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A-League Women Media Wrap

With three games tomorrow, Impetus’ Ben Gilby and Kieran Yap heard from head coaches Jeff Hopkins, Alex Epakis, Gemma Lewis, and Catherine Cannuli. In addition, three players – Tash Rigby, Leena Khamis, and Alex Hyunh give their views. (15/1/22).

PERTH GLORY:

Alex Epakis on COVID and Injuries:

Perth Glory’s preparations for tomorrow’s game at Newcastle Jets have been hit by a COVID outbreak which includes three players, and overnight UK time today also claimed head coach Alex Epakis.

He is currently self-isolating in accordance with directives from NSW Health and will not travel with the group to Sunday’s game against Newcastle Jets at No.2 Sportsground.

Assistant Coach Stef Busso will take temporary charge of coaching duties in Epakis’ absence.

On top of this news, the club are also without key offensive players Cyera Hintzen and Susan Phonsongkham for the next couple of weeks due to injury.

Speaking to the media yesterday before he tested positive for COVID, Epakis emphasized the importance of cutting down on set-piece concessions in the game against the Jets.

“Conceding goals from set pieces is a big thing. We’ve conceded 45 corners over our games this season.

“We’ve only conceded two goals from them which is not so bad from a numbers perspective, but we’re not happy that we are conceding so many corners to start with.

“That comes down to decision making under pressure and is not just on the defence, it’s on the whole team. If we don’t give the opposition these opportunities with set-pieces then we’re not under pressure.

With his team having taken just one point from their last three games, he sought to emphasize the background to those results. “We had to sit out for three weeks. Opposition teams were able to continue building momentum in that time. We then had to play 20% of the season in three days, which was always going to be a challenge.

“I think that if we were able to play those three games [Adelaide United, Canberra United, and Sydney FC] over separate weeks, the performances would have been different. That isn’t getting away from the fact that we didn’t play well against Sydney.

“Sydney FC are top of the table because they are the most consistent team in the competition. You have to give credit where credit is due for that performance.

Perth has been forced to build largely new squads for both of the past two seasons due to COVID-related issues. With the majority of this season’s new arrivals coming in on two-year deals, the club is aiming to put together some consistency in their squad, something which Epakis emphasizes the importance of.

“A lot of Sydney’s team have been together for the last four years or longer if you look at local state teams. You can’t get away from the benefits of having a team together for a long period of time.”

In terms of focuses in training this week, the Western Australian side’s head coach pointed out the need to avoid self-inflicted pressure.

“Conceding goals from set pieces is a big thing. We’ve conceded 45 corners over our games this season.

“We’ve only conceded two goals from them which is not so bad from a numbers perspective, but we’re not happy that we are conceding so many corners to start with.

Epakis’ mind has turned to this weekend’s clash with the Newcastle Jets, despite the Covid-19 challenges.

“Newcastle is a really aggressive, strong team. They have been together for a number of years which helps to build that cohesion. We acknowledge that and know we need to match them from a physical side. We know we can match it from a footballing side.

“We have to be aggressive for the whole 90 minutes.”

Perth Glory’s preparations for Sunday have been impacted by injuries as well as COVID.

“We’ve been managing hamstring tightness that Lisa [De Vanna] has had. She wants to play with explosive pace so we need to time her return, minutes, and load as best as possible to be effective not just this week but in the coming weeks too.

“Unfortunately we have picked up some injuries and the loading with those three games in a week was a factor. We’ve lost Cyera Hintzen and Susan Phonsongkham for the next couple of weeks.

“We’ll do everything we can to get them back sooner rather than later. It gives others an opportunity now to do the job as best as possible.

Leena Khamis Comes In:

**Above:** Leena Khamis pictured after scoring for Western Sydney Wanderers in 2019, just one of her previous clubs from a stellar career. **Photo:** Western Sydney Wanderers.

In order to boost what Epakis has called a “skinny squad” at present, the club have brought in Leena Khamis on a short-term deal.

Khamis has made more than 120 Liberty A-League appearances during spells with Sydney FC, Canberra United, and most recently, Western Sydney Wanderers, for whom she scored two goals in ten games last season.

Her domestic honours include two Premierships and one Championship title, plus a Golden Boot in 2009, while at international level, the 35-year-old has 25 Matildas caps to her name and was part of the squad which won the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in 2010.

“I still had the drive and passion to go on and play the 2022 season, but unfortunately wasn’t given the opportunity,” she said.

“Alex got in contact with me and we had a really good chat regarding the team and how I could possibly help out.

“I think these ladies are a special group. They have a really good chance to push for Finals this season and I hope to achieve it with them. We aim to play Semi-Finals football because based on history, anything can happen once you’re there.”

Perth Glory’s head coach highlighted the qualities that Khamis can bring to Glory’s squad in the short term: “I am really pleased and excited to have Leena on board over the next few weeks.

“She has already had an instant impact on the team and training environment. Leena brings a priceless amount of experience and a competitive attitude and that will certainly add to our competitiveness and goals over the coming weeks.

“It’s very unfortunate to be without some players who have done well for us so far this season, but I know Leena is relishing the opportunity to provide a big impact for us.”

Rigby: We Know What We Have To Get Better At

**Above:** Perth Glory captain Tash Rigby in action against Sydney FC last weekend. **Photo:** Kris Goman

Also speaking to the media yesterday was Perth Glory captain Tash Rigby who highlighted the importance of putting right the wrongs from last week’s performance against Sydney FC.

Addressing this week’s COVID outbreak in their North Sydney hub, Rigby, with typical tongue-in-cheek humour observed: “Yeah, obviously it’s not like a fairytale at the moment, but the players and staff that we have lost [with COVID] are not too ill. It’s disappointing, but it was always going to happen in this environment.

“The situation is not too detrimental to us in terms of personnel. We’ve got an amazing depth to our squad this year, which is a help.

“We’ve been coming even closer together to support each other through this time. We are taking it day by day at the moment.”

Going into Sunday’s game, Perth has conceded eight goals in their last three games, four of which came last weekend against league leaders Sydney FC. The skipper highlighted the difficulties experienced against the Sky Blues and the work that has been done this week in trying to right those wrongs.

“The Sydney game was a super tough one. Without trying to make excuses, it was our third game in a week, so it was taxing on the body. Sydney played an amazing game and they had an amazing team.

We have reviewed the game and we’re ready to move on. We need to support each other off the ball more and focus on playing out from the back carefully.

“We were exposed from our goal kicks against Sydney and have to be positioned well in wide areas. [Additionally] we need to shorten our [defensive] lines.

“There have been some individual mistakes and we’ve worked on that and we are looking at improving that mindset. We have adapted well, acknowledged what went wrong, and move now to take the next game head-on.”

MELBOURNE VICTORY:

For Kieran Yap’s in-depth article on head coach Jeff Hopkins’ press conference ahead of his team’s game with Western Sydney Wanderers, click here: https://impetusfootball.org/2022/01/14/i-think-this-is-a-big-game-for-us-and-the-players-realize-that/

WELLINGTON PHOENIX:

Gemma Lewis On Missing Key Players Ahead of Brisbane Clash

The Phoenix could be without as many as three regular members of their XI for Sunday’s seventh-round match against Brisbane Roar in Wollongong.

Forward Kelli Brown has been ruled out of the match, another first-choice player is in major doubt and left back Saskia Vosper may only be able to play limited minutes after missing last week’s match against Melbourne City with a groin strain.

“It’s been a bit of a tough week to be honest,” Phoenix head coach Gemma Lewis told media on Friday.

“At one point this week it was looking like the team was pretty much going to self-select itself by who’s available and who can get out on the field. Touch wood we’re better now than we were looking towards the start of the week.”

Brown is unavailable after suffering a head knock against Melbourne City. “Obviously she has quite an extensive history with concussion so we have to take it really seriously. We didn’t want to risk anything so we ruled her out for this week so now she’s with the docs and she’ll go through the clear to play process. We don’t actually know how long she’ll be out for yet.”

Lewis is hoping Vosper will be cleared to play some minutes against Brisbane, while there was a “big question mark” over the availability of another player.

“I’m not going to say who it is…out of respect for her and the team, but you’ll notice in the line-up as it’d be a decent loss for us.”

The Phoenix are looking to build on their performance against City last Sunday.

“We had way better possession, we had way better pass completion rate, we had the most passes we had in the opposition half…so there are areas we were working on that we’ve been competing better at. But ultimately for us a key metric is us being able to score goals.”

Wellington hasn’t found the back of the net since Ava Pritchard scored the team’s historic first goal against the Newcastle Jets in round two.

Since opening the season with a well-deserved draw against the Western Sydney Wanderers, the Phoenix have suffered five straight defeats, but three of them have come against the competition’s top two sides, Sydney FC and Melbourne City.

The Brisbane Roar sit just two places and three points above the Nix in eighth and are coming off a 1-0 home defeat to the Wanderers in round six.

Gemma Lewis is wary of her players getting carried away with thinking they have a great chance of picking up another point.

“They need to be mindful of not being complacent, not thinking that this is going to be a way easier game than City because actually it’s a different match-up. Brisbane have pace in the flanks (and) we’ve seen how we deal with pace in the flanks at times, it’s a little bit of our Achilles heel. You cannot tell me that they’re not going to be targeting us for three points and throwing everything at this game.”

Lewis says her players will be doing the same. “It is a game we want to get something out of but we’re still going to be the underdogs. But at the same time they’ve struggled in games so there’s opportunities there for us.”

The match has been brought forward two hours to help the A-Leagues’ broadcast partner, which is experiencing staffing issues as a result of the Omicron outbreak in New South Wales.

Playing in the heat of the day will be a further test of the Phoenix’s high-energy pressing game.

“It’s not looking like it’s going to be the hottest day on earth…but it is a little bit of a worry for us.”

WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS:

Alex Hyunh Back At Wanderers

Western Sydney Wanderers today confirmed the signing of defender Alex Huynh until the end of the Liberty A-League season.

Huynh returns to the Wanderers after a recent stint overseas which saw her make appearances for Serie A side Napoli as well as Danish Elitedivisionen club Fortuna Hjørring.

An experienced defender and proud Western Sydney local, Huynh will add depth to the Wanderers squad. Head coach Catherine Cannuli praised the return of Huynh.

“We’ve had Alex in with us before, she’s a Western Sydney girl and she was training with us once she returned back from overseas. We had a spot left in the squad and I think it’s been a great addition. She’s a great person and a great footballer to be around in our environment.”

Huynh said she was delighted to once again represent her hometown club. “I love coming back here, it’s like my fourth season playing at the Wanderers so it feels like home when I come back.

“I’ve spent a season in Napoli and a season in Denmark and with time overseas, you come back with a lot of experiences and life lessons. I’m really excited to be back home and playing.”

Catherine Cannuli: Focusing On The Here And Now

**Above:** Western Sydney Wanderers head coach Catherine Cannuli speaking to the media yesterday. **Photo:** Western Sydney Wanderers

The Western Sydney Wanderers head coach opened by speaking of the importance of last week’s win at Brisbane Roar.”It was a relief to get those first three points, it had certainly been coming. The team can now relax into the rest of the competition.”

With Wanderers coming back from a COVID outbreak which has now impacted an ever growing number of teams in the competition, Cannuli emphasized the importance of focusing on the here and now.

“It’s crazy times, but it is crazy times for everyone. We take each day as it comes. We just deal with what we can control at any one time. There are things we can control and things we can’t. It’s super important to keep just focused on one day at a time.”

Western Sydney face a Melbourne Victory side who are in a sticky patch of form at the present time, but Cannuli knows that her team need to beware of the wounded animal.

“Victory are going to be a tough opponent. We’ll be working hard because we want those three points to keep building momentum for the rest of the season.”

“I Think This Is A Big Game For Us And The Players Realize That”

By Kieran Yap (14/1/22)

Above: Melbourne Victory head coach Jeff Hopkins (standing) Photo: Melbourne Victory

Melbourne Victory manager Jeff Hopkins is trusting the young players to step up in the absence of some big names.

Kyra Cooney-Cross and Courtney Nevin are on Matildas duty, and Lynn Williams has returned to the United States. Melina Ayres is still a few weeks away from returning to training as the club remains cautious about a hamstring injury.

Preparation for this game has been complicated by COVID cases in the squad. Although Hopkins is optimistic that their health has improved. The players are assessed daily, and each day they have been better than the one before.

“We had three players out,” Hopkins told the media.

“They all had kind of different experiences with it.

“Chids (Alex Chidiac), it hit her quite hard for a short period of time. she’s eased back into things quite gradually this week.

“She’s trained really well this morning. Tiff Eliadis as well trained really well and Casey Dumont had a tough time too.

“We’ve eased them in nicely. Whether they’ll be able to last a game I’m not sure. But they’re keen to play and I’m keen to play them as well.

“It might not be sensible to play all three from the start…I’m not sure yet.”

The three players will be welcome returns. Victory have lost their previous two games and need as many options as possible to return to the winners’ list.

Hopkins highlighted the importance of the younger fringe players. Alana Murphy has appeared regularly for Victory this season. The impressive midfielder is expected to take on a bigger role in the coming weeks.

“Obviously you miss good players, but the way we’re looking at it, its an opportunity for other players to step up.

“We’ve lost Kyra (Cooney-Cross) who’s one of the best young players in the country at the moment.

“But I believe that we’ve got some of them coming through in Alana Murphy that will be right up there in a couple of years as well.

“It’s a great opportunity for players like Murph to actually start a few games and to get some experience and maybe get more experience that she would have got if Kyra was around.”

Without Ayres or Williams. Victory might turn to Maja Markovski to start in attack. The tall striker has scored once so far this season but has been composed and skillful when used late in high-pressure situations.

“I think that she will start… over the past 12 months or so she’s really started to fill me with more confidence in the type of player she can be.

“She can come into this side and be quite effective. We might have to adjust the way we play slightly to get the best out of her but she’s proved to me over the last three to four weeks that she really wants to play and she’s prepared to work hard for it.

“If we have to put her in this week which looks likely, I’m really confident she can go in and be really effective for us.”

**Above:** Maja Markovski of Melbourne Victory pictured after scoring in the Boxing Day derby against Melbourne City. **Photo:** Kelly Defina/Getty Images

Francesca Iermano is another possible inclusion that Victory fans are eager to get a look at. The former FV Emerging player was signed as an injury replacement but has yet to take the field in the A-League Women.

“I’ve been really impressed with Fran, even this week (in training) she was up there with our best two to three players.

“She’s of the girls that’s trained with us in the off-season that’s really impressed and we had no hesitation.

“We sat down, spoke to all the coaches and staff when we were going to have to bring in another player and it was unanimous through the group that Fran was going to be that player.

“She can give us a little bit of versatility. She can play in all the wide area. Full back is obviously a position she can drop in as well.

“What’s really impressed me is We’ve tried her in a number of different positions and she just puts her head down and gives it a go.”

Despite her inexperience, Hopkins has faith that Iermano can deliver if called upon.

“I’m confident that she’s going to be in the squad this week and if I need to put her on I’m more than confident to put her on… she doesn’t have any fear…she just grabs the opportunity and runs with it. I’ve been really impressed with her.”

As they look to rebound from consecutive losses, Victory has used the last week to adjust tactically and train different scenarios. Hopkins is aware that the club has underperformed recently but has made the best of a tough situation.

“Where we are the moment, we would have loved to play last week. To have gone to Newcastle and put it right.

“What we’ve had a chance to do is to work on a few things from the previous week and try and put a few things in place that are going to help us be better this week.

“I think this is a big game for us this week, and the players realize that.

“If we get back to winning ways we’re right back on track if we don’t, we’re back in the back with a number of teams.

“I’m sure that the performance that we get from the girls will really show how serious we think this game is.”

Melbourne Victory travel to face Western Sydney Wanderers on Sunday at 4:05pm AEST (5:05am GMT).

Clare Wheeler: Feeling Fortunate

Ben Gilby heard from Clare Wheeler from the Matildas’ pre-Asia Cup training camp in the United Arab Emirates as the Fortuna Hjørring midfielder spoke about how preparations are going.

Above: Clare Wheeler (centre) pictured in action for Australia against the USA at the end of last year. Photo: Football Australia (13/1/22).

With the 2022 AFC Asia Women’s Cup kicking off next week, Clare Wheeler realizes how lucky she is to be with her national team.

“The weather’s been good so far. We’re really fortunate to be here as it’s really crazy at home at the moment with COVID.”

Wheeler revealed where she was when she heard about her selection for the competition: “I was around friends and family, so it was incredible. I was spending time in Sydney, training with Sydney FC, and to hear that Remy (Siemsen) and Cortnee (Vine) were called up too was also really good to hear.

**Above:** Clare Wheeler pictured in training this week in the Matildas’ pre-Asia Cup camp in Dubai. **Photo supplied to *Impetus* by:** Football Australia.

“It’s always something you are working towards – going to a tournament with your country. I’m so thankful and struggle to find words to describe it!

“My international career has been a whirlwind – being called in as an injury replacement in Ireland and then getting called in during November and December, now January has been incredible. I hope it continues!”

The Matildas have been in Dubai since the start of this week, and Wheeler described what’s been going on so far: “The first training session was really fun. It’s always good to get the body moving after a long flight. Some of the girls had also come straight across from playing matches at the weekend. We’ve had a laugh and started preparing. The last time we won this competition was in 2010, so we’re really excited and ready to go.

“I need to show the coaches that I am someone who can put my hand up and be someone who can be depended on and for what I can provide for the team. Tony (Gustavsson, head coach) has been telling us that these days are crucial for learning the game plan that he has, so when it comes to India we shift into tournament mindset, know our roles and there is clarity for each and every game we play.”

Aleesha Collins: Fairytale Start at Chorley

By Ben Gilby (13/1/22)

Above: Aleesha Collins in action during Chorley’s incredible win over Middlesbrough in the FA Cup. Photo: Munro Sports Photography (13/1/22).

Impetus is delighted to announce the sponsorship of Chorley’s Aleesha Collins as the latest extension of our partnership with the FA Women’s National League Division One North club.

Collins, 16, made her debut for Chorley in their FA Cup tie against higher league Middlesbrough in November, a game which saw her score four times and net the winning spot-kick in the penalty shoot out to clinch a superb win for her team.

To launch the sponsorship, we spoke exclusively to Aleesha about her footballing journey so far:

“I started playing football at under-nines for my local girls’ team Crossfields. I then moved to Preston at U11s where I had a good four years winning trophies. My favourite has to be winning the nationals in 2017 after winning every game of the season.

“Whilst at Preston, I also played for my local boys’ team. I played for them for two years (U12s to U14s). Also whilst at Preston, I represented my county from U10s right the way up to U16s. COVID then hit and I didn’t play for a season.

“Once I then became 15 and was old enough to play in an U18s team, I moved to Chorley where that team went unbeaten and won the league. This current season I have played seven games for the reserves and I have also made three appearances for the first team and hopefully, I will have many more to come.”

One of those three appearances for Chorley’s first team was in that FA Cup tie with Middlesbrough. Aleesha reflected on that incredible day.

**Above:** Aleesha Collins breaks through against Bradford City for Chorley. **Photo:** Alan Walker – supplied by Chorley Women.

“The coaches and players helped me a lot through the game. Beforehand I was told by the coaches that there was no pressure on me and I should just go out and enjoy it. On the pitch, my team helped me through the game. It helps a lot that we have experienced players in our team and they support me a lot. Not just in this game but in training too.

“I think it was a really good game with end-to-end football. It was a brilliant team performance to come back from 3-1 down to draw 4-4 at the end of extra time. As for the four goals I scored, I was in the right place at the right time and it was all down to the service I got from my team that day.”

It wasn’t just an incredible four goals that Aleesha scored that day. There was the small matter of the winning penalty in the shoot-out. She recalled the experience: “As I was stepping up to take the penalty I was confident as I have always taken penalties. I knew where I was going in the walk-up and didn’t change my mind.”

Aleesha is level-headed and dedicated to continual improvements to ensure that she can produce the best performances for Chorley.

“My aim for the rest of the season is to improve as a player and help the team the best I can with the help of the coaches and my team I’m sure that can happen. I just want to keep on playing football and keep on enjoying it.”

Aleesha joins Lisa Topping as a Chorley player sponsored by Impetus. The site also has a content partnership with the FA Women’s National League Division One North club.

For details of all the players that Impetus sponsor and clubs we work with, click on this link: https://impetusfootball.org/partnerships/

Cortnee Vine: The World Is Her Oyster

Cortnee Vine is the talk of the town after gaining selection to attend the Matildas training camp with the potential to be part of the final squad for the Asian Cup tournament. The forward spoke EXCLUSIVELY with Impetus for this week’s #MidweekDub feature about her football background, last year’s season-ending injury, and her bright future (12/1/22).

Above: Cortnee Vine leaps highest for Sydney FC against Perth Glory last weekend. Photo: Kris Goman.

Cortnee Vine started her football journey when she was five playing in her brother’s team. From there she played in the age group two years above and began her junior years at Peninsula Power from the U12s to the U15s in the boy’s league.

“At 15, I was advised by my coach that if I wanted to make it to the next level, then I needed to start being exposed in the women’s league. That year I signed for QAS (Queensland Academy of Sport), my first experience of being in an all-girls squad other than representative football for school tournaments. When I turned 16, I became a train-on for Brisbane Roar and soon after received my first W-League contract.”

Vine was with Brisbane Roar until she was 18 when, “In that time, I was selected for the Young Matildas and remained in that squad until I was 20.”

**Above:** Cortnee Vine playing for the Young Matildas (left) and Newcastle Jets (right). **Photo:** Roselea FC.

A spell with Heidelberg United in the Victoria NPL followed before Vine signed a contract with the Newcastle Jets where she stayed from 19 to 21-years-old, playing for Sydney University as her NPL club.

In 2019, she signed for Western Sydney Wanderers for a year and also changed NPL clubs to Sydney Olympic. The following year, at 22-years-old, she signed with Sydney FC. She’s now in her second year with the table-topping club and is 23-years-old.

In the 2020/21 season, Sydney FC won the Premiership and were runners up in the Grand Final to Melbourne Victory. “Yeah, last year was really fun and I thought I had a decent season along with the rest of my team. I think being around a great bunch of girls that encourage each other as individuals and as a team, really helps you thrive and play with confidence.”

Last season Vine averaged the most incisive passes behind the defence and the most dribbles completed per 90 minutes. She was the only W-League player to dominate in both categories.

“Wow! I didn’t even know that stat, ha ha, I feel like I still have so much to improve on, I’m just starting to get the hang of playing out on the wing with so much space and time on the ball. I think there’s lots to improve on, but some main ones would be beating my defenders one on one more consistently, and obviously, I’m always looking to improve that ‘weaker’ foot.”

**Above:** Cortnee Vine pictured last season when she was in fine form with Sydney FC before suffering an MCL injury. **Photo:** Sydney FC

The striker suffered a season-ending knee injury in the last game of the regular season in March last year. This caused her to miss the Finals and possibly cost Sydney the Championship. However, she’s back this season stronger than ever.

“I actually injured my MCL last season which I was obviously relieved about when I found out it wasn’t my ACL. My knee is feeling great, I actually forget I’ve injured that knee and always get a bit taken aback when people ask about it! It was a longer recovery than I was expecting but it’s feeling really good now.”

Our interview with Vine was conducted just two days before the Sydney FC star was named in the Matildas training squad for the Asia Cup. At the time we spoke, the 23-year-old was hopeful of the call-up.

“Yeah, look obviously I’d love to get called in, but I say this in every interview, you can’t control the uncontrollables, I can only focus on how I perform at a club level. But it would be an absolute privilege to represent Australia. So fingers crossed.”

Vine’s outstanding form in the A-League Women, which has seen her selected more times than anyone else as our weekly player of the week highlights just how she has earned this call-up.

**Above:** Cortnee Vine on one of her trademark runs down the wing against Perth Glory last weekend. **Photo:** Kris Goman.

With Sydney FC the only unbeaten club left in the competition this year, the Sky Blues’ star is well placed to assess the opposition in the competition this year.

“I think that standard is quite high. A lot of clubs have shuffled their players around and are looking quite dangerous. Perth has started off strong, they are definitely a team that we won’t be underestimating. I’m looking forward to versing the other teams from around the country as well.”

Last season’s Grand Final was a real heartbreaker in the way it ended for Sydney as they went down to a 1-0 loss to Melbourne Victory after conceding a goal from a corner at the end of extra-time. This, plus being hit by injury ahead of the Finals campaign has provided Vine and her teammates with all the necessary motivation to the go one better this year.

“Yeah, I missed out on the Grand Final last year which was devastating for myself, and then the team also going through that heartbreak was very upsetting, being so close to getting that double. It’s definitely motivated us to try and get that double this year, and with the team that we have, I think it’s very possible.

So, there’s a big year ahead for Cortnee Vine. Right now she’s in the United Arab Emirates at the Matildas training camp. She has a good chance of being selected in the final squad to go to India to compete in, and hopefully win, the AFC Asian Cup tournament.

She’ll then be straight back into the home stretch of the Liberty A-League Women’s league with Sydney FC, hoping to get the double this season. After that, the world is her oyster.

Norfolk Women’s Football Wrap

Darrell Allen reports on the Eastern Region Premier Division game between Wymondham Town and King’s Lynn Town before rounding up all the tier seven and eight county action (11/1/22).

Above: Wymondham Town’s Hannah Waters wheels away in celebration after scoring against King’s Lynn Town. Photo: Neil Dady.

Wymondham Town 4-1 King’s Lynn Town

Anticipation was high ahead of the top of the table clash at Ketts Park as Tier Five Eastern Region Premier Division league leaders Wymondham Town played host to third place King’s Lynn Town.

Wymondham Town are by far Norfolk’s form team of the season so far and came into the clash at Ketts Park top the table with 10 wins from 13 games and only two defeats all season, 31 points from possible 39 just shows how seriously Wymondham have to be taken this season and which is why they go into every game as clear favourites at the moment.

King’s Lynn Town is also a huge success story of the season so far, having been promoted from Step Six last season they went into the encounter having played 13, won five, drawn five, and only lost three. A staggeringly brilliant start to the season and exactly why I nominated them in the recent Impetus 2021 writers awards.

The other added element to today’s game was the impressive victory for King’s Lynn Town over Wymondham in the reverse fixture at The Walks in September. King’s Lynn ran out comfortable and deserved winners on the day having dominated from start to finish.

I travelled to the game at Ketts Park expecting a Wymondham win as I did for the reverse encounter at The Walks. On arrival, it was nice to be greeted by Mark Nicholls who is father to talented Wymondham star Laura Nicholls and always provides everyone with a friendly welcome at Wymondham Town, and it was nice to say hello to Amy Bell, Fran Peeling, and ever-reliable Captain and vice-captain Lynn duo Tiffany Forshaw and Jodie Hopkins.

I didn’t know the condition of the two teams on arrival but unfortunately discovered due to various reasons mainly due to COVID, King’s Lynn Town only had a squad of 12 players with the only substitute being goalkeeper Amy Bell so it was going to be down to the bare 11 on the pitch to fight for the cause in the toughest away game of the season.

Wymondham on the other hand had all their array of talent to choose from and a bench that any manager would be privileged to have with Hayley Kindred, Katie Knights, Kyla Love, and Jennifer Codman all waiting in the wings to be introduced if needed.

It was a glorious afternoon with the sun coming across the beautiful Ketts Park, it was a chilly but dry afternoon and I was delighted to watch the game alongside fellow Women’s Grassroots Writer Darren Gilham who runs the Women’s Football East website and we have been delighted to use of Darren’s photos in a number of my articles with his blessing.

In terms of the game itself, once I had established the starting line ups I naturally feared the worst for King’s Lynn but this wonderful group of girls like proving everyone wrong and began the game as the better team.

Even just inside the first minute, King’s Lynn had a good early break which was flagged offside but enough of an alarm bell to make Wymondham realize this was going to be a difficult afternoon.

**Above:** King’s Lynn Town’s Jodie Hopkins (left) and Wymondham Town’s Hannah Waters battle for the ball. **Photo:** Neil Dady.

The visitors did really well early on and it was noticeable that they were trying to get all players a touch of the ball on the impressive 3G surface but King’s Lynn play their home games on grass at The Walks so naturally, this takes some adjusting.

King’s Lynn did well to stop Wymondham settling and they restricted their hosts to half chances mainly in the early stages of the game, Francesca Catchpole put the ball across the goal in sixth minute but was no trouble for King’s Lynn.

Continued good play from Kings Lynn was noticeable and a good one-touch move in the tenth minute finished with Jodie Hopkins having a chance from distance but this went up in the air and above goal. We all know the talent Jodie is and will be sure to score a spectacular goal or two before the end of the season, she is certainly not afraid to go for goal.

King’s Lynn continued their good early pressure but without really forcing a clear-cut chance which will disappoint them as in these big derby games if you are going to take any points you need to find a way of creating chances and scoring goals.

Following a Lynn move, Wymondham goalkeeper Chloe Pearce went down which forced the play to be stopped but was soon back up and we were able to re-start.

After a decent opening 15 minutes from the visitors, it was then the turn of Wymondham Town to go up the gears and they needed to as King’s Lynn were a solid unit working together as a team all afternoon with Tiffany Forshaw and Jodie Hopkins guiding the team in the superb way we all know they do.

Wymondham went up the gears though and Chelsea Clarke had a good shot on 16 minutes before Fran Peeling tackled Natasha Youngs. 19 minutes were on the clock when the best free-kick taker in the Eastern Region Premier Division, Becca Russell had her latest go but this one was disappointing from her own high standards.

It was only a matter of time before the hosts took the lead as the pressure on the visitors’ goal grew as Rachel Cossey went close following a good set-piece move, Becca Russell put a free-kick all the way across the box but there was no end product that the delivery deserved.

Fran Peeling was then taken out by Francesca Catchpole and looked in some pain, playing with already one strapped up knee, Fran fortunately fell on the other one and was able to pick herself up and was screaming to be re-introduced to the pitch. With a squad of only 11 outfield players, Fran knew and wanted to get back on as quickly as she could do help her team in the battle they were in.

Following this re-introduction to the pitch of Fran Peeling, this energy and desire from the defender seemed to give the team a renewed boost with a couple of corners being won that vice-captain Jodie was on the taking of all afternoon. Amy Magnus fired a shot over.

**Above:** Wymondham Town’s Rachel Cossey and Kings Lynn Town’s Jodie Hopkins in action. **Photo:** Darren Gilham

Wymondham Town took the lead on 27 minutes when Hannah Waters tapped in after a scrappy move and a disappointing one for the Kings Lynn defence in which goalkeeper Ellie Prentice will feel she should have done better. 1-0.

The hosts went straight on the attack again as an ambitious shot from Francesca Catchpole went high and over.

King’s Lynn Town grew more into the game with a couple of corners, Wymondham had to result in kicking of heels to try and stop the visitors in their tracks as it was noticeable that Kings Lynn captain Tiffany Forshaw found the antics of Wymondham’s Francesca Catchpole rather irritating, and that is putting it politely!

Back to the action and Amy Magnus had a good chance for Kings Lynn before Wymondham began to turn the screw once again.

A beautiful move on 35 minutes saw Hannah Waters feed through Laura Nicholls but the chance was just wide. Three minutes later the hosts doubled their advantage when a beautiful hit from Becca Russell went firing into the net and Wymondham led comfortable.

It should have been three with another delicious Becca Russell corner but there was no end product to another delightful delivery.

Surely that was game over with a two-goal advantage against depleted visitors? This is King’s Lynn we are talking about and of course, a response was to follow.

King’s Lynn got what they wanted and what the game needed in the 43^rd minute when Ella Gavagan finished well from a delightful Tiffany Forshaw assist. Game back on. 2-1.

The visitors’ confidence and belief continued to grow as Jodie Hopkins had another couple of shots as they believed there was a way back and the ref blew the halftime whistle following another injury stoppage.

King’s Lynn’s 11 had been fighting all half and they had the goal back their efforts deserved, arguably they deserved to go in level but getting the goal back meant heads were up and lots to look forward to in the second half period.

Wymondham had lots of options on the bench and rang the changes with a new-look midfield as the highly regarded Katie Knights was introduced as well as new signing Kyla Love from Wroxham in a number of chances at the interval from Wymondham Town manager Alex Guy.

The second half began much like the first with King’s Lynn putting in a lot of effort, desire, and commitment for the cause. Goalscorer Ella Gavagan fired a thunderous shot at Chloe Pearce in the Wymondham goal in the 49^th minute.

Wymondham Town’s Kyla Love had a good chance a minute later and that was just Kyla getting warmed up as she then scored a goal on 53 minutes after good play from Leah Newcombe and half time substitute Katie Knights resulted in Love finishing on the line after Ellie Prentice did her best to keep it out. 3-1 to Wymondham and a comfortable lead again for the hosts.

King’s Lynn produced an immediate response to conceding as a gliding run and fired shot from Tiffany Forshaw deserved a better outcome. Wymondham then upped the anti again to try and seal the game as Hannah Waters passed to Laura Nicholls but tried to finish on her wrong foot.

The game was wrapped up on 67 minutes when Hannah Waters finished calmly for her second of the afternoon after good play from Hayley Kindred and Katie Knights.
Chloe Burch was sent to the sin bin for Kings Lynn Town and then on the way to the sin bin was actually sent off for what I believe was said to the referee although I didn’t hear what was said.

Not much to write home about from the remainder of the game as King’s Lynn tried so hard with limited resources and kept any Wymondham attack to very minimal chances in the latter stages of the game.

King’s Lynn had a chance themselves when Ella Gavaghan fired again at Chloe Pearce. The game was won comfortably in the end.

It was a scoreline that looks like a routine comfortable win for Wymondham but it was anything but. With a depleted squad with only 10 outfield players and two goalkeepers, King’s Lynn were warriors, Tiffany Forshaw and Jodie Hopkins guided the side through a challenging afternoon at the league leaders and they can hold their heads high.

Fran Peeling got knocked down but got up again. Ella Gavagan on another day could have had a hat trick and it was a wonderful team effort. Once players return from illness this is a team that will achieve so much and ones to watch in Norfolk football for many years to come.

From a Wymondham perspective, this was a case of dealing with a Derby Day challenge, a tight first half which they edged 2-1. Alex Guy rang the changes at the interval and a lively and energetic midfield stole the show, spearheaded by the superbly talented Katie Knights who had a hand in two goals. Better options won the day with class and quality coming to the fore as Wymondham continue their incredible stroll towards winning the Eastern Region Premier Division title and at the moment it is being done with relative ease. The result sees Wymondham pull further clear at the top of the table.

Both teams have a break from league action with Norfolk County Women’s Cup Quarter Finals taking centre stage. Wymondham Town and King’s Lynn Town both are set to travel to Norfolk Women and Girls League opposition with Wymondham visiting Step Seven Thetford Town and King’s Lynn Town set to visit Step Eight Caister. A preview of all the weekend’s ties will be published on the site later in the week.

Teams: WYMONDHAM TOWN: Chloe Pearce (GK), Leah Newcombe, Mary Croft, Rachel Cossey (Captain), Natasha Youngs, Chelsea Clarke, Francesca Catchpole, Hannah Waters, Laura Nicholls, Rebecca Russell, Aimee Stretch. Subs: Hayley Kindred, Kyla Love, Katie Knights, Jenifer Codman.

KING’S LYNN TOWN: Ellie Prentice (GK), Tiffany Forshaw (Captain), Samantha Davis, Frances Peeling, Chloe Burch, Alexa Hunter, Amy Cropley, Ella Gavaghan, Jodie Hopkins-Duckhouse, Shanice Burch, Amy Magnus. Subs: Amy Bell.

NWGFL Round up

Division One:

In Step Seven, the division’s two unbeaten sides Mulbarton Wanderers and Thetford Town had their games postponed as Mulbarton’s trip to North Walsham and Thetford’s big home game with Dussindale both fell victim to waterlogged pitches.

**Above:** Thorpe St Andrew take inspiration from a previous Impetus Football article by pinning in up on the dressing room wall ahead of the game vs Bungay. **Photo:** Tony Allen.

That left three games with third placed Bungay claiming an 8-0 win over Thorpe St Andrew, Lucy Eagle the hero of the day with four goals, Selina Rowland with a brace, Gemma Foster and Megan O’Connor with the other goals. Thorpe St Andrew and in particular manager Tony Allen deserve huge credit as due to the inclement weather on Saturday, Tony organized for Thorpe vs Bungay to be played on the 3G surface at Easton College. Fantastic to see this attitude and willingness to play from Thorpe St Andrew in a game where everything is stacked against them and they are clear underdogs to want to play so much is a credit to Tony and their philosophy.

Fakenham Town were other big winners taking a 9-2 victory at Stalham, Hat Tricks from Sophie Lubbock and Shelly Woods as well as goals from Nicole Costin, Amie Hutchinson and Vicky Lubbock sealed a comfortable win. Amber Mayhew netted both of Stalham Town’s goals.

In the game of the day, an exciting 2-2 draw was played out between Sprowston and Long Stratton with Samantha Walker and Luci Middleton getting the goals for the visitors and Sprowston goals scored by Bryony Brierly and Kate Morris.

**Above:** Long Stratton’s Luci Middleton in action vs Sprowston in the NWGFL Division One. **Photo:** Hardy Scott Photos.

Division Two:
No action took place with the scheduled games UEA vs Caister, Loddon United vs Gorleston, Horsford vs Kings Lynn Soccer Club, and Red Rose vs Freethorpe all postponed and Shrublands were given a home walkover vs FC Viking Valkyries.
Shrublands and Caister organized a sporting friendly at short notice via Twitter which is worth a mention in what has otherwise been a quiet Division Two day.

Barclays FAWSL Wrap

Darrell Allen rounds-up the weekend’s action which saw the shock result of the season at St. Andrews (11/1/22).

Above: Birmingham City celebrate their sensational win over Arsenal. Photo: Birmingham City Women.

Another depleted programme in the FAWSL saw just 50% of the weekend programme take place. Impetus was due to be at Kingsmeadow for the Friday night match between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur.

Unfortunately that will have to wait for another day as it was postponed due to COVID alongside the games between West Ham United and Manchester United as well as the clash between Aston Villa and Everton.

That just left three games that were all played on Sunday, the bottom versus top clash between Birmingham City and Arsenal at St Andrews, Brighton and Hove Albion against Manchester City at The People’s Pension Stadium in Crawley and Reading entertained Leicester City.

Sky Sports re jigged the schedules due to the postponed games and decided to screen the Birmingham City versus Arsenal clash at St. Andrews as part of their on going commitment to women’s football and enhanced coverage this season. It was certainly a wise move as Birmingham produced the shock of the weekend by shattering Arsenal’s unbeaten start and getting their first win of the season themselves.

Libby Smith got the opener scoring a superb goal after a superb pass from Lucy Quinn she fired home after just three minutes. Veatriki Sarri doubled the Blues advantage shortly before half time and the home side were in dreamland.

The second half required all their effort and outstanding game management and they did so superbly well seeing out the game and preserving their two goal advantage to claim an historic three points. It’s a result that gets Birmingham City off the FAWSL basement as well as blowing the title race wide open.

In East Sussex, it was Manchester City who were the heroes of the day against Brighton and Hove Albion. After a goalless first half, they produced a rampant second half with six goals in 28 second half minutes.

**Above:** Hayley Raso, Georgia Stanway and Keira Walsh celebrate for Manchester City in their big win at Brighton and Hove Albion. **Photo:** Manchester City Women.

It was an own goal in the 48th minute that opened the scoring after Lauren Hemp’s cross was turned in by Victoria Williams. Lauren Hemp got on the scoresheet herself two minutes later when she chipped the ball over Megan Walsh. The visitors made it four goals in seven minutes when Georgia Stanway buried the third in stunning fashion and Laura Coombs thundered the ball in from around 20 yards and after all that only 55 minutes had been played.

Two further goals were added when Matildas star Hayley Raso and Vicky Losada scored in the 73rd and 76th minutes respectively to make it a 6-0 win for City. It’s a result that sends a big statement as closes the Sky Blues in on a top three pursuit as we head into the second half of the season.

In the day’s final game it was a calmer affair as Reading claimed a hard fought three points beating bottom club Leicester City 1-0 with a super lob from Natasha Dowie enough to get the Royals all three points.

The win sees Reading on 16 points in sixth place and Leicester City go bottom following that win for Birmingham City over Arsenal.

The FAWSL continues this coming weekend with a full programme scheduled with Aston Villa vs Manchester City and Manchester United vs Birmingham City taking place on Saturday lunchtime and a quadruple bill on Sunday with Reading going to Arsenal, Emma Hayes’ Chelsea are at Everton, Leicester City host Brighton and Hove Albion and in the final game of the weekend, Tottenham Hotspur entertain West Ham United.

Impetus Achievers Awards

With Round Six done and dusted on the pitch, all that remains is for the Impetus A-League Women writing team of Kieran Yap, Kris Goman, and Ben Gilby to hand out their awards for player, coach, and event of the week (10/1/22).

PLAYER OF THE WEEK:

**Above:** Jumping highest to take the prize – Sydney FC’s Cortnee Vine caught the eye of both Kieran and Ben. **Photo:** Kris Goman

Kieran: Cortnee Vine she’s unstoppable at the moment. Vine is playing with absolute confidence and it’s hard to choose between her goal or her brilliant assist for Sydney as her best highlight of the win against Perth.

Kris: This week I’m going with Sarah Langman from Western Sydney Wanderers. She stopped eight shots, had a great game and won it for the team. It was very close between her and Clare Hunt though.

Ben: Another sensational performance from Cortnee Vine makes her the obvious choice for me. She’s the gun player in the competition right now and deserves to make the final 23 for the Asia Cup.

COACH OF THE WEEK:

Kieran: Adrian Stenta. It was an impressive win for Adelaide United. Stenta has built a well-balanced team and after a rough start, they’re starting to find form. This was their best 90-minute performance so far.

Kris: Cath Cannuli. Despite their position on the table, Western Sydney Wanderers have the second-best defensive record in the league, only behind Sydney. They have problems scoring but no problems keeping other teams out. They are the only team to take points from Sydney and have only lost one game – against table toppers, Sydney. They just need to work on finishing but Cannuli has the defence well sorted.

Ben: Hard choice this week with Cath Cannuli well worth the nod, but Adelaide United’s form over the past two rounds puts Adrian Stenta narrowly ahead for me. It took a while for the team to settle after the loss of several key players, but the Reds are now well organized at the back and looking so dangerous in attack. Is this their year for Finals…?

EVENT OF THE WEEK:

**Above:** Western Sydney Wanderers’ Bryleeh Henry (right) – two nominations for Moment of the Week. **Photo:** Western Sydney Wanderers.

Kieran: Bryleeh Henry’s penalty. She took responsibility for a crucial spot-kick to deliver Western Sydney’s first win of the season. It was a really well-taken penalty and it’s great to see a young player step up at the moment.

Kris: The announcement of the Matildas squad and seeing all the A-League Women players getting their call up. I was especially stoked to see Cortnee Vine get the nod after coming back to form from her ACL injury last year.

Ben: Bryleeh Henry’s comprehensive dispatch of Western Sydney’s penalty to clinch their first win of the campaign which put them in touching distance of the top four.

Wanderers Win Leaves Roar Frustrated…Again

Brisbane Roar 0-1 Western Sydney Wanderers

By Kris Goman (9/1/22)

Above: Bryleeh Henry (centre) celebrates with Sheridan Gallagher and Libby Copus-Brown after scoring from the spot. Photo: Western Sydney Wanderers.

We’re at the part of the season where wins are becoming crucial and both Brisbane and the Wanderers are desperately needing a win to have any hope of making the finals.

While the Wanderers have been rock solid in defence, their lack of goals has seen them draw three times but only record one loss. Brisbane on the other hand, have had one win, one draw but three losses, having played one more game than the Wanderers. They’ve certainly scored plenty of goals – ten goals to Wanderers one.

That is most certainly how this match played out. Roar attacking with all they’ve got and Wanderers, stoic in defence, taking their chances when they could. Roar wasted no time getting down to business with two early on target shots on goal by Katrina Gorry and Larissa Crummer, both saved by Sarah Langman.

**Above:** Brisbane Roar’s Larissa Crummer (right) escapes from the attentions of Wanderers’ Alexia Apostolakis. **Photo:** Western Sydney Wanderers.

Bryleeh Henry retaliated with a shot from a headed pass from Caitlin Cooper but it was too high and sailed over the bar.

After a series of fouls and free kicks, Libby Copus-Brown lobbed a ball through the centre to Henry. Her shot goes to the bottom left corner and was saved by Georgie Worth. Roar made a fast break and were back on the attack again. Crummer, Gorry, and Mariel Hecher all have a crack. Crummer and Gorry are close but off-target. Hecher’s shot required another save by Langman.

Clare Hunt is all over the field in both defence and attack and when she sends a ball through for Libby Copus-Brown, it goes across goal and out to the right.

Around the 30-minute mark, both teams step up to launch a wave of attacks. Teigan Collister starts it off with a shot that’s high and wide to the left for the Wanderers. Rie Kitano’s long-range shot from outside the box is blocked.

Back up the other end and Cooper goes high. Then Shea Connors brings the ball down the left and crosses to Hecher in the box in front of goal. She gets the ball under control and slips it through to Gorry arriving on her right. Gorry shoots and Langman has to reach for it. She fumbles and it bounces down perilously close to the line and then bounces off the goal post. She’s able to gather it but Roar are protesting it went in. Would have been a good one to look at with goal-line technology as it was very close.

The next ball through from Gorry finds Connors offside. Henry gets one more attempt but that also goes out to the left of goal.

**Above:** Wanderers’ Bryleeh Henry (right) looks to get away from Anna Margraf. **Photo:** Western Sydney Wanderers.

Just before halftime, Gallagher gets a yellow for a bad foul. She’s quite an aggressive player and doesn’t back down in tackles. She’s had a couple of yellows already this season. The resulting free-kick ends with Connors shooting from the centre of the box. It’s straight to Langman though. And the half end it’s nil all.

Back on after a well-deserved break in the heat and humidity, Connors dribbles down the centre of the field, creates some space, and gets a long shot off that just clears the top bar. Kitano makes an on-target strike which is gathered by Langman. Another attack by Gorry goes left and high of goal.

Gallagher takes a rather good volley shot at the top of the box from Henry but it goes straight to Worth.

Roar are back on the attack with Gorry causing all sorts of problems. She’s back in great form and it’s obvious why she was selected in the Matildas squad despite turning it down this time.Roar are looking more impressive in the first 15 minutes of the second half.

There’s the usual raft of substitutions around the 60-minute mark with Natalie Tathem replacing Kitano for the Roar and Olivia Price coming on for Alexia Apostolakis closely followed by Isabella Habuda replacing Ashlie Crofts for the Wanderers.

Connors sent a ball through for Anna Margraf but Langman ran out of the box and got there first to clear the ball with a big boot.

Habuda brought the ball down the right and skipped around Haffenden before arriving in the box and crossing. She sent the ball behind Henry who was waiting there and Collister had to go back to pick it up. She slipped it to Olivia Price, who evaded two defenders before being tackled and brought down in the box by Hecher. A penalty is awarded.

Henry steps up to take it. She goes hard and heavy to the bottom right and Worth dives that way too but it’s too fast and she can’t reach it. Wanderers score their second goal for the season at the 65-minute mark.

**Above:** Bryleeh Henry celebrates with her team-mates after scoring the only goal of the game from the penalty spot. **Photo:** Western Sydney Wanderers.

From that point, the Roar step it up another gear and it’s one attack after another.

A ball is through for Crummer into the box but Langman dives and smothers it.
Hecher kicks a long ball across from the right to Connors in the box. Her header goes to the left of goal. A nice little attack by the Roar ends with a strike by Connors but it’s deflected out for a corner.

Connors and Cooper collide and Cooper lands heavily on her shoulder but seems to be OK.

Another attack sees Clough in space and she’s able to pass to Hecher but it’s deflected for a corner. Crummer gets her head to it but it goes high. Another long ball sees Crummer surrounded as she enters the box and Langman is on it once again. The corner results in a pile on in front of goal. A free-kick is awarded to the Wanderers as the Roar are literally on top of the ball.

When Connors finally beats Langman it goes wide across goal. Roar are not giving up but nor are Wanderers. Crummer shoots again but it’s straight to Langman who’s been a brick wall.

When the Wanderers get a corner they go into time-wasting mode – also known as “game management”. It frustrates Brisbane and Connors gets a yellow at 88 minutes for a tackle on Gallagher. There’s more time-wasting in the corner and five minutes of stoppage time is announced.

**Above:** Jessie Rasschaert (3) looks to get away from Bryleeh Henry. **Photo:** Western Sydney Wanderers.

Connors crosses but Tathem can’t get to it. Connors tries a long shot but it’s straight to Langman. Another nice attack is foiled by Hunt.

Collister and Norrie fighting through the midfield ends in a pushing match and yellow for both of them as frustrations rise.

The whistle goes and Wanderers get their first three points of the season. Defence wins the game and Wanderers back four were solid as a rock. Langman saved the day on more than one occasion.

In the end, possession was pretty even with Roar marginally in front. But when you look at shots and shots on target, Roar are way out in from. 22 shots to 10. Nine shots on target to three. And two saves for Roar to nine saves for the Wanderers. When it mattered, Henry was able to step up. She said after the match that she needed to “Bury it” to get the three points.

Gorry was reflective after the match and said they needed to be clinical in front of goal. She also spoke about turning down the opportunity to join the Matildas for the Asian Cup. She said it was a very hard decision but wants to keep her baby daughter Harper safe and India was just too hard under these current circumstances.

The win sees Wanderers leapfrog Brisbane Roar on the table with a game in hand. Their next game is against third-placed Melbourne Victory and it should be interesting. Victory have had a couple of unexpected results and will be without some of their star players who will be joining the Matildas. Roar will be playing Wellington Phoenix and should be expecting to win.

Teams: BRISBANE ROAR (4-3-3): Worth (GK), Margraf, Rasschaert, Rankin, Norrie (c), Hecher, Crummer, Gorry, Connors, Kitano, Haffenden. Substitutes: Stamatopoulos, Tathem, Clough, Shuttleworth, Dennis.

WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS (4-2-3-1): Langman (GK), Matos, Apostolakis, Hunt, Halloway (c), Cooper, Copus-Brown, Henry, Collister, Gallagher, Crofts. Substitutes: Whitton (GK), Ralston, Price, Habuda, Allen.

Scorer: Henry (pen) 65′.

Referee: Lara Lee.

Attendance: 450

Northern Ireland News Round-Up

From the Irish FA (9/1/22)

Above: Northern Ireland’s European Championship preparations have stepped up a notch this week. Photo: Irish FA.

A seven-month training camp to prepare the Northern Ireland team for the UEFA Women’s European Championships this summer kicked-off this week.

The creation of the camp means players in Kenny Shiels’ squad who do not play the game professionally in England or Scotland will become full-time players in the run-up to the tournament, which is being staged in England in July.

“We will do everything we can to prepare the squad for this fantastic occasion,” said Irish FA chief executive Patrick Nelson.

“It has been a huge undertaking to put such an operation together over the last few months. We are, of course, used to short term international training get-togethers, but never before have we run a seven-month camp with the financial, operational, technical, welfare and medical support such a project demands,” he pointed out.

A total of 22 Northern Ireland-based players will be training under the non-residential full-time programme, which is to be based at Newforge Sports Complex in south Belfast.

Squad members who play professionally in England and Scotland will remain with their clubs to train except if selected for games in international windows in February, April and June ahead of the tournament.

Northern Ireland senior women’s team boss Kenny Shiels said: “2022 will be a pivotal year for my squad and backroom team. Having a permanent base at Newforge will help us collectively to maximise our potential in readiness for World Cup qualifiers and, of course, competing at the Euros in England.

“It will take at least six weeks until our programme begins to show effect. It’s certainly a great feeling to be part of it. Some girls will adjust quicker than others. Newforge is a fantastic setting for the girls to progress.”

Angela Platt, the Irish FA’s Director of Women’s Football, said: “Up to now many of our players have balanced studying or employment, or both, with training commitments to prepare to compete at the highest level in our sport.

“Competing with the best requires a level of commitment that makes full time employment virtually impossible. With this programme now in place it will enable our squad to fully focus on being elite athletes and give us the best chance of success in Southampton later this year.

“To the employers, education organisations and clubs we say a big thank you for their support in releasing players from their current commitments to be part of this exciting and innovative programme.”

The camp’s training schedule covers every day of the week except Saturdays; Saturday is the scheduled day off for players.

Shiels is expected to have a fluid training schedule, however each week there will be pitch sessions (both tactical and physical which will be tailored on group and one-on-one basis and will include match scenarios), individual and group strengthening and conditioning plus balanced rest and recovery sessions.

In addition there will be performance analysis sessions along with physiotherapy, massage and cryospa treatments. And there will be psychology (both individual and team) sessions, too.

Beattie Makes Step Up To Glasgow City

**Above:** Kerry Beattie, a new signing for Glasgow City, Scotland’s most successful club side. **Photo:** Irish FA.

Northern Ireland international Kerry Beattie has signed for Glasgow City

Beattie, 19, joins the Scottish Women’s Premier League 1 side on a three-and-a-half-year deal for an undisclosed fee.

The striker makes the switch to Scotland from Glentoran Women where she played an integral part in capturing the Danske Bank Women’s Premiership title last season, scoring a brilliant 23 goals to top-score in the league. The Glens also won the League Cup and the Electric Ireland Women’s Challenge Cup.

“I feel absolutely delighted to be joining a team as prestigious as Glasgow City,” Beattie said. “I am looking forward to this next chapter in my life and the opportunity to develop my game further greatly excites me. I can’t wait to meet the team and get to work.”

Beattie has made six appearances for the Euros-bound Northern Ireland Women’s team and scored her first goal for her country in their FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifier victory against North Macedonia in Belfast in November.

Beattie has been handed the number 11 shirt and could feature in Sunday’s Scottish Women’s Cup game v Queen’s Park, subject to international clearance.