Woodley United progressed to the SRWFL President’s Cup semi-final against Abingdon United after a penalty shoot-out win at Woking yesterday.
After a goalless first half, the visitors hit the front with 15 minutes to go when Gemma Sims curled a free-kick in, after goalkeeper Roz Markham handled outside the box. However, the lead lasted just four minutes as, from another freekick, this time from 30 yards, Sheena Nicholl deflected up off the wall and into the net.
With no further goals, it went to a penalty shoot-out. With Woking missing their spot kicks, it was Woodley United who won the day.
Matthew Appleby‘s photo gallery for Impetus this week comes from the tier four FA Women’s National League Division One North game between York City and Durham Cestria(3/4/23)
Above: York City (red) and Durham Cestria battle for possession yesterday. Photo: Matthew Appleby.
York City 1-3 Durham Cestria
Durham Cestria are seven points clear at the top of the table after a comfortable win at York St. John’s University’s Haxby Road ground.
The outcome sees York in the relegation zone, one point behind Bradford City, who have a game in hand.
Cestria went ahead just before the half-hour mark when Jen Knowles combined with Ella Wilson who laid back for Leanna Giles to score from the edge of the box. It was 2-0 just before the break when Poppy Prichard was fouled in the box and Knowles dispatched the spot kick. Pritchard made it 3-0 with just under half an hour remaining as she was found by Grace Mackie’s throw and turned before firing a rocket into the top corner.
Jess Holder got a goal back for York City with a long-range effort that came off the underside of the bar four minutes into stoppage time at the end of the match. Whilst Durham Cestria are looking to hold off a Newcastle United side who have three games in hand on them in second spot, York’s season could well come down to their monumental-looking showdown with Bradford City.
Adam Johnstone was pitchside at Meadow Park to capture the best of the action as two of the top WSL sides, Arsenal and Manchester City went head to head (3/4/23).
Above: Katie McCabe shows her sheer joy after scoring Arsenal’s second goal against Manchester City yesterday. Photo: Adam Johnstone for Impetus.
Arsenal 2-1 Manchester City
The Gunners’ Champions League qualification hopes took a major boost as they came from behind to defeat Manchester City.
Jonas Eidevall’s side were second-best for much of the opening half and went behind when Bunny Shaw headed City in front with just five minutes on the clock. Lauren Hemp had a golden opportunity to double the visitors’ lead but her shot from close range went over the bar.
Gareth Taylor’s side would rue that miss as Frida Maanum levelled just after the hour mark before Katie McCabe directed a rocket into the top corner with 74 minutes played.
This could prove to be a vital win for Arsenal in the Champions League race as they rise above Manchester City into the third and final qualifying berth on goal difference. The North London side also have a game in hand over the North-West club.
Ben Gilby provides a full report from the game of the week plus all the details from the other three matchesin Western Australia’s NPL Women’s competition (3/4/23).
Above: Grace Johnston prepares to fire in a free-kick for Hyundai NTC against Balcatta Etna yesterday. Image: Streamer.
Game of the week:
Hyundai NTC 1-0 Balcatta Etna
Hyundai NTC continued theirwinning start to the season with a dominant performance at home to Balcatta Etna at E&D Litis Stadium.
However, whilst the youngsters had the majority of possession and territory, an exceptionally well-organised Balcatta Etna, with Elizabeth Doust outstanding, will feel devastated that the winning goal came just two minutes before the end.
NTC were on the front foot from the start as Balcatta goalkeeper Gabby Dal Busco held two early shots, and then Doust made a superb tackle after Nelli Johnson’s through ball fell perfectly into the path of Georgia Cassidy, with the visiting player timing her intervention to the second.
Above: Balcatta Etna head clear under pressure from Hyundai NTC yesterday. Image: Streamer.
The visitors were happy to sit off NTC when the home side had possession in their own half, but maintained their well-structured defensive line, forcing the teenage side to pass across and backwards.
Just before the half-hour mark, the hosts had a period of concerted pressure as Ischia Brooking lifted in a high ball from the left for Tanika Lala, only for Doust to block, but the ball came back to Brooking, who shot just wide of the post.
With 10 minutes remaining of the half, Tia Stonehill had a golden opportunity when she benefitted from a loose pass just outside the box from the NTC and had a clear run in on goal, but looked to rush her shot which went well wide of the left-hand post.
Above: A second-half free-kick opportunity for Balcatta Etna. Image: Streamer.
The combination of Brooking and Lala, which is one likely to cause no end of problems to all teams in the competition this season, provided another chance as the latter fed the former, only for Dal Busco to comfortably gather the shot.
Whilst Balcatta would take great heart from making it through to the interval goalless, the second period opened in the same vein.
Lala’s dancing feet along the left allowed her to eat up the yards before cutting inside and hitting a shot that was smothered. The visitors responded with Stonehill playing in Kimberley McCarthy who advanced to a one on one with NTC keeper Lilly Bailey who went in bravely.
Grace Johnston drove in a shot with 15 minutes remaining that went just wide of the right-hand upright.
Balcatta had their final chance to make the NTC pay the price for failing to convert possession into goals with six minutes left as Stonehill broke through and was fouled centrally around 15 yards outside the box. McCartney’s resulting free-kick went wide of the right-hand post.
Then, with two minutes to play came a piece of typical Lala magic. Maya Archibald found the outrageously talented youngster on the right-hand side of the box. In a piece of play that perfectly encapsulated everything that makes Lala such a prospect, the NTC attacker from the Goldfields used her strength to hold off the attention of Doust, and with the angle getting more acute by the second, fired in shot across Dal Busco and into the opposite corner of the net.
Above: Hyundai NTC celebrate Tanika Lala’s late winner. Image: Streamer.
There was still time for another chance for the hosts as Klaudia Hoolis showed great ability along the left and cut in to supply Anna Powell whose header was gathered by Dal Busco.
Hyundai NTC remain an exceptionally entertaining team to watch. They serve as a reminder that Western Australian women’s football’s next generation is hugely talented. The state needs to find a way to keep them in WA for as long as possible.
Balcatta now host Subiaco next weekend in a tricky match between two sides who have both demolished Curtin University in the opening weeks. Their encounter in Round Three will give a far more reliable indicator of their potential Top Four Cup chances this season.
BALCATTA ETNA: Dal Busco, Stonehill, Davis, Prinsloo, Doust, Continibali, St. Pierre, Nossent, Bulgaru, McCartney, Roach. Substitutes used: Couzins, Hocking, Dressler.
Referee: Stephen Knight.
Weekly Wrap:
Murdoch University Melville 0-2 Perth RedStar
Round Two opened on Friday night with two matches. Perth RedStar travelled to Murdoch University Melville and avoided a potential banana skin by winning the battle of the last two Top Four Cup champions by two goals to nil.
Goal!! for Perth RedStar FC (women) out of NPL Women – Western Australia at Besteam Stadium in the 16:07 mark of the First Half. Score MU Melville 0:1 Perth RedStar FC
After going down in the season opener at home to Hyundai NTC last time round, Carlos Vega Mena’s side hit the front with just over a quarter of an hour played when a superbly angled header from Jay Coleman positioned to the left of centre of the box flew high and perfectly into the opposite corner of the net.
The clincher came a minute into the second period when Sarah Carroll clinically dispatched a penalty into the bottom left-hand corner.
Curtin University 0-13 Subiaco
Also on Friday, Curtin University’s dreadful run in 2023 continued after they fell to a league-record 13-0 defeat to Subiaco. Curtin are yet to score a goal across five Night Series and NPL matches, with over fifty goals conceded in the process.
Siena Crevacore helped herself to four goals with Frankie Murray, former Curtin player Dakota Van-Vugt, and Marianna Tabain all hitting hat-tricks.
It took Subi 13 minutes to hit the front. A corner from the left was recycled into the box, Curtin failed to clear the bouncing ball and Dakota Van-Vugt swooped to direct the ball home. Within two minutes the visitors doubled their advantage when a delightful through ball from Ava Richards dissected the home defence and was then laid low across the box by Frankie Murray for former Perth Glory star Marianna Tabain to dispatch into the net.
The 20th minute saw Subiaco go 3-0 up after a superb flowing move involving one-touch football along the left ended with Siena Crevacore tapping home at the far post after the ball was laid back. There were two further strikes before the break. First, a through ball from Crevacore dropped perfectly into the path of Van-Vugt to fire into the roof of the net. The visitors had acres of space to run into and the Curtin failed to react quickly enough to a charged down shot, allowing Tabain to hit the rebound home for her second of the night.
Within two minutes of the re-start, the visitors made it 6-0. A Curtin free kick went straight to a Subiaco shirt allowing Crevacore to break through with ease and slot the ball in. Two goals in a three-minute spell before the hour mark only added to Curtin’s woe. First, an inside pass from the left gave Crevacore a chance to shoot, which was not passed up for her hat trick. It was 8-0 when a goalkeeping clearance fell perfectly for her to lift it back over the Curtin keeper only for it to rebound back off of the bar, the home side failed to clear, and after the follow-up came back off the bar too, Van-Vugt curled home.
Goal!! for Subiaco AFC out of NPL Women – Western Australia at Edinburgh Oval A in the 57:53 mark of the Second Half. Score Curtin Uni FC 0:8 Subiaco AFC
Above: After seeing two shots come off the woodwork, Dakota Van-Vugt makes it 8-0 for Subiaco.
Subi kept their foot on the pedal and extended their lead further with ease as Murray’s low ball in from the byline on the right-hand side was met by an unmarked Crevacore at the back post to tap home from no more than three yards for her fourth.
The final three minutes saw as many goals. It became 11-0 as the home side twice lost possession in quick succession, from the second concession of the ball, an inside pass found Tabain who rifled home powerfully from the edge of the area to complete her hat-trick. A high cross in from the left was then missed by the Curtin keeper, allowing Murray to direct the ball home from almost on the goal line. The final goal of the night came as the visitors had the freedom the run along the left before a high cross came in that beat the keeper and was turned along the goalline for Murray to nod in to complete her own hat-trick.
Curtin University travel to Fremantle City next weekend, and things do not look like getting better any time soon. Subiaco face a fascinating-looking trip to Grindleford Reserve where they will take on Balcatta Etna.
Perth SC 6-0 Fremantle City
Above: Perth SC’s hat-trick hero Ellie La Monte. Photo: Rob Lizzi.
Perth SC are top of the embryonic ladder after sweeping Freo aside at Dorrien Gardens in Sunday’s late game.
Peter Rakic’s Azzurri have followed up their Night Series win with successive big wins in the NPLW WA, scoring 10, with Rebecca Bennett keeping clean sheets in both league openers.
Perth SC hit the front with just under a quarter of an hour played, as a cleverly angled inside pass found the feet of Ellie La Monte who sped clear to slot the ball calmly past Dayle Schroeder in the Fremantle City goal.
The home side doubled their lead nine minutes before the break as La Monte nodded across her own overhead kick across the box and then responded quickest to a Fremantle block to lash home.
It took until the 65th minute for Perth SC to find the net once more, and this time the ball was laid off from the left by La Monte the onrushing Faye Phillips to score. Ten minutes later it was 4-0 as Gemma Craine received the ball in her own half and, in trademark style, drove forward, drew Schroeder, and from a tight angle dispatched the ball into the net.
The final two goals came in the last four minutes. Phillips made it five after starting the move with a superb turn in the middle of the park before receiving the ball back from La Monte to drive through the wide open spaces ahead and confidently dispatch into the left-hand side. The last strike of the game came when a lifted ball from the byline on the right was fired into the net at the third time of asking by La Monte who completed her hat trick.
Perth SC are looking good – but next week they face last season’s champions Perth RedStar – who will be determined to put right their defeat to the Azzurri in the Night Series Final last month.
Above: Faye Phillips, scorer of two goals for Perth SC yesterday. Photo: Rob Lizzi.
Above: Hannah Wilkinson reacts after putting Melbourne City ahead today. Photo: KeepUp
A masterclass from Holly McNamara has ended Canberra United’s season, but a fairytale ending was almost on the cards for retiring legend Ellie Brush.
Melbourne Victory’s late draw with Wellington Phoenix on Saturday had granted Canberra United a lifeline. A win against City and they would make Finals. Anything less would draw the curtain on a dramatic season.
City continued to tinker with their attack, and Dario Vidosic returned the squad to a look that was familiar from last season. Holly McNamara and Hannah Wilkinson started up front. They were supported by Daniela Galic and Rhianna Pollicina.
Canberra’s team has been relatively settled for some time, and that consistency has resulted in seven weeks of undefeated football. Their attack makes them a danger to any team and they forged the earliest chances.
Despite being on the back foot, City scored first. A quick direct attack set McNamara free behind Grace Maher and Ellie Brush. The Matildas striker raced into the penalty area and squared the ball to Wilkinson who tapped home at the back post.
Canberra were not perturbed though. They responded immediately when Vesna Milivojević won the ball in midfield and played it to Grace Jale out wide.
The New Zealand international steadied and struck the ball across goal from the edge of the area to beat Melissa Barbieri and level the scores.
Above: Holly McNamara pictured after scoring – it was a sensational performance from the young gun. Photo: Keep Up.
This was an attacking game between one side that was desperate to win, and another sharpening their claws before a finals assault. City displayed their tactical versatility to retake the lead. An extremely short goal kick resulted in a seemingly endless sequence of passes. City patiently crept their way upfield until McNamara was freed up once more. This time her final pass found Pollicina who scored from the top of the six-yard box.
Canberra had a chance to level the scores before halftime. Michelle Heyman turned in midfield and ran toward goal. She held off the attention of Naomi Chinnama and slipped a pass through to Jale.
There was still plenty of work to do, and Barbieri to beat. The Matildas legend made herself large and smothered the eventual close-range shot.
The game followed a similar pattern in the second half. Canberra had two excellent chances to draw level but both Milivojević and Wu Chengshu missed from good positions.
That would prove costly when McNamara struck again. Outpacing Hayley Taylor-Young was one thing, lifting the ball over the onrushing Chloe Lincoln was quite another. It was a brilliant finish from a player with all the attributes to become a world-class talent.
At 3-1 and 30 minutes to play, it looked all over for Canberra, but Milivojević was not ready to quit.
Above: Kennedy Faulknor battles away for Canberra United. Photo: Keep Up.
A close-range finish from Jale’s cross brought them back into the contest in the 79th minute, then a terrific solo run and finish from 18 yards levelled the scores.
Canberra had the momentum in the final stages, but could not complete what would have been an epic comeback. Maher’s long-range effort would have made for a spectacular winner but flew marginally wide.
The draw was an impressive result from Canberra United, but not enough to get them a Finals spot. Although the two big losses were a mere blip in an otherwise strong season, it was costly. Melbourne Victory are through to the Finals on goal difference for the second season in a row.
City displayed a tactical versatility not seen often this season. They were prepared to go direct when necessary and maintained possession at other times. With an in-form Holly McNamara they will be a challenge for any Finals team.
This was a frustrating end to Canberra’s season. But they almost achieved the impossible. This year the club was basically ignored in the Grand Final announcement, recovered their form after two consecutive 5-0 losses, had a win stripped away from them then reinstated, and went toe to toe with one of the league’s top teams in essentially a knockout game.
They overcame significant hurdles this season to be within a whisker of the top four, and have true core of a very good team. If this side can stay together, they will be very exciting next season.
Above: Tottenham Hotspur striker Beth England. Photo: Spurs Women.
Some strikers score trophy-winning goals. Some strikers score goals that dig out their teams in difficult times.
Perhaps in there is a future in which Bethany England wins trophies at Spurs, but right now, with six games remaining, it looks like her goals might keep the club in the top flight.
Spurs before England
Before England’s arrival, Spurs had not scored for five league games in a row. And as many people have said, you can’t win a game if you can’t score.
Then in January England came. This was big news. Reportedly the highest ever fee for a within-WSL transfer: £250,000.
England almost perfectly embodies the intersecting grit and glamour of women’s football. In the period when her male contemporaries were in full-time academies, she was playing semi-professional football at Doncaster Belles, and doing night shifts (10pm-6am) in a chip shop in Barnsley.
In the years since England has won titles with Chelsea, played in international and Champions League games, and was voted the WSL Player of the year and PFA Player of the Year in 2020. Her goalscoring record is stellar. Across the eight seasons she has played top-flight football she averages a goal every 120 minutes.
In contrast, Spurs are relative newcomers to top-flight women’s football and a team without starry players.
Scoring Goals
To say that expectations were massive understates it. But England has not seemed even momentarily phased. In the first game, she scored. And then she kept on going, scoring in five of her first six WSL games (six in eight games overall).
Not all her goals have been beautiful. But when you are in a goal drought a tap in from a yard out is beautiful.
Above: Beth England in the Tottenham huddle after their win over Leicester City. Photo: Spurs Women.
And a couple have been memorable. Against Manchester United, at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, down 1-0, England collected the ball at the halfway line, carried it the length of the half, until at the top left corner of the area, she cut inside and switched the ball to her right foot and fired low past United and Lioness keeper, Mary Earps.
The goal, a glorious solo effort, was crowned February goal of the month. But less than two minutes later England’s hard work was undone. Almost from kick-off, United broke down the right crossed inside: an own goal, and a 2-1 defeat. Spurs caught napping.
The problem is that in plugging a hole England revealed another: Retaining the lead. Three games and three lost leads.
And then, England’s fourth league goal, against bottom team, Leicester City, at the time only two points below Tottenham. A game in which the stakes were high, and battles were hard-fought, but there was little quality. Until England’s second-half strike.
The run was almost a replica of her goal against United but shorter, a different keeper to beat, the ball floating upwards this time, bending across goal into the top right corner. Not a surprise to learn that it has been nominated for March Goal of the Month (voting open at time of writing).
And this time finally, for the first time since England’s arrival at the club and since she almost single-handedly re-ignited our scoring, it was not all undone. This time, the North London side held on: 1-0. A win. The first since October.
Even last week. In the hell that was the North London Derby – a game that mainly served to highlight the gap between the teams and deflate any hope Spurs fans had taken from the win against Leicester – England scored. Yes, it was a penalty. But it was a good one. And Spurs missed the last time we were awarded a penalty against Arsenal.
Still on the outside
England left Chelsea to join Spurs because she wanted more game time. No doubt, this was in part because she enjoys being on the pitch. But the more pressing motivator was that she wanted to regain a spot in the Lionesses, after being a non-playing part of the Euro-winning squad and then being left out of the squad in the autumn window at a time when she was a rarely used substitute at Chelsea.
Above: Beth England in possession against Leicester City. Photo: Spurs Women.
Chelsea’s loss was Tottenham’s gain. And while I have previously had bones to pick with Sarina Wiegman, if her non-selection of England motivated the striker’s move to Spurs, every Spurs fan should be grateful.
Yet now, despite the numbers England is putting up since joining Spurs – both in terms of minutes and goals – she remains outside the England squad. When Sarina Wiegman did not select her in February it was speculated that it may have been too soon after she joined Spurs and started getting regular game time. But that cannot be the argument now.
Indeed when asked about it, Wiegman said that: “We chose to select less centre-forwards. The competition in that position is so high so I just chose these two [Rachel Daly and Alessia Russo] and kept it as that.” England has done everything that could have been asked of her and more. But with just months to go, this puts in serious doubt whether she will feature in the World Cup squad.
Onwards
Meanwhile, Spurs are not over the line. With just five points separating the bottom four (Leicester, Brighton, Reading, and Spurs) at the start of this weekend and with most of these teams yet to play one another, it is not possible to feel any sense of ease.
Spurs remain without a permanent manager, and currently seem wedded to a system that exposes obvious weaknesses (in pace, in midfield progression, in communication).
Talk to fans and you will hear little enthusiasm about the rest of the season.
But if England’s goals are providing Tottenham with moments of magic and the keys to a better place, it feels like it is her will pushing the team on. In a league of bland goal celebrations, England’s are visceral: knee slides and clenched fist roars. Her intensity and hunger reflect, and increasingly fuels, fans’ desire. In a team lacking confidence and making mistakes, conviction matters.
Not that her game is purely instinctual. England’s play is borne of hard work and intelligence. What is more, there are some signs that it is rubbing off. As Spurs’ other players train alongside her, day in day out, little by little their runs, their positioning, their decision making seems to be improving (yup, I’m looking at you Rosella Ayane). Meanwhile, we see moments within games when she creates the space for those around her to be better.
So, let us take a minute, before we embark on the final stages of a painful season, to celebrate Bethany England: A player who creates the space for fans to dream that Spurs will be better, that next season we will properly compete.
Mariella Prew was at the Broadfield Stadium to capture all the action from pitchside from yesterday’s WSL match(2/4/23).
Above: Leah Galton celebrates with her Manchester United teammates yesterday. Photo: Mariella Prew for Impetus.
Brighton and Hove Albion 0-4 Manchester United
Two goals from Leah Galton set Manchester United on the way to a comfortable victory on Sussex to go top of the Barclays Women’s Super League.
Galton got her first just before the quarter-hour mark when she nodded in Katie Zelem’s corner. She doubled her and United’s tally with 24 minutes to play when netting from an acute angle. Two goals in the final four minutes from Rachel Williams and Lucia Garcia completed the scoring.
Manchester City will replace their cross-city rivals at the summit if they can win at Arsenal today. Chelsea, four points behind, travel to Aston Villa in the late match, and have an additional game in hand.
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