Nathan Edwards reports from Manchester United head coach Marc Skinner‘s media conference ahead of their game with Reading on Sunday(19/1/23).
Above: Manchester United boss Marc Skinner, who spoke to the media yesterday. Photo: Manchester United Women.
Marc Skinner still believes Manchester United women will remain a “key focus” despite the rumours of new ownership taking over Manchester United.
United lie in second place, after Chelsea and Arsenal battled out a 1-1 at The Emirates last weekend, giving Skinner’s side a perfect opportunity to put pressure on the London clubs, which they did when they thrashed rivals Liverpool 6-0.
And as they prepared for their match with Reading on Sunday, INEOS’ Chief Executive, James Ratcliffe, announced he would bid for Manchester United. If the 70-year-old’s bid is successful, he will take ownership of both the men’s and women’s teams, but Skinner only wants to see progression, whoever the owner.
The head coach said, “In all honesty, I can only comment on the actions I see every day. The reality is we are looking at investment and growth. We aren’t looking at standing still, so even this window we are looking at potential deals, we just don’t want to stand still.
“I don’t know about the ownership, but what we do well here is that they give you the information you need to know so there are no distractions. “I have no doubt that if our club does change hands in the future, then the women’s team will be a key focus.
Above: James Ratcliffe who is bidding to take over Manchester United. Photo: The Week UK.
“We have come way too far to just turn around now, from all the conversations I have had, it is always about how we move forward, not how we go back. I see that as a positive, regardless of who the owner is, and I am comfortable in understanding we are in the Club’s big plans going forward.”
Whilst the rumbles of new ownership carries on around United, Skinner wants to continue to invest in this coming transfer window but has also faced challenges in recent years caused by the new rules surrounding work permits.
The Red Devils’ boss said, “It is very difficult to get players in now. There are many very good players overseas, that you can’t get into the country. It is difficult and I think the structure of how we allow players to get in and the point tallies are too high for a talented player.
“We are still protecting the younger English players; just look how many English players we have in our team. But it isn’t just about that, it is about adding the right players, and if we want our league to be the very best then I think we need to look at how the ceiling of the points is a little bit too high.”
In his 18-month spell in charge of the club, Skinner has created one of the top teams in the division and is keen to stay on as the head coach once his two-year contract, with an optional third year, comes to an end.
The United boss said, “The whole reason we sign the option is that’s in the club’s prerogative to do that. There are conversations, of course. If you know me, I’m very simple and straight over what I want to do, which is to win here. I’m hoping that the qualities we’re putting out on the field, the consistency, the clean sheets, the goals, the way we perform, the fan growth, hopefully, there are a lot of indicators as to why we should be here for a long time.
“I’m really easy on that – I trust the club wholeheartedly; I trust everything we do here. It’s not about me, it’s about this team and us being focused on what we’ve got to do, which is perform against Reading and try and take another win.”
Above: The Young Matildas squad last year. Photo: Football Australia.
Australia’s U20 female squad will head to Werribee in Melbourne this February as the Young Matildas embark on their first training camp for 2023.
Head Coach Leah Blayney will select a 28-player squad to take part in the 10-day assembly hosted by Wyndham City Council from 13th February 2023 – 22nd February 2023.
For Blayney, it is the next crucial step in the team’s preparations for Round 1 of the AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2024 Qualifiers to be held in March 2023.
Conducted last year, the qualification draw has seen the Young Matildas selected in Group C alongside group hosts Kyrgyz Republic, Guam, and Iraq. The group winner will progress to Round Two, which will be played from 3rd-11th June 2023, where the four best sides will earn a spot in the Finals.
“Since we started with this new cohort of Young Matildas in October 2022, our focus has been around setting the foundations with the AFC qualification process at the forefront,” Blayney said.
“With the support of the federation, we have been able to undertake two training camps, as well as three international matches against senior women’s national teams delivering higher quality match minutes for our young players. This camp is the continuation of that process ahead of an important trip in March.
Above: Leah Blayney, pictured at the 2022 U20 World Cup. Photo: Football Australia.
“We are grateful for the support of Wyndham City Council for the use of their top-quality facilities to enable the players and staff to have an ideal training environment for the assembly.”
With the training camp taking place during the February women’s FIFA International Window, it will also include two matches against Liberty A-League Women competition in ladder leaders Western United FC and second-placed Melbourne City FC.
“Being based in Melbourne at this time of the year, along with an ideal location and facilities that meet our high-performance needs, it provides us with access to two quality opponents as we continue to build invaluable match minutes into the playing group,” Blayney said.
“Western United and Melbourne City present an opportunity for us to really test this new contingent of CommBank Matildas. United and City are two teams who possess some exceptional older players for our youth national team to come up against as a collective in what will be a challenging trial.
“We would also like to acknowledge the collaboration with both clubs in working with us to ensure higher level games on home soil during a critical time in our preparations,” Blayney concluded.
The 28-player squad will be announced in early February ahead of the commencement of the training camp.
Ryan Miller-Woods reports on Canberra United’s media conference with A-League Women all-time top scorer Michelle Heymanand Emily Roach with both players positive about their team’s second half to the season (19/1/23).
Above: Michelle Heyman speaking to the media today. Image: Canberra United.
Canberra United will be looking to win their third match in a row to further boost their finals ambitions on Sunday at Wellington Phoenix.
One of the feel-good stories of this A-League Women’s season has been the triumphant return of Nicki Flannery who has returned after missing the entirety of the last campaign due to an ACL injury.
This season, she has been one of Canberra’s best players. Against Newcastle Jets last time out, Flannery produced arguably her best performance so far this season with two assists in the first half aiding her team’s comprehensive win against the Jets.
Canberra captain and all-time leading goalscorer in the A-League Women Michelle Heyman revealed her joy at seeing her strike partner come back from all those adversities.
“It’s been awesome, she’s one of my best friends. To see her just playing with confidence, it’s everything that I want for her. I think coming off a knee injury like did, she’s built confidence within her game and she tells herself before every game certain things that she wants to improve on and she’s going out there and she’s doing it and that’s big, that’s a mental game and I think she’s just overcoming all the fears and is starting to feel more like herself.”
Focusing specifically on Canberra’s upcoming match against Wellington, Heyman observed: “They’ve got a pretty solid pressing team, they press really well, they’re all young so they can run for days. So I think we’ve just got to make sure we’re aware of that and we’ve got to try and beat that press, so that’s being calm on the ball, making sure we move it and try and step them out of positions.
“They did really well against us (when the two sides met previously in round four), we were just lucky to finish (our chances), so I think that’s something that’s improved in our game, we’re finally starting to score goals, so we’ve got to continue to be ruthless and first 15 minutes come out firing and scare them.”
Above: Emily Roach looks ahead to this Sunday’s game with Wellington Phoenix. Image: Canberra United.
Emily Roach goes into Sunday’s game at Wellington Phoenix looking to add to her two appearances off of the bench.
The pre-season signing from NPLW Victoria side Heidelberg United has featured in her side’s last two games against Adelaide United and Newcastle Jets, feels she can definitely add to her team’s offensive opportunities.
“I think more like an attacking (number) 10 role, just coming in and kinda helping the team in the last minutes is handy whenever (I get minutes),” she said.
With Canberra United making their first-ever trip outside of Australia to play an A-League Women’s game, Roach outlined what she expects from the New Zealanders: “I feel they’ll be buzzing cause they do play really well in (their) home field cause they’ve got a good crowd but like Michelle (Heyman) said they can run for days cause they’re all pretty young (Wellington Phoenix’s average age is 21.70 years) but we’re (as a squad) pretty fit, so it should be a pretty good match up.”
For Canberra, with three wins on the bounce, it feels like they are finally finding their feet this season. Roach believes the team are ready for a major assault on the top four in the second half of the season: “Definitely! I think having two wins, back-to-back, is really shown everyone what we can do and what’s coming this season, so it’s (a) really exciting time.”
Artwork: Charlotte Stacey, founder of On Her Side.
Report by Kieran Yap, with EXCLUSIVE photos from Wanderers Football Park by Kris Goman(19/1/23).
Above: Western Sydney Wanderers’ Sarina Bolden gets up highest in an aerial battle. Photo: Kris Goman for Impetus.
Neither side would have been happy with the draw, but both clubs maintained strong records as Western Sydney Wanderers drew 0-0 with Melbourne Victory in the midweek match.
Going into the game, Victory had not lost a game since round two, in their last trip to the city to face Sydney FC. The Wanderers have been enjoying a hot streak of form, beating Melbourne City and Western United in back-to-back matches.
Above: Sarina Bolden’s arrival at Western Sydney Wanderers has coincided with their best run of form. Photo: Kris Goman for Impetus.
The Wanderers’ reversal in fortunes has coincided with the arrival of Sarina Bolden. The Philippines international has been exactly what Kat Smith’s team was lacking. In their last two wins, Bolden has provided The Wanderers with a focal point up front and occupies defences. She has only scored once, but her presence has opened space for others in the attack, where previously there was no pressure on the opposition defence.
It was a quality signing by Kat Smith, who’s side was more competitive than results suggested, and have usually been defensively organized. While fans and observers demanded they sign any centre-forward, they waited for the right one. Bolden’s influence has been huge on the field, and the star arrival seems invested in the club. It may be a case of a player needing game time before a World Cup, but there is no questioning the drive to get results for the previously struggling side.
Above: Melbourne Victory’s Maja Markovski (fourth from right) continued her comeback from injury on Wednesday night. Photo: Kris Goman for Impetus.
Victory finds themselves in a similar situation to where Western Sydney were a month ago. Without Melina Ayres or Catherine Zimmerman available due to injury, Jeff Hopkins’ side lacks a specialist striker. Maja Markovski continues to return to full fitness and new signings Rikke Madsen, and Sarah Rowe are forwards, but not natural poachers.
The best chances of a tightly contested encounter both fell to Madsen. A perfect cross from the left could easily ended up in the back of the net but crashed off the post. Madsen might have had a penalty claim when she was cleaned up by Jordyn Bloomer coming off her line. But the referee waved it away.
Madsen’s other chance came from an Alex Chidiac corner kick. It found her unmarked at the back post but her attempt skimmed off the top of her head. It was an escape for The Wanderers who had otherwise kept the Victory attack contained.
Above: Western Sydney Wanderers’ impressive young defender Alexia Apostolakis. Photo: Kris Goman for Impetus.
The Wanderers’ defence was admirable. Clare Hunt and Alexia Apostolakis were especially impressive when faced with Goad, Chidiac, and Madsen. The 16-year-old Apostolakis continues to impress. She rarely loses one-on-ones and has the pace to keep up with Victory’s experienced and speedy wingers.
When Goad swapped flanks with Lia Privitelli, the Young Matildas defender was not fazed and rarely beaten.
Victory’s own defence was equally strong, which goes some way to explaining the first 0-0 of the A-League Women’s season. Kayla Morrison and Claudia Bunge controlled Bolden, and frustrated substitute speedster Sophie Harding, helped by Nat Tathem. Jessika Nash was among the best players on the field at right back. Her distribution and movement made her one of Victory’s best outlets for beginning attacks.
With neither attack firing, and both defences impervious, the midfield was the area where any win could be forged.
Above: Alex Chidiac in action on Wednesday night. Photo: Kris Goman for Impetus.
Victory started with Amy Jackson, Alex Chidiac, and Alana Murphy. Western Sydney had Amy Harrison, Olivia Price, Bethany Gordon, and Malia Steinmetz.
It was in this area of the pitch that Victory looked slightly stronger. Price created a few openings for herself and when Harrison got the ball facing goal she looked dangerous, but Victory’s midfield controlled most of the play.
Jackson played a typically no-fuss role of screening the defence and getting the ball to the attacking players. Chidiac started to find pockets of space, and when she struck from the edge of the box in the first half, it felt surprising that it did not hit the back of the net.
The most impressive player on the pitch was young Murphy. The Victory midfielder was involved for every minute of the game and in every possible way. Murphy attempted shots, the linked play, took on players and did it all without neglecting her defensive duties.
Hopkins has been patient with the prodigious talent and used her sparingly last season while she adapted to life as an A-League player. Victory are seeing the results of that growth now. Murphy is turning into a dominant player and stood out amongst an illustrious list of midfielders on the pitch.
The game was a 90-minute arm wrestle with few chances, but Western Sydney almost stole it at the end.
Above: Battle for possession between Western Sydney Wanderers and Melbourne Victory. Photo: Kris Goman for Impetus.
Kat Smith rolled the dice late, introducing 16-year-old Sienna Saveska. The impressive attacker was entrusted with a last-minute free kick and the Victory bench and fans held their breath as it was struck.
It beat the wall and swerved, but avoided the goal by inches. It would have been an incredible winner, but in the end 0-0 was probably a fair result, although Victory will feel it was a missed opportunity to grab a valuable three points.
The Wanderers continued their undefeated run which now extends to four matches. Victory will feel disappointed, but it is more important that they do not lose any games in the hectic schedule. They now travel to play Adelaide United, before flying back to face Sydney FC in one week’s time.
They hold onto their top-four position and two more good performances will go a long way to solidifying it as the season passes the halfway mark.
Kris Goman’s EXCLUSIVE photo gallery from Wanderers Football Park:
For this week’s Midweek Dub feature, Impetus’ Ben Carey grabbed an EXCLUSIVE chat with Brisbane Roar legend and Matildas star Katrina Gorry. In a hugely insightful in-depth interview, the pair discusscombining football with motherhood, playing overseas, the qualities of the A-League Women, and the national team(18/1/23).
Above: Katrina Gorry balances her daughter Harper on her shoulders after the Matildas game against Sweden last November. Photo: By the White Line.
It’s been a massive couple of years for Katrina Gorry. In August 2021, she gave birth to her daughter, Harper and just four months later, she was already back to playing professional football in the A-League.
Last year, she signed with Swedish club, Vittsjö, transferring there straight after finishing up her duties at Brisbane Roar. She played 22 matches in the Damallsvenskan, the Swedish women’s league, scoring three goals and providing three assists. Gorry also made 10 appearances for the Matildas.
After her exploits last year, The Australian international was understandably exhausted. She recently took a well-deserved one-month break from football. “It was exactly what I needed. Of course, you kind of want to keep on playing, as a footballer, but to have that break, I think it just re-energised me,” Gorry said. She spent her time off with her family and her partner Clara, including a week soaking up the sunshine on Hamilton Island in the Whitsundays.
Spending time with her family was very important for Gorry, as she had spent eight months away from them last year. Being away from her family for so long must have been hard, but more than anything she embraced her time in Sweden. “It’s been amazing. I couldn’t have asked for a better first experience going overseas with Harper,” Gorry said. “Sweden is a really beautiful country, and the people there are pretty similar to Australians. They are very welcoming. Which is how I felt from the start. So, I’ve really enjoyed my time there.”
As one of Australia’s best footballers, who has plied her trade in the US, Japan, and Norway, Gorry was impressed with the level of the Damallsvenskan. “To be honest, I think it’s one of the best leagues in the world. I think that the average player is kind of better than our best players in the A-League. So, I think that it’s a really competitive league and it doesn’t really matter what team you play for, because any team can win on any given day.”
Above: Gorry celebrating with her Vittsjö teammates. Photo: Instagram.
Gorry noticed a few differences between Vittsjö and Brisbane Roar, namely the age difference and the level of experience. “I think our average age is probably close to 30 in Vittsjö, where I think in Brissy it’s probably like 20,” Gorry said. “But that’s why I love playing at the Roar. It’s a place that I can learn from others, and I’m hoping that players can learn from me and I’m hoping I can bring that experience to the team. That’s why I enjoy playing in both leagues.”
For Brisbane Roar, last season was a transitionary one. The two-time champions and three-time premiers took a massive hit losing 2020/21 Golden Boot winner Emily Gielnik, and her fellow Matildas veterans Clare Polkinghorne and Tameka Yallop to overseas clubs. But Gorry believes that it’s finally coming back together.
“I think we really came together in the last couple of games of last season. We kind of wished the season was a little bit longer because I think that we were really hitting our form,” Gorry said. “This year, it’s been pretty similar, I think. We have really good patches of play and then we kind of fall again.”
Brisbane Roar have started this season with a mixed 3-2-3 (win-draw-loss) record – fairly similar to at the same stage last season, which was 3-1-4. “I think it’s just a lack of experience at the moment,” Gorry continued. “We have a great squad, and I think that anyone who has played and stepped in has done a really good job, and I think that the belief and trust in the team is something that we haven’t really experienced in the Roar before. So, I’m excited to see what happens throughout the next couple of games, and to see what sort of level we can all get to.”
Above: Gorry having fun at training alongside Roar teammates Margot Robinne and Jamilla Rankin. Photo: Ky0k0style.
According to Gorry, what Brisbane Roar are lacking the most is experienced players. Well, perhaps they need look no further than her Swedish club, Vittsjö. Gorry’s partner, Clara Markstedt, is a talented and experienced striker who plays alongside her in Sweden. She has tried to convince Clara to join the Roar, but the timing wasn’t quite right. Clara has just returned to Sweden to start her own business, and the Vittsjö pre-season starts early next month. But Gorry is hopeful that she might play alongside her in Australia in the future. “Hopefully, eventually she’ll come back and maybe play a season with the Roar.”
There has actually been quite a lot of cross-pollination between Vittsjö and Brisbane Roar already. Clare Polkinghorne transferred from the Roar to Vittsjö in 2021. And Kasja Lind is currently on loan from Vittsjö to Brisbane Roar for the season after hearing the positive things that both Gorry and Polkinghorne had to say about the club.
The A-League is played almost entirely during the Damallsvenskan off-season, and it is warm and sunny in Australia while it is dark and bitterly cold in Sweden. That’s a pretty good argument in itself. But for many players, it’s a huge commitment to move to the other side of the world, away from friends and family, especially given the comparatively low salary and often sub-par playing conditions in the A-League Women’s game.
Gorry has been playing in the A-League for 14 years now, with two seasons at Melbourne Victory, one with Adelaide United, and the rest with Brisbane Roar. During that time, she has witnessed a lot of change and growth but has concerns about player retention.
“I think it’s come a long way. I just think it’s hard to have a competitive league when you kind of lose all of your national team players. I think the league was probably way more experienced a couple of years ago, having us all here, and I think you do see across the teams that it just lacks those experienced players, or those players that can add a bit of flair on the field no matter what.”
It’s definitely true that there has been a mass exodus of Australia’s best footballers in the last few years. In 2020, Steph Catley, Alanna Kennedy, Caitlin Foord, Lydia Williams, Mary Fowler, Hayley Raso, and Ellie Carpenter departed for overseas clubs. In 2021, Emily van Egmond, Teagan Micah, Emily Gielnik, Tameka Yallop, and Clare Polkinghorne joined them. None of these players, which, incidentally, make up almost the entire core of the Matildas squad, have since returned to Australian clubs, which is completely understandable. Overseas clubs can offer much higher salaries, more competition, better training and match facilities, bigger crowds, and longer seasons.
Above: Brisbane Roar squad from 2020, featuring big names such as Hayley Raso, Clare Polkinghorne, and Mackenzie Arnold. Photo: Instagram.
For Gorry, the A-League is not one of the most experienced or competitive leagues, but it is a great league for developing young players. “I think for us at the moment it’s about developing our youth and giving them as much game time as we possibly can, and I think that’s exactly what this league is doing,” Gorry said. “And also, giving opportunities to players overseas, who might not see much game time in their other clubs, so they come over here. I think they add a lot to our league here. I think it’s still growing. It’s come a long way, but I think it’s really missing a lot of our special team players.
Foreign players have added a great deal to the A-League. For instance, the most recent wave of American internationals, such as Hannah Keane, Madison Haley, Emina Ekic, and Rylee Baisden, have certainly added a lot of experience and firepower to the league, but the problem is that they are not distributed equally between the teams. They have largely been snapped up by Western United and Newcastle Jets.
While the A-League still has a lot of growing to do, the global game is booming. Last year was an amazing year for women’s football. The Euros smashed attendance records, and we’ve seen that increased interest flow into domestic leagues around Europe. Barcelona smashed Champions League attendance records twice in a row, and the England against USA friendly was played in front of a packed Wembley Stadium.
Gorry has been excited to be a part of it and to reflect on how far the women’s game has developed. “It really is amazing to see how far it’s come, even since I got into the national team, or started playing the A-League. It was pretty special to be over in Sweden and to be able to watch the Euros. Every game we had it on. I think it was kind of a moment where you really have to pinch yourself, to think that this is how far it’s come and that this is the kind of respect that we deserve as players and the support that we deserve as well. So, I think, watching all of that, it just makes you more excited for the World Cup.”
The 2023 Women’s World Cup begins in just over six months. For the first time ever, it is being hosted by Australia and New Zealand. Not only could this be Australia’s greatest opportunity to have a deep run at the World Cup, but the lasting impact on women’s football, particularly in Australia, could be immense and transformative.
“I think [the World Cup] will be huge. I feel like Australia is a country that wants to support sport, and it doesn’t really matter what’s being played as people will get out to the game. And I think that having that in your backyard, I think that we’ll gain a lot of supporters and a lot of kids falling in love with the game. You know, seeing their favourite players, playing, and inspiring them. I think it’s going to change Australia and Australian football for sure.”
At the World Cup, the Matildas will be looking to replicate their incredible run at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, where they took out Great Britain and made it all the way through to the semi-finals, where they lost a tight 1-0 match to Sweden. Last year was a mixed bag for the Matildas, bowing out in the quarter-finals of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, which they were one of the favourites to win. They also suffered some frustrating losses to Spain and Canada. However, they really found their form in the last three months of the year, with wins over South Africa, Denmark, and Thailand. They were also able to get revenge on Sweden with an emphatic 4-0 win.
Above: Gorry celebrates with her Matildas teammates in her first game back with the Matildas in just under two years. Photo: Ky0k0style.
For Gorry, who was out of the Matildas squad for just shy of two years, due to the pandemic and then pregnancy, it is very exciting to be playing for the national team again, but it feels a bit different this time around. “I’ve spoken pretty openly about how I was feeling before I had Harper. I was pretty exhausted, mentally, and physically. I almost felt like I was resenting the game a bit, just missing out on family things and stuff like that,” Gorry said.
“When I had Harper, I had no commitment to get back to football at all really. I feel like I just fell back in love with the game when I was pregnant and then as soon as I started training again it was a training that I was actually enjoying, and every session I was looking forward to. I really lost that towards the back end of 2019 I guess.
“I think being in camp and having Harper there gives me a whole new perspective on life and football. You know, as much as you have a crappy game or a crappy session, you can’t stay mad, or you can’t keep thinking about it because you’ve got to entertain Harper or do something with her or look at her little face. It just kind of changes it completely for me.”
At the World Cup, the Matildas will have the biggest home crowds they’ve ever had supporting them. But they will also be under the most intense pressure they’ve ever faced as well. Often in major tournaments, teams need a penalty shootout to settle close matches. The Matildas have won some of the biggest silverware, such as the 2010 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, on penalties. But they have also lost some of their biggest matches that way as well. Namely, the 2016 Olympics quarter-final against Brazil and the 2019 World Cup round of 16 match against Norway.
Above: The Matildas are devastated after their penalty shootout loss to Norway in the 2019 World Cup. Photo: Instagram.
Gorry was one of the penalty takers during the quarter-final match against Brazil at the 2016 Olympics. In the penalty shootout, it was 4-4. Lydia Williams had just saved a shot from Marta, giving the Matildas their first chance to seal the match and go through to the semi-finals. A 23-year-old Gorry stepped up to the spot. She took a deep breath and took the shot. She struck the ball well, but it was saved by the keeper. Brazil eventually won the shootout 7-6. Gorry was not the reason Australia lost, but not being able to covert that penalty shot has haunted her ever since.
Despite that, she scored a perfect two from two penalty kicks for the Roar last season. I asked her if the Matildas go to penalties in the World Cup later this year, would she stick her hand up to be a penalty taker. “Ugh. I don’t know. To be honest, probably not. Going through that at the Olympics was really hard and I think, even now when I step up for penalties it still replays in my head,” she said. “I don’t know, as a footballer you always want to challenge yourself so maybe I’d surprise myself and step up.”
She is not alone in that. Penalty kicks are the most stressful thing in football. Sam Kerr has only taken one penalty kick for club and country ever since her miss during the 2019 World Cup shootout against Norway, and that was against Indonesia, a match Australia won 18-0. But if Australia’s greatest-ever footballer won’t step up to take a penalty, who will?
Gorry knows who she would pick. “Probably Polks. She’s just cool, calm, and collected, no matter what. Nothing really phases her.” Her long-time friend, and Vittsjö teammate, Polkinghorne, is the equal most experienced Australian female footballer of all time, currently sitting on 151 caps for her country. She seems like the woman for the job. But that still leaves at least another four spots, should the Matildas go to penalties. If the situation arises, it will be fascinating to see who steps up to the spot.
Gorry has already had a truly incredible career. She’s played all over the world, including Japan, Norway, Sweden, and the US, where she won the NWSL Championship with FC Kansas City. She has 88 caps for the Matildas, representing her country at the World Cup twice, and played in the Olympic Games. But there are two major things that she is still burning to achieve.
Above: Conflicting emotions after the penalty shoot-out which decided the 2016 Olympic Games Quarter-Final between Australia and Brazil. Photo: Herald Sun.
“I’d love to go and play in the UK. Hopefully, that’s where my next adventure will take me. But I think just to have a good consistent World Cup if I get in the World Cup team that is. They are the two big ones at the moment, and we’ll see what happens with the rest.”
It says a lot about both Gorry, and the high level of Australian women’s football, that she’s not just assuming that she will be in the World Cup squad. She knows that she will have to earn her place, just like everyone else.
A potential move to the UK would be interesting. It’s one of the only places she hasn’t played football yet. She claims not to have a preference for any of the WSL teams in particular. Honestly, they’d be mad not to sign her. To put on my football manager hat for a moment, the Chelsea and Arsenal midfields seem very strong at the moment, but Manchester City is still reeling from the loss of Georgia Stanway. Gorry would make an incredible replacement, especially as they have a very similar style of play. I hope you’re reading Gareth Taylor.
Above: Gorry holds on to Harper during the official squad photo before the Matildas v Thailand match in Gosford last November. Photo: By the White Line.
Regardless of whether the Matildas have a deep run at the World Cup or whether she eventually plays in the WSL, Gorry has something now that’s bigger than both of her career ambitions, Harper. Almost every time that Gorry plays a match for Brisbane Roar, Vittsjö, or the Matildas, she brings Harper onto the field and holds her. Whenever that happens she looks so content with her life and so full of love and happiness, regardless of the outcome of the match.
“It’s everything. It reminds me of why I’m playing. To make a little human proud, I think is my purpose. To have her there before and after the game, just kind of makes me present and makes me just enjoy the game for what it is and enjoy what we’re doing together. I actually forgot to say goodbye to her in the Newcastle game and I thought about it the whole match. That’s how much it means.” Gorry scored two goals in that match, by the way. It seems that it’s just as important for her opponents that she says goodbye to Harper before a game as it is for her!
Gorry has had an incredible career, but at the end of the day, her family is just as important to her as her football legacy. “I’m just so lucky that I have the family support that I do, because I would never be able to do any of this without them. Having Clara has changed everything for Harper and I. She’s amazing with her, and Harper loves her more than anything. It’s been tough some days, but it’s so rewarding just being able to do this and take Harper along for the journey,” Gorry said. “To be 10 years down the road and to be sitting on the couch with her, showing her all of the places that she went, the countries that she’s seen, and the people that she’s met. I think it’s a pretty cool story.”
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Graphic by: Charlotte Stacey, founder of On Her Side.
Pride Park exited the Challenge Cup in a disappointing defeat to Wirksworth Colts at Moorways on Sunday.
Despite heavy rain resulting in many games being called off, the Moorways pitch was in good condition, although soft underfoot. After a lengthy lay-off through injury, Pride welcomed Maja Znamirowska back for her first game of the season.
Pride made a good start and had the visitors on the back foot in the early stages, and were rewarded with an early breakthrough after good build-up play down the left culminated in a cross from Ella Kew, headed out by a defender under pressure from Fran Critchley-Watson. The clearance fell to Eliot Sayavong and from 30 yards out she hit a dipping shot over the keeper to give Pride an early lead.
Wirksworth responded well and gradually built up some attacking momentum, although this wasn’t translating into attempts on goal – until an under-hit back pass was picked up by a striker who rounded home goalkeeper Jade Howell to square to her strike partner for a tap-in after 19 minutes.
After conceding, Pride were struggling to regain the fluidity of the opening fifteen minutes with too many passes just hopeful but went close after winning an indirect free-kick just inside the penalty area, around 10 minutes before half-time. Annie Laight’s strike flew just wide.
Wirksworth had mounted a number of threatening attacks and took the lead after 38 minutes. Pride were exposed with defenders caught out of position and a driving run down the right to the touchline and a pullback found a striker unmarked in the centre of goal for another tap-in.
Pride compounded their troubles with a minute to go to the interval, allowing Wirksworth to win the ball back in Pride’s defensive third and Jade Howell was beaten with a lob from the edge of the box.
It had been a relatively close first half, but three goals gifted to Wirksworth left Pride chasing the game.
The second half started pretty much as the first half ended – with another goal gifted to Wirksworth after Pride gave away possession cheaply on the edge of their own area.
The fluidity of the opening quarter hour seemed like a distant memory, but there were still brief flashes of good play in possession – ten minutes into the second half Maja Znamirowska did well to get to the bye line on the left and her cross evaded the goalkeeper and was scrambled away by a defender under pressure from Summer Evans for a corner. From the corner Summer’s diving header was blocked and cleared.
Tash Allderidge also saw an attempt go just wide of the post after a good run down the right and cross by Summer Evans. As had been the case in the first half, there were a handful of promising attacks which didn’t quite come off; the ball just running through to the keeper with one of the Pride strikers almost – but not quite – getting to it. However, sloppy play in possession once again presented Wirksworth with an opportunity on the hour, but Jade Howell held on to the shot.
A few minutes later Rachel Weaver cleared off the line from a corner, but just after the hour Wirksworth extended their lead. A Wirksworth corner was cleared initially, but the Pride defence failed to anticipate the return of a clearance and a through ball put the striker clean through – her shot came back off the crossbar and another Wirksworth player was first to the rebound.
There were a couple of chances for Pride to pull a goal back; Tash Allderidge putting Beth Jones through and as the goalkeeper went to ground Beth clipped the ball over her but her shot went just wide of the post. A few minutes later Summer Evans headed on a pass from Fran Critchley-Watson to put Maja Znamirowska clear, but she also shot wide.
Wirksworth wrapped up the scoring with a curling shot into the top corner with 8 minutes to play.
Pride started well, and had some bright moments but it was an otherwise below-par performance, characterised by poor decision-making and sloppy play in possession with too many “hit and hope” balls giving away possession cheaply. Wirksworth took their chances well – albeit with several ‘assists’ from Pride – and were the better team on the day, and can look forward to a semi-final against either Castle Donington or Sandiacre Town who play their quarter-final next weekend.
Pride Park return to league action next week and face another challenging test when they host current league champions Draycott Victoria at Moorways (1.30pm).
Above: The England U23 team that played Sweden in October 2022. Photo: Lionesses.
England will play host to Belgium in a women’s Under-23 international at Tranmere Rovers’ Prenton Park on Monday 20th February.
The Young Lionesses will aim to impress in the Merseyside match during what is a busy month for the national teams.
England’s U23 squad will be aiming for another strong performance after a series of promising displays in the latter part of 2022. The year concluded in November with a 0-0 draw with Italy in Rome after a 2-0 defeat of the Netherlands in Walsall.
Tickets are now available to purchase via thefa.com/tickets priced at £5 for adults and £2.50 for concessions. Schools will also get the chance to apply for up to 10 complimentary tickets, as well as England Accredited Clubs.
England last met Belgium at U23 level in October 2021 away in Tubize with Katie Robinson scoring the only goal of the game and Ebony Salmon captaining the side.
Elsewhere the Under-19s prepare for a trip to Alicante, Spain ahead of facing Germany and Switzerland on Thursday 16th, and Tuesday 21st February respectively.
It’s also a busy February for Sarina Wiegman’s senior team who are taking part in three matches for the Arnold Clark Cup as they look towards the summer’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
March will see the Under-17s begin the next phase of their UEFA Euro qualifiers with three fixtures in Croatia against the hosts, Norway and Belgium.
The U19s resume their Euro programme against Slovenia, Belarus, and hosts Spain in April. The top team in each age group will progress to the summer’s finals.
Above: Celebration time for Hutchison Vale against Morton in the SWF Championship. Photo: Alex Todd / Sport Pix
Livingston and FC Edinburgh have boosted their promotion bids with convincing victories at the top of the Women’s Championship and Women’s League One respectively.
Championship
Goals from Livingston’s Anderson and Mulligan either side of a brace from Jeniffer Dodds saw the West Lothian side beat Ayr United 4-1 at home in the Championship, while Renfrew Ladies took advantage of Rossvale’s game being postponed to move into second in the table after a seven-goal thriller against Inverness Caledonian Thistle. Goals from Brown, Macleod, Munro, and Wilkie secured victory, with a double from Inverness’ Hossack and a goal from Mackenzie in reply from the Highlanders.
Hutchison Vale moved back into the top half of the Championship with a convincing 4-0 victory over Morton, which included goals from Zoe Evans and Gabby Anderson adding to a brace from captain Angyl Learmonth.
Table From: SWF Championship
League One
Above: Falkirk battle against Westdyke (Sky Blue stripes). Photo: Jill Runcie / Sport Pix.
Deborah McLeod and Nic Rutherford will have had to compete for the match ball after both grabbing hattricks for FC Edinburgh in their 10-0 demolition of Dundee West. Emma Mitchell grabbed a double with further goals from Hannah Markley and Jayden Simmons. The cup winners stretched their lead at the top of League One after second-placed Westdyke and third-placed Falkirk played out an entertaining draw in Aberdeen.
Table From: SWF League One
Biffa SWFL
Above: Action from Annan Athletic (gold and black) against Flip The Mindset. Photo: Keith A.Richardson.
The weekend also marked the opening day of the new Biffa SWFL short season in its new format as part of the Scottish Women’s Football pyramid. SWFL league cup holders Harmony Row made a promising start by beating SWFL Plate holders Motherwell Development 5-3 in Renfrew.
The new sides entering the leagues had mixed fortunes. South Glasgow’s Flip the Mindset played out an exciting 4-4 draw with Annan Athletic, Athena Glasgow lost 5-0 at Alloa Athletic, Edinburgh University Thistle beat Falkirk Development 7-2 and newly-formed Inverurie Locos edged out their also new local rivals Huntly 1-0 in the North derby.
Above: Alloa Athletic in possession against Athena Glasgow. Photo: David Glencross.
Impetus’ Darrell Allen provides his weekly round-up of all the women’s football action in Norfolk (17/1/23).
Above:Fakenham Town (red) progressed to the Norfolk Women’s Cup Quarter Finals with victory at Sprowston. Photo: Hardy Scott Photos.
Norfolk Women’s Cup Third Round
Fakenham Town of tier six were the highest-ranked side in Norfolk to play on Sunday and they duly won away at tier seven Sprowston thanks to goals from Nicole Costin, Chloe Gravett, and Sophie Lubbock.
A shock looked possible as Thetford Town from tier seven fell behind early at home to tier eight North Walsham Angels, Kiera Brown scoring in the second minute. However, goals from Rebecca White, Kamile Omeleviciute, Laura Martins, and Kerby Colgan saw new manager Luke Pickford claim his first win and Thetford progressed.
Mulbarton Belles won through to the next round without kicking a ball as they were awarded a place in the next round after Gorleston were unable to fulfil the fixture.
Suffolk Women’s Cup Quarter Final
Above: Bungay Town (sky blue) were 6-1 winners at Ipswich Exiles with Selina Rowland (centre) scoring four. Photo: Suffolk Women and Girls League.
Norfolk-based Bungay Town were 6-1 winners over Ipswich Exiles thanks to four goals from Selina Rowland and the other two from Lauren Golder.
Norfolk Women and Girls League Division Two
Blofield United won 4-0 at FC Viking Valkyries with goals from Bailey Duffield, Scarlett Royden, Sophie Crowle, and Lola Eadie.
Aylsham suffered an early scare at Freethorpe as the home side took the lead through Viktorija Miglane but braces from Jordan Arnoup and Hannah Claughton and one from Gabrielle Cobb saw the visitors run out comfortable 5-1 winners.
Thorpe St. Andrew continued their fine form with a 6-0 victory at Bulldogs FC. Two goals from Abi Simmonds plus one apiece from Rebecca Sutton, Poppy Le-Beau, and Tabitha Mileham mean that Tony Allen’s side now lie third in the table.
Above: Match Action from Thorpe St Andrews (sky blue) 6-0 win at Bulldogs. Photo: Thorpe. St Andrew FC
Impetus’ Martin Townley rounds up all the weekend’s action across the Adran Trophy plus the Adran North and South divisions. With additional reporting from Carrie Jones(17/1/22).
Above: The rainbow over Aberystwyth Town’s Park Avenue ground adds poignancy on an emotional afternoon. Photo: GT Photography.
It was an emotional occasion at Park Avenue as Aberystwyth paid tribute to former coach Kevin “Bones” Jenkins who sadly passed away. Kevin was chairman at Penrhyncoch FC and a popular figure around Welsh football who will be sadly missed. His daughter Amy Jenkins captained Aber and scored as they beat Wrexham to go into the semi finals of the Adran Trophy.
Cardiff City hit a perfect ten as they beat Llandudno and will be joined in the semi-finals by City rivals Cardiff Met and TNS who both won their quarter-final ties.
In the Adran South both the top two sides won with leaders Briton Ferry Llansawel hammered Caldicot Town while Cascade had to come from behind to beat Pontardawe Town.
In the only Adran North game, Llanfair United beat Airbus UK 2-0 to move points clear of Airbus at the bottom of the table.
Adran Trophy
Aberystwyth Town 2-0 Wrexham
Courtesy of Carrie Jones and Aberystwyth Town
Amy Jenkins led Aberystwyth Town Women to their second cup semi-final of the season as they beat Wrexham AFC Women 2-0 at Park Avenue in the Genero Adran Trophy.
Jenkins – the daughter of much-loved coach Kevin ‘Bones’ Jenkins, who passed away over the weekend – was captain for the day. It was appropriate that it was she who scored the opening goal in the 37th minute, sliding the ball home past Delyth Morgan.
It was a highly emotional occasion, with the players wearing black armbands, and with a minute’s applause in recognition of Bones’ life ahead of kick-off.
Bethan Roberts added the second just after half-time – and manager Gav Allen was proud of the team to put in such a performance on such a sad day.
“I am so proud of the strength Amy has shown,” he said. “She knows that we are here for her.
“When Amy scored, there was a rainbow (see the photo at top of the article). Someone was definitely looking down on her. I’m sure, 100 percent, that he would be over the moon with us today.”
Supporters made donations to Hywel Dda Health Charities to thank the team who cared for him. Additional donations can be made online (https://www.justgiving.com/hywelddahealthcharities) and note that you would like your donation to be used to support the district nurses and Ystwyth Surgery equipment fund.
Cardiff City 10-0 Llandudno
Above: Phoebie Poole celebrating a previous goal for Cardiff City. Photo: Ashley Crowden/FAW.
A blistering first-half performance from the Bluebirds saw them race into an eight-goal lead inside 34 minutes. Danielle Broadhurst, Siobhan Walsh (2), Danielle Green, Ffion Price, Lilly Billingham, and two from Phoebie Poole set them apart from their opposition.
Llandudno were able to hold out before conceding again until six minutes before the end when Poole completed her hat trick. Lilly Billingham added her second in the 89th minute.
Another tough trip to Cardiff for Llandudno after last week’s defeat to Cardiff Met but a fantastic statement from the Bluebirds.
Cardiff Met 6-0 Connah’s Quay Nomads
Holders Cardiff Met are though after a 6-0 win over Adran North side Connah’s Quay Nomads.
Robyn Pinder got the only goal of the first half with Tija Richardson adding a second shortly after the break. Richardson had a second in the 57th minute and two minutes after Emily Preece added number four. Kennesha Nanette made it five with Evie Griffiths adding the sixth.
The New Saints 2-0 Pontypridd United
Above: The view at Park Hall as The New Saints (green) took on Pontypridd United. Photo: Pontypridd United.
TNS came though the only all-Adran Premier tie with a 2-0 win at Park Hall.
Isobel Redding getting the first just before half time with Emily Ridge doubling the lead in the 83rd minute with her 9th of the season.
Adran South
Caldicot Town 1-10 Briton Ferry Llansawel
After their big win over Cascade last week to return to the top of the table, the pressure was on the visitors to maintain their good form.
Lucy Powell gave Ferry the lead early on, but a Brooke Llewellyn own goal gave Caldicot a surprise equaliser.
Parity didn’t last long as Fleur Jenkins fired in to restore the lead a minute after. This out Ferry on the front foot and they soon added more goals with a penalty from Lucy Powell a second for Jenkins. Lowri Baker and Megan Kearle added two more as the Reds led 6-1 at half time.
Fleur Jenkins finished off her hat trick in the second half with Lowri Baker adding her second. Megan Kearle also added two more to complete her hat trick.
Another big away win for Briton Ferry as it ended 10-1 to the visitors.
Briton Ferry lead the Adran South still on goal difference but they have the chance to take a three-point lead as they head to Swansea Uni in midweek.
Cascade YC 2-1 Pontardawe Town
Above: Cascade come together as they claim another win. Photo: Cascade Youth Twitter.
Cascade left it late as they came from behind to beat Pontardawe and keep pressure on Briton Ferry.
After a goalless first half, Catryn Cook give Pontardawe the lead in the 49th minute. Pontardawe held Cascade out until the 86th minute when Abbie Davies scored after coming as a sub. Davies then turned provider setting up Annalise Lewis to get the winning goal in the final minute.
Cascade remain level on points with Briton Ferry, who have a game in hand and a vastly superior goal difference. Pontardawe are third but now seven points off the top two.
Table From: Genero Adran Leagues
Adran North
Llanfair United 2-0 Airbus UK Broughton
Llanfair picked up a big win to pull away from bottom side Airbus when the sides met at Mount Field.
Harriet Davies with the first goal on 33 minutes before Liann Richards in the 56 minute.
Llanfair now have four points level with Felinheli while Airbus sit bottom still without a point this season.
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