Above: Gary van Egmond will be in place on the touchline for Newcastle Jets next season. Photo supplied to Impetus by: Newcastle Jets.
Newcastle Jets today confirmed that Gary van Egmond has been appointed as head coach for the 2023/24 season.
The appointment comes after van Egmond was appointed as interim coach after the departure of Ash Wilson midway through the current season.
Newcastle Jets Executive Chairman Shane Mattiske is delighted to have Gary lead the team for next season.
“Moving to confirm Gary van Egmond as our women’s head coach for next season is a critical decision as we focus on finishing this season strongly and, importantly, as we look to the next year where we have a strong commitment to build a highly competitive women’s team.
“The 2023/24 season will step up another level for women’s football with it coming immediately after the World Cup on home soil and the expansion of the A-League Women’s competition in the number of teams and length of the season.
“We are making important decisions now to ensure that we have the right people involved to lead this Club and community as we position ourselves to have a very serious run at the next season’s competition.
“Gary’s experience and connection to the Newcastle Jets is unquestionable. He is absolutely committed to the elevation of women’s football in the region and nationally and we know he will give his all to bring success to this club in the A-League Women.”
van Egmond is excited to lead the women’s team for next season and is adamant that the hard work is just beginning. On his appointment, he said: “I’m excited to stay on as head coach for next season. I’m looking forward to the future and for what we can build for this team.
“The goal for us is to be back playing finals football and that’s something the club and I will be striving towards.
“The development of female players through the Academy to underpin the A-League Women team is also vitally important as well. This will take more time so we will need to ensure we recruit well for the 2023/24 season to do well.
“Eventually, the model for our club will be to promote from within and I look forward to when this will occur.”
Artwork: Charlotte Stacey, founder of On Her Side.
Darrell Allen provides his weekly round-up of all the women’s football action in Norfolk, including the county’s seven-a-side scene (21/3/23).
Above: Celebrations as Molly Ryan scores the winner in Mulbarton Belles’ 1-0 victory over Wroxham, from two leagues above them, to reach the Norfolk Women’s Cup Final for the third consecutive year. Photo: Mulbarton Belles FC.
Norfolk Women’s Cup Semi-Finals
Tier seven Mulbarton Belles were the Cup’s headline writers as they beat tier five Wroxham 1-0 at Mulberry Park with Molly Ryan’s goal proving decisive.
In the other tie, tier four Norwich City had too much for tier seven’s Dussindale and Hellesdon Rovers and they powered to a 5-0 victory at The Nest. Ellie Smith and Freya Symonds each bagged a brace with Olivia Cook adding one of her own.
Mulbarton Belles and Norwich City will meet in the final at Norwich City FC’s Carrow Road stadium on Friday 19th May at 7.45pm.
Above: Ellie Smith scored twice and was player of the match as Norwich City beat Dussindale and Hellesdon Rovers 5-0 at The Nest to reach the Norfolk Women’s Cup Final. Photo: Norwich City Women FC
Eastern Region Division One North
Fakenham Town were beaten 2-1 at home by St. Ives Town. Emily Ingle and Georgia Stancombe scored for the visitors with Sophie Lubbock scoring for Fakenham after heading in a Nicole Costin corner.
Norfolk Women and Girls League Division One
Caister were 3-1 winners at Long Stratton thanks to goals from Megan Bartlett, Hazel Saddington, and Rebecca Waters. Caister captain Hayley Muir turned a Samantha Walker free kick into her own net for the hosts’ goal.
Sprowston were 2-1 winners at Bungay Town with goals from Madison Lee and Anais Winney. Zoe Cossey got the goal for Bungay Town.
Above: Caister’s three new signings Hazel Saddington, Megan Bartlett, and Rebecca Waters all scored a goal each in their 3-1 win at Long Stratton. Photo: Caister FC
Norfolk Women and Girls League Division Two
Unbelievably, Aylsham scored 14 goals for the second Sunday running as they won 14-2 at FC Viking Valkyries. Jordan Arnoup scored eight strikes from Michaela Brown, Hannah Claughton, Charlotte Crane, Rhiannon Dack, and Florence Simpkin and an own goal completing the tally. Chelsea Louise Gladding and Leah Walthew scored for the hosts.
Two goals from Rachel Adams and one from Samantha Burgess saw Shrublands pick up an impressive 3-1 win over Bulldogs. Tracey Warren scored for Bulldogs.
Norfolk Women and Girls League 7’s Division One
A Maria Palmer goal was enough to see Kirkley and Pakefield beat Left Field FC 1-0. In the league’s other game, the University of East Anglia shared the points with Dussindale and Hellesdon Rovers in a 1-1 draw.
Norfolk Women and Girls League 7’s Division Two
Katie Fray scored four and Kiera Braithwaite added the other as Taverham were 5-0 winners at Yarmouth FC.
Above: Jordan Arnoup celebrates scoring as Aylsham score 14 for the second weekend on the trot and win 14-2 at FC Viking Valkyries in the Norfolk Women & Girls League Division Two. Photo: Ben Cunningham
Martin Townley and Perry Dobbins combine to deliver excellent coverage of the weekend’s games in Wales’ top leagues. Martin rounds up the action, and Perry‘s photo gallery this week comes from the Adran Premier game between Cardiff City and Cardiff Met (21/3/23).
Above: Cardiff City (blue) get in a shot despite the Cardiff Met defence’s best efforts. Photo: Perry Dobbins.
News in Brief
Cardiff City hit nine past Met after last week’s Adran Trophy final loss. Swansea City maintain pressure on leaders with a win over The New Saints. Abergavenny survival hopes dashed after home loss to Aberystwyth Town.
Long-serving Cardiff Met Manager Yzzy Taylor announces she is to step down after 11 years at the club.
In the Adran South leaders Briton Ferry now need just two points to take the title. They host Caldicot Town on Tuesday night, and a win will confirm them as champions and set up a promotion play-off with Adran North champions Wrexham.
Adran Premier
Cardiff City 9-0 Cardiff Met
The Bluebirds were simply stunning as they took revenge on City rivals Cardiff Met for last week’s defeat in the Adran Trophy Final.
Danielle Broadhurst got the first after seven minutes before a Seren Watkins spot kick after 17 minutes saw City take a two-goal lead. Eliza Collie added the third on 36 minutes. City weren’t done and two from Rhianne Oakley before halftime sent the Bluebirds in 5-0 up.
In the second half, Eliza Collie scored three times, taking her tally for the day to four and Megan Bowen added one as City ran out 9-0 winners. Cardiff City remain seven points clear at the top as we head into the final three games.
A win in their game next week, when TNS are the visitors, will confirm Cardiff City as champions.
Perry Dobbins’ Photo Gallery from Cardiff City v Cardiff Met
Swansea City 4-1 The New Saints
Swansea City are still in the title fight as they came through a tough game against an improving TNS side.
Katy Hosford gave the Swans the lead in the opening minute but TNS fought back and were level after ten minutes. Lucie Platt with her sixth goal of the season. It took the Swans until the 35th minute to retake the lead and Stacy John-Davis hit two in three minutes to send Swansea into the break 3-1 up.
Monet Legall added a fourth in the second half and maintained Swansea’s title chances for another week. City must win their next game against Cardiff Met and hope that Cardiff City drop points if they are to have any chance to win the league.
Pontypridd United 0-0 Barry Town United
Pontypridd United remain top of the Adran Premier Plate Conference after their home draw with Barry Town. The point moves Barry close to safety in the Adran Premier with a nine-point gap over Abergavenny with three to play.
A first-half strike from Emily Thomas was enough to secure Aberystwyth Town all three points against Abergavenny.
The result means that the Seasiders will be playing Genero Adran Premier football again next season – and stay sixth in the table, second in the Plate Conference after the league split at the halfway point.
Manager Gav Allen found himself contending with a limited squad at this late stage of the campaign – naming only two substitutes. But his team stayed well organised and resolute, with Thomas striking in the 15th minute, and the Aber back line fending off pressure from the hosts seeking an equaliser.
Next weekend they travel to Barry Town United – before returning to Park Avenue for their final home game of the season against Abergavenny on Sunday 2nd April (2pm kick-off).
Adran South
Pontardawe Town 1-3 Briton Ferry Llansawel
Briton Ferry went into the game with the knowledge that two wins will ensure they win the Adran South.
The opening of the game was tense as Pontardawe worked hard to stop the Reds from playing. The visitors did take the lead thanks to Chelsea Deacon 22 minutes into the game. After Laura-May Walkley’s shot was saved, Megan Kearle picked up the ball and found Deacon. Pontardawe keeper Bethan Connolly got a hand to the shot, but it wasn’t enough to stop the goal.
Sophie Topper equalised just before half-time as her close-range shot went in. Briton Ferry stepped it up in the second half and from Lucy Powell’s cross, Walkley sent a bullet header into the net.
Another header gave Ferry a 3-1 lead when Lowri Baker nodded home from Megan Kearle’s corner. Briton Ferry will be crowned as Adran South Champions on Tuesday night if they beat Caldicot Town.
Above: Celebration time for Briton Ferry Llansawel. Photo: Lewis Mitchell/FAW.
Cascade YC 3-1 Swansea University
Cascade YC went into this game knowing they would have to win to keep pressure on leaders Briton Ferry.
Bethan Llyod grabbed the opening goal after 11 minutes with Casey Thomas adding a second before halftime. Llyod added a third in the 65th minute to put Cascade further ahead. Shelbie Parker-Smith pulled a goal back for Swansea, but Cascade picked up the win they needed.
Adran North
Llanfair United 0-1 CPDM Y Felinheli
Felinheli moved into fourth place in the Adran North with a 1-0 win over Llanfair United. A fourth-minute goal for Jordanne Greenough was enough to give the visitors the three points.
Andy Wicks was at the Select Car Leasing Stadium for Impetus yesterday to capture this EXCLUSIVE photo gallery from the FA Cup Quarter-Final tie between Reading and Chelsea (20/3/23).
Above: Chelsea’s Millie Bright and Zećira Mušovićembrace yesterday as the FA Cup holders advanced to the semi-finals at Reading. Photo: Andy Wicks for Impetus.
Reading 1-3 Chelsea
Chelsea eased their way into another FA Cup Semi-Final with victory at Reading yesterday.
After keeping Royals keeper Grace Moloney busy in the early stages, Emma Hayes’ sides went ahead when Jess Carter dispatched Guro Reiten’s cross into the net. Within three minutes, the Cup holders doubled their advantage when Reiten was felled in the box by Brooke Hendrix and Maren Mjelde rammed the spot kick home. Reiten grabbed the third from Alsu Abdullina’s ball. Sanne Troelsgaard, who had earlier had a goal disallowed for offside, got one back for the hosts, but that was as good as it got for the Berkshire side.
Above: All smiles for AFC Wimbledon at home to Ashford Town (Middx) yesterday. Photo: Emily Topping.
by George Jones – AFC Wimbledon(20/3/23)
A debut goal by Amber Dredge rounded off a convincing Capital Cup semi-final victory for AFC Wimbledon on Sunday against fellow tier four FA Women’s National League Division One SE side Ashford Town (Middx).
Though injuries had restricted the options available to manager Kevin Foster, there was simply no stopping the Dons with the Tangerines emphatically beaten 5-0 at Carshalton Athletic FC.
And that paves the way towards a showpiece final with London Bees or Arsenal Academy awaiting in the Final.
With Wimbledon suffering from a number of injuries, a number of youth team players were called up to be on the substitutes’ bench and Sarah Wentworth made her first start in 16 months to complete her recovery from an ACL injury.
The Dons got off to a positive start by opening the scoring with less than 15 minutes on the clock. Centre-back Kelly Highman scored her second goal in as many games with a close-range finish after some fine play from Wentworth to bring down a corner. Ten minutes later the advantage was doubled as Becki Bath scored with yet another long-range screamer.
With several penalty appeals turned away by the referee and a goal also disallowed for offside, the Dons just missed out on securing the cushion of a third before the break.
However, there wasn’t long to wait for Wimbledon to extend the advantage after the interval – and it came in superb style too as Chloe Sampson scored a fantastic solo goal. With 20 minutes to go, Szofia Siber, twin sister of first-team regular Gloria, came on for her first senior appearance of the season, replacing the returning Wentworth. Seven minutes later it was 4-0 as Hannah Billingham got her second goal in three games with the help of a deflection.
With 10 minutes remaining, Elizabeth Mulvaney came on for her debut. A couple of minutes later Siber came close to striking a memorable goal as she rattled a post. Following this, the two remaining Under-23s on the bench – Amber Dredge and Chloe Gibney came on for their Dons debuts.
In the last minute, Dredge marked her debut with a powerful effort that flew into the roof of the net, leaving the visiting keeper with no chance, to put the icing on the cake.
Reflecting after the game, AFC Wimbledon head coach Kevin Foster said: “We were excellent – we passed the ball, moved it, and controlled the game throughout. We had some very positive performances out there.”
The Dons are back in action on Thursday night with a trip to East London to face London Seaward. This is followed by a visit to Loftus Road to face QPR.
Teams: AFC WIMBLEDON: Allen, Russell (Dredge), Highman, Wentworth (S. Siber), Billingham, Ali, Donovan, Dorey, Plewa (Mulvaney), Sampson, Bath (Gibney).
Above: Celebrations for Renfrew as they hit back to beat Rossvale in the battle between the second and third-placed sides in the SWF Championship. Photo: Sportpix.
SWF Championship
A second-half comeback by Renfrew Ladies to beat Rossvale at home has narrowed the gap with Scottish Women’s Championship leaders Livingston to ten points.
A goal from in-form Sinead Macleod and a free kick from Morgan Graham saw the Renfrew side take maximum points from their Glasgow rivals, who had gone ahead through a first-half goal from Morgan Anderson in a fiercely competitive game in the race for promotion to the SWPL 2.
The side which finishes top of the Championship will get automatic promotion, while the side which finishes second will enter a playoff with the side finishing second bottom of SWPL 2. Renfrew Ladies are currently second on 45 points with Rossvale four behind on 41, although the Glasgow side has a game in hand.
Elsewhere, doubles from Kayleigh Mackenzie and Rhea Hossack helped Inverness Caledonian Thistle beat Morton convincingly 7-2 in Port Glasgow, while Ayr United beat Hutchison Vale 2-1.
SWF League One
Above: Westdyke (sky blue) in action against Edinburgh Caledonia. Photo: Sportpix.
Westdyke secured an important away victory over in-form Edinburgh Caledonia in the capital, with goals from Bethany Cochrane and Georgia Park in a 2-0 win which keeps the northeast side in third behind promotion rivals Falkirk with a game in hand. The Bairns completed a 6-1 victory over Airdrie Ladies which saw veteran striker Suzanne Wyatt score her 24th and 25th league goals of the campaign for Falkirk, while Stenhousemuir won the battle for fourth with a hard-fought 1-0 victory at home to St. Mirren. League leaders FC Edinburgh won comfortably 4-0 against Grampian Ladies, while Giffnock SC enjoyed a goal spree in Dundee, beating Dundee West 10-0.
Biffa SWFL
Above: Dunfermline Athletic (stripes) look to breath through against Edinburgh South in the Biffa SWFL East division. Photo: Thomas Sands Media.
Bonnyrigg Rose returned to winning ways with a comprehensive 10-0 victory over McDermid Ladies in East while in West, Clydebank beat rivals Bishopton 2-1 as Dunipace and Drumchapel United played out a 1-1 draw. In South, Annan Athletic won an entertaining contest with Flip the Mindset 6-4, while in North, Westdyke Thistle picked up their first points of the season by beating Buchan 4-3.
Matthew Appleby provides us with all the action as York City hosted Middlesbrough in the North Riding County Cup Semi-Final that went all the way to a penalty shoot-out (20/3/23).
Above: Middlesbrough celebrate after Armani Maxwell hit the winning penalty in their semi-final shoot-out win at York City. Photo: Matthew Appleby.
York City 2-2 Middlesbrough
This was a dramatic encounter with the scoreboard swinging one way and then the other. Boro hit the front after 13 minutes when Armani Maxwell directed the ball home from close range.
Four minutes before the break, Jess Mett hit a rocket shot into the top corner as the visitors went in 2-0 ahead. Within eight minutes of the re-start, York were back in it when Milly Ash’s corner was headed home by Alice Hughes. Midway through the half, the home side levelled thanks to Jess Holder.
With no extra time, the tie went straight to penalties, and it was Middlesbrough who took the win 4-3. They will go on to face Redcar Town in the final who beat Middlesbrough’s Development side in the other last-four tie.
Each week during the home and away season, Impetus’ writing and photography team covering the competition 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 Finals, will announce our winners for 2022/23 (21/3/23).
Player of the Week:
Above: Bethany Gordon received recognition for a great display for Western Sydney Wanderers. Photo: Kris Goman for Impetus.
BEN GILBY:Cortnee Vine. A great show against Melbourne City that showcased everything that the Matildas star has to offer. An honourable mention also for Bethany Gordon for her exploits for Western Sydney Wanderers against Brisbane Roar.
KIERAN YAP: It was not the fanciest goal, but Cyera Hintzen stood up and delivered in a must-win game for Perth Glory. It’s exactly what your overseas star recruits should provide.
BEN CAREY:Bethany Gordon. Her performance against Brisbane Roar was incredible. She provided a seamless link between the defenders and the front line and managed to score not only her first A-League goal, but her second as well!
Coach of the Week:
Above: Melbourne Victory boss Jeff Hopkins picked up a vote for coach of the week. Image: Melbourne Victory.
BEN GILBY:Jeff Hopkins. Melbourne Victory have lost two of the best midfielders in the competition in Alex Chidiac and Elise Kellond-Knight, yet the “tinkering” that Hopkins admitted in a recent press conference that he would need to employ is working and, once more, come the pointy end of the season Victory are picking up the wins. Even more impressively, they are doing it against the teams around them on the ladder.
KIERAN YAP: Jeff Hopkins. Victory continue to do just enough to grind out the season. They were under the pump all game against Canberra United, yet they remained composed, took their chance, and rode their luck. This is a manager and a team that knows how to perform under pressure.
BEN CAREY:Adrian Stenta. His side were down 2-0 after the first half against Newcastle Jets. He was able to inspire his side and deploy the right tactics to fight back and snatch a hard-fought draw.
Event of the Week:
Above: Kaitlyn Torpey (bottom)’s late leveller for Melbourne City against Sydney FC took the votes for event of the week this round. Photo: Melbourne City.
BEN GILBY: Melbourne City’s late goal by Kaitlyn Torpey to save a point against Sydney FC.
KIERAN YAP: Beth Gordon’s second goal for Western Sydney Wanderers against Brisbane Roar. The strike was something special, but the celebrations were truly heartwarming. She was engulfed by her teammates and then ran to the bench to be congratulated by the team physio.
BEN CAREY: Kaitlyn Torpey’s incredible strike off Chelsea Blissett’s corner in the 94th minute to secure the draw for Melbourne City.
Artwork: Charlotte Stacey, founder of On Her Side.
Kris Goman was at Wanderers Football Park for Impetus yesterday to capture the best of the action fromthe A-League Women match between Western Sydney Wanderers and Brisbane Roar (20/3/23).
Above: All eyes on the ball last night at Western Sydney Wanderers (red and black). Photo: Kris Goman for Impetus.
Above: Perth SC celebrate with the NPLW WA Night Series trophy after their dramatic win over Perth RedStar. Photo: Rob Lizzi.
by Ben Gilby(19/3/23)
Perth SC came from 2-0 down with six minutes of normal time remaining to defeat Perth RedStar in a sudden death penalty shoot-out in a highly dramatic NPLW WA Night Series Grand Final at Floreat Athena’s E&D Litis Stadium.
The Azzurri showed real grit and determination to become the first side to defeat Perth RedStar since the merger between Northern Redbacks and ECU Joondalup. As well as being two goals adrift during the 90 minutes, they also missed their opening penalty in the shoot-out. This was a trophy for Perth SC that was earned the hard way.
Carlos Vega Mena’s RedStar side won every trophy available to them last season. Despite losing key players Shawn Billam (retirement), Larissa Walsh (Calder United), and Carla Bennett (serious injury), the RedStar conveyor belt of home-produced talent and canny signings has put together another strong team.
Perth SC boss Pete Rakic has also put together a strong-looking squad for the new season, as the Azzurri look to mount a serious challenge across all competitions this campaign. Coming in are talented players such as former Perth Glory A-League Women players Poppie Hooks (from Murdoch University Melville), Gemma Craine (returning from 12 months injured), plus Monique Godding from Balcatta Etna and Ellie La Monte who comes back to WA after a 17 goal haul for Launceston United in the NPLW Tasmania last season.
The opening half-hour was largely cagey. There were a limited number of half-chances. First, with six minutes on the clock, Liana Cook floated in a free kick for Perth SC on the left-hand side of the box that led to Jaime Duncanson getting an effort away that Maya Diederichsen in the RedStar put out for a corner. The resulting flag kick saw Hooks fire in a shot that drifted wide.
RedStar began to threaten more often after the 20-minute mark with former Football Fern Renee Leota denied a shot on goal as Perth defender Alyssa van Heurck got in a fine tackle just as the trigger was about to be pulled. Cook also got back well to deny Leota another chance after reading Olivia Wood’s through ball expertly.
Goal!! for Perth RedStar FC out of NPL Women Night Series Final at RedStar Arena in the 31:15 mark of the First Half. Score Perth RedStar FC 1:0 Perth SC
However, just after the half-hour mark Leota ran towards the box and was challenged just inside the area, and referee David Avison pointed to the spot. Up stepped Sarah Carroll, who dispatched a low shot into the right-hand corner of the net, just beyond the outstretched boot of Perth SC keeper Rebecca Bennett.
Perth SC looked to respond instantly with Duncanson getting through and hitting a fierce low ball across the box that no one in a sky-blue shirt could get on the end of. Shortly afterwards, Abbey Meakins let fly from long range, but Diederichsen dealt with the danger.
In time-honoured fashion, once ahead, RedStar looked to make the most of it. Grace Monteiro turned and played in a high cross from the right that Wood, centrally positioned on the edge of the box headed backwards for Chiori Ikeda. The Japanese player showed great skill to first control the ball, and then backheel it for compatriot Reina Kagami to take a touch and sweep a low shot into the net to double the defending champions’ lead.
Goal!! for Perth RedStar FC out of NPL Women Night Series Final at RedStar Arena in the 41:03 mark of the First Half. Score Perth RedStar FC 2:0 Perth SC
Just before the break, Carlos Vega Mena’s side had one further opportunity as Wood’s long-range shot was well held by Rebecca Bennett.
Pete Rakic made an important half-time substitution, bringing on Craine, and his Perth SC side began to slowly edge back into the contest after an early mix-up in defence that saw an attempted clearance deflect off a sky-blue shirt and fall to Carroll whose shot from the edge of the area was cleared.
Just before the hour mark, Meakins combined with the industrious Ella Lincoln who forced a superb diving save from Diederichsen. Ten minutes later, the Azzurri came close once more as Duncanson’s corner from the left spun in viciously, and with Diederichsen beaten, came back off of the crossbar.
RedStar also saw an effort come back off of the bar within two minutes when Coleman found Wood, who rocketed a shot off of the woodwork.
Perth SC had survived, and then mounted an attack of their own as Judy Connolly was played through, only to be brought down in the box by Andreia Teixeira who was shown a yellow card and a penalty awarded. Abbey Meakins’ low spot kick found the net to bring Perth back into the game.
Goal!! for Perth SC out of NPL Women Night Series Final at RedStar Arena in the 71:53 mark of the Second Half. Score Perth RedStar FC 2:1 Perth SC
Perth RedStar fashioned the next chance – a golden one to seal victory with 18 minutes remaining in a sequence that, after the match, could be looked back on as the moment this game turned.
Leota found Akida from the left-hand side who forced Bennett into a save, with the rebound coming for Coleman, placed centrally in the box who looked certain to have hit the third RedStar goal to finally kill off Perth dreams – but Bennett came from nowhere to produce an astounding save.
Buoyed by this, Perth SC came forward, and with just six minutes remaining on the clock, a ball through found Football West NTC product Connolly who turned Carroll twice and guided a shot into the far right-hand corner to level the scores. With no extra time in this final – the destination of the trophy was to be decided by a penalty shoot-out.
Goal!! for Perth SC out of NPL Women Night Series Final at RedStar Arena in the 83:44 mark of the Second Half. Score Perth RedStar FC 2:2 Perth SC
First up was Meakins for Perth, but her effort was saved by a flying Diederichsen to the left. With the next eight penalties all successful, up stepped Kagami who knew that if she scored, Perth RedStar would retain the trophy. However, Bennett dived to the right to push the ball away, and Perth SC were back from the dead once more.
The shoot-out now moved to sudden death, and with the pressure ramped up, five successful penalties were taken. RedStar captain Jay Coleman then stepped up and agonisingly put her spot kick wide of the left-hand post. It was a cruel way for such an enthralling encounter to be decided.
Above: Perth SC’s Judy Connolly celebrates with the NPLW WA Night Series trophy. Photo: Rob Lizzi.
Perth SC celebrated a hard-won trophy. They will take huge confidence not just from winning silverware, but the way they did it, and the huge character they showed. However, Perth RedStar will come back from this – they will go all out to repeat their successes of last season, starting next weekend when they host Hyundai NTC in a repeat of last season’s NPLW Top Four Cup Final to begin the 2023 NPLW WA campaign. It’s going to be a heck of a ride.
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