Artwork provided to Impetus by: Scottish Women’s Football.
Chelsea Cornet of Rangers has been voted as the winner of the Scottish Women’s Premier League One (SWPL 1) Player of the Month for November 2021 while Jade McLaren of Dundee United is the winner of the SWPL 2 award.
Both players received the highest number of public votes as well as securing the most votes from the Head Coaches within both divisions.
In the top flight in November, Rangers won three out of three games starting with a comfortable 5-0 midweek win over Motherwell. Their most significant result though came in the form of a 1-0 away win against rivals and title contenders Celtic the following Sunday. They then required a stunning Cornet strike to see off Partick Thistle 1-0 in their last fixture which kept them top of the table.
In her role in midfield, Cornet played the full 90 minutes in all three games. She provided one assist against Motherwell and scored the vital goal to defeat Partick Thistle. She also boasted an 87% successful pass rate in the month.
Cornet spoke of her pride in being the second Rangers player in a row to win the trophy: “I’m honoured to have picked up this award. I’m thrilled to be in the squad, playing regularly, and contributing to this team. It’s nice, on top of being in the starting 11, to have my hard work and contribution recognized.
“I didn’t realise at the time how important the goal against Partick Thistle would be and I didn’t think much of it. Watching it back, it was a pretty special goal and obviously secured us three points which is the main thing. I’m delighted to be playing my part and helping this team stay top of the table.”
Cornet also secures back-to-back SWPL 1 Player of the Month awards for Rangers after Rachel McLauchlan picked up the October 2021 award and it’s the club’s third award of the calendar year after Brogan Hay won April 2021.
Artwork provided to Impetus by: Scottish Women’s Football.
In SWPL 2 Dundee United’s Jade McLaren was voted as Player of the Month as her side also won all three of their games in November by a margin of at least four goals.
The versatile midfielder who previously played in defence, scored five goals in the month, including a hat-trick in their 5-1 win over Stirling University. She grabbed a brace in the 6-0 away win to Queen’s Park and while didn’t score against St Johnstone, McLaren played the full 90 in another 5-1 victory.
McLaren was thrilled to win the award: “I’m over the moon to win. It has been an aim of mine to even be nominated, so to win is extra special. I’m enjoying contributing to the team from midfield and it seems to be working well for me and the team overall.”
“This is definitely the strongest Dundee United team we’ve ever had. We missed out narrowly on promotion last season but I think that has been a bit of a blessing in disguise. It has allowed us to build and I think we’re stronger for that. Here’s hoping we can push on and win the league in 2021/22 to gain a place in the top flight.”
Also nominated for the SWPL 1 award was Glasgow City’s Aoife Colvill while Georgia Hunter (Heart of Midlothian), Lisa Swanson (Kilmarnock), and Nicola Reid (Glasgow Women) were nominated for the SWPL 2 award.
Impetus’ French editor Jean-Pierre Thiesset spoke to FC Flury ’91’s Finnish goalkeeper Katriina Talaslahti, a player with a rising reputation in a team challenging for their first-ever UEFA Women’s Champions League qualification (20/12/21).
Katriina Talaslahti who celebrated her 21st birthday on September 21, is one of the youngest goalkeepers in D1 Arkema, the top flight of the French Women’s Football Championships. In a competition where the average age of goalkeeper is around 25 years old, only Chiamaka Nnadozie, Paris FC’s goalkeeper, is younger than Talaslahti and only by two and a half months. As a matter of fact, the two youngest goalkeepers in D1 Arkema are in the two teams who fight for third place in the table which gives a qualification spot for UEFA Women’s Champions League.
After two years with Olympique Lyonnais as their third goalkeeper, Katriina signed with FC Fleury 91 in early August 2021 willing to be number one in her new team. She started the third game of the season against Bordeaux away from home and Fleury won 2-1. Since, she kept the number one spot with three clean sheets (Soyaux 1-0 and Reims 1-0 at home, Saint-Etienne 4-0 away from home).
Above: Katriina during the game against Lyon on December 5th. Photo: Jean-Pierre Thiesset for Impetus.
Interview:
Jean-Pierre Thiesset: Do you speak French now?
Katriina Talaslahti: I can communicate with my friends. I have been in France for two and a half years and it is still quite hard, but it is getting better, and it is good to communicate in French.
JPT: So, we can do the interview in French?
KT: No, let’s do it in English (laughs).
JPT: How was your arrival at Fleury?
KT: The welcome was very nice. The area where I lived is different than when I was in Lyon because I was in the centre of a big city and now, I am in a smaller town, but I like it and it is not so far from Paris. I am getting used to France and I like it.
The players were really welcoming to me, and they wanted to speak to me straight away. It took a little bit of time to get into the team, and it is normal, but now I have good friends here and it feels more like a home; it is nice to go out with the girls when we have one evening free.
From the staff, when I arrived, they had to see me and test me, and I think I gave them the trust that they needed. Everything is very well scheduled here. The training sessions are somewhere similar to what it was in Lyon, and it feels like a normal daily rhythm.
The facilities are different because Lyon is a bigger club, but it is fine, and we have everything we need to train professionally. The coaches bring good training sessions and for my part as a goalkeeper, my coach is very good, and I like his training sessions. They are enjoyable and I like to go there because I know something different is coming each day and because I am getting better by doing it. So, it is not a lot of changes for me, it is the same amount of training, and it is just a new staff and new players.
JPT: What makes Fleury a good club to play for?
KT: Most of the players are a little bit older and they are experienced, so they bring this atmosphere of confidence to the game. Fleury is a smaller club than the others I have been in, but it gives them even more motivation to get bigger and higher. You can see from the players, from the staff, and from the organization that they want to grow and learn; It does not need to always be the biggest but the mentality in the club is to progress and I like that.
Our President, Mr. Pascal Bovis, is very polite to everybody, he is caring about the women’s team, and he comes to watch the games.
JPT: How do you feel being the number one goalkeeper for FC Fleury 91, and one of the two youngest goalkeepers in D1 Arkema as well?
KT: Obviously, it takes a lot of work to be number one. When I came to Fleury, I did not play the first two games, so it was sad for me because I came quite late in the season; but I was happy when I arrived at Fleury and now, I get to play so it feels exciting. Obviously, I still need to do a lot of work because it is not a final status, as you all know no player has a permanent place in the team, and every day it is like a fight to keep the spot by doing hard work, and I like it. I am very happy, yes, I am very happy. I have a nice feeling about it, and it keeps the motivation on. I am very happy that FC Fleury 91 trust me and they want to put me in the goal, it is very nice from them. I heard that I am one of the youngest goalkeepers in D1 Arkema and it is a nice feeling.
Above: Katriina attentive to catch the ball during the game against Lyon on December 5th. Photo: Jean-Pierre Thiesset for Impetus.
There are a lot of goalkeepers that are much older, and they are really experienced, but it also shows from the club that they want to put in the goal the girl that they think is the best one and I think it gave me the chance to show them that I can do the job, and it motivates me to be on the field. I want to show that even if I am young, I am capable to play in D1 Arkema because I think I have a good background from Lyon and Bayern.
JPT: FC Fleury are fighting for third place in the table. How do you feel about that?
KT: I think that for us it is a good challenge to try to reach third place because you can qualify for the Champion’s League so that gives the whole team even more motivation to push harder and to win the games and I am very happy at the moment.
The spirit in our team is that we are really motivated to win, and this is why you can see in the training sessions that we are giving one hundred percent because as a team we want to develop and to get better. To win the games to reach third place, we still have to work hard. There are good teams we play against and even for me it is better to have work to do as a goalkeeper; imagine I would be only standing in the goal and with nothing to do and that’s not work for me.
Most of the games, it is going back and forth, so it is a lot of work and I really like it because I am the last person on the field (laughs). And when we do not win, we want to win the next one. In this year’s team, since I arrived, I have noticed that when we start to win the games, the girls get more confident, and it is nice to see it from the team. This is what I like about the team. I think we are really capable and that we are a good team, a professional team in the D1 Arkema league. Everything comes also because we have confidence in the team, and that we have older players that bring confidence into our game. The average age in our team is around 26, I guess, and there are not a lot of young players, and I am happy to be one of them (laughs).
JPT: To reach the third spot you should beat Lyon in December?
KT: Oh yeah (laughs). It will be a difficult game but as I always like to say, it is difficult, but it is possible. I am really looking forward to it.
JPT: You can also beat Paris St. Germain; Lyon will like it.
KT: Yes, for us also, we must beat all the Paris teams (laughs).
JPT: Could you tell us what is the strategy regarding your plays as a goalkeeper, when to go out for the ball, when to stay on the goal line?
KT: I think it depends on the team we play against. We also must follow what the coach tells us. More importantly, we must adapt regarding how other teams are playing. I am a very tall girl and for all the balls that come to the box it is just a matter of a lot of little details; Is it a high ball, is it a ball at the level of the head of the defence players, so you must always read it quickly to take the good decision. Obviously, for my first year as a playing goalkeeper in D1 Arkema league in France, I still have a lot to learn but I think it just depends on the situation.
Above: Katriina Talaslahti in the air to catch a ball against Ada Hegerberg head and avoid a goal during the game against Lyon on December 5th. Photo: Jean-Pierre Thiesset for Impetus.
Furthermore, in each situation, you have less than one second to make your decision if you go out or not.
JPT: Against Guingamp, they scored twice, how do you feel about not keeping another clean sheet?
KT: It was unfortunate, we got a penalty, and we got an own goal. It happens in a game, it is a game, it is football. But at the end it was a good result (6-2); obviously, it was sad that we conceded two goals, but we keep going.
JPT: How do you feel about playing against your ex-teammates in Lyon in December?
KT: I would say … uh … exciting (laughs). It is going to be a difficult and hard game, and I think it will be a lot of work for me and for the team. But we are positive, and I would say we cannot wait to go to Lyon because it is a big game for both of us, the biggest for us; We want to get third place and Lyon want to stay in first place.
There has been a long time I have not been there, and it is also nice to see old teammates because I have a lot of friends there. It is going to be nice to say hello to all of them and to the fans because it is good to have all these fans around. So, it is lovely to be there soon; in one and a half weeks.
JPT: Is there something you want to say to your fans from Fleury and from Lyon?
KT: It is very important to have fans that support you because that makes your carrier more interesting. Thank you for the support, it has been nice to get to know you. I want to make time for you and if you come by, I would like to say “Hi”. Even when I do not have time, I try to make time to see you. And Merry Christmas to everybody.
Addendum:
On December 5, 2021, Fleury played in Lyon and lost 4-0 in a tough and physical game between the two sides. Fleury showed that they were not in fourth place in the table by chance and gave Lyon a stern test. Katriina produced another good performance but could not really do a lot on the four goals as the gap between her team and Lyon is still pretty large.
Above: Katriina in action to stop Ada Hegerberg’s shot during the game against Lyon on December 5th. Photo: Guillaume Charton FFM.
Katriina told me at the end of the game that it was difficult but that they will continue to work and fight for third place in the standing. She was a little bit disappointed but at the same time very pleased to see all her fans in Lyon. Katriina spent a lot of time signing photos and taking selfies with her fans at the end of the game for the greatest pleasure of all.
With an exciting draw for the Third Round of the Scottish Women’s Cup where the big guns meet the lower league sides plus the season launch details for the lower levels of the women’s game in Scotland – we round up all the news from today. Thanks to Scottish Women’s Football(20/12/21).
Above: The Scottish Women’s Cup. Photo: Scottish Women’s Football.
Scottish Women’s Cup Draw:
Today’s sixteen ties have brought about some fascinating ties. Glasgow giants Celtic and Rangers both travel to lower league opposition with the Hoops going to Edinburgh City and Rangers to Stenhousemuir. Fourteen in a row league champions Glasgow City host second-tier Queen’s Park
Second-tier leaders Dundee United travel to lower-level opposition – either Westdyke or United Glasgow. In other top ties involving tier two teams, St. Johnstone hosts top-flight side Aberdeen whilst Kilmarnock travel to lower league Dryburgh Athletic or Harmony Row, whose second-round tie was postponed this weekend. There is also an all Premier League One tie between Partick Thistle and Motherwell.
Full draw:
Livingston v Montrose
Boroughmuir Thistle v Renfrew
Spartans v Morton
Gartcairn v East Fife
Partick Thistle v Motherwell
Dryburgh Athletic or Harmony Row v Kilmarnock
Edinburgh City v Celtic
Gleniffer Thistle v Heart of Midlothian
St. Johnstone v Hibernian
Sutherland v Falkirk
Hamilton Academical v Inverness Caledonian Thistle
Glasgow City v Queen’s Park
Glasgow Girls and Womens v Aberdeen
Stenhousemuir v Rangers
Westdyke or United Glasgow v Dundee United
Stirling University v BSC Glasgow
Ties to be played on or before 9th January 2022.
SWFL Season Launch Details:
The 2022 Scottish Women’s Football League (SWFL) season kicks off on Sunday 27th March and the 2022 SWFL Cup gets underway on Sunday 13th February.
The three SWFL regions remain in place for the 2022 season. Seven teams will enter the SWFL North/East, 13 teams will enter SWFL West/South West, and 14 teams will enter the SWFL Central/South East.
In SWFL West/South West and SWFL Central/South East teams will play each other twice and in SWFL North/East will play each other four times.
New teams entering the SWFL are Dalbeattie Star, Cumnock, Nitsdale Wanderers, Drumpchapel United (all SWFL West/South West), Clydebank, Dunipace, Livingston Development, and Edinburgh South (all SWFL Central/South East).
You can view the 2022 fixtures for the following leagues by clicking below:
The format for the 2022 SWFL Cup has also been confirmed. Teams have been allocated into Regional Groups of four or five. Groups with four teams will play each other home and away, while groups with five teams will play each other once.
You can view the 2022 groups and fixtures by clicking here.
The top two teams from each group will progress to the Regional Round of 16 while a National draw will be conducted from the Quarter-Final onwards.
The SWFL Plate will also continue in 2022, offering opportunities for teams who do not progress in the SWFL Cup guaranteed games and an opportunity at silverware.
The dates for the SWFL Cup are as follows:
Sunday 13th February – Group Stage commences Sunday 10th April – Regional Round of 16 Sunday 1st May – Quarter-Final Sunday 22nd May – Semi-Final Sunday 26th June – Final
Highlands and Islands 2022 Season Announced
The 2022 SWF Highlands and Islands League season kicks-off on Sunday 13th March and the 2022 SWF Highlands and Islands League Cup gets underway on Sunday 27th March. The cup final will take place on Saturday 18th or Sunday 19th June and the final round of fixtures will be Sunday 9th October.
The nine teams featured in 2021 will participate again for the 2022 title, including reigning champions Inverness CT Development.
The 2022 SWF Highlands and Islands League Cup competition remains as normal with teams featuring in a knockout format. The date of the draw for the Prelim Round and Quarter-Final is TBC.
The only change will see Lewis & Harris enter the cup competition, giving them a chance to win the trophy after success in 2019. However, reigning champions Sutherland will have something to say about that.
The dates for the SWF Highlands and Islands League Cup are as follows:
Sunday 27th March – Prelim Round Sunday 10th April – Quarter-Final Sunday 22nd May – Semi-Final Saturday 18th or Sunday 19th June – Final
With Round Three done and dusted in the A-League Women, it’s time for the weekly awards given out by our team of writers covering the competition. For the first time, there was some divergence in opinion betweenKris Goman, Kieran Yap,and Ben Gilby(20/12/21).
PLAYER OF THE WEEK:
Above: Lynn Williams (right) who was the choice of two of our three A-League Women writing team for Player of the Week. Photo: @gomvfc
Kris: For me, it has to be Lynn Williams. She scored a wonderful goal and an assist. Williams was all over the field showing her class for Melbourne Victory. Honourable mention to Cote Rojas who was fantastic when she came off the bench for Sydney FC. She’s got that South American flair and I love it.
Kieran: It’s Lynn Williams. One goal and two assists when Victory were being outplayed away from home and without Chidiac. Can’t argue with the stats.
Ben: I’ve found it really hard this week. I thought Rhianna Pollicina bossed the first half for Melbourne City against Adelaide United and then Fiona Worts was instrumental in the South Australian side’s second-half comeback. I was overjoyed to see Cote Rojas back in the Dub, she is just outstanding. Lynn Williams deserves a mention too, but I’m going with Cortnee Vine. She was unstoppable down the right for Sydney FC and scored a super goal. She’s back to her best after that dreadful injury.
COACH OF THE WEEK:
Above: Rado Vidosic pictured at this week’s press conference where he made a personal plea for improvements to the A-League Women competition. Photo: Melbourne City.
Kris: Wellington Phoenix’s Gemma Lewis. They really stepped up against Sydney and didn’t collapse under the pressure. The team looked solid and are clearly coming together well. They kept the pressure on during the game.
Kieran: Melbourne Victory’s Jeff Hopkins. Williams was the hero, but he’s maintained form and full results with a constantly shifting lineup. Adding Alana Murphy to the starting lineup was a bold decision that will pay off long term.
Ben: Melbourne City’s Rado Vidosic. Not necessarily for how his team performed against Adelaide United, but for raising his head above the parapet and stating with passion and belief what he believes has to be done between now and 2023 to get the A-League Women competition in a strong place. His follow-up comment that if the changes are not made by the end of 2023 it is too late is a warning to the powers that be.
EVENT OF THE WEEK:
Above: Western Sydney Wanderers’ Ashlie Crofts who had an incredible debut. Photo: @wswanderers
Kris: The psycho last ten minutes of the Wanderers v Jets match culminating in Ashlie Crofts debut ALW goal. End to end to end to end football that was both frantic and exciting.
Kieran: Ashlie Croft’s equalizer for Western Sydney Wanderers, not only a vital goal in a team desperately needing a good moment, but a childhood fan becoming a hero for her hometown club.
Ben: Ashlie Croft’s equalizer at the death for Western Sydney Wanderers. It’s an incredible story – goal on your debut to save a point for your hometown club that you were a member (season ticket holder) of as a kid. What a moment.
Above: Wellington Phoenix’s Kate Taylor tussles with Sydney FC’s Remy Siemsen earlier today. Photo: @SydneyFC
Sydney FC extended their winning start to the A-League Women’s campaign with a comfortable victory over a game Wellington Phoenix side in difficult conditions at Kogarah.
The match was played in hot conditions with rain then arriving in the second half at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium with four drinks breaks throughout the encounter.
The pre-game team news for the home side centred around goalkeeper Jada Whyman making her 50th W-/A-League Women appearance. For Phoenix, Alyssa Whinham was named in the starting lineup for the first time and attacker Kelli Brown made her debut for the New Zealanders.
Above: Sydney FC’s Jada Whyman, who made her 50th W-/A-League Women performance today. Photo: @ALeagueWomen
Sydney started strongly with the in-form Cortnee Vine found on the right flank. She advanced towards the box, beating Saskia Vosper with something to spare and playing in Remy Siemsen, who couldn’t get any power into her shot and a combination of a deflection and the handiwork of Phoenix keeper Lily Alfeld cleared the danger.
Powerful runs along the flanks created another opportunity with nine minutes played when Ally Green’s cross from the left, got past Nix vice-captain Kate Taylor, who couldn’t get her head on the ball, and it fell towards Vine who couldn’t get an accurate shot away
Phoenix were having success in the middle of the park, asserting pressure on the home side. They also conjured up their first real opportunity when Whinham showed superb skill to turn away from Nat Tobin and Charlotte Mclean on the left of the box, but she couldn’t put in an effort to worry Whyman. The frustration showed on the teenage midfielder’s face, but it was further evidence that Wellington have some excellent creative players in their ranks.
It’s not just creativity that Phoenix possesses. They have some excellent readers of the game. 18-year-old Taylor was putting herself about physically on Siemsen with impressive results.
But for all that, Sydney still had the gun players to cause damage. With 24 minutes on the clock, in a move reminiscent of one of the early plays of the match, Jessika Nash’s throw saw Vine got free from Vosper on the right and have acres of space to drive into the box and curl home a beautiful finish from an acute angle between Phoenix’s would-be tacklers Grace Wisnewski and Taylor with the outside of her foot
Above: There was lots for Sydney FC to celebrate today. Photo: @SydneyFC
Wellington reacted well initially with Whinham again creating an opportunity after combining with Brown.
With seven minutes of the half to go, Vine continued her rampage along the right before squaring the ball back to Siemsen but the Matilda’s effort went over the bar.
The right was Sydney’s most productive area of the pitch with crosses galore and a large number of set-pieces being awarded down this flank with Hawkesby and Vine causing untold damage throughout the half with Princess Ibini and occasionally Taylor Ray popping up to add additional pressure down that side.
Yet, it remained just 1-0 at the break as Phoenix’s block defence was largely well organised which ensured that despite having plenty of possession and opportunities, the Sky Blues could only force the ball into the net once.
Sydney created the first real chance of the second half six minutes in when Siemsen ran onto a perfectly weighted through ball. Her attempt to square it across to Vine was partially blocked by Taylor into the path of Hawkesby who fired a powerful shot straight into Alfeld’s midriff.
Sydney doubled their lead with 54 minutes played. Ibini won a free-kick down the left after being barged off of the ball by Isobel Gomez. The resulting set-piece was sliced out for a throw. Green then advanced along the left and won a corner from Zoe McMeeken. Hawkesby found Ibini in acres of space from the flag-kick on the left of the box. The striker turned Chloe Knott and side-footed what was most likely a shot that took a deflection into the path of Charlize Rule who was totally unmarked at the back post to tap home.
Above: Charlize Rule (centre) celebrates her goal with Nat Tobin (left) and Cortnee Vine (right). Photo: @ALeagueWomen
As the game approached the hour mark, whilst the temperature was dropping and rain began to fall, it was clear that the heat had impacted Phoenix with Sydney being able to find increased spaces to attack.
Vine had a great opportunity with 65 minutes on the clock as Ibini danced past McMeeken and a through ball came her way via interplay between Hawkesby and Siemsen, but Alfeld advanced quickly to push the ball away for a corner which was cleared.
Within seconds though, the Sky Blues grabbed their third. Ibini dispossessed Mackenzie Barry and played a 1-2 with Siemsen. From the return ball, Hawkesby hit a first-time effort with her left foot into the far corner.
With 20 minutes to go, Cote Rojas was brought on for her Sydney FC debut. The Chilean superstar had previously lit up the competition with Adelaide United and was in outrageous form for Salisbury Inter during the South Australia NPL this year. Shortly afterward, Paige Satchell entered the field to take on her fellow Kiwis, but her pacey battles along the right-hand side with Tabitha Kramer were largely won by the Phoenix’s former Western Sydney Wanderers defender.
With eight minutes left, the 22-year-old Katie Offer came on in goal to get some experience and she only had limited work to do in the period. When she was called into action, it was to prevent an own goal as Ibini sliced a clearance towards her own goal which the Sydney keeper had to palm away.
Above: Mackenzie Hawkesby (facing camera) joins with Princess Ibini and Remy Siemsen (right) to celebrate her goal that put Sydney FC 3-0 up. Photo: @ALeagueWomen
Rojas’s trickery and pace shone through in the final stages with one trademark curled long through ball with the outside of her foot towards Ibini highlighting just what she brings to the party. Her other stock in trades – those quick feet, swivel turns, and upper body strength were also well in evidence. The Chilean was certainly the last thing that the tiring Wellington youngsters wanted to face with the clock winding down.
Despite Sydney completely controlling the final part of the game, they could not add to their goal tally. With Rojas now an integral part of an attack that also contains Siemsen, Vine, and Ibini, the rest of the competition is on notice – the Sky Blues are coming for you.
Impetus heard from bothhead coaches after the game. Sydney’s Ante Juric was clear that he sees plenty of room for his team can get better: “I don’t think it was our best game but we are gradually getting there. Like last week we played in patches, when we did play well in patches we looked very good but I still think we are way off, however it’s nice to win. We’ve still go enormous growth left in us.”
Wellington Phoenix’s Gemma Lewis saw further positives from her team in what was their toughest test so far: “I definitely think there were better moments in the game. We were more organized. There were moments in the game where I think we had a little bit of momentum, a little bit more territory and we were trying to stick to the way we wanted to play.
Above: Wellington Phoenix’s A-League Men’s team, who were also playing Sydney FC at Kogarah today, pictured supporting the club’s A-League Women side. Photo: @WgtnPhoenixFC
“I’m really proud of them for still pushing, still playing through the 90, and still trying to look for a goal, even at the end. A three-nil result sucks but at the same time there were moments in that performance we can be happy with I think.”
Lewis believes that the hot weather at the start of the game had an impact on her young team, which has an average age of just 19.
“It was tough. We knew some of our girls were going to struggle with it. There’s a couple of our girls who do struggle in heat as you would have seen from that game. Even being over here hasn’t really helped us too much because the weather has been really rubbish up until this point.
“We actually haven’t had a lot of time to acclimatise to it either. The last couple of days have been the first days for us it’s really been above 30 degrees so it was tough conditions for the players. But they still pushed through, they were still professional, they knew it was the same for both sides, so they got on with it.”
Impetus’ coverage of Australian Women’s Football is supported by The Chicken Salt Co. They are offering every Impetus reader 5% off all orders of Chicken Salt from their website. Go to https://www.chickensalt.co.uk/?mate=impetus and place your order – 5% will automatically be taken off of the cost. The coupon code is impetus.
Above: Melbourne Victory celebrate Catherine Zimmerman’s match deciding third goal with five minutes to play. Photo: @gomvfc.
Lynn Williams was the difference in a tightly contested attacking match between Melbourne Victory and Brisbane Roar.
The results of the first two rounds show that Brisbane had two losses and Victory two wins, However, the defending champions went into this game vulnerable.
Brisbane were at home, in need of a win, and had played some great football in the opening games. Only a calamitous error and a deflected shot stood between them and at least a couple of points.
Above: Melbourne Victory’s Courtney Nevin (left) is beaten to the ball against the Roar. Photo: @brisbaneroar
Victory on the other hand, were stretched at the back. Kayla Morrison’s absence was keenly felt in the derby against Melbourne City. Their local rivals took advantage with long balls over the top. Claudia Bunge and Amy Jackson had trouble cutting out these attacks and Brisbane would have studied this.
The first clear chance of the game came from Victory. Kyra Cooney-Cross whipped in one of her trademark corner kicks. Bunge leapt at the back post and made clean contact. Her header momentarily looked dangerous but floated harmlessly beyond danger.
Anna Margraf had Brisbane’s best chance in the first half. She found herself in space, behind the Melbourne defence and with only Casey Dumont to beat. The Victory keeper made herself big and was decisive in coming off her line. It was a good save but a lost opportunity.
Victory did not waste their next opportunity. Cooney-Cross played in a deeper position, using her pace to carry the ball from deep and passing range to spread the play. For the opening goal of the game, she sent a perfect pass out to Harriet Withers. The new recruit picked out Lynn Williams with a perfect cross and the American bulleted a header in to take the lead.
Brisbane kept threatening. Throughout the game, they would have 15 shots on goal. Katrina Gorry’s class was evident in her first start of the season. Her whipped-in low ball was cleared by Victory but the Matilda was looking dangerous.
Shea Connors looked the most likely to score for The Roar, her battle on the left wing with Polly Doran was vital in this match. For the first half at least Doran was the winner, but Connors was a constant danger.
Brisbane came out in the second half in search of an equalizer but Victory scored first again. It was the same combination in the reverse order. Lynn Williams raced down the left-wing, twisting and bustling to the by-line. She hooked in a cross to the back post where Withers was waiting to knock it into the net.
If you were late back to your seat from the interval, you would have missed this goal. It was a quick rebuke to any of Brisbane’s halftime plans.
At 2-0 up, It would be safe to assume that Victory were cruising, but this was not the case. It has been the pattern of Brisbane Roar this season to attack easily, attack dangerously but struggle to score. They play some brilliant football and it would even be harsh to say they lack an edge upfront. As basic as it sounds, they have just been unlucky.
Shea Connors tried to break that streak. Her goal in the 65th minute gave the home side hope and the home fans something to cheer about. It was the first goal by either the men or women’s teams at home this season and it was a deserved reward for her effort and endeavour.
Connors raced onto a long ball from Rie Kitano. She was goal side of Polly Doran and Bunge for the first time in the game with space ahead of her. Dumont came out to narrow the angle but Connors took her time to place the shot into the goal.
Brisbane had a chance and they threw everything at Victory to try and score another while the champions held on and defended sometimes desperately.
Above: Shea Connors (left) celebrates her goal for Brisbane Roar. Photo: @brisbaneroar
Connors had a penalty claim waved away and an equalizer disallowed for a very close offside call but a second Brisbane goal seemed likely.
It would come, but not until after Victory scored a third. Williams again was uncontainable. She slalomed her way past two Brisbane defenders on the right flank. Her low cut back made for an easy tap-in by Catherine Zimmerman. Victory were 3-1 up and it felt like game over.
That was until Larissa Crummer had a say in proceedings. Brisbane’s number nine raced through the middle of the pitch and out positioned Courtney Nevin. Her first attempt was well blocked by Dumont but she lifted the rebound over the sprawling keeper to make it 3-2 with about a minute remaining.
Victory were faced with similar circumstances to last week. A one-goal advantage, a tired defence, and a resurgent opposition. Maja Markovski deserves plaudits for her match awareness and composed footwork. The striker kept possession, moved the ball safely, and earned a free-kick as the clock ticked down.
Above: Victory acclaim their third and ultimately winning goal. Photo: @gomvfc
Victory held on again and Brisbane rued missed chances again. They had 15 shots on goal for the match and eventually more chances will start going in.
Melbourne have defensive reinforcements arriving soon. Until then they might just continue to try and outscore their opponents. It has worked so far and they have the attacking talent to do it.
Speaking about her team’s performance, Brisbane Roar’s Katrina Gorry admitted: “We’re creating chances, as we have in all three games now, but the finishing is not there.
“We need to be playing the ball around more, win our one on ones and start scoring some goals.”
Above: Shea Connors, one of the bright lights in Brisbane’s performance once more. Photo: @brisbaneroar.
Harriet Withers spoke of relief of getting the win: “It was a lot closer than it should have been at the end. When they got that first goal and got it back to 2-1 that was hard, but we got it out again to 3-1, then they came again. It was hard, but credit to the girls, they never give up.
“Kudos to Roar, they came back and never gave up. Everyone did really well. It was great to provide an assist for Lynn’s goal, she is an amazing player. I came off with a groin issue that has been niggling me all week. I just need to rest it and I’ll be back next week.”
Roar’s first goalscorer Shea Connors showed frustration at the outcome: “It’s disappointing again because I feel like we are a good side but we can’t get the results.”
Scorers: Williams 36’, Withers 46’, Zimmerman 85′.
Referee: Lara Lee.
Attendance: 1,258.
Impetus’ coverage of Australian Women’s Football is supported by The Chicken Salt Co. They are offering every Impetus reader 5% off all orders of Chicken Salt from their website. Go to https://www.chickensalt.co.uk/?mate=impetus and place your order – 5% will automatically be taken off of the cost. The coupon code is impetus.
Above: Melbourne City’s Rhianna Pollicina faces off against Adelaide United’s Emily Hodgson. Photo: @MelbourneCity
Melbourne City produced a dominant hour of football to condemn Adelaide United to their second defeat in three weeks at AAMI Park in a physical encounter. However, head coach Rado Vidosic may well be frustrated by his side’s inability to play for ninety minutes again.
Melbourne City welcomed back Chelsea Blissett on the bench which marked her first matchday involvement after missing the whole of last season with an ACL injury. For Adelaide United, Isobel Hodgson was out with a hamstring injury which brought Shadeene Evans back into the starting line-up. Leah Varley, from the small town of Finley, NSW which can also boast four top AFL players as well as rock band Spiderbait among the products of its 2,500 population, was on the bench for the South Australians.
Above: Holly McNamara (right) in possession under the watchful eye of Adelaide United’s Paige Hayward. Photo: @MelbourneCity.
The match burst into life instantly for City as Holly McNamara put a dangerous cross into the box towards Hannah Wilkinson, but teenager United defender Ella Tonkin managed to get her head on the ball which was enough to just about divert it away from the Kiwi international for a corner. The resulting set-piece was played short to Rebekah Stott whose ball back into the mix took a deflection off of Reds defender Emma Stanbury and went narrowly over the bar.
In his pre-game press conference, City head coach Rado Vidosic emphasized how he wanted to get his team back to the way they were playing two seasons ago when they were able to reduce the opposition’s time in possession to an average of nine seconds each time.
His players had clearly listened as they were maintaining a high press and exceptionally hungry to win the ball back as soon as the South Australians gained it. Although it is fair to say that City weren’t alone in their aggressive approach with Evans dropping deep and buzzing around the midfield in the opening exchanges to dispossess City.
Above: Adelaide United’s Ella Tonkin (right) has her eyes on the ball. Photo: @MelbourneCity
After 15 minutes of harum-scarum end-to-end action which saw City have the better opportunities, the game settled slightly. The hosts continued to create though and a superb ball in from the right by Rhianna Pollicina found the head of Wilkinson who put the ball wide of the far post.
With 25 minutes on the clock, City were rightly aggrieved at having a clear free-kick in a central position just outside the box denied them. United’s Matilda McNamara, the final defender, looked to have a hold on Holly McNamara’s shirt and clip her heels, yet play was waved on.
Stanbury then copped a nasty blow to her side in a challenge with Tyla-Jay Vlajnic which prompted a long delay before she was passed fit to continue.
Above: Emma Stanbury in possession for Adelaide United at AAMI Park today. Photo: @AdelaideUnited
With the half entering its final 15 minutes, City were denied by referee Rachael Mitchenson once more as Emily Hodgson handled in the box but no penalty was forthcoming.
Adelaide then provided a reminder of the danger of not turning possession into goals when Fiona Worts was played in by Evans and held off Emma Checker with her effort having to be pushed out for a corner by Melissa Barbieri.
The home side were well on top and finally made that tell with 38 minutes on the clock. A long cross-field ball from the right was initially repelled by United, before Pollicina won possession back and found Vlajnic outside her who offloaded to Wilkinson before the ball was then moved on to Leah Davidson. The midfielder returned the ball to Pollicina just outside the 18-yard box to the left. City’s former Newcastle Jets striker took a touch, turned Hodgson, and thumped home a glorious long-range effort into the top right-hand corner.
Above: Melbourne City jump for joy after scoring two goals in quick succession. Photo: @MelbourneCity.
Just two minutes later, City doubled their lead. Pollicina’s corner from the left was met by a thumping header from Wilkinson who beat Tonkin comfortably in the air to score.
The Sky Blues were on fire with Pollicina having a field day. Just before the break she drove through the centre, played a delightful ball inside to Holly McNamara who forced a superb save at the near post from Annalee Grove.
After a frustrating spell where they could not turn possession into a scoreboard lead, the half-time whistle brought about a half-time score which reflected the balance of power.
Melbourne City came out firing at the start of the second half with a series of clever positional runs and inside balls. With only three minutes on the period played, and a City cross in from the left led to Matilda McNamara swinging her foot out and hitting the ball against her own bar.
Above: Emily Condon in action before going off through injury. Adelaide United will be hoping that it is not a serious setback for their talismanic star. Photo: @AdelaideUnited.
A disappointing afternoon for Adelaide United looked to worsen when captain Emily Condon left the pitch just before the hour mark limping to be replaced by Reona Amiya. Despite the loss of Condon, the visitors had now drawn the sting from City and began to offer more in an attacking sense as Paige Hayward got a shot away which bounced in front of Barbieri and into her arms.
The home goalkeeper was called into action again three minutes later when Worts hit a shot on the turn outside of the box from the right which swerved in the air and bounced in front of Barbieri who shovelled it away for a corner which Stott then headed over for a repeat flag-kick.
This time, Worts’ ball in was met with a powerful header from Evans at the back post which was pushed out by Barbieri into the path of Dawber who could not miss. Worts was a major influence on Adelaide’s second-half revival. The striker, who was a major part of Fulham United’s revival in the latter part of the SA NPL season was bringing Dawber into the game more and also responsible for the increasing impact of Evans.
Shortly afterward, roared on by the Melbourne Victory fans in the stadium for the following A-League Men’s derby, Evans ran down the right and found Dawber who got a shot away which the Sky Blues custodian saved.
Above: Adelaide United’s Fiona Worts (left) had a hugely influential second half. Photo: @AdelaideUnited.
With 20 minutes to go, Chelsea Blissett made her return to top-level women’s football after over a year’s absence as she replaced Vlajnic.
For the third time during the game, referee Rachael Mitchenson sparked the ire of Melbourne City as Stanbury had a hand of Wilkinson’s shirt. Having been booked earlier in the game, the Adelaide defender was let off by the official when most expected a second yellow followed by a red to be shown.
Less than a minute later, Mitchensen was being cursed once more, but this time by Adelaide. Dawber found Worts on the left of the box and there was what looked like an arm on the back of the striker by Checker which caused Worts to go to ground, but again the official ignored the appeals.
Despite having the loud vocal support of the ever-increasing crowd of Melbourne Victory fans, Adelaide couldn’t quite find an equalizer despite having the best of the last half-hour and in the final minute of stoppage time at the end of 90 minutes, City made them pay.
Leticia McKenna, on as a sub went agonizingly close, and then almost instantly afterward, the Western Australian played a ball in from the right which bounced into the path of Wilkinson who ran across Matilda McNamara and slid home the clinching goal. It was another three points for City, but again they fell away after the hour mark – something that on another day would have cost them the win.
Speaking about her influential first half, City star Rhianna Pollicina said: “Hannah (Wilkinson) has got some height on her and it was a good switch up from earlier short corners. Luckily for her, she got her first goal. In terms of my own goal, when I hit it, I knew I hit it sweet, but I didn’t know it was going in to start with!”
Impetus’ coverage of Australian Women’s Football is supported by The Chicken Salt Co. They are offering every Impetus reader 5% off all orders of Chicken Salt from their website. Go to https://www.chickensalt.co.uk/?mate=impetus and place your order – 5% will automatically be taken off of the cost. The coupon code is impetus.
Words and Pictures by Jean-Pierre Thiessetdirect from the Groupama Training Centre(18/12/21).
Above: Catarina Macario in action for Lyon during the game against BK Häcken. Photo: Jean-Pierre Thiesset for Impetus.
As expected in a game between the top UEFA-ranked side, Olympique Lyonnais, and 27th placed BK Häcken, this game was won by Lyon. The French side earned 59% of possession, 555 passes with an 82% success rate, 24 shots with 12 on target, and seven corners. For BK Häcken, 41% of possession, 409 passes with 72% successful, four shots with one on target, and no corners.
However, it was not an easy game for Lyon in the first half against a physical team that tried to play their game which perturbed the home players who had to wait until the 35th minute to score. Catarina Macario hit the crossbar after receiving the ball from Selma Bacha’s cross but was able to put the rebound into the net.
The Swedish visitors continued to push up to the end of the first half but without really being able to threaten the Lyon goal.
Above: Ada Hegerberg makes it 2-0 for Lyon in the 52nd minute. Photo: Jean-Pierre Thiesset for Impetus.
The second half started with Lyon’s players more aggressive and more accurate on their passes and the game quickly turned to their advantage with a goal from Ada Hegerberg after 52minutes again following a cross from Selma Bacha.
With 76 minutes on the clock, Amandine Henry scored solo goal after intercepting the ball 20 meters from goal, the consequence of a high press.
Above: Amandine Henry – who scored Lyon’s third goal, in action during the game. Photo: Jean-Pierre Thiesset for Impetus.
Janice Cayman made it 4-0 when she hit a half volley on a pivot on a cross from Melvine Malard to score a wonderful goal just three minutes later.
Above: Janice Cayman, who made it 4-0, in action during the game against BK Häcken. Photo: Jean-Pierre Thiesset for Impetus.
Without a great performance from BK Häcken goalkeeper, Jennifer Falk, especially in the second half, Lyon would have scored a lot more. Falk made several excellent saves.
Above: One of the great saves by BK Häcken goalkeeper Jennifer Falk against Lyon. Photo: Jean-Pierre Thiesset for Impetus.
Selma Bacha, who was voted the best D1 Arkema player of the month in September and November, delivered another great game as a left-sided striker. She made two decisive passes in this UEFA Women Champions League game. Bacha continues to put in outstanding performances whatever she plays as a left defender or left striker.
Above: A tussle for the ball between Wanderers and Jets last night. Photo: Getty Imagesvia Newcastle Jets.
A nail-biting end-to-end game saw the first-ever draw in a game between Western Sydney Wanderers and Newcastle Jets. Two debut goals and a substantial number of near misses left the crowd enthralled on a sunny afternoon at Wanderers Park.
Wanderers were coming into the match winless and goalless after a first-round draw with Wellington Phoenix and a loss at the hands of Sydney last week. Newcastle start on a high after thrashing Phoenix last week but, similarly, losing to Sydney the week prior.
Newcastle are celebrating a couple of milestones this week with Emily Van Egmond playing her 100th W/A-League Women game and Cass Davis playing her 100th consecutive W/A-League Women match – all for Newcastle Jets. She’s literally played in every single match the Newcastle Jets have played since the 2013/2014 season.
Newcastle are playing in their white away strip and the Wanderers are in their familiar black and red. Wanderers kick-off.
Photo: @WSWanderers
Elizabeth Eddy gives an early foul on Teigan Collister for hanging on to her in the tackle. The free-kick lands with Brylee Henry who heads it but it’s sent out for the first corner. Libby Copus-Brown’s kick goes to Claire Hunt but she can’t direct her header down and it lands on top of the net. Wanderers are applying pressure early on.
Eddy takes a long shot from almost the sideline to goal. It’s a long way and easily gathered by Sarah Langman, under no pressure.
Hunt loses the ball during an attempted dribble out of the box and is relieved by Ashlee Brodigan. Caitlin Cooper rushed back to use her body to see the ball over the byline safely as Brodigan’s shot goes wide.
Emily Van Egmond receives a quality ball into the box but turned and cut it back instead of shooting. There was no one there for her pass. Seemed to be a golden opportunity wasted.
Hannah Brewer gets a yellow for a late tackle on Erica Halloway. A pass across the goal is missed by Sheridan Gallagher. Halloway connects but it hits the post in a very close attempt.
Out of the blue, Tiana Jaber gets a pass from Davis, cuts back and takes a very long shot from downtown, and unleashes a missile that goes over Langman’s fingertips and hits the back of the net. Jets go up 1-0 at 21 minutes in.
Henry is awarded a free-kick after a rumble with Davis. It’s in a good spot to retaliate. Copus-Brown takes it after returning to the field from an asthma attack but Taren King heads it out. Copus-Brown takes the corner which is cleared by Van Egmond.
The Jets retaliate and Brodigan passes to Sunny Franco in the box but she can’t get onto the ball and Langman collects it.
Looks like Copus-Brown hasn’t recovered from her asthma issues and comes off to be replaced by Rosie Galea at 28 minutes.
Georgia Boric distributed out from goal straight to Galea but she passed to Gallagher who was still coming back onside. Gallagher then finds herself offside again after a nice build-up into the box. Wanderers are now squandering chances.
Gallagher picked up the ball in the box, cuts back, and shoots low. Boric gets to it without too many problems. Galea has another shot immediately afterwards in a sustained Wanderers attack just before halftime. Danika Matos sees the half out by sending a curling pass into the box but Henry can’t get to it before Boric.
Above: Wanderers’ Erica Halloway (8) keeps her eyes on the ball against the Jets. Photo: Getty Images via Newcastle Jets..
Ashlie Crofts comes on for Collister at halftime. Wanderers come back on fighting. Brodigan gives away a free kick on the edge of the box but the free-kick comes to nothing as it’s well defended.
With 56 minutes played, and Sophie Harding replaces Brodigan. The 22-year-old is an imposing figure. Newcastle launch a spate of attacks and Tara Andrews sends a shot from the right straight to Langman. Van Egmond’s corner goes over the mob assembled in front of goal. Shortly after, Van Egmond crafts a long shot on goal but it’s just off target and goes to the right of goal. She’s certainly been successful before with those tactics but it doesn’t come off this time.
Up the other end, Galea shoots from the left. It crosses goal and goes just out to the right similar to Van Egmond’s shot. Gallagher can’t get to it. Galea misses another shot that goes wild, immediately after. Then Matos gets taken down by Brewer at top of the box. It’s a dangerous spot. Olivia Price takes it and it hits the left post hard. Henry’s follow-up goes high.
Harding, down the other end, beats Langman and has an open goal but Hunt comes in to clear in a heroic effort that saves a certain goal.
Alexia Apostolakis is on for Malia Steinmetz at 72 minutes. She took a pretty serious knock immediately prior so 15-year-old Alexia Apostolakis gets into her second game with the Wanderers with some decent minutes this time.
Above: Erica Halloway (left) tries to hold off Jets’ Sophie Harding. Photo: Getty Images via Newcastle Jets.
Harding cracks a shot from the left and Langman has it covered again. In a breakaway attack, Harding squares the ball to Franco but she shanks it and it goes off to the left in a missed golden opportunity.
Tara Andrews goes off at 77 minutes to be replaced by Jemma House.
Henry is pushed over by Eddy in the box during a cross. Galea gets the ball but it’s high over the crossbar. There are calls all over the park for a penalty but the referee isn’t listening. The bench is furious.
Jaber directs a pass to Franco in the box and she gets away a strong kick but it deflects off the boots of a defender. As the clock runs down, the game speeds up and the ball is all over the park. Build-up play is long gone and we’re in counterattack mode.
Gallagher to Galea and she tries another long shot. This is closer but it’s still out to the top left.
Above: Sunny Franco in possession for the Jets last night. Photo: Getty Images via Newcastle Jets.
Harding brings a ball down the side and crosses as she approaches goal but there’s no one there to tap it in.
A Galea corner hits the crossbar. The rebound is sent to heaven by Price. Shots on target are seriously lacking by the Wanderers. Another concerted attack ends in a cross by Cooper headed out by Crofts.
Back down the other end and it’s Franco to Harding dead centre for the shot. A big save by Langman out there on her own.
Another bending shot by Galea goes straight into the arms of Boric. At least it’s finally on target.
A ball comes down the centre from Price through a series of headers. Gallagher gets it to Crofts who lobs it over Boric to finally get the equalizer right on 90 minutes and not before time. The hometown crowd erupts. It’s 1-1 with four minutes of extra time.
Apostolakis brings the ball downfield and gets it out to Galea but her shot is wide again.
A big ball in from the Jets sees Langman do an Aussie Rules-style jump to get the ball. It’s just up and down the field constantly. Another shot by Gallagher is too soft and gathered by Boric. It’s crazy scenes as both teams tries everything to take the lead and the three points.
Above: Sarah Langman bravely gathers the ball. Photo: Getty Images via Newcastle Jets.
Price evades a few players and Cooper shoots but it’s straight to Boric again.
Halloway gets taken down by House with a shoulder to the chest and looks to be in some considerable pain. Sarah Morgan comes on for Halloway in the dying seconds to make her WSW debut.
Another Wanderers attack is saved by Van Egmond. We’re in extra, extra time. One more attack by the Jets sees Hunt head it away and it finally finishes in a draw. Everyone is exhausted, including the spectators. It’s the first time these teams have ever drawn.
It seems a fair result given the see-sawing nature of the game. Possession was fairly even. Wanderers had 20 shots to Jets’ 14 but only six were on target. But then only four of Jets’ were too. Notably, Jets had 13 fouls to Wanderers six. Most other stats were pretty even. Interestingly, both goals were their first in the ALW for Jaber and Crofts. Seems only fitting that both teams take a point from the match.
Above: Clare Hunt – another strong performance for the Wanderers. Photo: @WSWanderers
Speaking after the game, Wanderers’ debutant goalscorer Ashlie Crofts spoke of her joy: “It was pretty awesome! I’m from Western Sydney so to get a debut goal for this club is amazing. All I wanted was three points, but I’ll take a goal!
“It’s crazy, I used to be a member of the club, I went to the old Pirtek Stadium, sing with the fans, so to play for this awesome club. I’ll keep giving it everything I’ve got. As soon as I heard I would be on the bench, everyone I know wanted a ticket to come down!
“We’re happy with a point, but disappointed not to get three. We’ll review the game, see what we need to work on, get back to training, and hopefully take all three points against Sydney FC next week.”
Impetus’ coverage of Australian Women’s Football is supported by The Chicken Salt Co. They are offering every Impetus reader 5% off all orders of Chicken Salt from their website. Go to https://www.chickensalt.co.uk/?mate=impetus and place your order – 5% will automatically be taken off of the cost. The coupon code is impetus.
Above: Beccles Town break into the box to get a shot away at home to Thetford Town. Photo: Luca Mangili
Pleasantly mild conditions greeted both Beccles and Thetford for this latest Norfolk Women and Girls League Division One encounter at College Meadow.
The pitch passed a morning inspection but was not in a good condition and both teams were hoping for no rainfall during the match as it would have given the referee a decision to make as to whether we should carry on. Thankfully we got our wish and a cracking game developed.
It was Beccles who came out of the blocks flying and looked like the form team, a close moment early on but a new signing on dual registration from King’s Lynn Town, Ellie Prentice was there to deal with the danger.
Beccles battered the Thetford goal with five corners in as many minutes but couldn’t make any of them count and the score remained level to Thetford relief. Thetford grew into the match slowly and the visitors’ first chance came when Melissa Boulton passed across the keeper but there was nobody to help her and the ball went out of play.
Thetford began to play the football that has seen them go unbeaten to this point and Abbie Corbyn was next to get into a good position but needed more time and was unable to finish.
Above: Waiting for the goalkick at Beccles. Photo: Luca Mangili
Beccles then went back on the front foot and were clean through but Chloe Webb was there to track back well and stop the shot on goal.
In the 18th minute, Thetford took the lead thanks to a cool finish from Becky White but this was against the run of play after a good start to the game from Beccles but a clinical finish saw the visitors in front. Chelsea Page was next to go close for the visitors before Lola Barber-King had a further chance for Beccles, but Ellie Prentice was there to deal.
Credit to Prentice who was superb with her goal kicks all afternoon and added an authoritative figure to the already talented visitors as she looked to gain further game time to help with her King’s Lynn match fitness.
Thetford had another let-off when Barber-King had a further chance but Beccles again failed to find the required clinical edge.
Thetford regular goalkeeper Lydia Ward was introduced as an outfield player and lit up the game with some thunderbolt set pieces the sort of thing Stoke City would be proud of in their lofty Premier League days.
The rest of the half was stop-start due to a number of injuries but it was noticeable how much Abbie Corbyn was trying to make things happen for Thetford. Just before the break, Beccles half was summed up when they missed an open goal.
Above: The penalty box organization ahead of a corner. Photo: Luca Mangili
Beccles started the half well and equalized with a penalty on 53 minutes through Lola Barber-King. This was the wake-up call that Thetford needed as they then took the game by the scruff of the neck. Chelsea Page crashed a chance against the bar and down it came.
Abbie Corbyn then got involved in events, starting with a free-kick into the keepers’ hands, she then went close again before a case of third time lucky in the 65th minute – a great finish from the talented youngster to give Thetford the lead again.
The remainder of the game was very scrappy on a pitch that was getting worse. Thetford had the better of the late stages and it was Chelsea Page who put the icing on the cake on 89 minutes with the clinching goal.
This was a very important win for Thetford on an afternoon where three key players were missing, guided brilliantly on the touchline by the management team the girls’ quality came to the fore second half. Fortunately, they had the opportunity to win it as Beccles were not clinical and will be very disappointed they didn’t lead comfortably at halftime. Thetford can be very proud and another vital three points to maintain the unbeaten start to the season in all competitions.
Thetford player of the match: Abbie Corbyn.
Teams:BECCLES TOWN: Lilly Bullock, Leah Sheperd, Kelly Collins, Bethan Owen, Lauren Heller, Poppy Wilson, Abi Bell, Elisha Bower, Lola Barber King (C), Mae Hughes, Shannon Dade. Subs: Vicky Bloomfield, Marie Carter, Erin Crowson.
Scorer: Barber King (pen) 53′.
THETFORD TOWN: Ellie Prentice, Chloe Webb, Ellie Mae-Davies, Courtney Musgrove, Zoe Klimcke, Sausha Levy Twomey (C), Abbie Corbyn, Chelsea Page, Becky White, Mel Boulton, Jess Boulton. Subs: Amy Skipp, Libby Smith, Lydia Ward. Scorers: Becky White, Abbie Corbyn, Chelsea Page.
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