Martin Townley and Perry Dobbins combine to deliver all the detail of the weekend’s games in Wales’ top leagues and cup action. Martin rounds up the action and Perry‘s photo gallery this week comes from the Adran Trophy Final(14/3/23).
Above: Cardiff Met celebrate with the Adran Trophy after their 3-1 win over Cardiff City. Photo: Perry Dobbins.
Cardiff Met lifted the Genero Adran Trophy at SDM Glass Stadium after a 3-1 win over Cardiff City in front of a crowd of 458.
The Archers inflicted City’s first defeat of the season as they lifted the trophy for the second year in a row.
Llandudno strengthened their third-place position in the Adran North with 3-0 win over Felinheli. Swansea Uni picked up a 3-0 win over Caldicot Town in the only game in the Adran South as Pontardawe v Briton Ferry fell victim to heavy rain in South Wales.
Adran Trophy Final
Cardiff Met 3-1 Cardiff City
Cardiff Met opened the scoring in the 15th minute thanks to a penalty from Erin Murray. Having made a good run into the box, Murray was pulled by City’s Ffion Price. Murray went to the right and keeper Ceryn Chamberlain looked to have saved it but the ball trickled through her grasp.
Met doubled their lead following a good ball into Ellie Preece from Robyn Pinder allowing Preece to run into the box going past Siobhan Walsh. Preece slid the ball across the box for Murray who tapped in from close range.
The Bluebirds were able to pull a goal back thanks to another penalty after a foul by Met keeper Amelia Forkings. City captain Siobhan Walsh smashed the ball into the top corner.
Despite pressure from City, it was the Archers who got the vital next goal. Erin Murray finding Preece in space on the edge of the box. Preece fired a first-time shot past the City keeper.
Cardiff City were unable to find two goals to level the game and Cardiff Met lift the Adran Trophy for the second season in a row.
Perry Dobbins’ photo gallery from the Adran Trophy Final:
Adran North
CPDM Y Felinheli 0-3 Llandudno
Jasmin Dutton hit a hat trick for a bare-bones Llandudno side as they picked up the win. Dutton got her first in the 32nd minute with an assist from Ffion Owen. Maddie Williams set up Dutton for her second in the 82nd minute before Owen and Dutton combined again in added time.
Adran South
Swansea University 3-0 Caldicot Town
Katie Horsburgh’s hat trick secured the three points for Swansea Uni as they beat Caldicot. Horsburgh struck twice in the first half before adding the third in the second as Swansea Uni picked up their third win of the season.
Central Wales FA Ladies Challenge Cup
from Abertsywuth Town Women Media Team
Above: Bethan Roberts in possession for Aberystwyth Town against Aberystwyth University. Photo: Steve Williams.
There’ll be one Aberystwyth Town Women team in the final of the Central Wales FA Ladies’ Challenge Cup – as the first team trounced Aberystwyth University 11-1.
But the development side couldn’t make it two, narrowly falling 1-0 to Llanfair United at Park Avenue.
The first team got things started in the lunchtime kick-off, firing in the goals at the University Sports Ground. Bethan ‘Cheeks’ Roberts was instrumental, running the game from the middle and also scoring a hat-trick, with Emily Thomas also grabbing three. Shauna Chambers followed up last weekend’s spectacular strike with two more, and Amy Jenkins was as solid as ever leading the line, scoring two. Rebecca Mathias was also on the scoresheet with a fine header from a corner.
The two blots on the day were the loss of the clean sheet plus a missed penalty from Tania Wylde – but all in all, it was a resounding victory for Gavin Allen’s side.
The development team fought hard to make it an all-Aber Town cup final, but went in one down at the break, to a Sarah Ellis strike, and couldn’t get the goal they so desperately needed.
The first team will now face Llanfair United in the final, with the details to be confirmed.
Jean-Pierre Thiesset summarizes the 16th round of the 2022/23 D1 Arkema season. Plus, an exclusive photo gallery of Ellie Carpenter during Olympique Lyonnais versus Bordeaux game in the 15th round.
Above: Sara Däbritz after scoring Olympique Lyonnais’ first goal from Eugénie Le Sommer’s pass. Photo: Olympique Lyonnais.
National Team News
Corinne Diacre, head coach of the French national side, was fired the Thursday before this weekend of games. This followed the stand taken by Wendie Renard (Lyon), Marie-Antoinette Katoto (PSG), and Kadidiatou Diani (PSG). The new coach should be known next week. Gérard Prêcheur, current Paris Saint-Germain head coach (and formerly of Lyon), seems to be the leading candidate.
Round 16 Matches
Paris FC 2-0 Montpellier
With this win, Paris FC consolidated its third place in the standings and are now five points ahead of Fleury who lost to Lyon. However, the run for the third place is not finished as Paris FC must still play against their city rivals, Paris Saint-Germain and Lyon while Fleury has a potentially easier run in. Goals: Paris FC – Clara Matéo (1), Mathilde Bourdieu (33).
Fleury 1-2 Olympique Lyonnais
Lyon stopped Fleury’s run of eleven games undefeated and were close to keeping a fifth clean sheet in a row until a late, contentious penalty awarded for a somewhat dubious handball against Ellie Carpenter. Whilst the penalty was saved, Fleury netted the rebound. Carpenter continues her fine form and appears to be fully back from her injury and even seems better than before. Meanwhile, Selma Bacha gave notice that she is ready for Chelsea in the Champions League by delivering the decisive pass to set up Lindsey Horan to score. Goals: Lyon – Sara Däbritz (17), Lindsey Horan (81). Fleury – Léa Le Garrec (90+7).
Rodez 1-2 Le Havre
Le Havre look to have secured a mid-table finish in contrast to Rodez who have a fight to stay up. Again, the state of the pitch in Rodez was particularly poor. Goals: Le Havre – Silke Demeyere (23), Kelsey Araujo (83). Rodez – Solène Barbance (62).
Guingamp 2-0 Bordeaux
With their third win in a row, Guingamp continued to climb the table, in contrast to Bordeaux who have now lost four in a row and sit only one point ahead of Guingamp. Goals: Guingamp – Aïssata Traoré (29), Maiwen Renard (89).
Soyaux 1-1 Dijon
After five losses in a row, Soyaux earned a point but are still last in the table with only six points. It is looking less and less likely that they can save their place in D1 Arkema. Dijon, in 10th and with twelve points, are in a slightly better position and will still hope to play in D1 Arkema next year. Goals: Soyaux – Fadimatou Aretouyap (77). Dijon – Léa Declercq (43).
Paris Saint-Germain 4-0 Reims
It was a difficult day for Reims who were dominated the first half during which PSG scored twice. Reims tried to react at the beginning of the second half and in the first twenty minutes played higher on the field but could not score. PSG then retook control and added scored two more goals. The standout performance was Kadidiatou Diani who was involved on 3 goals (2 decisive passes and 1 goal). Goals: Paris Saint-Germain – Kadidiatou Diani (11), Ramona Bachmann (16), Amalie Vangsgaard (65), Sandy Baltimore (76).
EXCLUSIVE ELLIE CARPENTER PHOTO GALLERY FROM OLYMPIQUE LYONNAIS v BORDEAUX LAST WEEKEND:
by Jean-Pierre Thiesset for Impetus
Jean-Pierre Thiesset’s EXCLUSIVE photos from Olympique Lyonnais training on 13th March 2023:
Andy Wicks was at Meadow Park for Impetus to capture the best of the action from yesterday’s WSL game between Arsenal and Reading (13/3/23).
Above: Arsenal’s Caitlin Foord holds off Emma Mukandi last night. Photo: Andy Wicks for Impetus.
Arsenal 4-0 Reading
Arsenal took advantage of Manchester United’s defeat at Chelsea to close the gap on second place to three points with a comprehensive win over Reading at Boreham Wood last night. Kim Little’s early penalty, plus efforts from Frida Maanum, Leah Williamson, and an own goal from Emma Mukandi sealed the victory.
Above: Emma Plewa poised for AFC Wimbledon at Cambridge United yesterday. Photo: Sophia Axelsson.
Ellie Dorey’s second-half winner lifted AFC Wimbledon to the top of the tier four FA Women’s National League Division One South-East table yesterday.
Kevin Foster’s side leapfrogged Hashtag United, whose game with Queen’s Park Rangers was postponed, into top spot with a 3-2 win at Cambridge United, despite missing several players with top scorer Ashlee Hincks joined on the injured list by Faye Baker and Billie Brooks.
The Dons utilised a makeshift back four in front of Lauren Allen with Hannah Billingham at centre-back and Chloe Sampson filling the left-back berth. After falling behind early on after the U’s made the most of a corner and Sarah Wiltshire netted, Wimbledon responded well with Becki Bath and Chloe Sampson both having efforts well saved.
With 10 minutes left of the first half, Kelly Highman made it 1-1 when she got on the end of a cross by Ellie Dorey. And there was better to come before the break when a long-range strike by Becki Bath flew past home goalkeeper Lauren Webb to give Wimbledon the lead. However, in a frantic end to the half Cambridge levelled with a long-range effort of their own as Wiltshire grabbed her second of the game.
The Dons were much improved in the second half and set about looking to create opportunities to take the lead. Though penalty appeals were turned down, it took less than 10 minutes for Wimbledon to retake the lead as Dorey got on the end of an Emma Plewa cross.
Wimbledon then set about closing out the win in a professional manner and that aim was achieved for a 3-2 win that took full advantage with Hashtag having their game postponed.
Reflecting on the game afterwards, Dons assistant coach Andy May said: “It was a game of two halves. To be fair to Cambridge, they had a really good game plan that took us 15 minutes to get to grips with. There was a real difference in the two halves, but in the second half, we controlled the game, dominating possession, and looking dangerous going forward.
AFC Wimbledon are at home this coming Sunday when they face Ashford Town (Middx) in the Capital Cup Semi-Final at Carshalton Athletic. The winner is due to face London Bees or Arsenal U21s in the final.
Above: Dryburgh Athletic and Rossvale battle for possession (yellow and red) in the SWF Championship Photo: Kelly Neilson.
SWF Championship
Leaders Livingston held their nerve to defeat in-form Ayr United 5-1 in Cumnock, with goals from Beth McKay (2), Ashley Elizabeth, Jess Murphy, and Shannon Mulligan.
Rossvale and Renfrew picked up wins against Dryburgh and Inverness Caledonian Thistle respectively, while Hutchison Vale captain Angyl Learmonth scored twice to peg back Morton and remain the top scorer in the league, but the Greenock side came away from the capital with maximum points thanks to an injury-time winner from Lucy Marshall.
SWF League One
Above: Falkirk goalscorers Eva Rule and Suzanne Wyatt celebrating in their game with St. Mirren which saw them come from 3-0 down to win 4-3. Photo: Russel Hutcheson/Sportpix.
The promotion race is hotting up after Falkirk came from 3-0 down to claim all three points against St. Mirren and move back into second in the table.
A last-minute winner from Suzanne Wyatt added to her first and a double from Eva Rule to complete a second-half comeback after the Paisley side had gone ahead through Gemma Dickson and a Maxine Fury brace and looked certain to repeat their victory of the reverse fixture at the Falkirk Stadium a fortnight ago.
Rivals Stenhousemuir also picked up points, beating BSC Glasgow 2-0 to lift them back into fourth. With the northeast derby falling foul on the weather, Falkirk move into second on 43 points, one ahead of Westdyke on 42. Stenhousemuir have 38 while St. Mirren remain on 36.
Above: Celebration time for Airdrie. Photo: Airdrie Ladies.
League leaders FC Edinburgh also saw their game against Gleniffer Thistle postponed. City rivals Edinburgh Caledonia, meanwhile, demolished Giffnock SC to move within a point of sixth-placed Grampian, who they play before the league splits at the end of the month. The top two sides that meet Championship criteria will be automatically promoted at the end of the season. Meanwhile, Airdrie Ladies beat Dundee West 3-2.
Biffa SWFL
Dunipace produced the shock of the day, beating SWFL West leaders Harmony Row 4-2. Dunfermline Athletic won the Fife derby in SWFL East, beating McDermid Ladies 3-0 in Kirkcaldy. The top two clash in North was won by Forfar Farmington, who beat Huntly 4-1 while Glenrothes Strollers got back to winning ways against Dyce 4-0.
Above: Melbourne City look to break through in today’s derby. Photo: Melbourne City.
Melbourne Victory showed there’s more than one way to win a football match as they held on to defeat Melbourne City 2-0.
It was a crucial three points for Jeff Hopkins’ team. They had been held to a draw against Adelaide United in their previous match and had Canberra United and Perth Glory closing in on their ladder position.
Victory faced an in-form City side that was nearing full strength. Naomi Chinnama was named on the bench, and although they were missing the injured Leah Davidson, they boasted one of the most creative and dangerous attacks in the league.
Above: Melbourne Victory boss Jeff Hopkins gives instructions from the bench today. Photo: Melbourne Victory.
Victory were depleted by injuries, departures, and national team duty since the last time these two teams played. That occasion ended in a 1-1 draw when Victory still had Alex Chidiac, Jess Nash, and Elise Kellond-Knight to draw on.
On a hot afternoon, starting strong was crucial, and both sides started full of energy. City zipped the ball around at pace, while Victory preferred the direct approach. They launched long balls wide to Leah Privitelli or Beattie Goad in the hope of stretching City’s three-player defence.
Victory’s early pressure paid off when Emma Checker was judged to have handled the ball. It was a harsh call, with only the hint of an outstretched arm blocking a fast-moving shot. Melina Ayres was in no mood for mercy and drilled the penalty to give Victory a 14th-minute lead.
Paige Zois doubled that lead only minutes later. The midfielder had been shifted to right back, with Victory looking to make the most of her passing and crossing ability from deep. In the 20th minute age unleashed a thunderous, curling effort from long range that made it 2-0 in spectacular fashion.
City continued to threaten and it would be fair to say that they played to their game plan. Hannah Wilkinson looked dangerous and proved to be a handful for Claudia Bunge. The two New Zealanders battled throughout the match, with the Victory centre back being the difference for her team.
Holly McNamara continued her exciting return to the field. The young striker was a constant menace with her movement and clever passing. When she unlocked the Victory defence to release Maria Rojas, a goal looked certain. Only the reflexes of Casey Dumont maintained her side’s two-goal advantage.
Victory started to tire physically in the second half, but stayed sharp tactically. The ball rarely entered their attack as they sat back, absorbed pressure, and preferred long clearances over keeping possession.
City continued to attack with probing passes and good wing play. When Bryleeh Henry, Rhianna Pollicina, and McNamara were withdrawn, you could feel a sigh of relief go through the Victory support.
The rudimentary style may not have been pretty, but it was effective and they held onto the win despite the barrage of attacks.
Above: Melbourne Victory celebrating today. This win could prove to be a major defining point in Finals qualification after Canberra United and Perth Glory both dropped points this round. Photo: Melbourne Victory.
Victory came close to scoring a third goal when Beattie Goad was set free on the left. Only the perfect timing of a sliding Chinnama denied a third.
The win was vital for Victory. They remain fourth and have some breathing space, although should Canberra United’s appeal over a deducted three points be successful, it would reduce their lead to two points.
In any case, the trip to face the fifth-placed Canberra United is possibly season-defining. A win will effectively secure finals football for the defending champions. A loss will have fans biting their nails until the end of the season.
That is a problem for later. Victory earned the right to a celebration after winning against the odds. A return of Nash next week will have a ripple effect through the midfield, with Zois perhaps moved back into her preferred position to unleash another lighting strike from her right boot.
Above: Melbourne Victory head coach Jeff Hopkins, who is excited about the challenge of taking on Melbourne City tomorrow. Image: Melbourne Victory.
Melbourne Victory head coach Jeff Hopkins recognises that his team face major challenges ahead after Elise Kellond-Knight’s season-ending injury, but backs them to show the discipline and organisation required to gain victory in tomorrow’s derby against Melbourne City.
Speaking to the media today ahead of that huge encounter, Hopkins outlined the implications of the Matildas star’s injury saying: “Everyone at the club is really devastated for KK personally. This is a big blow for her, not just missing the season for us, but implications for the national side at the World Cup too.
“It’s a big blow for us as a club. We have to find a way to adapt and adjust the way we play to take advantage of other players’ strengths that we may be able to bring in in place of her. She had her operation a couple of days ago which went well, but we’re all about supporting her in her rehab.”
Kellond-Knight’s injury comes hot on the heels of Victory losing another hugely influential international midfielder, Alex Chidiac, whose loan spell from Racing Louisville has ended. Whilst Hopkins recognises that these are huge losses, he pointed to young stars that the club has in that area.
“We had strong depth in the midfield. Paige (Zois) ‘Murph’ (Alana Murphy) and Tiff (Eliadis). All of them were making a case to play. That depth is tested now. There will be opportunities. For me now, I need to see where they fit into the side, and I need to tinker with that. They have different strengths to ‘Chids’ and KK, so I need to take advantage of those.”
Above: Paige Zois and Alana Murphy – two of Melbourne Victory’s talented young midfielders. Photo: Melbourne Victory
Also missing from the Melbourne Victory squad tomorrow will be their Young Matildas trio Alana Murphy, Jesskia Nash, and Ava Breidis who do not arrive back into Australia until late today after a journey of over 30 hours in returning from international duty.
All of the current top four sides are being seriously tested by injuries, but the Victory boss does not believe that this is the consequence of a longer A-League Women season. “Adding six weeks onto the season is not a massive ask and we’re still four or five weeks out from finishing the season.
“Next season, maybe we need to think about the makeup of the contracted period to maybe…think about a longer pre-season period. This season is six weeks longer but our pre-season was one week shorter.”
With the race for fourth place being intense, with potentially four sides battling it out at present, ultimately Hopkins doesn’t see any pressure on his side. They are in the box seat with their hopes in their own hands.
“The results went for us yesterday, but it’s of no consequence to us. It’s about tomorrow’s game, putting in a good performance and beating City. Fourth place is what we are after at the moment, and until that is secured we don’t think about anything else, none of the teams around us.
“When we secure fourth, we then look about making third, second…The focus on us is we need to be better. We need to be positive. We are up against a good quality side, but a side that if we do things properly, correctly, we have a good chance of being successful.”
Above: Tomorrow’s game is a big challenge for Jeff Hopkins and his team, but its one he is looking forward to. Photo: Melbourne Victory.
Tomorrow’s game poses Melbourne Victory all sorts of challenges. It’s a cross-city derby, it’s a battle of third against fourth, and a test against a side that goes all out to dominate possession. Hopkins is excited by the opportunity that the game poses and believes his side has all the tools necessary to come out on top, whilst having huge respect for Dario Vidosic’s team.
“They (Melbourne City) are a very good young side who are very positive in the way they go about the game. They play the way I like to. They like to possess the ball and go forward. They will take risks and are a team that if you sit off them, they will create chances against you no matter how organised you are defensively.
“We need to take advantage of them and be as positive as possible. Against them last time, we played well and were disciplined in our middle and deep block, but they still managed to create chances that, on another day, would have seen them beat us.
“We’re going to push forward at them, push high as high up the field as possible. We need to win this game. We will be as positive as we can and in those moments that we can’t be positive, be orgainised and work hard for each other as a team.”
Hopkins also highlighted the multiple threats that the Sky Blues have in their side, with Chilean magician Cote Rojas a huge part of that. “It will be interesting to see where they play her. The City front five are fluid. Wilkinson moves, Rojas will drop deep, they (also) have (Holly) McNamara (available) now.”
That constant movement and rotating of City’s front five is a factor that Hopkins highlighted, along with the expectations that he has of his own team to combat it.
“When (City) players drop off into pockets and rotate, the (Victory) players in those areas need to be switched on. This will be a one-on-one battle. There is a lot of rotation and movement in their front five which makes them a lot more dangerous too.”
Above: Western Sydney Wanderers celebrate Olivia Price’s goal, but Canberra United would draw level within 10 minutes. Photo: Western Sydney Wanderers.
In an incredibly exciting match that flowed end to end, Western Sydney Wanderers and Canberra United each earned a point – a result that arguably favoured Melbourne Victory more when it comes to the Finals race.
Both goals came in the first half, with Olivia Price putting the home side ahead before Vesna Milivojevic equalised for Canberra United.
It was an event opening, but Canberra came very close to opening the scoring when Kennedy Faulknor played in Milivojevic to run towards goal before slotting a beautiful ball to Nicki Flannery whose first-time shot at goal in the box was saved by Shamiran Khamis.
In the 25th minute, Western Sydney Wanderers went ahead. Sophie Harding chased down a long ball and then hit an inviting cross into the box which found Price who from the far post slotted the ball into the bottom left corner for the opening goal of the match. It was a lead the home side would hold for just 10 minutes.
Above: Western Sydney Wanderers’ Bethany Gordon tussles with Wu Chengshu. Photo: Keep Up.
Canberra responded as Hayley Taylor-Young found Grace Jale who played a one-two with Laura Hughes before making a run and putting in a great cross to Milivojevic on the edge of the box. She chested the ball down and hit a shot into the top-right corner.
The visitors came close just before the break when Wu Chengshu played a one-two around the halfway line with Michelle Heyman whose shot went wide of the goal.
Heyman continued to create in the second half, and just after the hour mark, she started a move by finding Milivojevic on the left side. She crossed the ball to Hughes on the edge of the box whose shot was blocked but fell into the path of Heyman who took a little too much time on the ball allowing Khamis to save.
It was the visitors who had the final chance at the death. Grace Maher’s free-kick came off the bar and no Canberra player could direct it goalwards before Khamis could gather.
Canberra face a huge game next weekend in their battle for the Finals when they host Melbourne Victory at McKellar Park in a game that could be decisive in that race. Western Sydney will host Brisbane Roar, who after their superb win over Western United, are back looking towards a potential top-four place.
Teams: WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS(4-1-2-1-2): Khamis, Matos, Steinmetz, Hunt, Abdul Massih, Chessari, Harrison, Gordon, Harding, Price, Bolden. Substitutes: Hristodoulou, Chlastakova, Rue, Caceres, Hall.
Above: Dylan Holmes celebrates after her effort, which went in off of Perth goalkeeper Morgan Aquino, put Adelaide United ahead. Photo: Liberty A-League.
Adelaide Unitedended their nine-match winless run with a superb win over a Perth Glory side who were pushing for Finals football.
Perth Glory came into this match on a hot streak of six games unbeaten. However, Adelaide United have only lost one of their last nine head-to-heads against Perth and they haven’t lost to the Glory at home since December 2016.
Saying all that, Adelaide are in a bit of an injury crisis having to bring in Chrissy Panagaris to cover for Emily Condon as an injury replacement for the rest of the season. With Isabel Hodgson, Ella Tonkin, Hannah Holgersen, and Sasha Coorey all out injured or unavailable and Emilia Murray and Grace Wilson away on international duty with the Young Matildas, Adelaide were unable to name a full bench of substitutes.
However, history, as well as the crowd, is on Adelaide’s side today as they put in a dominant performance against the team from the West to ruin their chance to achieve their longest unbeaten streak but also, and more importantly, making their run to the finals a lot more difficult. A win today would have seen Glory jump into fifth position. Although with Canberra playing tomorrow, it might not have lasted long.
But, to today’s game, Perth got the first chance early after a bit of confusion in the box, Cyera Hintzen had a weak toe poke gathered safely by Annalee Grove.
Above: Perth Glory captain Tash Rigby looks for a way through. Photo: Perth Glory.
Not long after, Dylan Holmes intercepted in the midfield and drove into the box to shoot high just over the crossbar to look very dangerous.
Hana Lowry took a free kick from the right and went for goal. The defensive header nearly sent it in for an own goal but Grove managed to get a hand to it to tip it over the bar in a very close call.
The first half saw Adelaide with the bulk of possession and control and Holmes had another shot on goal where she pivoted and twisted in the box but sent it just to the left of the post. In a continued attack, Fiona Worts took a longer shot from the left edge of the box that skimmed the crossbar.
Mindy Barbieri dispossessed Glory near the box on the left and passed back to Worts who had another shot that went wide to the right of goal. Plenty of shots were coming from Adelaide but all were just off-target. With a little more time and consideration the score could have been a lot different midway in the first half.
Perth had a great opportunity when Sofia Sakalis slipped a pass through to Hintzen who was in the clear in front of goal but she was offside and play was called back.
Two further opportunities were wasted by the visitors. First, when Tash Rigby brought the ball down the right and crossed but Sakalis couldn’t quite get to it cleanly as it was just behind her and it was cleared right in front of goal. Then, Hannah Blake fired one in from the right but Hintzen couldn’t control the header that shot out to the right of goal.
Above: Mindy Barbieri looks to get away from Sadie Lawrence (left) and Sofia Sakalis (right). Photo: Adelaide United.
Back up the other end, Holmes took an ambitious shot from well outside the box which was finally on target but was an easy catch for Morgan Aquino. In extra time of the second half, Lowry slid a pass through to Sakalis very close to the goal but she lost her footing in the tackle and her shot was wide. Adelaide fired in six shots to Perth’s three in the first half, but both only had one on target.
There must have been some good halftime talks as both teams came back on firing in the second half.
In the third minute after the break, Lowry ran down left towards goal to be dispossessed by Jenna McCormick. Hintzen ended up with the ball again and returned it to Lowry, who sent it right across the goal and Blake just touched it in, right in front of goal, to give Perth the lead.
Just two minutes later, Adelaide retaliated with a goal from Holmes. She shot once and it was stopped but rebounded straight back to her for a second effort that was low and to the right of goal. It bounced off Perth goalkeeper Morgan Aquino and rolled into goal for the equalizer. The goal was awarded as an own goal but it seems unfair to Holmes who had two clean shots and certainly deserved the goal.
Sakalis, who was on a yellow and has had a couple of knocks, comes off to be replaced by Abbey Green at 55 minutes.
In a near replay of the first goal for Glory, Foletta passed to Lowry on the left who sent in a sitter right in front of goal for Blake but her first touch failed her this time and she skied it over the top.
Above: Dylan Holmes (left) and Meisha Westland celebrate. Photo: Liberty A-League.
A long pass from the left towards the box led to a clash between Holmes and Kim Carroll with the Perth defender shown a yellow card. The resulting free kick was taken by Barbieri who sent a beautiful curling ball around the wall that was deflected by Aquino in a diving save to the bottom right corner.
With 20 minutes left, Worts received a long cross from Holmes out on the right and she headed or maybe even chested it into the left post and it rebounded into the goal as Aquino was left floundering and Adelaide went ahead.
Adelaide’s new signing Panagaris came on as a sub in the final stages and had a spirited shot on goal from the left after winning a tussle in the box. The shot was blocked by a very outstretched arm of Aquino. A goal on debut would have been impressive and it was only Aquino’s goalkeeping skills that prevented that from happening.
Perth had two final chances to claim a point. First, substitute Alana Jancevski tried a long shot to goal but there wasn’t enough on it to be a challenge for Grove, and then, in the dying seconds, Abby Green’s shot is stopped by Grove in front of an open goal.
With that chance gone, Adelaide United recorded their first victory since 17th December – a nine-match run that had yielded just two points for the South Australians and sent them tumbling from the Finals race to the bottom three.
With three matches left for Adelaide, it’s not impossible for them to make the finals but it would be very difficult. They’d have to win all their games and have no one above them, except the top three, win any. Perth have four matches left to play – against Wellington, Melbourne City, Brisbane Roar, and Sydney so it won’t be an easy path to navigate either, and would also rely on some favorable losses by other teams.
Above: Joy for Adelaide United as their long winless run comes to an end. Photo: Liberty A-League.
One thing’s for certain, nothing is set in stone with Finals qualification, other than Sydney and Western United are definitely in it. And the A-League Women continue to keep us guessing.
Speaking after the game, Perth Glory head coach Alex Epakis identified his side’s lack of composure on the ball in the first half as one of the reasons for Adelaide United gaining momentum, writes Ben Gilby.
“It was a performance that went down to fine margins and moments. In this occasion, Adelaide were better in those moments. We had a good performance but not a great performance, and as a result we left ourselves open to fine margins.
“At half-time, we came in and agreed that we could be better both with and without the ball. We panicked a bit in possession and as a result, gave transitions, and Adelaide (got) a bit of momentum. In the second half, we definitely actioned that to be better and getting the goal shows that, but ultimately we were not good enough in key areas.
“We know we weren’t at our best and when you are not at your best you leave yourself open to whether you get the three points or not.”
Perth’s Finals hopes are now hanging by a thread, four points and three places behind fourth-placed Melbourne Victory who play their cross-city rivals City on Monday. With both Canberra United and Brisbane Roar ahead of them, Epakis knows the challenge of making Finals is getting harder.
“It leaves us in a position where we need to work even harder now. We had a hold on to fourth spot, and we’re not going to give up on that. We are going to push on to try and get that.”
Above: Alyssa Whinham (10) victorious over Sydney FC. Photo: @WgtnPhoenixFC Twitter.
The bottom-of-the-table Wellington Phoenix put together the most impressive win of their history against top-of-the-table Sydney FC. Kate Taylor’s goal would lead the way to a monumental 1-0 win.
Sydney’s quest to stay on top of the A-League Women’s and create separation with chasing teams was unsuccessful. Although a number of key players were out for the home side, their overall effort was lacklustre. For the Phoenix, they had nothing to lose and everything to gain.
The match conditions were typical of midday A-League matches. Sunny, windy, and hot, managing the heat and tactically using the hydration breaks would again be a factor.
In the early minutes, the two teams looked evenly matched with Sydney FC earning four corners. The most promising chance for Sydney came in the 14th minute with Mackenzie Hawkesby taking the corner and targeting Anna Green who was just outside the six-yard box and attempted to loop it over Wellington Keeper Bri Edwards.
A powerhouse of confidence, Edwards made a quality save jumping off high off her line preventing what looked like a certain goal. This type of instinct and decision-making is what we would see all afternoon from her in making multiple saves.
From the first hydration break in the 27th minute, a more patient, creative, and highly motivated Wellington Phoenix would emerge. Paige Satchell played focused and bold against her former club. Her dribble down the center of the pitch led to a shot from just outside the penalty area. The resulting save would give the Phoenix the key corner kick of the match.
The single goal came in the 31st minute. Michaela Foster’s looping near post corner kick dropped onto Sydney FC’s keeper Kate Offer fist, she punched it up in the air to the edge of the six-yard box. Taylor took a couple steps back and solidly volleyed it in. A jubilated Nix team surrounded her and understood that the one-goal edge was theirs to keep.
Kate Taylor's goal separates the two teams at the break! 🤩
The biggest difference maker in keeping the lead for the Nix was in the quality of the midfield. Chloe Knott and Betsey Hassett looked commanding. They won their duels, intelligently held up the ball, and filled passing lanes.
Knott in particular found her calm confidence while Hassett was seemingly everywhere on the pitch. With a battle ready defensive four behind them, Knott pushed forward with the tactics and creativity of a midfielder and combined with Hassett through the middle and opened up the options on attack.
Adding to this was Mickey Roberston’s technical ability, using her vision and elusive touches to keep possession for the Nix. Her speedy runs on the flanks allowed her to dribble past Sydney and create multiple chances on goal for her and her teammates.
The ability to control the pace and tempo of the match had been missing from the Wellington Phoenix through many previous matches. They seemed to master it for this one. The Nix as a whole played a type of possession-style game that mentally and physically wore down their opponent. Sydney FC looked leaderless, chasing and not winning free balls.
Sydney FC came out of the halftime break with a desire to win. They started quickly and were not afraid to engage in bumping bodies. Hassett was the first recipient of this and was granted a free kick in the 48th minute. Soon after Mackenzie Barry was bowled over by Princess Ibini deep in the Nix half.
All season the Nix have played out from the back. This strategy finally clicked with the necessary precision in this match. In the 52nd minute Taylor, van der Meer, and Barry all combined brilliantly to propel the ball from deep in their half, to an attacking Satchell.
The Football Fern star was wide open on the wing with lots of space in front of her. She was able to capitalize on the momentum created with a pinpoint pass directly to the feet of Rolston who narrowly missed scoring by only a matter of inches.
The Phoenix’s desire to win would not waiver. A free flowing up tempo match from them would only be interrupted by numerous Sydney FC fouls. Michaela Foster and Mackenzie Barry would again have outstanding matches understanding when to aggressively close down Sydney talents Ibini and Cortnee Vine.
Fortunately for all the players the heat wasn’t the deciding factor on the day. Both teams made smart decisions on when to bring on substitutes with the reserves making a big impact. Substitutes Dos Santos (51’) and Milly Clegg (62’) both came on and had impressive runs with the latter having a breakaway in the 72nd minute. These two very young players are ones to watch as their talent is rapidly developing.
Grace Wisnewski was able to battle through a lower back injury sustained at the 61-minute mark. Her facial expressions told the story in that she was very sore however it didn’t stop her from putting in maximum effort for 13 more minutes.
In the 63rd minute, Foster made an incredible defensive play – swooping in from the opposite side of the pitch as she caught a fast-moving Haweksby who was looking to score. Foster pinched the ball off Hawkesby and safely sent it out over the sideline.
Above: All smiles for Wellington Phoenix after Kate Taylor (centre) scored their winning goal. Photo: Liberty A-League.
Any team in the A-League would love to have the talent that is Milly Clegg. After coming on as a substitute for Satchell, Clegg set the match alight in the 72nd minute as she unleashed a shot on target that was thwarted by Offer. Against a keeper of less ability, it would have been Nix 2-0, however, Offer made the quality save.
Alyssa Whinham came in with just over a quarter of an hour to go, and displayed all the top flight skills of a number 10. Her light touches on the ball and passing delivery literally turned the Sydney defenders inside out. It was what the Wellington Phoenix needed to keep control of a field that was being stretched out by both sides.
In the 75th minute, Vine dribbled her way confidently down the pitch with a layoff to Hawkesby. If Sydney were going to score it would have been this opportunity. The Nix stood firm in a four-on-two situation with Edwards’ right foot collecting enough of the ball to redirect it away from the goal. Kate Taylor backed up her goalkeeper and was in the right position to stop the ball if it had been on target.
In the closing stages, Sydney repeatedly made the wrong choices in passing and fouls. Yellow cards, fouls, and a super intense effort by the Nix squad resulted in the home side becoming flustered.
With referee Caitlin Williams adding on seven minutes of stoppage time, it was a nervous wait for Wellington boss Natalie Lawrence for the final whistle. Sydney FC had everything to play for as they attempted wave after wave of attack. The Nix stood strong and repelled the league leaders to hold them out. The defensive line had tough assignments against Vine, Hawkesby, Green and Ibini. The Nix defenders shut down this high-quality Sydney side.
In the dying minutes of the match, the Nix managed the clock well and were able to run down the minutes to finish the match as winners. Sydney worked so hard to turn the result in their favour but a resilient Wellington team would not cave in. This was not a match that Sydney lost. This was a match that the Phoenix won.
Wellington Phoenix head coach Natalie Lawrence was bursting with pride after the final whistle. “I feel so proud and happy for the girls. They’ve worked so hard and they’ve kept the belief.
“We’ve had the message the whole season that this team is going to do go things and I think this result was coming. We knew we were going to win more games and beating the top of the league (team) makes it that little bit more special and gives us even more belief.
“It wasn’t just the win, it was how we did it. We out-possessed them, we got more shots than them and we got into the box more than they did. There’s a brand of football we’ve been trying to play all season and we’re now starting to reap the rewards of it.
“We want more points. We’ve got the feeling and the feeling’s good, and we want to continue that, but we have to keep to our process and we have to do it better than anyone else.
“We’ve now got more points than we did last season, but we now want to get even more and we want to get off the bottom of the league and we want to do it in style.”
Teams: SYDNEY FC 4-3-3: Offer, Stancic-Floody, Green, Fenton, Hunter, Lowe, Vine, Hawkesby, Rule, Ibini. Substitutes: Black, Collister, Dos Santos, Badawiya. Chauvet
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