Above: New Western United signing Danielle Steer in action in Canada. Photo: University of British Columbia.
Canadian attacker Danielle Steer will add further potency to Western United’s A-League Women attack after joining the club for the remainder of the 2022/23 season.
Steer has been a dominant force for the University of British Columbia putting together 71 combined goals and assists in five years, breaking the Canada West conference record which previously stood at 65.
The 2022 Canada West Women’s Soccer Player of the Year said she is delighted to now begin her professional journey in Australia.
“I’m very excited to be starting my professional career at Western United. Not only am I walking into a team that is already in great form on the field, off the field the girls have created a positive and welcoming environment that I’m proud to now be part of,” she said.
“I’m a hard-working player and as an attacker, I’m hoping to create a dangerous presence up front and around the goal.”
Above: Western United’s head coach Mark Torcaso is delighted at bringing in another quality player into his unbeaten side. Photo: Western United.
Western United Head Coach Mark Torcaso said Steer’s quality was clear and that she will have a strong impact on the group from the outset.
“I’m really pleased to be able to bring Dani into our team and I’m confident that she will add a great deal to our attack,” he said.
“We’ve seen her numbers and her quality throughout her college career and I’m really excited to see her bring that into our side now. I’m looking forward to seeing her bring her goals and assists into our league.
Above: Danielle Steer’s excellent goalscoring record in Canada can make her a real threat in the A-League Women. Photo: University of British Columbia,
“Putting her alongside our brilliant attacking options adds to our significant depth up front and it’s comforting to know that we have so many weapons capable of causing danger to the opposition.”
While this will be Steer’s first venture into Australian football, she is no stranger to Australia and Australian sports culture – Steer’s mother is born and bred in Sydney and is the niece of swimming legend and four-time Olympic gold medalist Dawn Fraser.
The 23-year-old will fit right into United’s attack, which currently ranks equal second in the Liberty A-League, and will be available leading into a busy period of matches in the new year.
In the second part of her analysis of Tottenham Hotspur’s start to the WSL season, Rachel Lara Cohen considers the influence of the club’s summer signings (3/1/23).
Above: Drew Spence – one of Spurs’ key signings during the summer celebrates a goal with Molly Bartrip against Leicester City. Photo: Sky Sports.
They’ve been at the club for half a season now, enough time to evaluate what Tottenham’s summer signings have brought to the squad.
In an end of year review of the first half of the season I suggested that the seven signings Spurs made in summer 2022 have strengthened the squad, and bench, but have not wholly filled the gaps that were left by departing (or absent) starters (Maeva Clemaron, Ria Percival and Rachel Williams; as well as the hopefully soon-returning Kit Graham).
This article focuses on what each of the club’s summer signings (Drew Spence, Angharad James, Amy Turner, Celin Bizet, Nikola Karczewska, Ellie Brazil, and Ramona Petzelberger) has brought to the team and how each has done in the first part of the season.
It also includes first impressions of four young players that have had their senior Spurs debuts this season: Gracie Pearse; Lenna Gunning-Williams, Ella-Rose Houghton, and Kayleigh Stead.
Before starting, it’s worth pointing out that Spurs’ biggest problem this season has been a lack of connection across the team. This makes it hard to score players – whether to pinpoint individual culprits or identify individual potential. That’s contributed to a set of scores (out of 10) that are quite middling.
Above: Drew Spence. Photo: Girls on the Ball
Drew Spence 7/10
Spence has contributed more WSL goals (three) than the rest of Spurs’ newbies put together, and that’s not to be sniffed at. She provides glimmers of quality and her close ball control shines through. Moreover, she appears to have taken to heart head coach Rehanne Skinner’s command that the team shoots more – she has taken 26 shots in the league (about 3 per game).
There have been moments when she has linked up well, most obviously with Ash Neville (for her two goals against Brighton), but also with Jess Naz. However, despite her pedigree, the former Chelsea star has not yet been able to stamp her mark on games, even against weaker opposition. And when things are going less well she can disappear a little, and can appear deflated when she loses the ball.
Clearly, it’s an adjustment to go from combining with Sam Kerr and Pernille Harder to Roselle Ayane and Nikola Karczewska, but hopefully in 2023 (especially if rumours are to be believed and she is re-combined with her ex-teammate Beth England) Tottenham fans will see a new Spence, one consistently in sync with teammates and able to drive a coherent and creative attacking frontline. Until then she gets a decent, but slightly under-whelming seven.
Above: Angharad James. Photo: Uncredited by author.
Angharad James 6.5/10
There have been games (or at least halves) when James seems able to hunt down opposition players, take the ball and thread a pass with ease. A sign of her progressive play is that despite playing less than seven full games (of the nine so far in the WSL) she has produced 17 shot-creating actions (second only to Ash Neville). Her contribution is perhaps most obvious in so far that Spurs’ control of midfield declines when she is not on the pitch.
However, like most of the team, James has been inconsistent. On the one hand, arguably the best of the team’s holding midfielders, but on the other, she has several times left opposition players in space on the edge of the box, resulting in relatively free shots on goal. Additionally, (playing alongside Eveliina Summanen) she has struggled to provide reliable cover for the defence and securely transition the ball forwards.
More positively, she is emerging as a leader on the pitch – and has taken the captain’s armband in the couple of Conti Cup games in which Shelina Zadorsky has been absent. James also seems to have quickly created bonds with teammates – special mention here for the dances she and Nikola Karczewska have performed after Karczewska’s goals. Clearly a useful addition to the team and a definite starter (among currently available players), but not yet a complete Maeva Clemaron replacement.
Amy Turner 5.5/10
Things haven’t been easy for Amy Turner at Spurs. A lot of that is not her fault. She is a centre-back, who has played most games at right-back, thereby freeing up Ash Neville to play further forward.
At right-back Turner has put in important tackles and goal-area clearances but has frequently looked uneasy and been caught out of position. Topping off what’s surely been a frustrating start to the season was a horror own-goal away at Reading. That said, on the rare occasions that Turner has been given an opportunity to play at centre-back (against Coventry United, and in the dying minutes against West Ham), she has seemed more assured. And her attitude has been impressive – following the own-goal debacle Turner was a demon for the rest of the Reading game, charging down opponents; consistently first to balls.
Off the pitch, her straight-talking after the recent loss to Everton was much-needed. Which is to say I like having Turner at Spurs and as a centre-back (rotating with Molly Bartrip and Shelina Zadorsky) or even as part of a back-three she is a decent option, but the score of 5.5 is because she’s yet to convince in the position in which she’s being played: right-back.
Above: Amy Turner scores an own goal against Reading. Photo: Uncredited by author.
Celin Bizet 6/10
Celin Bizet is a young player who was not getting minutes at PSG. But she was also the first player (or perhaps second, after Asmita Ale) whose contract Spurs bought out. With that pedigree, expectations were a mixture of crazy-high (obvious potential) and moderated (barely had any game time).
It’s probably fair to say that she’s pretty much hit both of those: showing plenty of creative energy and skill down the wing, with a penchant for dribbling, hugging the sideline, before cleverly cutting inside and beating players one-on-one; but she has at times tried to do too much or misjudged opponents, giving the ball away and in the first few games seemed to be adjusting to the pace of the league – and her team-mates.
Overall, Bizet has shown more than enough to suggest she will grow into an interesting player and fan favourite. To fulfil that promise and get more end product is going to require her being part of a team that can benefit from and set loose her creativity. Spurs are not (yet) that team. I hope they become it.
Above: Celin Bizet. Photo: Girls on the Ball
Niki Karczewska 6.5/10
I’m going to preface this by saying that I love Niki Karczewska. She does so much well, especially for a player of her age (just turned 23). She is big and awkward for defenders to manage, backing into opposition players in a Harry Kane-esq manner. She can hold the ball up and bring in other players. And she has scored in the WSL (one) and Conti Cup (two).
None of her goals were beautiful, but they were the kind of messy goal we want to see from a penalty box striker, whose sole priority is getting the ball across the line: one involved her getting on the end of a rebound, one was poached from the goalkeeper and the final one (the only goal in a 1-0 victory over Southampton) involved her pushing the ball into the goal with her body.
What’s undermining all those positives is that Karczewska has been plagued by a series of minor injuries that have meant she’s rarely played more than a half of football (racking up just 252 minutes across the nine WSL games so far this season). The fact that Spurs have missed her when she’s not on the pitch is a sign that Karczewska is easily the best option currently available at centre-forward (at least until a Beth England transfer comes to pass).
But how she (and Spurs) do, may depend on whether she finds a way to maintain her fitness and health so that she gets a decent run in the team. Hopefully, if she does, and even if a more senior striker is brought in, Karczewska will continue to get minutes because she has masses of potential.
Ellie Brazil 6/10
Ellie Brazil played just 94 minutes across the first three games of the season before sustaining an ACL injury whilst closing down on the goalkeeper in a period of play against Manchester City at home when she was looking good.
Spurs fans had seen enough of Brazil (fast breaks down the wing; a willingness to win the ball back) in games against Leicester City and Liverpool that her absence is a loss. But they haven’t really seen how she’d settle into the team. This is her second serious injury and she’s spoken about how difficult she found it was to come back from her previous one. So it’s really sad to see her out again.
Ramona Petzleberger N/A
Ramona Petzleberger played the last 28 minutes of the North London Derby and that is it. She was an unused substitute the preceding game (at Leicester) and had minutes in most of the pre-season friendlies (in the US and against Chelsea). The club has made no statement about her three-month absence. Whatever it is, hope she is okay and able to return to the team soon. Until then, it’s impossible to judge her – so we may as well fantasise that she’ll transform the team when she does return.
Above: Ramona Petzleberger has been missing from the team for almost the whole season so far. Photo: Uncredited by author.
Spurs’ other new players
As well as their seven summer signings, debuts for some of Spurs’ younger /academy players have been seen across the season to date. None of these players have yet played enough minutes (or faced tough enough opposition) to give ratings. But the following are first impressions:
Gracie Pearse: Came on when Spurs were 7-0 up against Brighton and looked assured on the right wing, demonstrating a nice touch, good passing skills, and a willingness to get forward. Since then she has started in two Conti Cup games: against the Championship pair of Coventry United and Southampton, playing at centre-back both times. Despite a few slightly wobbly moments early on, Pearse grew into these games. She seems to be a good prospect and a solid backup for our main centre-back pairing.
Lenna-Gunning Williams: The young striker made a dream debut against Coventry United in the Conti Cup. Came on at 73 minutes and scored a powerful header in injury time to take the score to 5-1. Her confidence and willingness to take shots was again in evidence when she came on to the field in the 70th minute in another Conti Cup game against Southampton, although she did not find the back of the net this time, she showed herself able to find good positions in attack (less perfect: Williams barged into a player just outside Spurs’ penalty box but luckily this was not called). For a club short on goalscorers, Williams is an especially exciting young player and I look forward to seeing more of her.
Ella-Rose Houghton: The defensive midfielder was on the bench for both the Coventry United and Southampton Conti Cup games, coming onto the field for her debut against Coventry at half-time. In a game that Spurs won comfortably, she was relatively untroubled, but was perhaps overly cautious with the ball, rarely passing forward. As such, she did not make mistakes but also did not progress play as effectively as she might. I expect that this is a confidence issue and something that will improve over time.
Kayleigh Stead: Came on in the 78th minute as a right-sided attacking midfielder against Southampton. Again, there wasn’t a lot of time to see what she could offer. But she made a couple of good passes and took on players in the final third as well as getting back in defense. Stead won a couple of free kicks and also conceded a few, two of which came shortly after having been dispossessed. In the limited minutes, she showed potential although clearly is not yet the finished article.
Above: Kayleigh Stead, Ella-Rose Houghton, and Lenna-Gunning Williams before the Conti Cup game against Coventry United. Photo: @SpursWomen
In the first in a series of two articles reviewing Tottenham Hotspur’s start to the WSL season, Rachel Lara Cohen reviews what’s happened and what needs to be done to ensure 2023 starts better than 2022 ended(2/1/23).
Above: Kerys Harrop’s return after long term injury has been a positive for Tottenham Hotspur. Photo: Football.London.
It’s the end of the year and time to reflect on the first ‘half’ of the season.
They have conceded 17 goals. To put that in perspective last season they conceded just six more (23) across the entire season.
At the other end, Tottenham have scored 11, eight of those coming in the victory over Brighton. That means they’ve managed just three goals across their other eight games, and have not got the ball in the net in a WSL game since Halloween. The grimness of that picture is marginally alleviated by two Conti Cup wins against lower-league opposition (Coventry and Southampton): 5-1 and 1-0 respectively.
Above: Happier Days: Drew Spence and Ash Neville after scoring in the rout of Brighton. Photo: @SpursWomen
What does it mean for Spurs?
In the first six games of the season there seemed to be a pattern. Spurs arguably, lost to better teams and beat (and played better than) teams who we expected would finish lower than them in the league: beating Leicester, Liverpool, and then Brighton and losing to Arsenal, Manchester City, and Chelsea. So long as that remained the pattern it could be argued that Spurs were punching at their weight.
But the three most recent losses – to Reading (a tight 1-0), West Ham (a frustrating 2-0), and Everton (a 3-0 capitulation) – have been more worrying. The final two especially so, because they suggested not just that Spurs are struggling for goals, but also that the team has lost the ability to defend or work together as a team with a plethora of problems all over the pitch: errors borne out of miscommunication; poorly-weighted passes; a lack of competitiveness in winning loose balls; and a sense that no-one knows exactly what anyone else is doing.
Above: Kerys Harrop and Shelina Zadorsky defend West Ham’s Dagny Brynjarsdóttir. Photo: Girls on the Ball
In terms of what that means for the league, the picture is less grim than the above suggests. Tottenham finished the 2021-2 season in fifth (outside the traditional Top Four, but ‘best of the rest’). It is still feasible that Spurs can repeat that this year. West Ham who are currently in fifth have played a game more (10 to our 9) and are on 15 points and both Everton and Aston Villa (occupying 6th and 7th) are on 12 points (having played the same number of games as Spurs). That means that a consistent spell could see the North London side moving up.
Moreover, there are teams below us, most obviously Leicester on zero points, who seem more likely than us to take the single relegation spot. In other words, our recent results notwithstanding, there is not massive jeopardy, and still time to turn things around. Meanwhile, in beating Reading, Coventry United, and Southampton the team have finished top of its Conti-Cup group and will be progressing – albeit to a very tricky tie against Chelsea in the Quarter-Finals.
However, for a club that claimed to want to build on last year’s finish and that has ambitions to achieve Champions League football within a few seasons, the first half of this season has clearly been a disappointment and the fact that both the outcomes and Spurs style of play have worsened rather than improved as the season has gone on, means the winter break is sorely needed.
So what’s going on?
There are a bunch of possible explanations, so let’s go through a few of them.
1. It’s not us it’s them
Perhaps Spurs are not going backwards but are being overtaken. After all, the teams around them are also trying to make up ground. Everton significantly underperformed last season, have a squad of elite players, including a couple of excellent loanees, and have picked up where many commentators thought they would be this time last year.
West Ham, like Spurs, had a good season last year and despite the departure of their coach and a few players, were able to retain core players and recruited a couple of game-changers, while Aston Villa, in a summer coup, brought in the goal-scoring machine that is Rachel Daly. All three of these teams are clearly stronger – whether in personnel or coherence – than they were last year.
Even below that level, there are teams like Reading and Liverpool (and perhaps now Brighton) who are showing that they can do what Spurs specialised in last year – being competitive and hard to beat. Meanwhile, the top four have gone up a level with incredible strength in depth and are pulling away from the rest of the league. In this context it isn’t enough to reach the levels of last season, rather Spurs have to improve to stand still.
Above: Ash Neville battles against Arsenal’s Beth Mead. Photo: Girls on the Ball
2. It’s the injuries
Spurs have been hit with a lot of injuries. Like so many clubs we have had players out with ACL injuries (four currently – two new this season; two from last season). Of the players brought in in the summer to strengthen and/or provide cover, two have been absent for most of the season (Ellie Brazil and Ramona Petzelberger) and Spurs are yet to see Kit Graham’s return, after she was injured in November 2021.
The widespread and pervasive nature of injuries in the squad has probably exacerbated the impact of this, slowing players return to full fitness. If there are so many players out that other players are brought back or given minutes a little early it may contribute to ongoing niggles and, indeed, in lots of games we have seen late notice of players unable to play or on limited minutes, in addition to the players known to be out with long-term issues.
Most critically squad injuries have meant that there have not been players available in key positions (#9 most obviously). They have also meant a lot of chopping and changing, which has probably extended the period needed for new members of the team to gel and made it more difficult to gain on-pitch familiarity and familiar passing patterns.
3. It’s the players
The players on the pitch are clearly better than their current performances. I have repeatedly celebrated the rare joy of Ash. But she’s not alone. Molly Bartrip and Shelina Zadorsky had a fantastically solid partnership last season. Asmita Ali is an emerging talent, with the game intelligence and insight to make critical interceptions. Kerys Harrop is a born leader and one of the best readers of the game – as well as being an occasional master of the dark arts (in the best way). Drew Spence is wonderfully skilled on the ball and has played in league-winning squads. Celin BizetIldhusøy is huge fun to watch on the wing.
Jess Naz was the team’s leading provider of assists last season and is great at running at opponents with the ball. Eveliina Summanen has a massive engine. Angharad James can thread a pass. Niki Karczewska is ‘a handful’ for defenders and has an eye for goal. Tinja-Riikka Korpea and Becky Spencer have made game-winning saves for club and country.
But there is a negative spiral going on. In game after game there are ‘mistakes’. And when mistakes keep happening they are no longer mistakes, but rather a feature of the way the team is playing. It is up to the team to change that. That means better tuning into one another’s wavelengths, not losing focus, and each taking responsibility for playing to their own strengths. This is something that Amy Turner highlighted in a refreshingly honest interview after defeat to Everton in the last WSL game of the year.
4. It’s the manager
This time last season Rehanne Skinner was winning plaudits for what she’d done to develop and make competitive a squad that had not been highly rated pre-season. Her focus on fitness, playing to the final whistle, and smart positioning, as well as inculcating an environment in which players covered for one another, made Spurs a very hard team to beat.
Anyone watching last season would have said that there were, however, cracks. As the squad thinned through injury and other absences in the spring, the team’s resilience and creativity dropped and Skinner did not seem to be able to find ways to make effective in-game changes and we were too often conceding in the final minutes. But since in large part that was due to a weak bench it was hoped that she would resolve these issues this season.
Instead, those cracks have widened and some of the strengths from last season seem to have evaporated. It’s not entirely clear why. We still hear reports of a positive environment and that things are going well in training. And of course injuries and a thinner-than-expected squad have made it difficult to make effective in-game changes.
But there seems to be a few things that could be worked on. First, there are issues relating to fitness both fitness oriented to preventing future injury, but also fitness that relates to stamina and strength that will allow players to out-run and out-jump opponents and retain concentration for the full 90.
Both of these are about tailored training. Second, it’s not clear why players are making basic ball control and passing errors and whether this relates to skill or concentration. If the former, a focus on the fundamentals might help, if the latter then it’s perhaps about altering on-pitch communication and leadership.
That said, given the amount of positive work that Skinner has done at Spurs, she needs to be given the leeway to work out these issues – alongside those other problems, which she is far better placed to identify than I. That includes being backed by the club if she wants to bring in players to fill identified gaps.
5. It’s the club
Unlike Aston Villa (who signed Rachel Daly) Spurs did not make a marquee signing in the summer. Moreover, and unlike the top four WSL clubs, who are typically able to retain starting players, we lost two key players in the summer transfer window, with both Rachel Williams and Maeva Clemaron, ever-present parts of the 2021-22 team going to pastures new (otherwise known as the Manchester United bench; and Swiss team, Servette, and a blossoming Architecture career). We also knew that Ria Percival, who had played every minute prior to her May 2022 injury, would be out for the season. That meant that last summer the club needed to replace three key players to break even, even before starting to build the team.
Key Players Spurs lost at the end of 2021-22 Season • Ria Percival (box-to-box, hard-tackling, adaptability), • Maeva Clemaron (defensive cover, breaking up play, ball progression), • Rachel Williams (goal-scoring, winning aerials, hold-up play).
The strategy that Spurs adopted was to recruit young players with potential, who had not yet fully broken through (Ellie Brazil, Nikola Karczewska, Celin Bizet) alongside players with big team experience who were no longer regular starters, for whatever reason (Drew Spence, Amy Turner, Angharad James).
The emphasis on youth dovetails with Rehanne Skinner’s experience in working with young players in England and other club set-ups. It is also a relatively cheap option – undoubtedly a consideration for a club that has not previously spent heavily on the women’s team. But it is risky because there is less evidence of how players will perform nor whether they will be at the needed standard.
In short, the roster of players recruited (both younger and more experienced) were never very likely to radically transform a team in the way that Daly has done at Villa (and yes, I’m still bitter we didn’t find a way to get her to Spurs). But there are not many players who can do that. And that doesn’t mean that the strategy that Spurs adopted was bad. It does require, however, that spaces be created for younger players to learn, and that line-ups balance youth and experience. In Spurs’ case injuries (to Kyah Simon and Ellie Brazil) meant that it unravelled a little, with the club suddenly over-reliant on Niki Karczewska as the only pure #9 in the squad, but also a young player, new to the WSL who has struggled to remain fit.
Above: Summer signing, Celin Bizet, on the ball.Photo: Girls on the Ball
This is not to criticise the recruitment strategy per se. Rather, if we step back, it is undoubtedly the case that Spurs now have a deeper squad of good players and a bench that is stronger than their bench was last year (when substitutes included Angela Addison, Jiali Tang and Josie Green).
It is, however, less clear that the gaps left by Maeva Clemaron, Rachel Williams, and Ria Percival have been wholly filled. And we have the strange situation of Amy Turner (a centre-back) starting every game at right-back, initially with Ashleigh Neville at left-back, but more recently, with Asmita Ale and Kerys Harrop alternating in the left-back position and Neville in attack (indeed Neville has been Tottenham’s most incisive attacking force, with three goals and two assists in the league). Tactically moving Neville forward has worked, at least in some games, but if the club wanted a new full-back, why buy a centre-back?
This is to say that if Spurs are entering the transfer window this January – and they need to – it’s crucial that the focus is now on strenthening the starting 11, rather than building depth. That means recruiting a few top-quality players in key positions, most obviously striker, defensive midfield, and fullback (assuming that Kit Graham is nearly ready to return as a creative midfield option).
Recruiting these players is not an easy task. With a smaller pool of top talent than in the men’s game and without the promise of Champions League football or significant (bank-breaking) money on the table it is going to be an uphill strategy to get game-changers to Spurs (though fingers crossed a deal for Beth England is proving this wrong as I write it.)
Onwards and Upwards into 2023
Clearly, it’s some of all of the above – it’s other teams, it’s injuries, it’s the players, it’s the manager and it’s the club. And probably it’s a little bit of bad luck and bad weather and the Queen dying and waterlogged pitches causing postponements. And a bunch of other stuff.
The good news is a lot of those things are past or can be changed. And with a month off between the last game of 2022 and the first game of 2023 (away to Aston Villa) there’s plenty of time to address them. So here’s to the squad settling down a little, developing fitness, no more injuries, new players bringing in new energy and skills, and a shed-load of goals (and clean sheets) from this point forward.
This article was originally published on The Spurs Women blog, run by Rachel Lara Cohen. Click on this link to visit the site: https://spurswomen.uk/
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 (2/1/23)
Player of the Week:
Above: Casey Dumont – the undisputed choice of our contributors as the A-League Women’s player of the week. Photo: Melbourne Victory.
BEN GILBY:Casey Dumont. An absolute supershow from the Melbourne Victory goalkeeper. With potentially the third goalkeeping spot up for grabs in the Matildas World Cup squad, Dumont’s display should be alerting Tony Gustavsson and his coaching team.
KIERAN YAP:Casey Dumont. Canberra United are a relentless attacking team this season. Victory’s win was due largely to a series of one-on-one saves by the star goalkeeper. It’s hard to think of a better individual performance this season.
RYAN MILLER-WOODS:Casey Dumont of Melbourne Victory. The way that she played against Canberra really proved beneficial for Victory in the final result. Whenever required in the match, she ensured that no matter how many times Canberra tried to score, she was able to successfully deny them.
BEN CAREY:Casey Dumont. She made seven saves against a very aggressive Canberra and kept her third clean sheet of the season, which is the most in the league.
Coach of the Week:
Above: Newcastle Jets head coach Ash Wilson was the choice of both Bens as their coach of the week. Photo: Newcastle Jets.
BEN GILBY:Ash Wilson. Newcastle Jets have been hugely enjoyable to watch this season. They’ve scored a lot of goals and conceded even more. However, their win over a strong Adelaide United team, who appear Finals bound at Number Two Sportsground was magnificent. The task for Wilson now is to ensure her talented side build on this win. There have been too many false dawns in recent years.
KIERAN YAP:Mark Torcaso. Western United are not riding momentum, they are not just in good form. This is a well-prepared, well-organised side that are all on the same page. Five wins in a row with a tough travel schedule is no fluke. This was one of their best. Even through the chaos of the game against Perth, they stayed in control of their own game plan,
RYAN MILLER-WOODS:Mark Torcaso of Western United. There really aren’t many better combinations at the moment than Mark Torcaso and Western United. Their performance against Perth Glory to come from behind to get their fifth straight win to remain undefeated in their inaugural season was seriously impressive. He truly has them playing in such a way that even when behind in a match, they are still able to find a way to keep in the fight no matter what.
BEN CAREY:Ash Wilson. Leading Newcastle Jets to a convincing win against Adelaide United was an impressive achievement.
Event of the Week:
Above: Casey Dumont saving from Nikki Flannery was a key factor in two of our contributors choosing the Melbourne Victory v Canberra United game as their Event of the Week. Photo: Melbourne Victory.
BEN GILBY:Perth Glory v Western United. An absolute cracker as the first game of 2023. Whilst as a fanatical Perth fan, losing a 2-1 lead hurt, it can’t be denied that this was a fantastic game of football. Western United are a heck of a team. The fact that they’ve won every match they have played in their inaugural season despite only having played one game at home all season so far is scary in terms of what potentially they can achieve.
KIERAN YAP: Can I mention Casey Dumont again? Her close-range save at the feet of Nikki Flannery was brilliant and crucial. It looked like a certain goal.
RYAN MILLER-WOODS:Brianna Edwards‘s crucial save to deny Bethany Gordon in the final minutes of Wellington Phoenix against Western Sydney Wanderers. The reaction was really something else and proved to be an incredibly crucial save for Wellington to ensure they gained their first point of this season.
BEN CAREY:Melbourne Victory v Canberra United. What an exciting match full of amazing individual performances, attempts on goals, and fantastic saves from both keepers.
Graphic by: Charlotte Stacey, founder of On Her Side.
Ben Gilby reports on the post-match media conferences given by Perth Glory head coach Alex Epakis and Western United boss Mark Torcaso, along with Tom McCarthy‘s photo gallery from Macedonia Park (2/1/23).
Above: Sofia Sakalis is sent flying by a challenge against Western United yesterday. Photo: Tom McCarthy.
Perth Glory head coach Alex Epakis spoke of his frustration in letting a lead slip twice as his side went down 3-2 to unbeaten Western United on New Year’s Day.
“It’s disappointing not to get something at least. I thought some of our players had their best games of the season, but it’s just these moments in the contests that are hurting us, not going our way.
Above: Cyera Hintzen – who Perth Glory had coach Alex Epakis felt had one of her best games of the season yesterday. Photo: Tom McCarthy.
“Sofia Sakalis is really growing into that position out wide. Cyera Hintzen, Ella Mastrantonio put in a good shift. There were eight or nine players who really put their hand up and put in a great shift. That’s why it’s frustrating as I know they are hurting…It’s important for Hana to get that goal and get the monkey off her back. She’s been putting them away in training.”
The Glory started the season being punished for starting games slowly. Whilst that has been rectified in recent weeks, Epakis recognises that his team’s struggles in putting together 90 minute performances this season are hurting them.
“We weren’t perfect and we get punished for not being punished. We had a really good start. It creates momentum. We also want to finish well and play for 90 minutes. We are tough to break down in general play. It’s just a couple of set-piece moments and in broken play that we look a bit open. That’s a focus point for us and we will continue to develop. We are progressing as a team, but we don’t have as much to show for it as we would like.”
The Perth head coach identified the specific challenges that having a home venue that is as notorious for windy weather as Macedonia Park entails: “It’s two different playing styles. You have to have two different game plans and this is consistent. The wind plays a factor. I can’t do much about it, but we do adjust things at half time depending on whether we have the wind (in our favour).”
Above: Ella Mastrantonio (right) who won praise for her performance from Alex Epakis. Here, she tracks back against Western United’s Emma Robers. Photo: Tom McCarthy.
The defeat leaves Perth Glory third bottom in the A-League Women with a win and two draws to show for their opening seven matches – seven points outside a place in the Finals which many predicted the Western Australians to be chasing. Whilst Epakis recognises that the points tally is not what was hoped for, he is looking at bigger scene.
“We just have to look at the picture that is today and the picture that is tomorrow, not far ahead. We’re not where we want to be points-wise currently, but there is no other solution but to get better internally. The tide will turn, some of those moments will start going for us, we just have to make sure we are focussed on that.”
Torcaso on fighting back amidst the Macedonia Park “mayhem”
Above: Western United goalkeeper Hillary Beall makes a save amidst what head coach Mark Torcaso described as the “mayhem” yesterday. Photo: Tom McCarthy.
Western United head coach Mark Torcaso spoke of his deep pride in the way his team fought back from adversity twice to gain victory at Perth Glory on New Year’s Day.
“It’s unbelievable. That game describes where we are as a team and as a club. We just fight. Each week we don’t look at anything other than the next game. We focus on each week as it comes.”
Reflecting specifically on the match which Torcaso described as “Mayhem!” he said, “We knew it was going to be a tough game, a couple of hours on a plane. They are a good side, their coach is building a team over the past few years. I didn’t think it would be that dramatic!”
Despite Perth’s difficult start to the season results-wise, the Western United boss was not surprised by the challenges that the Glory gave his team.
“We expected Perth to come at us. They have some individuals that I know well from Victoria. They are a good team. We had to be ready for whatever came. At half-time, I just said, lets just come away with a good result. It was about us fighting and staying in the game. These girls fight for each other, they dig deep.”
Above: Hannah Keane – whose importance to Western United was emphasised by Mark Torcaso after the match, shields the ball from Liz Anton yesterday. Photo: Tom McCarthy.
Torcaso was thrilled by Hannah Keane’s performance, highlighting the influence be believes she has on the team. “Hannah Keane is a special player. She has experience in Europe. I’ve known her for about eight years and I wanted to get her into this team straight away. Hannah is critical for our side. She is quick, she is powerful, and she is big. She has a fantastic shot on her. She causes defences a lot of problems. She’ll claim that last goal every day!”
Speaking once more about the balancing act involved in getting his Matildas star Chloe Logarzo game time, Torcaso revealed that whilst limiting her initial load and managing minutes is the primary concern, he also recognises that players who have started Western United’s winning start also deserve to keep their spots.
“Chloe wanted to start (on New Year’s Day), but she has a few weeks probably to go yet. She was ready today, but we are looking after her. We hadn’t lost a game going into today, so we’ve got to make sure we owe the players who are doing a job. Chloe is a fighter but she understands where she is at. She is driven about being ready for the World Cup.”
Tom McCarthy’s photo gallery from Macedonia Park:
Graphic by: Charlotte Stacey, founder of On Her Side.
Above: Wellington Phoenix celebrate home town hero Michaela Robertson’s goal that put them ahead. Photo: A-League Women.
Wellington Phoenix and Western Sydney Wanderers shared the points in a tight match that could have either way thanks to goals by Michaela Robertson and Sheridan Gallagher.
Wellington had the best of it early on. An inception by Grace Wisnewski saw her find debutant Milly Clegg whose shot just went wide for a Western Sydney goal kick.
Clegg had another chance when, via a free kick by Saskia Vosper, her effort was blocked out by Clare Hunt for a corner. Michaela Foster’s flag kick curled towards Alexia Apostolakis and forced Jordyn Bloomer to somehow prevent a goal from being scored on the line as she pushed the ball away for another corner.
Western Sydney Wanderers came close in the 13th minute when Marisa Van der Meer’s backpass to Brianna Edwards was pounced on by former Nix player Cushla Rue who got in a first-time shot at goal in the box which went just went wide of the post.
Above: Wellington Phoenix debutant Milly Clegg was well involved all afternoon. Photo: Wellington Phoenix.
Wanderers used this as the starting point for a flurry of opportunities. A beautiful through ball by Hunt in the 18th minute found Sheridan Gallagher, but after pushing Van der Meer to the ground found Rue, but a poor first touch of the ball allowed the Wellington defence to clear the ball away.
In the 38th minute, Bethany Gordon’s superb effort from outside the box that forced Nix keeper Edwards into an amazing save to put the ball over the bar.
Within three minutes the game’s opening goal was scored. The home side earned a corner which was guided in by Foster. Bloomer tried to punch the ball clear, but only managed to push it up into the air to Wisnewski whose header hit the bar and fell for Wellington-born Michaela Robertson to hit first time into the net.
Western Sydney was able to equalise in the second half in the 60th minute thanks to a great sequence of play by Malia Steinmetz who passed the ball forward to Amy Harrison who then fed a crucial through ball into the box that found the feet of Gallagher with her first-time shot going under Edwards and into the back of the net.
There was one final chance that went the way of the visitors five minutes into stoppage time. Harding crossed the ball into the box, it was headed away initially before falling into the path of Gordon whose powerful shot at goal was brilliantly saved by Edwards.
Above: A point earned for Western Sydney Wanderers, but it is wins that both they and Wellington Phoenix desperately need Photo: Western Sydney Wanderers.
The result sees both Wellington and Western Sydney claim their first point of the season – but ultimately it is an outcome that advances neither of their causes as the pair remain rooted to the bottom of the ladder.
Wellington Phoenix head coach Natalie Lawrence had mixed feelings after the match when she spoke to the media. “I think we did enough to win it. We had more shots, we had more crosses and we had more entries into the penalty box.
“I don’t think anyone would have had any complaints if we did win it, but I’m more happy that we didn’t lose. Getting a point helps us build. We wanted to start the new year continuing to build and more points will come.”
She was left to rue missed opportunities. “It’s going to have to be something we continue to work on and get more clinical and a bit more composed. I think we get into those moments and lash out at the ball or lose our instincts a little bit and that probably happens when you’re not scoring heaps of goals.”
But Lawrence was proud how her side responded to Wanderers’ equaliser. “When I look at that second half and especially us pushing and pushing and pushing it shows the heart of the team. We’ve lost games but we’re not just happy with a point, we want to go for the win. That’s something we’re going to try and build on.”
Above: Larissa Crummer, Shea Connors, and Kirsty Fenton scramble to the ball. Photo: Sydney FC.
Sydney FC closed out the year with a commanding win over Brisbane Roar on a sunny and humid Saturday afternoon. The 4-1 win made it two from two against Brisbane, having dispatched them just three weeks before.
The match started out with a flurry of chances up both ends, but the first big opportunity came for Sydney FC in just the third minute after an excellent run from Cortnee Vine who crossed it into Mackenzie Hawkesby. Hawkesby received the ball inside the six-yard box but ballooned it high over the goal, much to the delight of Brisbane’s backup keeper Isabella Shuttleworth, who was making her first start for the season.
The visitors broke the deadlock after only 13 minutes when Princess Ibini pulled off an incredible solo run into the box, past the Roar defenders, and sneaked the ball past the keeper from a very tight angle.
𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐈𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐢, 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐁𝐑𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐈𝐀𝐍𝐓! 👑 🌟
A ✨𝙢𝙖𝙯𝙮 ✨ solo run & finish to fire @SydneyFC in front! 🔥
Just ten minutes later, Ibini turned provider with a quick and low cross to Sarah Hunter, who scored her second goal of the season and Sydney’s second of the match.
Brisbane’s best attempt of the first half came in the 33rd minute from a beautiful, high looping ball from Hollie Palmer, which looked like it was going to sail high over the goal, but dipped late towards the net, hit the left post, and bounced out to safety.
A few minutes later, there was a free kick from Hunter just outside the 18-yard box. Hunter hit a fantastic shot into the upper left corner, which Shuttleworth parried into the post, but the ball fell favourably for Sydney defender, Nat Tobin, who tucked it away to secure Sydney’s third goal of the day.
Just before stoppage time expired in the first half, Katrina Gorry took a good long-range shot on goal, but it hit the crossbar and stayed out. Going into halftime the Sydney backup keeper, Katie Offer, and the goalposts had both made two saves each.
The second half picked up where the first left off, with high intensity from both sides out of the gates. Brisbane had a great chance about five minutes in, after a cross from Palmer found the head of Larissa Crummer, who was in the six-yard box unmarked, but the ball just floated over the crossbar. Crummer was celebrating her 50th appearance for the Roar and would have loved a goal to cap it off.
On the counterattack, Hawkesby set up Madison Haley’s fourth goal of the season. She is now Sydney’s top scorer this season, two ahead of both Siemsen and Hunter.
Brisbane Roar fired back in the 69th minute when Roar captain Ayesha Norrie, weaved through the Sydney defence and slotted the ball between the keeper and the goal post from a very difficult angle. Although it was a consolation goal, Norrie achieved what only one other person, Emilia Murray, has done this season, and that is score against Sydney FC. It showed that the Sky Blues could bleed, and it got the Roar and the decent hometown contingent fired up.
About ten minutes later, Gorry had another fantastic attempt from outside the 18-yard box. The ball was travelling to the top corner and Offer got hands to it, but fumbled as she fell backwards onto the ground. It was something of a Christmas miracle that kept the ball out, and had fans chanting for a VAR review, which of course is absent in the A-League Women’s.
Surprisingly in the last 20 minutes or so, Sydney was relatively happy to sit back and absorb the pressure, perhaps wanting to preserve their favourable goal difference. Brisbane Roar had several good attempts on goal, but these were either blocked by Sydney defenders or the keeper was equal to them. The score remained unchanged for the rest of the match.
Sydney FC proved once again why they are the team to beat. Quick and accurate passing, relentless pressure, and a team bursting at the seams with goal providers and goal scorers, make them incredibly difficult to beat. Sometimes watching Sydney FC play is like watching Barcelona play, when they are switched on, they are just so impressive.
Tobin, Hawkesby, and Ibini had a phenomenal day at the office, all of which either scored or were involved in one or more of Sydney’s goals. In the Roar camp, Gorry was the standout performer with her physicality and the fierce determination of a bulldog always trying to win the ball back and set up her teammates or take shots on goal. Had her two shots that hit the woodwork gone in it could have been a very different match. But that’s football.
Brisbane Roar have a bye next week and Sydney FC will take on the Newcastle Jets, who will be taking some confidence into the matchup, having just scored a surprising win over Adelaide United.
Above: Casey Dumont dives to save from Nikki Flannery. Photo: @gomvfc twitter
Melbourne Victory defeated Canberra United 1-0 in their last game of 2022 at CB Smith Reserve.
Jeff Hopkins’ side was forced into a number of changes to face Njegosh Popovich’s team who arrived in Melbourne looking to reverse their two-game losing streak. Victory were missing Claudia Bunge, and Gema Simon from defence, Elise Kellond-Knight from midfield, and in-form striker Melina Ayres from the attack.
Jessika Nash shifted to centre back to cover for Bunge. Tiffany Eliadis moved into the midfield to partner Alex Chidiac and Alana Murphy. Young Matilda and Bulleen Lions playmaker Paige Zois started for the first time this season, with Danish attacker Rikke Madsen playing as the centre forward.
Canberra United welcomed back Chloe Lincoln in goal, and Ellie Brush started for the first time since her knee injury for Sydney FC last year.
On a hot day, both sides started with intensity, looking to get an early lead and force the other to chase in the unforgiving conditions. Victory began with three quick crosses into the box, but without their familiar target of Ayres in the middle, Canberra were able to clear.
Melbourne almost took the lead through spectacular style. 17-year-old midfield general Alana Murphy lined up from almost 30 yards and her shot had the crowd ready to celebrate. It only just missed the target but was an effort that is becoming typical of the fan favourite.
Michelle Heyman responded for the visitors. The Canberra captain stole the ball from Kayla Morrison and raced into the box, but her shot was dragged wide of the far post.
The two sides played with contrasting styles. Victory looked to attack in numbers, and give themselves options in attack while pressing to keep the ball there. Canberra United used their pace and passing range to launch long counterattacks.
Heyman found Grace Jale behind the Victory defence, and the home side was rescued by a terrific save from Casey Dumont.
One of the more intriguing battles of the day was Michelle Heyman versus Jess Nash. The 18-year-old centre-back was up against the club where she made her name two seasons ago. Heyman was constantly dangerous as usual, and when she got goal side caused the home crowd to hold their breath or cover their eyes. But Nash performed well against very strong opposition and her performance was crucial to the win.
For most of the first half, both sides struggled to convert their chances, until Paige Zois and Alex Chidiac combined in the 44th minute.
Zois received the ball wide on the left, flanked by Canberra midfielders. She only needed a moment to slice open the defence with a perfectly placed through ball for Chidiac to run onto. She ran as close to goal as possible to make it certain and drilled it hard and low past Lincoln to give Melbourne the lead.
Chidiac is so often the supplier of magic passes. This time she got to be on the end of one.
The ball from Paige Zois 🪄 The finish from Chids 👌
Victory’s hero of the day was Dumont. She ensured that Victory went into half-time in the lead after another brilliant save to deny Vesna Milivojevic.
It was just one in a series of match-winning saves from the Victory keeper. Heyman created a seemingly easy chance for Nikki Flannery, but Dumont’s dive denied an almost certain goal.
She stepped up once again to stop Jale from the other side, before being rescued by the crossbar from another Flannery effort. Canberra was trying every sort of attack from every angle and area but could not beat Dumont.
That was the pattern of the second half, Canberra attacked, and Dumont denied. It was a hard-fought win by the home side, and their fourth in a row. It was another tough loss by Canberra United who outplayed Victory for much of the game, but could not find the net.
Above: Lauren Allan celebrates her goal for Newcastle Jets. Image: NewcastleJetsfc Instagram
Newcastle Jets ended the year on a high, as they picked up a much-needed win in the Liberty A-League.
It was a belter of a day on the last day of 2022 at No2. Sportsground, as just under 900 fans watched Ash Wilson’s side pick up a 2-0 victory against Adelaide United, the Jets had lost three games on the bounce before yesterday’s game.
Adelaide had a good chance in the opening stages, as Melinda Barbieri went close with a free kick that was brilliantly saved by Georgina Worth.
United had the better of the chances in the opening half an hour with a few chances but to no avail. They went close again in the 27th minute as Dylan Holmes’ cross was flapped at by Worth and cleared off the line by Cannon Clough.
The Reds finished the half strong with Fiona Worts’ cross-turned shot almost catching Worth off guard as she looped the ball towards the goal and hit the crossbar.
Above: Adeliade United’s Chelsie Dawber battles for possession at Newcastle Jets yesterday. Photo: Adelaide United.
Into the second half and the Jets woke up, as Cass Davis nearly scored from a corner, but it was saved by Annalee Grove.
Adelaide thought they had broken the deadlock in the 53rd minute, but Chelsie Dawber’s effort was ruled out for offside.
Newcastle took the lead 15 minutes into the second half as a great ball from Davis set Lauren Allen away one v one with Grove and despite the goalkeeper’s best efforts, the ball found its way into the back of the net.
Allen bagged her second of the game two minutes from time to see the win as it was Tara Andrews’ turn to play through Allen to slot the ball home in the bottom corner of the net to seal all three points.
After picking their first home win of the season, Ash Wilson’s side will next play Sydney FC on the 7th of January at No.2 Sportsground at 3pm.
Above: Celebrations for Western United who came from 2-1 down to defeat Perth Glory today. Photo: Keep Up.
Western United came from behind twice to maintain their perfect start to their first-ever A-League Women season in a spiky New Year’s Day encounter at Macedonia Park.
This was a game full of drama with goals galore and a real physical edge. Mark Torcaso’s visitors had considerably more shots (23 to nine), but they could never shake off a Perth Glory side that showed occasional flashes of brilliance in attack combined with a hugely impressive performance by Sarah Langman in goal.
The home side welcomed back key striker Rylee Baisden who missed Tuesday’s trip to Melbourne City with a minor injury. Sadie Lawrence also stepped up from the bench to replace the unwell Sarah Cain. Susan Phonsongkham was a sub.
Two weeks on from their previous match, Western United’s Stacey Papadopoulos was back after suffering from concussion against Adelaide United. Kahli Johnson came into the starting line-up along with Julia Sardo.
Whilst it was the unbeaten visitors who gained much of the possession in the earliest of exchanges, the Glory defence, which worked so well at AAMI Park last time out stayed strong.
Sofia Sakalis, who was so impressive with her skillful touches and vision in Perth’s last game was at it again with eight minutes gone with real impact. Out on the left flank, Sakalis gathered the ball, turned her marker, and within one movement, threaded through an inch-perfect pass into the stride of Cyera Hintzen in the box who squared the ball to her right for fellow American Baisden to direct into the net.
Above: Rylee Baisden shows her joy after putting Perth Glory ahead today. Photo: Keep Up.
It was only the fourth goal Western United have conceded in five games this season, and the Victoria side were thrown defensively. Within six minutes Perth could have doubled their lead when Baisden’s ball was deflected into the path of Hintzen, who was just about to pull the trigger when Sardo dived in with a perfectly timed tackle.
The visitors pushed up to set an attack within moments, earning their first corner. Lifted in high from the left, Sydney Cummings beat Kim Carroll in the air to direct a header that Sarah Langman did well to push against the bar, only for Hannah Keane to respond quickest to direct the ball over the line to level the scores.
The game was now alive and becoming increasingly end-to-end. United’s World Cup winner Jess McDonald drove through the centre of midfield and laid a pass off to Keane outside her on the right. A low ball across to the left-hand side of the box found Johnson who directed a shot that Langman got down well to save at the post.
Just before the half-hour mark, the visitors were having more of the possession from an attacking perspective. McDonald earned a free-kick when her cross came off Rigby’s arm just outside the box on the right. The resulting ball came in and led to a corner. With Western United’s prowess from set-pieces growing, the corner from the left came in high once more. Liz Anton blocked one shot from the visitors before Langman’s dive denied Johnson again.
McDonald was becoming increasingly influential. A long ball from Keane curled a clever into her path running into the box. The intelligent length on the ball meant that Langman had to decide quickly whether to stand her ground or advance towards the American attacker. In the end, the Perth goalkeeper opted for the latter and the danger went. The visitors were now well on top and the Glory needed to see out the remaining 10 minutes without conceding again.
Five minutes before the break, controversy centred around Western United goalkeeper Hillary Beale in two incidents within 60 seconds. Baisden split the United defence beautifully to play in Sakalis. A heavy touch handed the advantage to Beale and Sakalis went down in the box. Despite loud claims from the home bench, penalty claims were waved away correctly as there was little in the way of contact.
Above: Perth Glory’s Cyera Hintzen, who linked up well with Rylee Baisden throughout the game, gets away from Sydney Cummings. Photo: Keep Up.
Within a minute, Baisden’s clever link-up play was in evidence once more as her long ball released Hintzen who was met outside the area by Beale in a clash of legs. Referee Caitlin Williams showed a yellow to Beale which provoked more frustration from the home side who believed it was a sending-off offence. The resulting free kick from Hana Lowry curled well over the bar.
There was still time for more drama before the half-time whistle went. Emma Rober’s shot came back off Anton allowing Johnson to fire an effort that Langman tipped over – the latest personal duel between them. It led to a corner, as the visitors continued to cause chaos in the Perth box with set-pieces. This time Anton’s header came back off her own bar. Perth survived for 1-1 at the break.
The second half opened with end-to-end opportunities. Whilst Western United couldn’t quite penetrate, the home side did. Rigby’s slide tackle in midfield drove the ball forward but with a deflection, there was a big slice of backspin on the bounce which Ella Mastrantonio took advantage of to beat Alana Cerne and find Lowry in the box. The locally-born midfielder took control, beat Melissa Taranto, and sidefooted a finish into the right-hand corner of the net.
The visitors responded immediately with McDonald playing a low ball in from the right which Keane slid in for at the near post, but her effort went wide.
On the hour mark, Mark Torcaso introduced Matildas star Chloe Logarzo and she stamped her class on the encounter within 10 minutes. McDonald’s ball across from right caused problems at the back for Perth as Keane’s run blocked off Anton allowing Logarzo to fire home the equaliser.
Above: Within 10 minutes of coming onto the pitch Chloe Logarzo was on target for Western United. Photo: Keep Up.
Keane was involved again shortly afterwards as she broke through the centre and cut in which allowed her to see off the Glory defensive pair of Carroll and Anton before curling a shot towards the top left-hand corner that Langman saved well.
Glory continued to create, and a high ball in from the right saw Sakalis and Gabriella Coleman leap for the same ball and it eventually fell for Demi Koulizakis who fired in shot that Beall blocked.
The game was decided with four minutes left. Alana Cerne earned a free kick outside the box to the right of centre. Melissa Taranto played it in, Langman repelled, but the ball dropped to Keane who shot, Koulizakis tried to clear off the line but only succeeded in helping the ball into the net and United were in front for the first time all afternoon.
All the stats show that Western United deserved the victory. They had the competition’s season’s best XG (expected goals) of over 4.1, but despite this they could never quite shake off the Western Australians who contributed to a hugely watchable encounter.
Perth Glory remain a curates egg of a team this season. They have shown flashes of their potential in every game this season, but have never managed to produce a 90-minute performance to turn that potential into the points that many predicted they would earn this season.
Western United are the real deal. No-one thought they would struggle in their inaugural campaign, but equally not many put their hand up to suggest Mark Torcaso’s side as being in contention for silverware. They certainly are now.
