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.
Report by Ben Gilby, EXCLUSIVE photos from Allianz Stadium from Kris Goman (2/4/23)
Above: Sydney FC lift the premiers plate after a 4-0 win over Newcastle Jets. Photo: Kris Goman for Impetus.
Sydney FC sealed a third successive Premiers Plate with victory over Newcastle Jets.
Whilst the match was not completely settled until the final 12 minutes, Ante Juric’s team were comfortable winners. The Harbour City side are going into the Finals, Canberra United apart, as the in-form side, and there will be confidence coursing through their veins as they look to improve on their recent record of five defeats in the last seven Grand Finals.
Whilst the match was played in dry conditions, there was a torrential downpour leading up to kick-off that left areas of the playing surface with significant amounts of water on.
With Sydney FC going into the game knowing they just needed to win, the Jets wanted to spoil their party to commemorate Tara Andrews’ 131st appearance and send Teigan Allen off a high ahead of her retirement.
Sydney FC hit the front just after the quarter of an hour mark as Princess Ibini put on the afterburners to get past Chloe Walandouw on the left flank before cutting back for Mackenzie Hawkesby to lift a first-time shot over Georgie Worth in the Jets goal.
Above: Mackenzie Hawkesby celebrates after putting Sydney FC 2-0 up. Photo: Kris Goman for Impetus.
It took the Sky Blues until 12 minutes before the end to make the game safe. Madison Haley attacked along the left before cutting in and playing a pass to Hawkesby who was positioned centrally around 25 yards from goal. The talented attacker ran on and fired a shot from just outside the box which substitute keeper Claire Coelho got a palm to which only served to help the ball into the net.
Two further strikes in stoppage time at the end of the 90 minutes put the icing on the Premiers cake. Again, Haley was involved as her lofted pass in midfield was inadvertently headed into Cortnee Vine’s path by a Jet. The Sydney star, shortly to jet off to England to join the Matildas camp, gathered possession, and drove on before confidently dispatching a low shot into the net from just inside the box.
Vine completed the Sydney win six minutes into added time when she was found by Hunter on the right-hand side of the box and fired home.
With Vine finding peak form as her side go into Finals, the Sky Blues look to be red-hot favourites this time to finally end their run of three successive Grand Final defeats.
Above: Sydney FC captain Nat Tobin with the Premiers Plate. Photo: Kris Goman for Impetus.
Captain Natalie Tobin became only the second captain in history to lift the Plate twice in a row following in the footsteps of ex-Sydney FC skipper Heather Garriock in 2010.
“It feels fantastic to have set this new benchmark and we are all very happy,” said the five-time major trophy winner.
“To know we have created history and become the first team to win the Premiers Plate three times in a row is an achievement which will live with us all for a very long time. “I’m so proud of our squad and every one of our girls. It has been a privilege to captain them. It’s very special and a great record to have but our goal is to win the Championship and we intend to keep going and complete the double.”
Head Coach Ante Juric was full of praise for his young squad who have an average age of just 21. “These girls thoroughly deserve this accolade. They have worked hard and I hope they get the recognition and acknowledgment this achievement merits.
“We’ve had a lot to deal with this season but our players have overcome every hurdle put in their way and I’m delighted for them. It is extremely hard to continue to be successful as everyone steps up against us and wants to beat us so to become the only team in A-Leagues history to win three consecutive Premierships is a remarkable feat.
“There is more work to do and we are more determined than ever to ensure we finish the season on a high in the Finals Series.”
Sydney FC have won the competition more times than any other club with this fifth Premiership in the club’s history. They are also clear on eight major Liberty A-League Women’s titles (three as champions, and five Premiers) ahead of the six won by Melbourne City.
The Sky Blues will face Western United on Sunday 16th April to determine who will proceed straight to the Grand Final. Kick is at 5.45pm.
Kris Goman’s exclusive photo gallery from Allianz Stadium
Teams: SYDNEY FC (4-3-3): Whyman, Rule, Tobin, de la Harpe, Fenton, Hawkesby, I. Dos Santos, Hunter, Vine, Lowe, Ibini. Substitutes: Collister, Green, Haley, Hollman, Offer (GK).
Report by Ben Carey, post-match coverage from Ben Gilby(1/4/23)
Above: Elizabeth Anton and Demi Koulizakis run towards Gabriella Coleman in celebration of her match winning goal. Photo: Perth Glory.
Perth Glory beat Brisbane Roar in a tight contest on Saturday afternoon, but the point that Melbourne Victory took in Wellington earlier in the day meant that the Western Australian side’s Finals hopes would be dashed.
It was a mild, overcast day, and the game had good attendance and a great atmosphere. It was the Glory’s third game in three states in six days. They came into the match having lost to Sydney FC mid-week. The Roar lost Larissa Crummer to Norwegian club Brann during the week, yet another blow to the Brisbane club who have had a chaotic season. Nonetheless, they were looking to end their season with a win at home.
The match started out with a lot of energy. In the first 10 minutes, Perth Glory had a number of successive chances, mostly coming from corner kicks, but none of them were converted. Every attempt went high, wide, or was saved by the Roar keeper, Hensley Hancuff. Brisbane Roar absorbed the early pressure from Perth Glory and eventually settled into the match. They started pushing up a bit more and the match shifted to more of a midfield battle.
The Roar’s best chance of the first half came about five minutes before half-time. Sharn Freier put in a lot of hard work to get the ball down the left side of the pitch, and passed it out to Shea Connors, who found Hollie Palmer in the box with a nicely weighted pass. Palmer took a cracking shot across the face of the goal, drawing a spectacular diving save from Glory keeper, Morgan Aquino.
Brisbane came into the second half playing with a lot more intensity. They were passing better and pressing higher, trying to make something happen. Just a few minutes into the half, Brisbane defender, Jessie Rasschaert, almost scored from a header following a well-placed corner kick from Tamar Levin, but the header was just a fraction too high.
10 minutes later, up the other end, Perth was building a well-structured attack on the Brisbane goal. A Glory midfielder hit a beautiful low and hard cross into the box, which was spilled by Hancuff. The ball ended up at the feat of Hana Lowry, right in front of goal. It looked for all the world like it would be the goal that broke the deadlock. Lowry took a good shot , but Rasschaert was able to make a wonderful goal-line clearance to keep her team in the match.
It would not be Lowry who would break the deadlock, but she would be involved. In the 73rd minute, the Perth youngster’s well-positioned and perfectly weighted corner kick found the head of American international Gabriella Coleman, who power it past Hancuff, whose hand remained outstretched for a good five seconds after the goal went in, dazed by the angle and power of the header.
About 10 mintues before full time, the Roar had a series of corners, but they were unable to convert any of them into a goal. There was one half chance, where some sloppy defending by Glory gifted Connors the ball in the box. She turned and got a shot off, but it was cleared off the line.
Perth Glory managed to close out the game without many more hiccups. They dominated possession, passed accurately, defended well, and took their chances in attack when they could.
Hana Lowry, the talented young midfielder, had a phenomenal match, providing the match-winning assist, and creating several more big chances throughout the match. Coleman had a strong performance as well, scoring the game-winning goal and creating other goal scoring opportunities.
Kim Carroll, in her final A-League match, put in a very good shift, defending very well, and providing important leadership to her fellow teammates. It is very fitting that Carroll’s last match was in Brisbane, as she was born in Queensland and Brisbane Roar was her first A-League club, whom she played for seven years.
Brisbane Roar, by contrast, were too slow on the ball and not efficient with their possession. Connors tried her best, getting herself into dangerous positions and taking a handful of shots, one of which hit the side post. But she was largely isolated up the front without support from her teammates. Palmer had a good day in the midfield, creating several opportunities and taking a couple of shots on goal.
But the standout Roar player of the match was Rasschaert. Like Carroll, it was also her last A-League match, having played two seasons with Canberra United and two with the Roar. She defended exceptionally well at the back, blocking three shots from going in and making a number of vital clearances as well. She was also a vital presence in the Roar attacks, taking four shots on goals. It seems that she wanted to go out with a bang. It’s a shame that she is retiring, as this season was truly her best so far. Her leadership, pace, and skill will be sorely missed by the Roar next season.
Speaking after the game, Perth Glory head coach Alex Epakis spoke of his pride in his team’s efforts, writes Ben Gilby.
“Very, very happy with the result and with the performance. It was a good way to end the season. We said prior to the match that we’re not going to be able to play Finals, but we wanted to put out a performance that was reflective of a Finals match, and I thought we certainly did that. We had some great phases of possession and looked in control for most parts of the match, and were unlucky not to get another goal or two.”
A wonderful 15-year career comes to a close 👑
Kim Carroll. One of the @LibFinancial A-League greats.
Whilst Melbourne Victory’s point at Wellington Phoenix meant that making the top four was out of Perth’s reach, Epakis outlined the motivating factors that the team still had ahead of kick-off in Brisbane.
“We still had a bit to play for – it was Kim Carroll’s last match, it was Hana Lowry’s 50th (appearance) and we wanted our last performance to be reflective of the things we’ve worked hard on playing-wise.”
The Glory boss was able to give a positive update on the condition of captain Tash Rigby who went down with an injury to her knee. “I believe at this stage it is just a deep cut.”
The Western Australian side have narrowly missed out on Finals for the past two seasons now. Last year it was goal difference, this time it will be a single point. It’s frustrating for Epakis, but he takes pride in seeing the continued positive developments at the club.
“Ultimately, we’re not going to get the opportunity to play Finals and that’s going to sting because we know we can compete with those top four teams. Our results and performances against those teams indicate that had we made it into the four, we would have given it a good shake-up.
“Nonetheless, we’ve had a strong and solid season. It’s certain had its ebbs and flows, but as I look back I see the players have progressed, the team has progressed and we’re heading in an upward trajectory.”
Above: Hannah Keane is mobbed by her teammates after scoring the opening goal. Photo: @aleaguewomen Twitter
Western United have won their final game of the season, and Hannah Keane shot her way into Golden Boot favouritism. However, even after a 2-1 defeat of Western Sydney Wanderers, they needed a favour from Newcastle Jets in order to win a premiership in their first season.
The equation coming into this game for Western United was simple but frustrating. They had to beat the Western Sydney Wanderers, which on their home turf was expected. They also needed Sydney FC to lose to Newcastle Jets, which felt unlikely given the form of those two sides.
The task was made slightly easier by the absence of Clare Hunt from the Wanderers side. The captain and new Matilda was not named in the line-up, and no injury information has been made available. It is possible that she was not risked with the coming international window in mind.
Western United started the game in top gear. They attacked down both flanks and moved the ball through midfield with ease. The Wanderers are normally a strong team without the ball and able to maintain possession in deeper midfield areas, but Angie Beard and Stacy Papadopoulos seemed to have acres of space to attack the visitors from fullback.
The opening goal came from a corner kick. Tyla-Jay Vlajnić whipped in an inswinger from the right-hand side. Hannah Keane timed her jump to perfection and nodded it into the net from the six-yard box. It was her 12th goal of the season, bringing her level with Michelle Heyman.
Western United continued to attack. Beard was in tremendous form and almost scored from long range. Her dipping shot was on target but Sham Khamis leapt well and got a strong hand to tip it over the bar.
Above: Hannah Keane – who now leads the A-League Women scorers chart. Photo: Liberty A-League Women.
Sydney Cummings almost replicated Keane’s goal, from another corner, but the ball skimmed off the top of her head despite the strong positioning. There was little pressure coming from the visitors, and Jaclyn Sawicki was able to dictate play for Western almost at her leisure.
When The Wanderers did attack, it was usually through Sophie Harding. The in-form striker is blessed with the pace and touch to take on multiple players, but Western United did well to usher her wide on most occasions. There was not much support coming from midfield in the first hour of play.
The second half began just as brightly for Western United. Unsurprisingly, it was Keane once again. This time, a long ball from the back, almost a clearance really, bounced on the wing. Keane pressured the defender and stole away. Once goal side, there was nothing between her and the goal except the angle.
Keane charged inward, opening the space in front of her, and slotted the ball beyond Khamis to make it 2-0, and bring up her 13th of the season. She now sits in outright first place in the Golden Boot race and will be in the odd position of barracking for Melbourne City’s defenders against Canberra United.
Western United looked to be in control of the game, but Kat Smith looked to her bench to try and shift momentum.
Sienna Saveska came into play, replacing Bethany Gordon. The Young Matildas attacker had an immediate impact. Her control, turn and pass almost put Harding into a threatening position.
Saveksa is a tricky, creative player with vision and skill beyond her 16 years. Before the game was over, those watching were to witness what this young star can produce.
Above: Sienna Saveska training with the Young Matildas. Photo: Twitter.
She received the ball at the edge of the penalty area, with an organized Western United defence ahead of her. With a quick shift of feet, Saveska created space for herself and fired a shot off her left foot. The shot beat Hillary Beall, with the help of a slight deflection, but the craft in making the opportunity was impressive. This was the first of what will likely be many goals in the A-League Women.
The Wanderers looked livelier as the half continued, and Western United had trouble maintaining possession. Chances for the home side became rarer, and more frequent for the visitors.
Western United held on as they have so many times this season. This performance was a combination of both their styles of play. They can absorb pressure when needed, and dominate play when possible.
Alana Cerne was nearly flawless at centre-back, and the Taranto twins were excellent in midfield. Out wide, Angie Beard continued to show why Western United were so determined to sign her.
This win may not be enough to win a premiership in their first season, but they will have the double chance in Finals, and should be immensely proud of their achievements so far.
Teams:WESTERN UNITED (4-3-3): Beall, Papadopoulos, Cummings, Cerne, Beard, Sawicki, M. Taranto, A. Taranto, Vlajnić, Keane, Johnson. Substitutes: Dall Oste, Iermano, Steer, Dakic, Sardo.
Scorers: Keane 23’, 55’.
WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS (4-3-1-2): Khamis, Apostolakis, Ferrid, Steinmetz, Matos, Gordon, Harrison, Chessari, Price, Bolden, Harding. Substitutes: Saveska, Rue, Hall, Abdul Massih, Caceres.
Scorers: Saveska 80’.
Referee: Rebecca Durcau
Attendance: 361.
Artwork: Charlotte Stacey, founder of On Her Side.
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