Impetus Jean-Pierre Thiesset, who holds accreditation with European Champions Olympique Lyonnais for us and produces our weekly round-up of French women’s football action, was present at the club’s training session today and brings exciting news and photos on Australian international Ellie Carpenter‘s recovery from an ACL injury(25/1/23).
Jean-Pierre Thiesset was at the Groupama Training Centre for Impetus today and captured a photo gallery as Ellie Carpenter stepped up training. Carpenter, who suffered an ACL injury in the 2022 Champions League Final for Olympique Lyonnais against Barcelona, told him she “may” play some part in Lyon’s French Cup game against Montpellier on Saturday.
Further photos from Ellie Carpenter in training today from Jean-Pierre Thiesset for Impetus:
Jean-Pierre Thiesset’s weekly View From France article rounds up all the D1 Arkema action, including exclusive pitchside photography from Olympique Lyonnais matches. Don’t miss it every Monday on Impetus.The most recent article from this week can be read here: https://impetusfootball.org/2023/01/23/the-view-from-france-53/
Denise Duffy is a big fan of Wellington Phoenix in the A-League Women. It’s been a challenging time for all sorts of reasons since the ‘Nix’ entered the competition at the start of the 2021/22 season. Here she offers advice to fellow fans on what to do when your team is finding life tough (24/1/23).
Above: All together supporting the Phoenix – (left to right) Holly Eades, Jessie Prendergras, Denise Duffy, Rachel Heron, Melissa Cameran, and Lala. Photo via: Denise Duffy.
The Wellington Phoenix women are 3W-18L-2D since their inception. Being a supporter of any team is not always rainbows and chocolates. There will be frustration. That’s a part of being a fan of sports. However when the wins are scarce, here are a few thoughts on riding it out.
Make friends with other fans. The best part of women’s sports is the people you meet along the way. Watch the matches together. Have some fun with it regardless of the outcome.
Show up! Continue going to matches. Yes, winning is more fun to be a part of, however, these things can be cyclical. Being a fan before a team it starts winning makes the good times even sweeter.
Be encouraging. Losing repeatedly is hard on a player’s mental health. Send them positive notes. Notice when they make progress. Say good things out loud or on social media.
Be constructive. Engage with other fans on the subject of how to get their first win of the season. Don’t be a jerk when times are tough and make degrading comments. When Ella Mastrantonio got a horrible comment in her DM she was brave enough to call it out publicly. How many women on teams particularly with losing records have endured these types of terrible comments?
Keep in mind that these are human beings. Friends, relatives, and even the athlete’s parents will be reading your comments about their daughters. How would you feel if you were them?
These are not people who are not getting paid much money. These A-League women are making on average about 16k. The men are making approximately 9.4 times this. Female athletes don’t have teams of people protecting their brand and sanity. They are not rolling in the dough either. Be a decent human being and keep perspective on this.
Calling for anyone’s job mid-season is not the way to go. Coaches and GM’s are professionals. They work their tails off. Unless they are abusive to the players, back off and let them do their job. They have already created immense pressure for themselves.
Support sponsors. These companies have committed to this team. Use your spending power to do the same.
The athletes are putting their best product on the pitch. They are literally chasing a ball every week for our entertainment. No one hurts as much as them during a losing streak. Find some poetry about their journey. In case you didn’t know this, that comment you make out of selfish frustration says more about you than them. Pause before you write it.
Above: (left to right) Denise Duffy, Jonathan Hagger, Blake Forbes-Gentle with Wellington Phoenix CEO David Dome. Photo: Denise Duffy.
In terms of being a fan of the Wellington Phoenix women, it’s actually quite fun. They have a courageous brand of football and are a young and exciting squad. They have been improving every week and are playing their hearts out. They are suffering from an ALeague rule specific to them that has made it prohibitive for their team to roster players from abroad, a subject for another article. Cheering them on is easy. In fact, this past weekend they won!
Finally, here’s my advice. Don’t be that person. Enjoy the season. These athletes are amazing human beings who have been training relentlessly. They are representing our nation, our league, and themselves worthy of our attention and our applause. Any thoughts or ideas on this subject? Let me know.
Artwork: Charlotte Stacey, founder of On Her Side.
Above: Gwen Jones celebrates after putting Aberystwyth Town ahead against Cardiff City. Photo: Ika Bajus.
Aberystwyth Town put up a valiant fight against league leaders Cardiff City, despite a string of mid-match injuries and an early red card – but ultimately fell to a 5-1 defeat.
Rhianne Oakley, Ffion Price, Phoebie Poole, and two for Siobhan Walsh secured the three points for the visitors.
Aber had taken an early lead when Gwenllian Jones scored an exceptional goal direct from a corner, crashing it off the top of the crossbar and past Emily Roberts in the Cardiff goal.
But it was all downhill from there for the Seasiders. Centre half Elin Jones had been forced off after just 15 minutes having suffered a leg injury. Substitute Kel Thomas slotted into the defence – but it was she who slid into a challenge shortly before half-time and got a red card for her troubles.
Above: Aberystwyth Town’s afternoon takes a turn for the worse as Kel Thomas is sent off. Photo: Ika Bajus.
It made the second half all the more difficult for Aber, who were racking up the walking wounded by full-time, most notably with Shauna Chambers receiving treatment on the field for an ankle injury but limping through until the final whistle.
“It was a tough result to take in the end, really, especially after such a positive first-half performance,” said the day’s captain Rebecca Mathias. “I thought we started off really well and were on top for long spells in the first half, we created quite a few good chances, and I thought they looked lost for ideas.
“Losing Elin so early on was a huge blow for us and it’s always hard to readjust when you lose someone out of the back line. Going 1-0 up with Gwen from a cheeky corner – her speciality – I thought that was fully deserved. We kept them at bay and knew our roles and responsibilities. We looked solid defensively.
“But going down to 10 just before half-time was another blow. You know the second half is going to be a tough one and there’s going to be a lot of running, especially with Cardiff City wanting to come back and overturn that scoreline.”
She added: “It was just one of those days, and it’s a result we’ve got to dust ourselves down from because we’ve got more important games coming up. It doesn’t get any easier but in terms of our performance, attitude, workrate, desire, I think every single one of us was spot on. I’m proud of all the girls and how they stuck together and kept going.”
Darrell Allen provides his weekly round-up of all the women’s football action in Norfolk (24/1/23).
Above: Norwich City’s Kathryn Stanley wins a header against AFC Wimbledon star Megan Stow. Photo: Hardy Scott Photos
The weather was the winner in Norfolk this weekend but, as usual, I round up the games that did take place on Sunday – all three of them.
FA Women’s National League Division One South East
Norwich City welcomed AFC Wimbledon to The Nest in tier four, and it was birthday girl Hannah Billingham who gave the visitors the lead just before half-time. Wimbledon must have thought they would be taking all three points back to southwest London with them but Natasha Snelling poked the ball home on 89 minutes to ensure Norwich a share of the spoils. For a full report of the game, click on George Jones’ report here: https://impetusfootball.org/2023/01/23/dons-disappointed-by-draw-at-norwich/
Eastern Region Premier Division
In tier five, The Yachtswomen of Wroxham made the long trip to Bowers and Pitsea for what was a thrilling contest from start to finish.
Joe Simpson’s Wroxham side enjoyed a flying start as Hannah Waters put them in front on eleven minutes, only for joy to be short-lived as Maddie Thomas equalised for Bowers and Pitsea five minutes later. Becky Russell’s strike from distance restored Wroxham’s lead on 41 minutes and ensured the visitors held the halftime advantage.
Two goals in two second-half minutes (Millie Isherwood and Whitney Locke on 69 and 71 minutes respectively) turned the game in Bowers and Pitseas’s favour with Danielle Styles making it a two-goal lead nine minutes later. Hannah Waters’ second on 82 minutes reduced the deficit but, to cap a frantic period of play, Locke then scored again to make it 5-3 at full time to Bowers and Pitsea.
Norfolk Women’s Cup Quarter Final
Above: Chelsea Brister (blue kit) scored the third of Dussindale and Hellesdon Rovers’ goals in their 3-0 County Cup win at Long Stratton. Photo: Hardy Scott Photos.
With their main pitch at Manor Road frozen, Long Stratton went to immense effort to ensure their Norfolk Women’s Cup Quarter Final against Dussindale and HellesdonRovers went ahead: They hired the 3G at Easton College and held a floodlit match kicking off at 4pm.
Dussindale and Hellesdon asserted their authority on the game early and took the lead on eleven minutes through Georgina Belton – and the score stayed 1-0 until the break.
Victoria Leyer doubled the advantage on fifty minutes and Long Stratton never really looked like getting back into the contest. A six-week delay without a competitive fixture, unsurprisingly, seemed to have a negative effect on the Long Stratton team.
Chelsea Brister put the gloss on the victory when she made it 3-0 on 90 minutes to seal Dussindale and Hellesdon’s place in the Quarter Finals.
Impetus welcomes Matt Appleby to our team of regular photographers. On Sunday, he spent the afternoon at two matches in the North-East of England and shares the best of the action with us (24/1/23).
Above: Durham (blue) and Southampton battle for possession at Maiden Castle on Sunday. Photo: Matt Appleby.
Jon Smalldon captures the best of the action as the top two in tier eight’s Sussex County Women’s and Girls League Division Onefaced off on Sunday (24/1/23).
Above: Eastbourne Town (yellow) battle for possession with visitors Horsham Sparrows on Sunday. Photo: Jon Smalldon.
Perth Glory striker Cyera Hintzen speaks exclusively to Ben Gilby about her decision toremain at the club for another year, her love for the city, and what the team need to do to make Finals(23/1/23).
Above: Cyera Hintzen battles away for Perth Glory against Western United this season. Photo: Tom McCarthy.
Cyera Hintzen has been a major part of the Perth Glory squad for the last season and a half. She’s thriving in the team’s collective atmosphere and has a deep love of the city and wider stateof Western Australia.
Her physical upper body strength combined with pace and sharpness in front of goal have marked her out as a key member of Alex Epakis’ squad since she arrived ahead of the 2021/22 campaign.
Last season was a huge challenge for an overseas player. After one home game, the Western Australian border closed due to COVID restrictions, forcing the Glory to spend the campaign based in New South Wales. It brought the playing group together, but without the benefits of home fans and wider support networks, it was a tough time as the striker told me.
Above: Cyera Hintzen in action for Perth Glory last season in a “home game” played at Gosford. Photo: Kris Goman for Impetus.
“It was a bit of a challenge because I was coming to a country that I’d never been to before and knew really nothing about, expecting to stay in one part of the country but being uprooted to staying somewhere else was a bit confusing at first.
“I was just getting settled into living in Perth and then had to readjust to a new environment. But it was a great experience to bond with the girls and I think that chemistry and the mentality to fight for each other really showed last season.”
That incredible chemistry and mentality drove Perth Glory to the brink of Finals football, failing by just goal difference from eventual champions Melbourne Victory. It was a situation that made it an easy decision for Hintzen to sign on for another year.
“I wanted to stay at the club because of the girls and what we created on and off the field last season, I was excited to build off of that. Also, being able to fully experience Perth because last year we had to go into a hub for the majority of the season in Sydney. Being based in a hotel wasn’t easy and wasn’t the ideal experience, but we made the most of it.”
After the conclusion of last year’s campaign with the Western Australians, the striker went to Scandinavia – a familiar location: “After the A-League season, I went back to Valur which was the first club I played for starting my professional career in Iceland. I played in the Icelandic League from May to October.”
Above: Cyera Hintzen gets in a shot for Perth Glory against Wellington Phoenix this season. Photo: Tom McCarthy.
With border restrictions now lifted, Hintzen was able to return to Australia and experience both Perth and the wider state of Western Australia (WA) – and she is absolutely loving it.
“It has been an amazing experience being able to finally be in WA. The beaches and coffee are great and I love how laid back it is in Perth. Everyone has a chill vibe and it’s really easygoing.”
The attacking star teamed up with fellow American offensive players Rylee Baisden and Gabriella Coleman, who she knew from her younger days. The duo are both highly rated by Hintzen, who feels Baisden’s ACL injury is a major blow to the club.
“I didn’t know Rylee before I came to Perth but it has been a great experience playing with her. Unfortunately, with her injury we won’t get that opportunity anymore which is sad because I feel like we just started to figure each other out. With Gabriella, we are both from Dallas, Texas so I kind of knew her but she was younger than me so we never got to play together before.”
After their excellent campaign last time round and an impressive recruitment campaign in close season, including having many key players tied down long-term, there were high hopes for Perth Glory this season. At the present time, the Western Australian side are finally starting to show their potential, but have only won twice to date.
Above: Cyera Hintzen jumps for joy after scoring this season at Macedonia Park. Photo: Keep Up.
Reflecting on the campaign so far, the American told me: “I think we started off a bit slow this season and are trying to figure out what the team needs from everyone to bring up our play to the level that we know we can.
“I think we have finally started to fully believe in each other and brought back that fight for each other’s mentality. We just need to put together a full 90 minutes and be more clinical when we have those opportunities in front of the goal.”
With Perth Glory currently on a three-week hiatus due to the postponement of last weekend’s game at Sydney FC and the club having the bye this coming week, it’s the perfect time to reflect on what the team need to do in the second half of the season. Hintzen said: “I think a successful season for me would just be putting my best foot forward every single day and bringing everything I can to the club to help us win.
“I think being in that conversation for finals is the goal because we were so close last year and know we are more than capable of achieving that. So just getting everyone to believe in each other and this club and showing everyone who doubts us that we can be the team to make it to finals.”
Artwork: Charlotte Stacey, founder of On Her Side.
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 (23/1/23)
Player of the Week:
Above: Melbourne Victory’s Alex Chidiac (left) was absolutely sensational on Saturday – it is no surprise that she clocked up three votes as player of the week. Photo: Keep Up.
BEN GILBY: Absolutely no contest this week. Alex Chidiac was absolutely masterful in Melbourne Victory’s successful trip to Adelaide United. When Chidiac is in that sort of form, no one can touch her.
KIERAN YAP: Alex Chidiac. The Victory playmaker was dominant and dangerous against Adelaide United. Chidiac scored once, set up another, and tormented the Adelaide defence in a virtuoso second half.
DENISE DUFFY: Betsy Hassett of Wellington Phoenix. International duty against the USA seemed to sharpen and invigorate her. It was smart to move her up the pitch to the number 10 role where she could use her intensity and experience to focus on playmaking and scoring goals.
RYAN MILLER-WOODS: Milly Clegg. Despite being only 17 years of age, the way she played against Canberra was that of a player well beyond her years as she scored the opening goal of the match (which was also her very first goal in the A-League Women) as well as playing a major part in the second goal for her side.
BEN CAREY: Alex Chidiac. Her energy and intent against Adelaide was next level. It resulted in a goal, an assist, and the creation of several more chances. She also did some good defending, making several recoveries, and even blocking a shot from going in. She was a huge part of how Victory was able to complete the comeback.
Coach of the Week:
Above: Wellington Phoenix head coach Natalie Lawrence – our unanimous choice of coach of the week. Photo: John Davidson.
BEN GILBY: Natalie Lawrence. It’s been a tough season for the Phoenix, who had failed to build on the promise of last season despite, on paper having a more experienced squad this time. Throw in the fact that several of her team played an international match against the USA less than 24 hours before Sunday’s game against Canberra United and it makes the performance and result even more incredible. It’s a performance that they’ve been capable of all season. Now they need to use this as a launch pad, as the talent and promise is there.
KIERAN YAP: Natalie Lawrence. 5-0 against a usually free-scoring opponent, with key players having played just 20 hours before, in an international game against the reigning world champions. Incredible.
DENISE DUFFY: Natalie Lawrence of Wellington Phoenix. Guiding and steering a group of athletes when the wins are not coming must be draining. Lawrence consistently prepared her team each week and the fans saw improvements. The match against Canberra United was their moment to pounce. The game plan was aggressive. They connected passes across lines and they played fluid and exciting football.
RYAN MILLER-WOODS: Natalie Lawrence. In her very first season as Wellington’s head coach, it hasn’t by any means been easy for her with results not going her side’s way and just one point in the season before the match against Canberra United. Going into yesterday’s match, Wellington had scored just three goals in eight matches but coming out of the match had looked the strongest they had been all season in attack with five goals being scored in the match alone. This easily was Wellington’s best performance not only for this season but as a club in their relatively short time in the A-League Women. Hopefully, for Lawrence, this result can kickstart her side’s season and be a massive confidence booster as well.
BEN CAREY: Natalie Lawrence. She was able to keep Wellington Phoenix’s morale high after eight matches this season without a win. Then she implemented the perfect tactics to absolutely annihilate Canberra United at home. Super impressive.
Event of the Week:
Above: Wellington Phoenix’s women’s and men’s teams celebrate with fans on the pitch after they both won yesterday. Photo: Wellington Phoenix.
BEN GILBY: The scenes on the pitch at Sky Stadium as both Wellington Phoenix’s women’s and men’s teams were photographed with fans after, for the first time they both won on the same day at the same stadium. The ultimate ‘one club’ photo – fantastic to see.
KIERAN YAP: Brianna Edwards’ penalty save for Wellington Phoenix against Canberra United.
DENISE DUFFY: The first minute of the second half of the Wellington Phoenix match. Just a beautiful sequence of football. Milly Clegg connected with Chloe Knott who passed to Michaela Foster who made a perfect cross to Ava Pritchard for a goal. This put the Phoenix up a confident three goals to none. On display was their highest-quality football of their season. The Phoenix were finally flying.
RYAN MILLER-WOODS: Wellington Phoenix’s win against Canberra United. In quite a few of their matches so far this season, Wellington has been very unlucky with the final result not going their way and not necessarily reflecting the hard work and determination that has very much been shown by the players in the team. However, yesterday they were honestly something else entirely against Canberra. It not only made a statement and then some but it really was just reward for a win that had been a long time coming for the Phoenix this season.
BEN CAREY: Alex Chidiac’s incredible attempt on goal in the 85th minute against Adelaide United. She kicked the ball past a defender, headed it over the keeper, but hit the crossbar. If it had gone in it surely would have been a contender for goal of the season! What followed was a mad and exciting scramble from both teams.
Artwork: Charlotte Stacey, founder of On Her Side.
Above: Action from yesterday’s game between Norwich City and AFC Wimbledon. Photo: Emily Topping.
AFC Wimbledon left Norfolk disappointed after a draw away against Norwich City after the hosts levelled at the death in the tier four FA Women’s National League Division One South-East yesterday.
A soaring headed goal by birthday celebrant and captain Hannah Billingham was not enough, as the Canaries scored a last-minute equaliser to deny the visitors all three points.
The weather continued to cause havoc with fixtures across the country, but with this game being played at Norwich City’s The Nest, with a 4G pitch, it was one of the few going ahead.
Going into the game, AFC Wimbledon we had only played one game in the last six weeks and lacked the clinical edge that had served them well before the winter break, and so the South-West Londoners failed to capitalise on several good opportunities.
Neither team managed to get a hold of the game in the first half, but both had opportunities to test the keepers. Ashlee Hincks had stand-in City keeper Jess Harper make several saves, and Norwich’s Kathryn Stanley forced Faye Baker into producing the save of the day from a close-range effort.
The Dons nearly took the lead 25 minutes into the game, as Steph Mann fired off a left-footed shot from long range, but the City keeper managed to get her palms to it.
It looked as though the first half would end goalless, but in the ninth minute of injury time, Emma Plewa sent a cross into the box which Billingham perfectly headed into the Norwich goal.
The second half saw a much more dominant Dons. Emily Donovan looked set to double the visitors’ lead, before her shot was scrambled off the line by a City defender on the hour mark. The Norwich keeper then denied Hincks a chance to extend the lead 75 minutes into the game.
In the 89th minute, Wimbledon were made to pay for not taking advantage of the chances, as Norwich’s Natasha Snelling scored an equaliser after a goalmouth scramble. The hosts came close to stealing all three points in injury time, but were denied by an outstanding goal-line clearance from Kelly Highman.
Speaking after the game, Dons’ manager Kevin Foster said: “I think the first half showed we haven’t had games. We have had one game in six weeks and we looked like it, we weren’t ourselves and we were poor. In the second half we were much better.”
AFC Wimbledon are back in action Sunday 29th January, when we welcome Championship side Charlton Athletic in the 4th Round of the Vitality Women’s FA Cup. The game is being played at Carshalton Athletic FC with a 3pm kickoff.
Above: Beth McKay celebrates with Fiona Walker after scoring for Livingston against Rossvale. Photo: Ger Harley/Sportpix
Championship
Livingston‘s new signing Beth Mckay has made an instant impact on the Scottish Women’s Championship, scoring a brace for the league leaders in a close 3-2 win away to Glasgow side Rossvale.
The first half saw the midfielder score either side of a goal from Brogan Anderson. Then Rossvale came back strongly in the second half with a double from Mel Porter, but Livi saw out the final ten minutes to defend their lead and grab the three points.
The hard-fought victory tightens the West Lothian club’s grip on the league and keeps them in pole position for promotion to the SWPL, after second-placed Renfrew Ladies were comprehensively beaten by Ayr United in Cumnock.
Clare Docherty scored a brace for United, with further goals from Cameron, Barbour and Dick with a penalty in a result which lifts the side up to fourth.
Above: A tussle for possession as Rossvale (yellow and red) host Livingston. Photo: Kelly Nielson.
Table From: SWF Championship
League One
League One leaders FC Edinburgh beat Stenhousemuir 4-0 at home, while Falkirk held off a fightback by BSC Glasgow to win 3-2 and climb into second in the table. St. Mirren consolidated their top-half credentials with a 5-1 win over Dundee West which included a hat-trick by Maxine Fury.
Table From: SWF League One.
Biffa SWFL
In the second matchday of the new regional Biffa SWFL short season, Queen of the South look impressive in the SWFL South after putting 17 goals past Clark Drive, while Forfar Farmington have taken an early lead in the SWFL North after beating Dyce 5-2.
Above: Action from Aberdour (red and blue stripes) against Bonnyrigg Rose. Photo: @capturedbyfairbarin
Central Girls, Bonnyrigg Rose, and Livingston Reserves all also made it two wins in two to top the SWFL East, while Alloa Athletic and Harmony Row did the same in the West league with wins over Cumbernauld Colts and West Park respectively.
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