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Matthew Appleby was at The Academy Stadium for Impetus to capture the action yesterday as Manchester City hosted Tottenham Hotspur in the Barclays WSL (6/3/23).
Above: Tottenham Hotspur’s Ashleigh Neville looks to make a clearance at the Academy Stadium yesterday. Photo: Matthew Appleby.
Andy Wicks captures the best of the action from the tier six Southern Region Women’s Football League Division One North match at Exeter Park as Kidlington Youth hosted champions Woodley United (6/3/23).
Above: Woodley United celebrating one of their goals at Kidlington Youth yesterday. Photo: Andy Wicks.
Teams: KIDLINGTON YOUTH: Team not published.
WOODLEY UNITED: Cheadle, Evans, Haines, Hamblin, Hudson, Lawrence, Messitt, Quinn, Routledge, Sawyer, Measham. Substitutes: Slann, Steadman, Surtees.
Scorers: Routledge 18′, 30′. Steadman 43′, 78. Hamblin 63′. Own goal.
AFC Wimbledon 4-1 Chesham United
by George Jones – AFC Wimbledon Women (6/3/23)
AFC Wimbledon sustained their tier four FA Women’s National League Division One South-East title challenge on Sunday with a 4-1 victory over a determined Chesham United side.
In the absence of top scorer Ashlee Hincks, Emily Oliver went straight into the starting line-up after being recalled from her loan spell – with Ellie Dorey playing upfront.
The Dons continued their recent habit of making flying starts as Emma Plewa put the home side in front after just seven minutes, much to the delight of a big crowd at Plough Lane.
However, the lead would last less than a minute as an error from Billie Brooks allowed the Buckinghamshire side to level thanks to Natalia Makowska’s goal.
The next 15 minutes were a scrappy affair with neither team able to create a clear-cut opportunity. Wimbledon retook the lead through an unlikely source as captain Hannah Billingham fired home a rebound after Becki Bath struck the woodwork.
It was 3-1 not long after as Emily Donovan scored a fine volley from inside the penalty area after the visiting keeper failed to successfully claim a cross.
Gloria Siber completed her return from international duty off the bench and had an impressive cameo as the Dons looked to further add to their tally knowing goal difference could be vital come the end of the season.
Dorey completed the scoring in the final quarter. There was an emotional moment as Sarah Wentworth came off the bench to make her first appearance at Plough Lane in 15 months as Wimbledon completed another important victory.
Speaking after the game, Dons head coach Kevin Foster said: “We played some good stuff in there. The combinations worked really well at times, especially down the left.”
Emily Oliver, who returned to the lineup on the day reflected: “It was a good game, a little bit scrappy in the first half, but once we got into it and got the ball down, we created lots of chances.”
The Dons are back on the road on Sunday as they travel to Cambridge United. This is followed by the Capital Cup semi-final against Ashford Town (Middx) at Carshalton Athletic FC on Sunday 19th March. AFC Wimbledon return to Plough Lane on Sunday 2nd April against Cambridge City. Tickets are now available via https://tinyurl.com/7kfh773c
Teams: AFC WIMBLEDON: Baker, Russell, Brooks (Wentworth), Highman, Plewa (Sampson), Ali, Donovan (Siber), Bath, Billingham, Dorey, Oliver.
Scorers: Plewa 7′, Billingham 23′, Donovan 54′, Dorey 78′.
CHESHAM UNITED: Team not released.
Scorer: Makowska 8′.
Attendance: 529.
6/3/23
From Tom Freeman
Above: Dryburgh Athletic and Ayr United (white) contest possession yesterday. Photo: Dryburgh Athletic.
Renfrew Ladies recovered from their recent 10-1 humbling in Livingston by holding the Championship leaders to a one-all draw in the reverse fixture at New Western Park.
Livingston winger Beth McKay had given the visitors a half-time lead after she latched on to a neat pass from Raewyn Murphy after 18 minutes and fired it low into the net, but Renfrew forward Sinead Macleod drifted in at the back post to score a deserved equaliser on the 70th minute.
As full-time approached, Livingston spurned chances for the winner, and the draw means Rossvale, Ayr United and Inverness Caledonian Thistle move closer to the top two.
Inverness Caledonian Thistle came from behind to beat Hutchison Vale 2-1 at home thanks to a double from Rhea Hossack. Ayr United took maximum points from Dryburgh Athletic with goals from Clare Docherty and Lauren Sloan early in the game ahead of a Dryburgh fightback which saw Alma Codegoni fire home from a corner into the roof of the net. Rossvale beat Morton 2-0 in Port Glasgow.
Leaders FC Edinburgh beat Stenhousemuir 3-1 at Ochilview which allowed St. Mirren to climb into fourth in the table with a 6-1 victory over Dundee West. Westdyke consolidated in second with a 10-0 demolition of Gleniffer Thistle, while third-placed Falkirk beat BSC Glasgow 3-1 at home.
Edinburgh Caledonia have narrowed the gap between the top half and bottom half of the table to four points by beating sixth-placed Grampian 4-2. The sides both have four games each before the split, including the reverse fixture in Edinburgh.
Airdrie Ladies also climb the table and leapfrog Giffnock SC after beating the East Renfrewshire side 6-2.
Livingston Reserves moved to the top of the SWFL East with a 2-1 win over Edinburgh University Thistle, after previous leaders Central Girls were beaten by Linlithgow Rose. Queen of the South cemented their promotion hopes with a comprehensive 10-0 victory over nearest rivals in SWFL South Stewarton United. In West, Cumbernauld Colts secured their second point of the season by holding high-flying Dunipace to a 2-2 draw.
Each week during the home and away season, Impetus’ writing and photography team covering the A-League Women will nominate a player, coach, and event of the week. We’ll keep a tally of the player and coach votes as the weeks go by, and just before the Finals, will announce our winners for 2022/23 (6/3/23).
BEN GILBY: Michelle Heyman. The Canberra United icon is in sensational form, five goals in her side’s last two games, and doing everything possible to advance their Finals campaign. Whilst today’s points deduction throws a spanner in the works, Heyman will be pushing her side on to make the four regardless.
KIERAN YAP: Michelle Heyman. She scored a hat trick in a must-win game and is closing in on 100 goals. There is no better striker in Australia right now. Not only is she an efficient and reliable goal scorer, but she is also one of the best players to watch as a neutral.
JONATHAN TAY: Holly McNamara.After more than 12 months away Holly McNamara lit up her first game back, helping Melbourne City defeat Newcastle Jets 4-0 on Saturday. The 20-year-old showed little signs that the ACL injury which kept her out was still affecting her, but did display a game-changing dynamism that City have lacked over the middle portion of their season. She dazzled in forward areas – her touch and dribbling too much for a makeshift Jets defence as she created five chances in her 60-minute stint. A huge boost for the Melbournians with just four games left til Finals.
BEN CAREY: Michelle Heyman. Scoring a hat-trick against Adelaide United was an awesome achievement. She’s been strong all season, but she has hit an amazing level in the second half of the season. With the form she’s in, I believe Heyman is deserving of a call-up for the Matildas in the April window.
BEN GILBY: Kat Smith. The Western Sydney Wanderers coach set up her team superbly to nullify Perth Glory’s many attacking weapons in the first half yesterday. The key link-ups between Izzy Foletta, Sofia Sakalis, and Cyera Hintzen were minimised and with it, the Glory took some time to function as an attacking force. A energy infused attack focusing on the middle of the park reaped rich rewards for the Wanderers yesterday.
KIERAN YAP: Njegosh Popovich. Although they conceded twice, Canberra United delivered in a must-win game. Popovic is overdue kudos for switching Grace Maher to defence and making an attack featuring Grace Jale, Vesna Milivojević, Nikki Flannery and Michelle Heyman function as well as it does.
JONATHAN TAY: Ante Juric. Western United had thus far had the run over their other top-four rivals; defeating Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory once, and doing the double over Melbourne City. They hadn’t necessarily looked the better team in arguably any of those games but had shown grit, heart, a clinical touch in front of goal, and a willingness to fight no matter their opponent’s talent. That changed on the weekend as Sydney put Western in a stranglehold. A masterful display from Ante Juric’s charges saw them restrict Western United to just seven shots (two on target), whilst taking every opportunity they could to punish them on the counterattack. The premier’s plate is still very much up for grabs, and Sydney have put themselves in prime position to retain it.
BEN CAREY: Njegosh Popovich. Leading his side, Canberra United, to a 4-2 victory over Adelaide to continue their excellent late season form, extending their winning run to four in a row.
BEN GILBY: Tash Rigby’s goal. Anyone who has seen her in NPLW WA action for Fremantle City will be familiar with her pacey runs along the wing before cutting inside. This doesn’t happen quite so often in the A-League Women, but it sure did yesterday! No-one is more deserving. Rigby does so much for the club on and off the pitch.
KIERAN YAP: Tash Rigby’s goal. After 90 games, the Glory captain has her first A-League Womens goal, and what a way to score it! Rigby showed incredible pace and control in her surging run, and the finish was sublime. It was not enough to get Glory the all-important three points, but it was something special.
JONATHAN TAY: Michelle Heyman’s hat trick. Excellent finishing from Michelle Heyman to net three goals in Canberra’s 4-2 win against Adelaide United (especially important given the announcement of her side’s potential points deduction penalty on Monday). She certainly has the ability to dominate defenders at the A-League level, but what about back on the international stage? That will be the question Matildas head coach Tony Gustavsson will be asking himself, as he contemplates bringing one of the leading strikers in the domestic competition into his World Cup squad in July.
BEN CAREY: Sydney FC v Western United. This match was exciting and dramatic. Sydney put on a masterclass in the second half to defeat Western in their second meeting. Goals galore, a red card, and two injury substitutions at the same time. This game had it all.
Ben Gilby reports on both head coaches’ post-match media conferences, plus Tom McCarthy provides another superb photo gallery from Macedonia Park (5/3/23).
Above: Tash Rigby shows her delight after scoring her first A-League Women goal with teammates Alana Jancevski and Cyera Hintzen. Photo: Tom McCarthy.
Perth Glory head coach Alex Epakis lamented his side’s “clunky” performance in the first half of today’s game with Western Sydney Wanderers but remains confident that the Glory can finish inside the top four.
“It wasn’t as smooth and clean as we’re used to and capable of. But there was a mentality there where we stayed in the game despite things that weren’t working with our play. We were a bit clunky,” he told the media after the match.
The draw meant that Perth can no longer enter the top four by winning their game in hand, but with games away to sides in the lower reaches of the ladder in the coming weeks, Epakis believes the gap can be bridged.
“We’re certainly capable of making up those points in the coming games. I would have preferred the (three) points and so did the team. We’re six unbeaten…I’m pretty confident we can make it up.”
Asked how he asked his team to turn things around at the break after being on the back foot for much of the opening 45 minutes, the Perth boss said: “The first 30-40 minutes, they (Western Sydney Wanderers) had some good passages of play. Credit where credit is due they were pretty determined. We tweaked a few things to deal with the extra body they had in midfield and changed our press a bit and needed to be more aggressive.”
The highlight of the afternoon was club icon Tash Rigby’s first-ever A-League Women goal in her 90th game. The Glory boss has been a massive fan of what the defender offers his team ever since he took over three seasons ago.
“What a goal! At half-time, she was pretty fixated on ripping into them in the second half. What you get with Tash is she wears her heart on her sleeve. She loves the club, and moments like that it’s just her putting all those things out there. She deserves that goal and deserves everything she gets.”
Epakis was also impressed with the efforts of striker Cyera Hintzen, who had another hard-working afternoon.
“She is the best nine in the competition. She is so rounded. She is not just a striker who scores, she creates chances and creates space for others, she presses. She makes selfless runs for others. She is a really special player and is important to what we do. Cyera just needs a moment to create something.”
Western Sydney Wanderers boss Kat Smith was delighted that her side’s hard work in training paid off as they worked to reduce the impact Perth Glory’s attacking threats to emerge with a point that could have been all three.
“It was certainly entertaining! It was a cliched game of two halves. We had some opportunities and the balance of possession. What we worked on in training we certainly saw on the park, so that’s a tick. We’re searching for quality in the final third and will keep working on that.”
Wanderers were forced into making changes with two players on Young Matildas duty, and they would also lose Beth Gordon to injury in the second half, but Smith’s side never looked adversely impacted.
“We made some changes in personnel, we have players who can step up and step into those positions. The game opened up and, yeh, you just hold on, don’t you?”
Reflecting on the shift in momentum after the break, the Wanderers head coach said: “Goals change games. From there we had to try and settle and go again. That gave Perth a bit of ascendency. We didn’t change much in the second half as we were good first half. If we had been in a position to score one in that first half, it would have been different.
“We were finding good pockets of space but needed to be more connected in midfield. We were engaging our fullbacks to join the attack. Then against the run of play came the goal and there was a bit of panic stations. We changed our formation to get more players out wide and some more box entries.”
One of Western Sydney’s key attacking threats during the game was Sophie Harding. The former Newcastle Jet was looking to run through the centre of the park at every opportunity and proved to be a thorn in Perth’s side all afternoon.
“Sophie has some very good weapons in terms of her pace. She likes to get possession and drive with it. She is so quick that sometimes she gets isolated, so we’ve been doing a lot of work with her in terms of what area of the park we want her to get the ball in.”
Smith ended her media conference by updating the situation surrounding two of her players, first of all the injury to Beth Gordon, and then the status of goalkeeper Jordyn Bloomer. “Beth had a dislocated shoulder. She has had it put back in. We’ll look after her. The care for her was first class.
“It was Jordyn Bloomer’s last game for the club (before returning to the NWSL). Jordyn has been excellent. The value she has brought in has been irreplaceable in terms of her onfield professionalism and presence. She sets the tone with her expectations of the squad.”
To read Ben Gilby‘s match report of Perth Glory v Western Sydney Wanderers, click on this link: https://impetusfootball.org/2023/03/05/honours-even-despite-rigbys-landmark-strike/
Perth Glory 1-1 Western Sydney Wanderers
by Ben Gilby (5/3/23)
Above: The historic moment when Tash Rigby scored her first A-League Women goal in her 90th appearance to win the match for Perth Glory against Western Sydney Wanderers today. Photo: Anthony McCarthy.
Perth Glory and Western Sydney Wanderers played out an entertaining draw which will always be remembered for Glory captain Tash Rigby scoring her first-ever A-League Women goal in her 90th appearance.
Whilst Perth have extended their unbeaten run to six matches, this is a damaging result to their Finals hopes. Wanderers will feel frustrated not to have taken all three points at Macedonia Park after unpacking an intelligent game plan which combined energetic attacking play with wrapping up the home side’s attacking weapons for the whole of the opening 45 minutes.
Both teams went into the game making changes. Perth Glory boss Alex Epakis handed a first start for the hugely talented youngster Alana Jancevski since December with Ella Mastrantonio also in the 11 at kick-off after initially returning from suspension on the bench last week. Hannah Blake and Sarah Cain dropped down to the bench as a result.
The visitors were without Gemma Ferris and Alexia Apostolakis, both on Young Matildas duty, but on the positive side of the ledger, could welcome back Sarina Bolden who had been in action at the Pinatar Cup competition for the Philippines in Spain.
The Wanderers made a fast start and conjured up a real chance within the opening two minutes as Sophie Harding fired an early long ranger which crashed back off of the angle of post and bar with Morgan Aquino beaten in the Perth goal.
The hosts replied from a rare error at the back from new Matildas defender Clare Hunt who lost possession from Jordyn Bloomer’s place kick as Sofia Sakalis picked her pocket and played in Cyera Hintzen outside her, with the American striker’s effort rolling narrowly wide.
With 20 minutes on the clock, possession was officially at 50% each, but the visitors had more of it in the areas that mattered and looked full of energy. However, Wanderers were not just looking good coming forward, they were successful in nullifying the key link-ups between Sakalis and Hintzen that have been such a major contributing factor in the Glory’s five-match unbeaten run were being stifled. Hana Lowry and Jancevski were also seeing limited possession as Kat Smith’s side worked hard to nullify their impact.
Western Sydney continued to pose the questions and rack up the chances. Amy Chessari had a shot in the box that deflected narrowly wide for a corner. Runs through the centre of midfield towards the box were continuing to cause Perth real problems and two further efforts from such moves came their way.
First, Amy Harrison received the ball and turned away from Lowry to fire a shot that went just over the bar. Then Harding ran through the space and unleashed another effort. The visitors were patiently probing.
Perth had the last opportunity of the half when Jancevski’s outside of the boot pass found Hintzen who broke through to get a shot in that Bloomer held. It was just a reminder of the home side’s potential. The fact that the scoreline remained 0-0 at the break raised questions as to whether Wanderers had missed their chance.
That seemed to be the case, as from the restart, it was immediately apparent that Perth’s attacking weapons were being allowed far more time on the ball. For the first time all afternoon, Sofia Sakalis had time and space to dance up the wing and cut inside to create. It was a warning that Western Sydney did not heed.
Within nine minutes of the restart, captain Tash Rigby had possession along the right and played a rapid-fire one-two with Jancevski before steering home her first-ever A-League Women goal in her 90th appearance. The Western Australian native has been a huge part of the fabric of Perth Glory down the years and this was a richly deserved goal.
Once the joy calmed down after the goal, the Glory were never quite able to push on to ensure the win, and as the half went on, Wanderers got their second wind and began to gather more of the possession, despite losing Bethany Gordon with an excruciating looking injury that after the match was diagnosed as a dislocated shoulder.
Finally, with 10 minutes to go, the visitors got the goal they deserved for their efforts. Harding sliced her way through again and looked to have been pushed wide of the target by Kim Carroll, but out came Aquino who brought Harding down, giving referee Isabella Blaess no option but to point to the spot. Up stepped Amy Harrison to level matters.
The final periods were harem-scarem with opportunities at both ends. Football Fern Hannah Blake, on as sub for Jancevski, broke through and curled a shot wide of the right-hand post when a powerful drive may well have been a more realistic choice.
There was one final chance at the death as Demi Koulizakis crossed for Hintzen at the back post, but the striker couldn’t direct her effort on target.
This outcome means that Perth have now lost their advantage in the Finals race. Even winning their game in hand will not be enough to break into the top four without teams above them dropping points.
To read Ben Gilby‘s report of the post-match media conferences and see Tom McCarthy‘s photo gallery from Macedonia Park, click on this link: https://impetusfootball.org/2023/03/05/perth-glory-v-western-sydney-wanderers-extra/
Teams: PERTH GLORY (4-2-3-1): Aquino, Rigby, Anton, Carroll, Foletta, Mastrantonio, Lawrence, Jancevski, Lowry, Sakalis, Hintzen. Substitutes: Blake, Cain, Green, Koulizakis, Langman (GK).
Scorers: Rigby 54′.
WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS (4-1-4-1): Bloomer, Matos, Hunt, Abdul Massih, Gordon, Harrison, Price, Chessari, Steinmetz, Harding, Bolden. Substitutes: Caceres, Chlastáková, Hristodoulou, Khamis (GK), Rue.
Scorers: Harrison (pen) 80′.
Referee: Isabella Blaess.
Attendance: 656
Sydney FC 3-0 Western United
by Ben Carey (5/3/23)
Above: Mackenzie Hawkesby and Rachel Lowe celebrate after Lowe gave Sydney the lead. Photo: KeepUp.
Sydney FC emerged victorious from an exciting top-of-the-table clash against Western United on Sunday afternoon.
It was their second meeting of the season, with Western getting the better of Sydney last time in Melbourne. This time, Sydney had the home advantage, and they used it to full effect, exacting revenge over their closest A-League competitor in match full of goals and drama.
Western had the first big chance of the game. Four minutes in, Hannah Keane made an amazing run towards the goal, weaving past Sydney defenders, eventually cutting it back to Danielle Steer, who had an opportunity to tap it past the keeper but could not find the back of the net.
About 15 minutes later, Western United attacked unsuccessfully and Sydney pounced on an opportunity for a counterattack. Cortnee Vine made a good run and linked up with Mackenzie Hawkesby out wide who had a superior angle. She put a good shot on target, but Hilary Beall in the Western goal was equal to it, jumping upwards and tipping the ball onto the crossbar and out.
Sydney had the upper hand for the rest of the first half. On numerous occasions they pinned Western into their defensive half and were just relentless, passing the ball around and trying different avenues of attack. But Sydney was unable to convert on any of their chances and Western United did just enough to stay out of trouble.
Not long into the second half, the deadlock was broken. In the 51st minute, Hawkesby in the midfield hit a good cross to Vine who played an immaculate through ball to Rachel Lowe. Lowe had made a fantastic run and done very well to stay onside and Vine’s ball set her up to go one on one with the keeper. She didn’t panic, remained composed, and tucked it past Beall to draw first blood for Sydney.
10 minutes later, Vine intercepted a poor pass in the midfield and ran through all the way to the goal line, and crossed a dangerous ball into the box. Western United failed to block or clear the ball and Lowe slotted in her second goal of the match.
Princess Ibini, who had been quiet in the first half, had been looking very threatening in the second. In the 81st minute, she decided to join the goalscoring party. She received a wonderful ball from Nat Tobin in the midfield, ran forward, and chipped the keeper. The ball hit the inside of the crossbar and bounced in. It was Ibini’s sixth goal of the season.
With 10 minutes to go, it seemed like Sydney would simply close out this emphatic win over Western United. But there were still a few more twists in the tale. A minute into stoppage time, Tobin received a second yellow card, resulting in an indirect red card and she had to leave the pitch. The decision puzzled a number of people on and off the field, most of all Tobin, who was confused about what she’d done to earn a second yellow.
Immediately prior to the booking, a Western player was tugging on Tobin’s shoulder. Tobin broke free, perhaps brushing the player in the chest with a stray arm, but certainly not with any force or malice. It was either that or backchat about the initial foul.
Either way, it was a baffling decision by referee Lara Lee. Moments like this are evidence of why the A-League needs a low-tech VAR system or at the very least an external review process to get bad on-field decisions overturned (as was seen recently in the WSL with Ella Toone’s overturned red card).
A few minutes after the Tobin incident, Jada Whyman had a rough collision in the air with several players when she came out to collect a ball. She and Charlotte Mclean both received medical attention and were substituted due to injury. Despite all of the drama, Sydney managed to close out the match without conceding.
All in all, it was an exciting, but surprisingly one-sided clash. The first half was tight, but Sydney came out guns blazing in the second. Their accurate and quick passing, dynamic movement, and intent to move forward and attack proved too much for Western.
It was a stark contrast to their last meeting where Western United were pulling all of the strings. But they have looked like a completely different team ever since losing Chloe Logarzo and Jessica McDonald, who were a vital part of the team who dominated the first half of the season. It’s like if The Beatles lost John Lennon and Paul McCartney. They just don’t seem to be as sound in the midfield or have as many options in attack anymore.
Next Saturday, Western United will play Brisbane Roar away and Sydney FC will take on Wellington Phoenix at home.
Teams: SYDNEY FC (4-3-3): Whyman, Mclean, Fenton, De La Harpe, Hunter, Vine, Tobin, Hawkesby, Rule, Ibini, Lowe. Substitutes: Offer, Green, Collister, Dos Santos, Badawiya.
Scorers: Lowe 51’, 64’, Ibini 81’.
WESTERN UNITED (4-3-3): Beall, Beard, Cummings, Cerne, Sardo, A. Taranto, Sawicki, M. Taranto, Vlajnic, Keane, Steer. Substitutes: Dall’Oste, Iermano, Dakic, Jaber, Robers.
Referee: Lara Lee.
Attendance: 566.
Wellington Phoenix 1-1 Brisbane Roar.
By Kieran Yap (4/3/23).
Above: Wellington Phoenix celebrate Marisa Van Der Meer’s goal against Brisbane Roar. Photo: @WgtnPhoenixFC twitter
As far as low scoring draws go, the match between Wellington Phoenix and Brisbane Roar was one of the more entertaining games of the round. Goals from Marisa Van Der Meer and Shea Connors meant that the honours were shared, but this was a game filled with subplots, coaching maneuvers, and brilliant individual play.
In an inconvenient compliment to both sides, this game was effected by The Young Matildas camp. Claudia Cicco was called up from Wellington’s squad, while Zara Kruger was Brisbane’s representative in the Under 20 Australian team.
The Roar were also without Larissa Crummer and Katrina Gorry for this match, which meant a slight reshuffle of Brisbane’s midfield and attack. Hollie Palmer was pushed slightly further forward than usual. Her creativity has been crucial for The Roar so far this season.
Going into this round she was only behind Sydney FC’s Mackenzie Hawkesby for chances created. Brisbane captain Ayesha Norrie played a hybrid role. The talismanic midfielder drifted between midfield and defence depending on the momentum of the game and state of possession.
It was in attack, where the most interesting move was made by Roar coach Garreth McPherson. Without Crummer, Sharn Freier was introduced on the left wing and Shea Connors shifted into a central role.
Connors was dominant as a centre forward in the NSW NPLW last season. Her mobility, dribbling, and tenacity provided Brisbane with their best moments. She can play with her back to goal and has the ability to take players on. The two-footed striker is a threat from either side of the penalty box and the change in position made Brisbane a threat even though Wellington dominated possession.
The Phoenix have grown in confidence as the season has gone on. Much of that has been the gradual overcoming of injuries, but also the emergence of new stars. Players like Michaela Foster and Millie Clegg have given them class and depth. Paige Satchell and Alyssa Whinham are both very handy players to be able to bring off the bench, and Wellington’s growth as a squad means that Natalie Lawrence can be more creative with line-up decisions and impact games with substitutions.
Wellington controlled the majority of possession on their home turf. Without Gorry, Brisbane made few attempts to hold onto the ball, and instead tried to get the ball long to Connors and Indiah-Paige Riley as quickly as possible.
Brisbane’s direct style forged almost opened the scoring. Connors surged down the middle of the pitch, but could only win a corner despite the electric turn of pace.
Wellington’s dominance was rewarded with the opening goal in the 26th minute. Foster has earned a reputation as a dangerous set-piece taker this season. Her free kick to set up Van Der Meer’s header affirmed her status as one of the Phoenix’s most valuable players.
Brisbane almost struck back through another solo run from Connors. The in-form Brianna Edwards saved well for Wellington. But this was a warning that even though they defended deep, they were still vulnerable on the counter attack.
Wellington had threats of their own. Millie Clegg has become a dependably creative force in their attack and her swerving footwork opened up space for a shot that brought the best out of Hensley Hancuff. The Roar keeper pushed wide what looked to be a certain goal.
Connors continued to test the Wellington defence in the second half. She won the ball from the Phoenix defender and raced toward goal. To her frustration, her shot missed the target and skidded wide.
When her goal finally arrived it was worth the wait. The Roar midfield obviously backed her pace and another long pass was exactly what she wanted. Although she was shoulder to shoulder to Mackenzie Barry when the move started, Connors had enough acceleration to get goal side and kept her composure to finish low beyond Edwards to level the scores in the 80th minute.
Neither side was happy with the draw and Wellington brought on Whinham and Satchell in an attempt to break the deadlock. Barry’s perfectly hit long ball almost set Satchell up for a winner. The lighting quick winger caught up to the ball and rounded Hancuff, but her touch took her wide and the chance petered out.
The final stages of the match were end-to-end and Brisbane would feel unlucky not to have snatched a late win. Connors’ low ball across the face of goal only needed a touch to go in, but Margot Robbine was well-defended and Wellington escaped the attack unscathed.
The draw does not do much for either team’s season. Brisbane’s finals hopes appear to have dwindled and Phoenix will just want to keep improving and retain players.
With four games left to play, neither side looks likely of cracking the top four, but both are still capable of playing some highly entertaining football. This was a fantastic football match and although neither coach was happy with the result, they could find positives in the performances.
“We’ve said it a few times this season that we deserve something out of the game, but we deserved to win the game,” Lawrence told media post-match.
“I don’t think we’ve been that dominant in a game yet in our history, where we’ve had so many chances. Some of the stuff there was actually described to me as scintillating, which I thought was quite a nice way to describe it.”
Despite their improvements on the pitch, Wellington Phoenix are still bottom of the ladder, four points adrift of Newcastle Jets. Yet at the present time, whilst Phoenix are clearly getting better, the same cannot be said for Newcastle, which offers Lawrence and her team real hope of avoiding the wooden spoon.
“We are still in reach of them,” the Phoenix head coach said. “We play them and we have two games in hand, so I feel like destiny is in our hands to achieve our goal of not only beating the points tally of last season but getting off the bottom of the league.
“This game has meant that we’ve got points out of four games this season, which is one more than last season. There are huge, huge positives.”
Lawrence was also frustrated by the fact that Brisbane Roar captain Ayesha Norrie escaped a red card for pushing Betsy Hassett in the face.
“I don’t know what the referee saw there but if that’s not a red card I don’t know what is. Once again, we leave a little bit frustrated with the officiating. If they’re down to 10 players, we’re 1-0 up and we’re as dominant as we are then the game probably looks a little bit different.”
Teams: WELLINGTON PHOENIX (4-3-3): Edwards, Barry, Van Der Meer, Taylor, Foster, Wisnewski, Hassett, Knott, Clegg, Pritchard, Robertson. Substitutes: Brown, Vosper, Whinham, Satchell, Rolston.
Scorers: Van Der Meer 26′.
BRISBANE ROAR (3-4-3): Hancuff, Ling, Norrie, Rankin, Rasschaert, Palmer, Davern, Kramer, Freier, Connors, Riley. Substitutes: Shuttleworth, Stephenson, McQueen, Levin, Robbine.
Scorers: Connors 80′.
Referee: Anna-Marie Keighley.
Attendance: 2,574.
Newcastle Jets 0-4 Melbourne City
By Jonathan Tay (4/3/23)
Above: Maria Rojas and Hannah Wilkinson (left) celebrate with Chelsea Blissett (right). Image: @MelbourneCity twitter
Returnees Holly McNamara and Maria Rojas starred as Melbourne City defeated the Newcastle Jets 4-0 on Saturday afternoon.
Rojas opened the scoring for City in the first half, before late goals for Rhianna Pollicina, Bryleeh Henry, and Hannah Wilkinson sealed the away victory for the Melbournians.
This was McNamara’s first official game action after over 12 months out, having suffered an ACL tear in February 2022. The 20-year-old was a breakout star of last season’s Liberty A-League, with four goals and three assists in just eight games before her devastating injury.
Melbourne City also welcomed back Rojas to the squad for the first time since Gameweek five. The Sky Blues had sorely missed her creativity and goal-scoring ability, having seen the expected goals on average more than halve in Rojas’ time away. The Chilean was part of her national team’s ultimately unsuccessful campaign to qualify for the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand later this year.
For Newcastle, Teigan Allen and teenager Chloe Walandouw were drafted into a Jets backline missing both centre-backs Emily Garnier and Taren King. Each was suspended after a red card and yellow card respectively last weekend in a dispiriting 6-0 loss to ladder leaders Western United.
The opening stages of the match were an even contest; whilst Melbourne City customarily dominated possession, they created few clear-cut chances. Newcastle were competitive and looked to carve out opportunities on the counter-attack. Lauren Allen couldn’t quite control her shot after getting on the end of a nicely-shaped Murphy Agnew cross, and Cass Davis had their best chance of the game; her fierce strike palmed onto the post by City keeper Sally James.
Things changed however midway through the first period. City boss Dario Vidosic had initially deployed striker Wilkinson out on the left wing to begin the game, a curious decision given her lack of pace and difficulty beating players with the ball on the ground.
A switch in positions with McNamara paid almost immediate dividends, with the opening goal coming in the 25th minute. A Pollicina through ball found McNamara in stride as she burst towards the byline. Her centering ball back to Pollicina saw the midfielder strike the post with her effort, but Rojas was on hand to put home the rebound from close range.
McNamara went on to provide a huge reminder of the talent the league saw from her before her extended absence last season. Her touch-tight control, speed, and one-on-one ability were all on display out on the wing as she took advantage of the undermanned Jets defence. Her dribbling allowed her to create consecutive chances from dangerous crosses for Henry, Pollicina again, and Wilkinson, whilst she had two first-half shots herself saved by Jets keeper Georgina Worth.
City midfielder McKenna had a rasping effort palmed away by Worth in injury time of the opening period; the Newcastle goalie produced a valiant performance in an ultimately lost cause on the day. Melbourne City racked up 12 shots in the first half alone and showed glimpses of some of their early season, free-flowing offensive form.
McNamara picked up in the second half where she left off, latching onto another Pollicina pass; her run beyond the defence forcing Worth into a breakaway stop. However, with the Jets resorting to physicality in an attempt to slow her down, and her minutes being managed in her first game returning from injury, McNamara’s impressive showing ended at the 60-minute mark, as she was substituted for Chelsea Blissett. City though, kept the pressure on, with Pollicina and Henry calling Worth into further saves, as the Melbournians sought the comfort of a two-goal lead.
Newcastle rarely threatened to find an equaliser, an Agnew drive straight at James the closest they came. A second did eventually come for City, followed just three minutes later by a third. Kaitlyn Torpey’s curled cross landed at the feet of Wilkinson, who laid off to Pollicina to finish well, before Henry connected with Blissett between the lines, and fired low into the bottom corner. Wilkinson wrapped up the scoring in the 94th minute, on hand to follow up another Pollicina long range strike which smacked the crossbar.
With the win, City continue to keep pace with the top of the league and move into second place (though Sydney FC, in third, play tomorrow). They will hope McNamara and Rojas continue to re-energise the squad heading into the four remaining matches before the Finals. Newcastle meanwhile, suffers their seventh loss in eight games and will have a challenge on their hands to stave off the wooden spoon whilst playing out the string of their season.
Teams: NEWCASTLE JETS (4-3-3): Worth; Clough, Allen, Puxty, Walandouw; Johnson, Davis, Agnew; Allan, Brodigan, Gooch. Substitutes: Coelho (GK), Roach, Andrews, Morley, Morley, Pountney.
MELBOURNE CITY (4-3-3): James; Torpey, Checker, Bowen, Grosso; McKenna, Pollicina; Henry, Rojas, McNamara, Wilkinson. Substitutes: Varley (GK), Accardo, Blissett, Malone.
Scorers: Rojas 25’, Pollicina 79’, Henry 81’, Wilkinson 90+4’.
Referee: Kelly Jones.
Attendance: 940.
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