Stenta’s Super Sub Nets Winner Against Sydney FC

Adelaide United 1-0 Sydney FC

By Kieran Yap (20/11/22)

Above: Emilia Murray turns away in delight after scoring her late winner for Adelaide United. Photo: Liberty A-League.

Adelaide United has gotten their season off to the perfect start with a 1-0 win over reigning premiers Sydney FC.

A tight, and very even contest was eventually decided in the 87th minute with Emilia Murray’s first goal in the A-League Women.

The match, at Adelaide’s ServiceFM Stadium was played in blustery conditions similar to that which Melbourne Victory and Western United had to contend with.  Both teams tried to keep the ball on the ground, which led to numerous intercepted passes in the final third, and a match that was played mostly in midfield.

Adelaide finished last season with the best record in their history. A first finals campaign was stopped by Melbourne Victory, but they have retained the majority of their squad this season, and added Victory’s Melinda Barbieri, while welcoming back former star defender Maruschka Waldus.

Above: Sarah Hunter (left) contests possession for Sydney FC in Adelaide today. Photo: Adelaide United.

Sydney’s season begins missing some key players from their consecutive premierships. Remy Siemsen moved to Europe, while Taylor Ray is unavailable after suffering a knee injury on international duty. Fan favourite full back Ally Green has been replaced by fellow New Zealand international Anna Green.

In their place, Sydney FC has strengthened in some areas. Abby Lemmon has joined after impressing at the Youth World Cup with the Young Matildas. Kirsty Fenton has joined from Newcastle Jets, and striker Shay Evans has returned to the club.

With all the new faces, it was the most famous name that started the game brightest. Cortnee Vine began the season at full pace. Her early trademark run down the right created the first real scoring chance for Sydney FC. The cutback fell to Charlize Rule, but Annalee Grove in the Adelaide goal made an athletic save with her outstretched foot.

Emily Condon was Adelaide’s most creative force in the first half. Her acceleration and eye for an opportunity broke though Sydney’s midfield press. She carried the ball with purpose and confidence and played a well-timed pass out wide to Chelsie Dawber.

The playmaker continued her run and got on the end of Dawber’s cross but the ball bounced into the arms of Jada Whyman to snuff out the danger.

Above: Dylan Holmes (right) tussles with Mackenzie Hawkesby of Sydney FC. Photo: Adelaide United.

In midfield, Sydney’s Mackenzie Hawkesby was engaged in an entertaining duel with Adelaide’s Dylan Holmes. The two box-to-box midfielders each tried to assert their influence on the match while keeping the other under control.

The results were far from a stalemate. Each had their moments in the game, although Hawkesby was able to get forward more and posed more of a threat than Holmes through her set pieces.

The second half saw the game open up more. Dawber had a shot skid just wide of the left post after a cutback from Fiona Worts.

Sydney’s best chance came after another Vine run. Her low cross was cleverly left by Hawkesby in the middle and arrived at the feet of Princess Ibini in acres of space and an eternity of time. Grove stayed on her feet and composed. The shot was directed straight at her without much power. it was a surprising waste by a player whose right foot normally packs a punch.

With the game headed toward a draw. Adelaide coach Adrian Stenta made some changes. He brought off Emily Condon, captain Isobel Hodgson, and Dolan Medallist Fiona Worts.

Onto the pitch came, Emilia Murray, Barbieri, and Meisha Westland. Katie Bowler also replacing Xiao Yuyi.

Above: Sheer joy for Emilia Murray after the local teenager secured Adelaide United’s win. Photo: Adelaide United.

The move was courageous. Stenta was taking off a lot of experience and proven match-winning ability, including last season’s Golden Boot winner.

In the 87th minute, Emilia Murray scored the match-winner. The 18-year-old made an intelligent run into the box when Dawber received the ball out wide on the right.

The long curling pass was perfectly hit, especially considering the conditions. And Murray arrived before Whyman to nod it over the keeper. Adelaide held on for the remaining minutes and earned an opening-day win against a likely top-four opponent.

Adelaide next face Perth Glory. Their defence will be tested against the versatile and creative Glory attack. But with Grove in fine form against Sydney, they will feel confident even on the road.

Sydney will look to rebound against Melbourne Victory. The two clubs are in the unfamiliar position of facing each other after a loss. Nothing but a win will satisfy either manager. Especially in a Grand Final rematch.

Teams: ADELAIDE UNITED (4-3-1-2): Grove, Hodgson (Bowler), Tonkin, Waldus, Hayward, Sasaki, Holmes, Xiao (Murray), Condon (Barbieri), Dawber, Worts (Westland).

Scorer: Murray 87′.

SYDNEY FC (4-3-3): Whyman, De La Harpe, Mclean, Tobin, Green, Hunter, Hawkesby, Rule (Stanic-Floody), Ibini, Vine, Evans (Dos Santos).

Referee: Georgia Ghirardello.

Attendance: 1,039.

City Spoil Wellington Homecoming

Wellington Phoenix 1-4 Melbourne City

by Ryan Miller-Woods (20/11/22)

Above: Melbourne City celebrate at Sky Stadium earlier today. Photo: Melbourne City.

In their opening match of the A-League Women season, Melbourne City was victorious against Wellington Phoenix in front of a record crowd attendance for a home and away A-League Women’s match in Wellington after a convincing performance.

Whilst City had the greater opportunities in the first half, Phoenix made distinctive claims as well.

The pressure early on was made by Melbourne City, but the Phoenix were able to have an answer to the City attack relatively without any significant danger.

Above: Wellington Phoenix’s Kate Taylor makes a great cover tackle. Photo: Wellington Phoenix.

The first major attempt by Wellington was made by Ava Pritchard in the 12th minute from outside the box with a shot that went safely into the arms of City goalkeeper Sally James.

As the game approached the half hour mark, Wellington were seen more from an offensive perspective, but City were stubborn at the back.

The visitors had a great opportunity to open the scoring in the 37th minute when Emina Ekic was found in the box, and made a great turn, but her shot agonisingly hit the post.

Brianna Edwards for Wellington made a great save from a one-one situation in the 41st minute via a cross from Daniela Galic which was then controlled and shot at by Ekic that was then covered off and cleared by the Wellington defence.

Above: Daniela Galic and Rhianna Pollicina celebrate. Photo: Melbourne City.

Within three minutes of the re-start, Cote Rojas began to unleash her magic wand. She crossed the ball into the box and at the near-post, an open Bryleeh Henry slotted first-time into the back of the net.

Not long after that, City was able to double their lead thanks to a pass made by Rhianna Pollicina towards Rojas in the box who then turned, timed her shot, and directed the ball past Edwards into the goal in the 50th minute. It was Rojas at her best.

Controversy reigned in the 53rd minute as Pollicina crossed into the box with the ball appearing to have gone over the line before Wellington’s Edwards had saved it, but in the moment it then was spilled out towards Rojas who put it in but was deemed offside. The officials then deliberated on whether the initial cross made by Pollicina went over the line and after a little bit of time, it was decided that Edwards did enough to keep the ball out and deny the goal.

In the 65th minute, Wellington’s Zoe McMeeken made contact with City’s Rojas who had made a run into the box with the ball at her feet and went down in the box from the contact made, and the visitors were awarded a penalty as a result of it. Pollicina then stepped up to score despite Edwards who got a hand to it.

Above: Melbourne City’s Daniela Galic, aged just 16 put in an impressive shift. Photo: Melbourne City.

Within four minutes, Pollicina was on target for City again as Galic passed the ball into the box for Pollicina, who then turned and curled her shot past Edwards that went into the bottom-left corner.

The home side, roared on by an atmospheric crowd, ended the game on top, and with 82 minutes played, the ball was guided into the box from a corner. City keeper James that got directly parried which led to an almighty scramble that ended with Pritchard, who slightly missed the ball initially before seeing her second attempt deflect off the visitors’ Kaitlin Torpey and in.

Five minutes into stoppage time, Phoenix were unlucky not to add to their tally as, Lancaster, who had made a great run, saw her shot hit the post.

Above: Wellington Phoenix’s squad together after their first-ever home game. Photo: Wellington Phoenix.

Teams: WELLINGTON PHOENIX (4-2-3-1): Edwards, Van der Meer, Barry, Taylor, McMeeken, Knott, Whinham, Hassett, Foster, Pritchard, Satchell. Substitutes: Candy, Vosper, Cicco, Lancaster, Clegg

Scorers: Torpey (og) 82’.

MELBOURNE CITY (3-4-2-1): James, Torpey, Chinnama, Bowen, Grosso, Davidson, Pollicina, Galic, Henry, Ekic, Rojas. Substitutes: Barbieri, Accardo, Blissett, Malone, McKenna

Scorers: Henry ‘48’, Rojas 50’, Pollicina 65’, 69’.

Referee: Anna-Marie Keighley.

Attendance: 5,213.

Brighton & Hove Albion v Liverpool: The Media Conferences

Impetus’ Ellie Ramsauer was in Brighton and Hove Albion interim head coach Amy Merricks‘ event whilst Shannon Cookson dialled into Liverpool’s presser which was taken by assistant coach Amber Whiteley (20/11/22).

Above: Brighton and Hove Albion head coach Amy Merricks. Photo: Brighton and Hove Albion Women.

Brighton and Hove Albion go into their vital home game with fellow WSL cellar-dwellers Liverpool on Sunday in a positive frame of mind after their dramatic 5-4 win at West Ham United last time out, writes Ellie Ramsauer.

Reflecting on that win at Victoria Road, Brighton interim head coach Amy Merricks stated: “We were all proud of them [the players] in terms of the performance and the way they applied themselves.” She added that the team “played with some real intent” and that “there are some really positive foundations to build on from that game.” Merricks did concede, however, that there were “moments in the game where we need to learn to manage it better” and that was a “lesson learned.”

Following Albion’s big win, there has been a two-week international break in which a number of players have flown across the globe to play for their respective nations. When asked whether this break may have affected the team’s momentum Merricks responded that she “didn’t think so,” instead the Seagulls’ chief thought there had been some “really exciting elements as a club and a team over the two weeks, so for example with Katie Robinson making her debut for the England Senior team” as well as the fact that “Park Ye-Eun scored for [South] Korea.”

This led Merricks to the conclusion that “there’s several different things that we can build on and I think actually it’s quite nice sometimes for them to get a change of scenery, they come back and those that have remained worked really hard, so no complaints.”

Above: Rebekah Stott in training this week. Photo: Brighton and Hove Albion Women.

Another big talking point, as the Albion boss reflected on the West Ham game, was the number of players who got goals, which included three players who got debut goals for the club. In particular, Elisabeth Terland got her first goal for the club which pleased Merricks as she’s “been trying for a few games, came very close a number of times, so for her just to get the ball over the line was probably a big moment.” Danielle Cater also bagged a brace, as well as an assist, against West Ham, which Merricks said “shows that she can have a good impact on the game.”

Looking forward to Sunday’s vital game against a team around them in the table, there was positive news on the injury front. “Rebekah Stott’s been on the pitch a bit more which is really nice to see, Maisie [Symonds] has been in and around training which is nice to see but [she’s] not there just yet.”

In terms of specific targets for the match against Liverpool, the Brighton chief emphasised a need to “focus on the performance, focus on applying ourselves well first and foremost and the result will take of itself.”

Merricks asserted that Liverpool are “a really organised side’ and that “they also have several individuals with very good experience in the WSL and exciting youngsters coming through so they’ll be set up well, I have no doubt that they will come at us during the game and we have to be prepared for that.”

However, the interim head coach declared that her team have to “focus first and foremost on our performance” as well as carrying over “our intent from West Ham.” Merricks also mentioned that “managing the game where we can and where we need to’ is important.

During the international break, there was a new appointment at the club as Zoe Johnson was named as the women’s and girls’ Managing Director. Merricks reflected that the move was “a really positive appointment in terms of her experience in the game, she’s done a fantastic job at Sheffield United, has plenty of experience pitch-side as well as through being a General Manager, so an exciting appointment from the club and hopefully that can push us on.” There wasn’t, however, any news on the managerial vacancy with Merricks stating that “the club is still in the process of going through the appointment for the head coach” which is “still ongoing.”

Above: Liverpool assistant coach Amber Whiteley. Photo: Liverpool FC Women.

Liverpool’s trip to the Broadfield Stadium on Sunday is a hugely important encounter with The Reds currently sitting tenth having lost their last five games, with The Seagulls only one place ahead of them in the table, writes Shannon Cookson.

Assistant Coach Amber Whiteley, speaking to the media in Matt Beard’s absence due to temporary illness, confirmed that there is still a positive feeling in the squad: “I think there’s so much you can take from the recent performances. You’ve got to take positives from every game and use that as fuel and motivation for the coming weeks. We’ve had a lot of positives to take from recent games”.

Beard’s team lost only 1-0 to Aston Villa in their last fixture. Whiteley outlined how things are looking in the Liverpool camp.

“The squad is looking good; the players are very experienced.” Whiteley went on to explain that keeper Rachael Laws will not be in the squad due to an injury, however, both Leanne Kiernan and Ceri Holland have made progress: “Rachael Laws picked up a knock this week in training and she will be out for two weeks however Ceri Holland has made good progress as well as Leanne Kiernan but she is obviously a long way off.”

Above: Liverpool in training this week. Photo: Liverpool FC Women.

Whiteley confirmed just how hard this Women’s Super League is and how time is needed to adjust: “We know that it’s a difficult league and it would take time to adjust but now we’re really focussed on turning those performances into results”. The Reds are experiencing their first WSL campaign after two seasons in the Championship – a league they won at the end of the 2021/22 season.

When asked about Brighton’s interim head coach, the Liverpool assistant coach explained: “There is the element of the unknown for this weekend. But Amy Merricks has worked with Hope Powell for quite a long time, and we expect them to go back to basics. Amy is a well-experienced coach. We expect them to be well organised, well prepared for the game and it’s a difficult test for us.”

Liverpool are looking to bounce back from their recent results. The team look positive, the manager and assistant manager seem to be happy with how the squad are reacting and how well the training is going.

United Make Statement In Dramatic Win At Arsenal

Arsenal 2-3 Manchester United

by Darrell Allen at The Emirates for Impetus (20/11/22).

Above: Alessia Russo celebrates her goal in second-half stoppage time that sealed Manchester United’s win. Photo: Barclays WSL.

Manchester United came from behind to secure a famous win at The Emirates and end Arsenal’s long winning run in the WSL. 

Ella Toone gave Manchester United the lead at the interval but Arsenal turned the game on its head with goals from Frida Maanum and Laura Wienroither before the visitors turned the game on its head again late on with Millie Turner and Alessia Russo scoring and sending the three points back to Manchester.

Failing To Meet Expectations

On their big Saturday night at The Emirates in front of over 40,000 fans, it is fair to say Arsenal failed to deliver and failed to live up to the expectations on them for this game.

In the first half, Arsenal’s performance was below par. United enjoyed some excellent possession and chances. Leah Galton forced a save out of Manuela Zinsberger before Nikita Parris fired over the bar.

The home fans’ frustration was shown when Ella Toone’s goal was greeted with frustration and boos from the Arsenal support.

There was a reaction and improvement in the early stages of the second half with the goals from Maanum and Wienroither, however United were better across the course and distance of the game and came away with the win they fully deserved. 

Stunning Drama

Above: Frida Maanum levels for Arsenal after the break. Photo: Barclays WSL.

Whilst the majority of the crowd would have been disappointed with the end result, they couldn’t say they weren’t entertained. This was just a stunning game of football.

It was Toone time in the first half before United looked like they had collapsed in yet another big game but Marc Skinner’s team were a threat all night and the dramatic way in which Millie Turner’s header came off the crossbar and went in sparked energy and belief that more could happen. 

Just as the stoppage time board went up and signalled seven additional minutes, up stepped Alessia Russo to head home and take the life out of the Emirates. The home crowd were stunned but United had won it and deservedly so.

Delightful Deliveries 

A theme of the night for both clubs were the ball deliveries for the goals. First up, the late cross from the by-line from Hayley Ladd which found Toone to score.

After Laura Wienroither had glided through herself to level the scores there was the fabulous cross from Katie McCabe who found the Austrian who volleyed home to give Arsenal the lead.

To finish the night was Katie Zelem who provided two electric balls for two incredible headers from Turner and Russo respectively. Just a stunning game with the deliveries the highlight.

Awesome Away Fans

Above: Millie Turner’s header to level the scores with five minutes to go sparked bedlam in the away end. Photo: Barclays WSL.

There has been much debate over recent months about whether the WSL should have away sections. The Manchester United supporters at The Emirates gave only a good demonstration of why this is a good idea.

They filled the famous Clock End Away, singing and dancing the night away. They could even be heard after the game as they made the way back to their coaches to head back north. This away crowd made the atmosphere and it’s an absolute must at all WSL venues. 

Over to you Chelsea 

Chelsea will have been delighted with the result at The Emirates which sees Arsenal, Manchester United and the defending champions all sit tied on 18 points after seven games.

Chelsea of course have their big day at a sold-out Stamford Bridge today with Emma Hayes returning and Erin Cuthbert buzzing after signing her new contract. 

The Blues have the chance to go three points clear, albeit with a game in hand but a win over Tottenham would see Hayes and her team take their first real attempt at physiological authority on the WSL this season.

Teams: ARSENAL (4-3-3): Zinsberger, Wubben-Moy, Catley, Nobbs, Mead, Maanum, Walti, Mccabe, Foord, Blackstenius, Wienroither. Subs: Marckese, Beattie, Miedema, Maritz, Iwabuchi, Agyemang, Earl, Reid. 

Scorers: Maanum 46′, Wienroither 73′.

MANCHESTER UNITED (4-1-4-1): Earps, Battle, Blundell, Toone, Zelem, Galton, Ladd, Le Tissier, Turner, Parris, Russo. Subs: Baggaley, Thorisdottir, Moore, Boe Risa, Thomas, Garcia, Tounkara, Williams, Staniforth. 

Scorers: Toone 39′, Turner 85′, Russo 90+1′.

Referee: Kirsty Dowle

Attendance: 40,064.

Western United v Melbourne Victory Photo Gallery

Impetus’ Kieran Chea was pitchside at Western United’s historic first-ever A-League game against Melbourne Victory yesterday. His EXCLUSIVE photography from the game is below (20/11/22).

Above: Chloe Logarzo fires in a free-kick for Western United. Photo: Kieran Chea for Impetus.

Jess McDonald Makes History With Western United Win

Western United 1-0 Melbourne Victory

By Kieran Yap (19/11/22)

Above: Celebrations after Jess McDonald’s historic goal for Western United. Photo: Western United.

Western United have arrived in the A-League Women. The competition’s newest side defeated the reigning champions Melbourne Victory 1-0 in front of over 2,500 fans at City Vista.  

The match was an important one for both dedicated fans and neutrals. Chloe Logarzo was named in the squad for Western United, while Elise Kellond-Knight lined up for the visitors. 

The two Matildas returned to the field and the Australian topflight after both recovered from long-term injuries.  

But this match about was more than just two players. This was a meeting between two teams looking to start the season off with a win, and the first local derby for the well-supported Victorian clubs.  

Conditions were windy. Any ball in the air had the potential for either chaos or waste. Although the rain cleared and both teams had attacking talent to spare, chances were hard to come by.  

Above: The Western Core, the A-League Women’s newest Active Support Group had plenty to make noise about at City Vista. Photo: Western United.

Melina Ayres looked the most dangerous in Victory’s first half. A half volley and another shot soon after was well-struck but marginally off target.  

Up the other end, Hannah Keane was a hard-working threat to Victory’s defence. The American striker weaved her way into the box from the left but elected to cross to compatriot Jess McDonald instead of taking on the shot herself.  

The Western United number nine had two more attempts in the first half. A volley on the turn whistled over the crossbar, then after benefiting from a turnover, she had another effort skim just wide of the bottom corner.  

New Victory full-back Jessika Nash impressed Victory fans whenever she drove forward with the ball. The Young Matilda combined with Catherine Zimmerman to play in Tiffany Eliadis, but Hillary Beall was off her line quickly to snuff out the danger. 

When the goal came, it was suitably through one of the big-name recruits. A Western United attack forced a close-range save from Casey Dumont, but the ball was deflected back into a dangerous area. Jess McDonald made the most of the half chance to sweep the ball low beyond Casey Dumont.  

Western United manager Mark Torcaso had named an attacking line-up and the lead was well deserved. They were not intimidated by one of the league’s benchmark sides.  

Above: Western United goal scorer Jess McDonald leads the celebrations. Photo: Western United.

Although Victory enjoyed plenty of possession, clear-cut chances were rare. Ayres’s flick put asked Chidiac in on goal, but her lofted shot bounced just wide of the goal with Beall beaten on a rare occasion for the afternoon. 

Although Victory pressed for the rest of the game, the equalising goal never arrived. The introduction of Amy Jackson and the shift of Zimmerman to centre forward gave them more control of midfield, but Alana Cerne and Sydney Cummings were commanding be composed in defence, while the introduction of Chloe Logarzo only made things tougher for Victory. 

The final whistle sent The Western Core into raptures, while Victory’s title defence got off to a less-than-ideal start.  

It was a competitive and compelling football match, if not one packed with highlights. Despite the conditions, there was still plenty to celebrate. Logarzo and Kellond-Knight emerged unscathed, and biggest cheer of the day was reserved for Aleks Sinclair’s arrival on the pitch in her overdue A-League debut. 

Melbourne Victory’s start to the season does not get any easier. They face an away trip to face Sydney FC for round two. The Grand Final rematch now has even higher stakes after this early setback.  

Western United fly off to play Wellington Phoenix. The win will give them confidence against a team that knows what it’s like to be the new kids on the block and will be unlikely to provide any favors. 

Above: Scenes of joy in the dressing room after Western United’s superb win. Photo: Western United

Teams: WESTERN UNITED (4-3-3): Beall, Iermano, Cummings, Cerne, Papadopoulos, Robers, M.Taranto, A.Taranto (Logarzo), McDonald, Keane, Johnson (Sinclair).

Scorer: McDonald 54′.

MELBOURNE VICTORY (4-3-3): Dumont, Tathem (Kos), Bunge, Morrison, Nash, Kellond-Knight, Eliadis (Jackson), Chidiac, Zimmerman, Ayres (Briedis), Goad,

Referee: Lara Lee.

Attendance: 2,753.

Canberra United And Perth Glory Show Potential In Entertaining Draw

Canberra United 2-2 Perth Glory

By Kieran Yap (19/11/22)

Above: Goalscoring celebrations for Canberra United at McKellar Park. Photo: Canberra United.

Canberra United welcomed Perth Glory to McKellar Park in a fixture that promised goals. When these two last met, the result was a dramatic 3-3 draw, and this round one match started in similarly frenetic style.

Glory named the hugely talented Bella Wallhead in their starting line-up for the first time since the 2020/21 season, and the youngster and her defensive colleagues had to step up in the early stages.

Canberra started aggressively and with attacking intent. Moving the ball forward at pace was valued over possession by the home side, and they created a flurry of goal-scoring chances in the opening minutes.

Michelle Heyman looked dangerous early. The A-League Women’s star striker skipped around Glory keeper Sarah Langman but hit her shot over the bar.

Wu Chenshu was next to threaten for Canberra United. Her shot from the edge of the box flew just over the bar. Following efforts from Vesna Milivojević and the returning Nikki Flannery, Perth Glory had Langman to thank for keeping things level.

Above: Canberra United’s talismanic Michelle Heyman in action today. Photo: Canberra United.

Canberra United’s fast start paid off in the 12th minute. New signing Grace Jale making an immediate impression on the fans after heading in Grace Maher’s corner kick to open the scoring.

It was a perfectly struck, in swinging delivery from the Canberra United playmaker. The New Zealand attacker had only to direct it goalward and she made no mistake from close range.

With Perth still reeling after conceding, Michelle Heyman almost doubled the lead. Her shot hit the upright after she danced through the defence and struck off her left foot.

As the half wore on, the visitors worked their way into the game. Alana Jancevski dropped deep to receive the ball. Sofia Sakalis and Hana Lowry became more involved and started to scheme in midfield.

Lowry was the first Glory play to test Chloe Lincoln in the Canberra goal. Her shot on her non-favoured right foot forced Lincoln into a spectacular diving save at full stretch.

New American striker, Gabriella Coleman began to trouble the Canberra defence. Her run and cross from the left bounced off the near post and trickled along the line before it was cleared by Emma Ilijoski.

Perth eventually carved out an equaliser in the 35th minute. In a similar style to Canberra’s opener, Liz Anton leapt to head home Ella Mastrantonio’s corner kick. The players from both sides paused in shock, but there were no arguments from the home team when the goal was awarded after it bounced in off the woodwork. Anton’s goals for Perth are few and far between, and notably Canberra are the only side she has scored against for Alex Epakis’ side.

Above: Perth Glory celebrate coming from behind. Photo: Perth Glory.

Canberra United restored their lead before halftime. Grace Maher was once again the architect. Her long run through midfield ended with a well-timed pass into the path of Milivojević, who finished under Langman to make it 2-1.

It was a much more even second half. Although both teams had threats, clear chances on goal became harder to forge. Cyera Hintzen was introduced for Glory in an attempt to switch up the attack.

The American striker was a huge influence last season and made an almost immediate impact on this match.

Hintzen found space inside the penalty area and cut the ball back to Coleman who levelled the scores in the 64th minute.

The momentum had swung slightly toward the visitors and Sakalis was having a huge impact as an advanced midfielder. An attempted overhead kick and a shot on the turn did not result in goals, but the Victorian NPLW star looked dangerous until she was swapped for Susan Phonsongkham.

Above: Perth Glory’s Susan Phonsongkham battles for the ball. Photo: Canberra United.

Canberra searched for the winner through efforts from Wu and Milivojević, while rising star Sasha Grove pushes further up the pitch.

Neither side could find the winner, despite both teams playing with plenty of intent. In the end, a draw felt fortunate but not undeserved from Perth Glory. Canberra United would have felt unlucky not to win in the opening round after dominating the shots on target 11 to four. Nikki Flannery had the best two chances to win the game late, but her shots hit the post and flew over the bar respectively

This was an exciting match between two sides focussed on scoring. Canberra United looked far sharper than their opening rounds of last season. Perth Glory entered this season with ambitions of a top-four place. They would not be perturbed by this performance, after initially being on the back foot, they were able to work their way back into the contest admirably.

Both teams will look to improve, but look to have all the pieces on the field to do so.

This fixture looked likely to produce goals and attacking play, and it delivered on that promise.

Teams: CANBERRA UNITED (4-1-4-1): Lincoln, Grove, McComasky, Faulknor, Ilijoski, Maher, Flannery, Wu (Hughes), Milivojević (Christopherson), Jale, Heyman.

Scorers: Jale 13′, Milivojević 41′.

PERTH GLORY (4-3-3): Langman, Rigby, Anton, Carroll, Wallhead (Baisden), Mastrantonio (Cain), Sakalis (Phonsongkham), Lowry, Jancevski (Hintzen), Coleman, Green.

Scorers: Anton 34′, Coleman 63′.

Referee: Casey Reibelt

Attendance: 1,263.

Brisbane Roar To Opening Day Win

Brisbane Roar 2-1 Newcastle Jets

By Johnathan Stack (19/11/22)

Above: Jamilla Rankin brings the ball away for Brisbane Roar. Photo: Sofascore.

Brisbane Roar and the Newcastle Jets got the 2022/23 Liberty A-League Women season underway in a fiery affair at Perry Park.

Roar had the better of the opening exchanges of the game with Shea Connors firing wide while the Jets had chances with a Murphy Agnew free-kick tipped over by Hensley Hancuff and Sarah Griffith went close.

Larissa Crummer got the better of her former team as she scored the first goal of the match, as Roar broke the deadlock 15 minutes before halftime with the Jets defence at sixes and sevens, allowing the Australian international to slot into an empty net.

Above: Sharn Freier, scorer of Brisbane Roar’s second goal. Photo: Brisbane Roar.

Brisbane did have a goal disallowed for a foul in the box from a corner kick, which denied Crummer her second of the game. But they were not to be denied as a cross in from Connors saw Sharn Freier grab her first goal of the season.

Into the second half, it was a slow start after the break with both teams struggling to get going – not aided by the stop-start nature caused by 19 fouls committed and five yellow cards being handed out by the 55-minute mark.

Connors had a great chance to make it 3-0 as she was played in behind by a sublime pass from Margot Robinne but she hit her shot at Georgina Worth in the Newcastle goal.

Ashlee Brodigan had a big chance of pulling a goal back for the Jets from point-blank range, but Brisbane’s shot-stopper Hancuff did well to get down to it.

The Jets were pressing and pushing to get back into the game with 20 minutes to go but to no avail, with Agnew’s strike on goal was saved comfortably.

Above: Murphy Agnew, who had a strong performance on debut. Photo: Newcastle Herald.

But she had better luck and grabbed a debut goal from the penalty spot, after Hensley Hancuff very lucky to stay on the pitch after fouling Adriana Konjarski. The Roar keeper was the last player but only received a yellow.

That shifted a change of atmosphere in the last 15 minutes, with Newcastle now pushing to get the equaliser and nick a point from what was a two-goal deficit.

The visitors thought they got the equaliser five minutes from time as Agnew’s corner was headed home by Tara Andrews, but it was ruled out as Konjarski, who was deemed in an offside position, tangled with Hancuff on the goal line.

So, Brisbane Roar pick up an opening day win as they kick off their 2022/23 campaign with a victory, meanwhile, the Newcastle Jets are now without an opening day win for six years with their last coming at the start of the 2017/18 season.

Up next in Round Two for the Brisbane Roar are Canberra United who travels to Perry Park, while the Newcastle Jets host the Western Sydney Wanderers in Tamworth at Scully Park.

Teams: BRISBANE ROAR (4-3-3): Hancuff, Connors, Crummer, Freier, Haffenden, Hecher, Levin, Lind, Norrie, Palmer, Rankin. Substitiutes: Davern, Rasschaert, Robinne, Shuttleworth, Stephenson.

Scorers: Crummer 31′, Freier 39′.

NEWCASTLE JETS (4-3-3): Worth, Agnew, Allan, Allen, Brodigan, Clough, Davis, Garnier, Griffith, Johnson, Tamplin. Substitutes: Andrews, Coehlo, Konjarski, Puxty, Stapleford.

Scorer: Agnew (pen) 75′.

Referee: Kate Jacewicz.

Attendance: 1,327.

Natalie Lawrence: We Want To Stay In The Finals Race

Ahead of their historic first-ever home match, Wellington Phoenix head coach Natalie Lawrence spoke to the media. Impetus’ Ryan Miller-Woods reports (19/11/22).

Above: Wellington Phoenix head coach Natalie Lawrence (left). Photo: Hagan Hopkins.

In anticipation of their match against Melbourne City, Wellington Phoenix head coach Natalie Lawrence spoke to the media yesterday as the club’s first-ever home game drew close.

After their inaugural season in which they were located in Australia throughout the entire campaign, the opportunity for the club to be able to play in front of a home crowd in New Zealand becomes a reality tomorrow afternoon. This a significant match for everyone involved. History will be made as Wellington finally hosts the first A-League Women match to be played outside of Australia.

The preparation for the match hasn’t been without its hiccups, with Lawrence having a number of players ruled out of the game.

“Mickey (Michaela) Robertson has got the concussion, so she’s not quite ready to play, we are hoping to have her back maybe next week. Obviously a concussion we have to take really seriously and make sure she’s going through the proper steps to make sure she’s okay.

“Rollo (Emma Rolston) has been ruled out, she hasn’t been able to recover again from her back, which was really, really unfortunate because she was training really well, has been great around the environment and we know about Izzy (Isabel) Gomez, Lily (Alfeld) and Grace (Wisnewski), so yeah a few injuries for our first game but we still feel pretty happy, we’ve developed a strong squad this year, so we know we have the players to still put on a strong performance.”

The Phoenix head coach sought to allay fears that some of these injuries came as a result of players playing more minutes than would have been ideal, particularly with the game coming so swiftly after an international window.

Above: Natalie Lawrence pointing the way towards a positive season for the Nix. Photo: John Davidson.

“None of those injuries have really been I don’t think from the loading. Rollo’s (Emma Rolston) was always one we were going to have to manage and I just think to the timing of that has been really unlucky for her.

“When you look at the Ferns (New Zealand), actually someone like Paige (Satchell) was able to get minutes with them so that actually helps us out, so whilst the timing sometimes isn’t amazing and in pre-season losing quite a few of our players came at a tricky time, also the fact that they can play high-level international games at home before our first game, is quite a positive for us and when you’ve got Betsy (Hassett) and Paige (Satchell) able to play, that makes a huge difference.”

On being asked whether she has spoken to the team about the match with the occasion itself and whether she has brought anyone outside of the club to prepare them with pep talks and motivational speakers to be an assistance to the players, Lawrence responded: “No, we haven’t. We’ve mentioned it but we haven’t fully focused on it.

“One of the big things this week was whilst we’ve moved from pre-season into season nothing changes, the process is the process and that’s the one thing we can control. We went through it last year with the first game of the season being this huge momentous occasion and the feeling is the same.

“So what I think the girls have done this week being in the media and talking about and trying to get this 10,000 (crowd attendance), that’s kind of channelled their focus in a different way, so then they get out everything there and when they’re training, they’re like fully focused, fully in on training on how we can beat (Melbourne) City. So they’ll be nerves, a lot of nerves. How they channelled it last year, they’re even more well equipped this year.”

The Phoenix head coach concluded by outlining the high expectations she has for her team this season.

“One of the things I’ve always said is obviously we never go to lose any game, we’ve set ourselves up not to lose but to win and we want to stay in the race (for the Finals). So for as long as we actually possibly can, we want to stay in the race. We have realistic targets and came bottom last year.

“That’s not going to be acceptable this year, for the club, for us, for the players. None of us want that again and we want to stay in the race for the Finals for as long as we can and control what we can and stick to our process, then the outcome will look after itself.”

Arsenal Ready To Perform In Big United Clash

Impetus’ Johnathan Stack attended Arsenal head coach Jonas Eidevall‘s media conference ahead of today’s huge WSL game with Manchester United at The Emirates (19/11/22).

Above: Jonas Eidevall, Arsenal head coach spoke to the media ahead of today’s big game against Manchester United. Photo: Arsenal Women.

The Barclays Women’s Super League is back with a bang after the international break as Arsenal takes on Manchester United in a top-of-the-table clash.

A win for United will see them go level on points with the Gunners. With champions Chelsea also up there at the top, it is vital that Jonas Eidevall’s side pick up three points.

Arsenal welcome back Vivianne Miedema to the team and there was a welcome sight as Lioness captain Leah Williamson returned to training this week.

Eidevall outlined the threat that Marc Skinners’ team pose: “It will be a tough game. We obviously now have a quick turnaround from the international period. For us, it’s about playing one game at a time, controlling what we can control, and making the most of our performance. If we do, we’re confident that we can deliver good results.”

Once again Arsenal will take to the field at the Emirates Stadium with a big crowd in attendance, with over 35,000 tickets sold. The Arsenal head coach spoke about the benefits that come from playing so many matches at the venue: “I think it’s one of our two homes. And from the time I’ve been here, we feel more and more that this is our home.

“We feel more and more that it’s on a platform, where we’re able to share our love for Arsenal with so many more people than just ourselves in the team. To share that and to see how much energy that creates, and that bond between the team and the supporters, I think it’s beautiful, and the Emirates just gives us much more opportunity to do so.

“Manchester United have had a great start to the season. I’m so pleased that we can, again, sell such a high number of tickets when we go to Emirates and have these high standards. It was a beautiful experience at the North London derby and, together with our fans, we want to try and create the same thing.”