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Long Stratton: Looking For A Successful End To The Season

Above: Luci Middleton in action for Long Stratton. Photo: Darren Gilham.

Long Stratton attackers Samantha Walker and Luci Middleton speak to Darrell Allen about (27/2/22).

Sam wears the number 10 shirt and joined Long Stratton from Bungay Town in 2018, she began our chat by introducing herself. “I’ve been with Long Stratton for four seasons now, but always knew of them prior to that as a decent up and coming team in the area.

I took over as captain from the famous Jenny Head (now Nichols) when she retired her at the end of the 2018/2019 season. Adam Race took over as coach for the 2019/2020 season and as they say, the rest is history.”

Luci’s football career is one of over 20 years and has an impressive CV. “I have played football for 21 years. I was involved with Norwich City from the age of four until 14 when I moved to Hethersett to begin playing ladies’ football. I moved to Norwich after a County Cup Final at 16 then followed my manager to a newly formed North Walsham before retiring at 24 with a head injury that I had suffered with since 16. Three years later and I went to watch Long Stratton in a friendly, ended up playing and signing that day! I only became a striker when I was 16, playing on the right side of midfield for 12 years.”

The pair agreed that, on the whole it has been a successful campaign for the club so far. “I think it’s fair to say we’ve had a good share of success this season, but we’ve also had a few knockbacks in fixtures we would have liked to have won to secure a more solid position in the top half of the table.

As a squad, I think we are working hard to cement a winning mentality in order to finish the season on a high. I think we have some really fabulous players and a group of ladies who can grind out some tough results when we face difficult fixtures so I have high expectations for the team going forward.”

Luci agreed.”‘We train hard regularly with good numbers and a fantastic management team. We’re challenging technically with some of the top teams in the league but have had some unfortunate results. At the beginning of the season, I was just happy to be back on the pitch and told myself I wouldn’t let results or performances bother me but, after playing one game, I could see I was surrounded by determined, talented players and I wanted to win. I think with the talent within our squad, we should be challenging amongst the top half of the league but results haven’t gone our way at times.”

Back in January, Long Stratton controversially exited the Norfolk Women and Girls League Cup on penalties after a 3-3 draw at Fakenham Town but the cup rules were not followed as the tie went straight to penalties when extra time should have taken place.

**Above:** Sam Walker scores for Long Stratton. **Photo:** Darren Gilham.

Luci revealed that the situation has been remedied. “The match is being replayed on Sunday 27th February. We had a few players out with injuries and some carrying some so I’m excited for the replay. It’s anyone’s game as both teams will be determined to win and will be really up for it. I love a gritty, leave everything out there kind of game, it suits me perfectly so I am really buzzing to get out there and do the club proud. We are of course really happy with the decision to replay and hopefully, we get the result we want.”

Sam also gave her thoughts on what has been a really difficult situation for all involved. “This was a really difficult situation, but as a squad and with the backing of the wider club we fought and campaigned for what was right. We went toe to toe with Fakenham in the original fixture, and I don’t think anyone can say what would have happened if the game went to extra time, obviously, there was a lot of controversy around the rules being broken and what the right course of action should be, but fortunately, the league and the FA worked together to decide a replay would be the most fair option.

“Obviously, both sides will be going out for a win, and I think it’s anyone’s game at the moment, but we’ll leave everything out there and we’re just thankful that a replay in line with the rules of the league cup has been granted’

Sam then went on to talk about stars of the season so far. “Special mentions have to go firstly to Jody Todd, our goalkeeper, she broke her radius in pre-season and was out of action for a large part of the season. However, she has come back fighting, works harder than ever in training, and has pulled out some incredible saves to keep us in some big fixtures since her return.

“Secondly to Luci Middleton, although she is a Rangers fan which is shocking from her, she really has come on leaps and bounds with the team this season. From missing about 15 sitters in her first game to hitting the back of the net nearly every week, she’s a real asset to the squad. Finally, to Kayleigh Gallant, who is just a top-tier club person, she washes the kit every week, she runs the bar on home games, always the first in and the last out.

“On top of that, she’s an NHS nurse and has had a couple of the roughest years, but throughout, she has remained the most kind-hearted and cheerful person. In all honesty though, I could say something exceptional about all the girls I share a pitch with, they really are a fantastic bunch.”

Luci also acknowledged some of the club’s heroes. “Kate Ransome-Farmer for me has been excellent. She is consistent, strong, creative and has been a key asset for us. Also our captain, Sam Walker. Sam has scored 30 goals so far this season and assisted most of mine! She causes opposition defences issues each game, I’d say she’s the most clinical striker in the league, the stats speak for itself.

**Above:** Kate Ransome-Farmer – a key part of the Long Stratton team this season. **Photo:** Darren Gilham.

“We also have Kayleigh Gallant and Harriet Hunwicks Rush who contribute so much on and off the pitch. They do so much behind the scenes and ensure the successful running of the club from working behind the bar on match days to fundraisers to putting in a shift on the pitch. They’re incredible!”

Luci identified her stand-out moments of the season so far starting with “…our 15-1 cup win in December. It was the best we’ve played as a team and the scoreline reflects how dominant and clinical we were. Nothing can top Milly Cawcutt’s bullet header against Thorpe though. Highlight of the season for me. I don’t think I’ve ever celebrated a goal quite like that! I honestly just love every second. Training is always so much fun and I’m grateful for every minute I get on the pitch, especially with my injury.”

Sam didn’t have a specific moment but just wanted to emphasize her love of the game. “I’ve just enjoyed being back out playing normal football. I’m a fan of all things football so I’m so happy to see it back and thriving. Long may it continue.”

One of the highlights all round is the ethos at Long Stratton. Sam said: “I think all football clubs are finally seeing a shift in the way their women’s teams are viewed, however at Long Stratton we have always had the backing of the club and the support of our club committee.”

**Above:** Sam Walker tries to get away from a defender for Long Stratton. **Photo:** Darren Gilham.

Luci agreed. “Long Stratton is one club. Something I really love is how united all the teams are. Everyone supports everyone. We have some of the youth team players regularly attending our matches which is so lovely to see.”

Luci also highlighted her connections to Norfolk’s most famous women’s football product, Lauren Hemp. “I’ve been fortunate enough to know Lauren since she was an academy player at Norwich alongside my sister, Hope and I also played with Lauren’s sister, Amy, when I was at North Walsham so I know how much hard work and dedication Lauren has put into her career and it’s amazing to watch her play professionally and see her succeed.”

The pair concluded our conversation by outlining targets for the campaign. “I want to see us finish strong in the top half of the table,” said Sam. “I’d also like to see us progress to the next round of the cup after our replayed fixture. On a personal note, as a striker I just love to score goals, so I’d like to finish in the top five of the Division One’s top goal scorers chart.”

Luci is also aiming high and gunning for goals. “I’d like to score 30 goals. My Year Five class set me a target of 20 goals this season so I’m happy to have reached that, however, I think I’ve got a few more in me! I’d like to assist more too. I’ve always been that typical number nine, but not sure how many more years of pace I have left so I’m definitely looking to improve my creativity and assist a lot more.

“As a team, I want to keep winning. We’re currently undefeated in 2022 and it would be incredible to keep that good form up. We also recently managed back-to-back clean sheets for the first time since February 2019 which just shows you how solid our defence is. Regular clean sheets are definitely something we’d like to aim for as a whole team.”

Epakis and Mihocic Hail Positive Mindset Ahead of Sydney Clash

Above: Perth Glory head coach Alex Epakis. Photo: Perth Glory.

Ahead of tomorrow’s match Impetus’ Ben Gilby heard from Perth Glory head coach Alex Epakis, and defender Claudia Mihocic as the Western Australians prepare to face Sydney FC in Tasmania (26/2/22).

Perth Glory head coach Alex Epakis remains totally focused on his own team’s performances rather than working out potential mathematics for Finals qualification.

“For me, two solid performances in our last games, attacking the matches in the way we want to would please me. Whether that leaves us where we want to be in terms of Finals is secondary. We’re really proud of what we’ve achieved so far. We want to perform at our best and then we have to see what happens and see where we are.”

Epakis’ team travel to Launceston to take on leaders Sydney FC, looking to show how far they have come since going down 4-0 in the Harbour City in early January.

“I actually look back to the last time we played them (a 4-0 defeat) and see it as a turning point in our season. It was our third game in seven days and were a bit flat. We learned a lot about ourselves as a team and where we were at. We’ve matured and improved from then,” he said.

“We also know a bit more about them, and more prepared about what we can do. We’re not going out to take a backward step. We’re going to attack the game and we’re going to put on a performance to get a result. I have big faith in what the players can do. After the game against Victory, they should have that faith too.”

With Glory still based in Sydney, the head coach explained the itinerary that his team face over the coming days.

“We’ll have our matchday minus preparation here in Sydney early tomorrow morning before heading to the airport for 10:30am to fly over to Tassie, play the game on Sunday, and back to Sydney on Monday.”

Whilst the relocation of the game to Tasmania as part of a doubleheader with Perth’s men’s team came pretty late in the day, Epakis doesn’t see it as a problem. Rather as yet another hurdle to clear this season.

**Above:** Perth Glory head coach Alex Epakis speaking to the media this week. **Photo:** Perth Glory.

“We haven’t had a routine. It’s been much of a muchness. It’s not a disruption. It’s the job, it’s what we have to do. We’ve had to do it the hard way for two years now. It is what it is.

Perth’s excellent win at Melbourne Victory last weekend saw defender Claudia Mihocic turn in an impressive debut performance. Glory’s head coach rates the 18-year-old highly.

“Claudia was a really important signing for us. Due to her Final Year 12 exams in Melbourne and border closures, she wasn’t able to join us until we moved to Sydney. She’s only been with us now for eight weeks. She connected with the group. She is a very intelligent and social person. I’m glad everyone got a chance to see what she was capable of (on debut at Melbourne Victory).

“She has fantastic ability, leadership, and character. She has the mindset to be the best she can. The fact she is here this year and next year excites me and I’m looking forward to working with her.

“Claudia finished Year 12. She was happy to move to the other side of the country to test herself. She had been involved with Melbourne Victory for a while. She really backed herself to see what was out there. Full credit to her for that, it’s not easy.”

Mihocic’s performance last weekend eased the pain of Liz Anton being away on international duty with New Zealand at the SheBelieves Cup. At the present time, it is not confirmed whether Anton will play any part in tomorrow’s match.

“Liz has had some good experiences in the USA. She will get in very early tomorrow morning (Saturday). We’ll see how she trains. Obviously, she is an international player, so it is great to have her in the squad. She’s very honest so if she is right, she’ll be in the team.

Epakis revealed that, apart from Anton’s potential return, selection remains generally settled. “The squad will remain pretty similar to the one involved last weekend with Melbourne Victory. The only one not available is Leena Khamis. She has an important personal commitment that she can’t get out of. That’s totally fine as we knew it was the case when we signed her as an injury replacement.

**Above:** Claudia Mihocic speaking to the media ahead of tomorrow’s game with Sydney FC. **Photo:** Perth Glory.

Perth Glory defender Claudia Mihocic spoke of her huge pride in making her debut in front of her family at AAMI Park.

“Mum asked for 10 tickets, but I think there were at least double that at the game!” Mihocic laughed.

“I had a lot of support from Kim (Carroll), Tash (Rigby), and Mie (Leth Jans). Being surrounded by those players was great. Tash let me know how much she believed in me and how much faith she had. It really helped to calm me down. The whole team had that confidence in me. That, in turn gave me belief.

“The quality and intensity is a big jump. I think it was eight months since I last played in the Victoria NPL so I had forgotten what it was like, so to come into the A-League Women was a big step up, but I felt like I could adjust during the game and get into the swing of things.”

“My last game was pre-lockdown in Melbourne back in July. I have done lots of running and got all the programs I needed. There were one on one sessions with a coach in Melbourne which helped me retain my ball skills. By the time I got to finally train with the team was a huge relief. It took a little while to get used to it and get match fitness, but it feels good to be at that level.”

“It was hugely helpful having Alana (Jancevski) and Sofia (Sakalis) already here at the club. It was so great that I could come in having players that I was close to, along with Sarah Cain who I had played NPL with really eased me in. They helped me get to know everyone. But the girls that I didn’t know were lovely too and helped me.”

Looking ahead to Sunday’s game, Mihocic said: “They are very technical with a fast front three who have chemistry together. However, I have so much confidence in our back line. We know what they can do, but we also know what we can do. We know we can stop their attacks. Coming off a clean sheet last week is a real confidence booster. Everyone is coming in with a good mindset. Defensive work across the whole team can help defuse their attack.”

Second Half Floodgates Open Leaving City Feeling Blue

Chelsea 7-0 Leicester City

by Ben Gilby (26/2/22)

Above: Sam Kerr and Pernille Harder, who both scored twice, celebrate after Chelsea overcame a difficult start to defeat Leicester City 7-0 at Kingsmeadow. Photo: Ben Gilby for Impetus.

Chelsea eased their way past Leicester City to make the FA Cup Quarter-Finals with five goals in 25 second-half minutes.

Australia’s record scorer Sam Kerr and Danish star Pernille Harder both grabbed a brace, but the scoreline doesn’t exactly tell the full story.

When Leicester visited Kingsmeadow in October, they parked the proverbial bus and defended for their lives. Despite mustering almost 80% possession, it took Chelsea 73 minutes to break the deadlock that day.

This time round, City were well organized across the pitch and had the best of the opening 20 minutes. What ultimately changed the momentum was Sophie Howard’s sending off after 17 minutes after going into a tackle studs first on Jonna Andersson. Whilst the Leicester supports correctly claimed Howard took the ball, the fact is you cannot risk going in to tackles like that without receiving a card.

Chelsea gradually asserted control as the half concluded and scored two good goals through Pernille Harder.

The second half was a slow burner until Sam Kerr’s first goal on the hour mark opened the floodgates. The East Fremantle-born star added a second with Ji scoring a cracker from the left-hand side of the box before Aniek Nouwen and Beth England completed the rout.

Ben Gilby’s Photo Gallery From Kingsmeadow for Impetus:

Teams: CHELSEA (4-4-2): Berger, Charles, Bright, Nouwen, Andersson, James, Ji, Harder, Kerr, Kirby. Substitutes: Musovic (GK), Carter, England, Reiten, Fleming, Spence, Abdullina.

Scorers: Harder 24′, 36′. Kerr 60′, 82′. Ji 65′, Nouwen 79′, England 85′.

LEICESTER CITY (3-4-2-1): Lambourne, Howard, McManus, Brougham, de Graaf, Tierney, Pike, Pirfield, O’Brien, Gregory, Flint. Substitutes: Devlin, Goodwin, Bailey-Gayle, Barker, Smith, Robinson, Harris (GK).

Referee: Emily Heaslip.

Attendance: 2,723.

Adelaide Claim First Final Berth

Adelaide United 3-0 Melbourne Victory

Above: Adelaide United celebrate clinching their first-ever spot in the Finals. Photo: Adelaide United.

By Kieran Yap (26/2/22)

Perfect weather and Coopers Stadium was the stage for Adelaide United to host Melbourne Victory in a match that for all intents and purposes was a final. The Reds sat in third position and a win would guarantee a first-ever finals spot. Melbourne Victory had Perth Glory breathing down their neck in fourth position.

Victory were buoyed by the announcement that Alex Chidiac’s contract was extended until the end of the season. The playmaker was making a return to her hometown for the first time this season in a must-win game against her former club.

The setting was the first Pride Game in Australian football history. The match was a celebration of the LGBTQI+ community, and the league and Adelaide had strongly promoted the concept midweek. The only smoke in the sky was from a series of rainbow flares from behind the goal. All of the ingredients were in place for the perfect football event.

Catherine Zimmerman had the first chance of the game. Courtney Nevin received the ball in space on the left and whipped in the sort of ball that has become her trademark. The header was wide but Victory earned a corner via a deflection that Analee Grove handled easily.

Both sides had difficulty making passes stick early. Chidiac was incisive with her balls into the final third, but it was the home side that scored first.

Dylan Holmes held up the ball well then flicked a pass to Chelsie Dawber on the wing. The low cross found Fiona Worts who took a touch to open up space, then on the second attempt scored past Casey Dumont.

**Above:** Scenes of joy after Fiona Worts doubled Adelaide United’s lead. **Photo:** Adelaide United.

Once Adelaide score, they almost always get another. Worts doubled the lead barely five minutes later. Shay Evans carried the ball on the right and played a terrific ball across to Omiya. She was tackled well by Polly Doran but Emily Hodgson recovered the ball and fed Worts.

Dumont saved the first shot but once again, Worts reacted quickly and tucked it away to make it 2-0.

Adelaide kept the pressure up for the remainder of the half but Victory almost pulled one back. Brooke Hendrix met a corner at the back post and it forced the best out of Grove. She was equal to it, and then again straight after when Hendrix almost scored again from the opposite side.

Grove must be one the league’s most improved players this season. Adelaide United have not boasted the run of clean sheets that Sydney has but in their all-out attacking style, she has been essential and excellent.

Victory found themselves 3-0 down within minutes of the second-half kick-off. If fans were late to their seats they would have missed it. It was that combination again, Dawber to Worts, and this time she only needed one strike to put the ball away after another cross from the right.

Victory’s best chances came from set-pieces, Corners and free kicks always posed a threat but none could be put away. Catherine Zimmerman was removed after a rough tackle which made the uphill climb much steeper.

**Above:** Adelaide United’s Matilda McNamara (right) challenges Melbourve Victory’s Maja Markovski. **Photo:** Adelaide United.

Chidiac was as industrious and creative as ever. Kyra Cooney-Cross was involved box-to-box and Polly Doran was as consistent as ever. However, the Adelaide midfield was relentless in their pressure and decisive with the ball. Matilda McNamara and Kayla Sharples seemed impassable in defence and Dylan Holmes was tireless in midfield.

Perhaps the biggest compliment that could be paid to Adelaide United is that none of Victory’s players had a particularly bad game. The home side were just ruthless, confident, and clinical.

In a final moment of heartbreak for Victory, fan favourite and star goalkeeper Casey Dumont was stretchered off after a collision for a 50/50 ball. Maja Markovski moved into goal. It was a worrying end to a tough day for the goalkeeper.

The 3-0 win has secured a first-ever finals appearance. In a recent exclusive interview with Impetus (see https://impetusfootball.org/2022/02/16/isabel-hodgson-on-captaincy-versatility-and-aiming-for-finals/), Isabel Hodgson declared that anything less than a Grand Final would be an underachievement. On the strength of their recent form, she is correct and they look a fearsome prospect in the finals.

One caveat for Melbourne is their schedule that can be best described as punishing. They have played almost every three days, fatigue, injuries and an international tournament have played a part in recent poor results.

Jeff Hopkins’ players have done extremely well to be in with a chance of another top-four position. But now they find themselves in the odd position of barracking for Sydney FC to beat Perth Glory.

**Above:** Fiona Worts’ goalscoring run has helped to cement Adelaide United’s spot in the top four this season. **Photo:** Adelaide United.

Should they make the finals, they will be a threat, they have the attacking talent to deliver on any given day and the tactical nous to grind out wins against the odds. But their destiny has slipped from their own grasp for now.

This day was all about Adelaide United, on-field and off. They achieved this win minus Emily Condon and Paige Hayward, two of their best creative player this season.

Adrian Stenta has outperformed last season, which was to that point their best on record, without Charli Grant and Mallory Weber, who were two of their best players in 2020/21.

Whatever happens next, they have guaranteed finals. They have done it in style and they will fear nobody in the coming weeks.

Teams: ADELAIDE UINTED (4-2-3-1): Grove, I.Hodgson, Sharples, McNamara, E.Hodgson, Holmes, Sasaki, Dawber, Omiya, Worts, Evans. Substitutes: Beaumont, Mullan, Stanbury, Templeman (GK), Tonkin.

Scorers: Worts 18′, 25′, 46′.

MELBOURNE VICTORY (4-2-3-1): Dumont, Nevin, Hendrix, Eliadis, Doran, Zois, Cooney-Cross, Privitelli, Chidiac, Zimmerman, Markovski. Substitutes: Barbieri, Iermano, Maizels (GK), Murphy, Withers.

Referee: Lara Lee.

Attendance: 2,421.

Canberra End Home Campaign In Style

Above: A battle for possession at Viking Park yesterday. Photo: Anthony Caffery Photography via Canberra United.

Canberra United 3-0 Newcastle Jets

By Ben Gilby (26/2/22)

Canberra United continued their fine run of results in the final weeks of the season by sweeping Newcastle Jets aside in wet conditions in the national capital.

Eleven minutes were on the clock when Canberra hit the front. Lauren Keir’s corner on the left was originally headed away by Sophie Harding. Possession was recycled back via Jets’ Bethany Gordon to Keir who returned the ball back into the mix for Michelle Heyman.

The league’s all-time record goalscorer managed to extricate herself from the close attentions of Cassidy Davis and lay off for Allira Toby to fire home from close range.

Jets had a half-chance to reply within three minutes when Sasha Grove lost possession to Lauren Allan who hit a long-range effort that lacked the power needed to bother Chloe Lincoln in the Canberra goal.

Just before the half-hour mark, another Keir corner from the left led to Canberra doubling their lead. It came in high into the mix. Ally Haran got up highest to nod across the box towards Heyman who flicked a header into the net at the left-hand post.

There was still time for things to get even worse for the Jets as they were swamped by a Canberra high press in stoppage time when trying to play out from the back. It was Heyman once more with the finish as she robbed Tiana Jaber of the ball, rode off an attempted challenge from Kirsty Fenton, and slotted the ball calmly past Claire Coehlo for her sixth goal of the season.

Jets came out after the break and claimed the first chance of the second half on 50 minutes. Liz Eddy hooked a ball through on the half volley to Ash Brodigan, who beat Emma Ilijoski in a footrace, but as Lincoln advanced out of goal the forward put her shot well wide of the far post.

Ten minutes into the half, Ilijoski was given too much space on the left to advance before finding Toby inside. The former Sydney FC star was unmarked and able to hit an effort from almost 30 yards which narrowly cleared Coelho’s crossbar.

**Above:** Alirra Toby celebrates her goal that put Canberra United 1-0 up. **Photo:** Anthony Caffery Photography via Canberra United.

Shortly afterwards, Coehlo’s clearance was nodded back from where it came from by Chelsee Washington who found fellow substitute Margot Robinne who advanced before lofting an inch-perfect ball into the path of Caspers whose shot was smothered by the Newcastle keeper.

Canberra were pushing hard for a fourth with Washington being determination personified to persist with her challenge on Eddy, eventually succeeding to get away and win a corner. Heyman was also looking for her hat-trick, and with Jets still affording Canberra too much space, the 61-cap Matilda was able to escape down the left and cut into the box where were effort at the near post was repelled by Coelho’s foot.

After waiting for so long to pick up their first win of the campaign, Canberra have now won two of their last three, recording seven points and scoring ten goals in the process. The Viking Park faithful may well be contemplating a far different ending to the season had those wins started racking up a few weeks earlier.

Teams: CANBERRA UNITED (4-3-3): Lincoln, Taylor-Young, Haran, Keir, Ilijoski, Middleton, Maher, Hughes, Toby, Heyman, Grove. Substitutes: Caspers, Esposito (GK), Robinne, Vidmar, Washington.

Scorers: Toby 11′, Heyman 29′, 45+1′.

NEWCASTLE JETS (4-3-3): Coelho, Brewer, Fenton, Davis, Eddy, Gordon, Johnson, Brodigan, House, Harding. Substitutes: Allan, Gooch, Magus (GK), Morley.

Referee: Georgia Ghirardello.

Attendance: 753.

Adelaide United On Pride Game And Huge Showdown With Victory

Above: Adelaide United captain Isabel Hodgson speaks to the media ahead of this weekend’s Pride Game against Melbourne Victory. Photo supplied to Impetus by: Adelaide United.

Impetus’ Ben Gilby heard from Adelaide United players Isabel Hodgson, Dylan Holmes, and Matilda McNamara ahead of Saturday’s Pride Game against Finals rivals Melbourne Victory (25/2/22).

Adelaide United captain Isabel Hodgson spoke about how excited she is about the feedback she is receiving from all over the country about the A-League’s first-ever Pride match this weekend.

The women’s team sees United host Melbourne Victory with the men hosting Central Coast Mariners at Coopers Stadium on Saturday.

“It’s going to be amazing and a wonderful day. There are so many great things coming up leading to the game. We’re all excited by having rainbow numbers on the back of our shirts.

“Sport brings us all together. It is not about race or sexuality and something we can all come together to do. Players from other teams are asking for the sizing of jerseys to buy the special Pride jerseys.

**Above:** Isabel Hodgson speaks to the media with her Pride Game shirt on display along with Josh Cavallo’s. **Photo supplied to *Impetus* by:** Adelaide United.

“There is a lot of interest from both South Australia and interstate. Melissa Barbieri (Melbourne City’s 86 cap Matildas goalkeeper), who is married to a man has been in touch for a shirt with rainbow numbers on.

“Girls have been messaging me for shirts and they are also openly gay and so they are happy that our club are doing it.”

Saturday’s match is also important from the perspective of the Finals race with two teams well entrenched in the top four coming head to head. Hodgson highlighted the fact that a lot has changed since the two sides last met.

“Victory are a great side and we’re looking forward to playing them. Obviously, we played them on the opening day and lost a lot of goals (Adelaide were defeated 5-1), but we are ready for them now. We are putting the goals away ourselves – eight against Brisbane and four against Wellington!”

**Above:** Adelaide United midfielder Dylan Holmes speaks of her admiration for club team-mate Josh Cavallo and her club for providing such an inclusive atmosphere. **Photo supplied to *Impetus* by:** Adelaide United.

Adelaide United’s Matildas capped midfielder Dylan Holmes has spoken of her huge admiration for United men’s left-back Josh Cavallo coming out as being openly gay in October 2021.

“The reaction that Josh received all over the world and different organizations just shows that the football community is right behind Josh and is becoming a more inclusive space. This Pride game is really important to share that message and hopefully, it will inspire people to live their true life and be comfortable.

“When I see Adelaide United embracing this, I feel really honoured that I represent a club with these values and one who is willing to go out publicly to support their players. A lot of my team-mates are gay and a lot of players I’ve played with over the course of my career are gay.

“This Pride game is a chance to celebrate these differences. Feeling safe when you do something you love enables you to feel like yourself and perform at your best. The best moments in my career have happened when I’m feeling comfortable within the team. It translates into your on-field experiences.

“This game day will feel a bit different. Through my career, I’ve never played in a Pride round. I definitely don’t take it lightly. Lots of teammates I’ve had in the past have never been accepted for who they are, so it’s a big step for football, not just in South Australia, but the whole of Australia. Football is a game for everyone.”

**Above:** Matilda McNamara speaking to the media about the Pride Game and a huge encounter with Finals rivals Melbourne Victory. **Photo supplied to *Impetus* by:** Adelaide United.

Defender Matilda McNamara emphasized the double importance of this weekend’s match with Melbourne Victory.

“We’re excited for Saturday not just because of the Pride match, but because it is such a massive match for our season.

“Women’s football is such an inclusive environment for the girls for so long, so now we can push that for the men’s game now too.

Adelaide United know that a victory on Saturday will virtually assure them of a Finals place, but McNamara does not feel any extra pressure on the game compared to the last few weeks.

“Realistically, for the past three or four matches, it has felt like we have to win to stay in the Finals race. All the girls are really up for it. We know what is on the line, but we know that if we play at our best, we can beat any other team.

**Above:** Adelaide United’s Matilda McNamara. **Photo supplied to *Impetus* by:** Adelaide United.

“We’re not really talking too much about Finals as that just puts too much pressure on. We are all aware of the fact, but we are going into the match with a view that it is just another game. We were all here last year so know what the pain was like missing out by such a small margin (just one goal).”

The Adelaide defender is also keen to put things right after the South Australian side’s defeat to Melbourne Victory in the opening round. “It wasn’t our best performance, but the scoreline (5-1) wasn’t a completely fair reflection on the game and the girls aren’t going to let that happen again. We are aiming to give Victory a beating on Saturday.

“We play a way that means we are always looking to score goals. We were 4-0 up against Brisbane at halftime but still went out for more (Adelaide eventually won 8-2). We want to take every chance we get in front of goal.”

McNamara has had a strong run of form this season with many starting to push her name towards national team selection, but the defender knows that she just needs to focus on her own game.

“Over the past few years I feel I’ve definitely improved so much with my game and I’m glad that people have noticed it. I know I’ve got more to give and I will keep my focus on that. If those people outside of my control can notice too, then that is great as well.”

Roar Success Dents City’s Top Spot Hopes

Melbourne City 0-1 Brisbane Roar

Photo: Post match celebrations or Brisbane Roar. Photo: Brisbane Roar.

by Kris Goman (24/2/22)

Brisbane Roar made the trip south to spoil the party for Melbourne City and in front of a vocal Roar Supporters group, made up mostly of players’ families, they achieved that aim and redeemed a bit of pride.

With Brisbane coming off an 8-2 thrashing at the hands of Adelaide United, no one held much hope of the Premier contenders, Melbourne City not winning easily and capturing top place on the ladder. Just a win and three points would see them leapfrog Sydney who have held the top position the whole season.

For most, it was a fait accompli. City had just beaten Sydney last week. The only team in the comp to have done so this season. Brisbane only had two wins the whole season and were beaten convincingly in their last outing. But things are never so straightforward in the Dub. And one key factor is the absence of a couple of key players for City with Rebekah Stott and Hannah Wilkinson playing for New Zealand in the She Believes Cup and Holly McNamara out with an ACL injury.

Melbourne start strong and get an early free kick on the left not far from the byline. Rhianna Pollicina curled it into goal but it was cleared by Roar defence successfully.

Then things change and Roar get a bit more possession and start to make some damaging runs. There’s a series of Roar players caught offside before Larissa Crummer has the first shot on goal for Brisbane at 15 minutes in. It’s the first on-target shot for anyone.

TJ Vlajnic sends left-footed shot to the centre of the goal from a corner and Jamilla Rankin heads it away and out for another corner. Taken from the other side, Pollicina directs it to the near post but it’s straight into the side netting.

Katrina Gorry sends in a cross after a short run which results in a corner, only to see it headed away in front of goal by Tori Tumuth.

At 26 minutes into the match, Roar get a throw in that goes long to Shea Connors and she twists, chests it down and takes it towards the box, and shoots. Mariel Hecher gets a toe to it flicking it over Melissa Barbieri’s hands. Bubs releases an expletive, letting everyone know how she feels and it’s repeated on every replay of the goal. Brisbane are ecstatic and celebrate appropriately. They take the lead 1-0.

**Above:** Brisbane Roar showing their joy against Melbourne City. **Photo:** Brisbane Roar.

City ambitiously go for goal from the kick-off but Shuttleworth catches it and launches another attack that sees Crummer get tripped up just into the box. No penalty but City are rattled and Roar and invigorated. Will they spoil it for City?

Gorry has a little run around on the right before passing back to Natalie Tathem but Connors is offside.

Kaitlyn Torpey takes a long-range shot and Shuttleworth dives to save it towards the bottom right corner.

Roar get another serious attempt when a short corner is sent in and bounces around but Connors deflects it away from goal instead of into the open goal. Barbieri comes out to grab it just as Connors is trying to kick the ball in and cops a knee to the chest. She’s hurt and arguing with the ref that she had the ball in her hands. A good three minutes of injury time is accounted for here.

Gorry intercepts the resulting goal kick and takes a long-range shot but it’s out to the left.

Connors launches another attack down the left and shoots but it hits the side netting.

Back down the other end and Isabella Shuttleworth, who hasn’t been that busy, has her pass is intercepted by Caitlin Karic but she loses her footing. Pollicina tries to take over but then dives and it’s cleared.

Leah Davidson gets a little run through the centre and shoots but it hits Karic who then takes control and shoots but it skims the crossbar.

A Gorry free kick goes into the box and is cleared before Tatham lobs a high one that goes out.

**Above:** Shea Connors looks to get away with possession with team-mate Jamilla Rankin looking on. **Photo:** Brisbane Roar.

They hit the change rooms with Brisbane in the lead 1-0.

Before she leaves the field, Hecher says they are happy and that she thought they’d be struggling. She thought they needed to be more compact and that the game was a bit scrappy but they are happy with the lead. She said they had nothing to lose and no chance to make the finals but want the winning points and are doing it for pride.

During halftime, Caitlin Karic comes off for Chelsea Blissett to go on.

In City’s closest chance of the match, Torpey creates a good run down the right to produce a corner. Vlajnic’s flag kick is directed to Meisha Westland. Her shot bounces up to hit the underside of the crossbar, then was kicked back in to hit the post. Shuttleworth grabs it amidst shouts for a goal but it didn’t cross the line.

Hecher sends Crummer off down the field and Crummer is in a one on one with Barbieri but she shoots straight into her arms. It was a genuine squandered chance to go up 2-0.

Davidson gets a yellow for a foul on Gorry as she gets nutmegged. Gorry takes the free-kick and it goes to the far post but Barbieri has it then drops it and gathers again.

Roar send a nice through ball that Connors runs on to but Barbieri gets there first and scoops it up.

Up the other end and Torpey centres and Vlajnic pops it up and does a half bicycle kick but it’s caught safely by Shuttleworth.

Despite having 60% possession, City just aren’t making the same decisive runs that Roar are. They also are not connecting in the final third.

Barbieri comes right up near to the halfway line and Checker, who’s also pushed forward, has a shot from the top of the box but she’s hooked it slightly and it flies out to the left of the post. There’s a sustained press by City as they get desperate to equalize at the very least.

**Above:** Fast-paced action from Brisbane Roar’s win at Melbourne City today. **Photo:** Brisbane Roar.

We’re into stoppage time and City need to win which means two goals in five minutes and they are getting increasingly desperate. Brisbane are just sending long balls out to clear rather than attacking.

Pollicina is shown a yellow for a foul. Checker gets it on the left and shoots another big ball from the top of the box and hits the cross bar beating Shuttleworth.

Torpey has a final run on the left but on transition, Gorry runs down the right and Barbieri comes right out and appears to handle the ball on two occasions outside the box but only gets a yellow. Gorry to take kick. She slides it to Norrie at the corner to waste time and then whistle goes.

Incredibly, Brisbane hold a clean sheet and win and it means Sydney stay top of the table. It’s a big come back from 8-2 loss the previous match. Bizarre.

In the post-match interview Gorry said that Brisbane had been working hard and had some disappointing losses so wanted to ruin a few people’s finals.

Torpey acknowledged that Brisbane fought for the win. It was disappointing. If we won, we would have been top but will keep fighting.

Garrath McPherson said he was proud of Bella Shuttleworth in goal. It was exceptional to keep a clean sheet.

Teams: MELBOURNE CITY: Barbieri, Torpey, Tumuth, Checker, Heatley, Vlajnic, Westland, Davidson, McKenna, Pollicina, Karic. Substitutes: James (GK), Blissett, Chinnama, Malone, Van der Meer.

BRISBANE ROAR: Shuttleworth, Rankin, Norrie, Hecher, Crummer, Gorry, Tathem, Connors, Haffenden, Palmer, Clough. Substitutes: Margraf, Rasschaert, Stamatopoulos, Kitano, Symes.

Scorer: Hecher 26′.

Referee: Kelly Jones.

Attendance: 857.

Leah Embley & Brighouse Town: Rising To The Challenge

Above: Leah Embley (far right) in action for Brighouse Town this season. Photo supplied by: Leah Embley

Impetus are exceptionally proud to sponsor Leah Embley, midfielder for FA Women’s National League Northern Premier side Brighouse Town. Leah caught up with Ben Gilby recently to discuss how the season has gone since Christmas (24/2/22).

Leah was last featured on Impetus towards the end of last year playing a prominent role in raising awareness for the work of our charity partner Moriarty Foundation’s Indigenous Football Week.

The Brighouse Town midfielder joined her head coach Rob Mitchell and myself on a discussion programme with the charity which was broadcast on SBS television in Australia and on Facebook globally.

Leah highlighted why she was so keen to participate in the event. “I wanted to learn more about the Moriarty Foundation and what they did. I was impressed by how successful they’d been. It’s a really beneficial charity, not just for young people but also for their families too. It was very interesting to speak with the workers there and get more insight on the good work they do.”

**Above:** Leah (in Brighouse’s away kit) on the charge against Newcastle United. **Photo supplied by:** Leah Embley.

The half-hour programme can be watched by clicking here: fb.me/e/1VL81dlkg

Turning to on-field matters, after a spell with Blackburn Rovers in the FA Women’s Championship last season, Leah joined Brighouse Town for this campaign. She had previously played in the division for Burnley and has noticed some real increases in quality in tier three in her absence.

“I think the league has definitely improved since the last time I was in it. More money has gone into it and there’s a good group of teams wanting to gain promotion so it’s been tough.

“Every team is challenging in their own way really, Huddersfield is always a big test as they’ve got some good players, and obviously with it being a local derby for us, there’s that as well, which adds a bit of a buzz in the lead up to the game.”

On a personal level, the midfielder has hit top form scoring some outstanding goals as her team continues to impress in their debut season in the FAWNL Northern Premier.

**Above:** Leah Embley looks to get away from a Leeds United challenger. **Photo supplied by:** Leah Embley.

“Things have been good. We’ve had a few games called off with the bad weather, but I’ve continued my goal-scoring form which is what I wanted to do to help the team succeed. Off the pitch, I’ve been keeping busy and been doing my own training.

“I went through a spell of scoring some good goals! I’ve been buzzing with it because I’ve been working hard and it feels good to see some results come from that. I’ll keep working hard to make sure it continues.”

Leah sees nothing but positivity in the club’s progression in tier three, but still room for continued improvement.

“I think we took a few teams by surprise at the start of the season, obviously being new into the league nobody really knows what to expect from you. The second half of the season is a bit more challenging as most teams have already played you so know a bit more about us as a team.

“I think it’s been a solid season so far and we’ve taken points off teams nobody probably expected us to, but we’ve also dropped points against teams we wanted to beat so it’s had its ups and downs but it’s been enjoyable.”

**Above:** Leah Embley looks to escape from the close attentions of her marker against Stoke City. **Photo supplied by:** Leah Embley.

Now that she has been at Brighouse for a fair few months, Leah is loving life at the Yorkshire Payments Stadium and recognizes that she is becoming a better player for making the move there.

“This is probably the best goal-scoring form of my career so far that I’ve been in. I think it comes down to confidence and the coaches believing in me, I don’t think I’d have scored the kind of goals I have without that.

Obviously, being in the Championship with Blackburn was a great experience for me and was a very intense, high standard of football and I’d love to get back to that level again, but I’d like to stay here for a few more seasons as I’ve been enjoying it.”

With the season now entering the final stages, Leah identified her aims between now and the end of April.

“I want to keep scoring, but really as long as we win I’m not bothered who scores. I’ve set myself some personal targets which I want to reach before the end of the season but also as a team I think we can just keep pushing and try to win as many games as possible from now until the end of the season.”

**Artwork supplied by:** Brighouse Town.

Lily Alfeld: Rising With The Phoenix

Above: Wellington Phoenix goalkeeper Lily Alfeld in training this season. Photo supplied to Impetus by: Wellington Phoenix via Wollongong Mercury.

Lily Alfeld, was the first player to sign for the new Wellington Phoenix club after they joined the A-League Women competition and was announced as their inaugural captain. For this week’s #MidweekDub feature, Lily spoke to us about her footballing journey, an impressive season at Perth Glory last year, and life at the Phoenix (23/2/22).

Alfeld first began playing football when she was five-years-old at home in Christchurch where she remained playing until she was 18.

“Then I was playing at U17s and U20s for New Zealand. In 2014 I went to the United States and played college football for Louisiana State University before coming back to New Zealand in 2018 when I trained with the Football Ferns domestic program before last year when I had the opportunity to go and play with Perth Glory in what was then the W-League.”

**Above:** Lily Alfeld playing for New Zealand at the U20 World Cup. **Photo:** Wellington Phoenix.

Perth was a tough place to be playing your football last season, but Alfeld shone as one of their brightest stars. The team only had the go-ahead to compete in the competition late on due to Western Australia’s covid border restrictions and so they put together a squad that consisted largely of talented local teenagers.

“It was good, but a huge challenge. It was my first professional gig and I’ve taken a lot of learning out of it. I didn’t really know what to expect. It was a big challenge, especially coming together late with so many youngsters – pretty similar to the situation we found ourselves in at Phoenix this year.

“It was a difficult season as there were so many experiences that we hadn’t faced before, but we took a lot from it. Alex Epakis was fantastic at guiding us through it and helping us find our feet in our first year of playing.”

Alfeld reveals that she came close to staying in Western Australia for another season: “I spoke to Alex about the possibility of staying on. I loved Perth and the club were fantastic. The Phoenix were in the back of my mind about that possibly happening. Alex did have another goalkeeper from Sydney (Courtney Newbon) who he was interested in signing, so in the end, we parted ways.”

This then led to the goalkeeper becoming the first player to sign for Wellington Phoenix’s women’s team with their entry into the A-League Women competition finally confirmed.

“There was no hesitation at all from me when it came to signing for the Phoenix. As soon as I heard the team were coming into the league, I was making phone calls! When the opportunity came to be their first signing, that was a huge honour.

“It’s huge – New Zealand’s first professional women’s team, it’s such a significant moment. I’d grown up watching the Phoenix. They were the one team that I grew up as a child watching and supporting. I always loved pulling on their shirt as a kid.

“I’ve known Gemma (Lewis – head coach) and Nat (Lawrence – assistant coach) for a few years and I knew it would be fantastic to play under them.”

**Above:** Lily Alfeld pictured after becoming Wellington Phoenix Women’s first-ever signing. **Photo supplied to *Impetus* by:** Wellington Phoenix.

Wellington Phoenix’s pre-season began with few players initially, with more joining at regular intervals once they had signed to the club.

“It was a massive challenge, but the staff managed it well and a lot of time was spent helping us to gel. The Kiwis and the Australians hadn’t met each other. A lot of work was done in terms of seeing how we all played and putting that together. With lockdowns in both Wellington and Sydney, a lot of players hadn’t played for a long time so there were a lot of yards covered in that pre-season to make sure we were up to running for a full 90 minutes in the Australian heat.”

With Wellington Phoenix unable to host home matches in New Zealand, the players and staff have all been in a hub in Wollongong, New South Wales, over 1,000 miles away from home. The Phoenix captain revealed what living with your teammates and coaches full time is like in reality.

“I’ve actually loved it. It’s pretty much like being on a school camp when you were a kid with your classmates with you all the time. It’s been a lot of fun. We are managing it carefully though. It’s not a normal thing to be in a camp like this where you don’t get to go back to your families and friends.

“We are making sure that we have our own individual downtime and getting out to do different things. We need to be conscious that it’s a lot of time to spend together. A lot of us, the Kiwis, had known each other for a long time, so that’s been good.”

Alfeld also spoke about her added responsibility as captain. “It’s awesome, a massive step up for me as I’ve never captained a team before, and it has been a massive learning curve. I’ve taken away new experiences and seeing what the demands are and what is expected of me. We have a fantastic support staff around us and a great core-leadership group. A lot of the girls have international experience, youth international experience.

**Above:** Lily Alfeld gets down bravely to save from Newcastle Jets’ Sunny Franco whilst playing for Perth Glory last season. **Photo:** Perth Glory FC.

“These girls bring different leadership characteristics and it’s been great to be able to learn from than and take different things from them.

“Being a goalkeeper, it is a juggling act between encouraging the players and wanting to keep a clean sheet. We’ve all got behind Gemma (Lewis)’s ideas of wanting to be brave in our play. In terms of our first matches, we started off well against Western Sydney, but I think we went into our shell a bit against Newcastle and it was good to see that if we are not brave on the ball, then we will get punished. Then against Sydney, it was a good indicator that if we are brave on the ball, we will find opportunities. That starts from us at the back as goalkeeper and centre-backs. We need to make sure we’re not just lumping the ball forward, actually building things up and creating our own chances.”

The Phoenix star then spoke about her own aims for this season. “It’s definitely putting in performances that can earn a clean sheet for the team. We want to win as many games as we can and that starts with me as we can’t lose if we don’t concede!

“I also want to grow into this captaincy role and refine my leadership skills to leave a positive legacy for this club going forward. It’s a massive opportunity and we have a chance to shape where Wellington Phoenix’s women’s team goes. We need to start off on the right foot and make a positive impact on where women’s football goes in New Zealand.”

In terms of wider aims for the Phoenix’s first A-League Women campaign, “If we can go out there every week and improve from week to week and take the learnings that we’ve taken from each game into the next, then I’d be over the moon. It’s a huge challenge for the girls to be expected to perform consistently each week, but I think it’s definitely our goal to go out there and build each week. We recognize that we are the underdogs, but if we can get some wins and upset a few teams then that would definitely be success in our book.”

A strong run of performances with the Phoenix has brought Alfeld to the attention of new national team coach Jitka Klimková and she has been in the USA with New Zealand competing in the SheBelieves Cup.

“International honours have always been my goal. I had a little bit of experience with the Football Ferns on national team tours in 2014 and 2019, but I hadn’t been in the mix since. I would love to get into the squad, and with a home World Cup coming in 2023 and the Olympics following that, if I can play well this season then hopefully I will get an opportunity. That’s the overall goal.”

Vidosic On Reshuffle Against Roar

Above: Melbourne City head coach Rado Vidosic pictured today at his media conference. Photo: Melbourne City.

Melbourne City face Brisbane Roar as Round 13 of the A-League Women gets underway tomorrow. Impetus’ Ben Gilby heard from the Sky Blues’ head coach Rado Vidosic ahead of their match – one that if they can win gives City a realistic chance of finishing top of the table at the end of the season (23/2/22).

Melbourne City head coach Rado Vidosic began his media conference by addressing the devastating news that Holly McNamara, one of the competition’s star players this season, will not play again after suffering an ACL injury against Sydney FC at the weekend.

“We are all trying to rally around her and support her. She remains an important part of our team,” Vidosic emphasized. “She is such a lovely person, one of the youngest members of the squad. Holly is contracted to us for next season, so she will do her rehab with us ahead of returning.

“She has been a breath of fresh air and someone that we can build our whole football style around. Someone like that is priceless. We believe that she has a long future ahead with our club and the Matildas. She will probably go and play overseas with a big club at some point, but we want to have a relationship with her so she knows how much she is admired and loved here.”

Reflecting on his team’s achievement of being the first side to defeat Sydney FC this season at the weekend, City’s head coach said: “We hadn’t changed anything (in our game plan). We played our game and pressed them high, looking to make them uncomfortable in the first half. We could have scored more goals. Then it changed in the second half and they dominated.

“We managed to get over the line. It wasn’t easy. The second-half performance is something that we need to be proud of. It showed great character and that we can dig deep in the tough moments. If we can put that into tomorrow’s game and future ones, we’ll do well. That never give up attitude. I was so proud of that performance.”

That win means that if City wins every one of their remaining games, they will be crowned Premiers going into the Finals, but Vidosic is not counting his chickens yet.

“We’re just not talking about it. We know how tough and unpredictable this league is. Brisbane Roar have nothing to play for, nothing to fear. They will just come out and get as much as they can. It won’t be easy for us. Expectations are higher for us and everyone expects us to walk through the game and it won’t be like that.”

City will be without three key players for the match with Roar. In addition to Holly McNamara’s injury, Rebekah Stott and Hannah Wilkinson have not returned from international duty in the USA with New Zealand yet. Vidosic outlined how he will try and fill the gaps.

**Above:** Caitlin Karic (right) – expected to be part of the City squad against Brisbane Roar tomorrow. **Photo:** Melbourne City.

“We have Leticia (McKenna) and she is a fantastic player. Such a good, technical player with great vision. She is also good defensively. There is also Caitlin Karic (16-year-old striker). If she can play to her strengths, we won’t feel a difference in our playing style. Caitlin can definitely give us something that we are lacking with missing those three players.

“She is a fantastic talent and has so many qualities it is frightening. We need to slowly integrate her. She needs to learn how to be a professional player and concentrate. It’s just learning those micro-behaviours on the pitch that she hasn’t learned yet. From a physical point of view, she is big and strong.”