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.
Jean-Pierre Thiesset summarizes the 12th round of 2022-2023 D1 Arkema season.
Above: Maëlle Garbino (10) celebrated her goal for Bordeaux with her teammates. Photo: Bordeaux web site.
Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 Rodez
Paris Saint-Germain beat bottom-placed Rodez 1-0 at a gloomy Camp des Loges in Saint-Germain-en-Lay where, owing to poor lighting, several areas of the field were almost black. Even though they largely dominated the game, PSG would have been facing defeat if Rodez had converted the opportunities that came in 30th and 56th minutes. Goal: Paris Saint-Germain, Kaddiatou Diani (43, penalty)
Montpellier 2-0 Reims
Reims dominated in the first half and tried to come back in the second half, but their lack of efficiency up front meant they couldn’t score. They may very well regret that there is no VAR in D1 Arkema because as they had two strong shouts for penalties turned down. Goals: Montpellier, Maelys Mpomé (35), Marion Torrent (90+7).
Soyaux 0-3 Olympique Lyonnais
Above: Amandine Henry, Olympique Lyonnais, in August 2022. Photo: Jean-Pierre Thiesset for Impetus.
Some might say that the field in Soyaux resembled a potato field rather than a football pitch. Such a surface really wasn’t the best advert for D1 Arkema but the match did feature the first goal from Vanessa Gilles for Lyon whilst Vanessa Gilles is the 100th player to score for Olympique Lyonnais and Amandine Henry scored her 50th goal for the club on her 350th appearance. French international Amel Majri who was injured 15 months ago and has since had a baby returned to the field on 75 minutes. Goals: Olympique Lyonnais, Vanessa Gilles (36), Amandine Henry (40), Wendie Renard (72).
Bordeaux 2-0 Dijon
Bordeaux largely dominated at home Dijon and scored early in the second minute through November’s D1 Arkema Player of the Month, Maëlle Garbino who continued her excellent form. Goals: Bordeaux, Maëlle Garbino (2), Maëlle Seguin (55).
Le Havre 2-2 Guingamp
A good game from both teams saw Guingamp score twice in the first half, before Le Havre came back via their two American players. One goal came at the end of first half and the other at the end of the second. Goals: Guingamp, Sarah Cambot (4, 32); Le Havre, Sh’nia Gordon (45+3), Deja Davis (90+1).
Paris FC 0-2 Fleury
Above: Julie Piga, Fleury, up in the air during the game against Lyon in October 2022. Photo: Jean-Pierre Thiesset for Impetus.
This was a great result for Fleury against one of their main rivals to gain third place and UWCL qualification. On another ‘uneven’ surface at Charléty, Fleury well deserved their win. Paris FC dominated the first half, but could not convert their chances in front of goal. Fleury came into the game more in the second half and scored twice from set pieces: a corners and a free kick with defender Julie Piga involved in both. Fleury now lie fourth in the D1 Arkema table, only one point behind Montpellier. Goals: Fleury, Julie Piga (70), Inès Konan (79).
Each week during the home and away season, Impetus’ writing and photography team covering the A-League Women will nominate a player, coach, and event of the week. We’ll keep a tally of the player and coach votes as the weeks go by, and just before the Finals, will announce our winners for 2022/23 (16/1/23)
Player of the Week:
Above: After missing last season due to an ACL injury, Canberra United’s Nikki Flannery, seen here during the 2020/21 season, is getting back to her best. Photo: Canberra United
BEN GILBY:Sarina Bolden. Western Sydney Wanderers have been a team desperate for a talismanic attacker all season. In comes the Philippines international and her side seal back-to-back sensational victories.
KIERAN YAP:Vesna Milivojević registered two assists and scored one in a terrific individual display. In the absence of Grace Maher, the Serbian international stepped up and helped run the show for Canberra United.
RYAN MILLER-WOODS:Nikki Flannery. It’s been a very good return to the A-League Women from an ACL injury with her performance against Newcastle last Saturday being no exception. The striker was absolutely outstanding with two crucial assists in the first half-an-hour of the match that put Canberra in a very comfortable position for the rest of the match.
BEN CAREY:Hannah Keane. Scoring two goals against Sydney, one of the strongest teams and best defences in the league is an insane achievement. Shout out to Michelle Heyman and Hana Lowry as well though.
Coach of the Week:
Above: Another week, another set of nominations for Kat Smith as coach of the week. Image: Western Sydney Wanderers.
BEN GILBY:Kat Smith. After a run of what could have been demoralising defeats, her team faced fixtures against Melbourne City and unbeaten Western United. Smith’s motivational efforts, her players’ belief and some important forays into the transfer market have reaped the rewards of two sensational wins back to back.
KIERAN YAP: Mark Torcaso. Before the loss to Western Sydney, Western United had defeated Sydney FC to go seven games undefeated. The win over last season’s premiers was a huge statement. Western United have now defeated every one of last season’s top four teams.
RYAN MILLER-WOODS:Njegosh Popovich. One of the biggest positives in Popovich’s first season as head coach of Canberra United has been the fact that Canberra has been extremely strong creating opportunities in attack with 145 shots in just eight matches played with an average of 18.12 shots per match despite going into their match against Newcastle with just 10 goals scored. However, with the team that Popovich put out for the match against Newcastle, he was able to get Canberra playing not only strong in the first half and even better in the second half but most importantly the team was able to take their chances more often with one goal for every 3.6 shots made for arguably Canberra’s best performance so far this season.
BEN CAREY:Kat Smith. Leading her team to a win over the previously undefeated Western United is such a big achievement.
Event of the Week:
Above: Tash Rigby and Perth Glory face a nightmare week in March with three games in six days in three states due to Sydney not being able to find a venue to host next weekend’s match. Photo: Tom McCarthy.
BEN GILBY: The decision by the APL to push back Perth Glory’s scheduled trip to Sydney FC from next weekend to midweek at the end of March. Sydney are unable to stage the game due to pitch conditions at Leichhardt Oval and cannot find another ground to play it at. The impact of this on the Glory is huge with the game rearranged for midweek in a period where the club have a Sunday home game before travelling to Sydney and then another trip three days afterwards to Brisbane Roar – yet another example of inherent inflexibility when it comes to scheduling games for clubs who face huge travelling distances.
KIERAN YAP: Sarina Bolden’s goal vs Western United was a brilliant moment and reward for the impact she has had at The Wanderers already. She could have had more, but just as in their first appearance, Bolden gave Western Sydney a spearhead in attack, and Western United something to worry about.
RYAN MILLER-WOODS: Canberra United’s first goal against Newcastle Jets was superb. Starting with a great pass made by Michelle Heyman that found Nikki Flannery who ran onto the ball, controlled it with a few touches, and then returned the favour to Heyman who had subsequently made a run into the box, chested down the pass, took an additional touch and beautifully slotted the ball into the back of the net.
BEN CAREY: The tussle between Emma Rolston, of Wellington Phoenix, and Ella Mastrantonio, of Perth Glory, that had them both sent off, was sad but also one of the biggest plot points of the week.
Artwork by: Charlotte Stacey, founder of On Her Side.
EXCLUSIVE photos from Hannah Parnellpitchside at The Emirates(16/1/23)
Above: Sam Kerr makes her point to the Arsenal fans after scoring a late, late leveller at The Emirates. Photo: Hannah Parnell for Impetus.
Big Crowd, Big Performance
Above: Caitlin Foord (left) put in another impressive performance for the Gunners. Photo: Hannah Parnell for Impetus.
Arsenal are making a habit of this now with a third Women’s Super League game at the Emirates this season drawing a crowd in excess of 40,000. On a day when the Gunners’ men’s team were playing in their North London Derby away at Tottenham this is a level of support that cannot be ignored.
46,811 tickets were sold for this Sunday lunchtime blockbuster between arguably the two most successful English teams in the WSL era and Arsenal put in a performance to match the occasion.
From the off, Arsenal were a yard faster and more energetic across the park than their visitors from South West London. Caitlin Foord, in particular, impressed with her movement and passing as Arsenal got in behind their opponents on numerous occasions in the opening half of play.
Cool Kim
Above: Kim Little celebrates after converting from the spot. Photo: Hannah Parnell for Impetus.
There are certainly mixed views on the penalty awarded by referee Emily Heaslip to Arsenal as, whilst Foord fell inside the box, the initial contact from Niamh Charles started outside.
But the pressure was on the penalty taker regardless and it was captain Kim Little who stepped up to take, and convert, the kick – and in doing so sent the thousands of Arsenal fans, and their coach Jonas Eidevall into raptures.
A Champions Result?
Above: Sam Kerr celebrates with Lauren James after her dramatic late equaliser. Photo: Hannah Parnell for Impetus.
Chelsea will feel this was a performance well below what they are capable of with none of their attacking players getting into their usual flow. Sam Kerr was isolated a lot of the time and Erin Cuthbert had a mostly frustrating afternoon.
However, Emma Hayes remained her usual calm and measured self in the technical area and used her substitutes to attempt change the direction of the game. Eve Perisset, Fran Kirby, Jelena Cankovic and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd were all introduced one by one as Hayes plotted a way to recovery.
Just as it looked like Chelsea were heading home pointless, Serb international Jelena Čanković delivered an inch-perfect ball for Sam Kerr to head home and ensure that the match spoils were shared.
Happy and Honest Hayes
At the post-match press conference coach Emma Hayes, with a grin on her face, was clear: “To come to a big title rival and not be at our best, it’s an amazing point for the team”. Chelsea will know they were outplayed, but that was a massive point gained through a late goal that ruined Arsenal’s Emirates party.
As Hayes left the press conference she was positively buzzing and will feel that, with this result, Chelsea have the psychological edge on Arsenal as we begin the second half of the season.
The Title Race
Conceding that late Sam Kerr goal means Arsenal were denied a clear advantage in the title race. So where are we now? Chelsea lead but have played a game more than the rest of the top four, Arsenal and Manchester United sit three points behind with Manchester City six points off top spot.
Kerr, and Chelsea’s grit and attacking threats, probably make them favourites but this is looking like the most competitive title race ever in the WSL. Chelsea v Arsenal is currently scheduled for the penultimate game of the season at Kingsmeadow on Sunday 21st May and that may well prove decisive.
Hannah Parnell’s EXCLUSIVE photo gallery from The Emirates:
Impetus’ Kris Goman was pitchside at Wanderers Football Park to capture the best of the action from Western Sydney Wanderers’ superb win over Western United on Saturday (16/1/23)
Above: All-action midfield tussle for possession between Western Sydney Wanderers and Western United. Photo: Kris Goman for Impetus.
Artwork: Charlotte Stacey, founder of On Her Side.
Ben Gilby reports on both head coaches media conferences and Tom McCarthy delivers top quality photo action from the game Macedonia Park(15/1/23).
Above: Perth Glory’s Cyera Hintzen (right) battles with Wellington Phoenix’s Mackenzie Barry. Photo: Tom McCarthy.
Perth Glory head coach Alex Epakis was very much of the “glass half full” mood when reflecting on his team’s performance in their 2-0 win over Wellington Phoenix today.
Speaking to the media after the match at Macedonia Park, Epakis said: “It’s a performance that got us the three points, so you are always happy with that. There were phases where we were good, there were phases where we could have been better…I would have liked us to have been more clinical at times.”
Above: Liz Anton (fourth from left) stood out for Perth Glory. Photo: Tom McCarthy.
Asked about the coming together of Ella Mastrantonio and Phoenix’s Emma Rolston that saw both players sent off, the Glory boss said: “I haven’t seen it (back) or had a chance to speak to Ella yet. The referee has reasons for it.”
Epakis was enthusiastic about the performance of defender Liz Anton, who responded in style to a challenge he set her before the game: “I told Liz today that I wanted her to be the best Kiwi on the field, and I think she liked that! She really stepped up and rightly so. It was a very good performance, it was calm and physical when it needed to be. Her and Kim (Carroll) really compliment each other.”
Above: Perth Glory head coach Alex Epakis. Photo: Tom McCarthy.
Perth now have a three-week gap before their next match away to Western United after the midweek announcement that Sydney FC are unable to stage next weekend’s game against the Western Australians and cannot find another ground to play it at until the end of March.
The impact of this on the Glory is huge with the game rearranged for midweek in a period where the club have a Sunday home game before travelling to Sydney and then another trip three days afterwards to Brisbane Roar – yet another example of inherent inflexibility when it comes to scheduling games for clubs who face huge travelling distances.
“I’m not happy about it. The APL made a decision to postpone our game against Sydney (due to the playing surface being substandard) and not being able to source another venue across a large state, and we’re now going to be punished by playing three games in six days across three different states, which isn’t fair.”
“It compromises the run we have to have, and its a well-being and safety issue. I don’t think it’s going to look good, and I’m not going to sit here and say it looks good. I’ve voiced my concerns (to the APL) but there was no reply to my email.”
Alex Epakis, Perth Glory head coach.
“We have to maintain our intense load on a weekend. You can’t go three weeks without a game and expect to come back strong. We will look to play internally against our Academy Boys outfit and we have a very good Sports Science team here and I’ll look to be guided by them.”
Above: Wellington Phoenix head coach Nat Lawrence. Image: Wellington Phoenix.
Wellington Phoenix head coach Nat Lawrence was visibly frustrated as she reviewed her team’s showing at Perth today.
“We got punished for two mistakes which…we’ve got to hold ourselves accountable for,” Phoenix head coach Natalie Lawrence told media post-game.
“We need to stop making these mistakes that are leading to these goals and start taking our chances as well.”
Lawrence reflected that the huge travelling involved to get to Perth, along with the hot conditions was a factor, but ultimately her side were their own worst enemies: “We knew that the travel was going to be tough, we knew that the heat was going to be tough and we prepared as much as we could for it.
Above: Wellington Phoenix’s Paige Satchell looked to create along the wing. Photo: Tom McCarthy.
“There’s some fatigue amongst the girls [and] there’s a little bit of jet lag, but that’s not really an excuse that we’re willing to hide behind. New Zealand is where we want to be and where we want to be based and travel is part of it.”
The Nix boss also highlighted her team’s growth during the campaign by saying: “We had more possession, we had better pass completion, we’ve had more shots, we’ve had more final third entries again than any other game this season so we’re building and getting better and better.”
However, the reality is that Wellington are now well adrift at the bottom as the only team in the league without a win.
“Game eight and yeah one point on the board but…we believe that we’ve still got 10 games to fight for. As long as we keep sticking to our process then we believe the outcome will happen.” Lawrence said.
Suvadeep Biswas was at The Bescot Stadium for Impetus to capture the best of the action as Lionesses stars Jordan Nobbs and Beth England made their debuts for their new clubs (15/1/23)
Above: Combative action between Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur yesterday. Photo: Suvadeep Biswas for Impetus.
Above: Susan Phonsongkham (left) celebrates after dispatching her penalty to put Perth Glory 2-0 up. Photo: Keep Up.
Perth Glory earned a much-needed win in the first-ever Distance Derby in Western Australia to mark legendary defender Kim Carroll’s 150th W/A-League Women game in style.
A 5,500km journey with a time zone difference of five hours thrown in for good measure is one of the biggest away trips in senior women’s club football. These two sides spend hours on planes for away matches in a normal week, but this one is something else.
Alex Epakis’ side went into the game without Rylee Baisden. The striker, who had scored five of the team’s 10 goals this season suffered a heartbreaking ACL injury in Perth’s game at Melbourne Victory. It’s the third season in a row that the Glory have lost a major attacking player to a season-ending injury.
Perth were aggressive from the off with multiple players looking to press and close down Phoenix every time they got on the ball. The purple and orange shirts maintained a high line.
Izzy Foletta, in only her second game for the hosts, was busy from the start. The former Brisbane Roar player has added intelligence and guile to the Glory backline as an excellent addition to Alex Epakis’ squad.
Whilst Wellington had the greater percentage of the possession, it was Perth who did more with it in offensive areas. Unlike the majority of their games this season, they were able to turn their early opportunities into a scoreboard lead.
Above: Cyera Hintzen shows her joy after putting Perth ahead. Photo: Keep Up.
Local star Hana Lowry picked up the ball just inside the Phoenix half and laid off inside to Cyera Hintzen. The American striker turned her marker with ease, and let fly from over 20 yards with a long range low strike that bounced in at the left-hand post past the desperate outstretched arm of Brianna Edwards.
The Glory continued to probe, and within eight minutes doubled their advantage. Lowry entered the far left-hand side of the box and was felled by Mackenzie Barry and referee, Casey Reibelt had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Up stepped Susan Phonsongkham to dispatch a low spot kick into the left-hand corner.
For the visitors, Grace Wisnewski and Chloe Knott were battling hard and looking to create where possible, but on the rare occasions that they were able to approach the home penalty area, the high press did its job and forced the Nix into errors resulting in turn over ball.
Ten minutes before the break, Emma Rolston went down under pressure from Ella Mastrantonio. As the Football Fern went down, she managed to get the ball lodged between her legs with Mastrantonio making contact in a bid to get the ball free. Rolston reacted by getting to her feet and reaching out with her hand to make contact with the former WSL player’s face. Not surprisingly both were shown a red card.
Above: The incident between Emma Rolston and Ella Mastrantonio (21) that led to both players being sent off. Photo: Keep Up.
Phoenix had half chances, with a corner coming off the bar and then Paige Satchell found space to gallop down the right-hand flank, beating Foletta in idiosyncratic style before delivering a pacey ball in that Ava Pritchard couldn’t quite get on the end of as the half ticked towards its conclusion.
The visitors had the first chance of the second period when they saw another ball in come off the bar. Shortly afterwards, Michaela Foster brought down Foletta just outside the box in a clumsy challenge on the right-hand edge of the box. Up stepped Phonsongkham to hit a free kick which, although dipping, couldn’t quite come down in time.
The second half then game stretched into an end-to-end encounter before the home side took over once more. Sofia Sakalis’ influence grew as the youngsters’ sparkling footwork and creative vision came to the fore.
Perth forced a plethora of second-half corners, one such came in with 10 minutes left to provoke a playground-style scramble in the box before the danger was dealt with. Sub Abbey Green had a late opportunity when one on one with Edwards after gaining turn over ball from Kate Taylor, but couldn’t get her shot on target into the goal.
Whilst this was a much-needed win for Perth to keep their Finals hopes alive, they left a lot of potential additional goals out there, which could have proved costly against an opponent in better form. Alex Epakis’ side now have a long wait until their next game – 4th February at Western United – to continue their second half of the season surge.
Tom McCarthy‘s photo gallery from the match will follow on a separate article on the site later today along with Ben Gilby‘s coverage of both team’s post-match media conferences.
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