Impetus’ Darrell Allen provides his weekly round-up of all the women’s football action in Norfolk (10/1/23).
Above:Rebecca Russell returned from injury in the FA Cup for Norwich City in their 1-0 defeat at Burnley. Photo: Norwich City Women FC.
Vitality Women’s FA Cup Third Round
Tier four Norwich City lost away to Burnley, a division above them in the FA Women’s National League Northern Premier 1-0 at the County Ground in Leyland. Millie Ravening scored the only goal of the game for the hosts on thirteen minutes.
Eastern Region Premier Division
King’s Lynn Town earned an unexpected point as they ended leaders Luton Town’s 100% start to the season with a 1-1 draw at The Walks. Leyah Maddix gave Luton the lead just before the break but a second-half equaliser from Stephanie Powell for the hosts saw King’s Lynn Town claim a share of the spoils.
The day’s other Tier five match in Norfolk was abandoned at halftime by the referee due to the weather. Wroxham were leading Royston Town 2-1 at halftime thanks to goals from Rebecca Russell and Hannah Waters, with Natalie Richardson responding for the visitors.
Above: Celebrations at The Walks after Stephanie Powell equalised for Kings Lynn Town in their 1-1 draw with Luton Town. Photo: Tim Smith.
Eastern Region Division One North
In Tier six, Fakenham Town were well beaten on the road at Biggleswade United. Braces from Charlene Moreton and Marilyn Munagatire with Thea Black and Kayleigh Gray adding their own saw the visitors suffer a heavy 6-0 defeat.
Norfolk Women and Girls League Division One
In Tier Seven, leaders Dussindale and Hellesdon Rovers won a thrilling game 3-2 at Caister making it eight wins from their opening nine games thanks to a couple of goals from Shanice Sutton and one from Victoria Leyer. Caister’s replies came from Leah Brown and Poppy Loveland.
Mulbarton Belles maintained their 100% winning start with a 7-1 victory at Beccles Town. Francesca Catchpole scored with Rebekah Lake and Sophie Jermy adding the other two. Grace Storey scored for the hosts.
In possibly the day’s most impressive Division One result, Sprowston won 4-0 away at Thetford Town thanks to goals from Olivia Leggett, Mollie O’Callaghan, Lyla Studd and Anais Winney.
Above: Victoria Leyer, scorer of one of Dussindale & Hellesdon Rovers’ three goals in their victory at Caister. Photo: Hardy Scott Photos
Norfolk Women and Girls League Division Two
Thorpe St. Andrew became the first team to take points off leaders King’s Lynn Soccer Club this season as their match finished 3-3. Jordan Turner scored a hat-trick for the visitors but two goals from Emily Warnes and the other from Rebecca Sutton saw Tony Allen’s team earn a point.
Blofield United beat Bulldogs FC 5-1 thanks to four goals from Bailey Duffield and the other from Lucy Schug. Amber May got the goal for Bulldogs. Mulbarton Belles Reserves were 3-0 winners with goals from Lucy Kean, Natalie Merry, and Maria Sosnina. Freethorpe picked up a 3-1 win at Shrublands with goals from Viktorija Miglane (two) and Kiera Squires, with Lacey Andrews scoring for Shrublands. The weather was the winner in the match between Vikings and Aylsham as it was abandoned after 30 minutes with Aylsham leading 3-0.
Norfolk Women and Girls League Cup Second Round
Bungay Town from Tier seven defeated lower league North Walsham 3-0 with Lauren Golder, Lauren Purling, and Maddie Flatman as the scorers. They will now play the University of East Anglia at home in the quarter-finals.
Above: Teigan Collister (left) and Rola Badawiya – newly unveiled by Sydney FC today. Artwork supplied to Impetus by: Sydney FC.
Sydney FC have swooped to land two major mid-season signings to bolster their attempt at achieving a record-breaking third consecutive Premiership and record equaling fourth Championship.
Versatile forwards Teigan Collister and Rola Badawiya will join the Sky Blues for the remainder of the Liberty A-League 2022-23 season.
22-year-old Collister and 24-year-old Badawiya will add further strength to the forward line who have already notched 17 goals in just seven matches this season.
Badawiya won the NPL New South Wales Women’s Player of the Year last season while playing for Sydney University.
She was awarded the honour at the NPL’s Gold Medal Dinner alongside fellow Sydney FC striker Jaiden Kucharski who took out the Men’s version.
The US-born striker goes straight into the squad to face second-place Western United in tomorrow night’s top-of-the-table clash in Melbourne.
“Excited doesn’t even begin to describe how I am feeling right now,” she said. “I am so grateful for this opportunity, there are a lot of people who would like to be in my position right now and it’s a massive achievement for me.
Above: Sydney FC’s Rola Badawiya and Jaiden Kucharski taking out the NPL NSW Player of the Year 2022 medals. Photo: Football NSW via Sydney FC..
“I’m so excited to be playing alongside all of these fantastic players and the Matildas in this Sydney FC squad. I don’t think it has hit me how big this game is on Wednesday. It’s not only my first game with Sydney FC, but it’s a massive game for the whole club. It will be an amazing game to be a part of and hopefully I can get on and do some great things.”
It is Badawiya’s first professional contract in the A-League Women’s competition having previously played for Roma in Italy’s Serie B and California Baptist University in the United States.
Teigan Collister has previously played for Newcastle Jets and Western Sydney Wanderers in the Liberty A-League. She flies in from Copenhagen this week where she has been completing a University exchange and believes Sydney FC can further advance her development.
“Sydney FC has had the best women’s team in the country consistently over the course of the Liberty A-League, so it is an honour to be joining this club. I’m looking forward to how I can develop my game, especially under Ante Juric and his coaching staff, as well as working with these top-quality players. I want to win trophies and Sydney FC is the club and squad who have the best chance of doing this.”
Sydney FC Head Coach Ante Juric is confident both players will give him extra options in the forward line. “Teigan is strong and has pace and power and she’s a great addition to this squad.
“She can play anywhere across the front three which gives me great options from an attacking sense. “She will work hard for the team, she gets on with the job, and is an excellent fit for our team culture.
“Rola is also a solid performer having won the NPL Player of the Year and she has a lot of attributes which suit us in the attacking third. She will also fit in with our great culture as she has been training with us for around two months and is comfortable with what we do.”
Collister will wear the number 7 shirt and Badawiya will take the number 25 jersey.
Above: Indiah-Paige Riley captured in action for Brisbane Roar during the 2019/20 season. Photo: My Football.
Brisbane Roar today announced the return of forward Indiah-Paige Riley for the remainder of the 2022/23 Liberty A-League season.
The 21-year-old made her debut for the Roar in November 2018 against the Western Sydney Wanderers, coming on as a substitute, before scoring her first professional goal a month later against the same club.
Riley would go on to be nominated for a Young Player of the Year award the following season as she become a regular in the Roar’s forward pack at just 18 years old. Then after making 20 appearances across two seasons, she joined Fortuna Hjørring, playing in Denmark’s top women’s league – Elitedvisionen, in 2020.
The former Moreton Bay United product said she is excited to be back playing in Brisbane after spending the last two seasons abroad.
“I’m very excited to be back playing in Brisbane, I can’t wait to put on the orange jersey again and play in the warm weather in front of the roar supporters,” said Riley, who comes in as an injury replacement for Mariel Hecher.
“It was quite a quick decision for me personally after talking to influential people in my life. However, it was from unfortunate circumstances that I have been given the opportunity to play here again. Mariel’s injury is a huge loss to the team; she has a massive impact on and off the field so joining as her injury replacement is no easy task,” she added.
Above: Indiah-Paige Riley in action for Fortuna Hjørring. Photo supplied to Impetus by: Fortuna Hjørring.
Since making a move to Europe, Riley has reached new heights in her professional career including playing against Barcelona FC in the Round 16 of the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
She has also gone on to make her international debut for her birth country – New Zealand in September 2022. Riley believes that the move abroad helped her become a better player.
“My move overseas I think was one of the best decisions I could have made in order to grow and mature as a player and a person,” she said. “I’m constantly learning new styles of play and learning new things from my teammates every day at training really helped me develop. On my return to Roar, I hope I can continue building on the success they have had this season so far and do everything I can to help the team to win.”
Head Coach Garrath McPherson is excited to see the return of Riley, another former BRFC/NCT squad member, to the Liberty A-League squad.
“Indi is another former pathways player from Queensland who has played at the highest levels of the women’s game,” he said. “She made her debut at a young age and has spent the last two- and a bit years in Denmark. During that time, she has also been selected for national teams.
“Indi is a wide striker of great quality; she loves to take on defenders one-v-one and has an eye for goal. She aspires to be involved in a World Cup in six months’ time and we are excited that she has decided to return home to Brisbane,” McPherson added.
Brisbane Roar will face Adelaide United at AJ Kelly Park on Sunday 15 January.
Above: Melbourne City head coach Dario Vidosic who spoke to the media today ahead of his team’s trip to Adelaide United tomorrow. Image: Melbourne City
Melbourne City head coach Dario Vidosic is not too disheartened by his team’s defeat at Western Sydney Wanderers at the weekend and backs his players to get back to winning ways tomorrow at Adelaide United, writes Ben Gilby.
For Vidosic, it was simply one of those days. “It can happen. It was a day where nothing goes right. The goal – the ball was going wide it caught a gust of wind and went in. The ladder – it’s not the depiction of where they (actually) are (based on performances). They are a better team than one that only had one point. When you go to Western Sydney, it’s a tough game. It was a free shot for them. Once they got ahead, we forced the issue.”
The quick turnaround, just three days after going down to Kat Smith’s side is not ideal in terms of physicality, but in terms of getting back on the saddle, Vidosic believes it’s a positive situation.
“It’s great that we have a chance to respond quickly now. It was a one-off. There are days when nothing goes your way. Sometimes, with the youthfulness of the squad, we needed someone to calm it down and not force it. We were a lot less patient (than we usually are.)
“I’ve got a lot of confidence in the squad. I’m still learning, I’m still in my first year (as a head coach), and having this three games in six days is difficult…it’s actually a good preparation for those who want to play at a higher level – like a Champions League week, having a league game, then flying abroad in midweek and back again.”
Tomorrow’s game takes on added importance with both sides going into it on the back of recent defeats – but the City boss knows that Adelaide will be just as keen to end their run of two losses without scoring.
“Adelaide are a dangerous team, particularly in Adelaide. They lift at home. They are coming off two losses, so they want to be positive and discover their form as do we. It’s two teams that want to play football, so it should be a great game.”
City have no additional injury concerns going into the match.
Artwork by: Charlotte Stacey, founder of On Her Side.
Above: AFC Wimbledon celebrate Ellie Dorey’s goal against Gillingham that sealed the Dons’ place in the fourth round of the FA Cup. Photo: Ian Stephen.
AFC Wimbledon progressed to the Fourth Round of the Vitality Women’s FA Cup on yesterday as they defeated Gillingham from the league above in style.
Another fantastic defensive display included some fine saves from Faye Baker, and a goal from Ellie Dorey secured a safe passage through, and yet another cup scalp of a tier three club – something that the South-West London tier four side has made a habit of over the past two seasons.
The Dons went into the game having not played in more than a month, with the weather playing havoc with their fixture list prior to the winter break. The extended gap between games showed in the early stages as the hosts struggled to get going in the torrential rain at Plough Lane.
Wimbledon keeper Baker was called into action after 25 minutes as she produced a stunning save to keep the scores level. Up the other end, Megan Stow tested the Gillingham keeper a few minutes later but in truth, it was a cagey first half overall.
Above: A midfield tussle between AFC Wimbledon (blue) and Gillingham yesterday in the FA Cup. Photo: Ian Stephen.
Nevertheless, the game came alive in the second half as Ashlee Hincks got on the end of a fine ball from Dorey to force the Gills keeper into her first save of the half with 50 minutes on the clock.
Emma Plewa was introduced just south of the hour mark, which brought about a spell of domination from the Dons as we began to create more chances. This saw the home side take the lead thanks to a neat finish by Dorey from close range.
Rather than sit back and invite pressure a further attacking change was made as Gloria Siber was brought on to ensure we stayed on the front foot. A powerful long-range effort from Hincks produced a fine save from the Gillingham keeper as the visitors kept the game alive. In the dying minutes, it was backs-against-the-wall stuff from the Dons but some fine defending ensured that Wimbledon booked their spot in Round Four and an exciting-looking London derby at home to Championship side Charlton Athletic, with the game scheduled to be played on Sunday 29 January.
More details for the fixture will be announced in due course. Before then, the Dons make a trip to Norwich City on Sunday 22nd January.
by Martin Townley, Impetus‘ Wales correspondent(9/1/23).
Above: Cymru head coach Gemma Grainger, who today signed a new deal with the FAW. Photo: FAW.
Cymru head coach Gemma Grainger has signed a new contract with the FAW to extend her time as the national team manager. The news comes after Cymru narrowly missed out on a place at next years World Cup.
Grainger will guide the Dragons into qualifying for both the 2025 Euros and the 2027 World Cup. The 2023 World Cup campaign was Grainger’s first as Cymru boss and the former England assistant coach took Cymru to their first play-off.
A historic win over Bosnia in front of a record 15,200 supporters at Cardiff City Stadium set up a final against Switzerland. Welsh hopes were dashed by an added time goal in extra time, but the campaign exceeded expectations and saw Cymru go further than ever before.
Speaking about the new deal Grainger said, “I’m delighted to have signed a new contract and extend my journey working with this special group of players. I’m an ambitious coach, these players are ambitious and the FAW are ambitious, so all those things are a great match.
“We want to drive our progress and momentum from the last qualifying campaign, both on and off the pitch, and take that forward into the new year and the next two qualifying campaigns.”
Grainger’s first challenge will come in the Pinatar Cup where her side will face Iceland, Scotland, and the Philippines. This will be a good warm-up before Euro 2025 qualifying begins in the spring of 2024.
FAW Chief Executive Noel Moody is looking forward to continuing the strides the national team have may saying, “We have made huge strides with the women’s national team and our focus now is firmly on qualifying for UEFA Euro 2025 and the 2027 FIFA World Cup.
“This group has captured the imagination of the Welsh public and we have no doubt they will break new glass ceilings for Welsh football in the coming years.”
Grainger, 40 now has the chance to make more history by leading Cymru to their first-ever major tournament.
Above: Committed tackling in yesterday’s Eastbourne derby with Borough in red and Town in yellow. Photo: Jon Smalldon for Impetus.
9/1/23
Impetus welcomes another new photographer to our team. Jon Smalldon was out at the tier eight Sussex County Division One derby between Eastbourne Borough (red) and Eastbourne Town.
In a match played in tough wet and windy conditions at Borough’s Priory Lane stadium, the home side came from 2-0 down to win 4-2. Not surprisingly the goals all went the way of the team who had the advantage of the wind on the Sussex coast!
Each week during the home and away season, Impetus’ writing and photography team covering the A-League Women will nominate a player, coach, and event of the week. We’ll keep a tally of the player and coach votes as the weeks go by, and just before the Finals, will announce our winners for 2022/23 (9/1/23)
Player of the Week:
Above: Grace Maher – a sensational strike from one of the competition’s most naturally gifted players. Photo: AAP.
BEN GILBY:Grace Maher. One of the most naturally gifted players in the entire competition unleashed her magic wand once more to land another addition to her ever-growing collection of sensational goals. Amazing Grace at her best.
KIERAN YAP:Sarina Bolden. Rarely has the influence of a new signing been so obvious. Bolden provided exactly what Western Sydney were missing. They were mobile, dangerous, and creative upfront. The Phillipines international did not score despite coming close, but their impact was exciting and decisive.
JONATHAN TAY: Full of running as always, Mackenzie Hawkesby was influential in Sydney’s hyper-quick start on Saturday, where they rattled in three goals by the 10-minute mark against Newcastle. Had a goal and an assist, played the pass that led to Princess Ibini’s penalty, and could’ve had a second herself.
BEN CAREY: Natasha Rigby. Her superhuman effort against Melbourne Victory kept the Glory in the match and earned them a valuable point against one of the top teams in the league.
Coach of the Week:
Above: Western Sydney Wanderers head coach Kat Smith – a unanimous choice as our coach of the week. Image: Western Sydney Wanderers.
BEN GILBY:Kat Smith. Wanderers’ wait for a win stretched for a day shy of 12 months. To finally get that monkey off their back was fantastic. To achieve it against the team who went into the round as league leaders was sensational. Whilst Western Sydney have been generally strong at the back and offered some threats coming forward they have suffered badly for the last two campaigns from a lack of finisher. Sarina Bolden could well help to solve this problem. Whilst one swallow doesn’t make a summer, it’s an undeniable confidence booster.
KIERAN YAP:Kat Smith. The Wanderers did not get lucky against Melbourne City. They outplayed them across most of the pitch. Although City were not without chances, Western Sydney did not look like they were going to lose after Gallagher’s goal. Few would have tipped Western Sydney Wanderers to win this game. Even fewer would have expected them to dominate one of the league’s top sides.
JONATHAN TAY: What a way for Kat Smith’s Western Sydney Wanderers to break their year-long victory drought, upsetting league leaders Melbourne City 2-0 on Sunday. It was deserved too, as Western Sydney took their chances, battled ferociously in midfield, and stifled their opponents’ front three. The Wanderers out-competed City, whilst also limiting them to an expected goals total of just 0.55, and will look to build on the massive win for the rest of the campaign.
BEN CAREY: Kat Smith. Leading the Western Sydney Wanderers, who were equal bottom of the table, to a huge win over Melbourne City, one of the best teams in the league, is such a big achievement.
Event of the Week:
Above: Alana Jancevski holds off Beattie Goad before smashing home her equaliser for Perth Glory at Melbourne Victory. Photo: Kieran Chea for Impetus.
BEN GILBY: Alana Jancevski’s goal for Perth Glory against Melbourne Victory. Jancevski hasn’t had the amount of game time that I honestly expected after a strong season in purple last time round and a fantastic showing in the NPLW Victoria with Bulleen Lions. For me, Jancevski is someone who deserves to be the first pick in the starting XI each week. She is one of those generational players who can create something from nothing. Outrageous skill and stunning finishes are what you get with Jancevski in the side. May Friday’s strike be the first of many. The fact that this strike came against her old side, and in front of her Victorian-based family made it even more special.
KIERAN YAP: Alana Jancevski’s equaliser for Perth Glory against Melbourne Victory. In her home town, against her old side with Perth Glory up against the ropes, Jancevski scored a brilliantly taken goal. It was a huge moment for the player and could be vital for the Glory’s season.
JONATHAN TAY: Negative event of the week, unfortunately, but Rylee Baisden’s injury has Perth Glory fearing the worst. Head coach Alex Epakis described it as “heartbreaking”, and whilst it hasn’t been confirmed to be an ACL injury, he stated, “it doesn’t look good”. It’s a tough blow for Baisden, who currently sits as the joint top goalscorer in the Liberty A-League. If the American is out for the season, it also puts a real dent in Glory’s hopes of making the top four this campaign, especially having shown they can compete with the best, having come from behind to earn a point against Melbourne Victory.
BEN CAREY: This one was tough, but I think it has to be Western United’s Hannah Keane being denied three times by Brianna Edwards and the Wellington Phoenix defence in the 36th minute. I have to give a shout-out to Grace Maher’s incredible long-range goal against Adelaide United as well though.
Artwork: Charlotte Stacey, founder of On Her Side.
Impetus’ Kris Goman was at Wanderers Football Park for us yesterday to capture the best action from Western Sydney Wanderers’ superb win over Melbourne City. Her EXCLUSIVE photos are below:(9/1/23).
Above: Western Sydney Wanderers celebrate after Olivia Price put them 2-0 ahead. Photo: Kris Goman for Impetus.
Artwork: Charlotte Stacey, founder of On Her Side.
Above: Angie Beard is the latest addition to Western United’s squad. Photo: Football Australia.
Western United have announced another hugely impressive signing with the arrival of Matildas international Angie Beard from Danish club Fortuna Hjørring on a multi-year contract.
The 25-year-old has signed a two-year deal with the Green and Black and brings significant quality and experience into the side.
Beard has 80 games of Liberty A-League experience – 29 with her hometown Brisbane Roar and 51 with Melbourne Victory, where she was a Championship-winning captain in 2021.
Upon returning to the Liberty A-League, the versatile left-footer said she is thrilled to join the project at Western United. “I’m excited to be here with the girls. Seeing what Mark (Torcaso) and Amanda (Stella) are doing with Western is really inspiring,” she said.
“It’s always good to aim for more silverware and more achievements and this team is a very talented group. I think the team chemistry and what they’re creating on the field and the environment off the field is very attractive for me.
“I’m loving Australian football right now and I’m loving being back in Australia, so hopefully it’s a good fit for both of us.”
Above: Angie Beard jumps for joy during her time with Melbourne Victory. Photo: W-League.
Beard has worked with Western United Head Coach Mark Torcaso in the past when she starred in Calder United’s 2019 NPLW Victoria treble-winning team.
Torcaso said he is eager to work with Beard again and that the signing was another important move as United seeks to continue its early momentum in the Liberty A-League.
“The fact that Angie wanted to come here and the fact that we are able to go out and get her is another indication of our ambition in this competition,” he said.
“Angie has been a star in this league already, she’s had big experience overseas and she is going to be a massive player for us and for our league. Her quality as a player is important but her quality as a person is even more vital. I’m delighted and honoured to be able to work with her again and I can’t wait for our fans to see her in action.”
Beard has also played in the top flight in Iceland and has been capped three times by the Matildas, debuting against the Republic of Ireland in 2021.
Her two seasons at Fortuna resulted in second and third-placed finishes in the league and a Danish Cup title in May 2022.
Beard takes the No.23 jersey and will hope to make her debut with United facing two games in four days.
Artwork by: Charlotte Stacey, founder of On Her Side.
Above: Sheridan Gallagher celebrates her opening goal for Western Sydney Wanderers. Image: @wswanderersfc
After going almost a calendar year without a win, Western Sydney Wanderers rang in 2023 with arguably the upset of the season, beating Melbourne City 2-0 at Wanderers Football Park.
Goals from Sheridan Gallagher and Olivia Price gave Western Sydney their maiden victory of the campaign, and their first since January 9th 2022, lifting them off the foot of the table.
Melbourne City looked to still be recovering from a New Year’s hangover, strangely unable to create clear-cut chances and missing their usual incisiveness, the loss seeing them relinquish first place in the Liberty A-League.
Ahead of a brutal stretch of three games in just seven days, City head coach Dario Vidosic made two changes, with Sally James back between the posts, and Rhianna Pollicina returning to the starting XI after Emina Ekic’s season-ending injury in the last match round. In the opposing dugout, Kat Smith handed new Philippine recruit Sarina Bolden her red-and-black debut, with Amy Harrison and Olivia Price also rotating into the midfield.
City, as has been the case all season thus far, customarily controlled the majority of ball possession in the game. They created the first chance in the 12th minute; Wilkinson’s sharp shot straight at Wanderers keeper Jordan Bloomer, after Daniela Galic, starting on the left wing, nipped in to force an interception.
The Wanderers though were competitive throughout; tenacious in their duels and resolute in the middle of the park. A wayward pass from Galic led to a glorious opportunity for Price to open the scoring, but with only keeper James to beat, her shot was off-target, having been played through by Bolden.
Above: New Wanderers signing Sarina Bolden impressed on her debut. Photo: Western Sydney Wanderers.
The cagey affair saw both teams struggle to cleanly progress the ball into dangerous areas until Western Sydney surprisingly opened the scoring somewhat fortuitously. Gallagher was found around the right corner of the 18-yard box, and whilst her left-footed shot was deflected off City’s Chelsea Blissett, it caught the wind, looped over James, and inside the back post.
Seeking a response to the unexpected setback, Vidosic brought on Julia Grosso for Leticia McKenna at halftime, with Galic moving back into central midfield. The Melbournians though started the second period shakily, with consecutive turnovers from centre-backs Naomi Chinnama and then Katie Bowen leading to a Bolden shot just clearing the bar, and a Gallagher cross just out of the Filipino’s reach.
The Wanderers didn’t have to wait long for their second though. Another City turnover in their defensive third saw Beth Gordon feed an unmarked Price at the top of the penalty area, who controlled and fired past James, giving Western Sydney an improbable two-goal lead.
Further substitutions could not help Melbourne City break down a compact Wanderers defence, with the Sydneysiders seeming more likely to notch a third on the counterattack instead. Bolden, having been put through one-on-one, almost capped off a memorable debut with a goal in the 75th minute, with keeper James getting fingertips on her strike to deflect it onto the crossbar.
The visitors looked alternately frantic and lost for ideas throughout, uncharacteristically amassing an expected goals (xG) of just 0.55 for the entirety of the match. The Wanderers though, were deserved winners with 15 shots to the Sky Blues’ nine, outworking their opponents and seeing out the game without much fanfare.
City will need to have short memory spans, hoping to rediscover their form against Adelaide United, with a rapid turnaround on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Western Sydney’s giant-killing triumph has jolted their season to life and should give Kat Smith’s charges confidence for the rest of their campaign ahead.
Above: Western Sydney Wanderers celebrate their first win for almost a year. Photo: Western Sydney Wanderers.
Above: Grace Maher (right) celebrates with Nikki Flannery after her sensational strike. Photo: Keep Up.
Two goals in a three-minute spell on either side of the half-hour mark at the Service FM Stadium, including a typically stunning strike from Grace Maher, earned Canberra United only their second win of the A-League Women season.
Maher’s effort, from approaching 30 yards, in addition to Michelle Heyman’s clever escape from her marker to fire home, give the capital city side renewed hope of pushing towards the top half of the table.
Going into the match, Adelaide United were without Emily Condon who is suffering from a groin injury. Elsewhere, Paige Hayward was able to play further forward and renew her partnership with Fiona Worts and Chelsie Dawber.
For the visitors, Canberra United head coach Njegosh Popovich handed a first start to teenager Ellen Gett after her move from Brisbane Roar in place of Emma Ilijoski who stepped down to the bench. Hayley Taylor-Young was also given a starting berth for the first time in 11 months.
Kick-off was pushed back over three hours due to extreme heat in Adelaide, but despite the new 7pm start time, the match began in 35c temperatures with two drinks breaks in each half.
Above: Adelaide United’s Maruschka Waldus (right) looks to get past Grace Jale. Photo: Keep Up.
It was the visitors who created the first chance with six minutes on the clock. A trademark run along the right from Michelle Heyman saw her motor away from the attention of two defenders before cutting in and firing a shot across goal that Reds keeper Annalee Grove did well to get a hand to ahead of Nikki Flannery.
Canberra were in receipt of most of the possession, and were targeting the bulk of their attacks in the opening 20 minutes along the right where Sasha Grove and Heyman were able to dictate. Adelaide chances were few and far between, with Nanako Sasaki firing wide and Melindaj Barbieri’s effort blocked by Ellie Brush.
Just before the half-hour mark, the game caught fire with a stunning three minutes of action. It all began with the visitors gaining their reward on the scoreboard. Gaining possession from Grace Jale in the ‘D’, Heyman turned away from her marker Emily Hodgson to create the space to fire home into the left-hand corner.
Above: Michelle Heyman (centre) receives the congratulations of her team-mates after putting Canberra United 1-0 up. Photo: Keep Up.
Adelaide created a chance from the re-start as Dawber played a ball in from the right for Dylan Holmes, but the effort was blocked.
The rapid-fire action continued as Canberra doubled their lead with a piece of magic from the cultured boot of Maher. Positioned almost 30 yards out from goal, to the right of centre, the Canberra legend looked up, saw home keeper Annalee Grove off her line slightly and fired a stunning effort over the Adelaide shot-stopper and in. It was Maher doing what Maher does best as Canberra closed out the half on top.
With the second half more even at the start, clear-cut chances were at a premium. The best opportunity of the encounter’s third quarter came when Heyman once more got free up the right to play in a ball for Laura Hughes who failed to connect properly, allowing Vesna Milivojević to see an effort go wide.
Above: Sasha Grove gets a pass away for Canberra United under the watchful eye of Maruschka Waldus. Photo: Keep Up.
Emilia Murray’s introduction from the bench added some pace and drive along the flank, but Adelaide were unable to make any headway on the visitors.
Jale continued to probe and influence proceedings. Her link-up play and presence in the box is a reminder of exactly what Wellington Phoenix are missing this season.
Adelaide United have now gone down in successive weeks without scoring in games against Newcastle Jets and now Canberra United, teams that Adrian Stenta’s side would have been targeting for victories.
They don’t have the pep up front of last season. With Chelsie Dawber scoring more goals than the rest of her Reds team-mates put together, they need to find a way of getting their offensive threat firing again. Melbourne City’s visit on Wednesday serves as a reminder it’s not going to get any easier for the South Australians.
Above: Lots to ponder for Adelaide United ahead of Melbourne City’s visit on Wednesday. Photo: Keep Up.
Teams: ADELAIDE UNITED(4-3-3): A. Grove, I. Hodgson, Waldus, McCormick, E. Hodgson, Barbieri, Holmes, Sasaki, Dawber, Worts, Hayward. Substitutes: Farrow (GK), Murray, Tolland, Westland, Xiao.
CANBERRA UNITED (4-4-2): Lincoln, Taylor-Young, Brush, Gett, S. Grove, Flannery, Hughes, Maher, Jale, Heyman, Milivojević. Substitutes: Christopherson, Ilijoski, Roach, Segavcic (GK), Taranto.
Scorer: Heyman 28′, Maher 31′.
Referee: Casey Reibelt.
Attendance: 853.
Graphic by Charlotte Stacey, founder of On Her Side.
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