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Sam Kerr Receives The Order of Australia

Impetus’ Ben Gilby, who has followed Sam Kerr‘s career from the early days in Western Australia, heard the striker give her views on receiving this honour overnight and profiles her career from those early days (26/1/22).

Matildas captain and national record goalscorer Sam Kerr was been awarded the Order of Australia overnight.

Kerr, recognised as one of the world’s greatest footballers spoke about her huge pride in receiving recognition for her services to football.

“It’s one of the biggest achievements for me. It’s an amazing honour. You never know who is watching. I’ve always been myself and gone about how I believe football and women’s sport should be broadcast. That’s made people feel comfortable and brought people in to do what they want to do and giving people confidence to do so.

“It’s an amazing honour that Australia has recognized what I have done and what the Matildas have done because, to be honest, I don’t see this as an individual award because I’ve had so many teammates and coaches help me along this journey. Who would have thought someone with the Matildas would receive this?”

When asked what remains on her bucket list to achieve, Kerr revealed that she is nowhere near finished yet.

“There’s so much more I want to achieve. I want to win trophies with the Matildas and my club (Chelsea), but I want to continue to help grow the game and I want to reach different people in different walks of life in Australia. There are so many communities who don’t have the resources to have young girls and boys growing up playing sport, so I’d love to do that.

“Even in Asia, being here in India at the moment, I’ve loved seeing the growth and how interested people are here in women’s sport. I’d love to tap into my Indian heritage and help Asian women and girls grow up, but in Australia, getting more pathways for girls and boys in football.”

**Above:** Sam Kerr pictured with Indonesian players after the opening Group B game of the Asia Cup in Mumbai last week. **Photo supplied to *Impetus* by:** Football Australia.

The striker reminisced about her Asia Cup experiences over the years, as she now has the status of the player that so many at the competition look up to.

“I remember my first Asia Cup (in 2010 at the age of 16) and I was like ‘Wow! I can’t believe I’m on the same pitch as these players’, so being on the other side of that now is an amazing thing that I’m really proud of. I’ve tried to make as much effort in a COVID safe way with the young girls (on opposing teams) that I can this tournament because I know what it meant to me back then, so I’ve been trying to give my time to everyone here to inspire the next generation.”

Speaking on a broader perspective about recognition for females, Kerr was blunt. “It’s important that females get recognition. We’re getting more and more, but we have to keep breaking down barriers. We need to give people belief and give females that confidence to do what they love and what they are passionate about and do it with conviction.

“For so long people haven’t been recognized in female sport, so we need to break down those barriers and hopefully there are many more females to be recognized for the work that they do.”

**Above:** Sam Kerr pictured in her early days playing for Perth Glory against Canberra United. **Photo:** Wikipedia.

Born in East Fremantle from a sporting family, Kerr’s first club, at the age of 12 was Western Knights, based in Mosman Park just three miles from her home.

Within three years, Sam had attended trials for Western Australia’s state team and then moved across to Perth Glory, the state’s sole W-League (now A-League Women) side. Making her debut at the age of 15, she was named as the league’s Player’s Player of the Year in 2009 – an incredible statistic. Her stay at the Glory lasted until 2012 when she joined Sydney FC. Thirteen goals in twenty-four games was her return.

In the same period, due to the way the Australian and American seasons are scheduled, Kerr played for Western New York Flash for the first NWSL season in 2013 and made it all the way to the Grand Final where they lost to Portland Thorns.

The striker returned to home club Perth Glory who she represented in the W-League from 2014-19 in between spells in America. Back in the purple and orange of her local senior side, Kerr led the Glory to two W-League Grand Finals and won the Julie Dolan Medal as the best player in the W-League twice.

Kerr was in incredible form for the Western Australians, scoring a total of 52 goals in 49 games. In this period the East Fremantle-born star spent two seasons with Sky Blue FC in the NWSL and in 2017, at the age of just 23 became the all-time top scorer in NWSL history. The same season saw her winning the NWSL Golden Boot and Most Valuable Player Award.

Kerr spent the 2018 and 2019 NWSL seasons with Chicago Red Stars, for whom she played in the Championship game. Her American adventure ended with the honour of being the first player to be named as the NWSL’s Most Valuable Player twice, and top scorer three times.

**Above:** Sam Kerr pictured after signing for Chelsea towards the end of 2019. **Photo:** Getty Images.

In November 2019, to great media fanfare, Kerr announced that she would join Chelsea in the FA Women’s Super League, and she made her debut in January 2020 and was part of the team that won the Conti Cup and FAWSL title. The Western Australian has subsequently won the FAWSL title and Conti Cup again along with the FA Cup and FA Community Shield along with an appearance in the UEFA Women’s Champions League Final.

Football Australia Chief Executive Officer, James Johnson, congratulated Kerr and acknowledged the contribution she has made to Australian football.

“The Australian football community has always been incredibly proud of the exploits and leadership of Sam and now she has received formal recognition that is richly deserved,” Johnson said. “I warmly congratulate her on yet another accolade that cements the pride Australians have in Sam and the Matildas.”

“Australian football continues to grow and that is in large part due to the rise of women’s football in the past decade. The Matildas have evolved into a truly iconic Australia team and Sam, now as captain of the team and Australia’s greatest goal-scorer, has played her part in that transformation.

“Importantly, Sam and her teammates have demonstrated how their actions on the pitch can have a positive societal impact off the pitch, transforming the perception of women in sport with their championing of gender equality.”

**Above:** Sam pictured after playing for Australia against Brazil last year. **Photo:** Joseph Mayers, supplied to *Impetus* by: Football Australia.

Gustavsson: The Importance of Staying Focussed

Above: Tony Gustavsson speaking to the media at the Asia Cup yesterday. Photo: AFC Asia Women’s Cup.

Ben Gilby heard from Australia’s head coach Tony Gustavsson after his team’s 4-0 win over the Philippines at the Asia Cup in Mumbai yesterday (25/1/22).

Australia made it two wins from two in Group B of the AFC Asia Women’s Cup after overcoming stubborn resistance from a Philippines side led by former Matildas head coach Alen Stajcic.

The first half saw Australia dominate but struggle to produce a telling final pass or accurate shots on goal, but after Sam Kerr put them ahead early in the second half, there was no stopping the Matildas with further strikes following from Emily van Egmond, Mary Fowler in addition to an own goal from Dominique Randle.

“We knew that this was going to be a very different game (to the opening 18-0 win over Indonesia)”, Gustavsson admitted, “I have to give a lot of credit to the Philippines, I thought that they made it very difficult for us. They did good preparation work.

**Above:** Delight at finally making the breakthrough against the Philippines shows on Sam Kerr’s face. **Photo** **supplied to *Impetus* by:** Football Australia.

“They didn’t surprise me. I saw them against Thailand and I knew they were good. I showed some video to the players so they would see what we would face. You can see that they are well organized. They had a very long prep-time and have fighting spirit. I’m really impressed by them.

“They play for their country with pride and are committed, physical, and work hard for each other. Some teams need to look out for them in this tournament.”

Australia’s head coach remarked how impressed he was that his players kept focused on the job in hand despite so many chances going begging in the opening 45 minutes.

“We were able to stay focussed and not get frustrated. When you create the number of chances that we did in the first half, and the stats say we should be up three or four-nil, and you don’t get those goals, you can lose your head. We talked about that at half-time – ‘keep doing what we are doing, just do it faster’. The players came out with confidence and conviction in the second half and we knew that when a first goal came, so would a second, third and fourth, and so it did.”

Gustavsson was questioned about his team’s reliance on long balls and crosses in the first half and missed chances. “I’m not concerned by missing chances. I think there is a lot of variation in our attack, actually. We’ve sharpened our central combinations and had three good sequences of play. The Philippines forced us out wide too. The way we attack means we earn corners and we know we are deadly from there. I was more impressed with the Philippines defence than I was disappointed with our attack.”

**Above:** Australia head coach Tony Gustavsson praised the Philippines team for their performance and saw positives in his own players’ ability to remain focussed in the light of missed chances. **Photo:** AFC Asia Women’s Cup.

He emphasized his pride in seeing work from the training pitch transfer into match play. “I’m really happy how some of the things we did…in the pre-tournament training camp in Dubai came off. We scored goals from corners and so I’m really happy with the work of the players and the staff.”

The Matildas head coach outlined the reasons for the deeper role that Emily van Egmond (EvE) was deployed in during the game. “We knew that the Philippines were going to kick long a lot, play out from the back, take minimal risks and go long a lot. We wanted to have EvE’s aerial presence and I think she dominated in the air. We also knew that it was going to be very compact in the central area and we wanted to have EvE’s long-range passing.

“I also wanted to open up for Tameka Yallop to come onto the park because her penetrating runs through long blocks is very efficient, so different reasons.”

Having van Egmond play in this different role and the addition of Yallop meant that there was no place in the starting lineup for Clare Wheeler, and Gustavsson had words of comfort for the former Sydney FC star.

“I want to say that Clare Wheeler was fantastic in the opening game as a holding midfielder and the way she dictated the game. Long tournaments are not just about one game. We have different tools to use in different games. She was brilliant in that first game.”

**Above:** Emily van Egmond, who played in a slightly different role on Monday, pictured after getting on the scoresheet again against the Philippines. **Photo supplied to *Impetus* by:** Football Australlia.

Gustavsson also emphasized the influence that Sam Kerr has on the team other than her goalscoring. “She is a great captain and a great person. It is not just me who speaks at half-time, it is her as well. She is leading this team in such an impressive way.”

Australia’s head concluded by looking ahead to the final group game against Thailand on Thursday.

“We will treat it the same way as we have the opening two games. We have two main targets for the group stage. One was to win the group, the other is to get out of the group with as many players as possible available to peak mentally and physically going into the next stage.

In terms of selection for the Thailand game, Gustavsson revealed: “We will have a long meeting with the Sports Science department to see which players need playing time to peak in the next stage and who we need to protect. We protected players (against the Philippines) who had a few minor things. But we take this tournament really seriously and every game matters. I think everyone has seen that now with the two line-ups and what we have done in these games.”

For Kieran Yap’s report on Australia’s win over the Philippines, click here

**Above:** The Matildas team that started Monday’s match against The Philippines in Mumbai. **Photo** supplied to *Impetus* **by:** Football Australia.

Terrific Town Edged Out By Bungay

Above: Thetford Town’s Chelsea Page ponders her team’s next move at Bungay Town. Photo: Darrell Allen.

Bungay Town 2-1 Thetford Town

By Darrell Allen (25/1/22)

After the proud performance of Thetford Town in the Norfolk Women’s Cup Quarter Final last week against Wymondham Town last week, losing 6-1 but holding Norfolk’s best and most in-form team for 55 minutes who are running away with the lead in the Step Five Eastern Region Premier Division.

The cup theme continued this weekend as Quarter Final weekend arrived in the Norfolk Women’s and Girls League Cup Quarter Final. The competition sees teams involved from the Norfolk Women’s and Girls League Division One and Division Two (Steps Seven and Eight of the Pyramid).

The weekend’s ties saw Division One leaders Mulbarton Belles host Vikings Valkyries from Division Two, Fakenham Town welcomed Long Stratton to Clipbush Park in an all Division One clash and University of East Anglia (UEA) were also proudly representing Division Two as they travelled to Division One Stalham Town. A round-up of those matches to come but this week our featured match is the one remaining Quarter-Final as Thetford Town were on the road at Bungay Town in an all Division One affair between two top teams at Maltings Meadow.

This was a cup tie to relish for both teams as we arrived at Maltings Meadow shortly before midday to a friendly welcome from Bungay Town Manager Mark Fogarty who is someone who is very highly regarded in the Norfolk game and always makes a special effort to be friendly.

Many of the Bungay Town players also greeted us with a smile and a hello on arrival which is a nice touch and the mood around the ground was very positive with many kids matches going on at the several pitches at Maltings Meadow when you visit you always know you are at a special football facility.

After the high of that performance against Wymondham Town, Thetford Town travelled to Bungay Town with a mixture of COVID, injury, illness and other absence meaning their squad had a different look and feel about it from a week ago. That didn’t dampen the mood though with David Skipp and Stuart Terry extremely upbeat in the build-up about the team’s chances and the motivational team talk they gave the girls was very special.

Thetford Town have recently launched a partnership with Her Game Too and assistant manager Stuart Terry was sporting his Her Game Too hoodie and #HGT gloves as he warmed up goalkeeper Lydia Ward.

**Above:** Thetford Town assistant coach Stuart Terry’s Her Game Too gloves. **Photo:** Darrell Allen.

In terms of the squad, 12 players were available to David Skipp with the one sub new signing Chloe Bentick. Both teams were busy warming up ahead of the 1.00pm kick off and around 12.50pm both teams suddenly realized that there was no referee present. We were not going to be kicking off on time. Referee Lorraine Catchpole arrived at 1.10pm.

The official genuinely believed she was arriving for a 1.30pm kick-off. The powers that be need to do better with logistics to ensure match officials coming from a morning fixture are not under pressure for time. I know we are short of match officials and appreciate the work of all our great match officials in Norfolk and beyond but what happened yesterday was not fair on either Bungay Town, Thetford Town, or Lorraine Catchpole and we need to ensure there is no repeat moving forward.

After that development, drama then struck for the already depleted Thetford squad of 12 as Rebecca White failed the pre-match checks from Lorraine Catchpole due to a jewellery issue despite doing her best to make sure this was secure. That meant the Thetford Town squad became 11 meaning no subs and David Skipp turned around to Chloe Bentick who went from a sub to starting in a matter of seconds. After all that we eventually kicked off at 1.26pm.

It was a bright start from Thetford Town as Chloe Bentick put the Bungay Town defense under pressure, Chelsea Page also had a chance but it came to nothing.
Melissa Boulton blasted over the bar in a lively start for the visitors. Crisis struck in the 10th minute as a game-changing moment led to Rachel Lynch coming off for Thetford Town due to a knee injury that will probably see her out for the next couple of weeks.
More importantly in the immediate future, it meant 80 minutes to play with just 10 players for David Skipp’s team.

The task at hand was now going to be extraordinarily tough as Bungay ramped up the pressure with several chances, Lucy Eagle was involved in most of their positive creativity which was to be expected following a blistering run of form with 14 goals in her last four games.

Despite promising attacking play, Bungay was getting little joy as they were met by a commanding Lydia Ward in the Thetford goal whose confidence and personal belief in herself is growing week after week and denying Wymondham Town on several occasions last week meant she had the confident figure needed for this battle ahead.

**Above:** Thetford Town goalkeeper Lydia Ward. **Photo:** Darrell Allen.

As well as a commanding presence in goal, Dayna Howard was also here, there, and everywhere, clearing balls, sweeping things up, and genuinely being the rock needed in the backline alongside the ever-reliable captain Sausha Levy-Twomey. David Skipp had to reshuffle following Lynch coming off injured and it was the commanding voices of Levy-Twomey and Howard that were key in this performance.

Bungay Town wanted to seize their moment but Lydia Ward denied Lucy Eagle again before Howard again cleared the danger. Thetford Town knew Bungay had not taken their opportunity and this gave the girls confidence and belief.

A huge rallying cry from Melissa Boulton as belief from the Thetford 10 continued to grow, this brought Abbie Corbyn alive with some lightning runs which we all know she can do before she was taken out on 25 minutes when Bungay realized she started to become a threat.

Lydia Ward continued to stand in the way of a determined Bungay Town but the Thetford 10 were determined to get to the break level. The Thetford 10 became nine as Captain Levy-Twomey was booked before being sent to the sin bin meaning just nine players for the visitors to try and see out the first half.

Bungay Town had a free-kick that came to nothing and it was a very positive end to the half as the nine players of Thetford saw the final few minutes through to see the score goalless at the break.

**Above:** Thetford Town’s David Skipp delivers some words of wisdom to his team. **Photo:** Darrell Allen.

A rallying half-time team talk by David Skipp over and a big second-half battle began
with Courtney Musgrove being taken out so hard it reduced her to tears which is never nice to see. The hosts then took a deserved lead when form lady Lucy Eagle slotted home to make it 1-0 to the hosts.

Levy-Twomey was re introduced following her sin bin and Thetford was back up to 10.
The belief and confidence of Thetford grew and Melissa Boulton had a glorious opportunity but fired over. Courtney Musgrove was noticeably struggling but the brave 10 hearts of Thetford carried on in the battle. Amy Skipp put in a great cross but came to nothing.

Bungay knew they had to wake up and did, a couple of absolute sitters missed and Lydia Ward in the Thetford goal continued to stand up to everything well.
Zoe Klimcke produced a great tackle as Bungay was determined to seal their semi-final place.

The reward for the Thetford heroism came on 70 minutes when Chloe Bentick got a debut goal to level the scores and spark jubilant scenes. Maybe just maybe something special was going to happen?

The final 20 minutes saw an onslaught from Bungay which needed an incredible block from Sausha Levy-Twomey and another from Melissa Boulton.
Just as it looked like we were heading for a penalty shootout to decide things, Bungay got a penalty themselves in the 88th minute which sadly Melissa Boulton gave away and Selina Rowland stepped up to convert and send the hosts into the semi-final with a 2-1 win.

Verdict: Just like the Wymondham Town game last week another brilliant cup occasion where everyone is a winner. Bungay Town will be delighted to reach the semi-finals and congratulations to Mark Fogarty and his team. The heroism from Thetford Town with 10 players for 80 minutes and nine players for a period and the performance that was produced meant everyone ended this occasion smiling.

**Above:** Amy Skipp in action for Thetford Town. **Photo:** Darrell Allen.

Despite being out of two cups Thetford Town has produced two wonderful performances which will only fill David Skipp and Stuart Terry full of confidence for the league games ahead. These teams will be well acquainted with each other with the two league fixtures between the two sides set to take place on 6th February at Thetford and back at Bungay Town on 20th February.

Thetford POTM: Dayna Howard and Lydia Ward joint this week.

Next up for Thetford Town is a return to league action in the Norfolk Women’s and Girls League Division One when Fakenham Town visits Mundford Road on Sunday 30th January at 2.00pm.

Teams: BUNGAY TOWN from: Adams, Eagle, Fatman, Foster, Moore, O’Connor, Riggall, Rowland, Sergio, StuddWebb.

Scorers: Eagle, Rowland (pen).

THETFORD TOWN: Ward (GK), Skipp, Klimcke, Musgrove, Lynch, Levy-Twomey, Corbyn, Howard, White, Boulton, Page, Bentick (Started after White was withdrawn).

Scorer: Bentick.

Referee: Lorraine Catchpole.

In the day’s other three ties, Mulbarton Belles beat Vikings Valkyries 17-1. The tie of the round saw Fakenham Town and Long Stratton share six goals in a brilliant 3-3 draw which saw Fakenham Town then win 5-4 on penalties. UEA were the heroes of the day beating Division One Stalham Town 4-2 after extra time. Best wishes to Bungay Town, Mulbarton Belles, Fakenham Town, and UEA for the Semi-Finals.

Third Defeat On The Spin But Improved Performance

Pride Park 2-3 Borrowash Victoria

By ‘Boot Room’ (25/1/22).

There can’t be a report on this match that avoids the ‘elephant in the room’, so let’s deal with that so we can file it away and move on to the match.

Technically this was our first game against Borrowash Victoria, although only technically, as this group of players started the season as Woodlands and were playing in the Regional League, two leagues above us, before being ‘parachuted into the Derbyshire Ladies League Division One, somewhat controversially – in November – as a result of difficulties with fielding a team due to player availability.

Contrary to some reports, however, the controversy only centred around the way the switch was handled by the FA and League, but despite their earlier difficulties, Borrowash Victoria retains a core of players with, at least, Regional Premier League experience.

With a number of players out through long term injury and rehabilitation, recovering after COVID, and Summer Evans recovering from a nasty injury sustained in last week’s game at Wirksworth, Pride Park were hoping to see some players return and although some weren’t ready to return to play, they were pleased to welcome back Amy Snape and Izzy Wilsoncroft.

After last week’s ‘rust removing’ exercise, The Pride were looking to pick up where they left off, make better use of the ball and, after conceding 11 in their last two games (although over a month apart), be more compact defensively as a team.

After kicking off, Vics made the early running and had a couple of early sights of goal; one shot was hit wide and in the other Jade Howell did well to smother the ball at the feet of the attacker, before the attack was brought back for an offside.

Park’s first attack broke down a little over halfway inside the Vics’ half, and one-touch and a long ball put striker, Jody Scott, through on goal as Pride Park’s back four were caught napping, and Scott side-stepped Jade Howell to slot home to give Vics an early lead after only three minutes.

The Pride responded well, and were starting to build attacks, although initially, these were mostly breaking down in the final third. Nevertheless, Park started to move the ball around with more confidence, were challenging well for second balls, and after the early setback, their back four were working well together and marshalling the Vics’ strikers well as the home side gradually grew into the game.

Tash Allderidge won the ball in midfield and made a driving run to the right before crossing, Eliot Sayavong almost connecting with a header six yards out. Maja Znamirowska had a shot saved, and from Beth Jones’ free-kick, Allderidge won the second ball but her shot was saved, while at the other end Vics saw a shot rebound off the post and into Jade’s arms.

Just after the half-hour, good build-up play between Hannah Roberts, Sayavong, Allderidge, and Znamirowska put the latter through on goal, before she was tripped from behind just outside the penalty area. The Referee decided no sanction other than a free-kick was called for, even though Znamirowska was through one-on-one with the ‘keeper and it looked like a goal scoring opportunity had been denied – but the referee was closer to the action than our position and there were no obvious complaints on the pitch.

Allderidge took the kick and her shot beat the wall but was blocked by a defender behind the wall, the ball ricocheted around before falling to Sayavong but her crisp shot was tipped over the crossbar by Jamie Kingham in the Vics’ goal.

As halftime approached, Vics won a corner on the right and the kick was delivered into the six-yard box. Howell called for and came for the ball, but was unable to collect or clear and the loose ball fell to Lauren Bennett and she steered the ball home from about eight yards out to put the visitors two up.

In the final minutes of the half Vics had a few more attacks but were restricted to shots from distance, none of which troubled Howell, so at half time the visitors had a 2-0 advantage.

After Pride Park’s recent travails and but for the early lapse in concentration, they considered the first half to be good a reasonably solid performance and, despite conceding the second goal just before the interval, something they felt could be built on.

Vics had an early opportunity within the opening minutes of the half, as the ball broke from a melee in the box, but the shot was high and wide.

Just before the hour, Znamirowska had a header blocked from a corner, and the half-clearance broke to Allderidge who took a touch inside before being brought down on the edge of the penalty area, level with the edge of the six-yard box.

The resultant free-kick was therefore about 19/20 yards out, to the side of goal. Allderidge ran up but instead of crossing or shooting, squared the ball for Annie in the centre, and she played a pass into the crowded centre where Znamirowska deftly back-heeled the ball beyond the ‘keeper to pull a goal back. It looked like a well-drilled free-kick routine but was, in truth, a clever piece of innovation.

Znamirowska’s cross was deflected upwards and under the crossbar, Sayaving challenged for the ball but after a scramble, the ball was cleared off the line. Almost immediately afterward, Vics restored their two-goal advantage when a clearance was collected by Kelsey Burton-Evans and from inside the centre circle she hit a lofted shot that had Howell back-pedalling but, ultimately, unable to keep the shot out. Sometimes, you just have to stand back and appreciate good play – it was clearly intended and was a strike of high quality from around 40 yards.

Vics threatened to add to their lead when they broke down our left, and a close-range shot was hit hard and low to Howell’s right from close range, but she got down very quickly to not only stop the shot with her outstretched hands but hold on to it as the strikers closed in for any rebounds.

75 minutes had been played when Howell, whose kicks from her hands had been excellent throughout the game, became a creator when a kick downfield cleared the half-way line, eluded the centre-backs, and put Znamirowska through on goal, and she finished comfortably after rounding the ‘keeper for an almost replica finish to the opening goal of the game.

There were still fifteen minutes to play and hopes of a grandstand finish grew, however, Vics using their experience, managed the game and finally pulled everyone behind the ball to see out the remaining period, limiting The Pride to a shot in the final minutes as Rachel Weaver collected from a throw-in on the right and showed excellent technique to get her knee over a high ball to keep her side volley down, but the shot flew just past the post.

It had been an absorbing and competitive contest, with both teams displaying some good football. Vics had the best of the first half, in terms of chances created, but it was a much more evenly balanced second half. After a slow start Park grew into the game and competed well and, on another day, might have come away with a point.

Aside from the result, the home side set themselves a number of key aims for the game focused on performance and this was a significant all-round improvement on last week, not all of which can be put down to having played and shaken off the rust a week ago, and gives them something to build on in the weeks ahead.

Every player played their part in making that improvement, but Eliot Sayavong had her best game for the club yet, and Maja Znamirowska was justly rewarded with two goals for a full ninety minutes of running.

Pride Park are at home again on Sunday, when Sandiacre Town are the visitors to Moorlands. (1.30pm).

Australia Keep Their Heads As Kerr Scores With Hers

Philippines 0-4 Australia

By Kieran Yap (24/1/22)

Above: The Matildas in the huddle. After a first half when they couldn’t take their chances, it got better in the second period. Photo: Football Australia.

The Matildas guaranteed progression into the quarter-finals of the Asian Cup with a 4-0 win over a stubborn Philippines side in Mumbai.

Tony Gustavsson made several changes to his starting lineup following the 18-0 win over Indonesia on Friday night. Kyah Simon and Tameka Yallop came in for Hayley Raso and Clare Wheeler while Teagan Micah started in place of Mackenzie Arnold in goal.

Emily van Egmond dropped into defensive midfield after scoring four times as an attacker in the opening game. The plan seemed to be to utilize her passing range to create chances from deep. However, against a packed Philippines defence, this method was not so effective for the first 45 minutes.

The best early chances came through the left boot of Steph Catley. The fullback was virtually playing as a winger as she sent in an early ball from the left that could easily have resulted in a goal.

Catley’s corners from the right also created problems for the Philippines defence. She exchanged short passes to Kyah Simon to improve the angle but the chances that fell to Alanna Kennedy and Sam Kerr could not beat the goalkeeper.

The Philippines were defending deep, close, and in numbers. On the rare occasions that Kerr received the ball to her feet, she was quickly blocked or ushered wide. Caitlin Foord looked to be the most likely striker to break through individually. The Philippines had no answer for her strength and close control, although her finishing was inaccurate.

Australia went into halftime with the majority of possession but level on the scoreboard. They would have to wait until after the break to take the lead.

The opening goal came from a predictable source. You can only deny Sam Kerr for so long before nature takes its course. It was another header from another corner but this time it hit the target and Australia was up 1-0 after 50 minutes.

**Above:** Sam Kerr (centre) celebrates her goal with Alanna Kennedy and Emily van Egmond. **Photo:** Football Australia.

Kyah Simon was involved in the second four minutes later after a long ball towards Kerr caused chaos in the Philippines defence. Simon went for the ball with it finally going in off of Dominique Randle for an own goal. It put Australia firmly in control of the match and forced the opposition to change tactics.

When van Egmond scored the third goal, the game was effectively over as a contest. Both coaches made substitutions as the Philippines chased the game and had to abandon their counter-attacking style in favour of four upfront.

Australia unleashed the potential of the A-League Women onto the international stage.

Cortnee Vine, Remy Siemsen, Kyra Cooney-Cross, Holly McNamara and Courtney Nevin all entered the match. Vine had an almost instant impact when she immediately picked up the ball and drove down the wing in familiar fashion. The Sydney FC star whipped in numerous dangerous crosses but could not add to the score.

Cooney-Cross used her pace to drive with the ball from deep. She exploited the space that The Philippines had conceded and looked as good as she has since the Brazil friendlies.

Nevin is starting to look like a player somehow better at international level than she is with her club. She rarely plays a poor game in the A-League Women, but for The Matildas, she goes up another level. The Melbourne Victory defender is a capable understudy to Steph Catley and it would not be a surprise to see her start in the next match.

Holly McNamara is not lacking in confidence and why would she? The Melbourne City striker looks to score or create every time she touches the ball. Several shots on goal did not result in her first international goal but it is surely a matter of time.

Siemsen was quieter but as the only player other than Kerr who plays centre-forward every week she is important structurally. She provides a target and focal point and played her role well.

**Above:** Alanna Kennedy (left) battles with the Philippines’ Sarina Bolden. **Photo:** Football Australia.

McNamara’s corner helped create Australia’s fourth. The half-cleared ball eventually fell to Mary Fowler at the edge of the 18-yard box. She took a touch and rifled home her shot to put an exclamation point on the win.

It was Fowler’s second goal of the tournament and a fitting end to another game where she always looked likely to make a difference.

It was a harder match than the opening win over Indonesia. But that was to be expected. The Philippines squad includes many recruits from the USA college system. They were well drilled and physically more capable than the Indonesians were.

However, as committed as their defending was, they did not create many chances in attack. A first-half opening came about after a failed Australian off-side trap but the shot never looked like going in.

Their next goalscoring opportunity did not come until they were 3-0 down. A free-kick from the left was easily cleared by Clare Polkinghorne.

This was a solid tournament win by Australia and a game they never looked like losing. They continued peppering the Philippines goal throughout and eventually, the chances started going in.

Their second win at the Asian Cup may not have been as statistically impressive as the first but it was a solid win against potentially tricky opposition. The goal difference was increased, the points were secured and the new faces were given a chance to impress.

This was a momentarily worrying game that ended as a job well done for Australia.

Teams: PHILIPPINES (4-4-2): Fontanilla, Madarang, Long, Randle, Harrison, Friles, Miclat, Bungay, S.Castaneda, McDaniel, Bolden. Subs used: Cesar, Shelton, Rodriguez, A.Castaneda, Guillou.

AUSTRALIA (4-1-4-1): Micah, Catley, Polkinghorne, Kennedy, Carpenter, van Egmond, Foord, Yallop, Fowler, Simon, Kerr. Subs used: Nevin, Vine, Cooney-Cross, McNamara, Siemsen.

Scorers: Kerr 51′, Randle (OG) 53′, van Egmond 67′, Fowler 87′.

Referee: Wang Chieh (Chinese Taipei).

Attendance: Behind Closed Doors due to COVID.

Telford Leaves Chelsea For American Adventure

Above: Carly Telford in action for Chelsea. Photo: Sky Sports.

Carly Telford’s stellar Chelsea career comes to an end following five hugely successful years with Emma Hayes’ squad in her second spell at the club.

The Chelsea goalkeeper, who was named in the squad for the final time with the Blues yesterday against Brighton and Hove Albion in the Barclays Women’s Super League, will head to the United States to join San Diego Wave.

As one of the longest-serving players in the Chelsea squad, Telford departs having played a significant part in the club’s transformation into a professional outfit. Accolades from her tenure with Chelsea include 76 appearances, becoming champions of England four times including the Spring Series, and taking home both the FA Cup and Continental Cup twice and the Community Shield once, with the club continuing to be a growing force on the European stage.

The 34-year-old began her illustrious career at Sunderland, in her native North-East, and Leeds United before signing for Chelsea in 2011. She captained the Blues in the 2012 FA Cup final against Birmingham City which went down to the wire with penalties. Telford went on to gain experience further afield with a loan spell at Perth Glory in Australia but left at the end of 2013 to join Notts County.

**Above:** Carly Telford pictured on one of her 27 appearances for England. **Photo:** Getty Images.

Re-joining Chelsea in May 2017 having initially signed a short-term deal for the Spring Series, when she stood in for injured former Blue, Hedvig Lindahl, Telford helped the London side to take the trophy after conceding only three times in the competition. A new two-year contract followed with the experienced goalkeeper continuing to make a big contribution with a total of 10 appearances in all competitions and six clean sheets in her first full campaign since re-joining the club. Consistency continued into the 2018/19 season with 10 clean sheets out of 14 appearances, providing important competition for the goalkeeping position.

The number 28 extended her stay at Chelsea in February last year and as part of the new deal, she also took up part-time coaching, offering support to our Under-16 and Under-18 goalkeepers at Cobham. Since then, the senior team has gone on to secure the domestic quadruple and reached the final of the Champions League in Sweden for the first time in the club’s history.

Telford has also had a glittering international career to date, making her Lionesses debut in 2007, appearing in three World Cup squads, most recently at France 2019 where she featured in a 1-0 win over Argentina. She also stepped in against the USA in the World Cup semi-final. Telford was also selected for the 2017 European Championship squad and last year, was selected for Team GB, going on to compete at the Tokyo Olympics.

On Telford’s Chelsea departure, Emma Hayes commented: “Carly has been a fantastic servant to the club across two different spells. A big character in the dressing room and a hugely valued member of our squad.

“We didn’t want to lose her, but we could not hold her back from taking this fantastic opportunity in the States. We wish Carly well in this next chapter of her career and she knows she’ll always be welcome back here any time.”

Impetus Achievers Awards

Round Eight of the A-League Women may only have had three matches, but there were some superb efforts to reward. Impetus‘ writing team for the competition, Kieran Yap, Ben Gilby, and Kris Goman announce who caught their eyes at the weekend. (24/1/22).

PLAYER OF THE WEEK:

Kieran: Jada Whyman was brilliant in a massive game for Sydney FC. Her team has been so dominant this season but when she’s been needed, she’s been fantastic and fully deserving of equalling the record for seven consecutive clean sheets.

Ben: She is in the form of her life. Deborah-Ann de la Harpe was dominant for Perth Glory against Western Sydney Wanderers. Let’s put aside that goal for a moment and focus on what she did across the 90 minutes. Hugely influential runs down the wing and accurate balls into the box and viciously inswinging corners that caused continual chaos in the Wanderers defence.

Kris: Rachel Lowe. Two goals in the top-of-the-table clash is pretty impressive. She was all over the field and put in a huge effort topped by two solid goals.

COACH OF THE WEEK:

Kieran: It’s Alex Epakis. Perth Glory have had border closures, injuries, and COVID cases to deal with recently. Epakis’ side plays their way no matter who is out of the team. The move of Sofia Sakalis to centre-forward was great and they deserved that win.

Ben: Despite such a statement-making win and performance by Ante Juric’s team, I’m going to look beyond that and go for a head coach who is working in almost impossible situations with everything off the pitch going against his team, yet on it, they are producing their best performances of the season. Alex Epakis, has seen injuries and COVID cases mount up before hearing that he and his team are effectively stranded over 2,400 miles from home for the foreseeable future. Yet the belief, desire, and determiation that he has instilled into his young Perth Glory side is incredible. A great performance and victory means there’s only one choice this weekend.

Kris: Alex Epakis. Very impressive effort by Glory this week against the Wanderers. It pains me to say it as a Wanderers fan, but they looked the better team and got the result. Given their circumstances with COVID-19 and being shut out of their home state, to keep the morale up and perform like this is outstanding.

EVENT OF THE WEEK:

**Above:** Deborah-Ann de la Harpe (centre) celebrates her goal with Perth Glory teammates (left to right) Mie Leth Jans, Hana Lowry, Abbey Green and Tash Rigby. **Photo:** Perth Glory.

Kieran: Deborah-Ann de la Harpe’s goal. Just amazing.

Ben: That goal by Deborah-Ann de la Harpe. She showed what a punch she packs from a free-kick last week when she smashed an effort against the bar at Newcastle. This week’s effort was a dream way to score your first A-League Women goal.

Kris: Deborah-Ann de la Harpe’s goal. Perfect free-kick. Gotta be the goal of the week. Perfect placement and weight, it was the difference between a draw and a win. A thing of beauty.

We’re keeping a tally of all the votes for our player and coach of the week awards with the respective winners being announced after this year’s A-League Women Grand Final.

The View From France

Above: Kadidiatou Diani in action for PSG at Saint-Etienne, where she scored her team’s second goal. Photo: PSG Feminines

Jean-Pierre Thiesset rounds up the twelfth and the thirteenth rounds of D1 Arkema (24/1/22)

Twelfth round (January 15, 2022):

This was a much-truncated round of matches with three games postponed: Guingamp-Bordeaux, Olympique Lyonnais-Soyaux, and Paris Saint-Germain-Dijon.

In the games that did take place, Paris FC won 1-0 at home against Issy. While they largely dominated this game (67% possession, 30 shots with nine on target), Paris FC was not able to score more than once. Goal for Paris FC from Mathilde Bourdieu (15).

Montpellier won 3-0 at home against Saint-Etienne. Montpellier edged this game (56% possession) but was more efficient than Saint-Etienne. With this win, Montpellier continues their good run and closes the gap with the top of the table slightly. Their next game will be a test against Lyon. Goals for Montpellier from Johanna Elsig (13), Faustine Robert (15, 49).

Fleury won away from home 1-0 against Reims. In an even game, Fleury scored at the end of the game and is still in the run for third place in the table. Goal for Fleury from Jeannette Grace Ngock Yango (86).

Thirteenth round (January 22 & 23, 2022):

Guingamp won 2-0 away from home against Issy. In an even game regarding ball possession and passes, Guingamp was a lot more efficient with 14 shots with seven on target while Issy had five efforts, none of which were on target. With this win, Guingamp is now in ninth place with four points ahead of Soyaux. Issy stay bottom with only one win and a draw after 13 games. Goals for Guingamp from Sana Daoudi (26), Margaux Le Mouël (74).

**Above:** Paris FC had plenty to celebrate as they consolidated third place in the table. **Photo:** D1 Arkema.

Paris FC won 3-1 away from home against Soyaux. Paris FC just about edged the possession (59%) and gave Soyaux very few chances, even if they score once at the 64^th minute. With this win, Paris FC consolidate their third place in the standing. But Fleury, which did not play as their game was cancelled due to COVID cases in Dijon is still just behind. Goal for Soyaux from Anissa Lahmari (64). Goals from Paris FC from Clara Matéo (36, 47), Louna Ribadeira (80).

Bordeaux won 3-1 at home against Reims thanks to a hat-trick from Katja Snoeijs. Even if Reims had a clear opportunity at the 21^st minute by Naomie Feller on a pass from Kessya Busy and scored first at the 30^th minute on a penalty, this game was largely dominated by Bordeaux which did not let Reims put in place their counterattack plays after the 30^th minute. Statistics for Bordeaux: 68% possession, 571 passes with 82% successful, 22 shots with six on target, 10 corners.

After another coaching dismissal in Bordeaux, things seem to be back in normal order. Patrice Lair, their coach, departed after the loss against Lyon in France Cup at the beginning of January. But most of Bordeaux players asked the team owner to bring Lair back as their coach and he was back in role for this game. Goal for Reims from Rachel Corboz (30 penalty). Goals for Bordeaux from Katja Snoeijs (33, 50 penalty, 66).

**Above:** Lyon remain top of the table thanks to a last gasp win at Montpellier. **Photo:** OL Feminin

Olympique Lyonnais won 3-2 away from home against Montpellier. It was a very difficult game for Lyon in front of a team of Montpellier that played a hard game and did not let Lyon put in place their game by pressing all along the game. Sonia Bompastor, Lyon coach, had to play with two defenders missing (Ellie Carpenter and Perle Morroni) and one not fully fit (Selma Bacha) and started with a 3-4-3 formation.

Twice Lyon was ahead in this game and twice Montpellier came back quickly, and we had to wait the 89^th minute of the game to see Griedge MBock scored her second and winning goal for Lyon. Lyon dominated but was not able to convert this inti goals. Statistics for Lyon: 63% possession, 496 passes with 74% successful, 21 shots with seven on target, six corners.

To be noted is the good performance of Janice Cayman, even if she conceded a penalty against Marion Torrent at the 44^th minute, with the following statistics recorded by Jean-Pierre Thiesset for Impetus during the game: 49 balls played, 30 passes with 90% successful, seven crosses, six recuperations, five losses. Cayman shows that she really deserves her Golden Shoes as the best Belgium player of 2021 year. Goals for Lyon from Griedge MBock (5, 89), Eugénie Le Sommer (42). Goals for Montpellier from Lena Petermann (18, 44 penalty).

Paris Saint-Germain away from home won 5-0 against Saint-Etienne. It was an easy game for Paris SG which dominated (70% possession, 27 shots with 10 on target). They had too much for Saint-Etienne who was never able to be dangerous.

Marie-Antoinette Katoto scored a hat-trick, increasing her total as the top scorer of D1 Arkema this season to 11 goals; she also delivered a decisive pass to Kadidiatou Diani (45+2). Sandy Baltimore increased also her number of decisive passes (58 for Paulina Dudek, 68 for Marie-Antoinette Katoto) and stays ahead in the standing with nine decisive passes so far this season. Goals for Paris SG from Marie-Antoinette Katoto (10, 64, 68), Kadidiatou Diani (45+2), Paulina Dudek (58).

The scheduled match between Dijon and Fleury was postponed.

Hayward On Target As Reds Edge Nix

Adelaide United 1-0 Wellington Phoenix

By Kris Goman (24/1/22)

Above: All smiles for Adelaide United as they beat Wellington Phoenix 1-0. Photo: Adelaide United.

Adelaide United kept their Finals hopes alive with a narrow victory over Wellington Phoenix at Coopers Stadium.

Adelaide wasted no time in applying pressure straight from kickoff. An early Fiona Worts corner delivers a long-range punt by Nanako Sasaki which goes close and has to be nudged out by Lili Alfeld. The next corner sees an on-target header by Kayla Sharples saved by Alfeld who’s earning her keep in the first three minutes of the match.

Wellington return the favour 20 minutes later when they get three corners in quick succession but Adelaide manage to keep the barrage of headers out of goal.

Grace Jale gets a genuine chance when she finds some space at the top of the box and tries to bend one into the top right corner. It’s a little high so sails clear but Wellington are looking like they are up to the task. Shortly after, Izzy Gomez passes through the defenders to Ava Pritchard who takes one touch into the box with Emily Hodgson in hot pursuit. Her shot is taken under pressure and goes high.

It’s nil-all at halftime with neither team able to broach the defences of the other. Adelaide started the half strongly but Wellington looked the slightly better side in the latter part of the half. Emily Condon is off at halftime with a quad injury. She is replaced with Reona Omiya.

Early in the second half, Chelsie Dawber’s shot on goal is blocked by Talitha Kramer and deflected up into her face. This incurs some injury time.

Dylan Holmes puts a solid cross in from right that is kicked away by the Wellington defence. Worts is off on a run but taken down by Gomez. Adelaide is getting all the attacking runs early in the second half.

**Above:** Adelaide United’s Nanako Sasaki (left) battles it out with Wellington Phoenix’s Alyssa Whinham. **Photo:** Adelaide United.

Worts takes a free-kick. The left-footed shot is headed away by Kate Taylor. Sasaki belts the rebound but it’s off target.

It’s a very hot night so there are two drinks breaks. At 60 minutes, Alyssa Whinham is off to be replaced by Jordan Jasnos.

A corner for Adelaide is cleared by Chloe Knott who’s been doing her fair share of defending.

The breakthrough comes when Dawber, on the right, passes ahead to Holmes. She slips it to Worts who is in the box but passes the ball back out to Isabel Hodgson for the cross. She drives to goal and Paige Haywood stands strong and holds her ground to knock it in. This is the first A-League goal for Hayward and the assist goes to Hodgson in her 50^th game. It’s an excellent team goal with one touch by all involved. The celebrations are warranted.

**Above:** Adelaide United celebrate Paige Hayward’s winner. **Photo:** Adelaide United

Worts runs the ball into the box but Alfeld is on it this time. At 71 minutes Haywood comes off after scoring her first goal and Amelia Murray is on.

Wellington get a corner and Knott takes it. It’s directed straight into the mix in front of goal and headed back then lands with Jasnos but her shot goes just right of goal. It was a good chance but a difficult to control high ball meant accuracy was always going to be a challenge.

Hannah Jones and Saskia Vosper come on for Wellington replacing Kramer and Gomez. Sasaki kicks ball straight into Izzy Hodgson’s face in the box. The last ten minutes sees Phoenix apply the pressure. Jasnos is on a quick run, down the left, when she’s taken out by Hodgson. Phoenix had a great passing session up to the box but failed at the last pass into the box. At 85 minutes, Dawber is off for Adelaide and Georgia Beaumont comes on.

The Nix get a free-kick from the left just outside the box. It bounces around inside the box but ultimately does not go into the goal. Holmes takes a knock and goes down. 93 minutes and Sasaki is off, Ella Tonkin on.

In the dying minutes of extra time, Vosper’s big shot into the box is cleared. The ball gets back into the box and bounces around but is cleared just as the final whistle goes.

**Above:** Despite their best efforts, Wellington Phoenix couldn’t make the breakthrough. Photo: Wellington Phoenix.

This was a close match. One has to wonder when Wellington will get their first win and it must be coming. They don’t play like a team with just a solitary point and certainly are overdue a win. It might be too late for a finals push but they are no easy beats.

The win takes Adelaide United into fourth place on the ladder and while Sydney FC has skipped away, there are only six points between third and eighth place, which is just two wins. Near the halfway mark of the season, it’s still wide open and a good run at this stage could see any team make the finals.

Post-match, Isabel Hodgson said it was a tough game and they had to grind it out for the three points. Hodgson came with her own personal cheer squad to celebrate her 50^th A-league game. Some of her friends told her they couldn’t make it and then turned up in cheerleading costumes as a surprise.

For Wellington, Zoe McMeeken stressed after the game that they need to keep consistency. They had a good press at the end and are building each week.

**Above:** The reaction of Wellington Phoenix’s Chloe Knott at the final whistle speaks volumes. **Photo:** Wellington Phoenix.

Phoenix head coach Gemma Lewis told media post-match that “it was a really interesting game”.

“It wasn’t exactly what I thought it would be. We’re both quite pressing and aggressive teams physically and it actually felt like both teams were a little bit passive,” Lewis said.

“I thought we’d find a second gear, especially when the game was going longer at a 0-0 stance, but as soon as that goal went in, you could see that the momentum had shifted and we had a mountain to climb.

“I thought our press was the worst it has been for a while. We were quite disconnected and they took advantage of that.”

Lewis believes the heat was a factor. “We’ve played in hotter, like against Sydney, so we can’t really use it as an excuse.

“I think the moment that we have a hot game like that with drinks breaks, there’s that mentality where they kind of let it get in their heads a little bit like ‘aw this is going to be hot’,”

“When you’re thinking that way you’re automatically feeling it, but that’s learnings for them in terms of being a pro and get past that stuff and not let it affect their performance. Whereas I thought that probably did seep into how passive we were.”

Teams: ADELAIDE UNITED: Grove, I.Hodgson, McNamara, Sharples, E.Hodgson, Sasaki, Holmes, Condon, Dawber, Worts, Hayward. Substitutes: Omiya, Tonkin, Beaumont, Templeman, Murray.

Scorer: Hayward 68′

WELLINGTON PHOENIX: Alfeld, McMeeken, Walker, Taylor, Kramer, Whinham, Gomez, Wisnewski, Pritchard, Knott, Jale Substitutes: Edwards (GK), Vosper, Jasnos, Jones, Martin.

Referee: Caitlin Williams

Attendance: 1,024

Relentless Sydney Sent Out Ominous Warning To Rivals

Sydney FC 3-0 Melbourne City

Report by Ben Gilby, Exclusive pitchside photos from Kris Goman at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium (23/1/22).

Above: Rachel Lowe fires home Sydney FC’s third goal. Photo: Kris Goman for Impetus.

Sydney FC sounded out a clear message to the other top four clubs in the A-League Women after they comfortably saw off second-placed Melbourne City on Saturday.

Going into the match, Melbourne City head coach Rado Vidosic had pointed out that Sydney had built their unbeaten start to the season on the basis of not yet playing anyone in the top four. However, given the way the home side swatted aside one of the strongest teams in the competition, there can be no denying that the Harbour City club is the real deal and are white-hot favourites to take the silverware at the end of the campaign.

This win saw Jada Whyman equal Lydia Williams’ record for the most consecutive clean sheets in the competition’s history with seven. Additionally, the result increased Sydney’s goalscoring run to 18 in their last four games – more than any other team in the competition has scored over the entire season.

The visitors started with a very high press during the opening arm-wrestle period. Whilst City earned the first corner, it was Sydney who created the game’s first chance with seven minutes on the clock.

**Above:** Paige Satchell (right) produced her best display of the season for Sydney FC. **Photo:** Kris Goman for *Impetus*.

Mackenzie Hawkesby gathered possession from the City corner and got free down the left to feed Paige Satchell just outside her. The Football Fern advanced towards the box beating Kaitlyn Torpey and squared a ball across into the path of Cote Rojas via Tyla-Jay Vlajnic’s attempted block, but one on one with Melissa Barbieri, the Chilean striker could not get sufficient power in her effort to beat the City shot-stopper. Satchell’s follow-up was also dealt with.

This close call from the hosts was the starting point of the momentum going in their favour. Sydney was caught offside in deep offensive positions twice in quick succession with City working hard to force both Princess Ibini and Rojas to be on the wrong end of the referee’s decisions.

Satchell was growing in influence along the left and forced a corner. From it, the ball was recycled to Charlotte Mclean over 25 yards out and the defender drove in a powerful effort which Barbieri did well to push out for another corner. It would have been a sensational way to score her first-ever W/A-League Women goal.

The home side’s increasing dominance was being aided by an uncharacteristic lack of composure in defence by the Victorian visitors. Too many City players were losing possession and inviting pressure from a Sydney side that does not need a second invitation to attack.

It was Melbourne City who had the next opportunity after a Sydney error with 27 minutes played. Ally Green’s backpass was both too short and wrongly directed. Rebekah Stott came in looking to take advantage, but Jada Whyman came out quickly to deny the Kiwi.

**Above:** Rebekah Stott (left) was creative once more for Melbourne City. **Photo:** Kris Goman for *Impetus*.

Just after the half-hour mark, the home side came close when Rojas’ header was saved by Barbieri, but moments later, they made the breakthrough. Leah Davidson lost possession in the midfield and Hawkesby played the ball on to Rojas, who in turn found Ibini around 25 yards out from goal to the right of centre. The striker’s looping pass found Satchell and her first-time effort flew into the far corner of the net. Given her influence on the game, it was a deserved first Sydney goal for the New Zealander.

Less than two minutes before the break, Sydney exposed the City defence once more to double their lead. Green, on the left, hit a long ball from inside her own half which Lowe ran onto, taking advantage of the visitors’ high line to take a touch, come inside, and drive a shot to the left of Barbieri for 2-0.

City came out firing at the start of the second half when Torpey released Hannah Wilkinson on the right. The competition’s top scorer got a fierce shot away which Whyman did well to push behind at her near post.

The resulting corner was curled in high by Vlajnic and dispatched into the net by Emma Checker, but referee Rachael Mitchenson ruled the effort out with Tori Tunmeth adjudged to have fouled Whyman as the ball came across.

City was having the better of the opening period of the second half with Wilkinson getting a shot in which did not have the necessary power to bother Whyman. Torpey got a rocket away from the right-hand side after running onto Stott’s chest down which flew centimetres wide of the far post.

**Above:** Melbourne City’s Hannah Wilkinson who had several chances in the second half to get City back into the game. **Photo:** Kris Goman for *Impetus*.

Wilkinson had another opportunity on 57 minutes when Davidson found her on the left of the box. The Kiwi got past Mclean and hit a strong effort which Whyman did well to get a hand to.

Sydney weathered the Melbourne City storm and re-established their control of proceedings. Hawkesby saw a run by Satchell and lifted a superb ball through the City defence into the stride of her team-mate. Satchell, under pressure from Emma Checker got a shot away across goal which was just wide of the left-hand post.

The home side made City pay for their inability to get back into the game as they settled matters with a third goal – and it was all too easy.

A free-kick from Green just inside their attacking half of the pitch was allowed to bounce into the box by the City defence giving Lowe all the time in the world to run through fire home with just over 15 minutes remaining.

Shea Hollman, a 16-year-old prospect from Manly United then came on for her A-League Women debut as Sydney showed that whilst their present is very bright, the future isn’t looking too bad either.

**Above:** Sydney celebrate Rachel Lowe’s second goal which confirmed that they would end the game seven points clear at the top of the table. **Photo:** Kris Goman for *Impetus*.

Right now it is impossible to see anyone stopping Sydney.

Paige Satchell highlighted the importance of her team’s first-half performance: “I’m excited to finish, it was my first goal for the club. Going into half-time 2-0 up was important as we could relax a little. We finished the half on a good foot and just needed to keep going. We got better and maintained the momentum.”

A disappointed Emma Checker said post-match: “It’s disappointing. We came into the game with much higher expectations for the result and standard of our play. The first half was the most disappointing. We struggled to keep the ball, we were frantic and we were flat.

“We’ve had a few first halves like that but been fortunate that teams didn’t capitalize on that. Against a strong team like Sydney, they took control. We came out strong in the second half, but it wasn’t enough today.”

Speaking after the game, Sydney FC goalkeeper Jada Whyman spoke about equalling the record of consecutive clean sheets held by her hero Lydia Williams. “It means a lot to me. The girls have defended through all the games this season. The clean sheets go to the keeper but the amount of defence the girls do makes my life easier. So it’s seven clean sheets for Sydney FC.

“For me I talk to the defence a lot to keep focus on the game. It helps that they listen to me! As a team we just need to keep moving forward now. Any team can challenge us, but we look forward to the rest of the season now.”

Kris Goman’s Exclusive Photo Gallery From The Match

(Click on the arrow on the right of the image to view the following pictures.)

Teams: SYDNEY FC (4-3-3): Whyman, Rule, Mclean, Tobin, Green, Hawkesby, Hunter, Lowe, Satchell, Rojas, Ibini. Substitutes: Offer (GK), Nash, Hristodoulou, Ray, Hollman.

Scorers: Satchell 33′, Lowe 44, 74′.

MELBOURNE CITY (3-4-2-1): Barbieri, Heatley, Checker, Tunmeth, Vlajnic, Torpey, Davidson, Malone, Stott, Wilkinson, Pollicina. Substitutes: James (GK), Van der Meer, Blissett, Westland, Thomas-Chinnama.

Referee: Rachael Mitchenson.

Attendance: 1,259.