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Poppy Payne & Millwall Lionesses: Pushing For A FAWNL Return

by Ben Gilby (13/12/22).

Above: Impetus sponsored Poppy Payne in action for Millwall this season. Photo: Keith Gillard.

Impetus recently announced an exciting content partnership with tier-five London and South-East Regional Premier side Millwall Lionesses, one of the great names of English women’s football. As part of the partnership, Impetus is proud to be sponsoring Millwall defender Poppy Payne this season.

The Lionesses, formed in 1973, became the first-ever women’s team to affiliate with a professional men’s side in the mid-1980s. Additionally, Millwall became the first team to have a female centre of excellence. A regular side in the top tier of the English game, the Lionesses were FA Cup winners in 1991 and 1997 and have produced some of the game’s most famous names over the past 40 years including Hope Powell, Pauline Cope, Mary Phillip, and Katie Chapman.

The South-East London side are now looking to return to the FA Women’s National League, currently topping tier five.

Impetus sponsored Poppy Payne speaks to Ben Gilby about her footballing journey and life at Millwall Lionesses.

Poppy’s footballing career started early, and locally in South-East London. “I started playing football for a boys’ team called Darent River when I was five years old after watching my brother play,” the defender began.

“When I was about eight, one Friday night our team went down to the Charlton Athletic training ground for a training session with one of the boys’ coaches there, where myself and my mum were asked if I wanted to come down to the Charlton girls training the following week and that is where my three to four-year spell at Charlton Athletic began.

**Above:** Millwall Lionesses’ Poppy Payne. **Photo:** Keith Gillard.

“After Charlton, I went to Gillingham for a couple of years before then joining Millwall in 2014 for four seasons. Unfortunately, at the end of the 2018 season, I took a year out from football as I had fallen out of love with it for various reasons. Of course, I missed playing so started back up at Kent Football United (in tier four) in 2019 to find my feet again. after two half seasons there due to covid interrupting both years, I found myself back at Millwall in March 2022.”

Poppy credits both of her parents for being the keys to her footballing success. “My mum and dad are the two main reasons as to why I was able to play football at a higher standard than Sunday League as they are the ones that drove me to training twice a week and all around the country for matches once a week for about 10 years. Without them, I would not have been physically able to commit to playing.”

That support helped Poppy to get over one of the biggest challenges she has faced in her footballing journey so far, as she reflects: “I remember after leaving Charlton, a couple of my friends moved on to Chelsea whilst I was at Gillingham. I told my parents I wanted to play with them again at Chelsea so they took me down to the trials (two years in a row) but I never got in.

“To be rejected from somewhere is hard, especially as such a young child. At this point Millwall however accepted me, and so that was a huge positive to get my confidence back again.”

Millwall, this season particularly, is full of great personalities all round. Each and every one of the girls and the staff care about each other and want to do well in the team for each other. The atmosphere in the team at training and matches as well as on our team nights out is great, we have a brilliant team bond.”
Poppy Payne on the secrets to Millwall’s success this season.

Whilst Millwall have had a strong start to the campaign, Poppy is well aware that the South-East London side has a battle on their hands to claim the sole place in the FA Women’s National League Division One South-East for next season. “The league is so competitive, as well as being part of many cup competitions like the FA Cup,” but she is grateful for the one club ethos at The Den which includes “the men’s team also support us women in many aspects too which makes us feel more a part of the major sport.”

The Lionesses were part of an incredible FA Cup First Round tie which saw them host tier three Gillingham, one of Poppy’s former sides, at St. Pauls. Millwall produced a sensational performance that saw them only denied a famous win by an equalising goal with 10 seconds of extra time remaining and then go down at St. Pauls in the resulting penalty shoot-out. Looking back on the game now, the defender said:

“The game against Gillingham was important for many reasons, some personal reasons for a few of the players who previously played there as well as for us to make a statement to the league. It was a bittersweet feeling – amazing to know we can all come together and put on a performance like we did and bring the game to a team two leagues above us only losing on a penalty shootout but also gutting to have put so much into the game to then lose something we were so close to winning.

That was a game that proved that Millwall are more than capable of mixing it with higher-ranked teams. That only makes Poppy and her teammates even more determined to clinch a place back in the FA Women’s National League at the end of this season. “The key goal for us this season is promotion,” said Poppy. “We want to be the best in this league and prove that we can sit in tier four and compete there too.”

To see all of Impetus’ sponsored players and partner clubs for 2022/23, click here: https://impetusfootball.org/partnerships

Scottish News Round-Up

SWF Championship & League One Cup Final report, plus the latest SWPL Player of the Month Award winners revealed (13/12/22).

Above: FC Edinburgh lift the SWF Championship & League One Cup after their dramatic win over Dryburgh Athletic. Photo: FC Edinburgh.

FC Edinburgh lift cup after tense penalty shoot-out

From Tom Freeman – Scottish Women’s Football

FC Edinburgh have lifted the Championship and League One cup after winning a tense penalty shootout 5-4 against holders Dryburgh Athletic.

It was a cagey 120 minutes in Alloa which saw both midfields successfully disrupt the rhythm of their opponent, although FC Edinburgh had last-gasp chances at both the end of the regulation time and in the last gasp of extra time.

Dryburgh midfielder Hannah Innes, on loan from SWPL club Aberdeen, picked up the player of the match award for preventing FC Edinburgh dominating the midfield in a way that they have done all season on league duty, but it was the Edinburgh side who would carve out an early chance.

After only three minutes, a wicked ball was sent across the box by Jayden Simmons but FC Edinburgh captain Danielle Forsyth missed her swipe at it with the linesman’s flag staying down.

The ball was moving quickly, and at the other end, a good breakaway by Alma Codegoni was followed by a neat pass to Derrian Gollan, but she needed an extra touch, allowing Alix Wilkinson to intervene and make it safe.

The capital city side had a chance when a silky one-two fed in FC Edinburgh top scorer Emma Mitchell, but the ball rebounded off the defender into Dryburgh keeper Chantelle McKay’s hands. Eight minutes later, Wilkinson floated a free kick straight into McKay’s hands, but FC Edinburgh were starting to impose themselves on the game and set the tempo.

At the other end, Gollan fed in Rob on the left by FC Edinburgh keeper Schenai Gamrot held onto the shot in her near top corner.

The rest of the first half saw a tempestuous midfield battle, with Dryburgh’s Kiah Innes seeing yellow for a robust collision with Forsyth that saw the Edinburgh skipper requiring treatment and limping off at halftime.

At times a talismanic figure of the capital club, Forsyth came out for the second period but was clearly in some discomfort and was quickly replaced by former Hibs teammate Nicole Rutherford after only two minutes.

Left-back Niamh Fellenger was outpaced by Codegoni a couple of times and was replaced by the experienced Ash Clark.

Dryburgh, too were forced to change things with 16 to go, with Mel Gormley who had frustrated Edinburgh on their left picking up a knock and being replaced by Katie Hasset.

With FC Edinburgh shading possession for the first 80 minutes, Dryburgh began to impose themselves, with Zoe Moreland showing some good composure in the middle of the park and Megan Robb and Codegoni causing problems out wide.

But Hannah Markley saw a shot go inches wide after Jayden Simmons had used her pace to win a corner, then a free kick from Dryburgh by Hannah Innes was just to high and too fast for Megan Robb at the back post to reach it.

FC Edinburgh almost grabbed an injury-time winner through Deborah McLeod as she met an inswinging corner, but it agonisingly cleared the crossbar and the game would head into extra time.

It was the capital club who kept up the momentum into the additional time, using the ball well and capitalising on some tired Dryburgh legs. But Hannah Innes almost caught Gamrot off guard with an impressive shot from almost 40 yards out which just dipped too late and shaved the crossbar.

Louise Vaughn was left head in hands as she saw her shot at the back post in the final minutes go just wide of the upright, then a stamash saw McKay pull off an incredible point-blank save before a header came back off the bar and the game would be decided by a penalty shootout.

McKay pulled off a sublime save in the shootout but it wasn’t to be for Dryburgh, and the League One leaders would go on to win their first silverware.

Tajonar makes it back-to-back awards for Celtic while Callaghan picks up SWPL 2 prize

From Robert Wilson – SWPL.

**Above:** Celtic goalkeeper Pamela Tajonar with her Player of the Month award. **Photo supplied to *Impetus* by:** SWPL.

Pamela Tajonar and Abby Callaghan have collected the November 2022/23 Scottish Women’s Premier League (SWPL) Player of the Month awards.

Tajonar becomes the first-ever goalkeeper to win the award after keeping two clean sheets from two games in November, including an outstanding performance in their 0-0 draw away to Rangers.

The Mexican ‘keeper was signed by Celtic in August and has become the starter for her side. In the 10 games she has played, she has only conceded two goals, both against Glasgow City. She currently leads the SWPL for most clean sheets.

**Above:** Abby Callaghan of Queen’s Park with her award as SWPL2 Player of the Month for November. **Photo supplied to *Impetus* by:** SWPL.

In SWPL 2, Abby Callaghan’s Queen’s Park won all three matches in November with scores of 2-1 against Kilmarnock, St Johnstone, and Boroughmuir Thistle. Their form means they are currently fourth in SWPL 2, seven points away from second place.

Callaghan played over 75 minutes in all three matches, scoring the opening goal for her side against Kilmarnock and St Johnstone. She then scored the winner against Boroughmuir Thistle, ending the month with three goals and one assist.

The nominees for the November SWPL award were Rachel Donaldson (Partick Thistle), Kaela McDonald-Nguah (Motherwell), and Krystyna Freda (Hibernian) and for the SWPL 2 award the nominees were Holly Daniel (Montrose) and Lauren Kerr (Gartcairn).

Aston Villa v Arsenal Photo Gallery

Impetus’ Suvadeep Biswas was at Villa Park on Sunday to capture the action from pitchside as Aston Villa hosted Arsenal in the Barclays Women’s Super League (13/12/22).

Above: Aston Villa’s Kirsty Hanson (right) holds off the challenge of Arsenal’s Lotte Wubben-Moy. Photo: Suvadeep Biswas for Impetus.

Welsh Weekend Wrap

Impetus’ Martin Townley rounds up all the weekend’s action across the FAW Women’s Cup, and the three Adran Leagues (13/12/22).

Above: Lowri Baker of Briton Ferry and Cardiff Wanderers’ Rachel Beare in action during their FAW Women’s Cup Quarter-Final tie. Photo: Creative KF(@creativekf).

Just two of the FAW Welsh Women’s Cup quarter-finals survived the freezing weather across Wales this weekend. Briton Ferry Llansawel and Cardiff City booked their spots in the semi-finals with wins over Cardiff Wanderers and Abergavenny respectively.

There was also one game that went ahead in the Adran South as Cascade YC beat Pontardawe Town to keep the pressure on leaders Briton Ferry.

FAW Women’s Cup

Cardiff City 6-0 Abergavenny

Holders Cardiff City went safely through to the semi-finals with a comfortable win over Abergavenny.

Lisa Owen opened the scoring for the Bluebirds on her first start of the season in the 22^nd minute. The goal came after Evie Hughes played a one-two with Phoebie Poole and crossed to the far post where Owen turned the ball into the net.

Cardiff had a penalty three minutes before the break as the ball bounced up and hit the arm of Abergavenny defender Sian Bull. Poole’s emphatic finish from the spot claimed her 13^th goal of the season.

City could have had a third before the break as Hughes was sent in on goal. Driving into the box she was denied by a fine save from Charlotte Hastings.

Just after the restart, Hastings made another quality save as she turned Poole’s strike around the post.

Cardiff did get their third in the 49^th minute as Hughes’ corner into the near post went in off an Abergavenny defender.

The home side extended their lead when Poole played a clever slide pass into Eliza Collie to send her into the box. Hastings saved from Collie, but Megan Saunders was first to the loose ball and tapped in from close range.

A powerful shot from Lily Billingham in the 64^th minute made it five for the Bluebirds to finish off a good passing move in style. Another own goal from Abergavenny from a dangerous City corner made it six as Cardiff City go through to the semi-finals.

Cardiff will face the winners of the Cardiff Met v Llandudno match in the semi-finals.

**Above:** Cardiff City’s Lily Billingham, scorer of their fifth goal against Abergavenny. **Photo:** Cardiff City.

Cardiff Wanderers 1-5 Briton Ferry Llansawel

Cardiff Wanderers, the lowest-ranked side left in the cup, hosted Adran South leaders Briton Ferry with the capital city-based side looking to cause a Cup upset.

Briton Ferry made a quick start to the game and led after just five minutes. Laura-May Walkley sent a pass behind the Wanderers’ defence to find Lowri Baker who put the ball past Jordan Cleaver.

Ferry kept the pressure on and after 14 minutes Lucy Powell made it two after she looped the ball over the keeper from distance.

Just before half time Jade Crofts went close for the home side with her effort going just wide of the Ferry goal.

Ela Roberts put the visitors three up after 53 minutes. Lowri Baker sent Roberts in on goal where she put the ball over Cleaver who was able to get a hand to the ball but couldn’t stop it.

Cardiff Wanderers did come back into the game and reduced the deficit. Llywela Edwards won the ball off Ferry defender Brooke Llewellyn and passed to Jade Crofts who shot Courtney Young.

Wanderers searched for another but after 74 minutes Briton Ferry re-established their three-goal lead. Captain Lowri Ridings with a powerful header from Lucy Powell’s corner.

With 77 minutes gone Olivia Townsend got a fifth goal, scoring on her Briton Ferry debut. The former Barry Town player stepped past a defender and fired a fine effort past Cleaver.

Briton Ferry will play either Wrexham or Aberystwyth Town in the semi-finals.

Adran South

Cascade YC 3-2 Pontardawe Town

Cascade came through a tough test against Pontardawe to go level on points with leaders Briton Ferry.

They were made to come from behind as Catryn Cook gave Pontardawe the lead just two minutes in. It took Cascade until the 55^th minute to level thanks to Hannah Moger and things got better for the hosts when Jess Pascoe put them ahead with 20 minutes to play. Georgia Thorne equalised for Pontardawe in the 89^th minute as it looked like the visitors would take a point. It wasn’t to be however as Bethan Lloyd scored in added time to give Cascade a valuable three points.

Manchester Derby ends even at the Etihad

Manchester City 1-1 Manchester United

by Johnathan Stack at The Etihad Stadium for Impetus (12/12/22).

Above: Laura Coombs celebrates her equaliser for Manchester City. Photo: Manchester City Women.

Manchester City came from behind and keep their unbeaten Women’s Super League record against Manchester United intact after drawing 1-1 with their rivals in front of more than 44,000 fans, a club record for Manchester City, and a record for a women’s game at the Etihad.

City were back playing in the main stadium for the first time since 2019, and were rewarded with the second-highest attendance in Barclays Women’s Super League history.

United went into the match, the final league fixture for both teams in 2022, knowing a win would temporarily move them level on points with league leaders Chelsea. A win for City would see them move onto level points with United.

But despite the occasion, it was the away side who scored first. Leah Galton opened the scoring just before the half-hour mark as she received the ball on the left, cut inside, and played a nice one-two with Ella Toone on the edge of the box before slotting the ball past Ellie Roebuck.

**Above:** Leah Galton, Manchester United’s scorer looks to get away yesterday. **Photo:** Manchester United Women.

Into the second half, City came out knowing that they had to find a goal from somewhere with bragging rights on the line. They took the opportunity when it was presented to them.

Chloe Kelly was able to send in a cross from the right side of the pitch which was missed by the United defence and made its way to Laura Coombs just yards from the goal. The Manchester City number seven was left with the easiest of finishes to head her side level.

Both teams had good chances to win the match as both Khadija Shaw and Martha Thomas had headers well saved by Mary Earps and Roebuck as the game ended level.

After the game, Manchester City head coach Gareth Taylor spoke of his pride in being involved in another big event in this WSL season saying, “Today was a bit of a flagship moment, we had it previously in 2019 but you can see the interest that this game drew up,” he said.

“We’ll reflect and see if it was a success, and then if it has, we’ll look to do it more often. We’ve seen it more in the south with Chelsea using their venue, Arsenal and Tottenham. For us it’s great and a real step forward. Hopefully, everyone sees it as a real success. I think (playing at the Etihad more regularly) would help. You’d see hopefully a more normal type of performance than maybe what we saw in the first half because it was completely new.”

Taylor went on to say that he thinks his side would benefit more if they played in the main stadium in the future saying “The pitch dimensions are the same as the CFA (Academy Stadium) but it looks and feels bigger, bigger stadium and crowd, spaces look massive for both teams.

“I believe if we’re able to use this as a venue more often we’ll do amazing, especially the way we played and the method we use, it’d help us a lot. First half was a bit new to us, we tried to acclimatise as best we could. We couldn’t train here yesterday due to the weather conditions.

The WSL returns in January after a Christmas and New Year break.

**Above:** Manchester United’s Alessia Russo gets a shot away. **Photo:** Manchester United Women.

Teams: MANCHESTER CITY: Roebuck, Casparij, Alexandri, Greenwood, Ouahabi, Hasegawa, Castellanos, Coombs, Kelly, Shaw, Hemp. Substitutes: MacIver, Stokes, Houghton, Fowler, Angeldahl, Raso, Morgan, Kennedy, Blakstad.

Scorer: Coombs 58′.

MANCHESTER UNITED: Earps, Batlle, Blundell, Toone, Zelem, Galton, Ladd, Le Tissier, Turner, Parris, Russo. Substitutes: Baggaley, Thorisdottir, Tounkara, Boe Risa, Moore, Staniforth, L. Garcia, Thomas, Williams.

Scorer: Galton 27′.

Referee: Abigail Byrne.

Attendance: 44,259.

Philippines v Papua New Guinea Photo Gallery

On Sunday at Wanderers Football Park, Western Sydney, the Philippines (blue) met Papua New Guinea in a friendly match that ended 5-1 in the Phillippines’ favour. Impetus’ Kris Goman captures the action (12/12/22).

World Cup Training Bases Revealed

Ben Carey was at the Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre to hear the venue revealed as the Matildas World Cup training base. Plus all the news of the other qualifiers bases (12/12/22).

Above: The Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre – Australia’s training base for the World Cup. Photo: Ben Carey for Impetus.

The Matildas will call Brisbane home during the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, setting up camp at the Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre (QSAC) in the Brisbane suburb of Nathan. The news was announced this morning by James Johnson, the CEO of Football Australia.

Johnson said that Australian football was in its “golden era”. He was delighted that Australia had come together to watch the Socceroos in Qatar and hoped to see that support continue into the Women’s World Cup next year. “The Women’s World Cup will be the biggest sporting event that our nation has hosted since the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.”

The media event was attended by veteran Matildas and proud Queenslanders, Clare Polkinghorne and Tameka Yallop. When they entered the building, they made their way past many excited young girls and boys in local club jerseys who were chatting and kicking around soccer balls. The next generation of Australian footballers perhaps.

**Above:** Today’s media announcement of Australia’s training base for the World Cup – From left to right, James Johnson, Graeme Clark, Stirling Hinchcliff, Ann Odong, Clare Polkinghorne, and Tameka Yallop. **Photo:** Ben Carey for *Impetus*.

“I’m really excited to call Brisbane home,” Polkinghorne said. “In previous World Cups we’ve been to, we’ve travelled around a lot. So as players it’s nice to have a place that we can call home, come back to after every game, and feel settled.”

“To come back to Brisbane, a place where I grew up, [played] a lot of my youth football at, with QAS, and right here is close to me,” Yallop said. “It’s close to a lot of the Matildas.”

Queensland is indeed a place that is dear to much of the team. In the past year, 16 of the 40 players that have attended Matildas training camps were either born, raised, or played their junior football in Queensland.

“This is different for a World Cup,” Yallop continued. “We haven’t had a basecamp before. So, I think it’s really important to be somewhere that people are really comfortable in, and Brisbane is definitely that place for us.”

Matildas head coach, Tony Gustavsson, commented on the decision to base the Matildas in Brisbane. “With a high-level gym, on-pitch training facilities, and excellent recovery solutions off the pitch, QSAC provides an optimum performance environment for our FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 preparations prior to and during the tournament.”

Other Nations Training Bases:

**Above:** Central Coast Stadium, England’s training base for the World Cup. **Photo:** Austadiums.

Also revealed today were all the training centres for the qualified nations so far:

New Zealand: Auckland, Norway: Auckland, Philippines: Auckland, Switzerland: Dunedin, Spain: Palmerston North, Costa Rica: Christchurch, Zambia: Hamilton, Japan Christchurch, USA: Auckland, Vietnam: Auckland, Netherlands: Tauranga, Sweden: Wellington, South Africa: Wellington, Italy: Auckland, Argentina: Auckland, Australia Queensland Sports & Athletics Centre (Brisbane), Republic of Ireland: Goodwin Park (Brisbane), Nigeria: Lions FC (Brisbane), Canada: Olympic Park (Melbourne), England: Central Coast Stadium (Gosford), Denmark: Kingsway Reserve (Perth), China: Croatian Sports Centre (Adelaide), France: Valentine Sports Park (Sydney), Jamaica: Victorian State Football Centre (Melbourne), Brazil: Moreton Bay Sports Complex (Queensland), Germany: Central Coast Sport & Recreational Complex, Morocco: Galvin Park Reserve (Melbourne), Colombia: Marconi Stadium (Sydney), South Korea: Campbelltown Sports Stadium (Sydney).

A-League Women Weekly Awards

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 (12/12/22)

Player of the Week:

KIERAN YAP: Grace Maher. One amazing goal and a brilliant run to set up another. When Maher is in the zone there’s no stopping her. The game is played at the exact pace she wants, and your only hope as an opponent is that her radar is off. It wasn’t against Wellington. There’s a handful of players who can chip a keeper at that close range through a crowd. She’s a privilege to watch.

BEN GILBY: Back to her best with a bang. Melina Ayres’ struggles with injuries last season was a big loss for Melbourne Victory – the impact she made on her return for the home straight showed her worth, but the last fortnight as seen Ayres approach her peak once more. Two goals at Perth, the first a delightful angled poke, highlight the return of one of the competition’s best.

JONATHAN TAY: Sarah Hunter again had her fingerprints all over another Sydney FC victory on Saturday. Whilst Madison Haley featured heavily on the highlight reel, Hunter was the orchestrator of so much of Sydney’s possession and attacking play, as Brisbane chased shadows through the middle of the park in their 4-0 drubbing. The 19-year-old provided the through-ball assist for Haley’s wonder-goal, and capped her performance with a very well-taken finish of her own late on. Hunter continues to prove she’s arguably Australia’s best young midfield prospect at present.

BEN CAREY: It’s a tight one again this week, but I have to go with Sydney midfielder Sarah Hunter for her incredible contribution in the game against Brisbane. Hunter had one goal, one assist, and created four goalscoring opportunities.

RYAN MILLER-WOODS: Madison Haley of Sydney FC against Brisbane Roar played absolutely brilliantly. Her two goals that really gave Sydney an advantage, but her overall performance during the match, really emphasised the class that she has been continuously showing since the start of this season for Sydney.

JOHNATHAN STACK: Madison Haley scored two goals for Sydney FC and the second was a superb solo goal with a beautiful chip over the goalkeeper to round it off.

KRIS GOMAN: Maddy Haley for the player. Two goals and the second was superb. Zipping around everyone then lobbing it into goal. She’s not a big celebrator, much like Vivianne Miedema, but that goal raised a smile.

Coach of the Week:

KIERAN YAP: Jeff Hopkins. That was a hard-fought and convincing win by Melbourne Victory away to Perth Glory. Victory’s midfield has been not so functional in recent weeks, but he made some crucial changes, trusted Alana Murphy, and got the result.

BEN GILBY: Jeff Hopkins. Listening to him in the media after the game at Perth on Sunday emphasised why. He’d asked his team to specifically focus on keeping the ball and their intensity. They did it in spades – these were the keys to their win at Macedonia Park. With promising young stars starting to link up well with experienced heads, the champs are coming good again.

JONATHAN TAY: Njegosh Popovich looks to be building something tangible at Canberra this season. After a dismal 2021/22, the new head coach has overseen a win and two draws to open this campaign. Against Wellington this weekend, Canberra were relentless; constantly pressing high, forcing turnovers, and restricting the Phoenix’s ability to get out of their own end. Their first and third goals of the 3-0 victory came from winning the ball in the attacking third of the pitch. With legitimate difference makers in attack and midfield, it will be interesting to see if they can sustain this form over the course of the season and against tougher opposition.

BEN CAREY: Dario Vidosic, in his third match as coach, managed to put together a team that steamrolled a strong and attacking Newcastle Jets.

RYAN MILLER-WOODS: Dario Vidosic of Melbourne City. The way that City have been playing under their interim head coach has really been quite amazing to watch. Their convincing performance against Newcastle Jets personified it.

JOHNATHAN STACK: Njegosh Popovich guided his team to a first win of the season after two draws in Canberra’s first two games.

KRIS GOMAN: I’m going with Kat Smith this week. Despite the loss, the Wanderers played very well and really should have beat Adelaide. They still have problems scoring, which is frustrating, but they are creating good chances, applying heaps of pressure and defending well. Enjoyed watching some of the younger ones get a run too. They only lost on a debatable penalty.

Event of the Week:

KIERAN YAP: Caitlin Karic. If I say anymore I’ll be talking all day. She’s been touted as the next big thing for some time. Against Newcastle, she showed why.

BEN GILBY: Madison Haley’s second goal for Sydney FC against Brisbane Roar showed why she is one of the biggest handfuls for any defender in the competition right now. An explosive run that left Jamilla Rankin for dead and ended with a sublime finish toe-poked over Hensley Hancuff. Sensational.

JONATHAN TAY: Madison Haley’s and Sydney FC’s second goal against Brisbane will be a strong contender for goal of the season. The 23-year-old American has stood out in each of her performances, and on Saturday put an early exclamation point on her campaign thus far. Latching on to a through ball, she burst past Roar centre-back Jamilla Rankin, leaving her tumbling in her wake. The striker drove into the box, before deliciously chipping the ball past goalkeeper Hensley Hancuff, onto the far post and into the net.

BEN CAREY: Alex Chidiac scoring a goal from an incredible, high curling corner kick, reminiscent of the Kyra Cooney-Cross corner from the 2021 final.

RYAN MILLER WOODS: Madison Haley’s second goal against Brisbane Roar. The whole move was great to watch from the build-up of the through ball to Haley who then left Brisbane’s Jamilla Rankin in the box and then finally chipped the ball over Hensley Hancuff to cap off what was a great play and a brilliant goal by Haley.

JOHNATHAN STACK: Melbourne City 5 Newcastle Jets 1. I have picked this game for two reasons. Firstly, there were two worldie goals – the opening goal from Kaitlyn Torpey was a torpedo of a strike and then an audacious chip from outside the area from Caitlin Karic after she was played in by Leticia McKenna. Secondly, Melbourne City remain only one of two teams with a perfect record and go top of the league on goal difference.

Western Sydney Wanderers v Adelaide United Photo Gallery

Kris Goman was pitchside at Wanderers Football Park for Impetus today to capture the best action from Western Sydney Wanderers v Adelaide United (11/12/22).

Above: All eyes on the ball as Western Sydney Wanderers face Adelaide United today. Photo: Kris Goman for Impetus.

To read Kieran Yap’s report of the game, click here: https://impetusfootball.org/2022/12/11/another-win-for-adelaide-under-the-sydney-sun/

Ayres at the Double as champions take the Glory

Perth Glory 0-3 Melbourne Victory

Report by Ben Gilby. Pitchside photos from Tom McCarthy at Macedonia Park (11/12/22).

Above: Melina Ayres opens the scoring for Melbourne Victory today. Photo: Tom McCarthy.

Melbourne Victory made it back-to-back wins with as the reigning A-League Women champions produced a ruthless ability to turn chances into goals in Perth.

This result extends the Western Australian’s winless start with Glory having taken only two points from a possible 12 to open the season.

As promised earlier in the week, Perth head coach Alex Epakis made a number of changes to his squad. Morgan Aquino and Sadie Lawrence made their first starts of the campaign as both Bella Wallhead and Kim Carroll dropped out due to illness and family commitments respectively. Demi Koulizakis was on the bench and Alana Jancevski came back into the starting line-up with Gabrielle Coleman among the subs.

**Above:** Perth Glory’s Sadie Lawrence gets a tackle in on her return to the starting line-up. **Photo:** Tom McCarthy.

Melbourne Victory were without Catherine Zimmerman, injured in the Grand Final rematch against Sydney FC, but Jeff Hopkins was able to call on the vast experience of Gema Simon and talented youngster Alana Murphy in the starting line-up with Maja Markovski among the substitutes.

Victory had all the possession in the early stages, with a particular focus on their left hand side where Beattie Goad was busy. Murphy was looking to put probing balls through which the Western Australians were alert to.

Glory grew into the game with the industry of Rylee Baisden earning back-to-back corners. From the second, Hana Lowry curled a tempter in from the right, and Jancevski directed a header goalward with Liz Anton also looking to get a touch, as the visitors were forced to scramble off the line.

**Above:** Alana Jancevski (23) gets up to direct a header goalwards with Liz Anton (third purple shirt from the right) poised to head on. **Photo:** Tom McCarthy.

Jancevski showed her outrageous talent shortly afterwards as Perth’s young gun let fly from over 40 yards with an effort that dipped just wide of the post.

Perth Glory head coach Alex Epakis had identified a non-negotiable pre-game. He expected his team to consistently get their ultra-high press into operation and it was largely successful. Allied to a strong defensive effort, it led to the best opening 45 that Perth have produced all campaign from these perspectives. However, they were not able to consistently unleash their attacking talent in an effective manner.

However improved Glory were at the back, the quality that Victory possess was enough to cause problems. Melina Ayres’ influence grew as she found Lia Privitelli who found Alex Chidiac outside her. The Matildas midfielder played the ball in towards Goad who had an effort blocked before Ayres’ follow-up was dealt with.

**Above:** Beattie Goad (left) had an excellent afternoon for Melbourne Victory. **Photo:** Tom McCarthy.

Shortly afterwards, the Victory duo combined again to devastating effect. Goad motored along the left and pulled the ball across for Ayres to control, turn, and poke with the outside of her foot into the left-hand corner of the net.

Jancevski remained at the heart of everything dangerous Perth created. From a throw-in on the right, she lofted a ball into the box towards Baisden. It came in at a height that could be headed or kicked which so often leaves attackers betwixt and between. The American went with the latter and it just ran wide of the post.

Melbourne Victory had the brighter start to the second half with Goad having the first opportunity which she lifted over the bar. However, the game was ultimately decided within a 90-second spell.

**Above:** Sarah Cain’s second yellow card ended up changing the game decisively. **Photo:** Tom McCarthy.

Sarah Cain received a second yellow card for a foul on Privitelli with 36 minutes remaining, and Perth’s uphill task became mountainous within seconds as a corner curled into the back post and Lowry’s clearance header fell straight to Ayres who fired home.

Victory dialled up the pressure, forcing Perth into errors. The hosts responded by rolling the dice and bringing on Susan Phonsongkham and Coleman, both of whom had an impact and led to a brief shift of momentum. The latter, now part of an all-American front three with Cyera Hintzen and Baisden, was played in by Lowry and got a shot away which hit the side netting.

However, whilst Perth may have pressed, they were not able to turn this into shots on target – and once more they were made to pay in the most ruthless way possible. After earning a corner, midfield maestro Chidiac stepped up and curled a sensational ‘Olympico’ into the far corner.

**Above:** Morgan Aquino watches as Alex Chidiac’s corner curls into the net. **Photo:** Tom McCarthy.

The remaining 15 minutes saw Victory comfortable in possession to seal their second straight win of the campaign. Indeed, 16-year-old sub Ava Briedis could have extended the Victory lead when her sensational long-range effort from the left of centre from over 25 yards troubled Aquino, but just failed to hit the target.

Speaking to the media after the game, Perth Glory head coach Alex Epakis said: “I’m proud of my players. I’m proud of the way we went after the reigning champs. The first half, we went in 1-0 down, but I was still confident we could get something out of the game. Once the red card happened…we didn’t drop tools. We kept going for them and that’s why I’m sat here with a level of dignity and respect for the players and what they did.”

In terms of player availability and usage, Epakis continued to be positive, saying: “We’re struggling for numbers, (but) everyone gave 100%. Hana has a free role and we want her to find spaces. We’re happy for her to roam. When you have a talented player like her, you don’t want to shackle her.”

**Above:** Hana Lowry had a busy afternoon for Perth Glory. **Photo:** Tom McCarthy.

Melbourne Victory head coach Jeff Hopkins spoke of his pride in his players’ ability to meet the specific targets he set them ahead of the game. “Intensity and keeping the ball – we definitely did that. We came in at half time reasonably comfortable. The sending-off changed the game completely. Scoring straight away settled us down.

Hopkins was full of praise for two-goal Melina Ayres, convinced that the attacker is back to her best after a frustrating run with injury: “She scored a great goal last week, and she trained so well this week. When we get forward we need to get the ball in and around her area. She is back to the form she was in the year before last.”

**Above:** Melina Ayres’ (centre) performance drew raise from Melbourne Victory head coach Jeff Hopkins. **Photo:** Tom McCarthy.

The Victory boss underlined the progression he is seeing in his side and the further yards that he expects them to make in the weeks ahead: “We understand we’re not where we want to finish. We have a lot of improvements (to make) in our play.

“We have a number of new players, a number of young players in the squad, and its exciting for me that we can put a performance like that together this early in the season, we’re only going to get better.”
Jeff Hopkins, Melbourne Victory head coach.

Perth Glory have not yet managed to produce a performance that has combined their bread and butter high press defence with the best use of their raft of attacking talent. With Canberra United travelling to the West next Sunday, the purples need to fix the connections to ensure the potential that this squad has can finally be unleashed.

**Above:** Perth Glory will be looking to get their first win next weekend when Canberra United visit Macedonia Park.

Melbourne Victory will be confident of keeping their winning run going when they welcome Newcastle Jets to AAMI Park. The champions are shifting into gear, and that’s ominous for the rest of the league.

More of Tom McCarthy’s photos from Macedonia Park:

For more of Tom’s photos, visit: nplphotos.com

Teams: PERTH GLORY (3-4-2-1): Aquino, Anton, Mastrantonio, Lawrence, Green, Lowry, Cain, Rigby, Jancevski, Baisden, Hintzen. Substitutes: Coleman, Koulizakis, Langman (GK), Phonsongkham, Sakalis.

MELBOURNE VICTORY (4-3-3): Dumont, Simon, Bunge, Morrison, Nash, Kellond-Knight, Murphy, Chidiac, Goad, Ayres, Privitelli. Substitutes: Briedis, Eliadis, Markovski, Templeman (GK), Zois.

Scorers: Ayres 25′, 58′. Chidiac 75′.

Referee: Lara Lee.

Attendance: 700.