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Record Breaking Terriers Season Ends With Cup Exit

Brighton and Hove Albion 6-0 Huddersfield Town

By Raheil Mehboob

**Above:** Huddersfield Town on the ball in difficult conditions at Brighton & Hove Albion yesterday. **Photo:** Jess Hornby.

Huddersfield Town Women exited the Vitality Women’s FA Cup at the fifth round stage after losing 6-0 to Brighton and Hove Albion Women.

The scoreline may read a harsh one, but to face a team two divisions above – in the Women’s Super League – and hold their own for large parts of the game is credit to the Terriers’ spirit.

In a game surrounded by heavy rain and muddy conditions, both teams continued with the tie at the People’s Pension Stadium in Crawley, looking for a place in the Quarter Finals and the hosts looked the more likely to open the scoring in the early stages, an early chance for the Seagulls coming after the ball was deflected behind for a corner.

Brighton showed no respite despite Town staying in the game and soaking up early pressure in the opening minutes as another chance came the hosts’ way as the ball was delivered into the box but the header went well over Bethan Davies’ goal.

Just after the 15-minute mark, though, the hosts took the lead. A misguided header played Nora Heroum through and the number 11 fired the ball beyond Davies, giving her no chance.

Town registered their first attack in the game two minutes later when Britt Sanderson broke away only for a Brighton defender to get back to cover before the ball bobbled up for Katie Nutter to get a shot away, but Katie Startup was equal to it and palmed the ball away from danger.

As the rain continued to constantly Lash down, the hosts went about doubling their lead as Rianna Jarrett headed in from close range after getting on the end of a curling cross in the danger area. An own goal would make it three for the Seagulls shortly after.

Town did restore some hope, however, after Brighton were awarded a very dubious penalty in the 39th minute and the Davies was the heroine, tipping the ball over.

But the Terriers’ hopes of a comeback were soon squashed in the second half as the Seagulls continued to dominate the contest. Town tried to force proceedings to find a foothold in the game, but Brighton continued to hold out.

Despite an energetic start to the second half by the visitors, looking to find the killer pass to open up the Brighton defence, the Seagulls registered their fourth and fifth within four minutes of each other.

Felicity Gibbons nodded in shortly before Danique Kerkdijk scored after the ball fell into her path following a corner, the header from another Brighton player ricocheting off the Town defence.

Macy Ellis was brought on in the 69th minute and made a good impact with her energy but the game was all but put out of sight once a sixth goal was added in the 77th minute, another goal by Danique Kerkdijk rounding off the scoreline.

Although the result wasn’t what the visitors were looking for, the Terriers are proud to have represented the National League in the competition amongst fellow lower-league side Southampton who were also eliminated away from home at Birmingham City.

Town manager Jordan Wimpenny praised his players for the run in the competition at full time.

“Proud is the perfect word to use. I couldn’t be more proud of the players and the staff for the performance that they showed not only today but all season.

“Despite the result and not progressing further, I couldn’t fault their efforts. They never gave up, they kept going and showed a great character and desire through the game to not give in and like I said I couldn’t have been prouder of them.”

Wimpenny said he thought Town’s ‘keeper, Davies, had a great game between the sticks.

“If she didn’t save the chances that Brighton had, the scoreline would have been a lot heavier. Without her in goal, the score would have been different. Credit to her and some of the saves she made: a strong right hand in the first half, a penalty that if she hadn’t have saved would have gone in, the ones in the second half she put her body on the line for. I think she had a tremendous game.”

So that’s that for 2020/21. A campaign that saw Town finish top of the league before it’s curtailment, a record points haul and the joint-longest FA Cup run in their history. Not bad for Wimpenny’s first season in charge. They’ll now how have a six-week break before regrouping for pre-season and preparing for 2021/22.

Fran Kirby: Managing Mental Health

WSA Member Ben Gilby joined The Women’s Sports Alliance Mental Health Discussion: With Fran Kirby on Wednesday evening as part of Mental Health Awareness Week. Fran spoke candidly about her own struggles and how she tries to manage them now as well as supporting others. With permission granted from the Women’s Sports Alliance, Ben has produced an article surrounding the key discussion points. As the WSA provided a safe space for Fran to talk openly and honestly, there were a few things that couldn’t be published, but here is a summary:

**Above:** Fran Kirby has had an incredible season. **Photo:** Mark Atkins/Getty Images

Fran Kirby is currently in the form of her life and one of the most respected female footballers in the world. Yet in order to reach that status, she has had to overcome some major hurdles. Hurdles that occasionally re-appear and need to be overcome again.

“I lost my Mum at the age of 14, Fran explained, “I didn’t allow myself a grieving space. I went to school the next day. It wasn’t until I was aged 16-18 that I noticed that things weren’t right in me.

“I didn’t understand who I was or what I wanted to be. With my Mum gone, I was growing up in a male dominated household and we weren’t good at speaking about our emotions. We didn’t mention the word ‘Mum’ for four years after her passing.”

It was incredibly hard for Fran to chart a path forwards to overcome these difficult times. For Fran, the support of a physio at Reading FC was instrumental in her mental state improvement.

“It’s so important to find someone that you can talk to. Quite often it’s someone who doesn’t know you all that well. The physio at Reading was older than me and I’d sit on her sofa and just cry.”

“I could see that (my mental condition) was affecting other people around me. I was becoming a person that I wouldn’t like to be around myself.”

“I stopped playing football for a year after Mum died. I knew that I would get back to football eventually. I needed to find joy in myself. At the age of 13 I had people telling me I would play for England – that was tough to hear and live up to. I had anxiety about coming back, but football was the biggest part of my life. For a long time I knew how much my Mum wanted me to play football. Now it’s a dream that I want to have. I still have bad days and I just accept that.”

Fran has also had to battle several major injuries and health scares over the course of her career. She outlined how the mental impact of this is not quite the same as the struggles that she faced after her Mother’s passing, but that didn’t make them any easier to overcome.

**Above:** Fran in action for Chelsea in the 2016 FA Cup Final against Arsenal. She would soon face a tough injury battle. **Photo:** Zimbio

The period between 2016 and 2017 when the Berkshire born player suffered back to back injuries which were hampered by slow recovery times due to problems diagnosing the exact nature of the injuries. It led to a period of around 12 months out of the game during which Kirby suffered pain so bad that she struggled to walk due to knee problems and bone edema (deep internal bruising).

“I went through so many ups and downs (in that period) and I didn’t know how to deal with it. I found in the end that the best thing to do was to be honest with the people around me about how I was feeling. I learned a lot about myself and took a lot of time to work things out.”

Last season saw Kirby experience another incredibly challenging period after being diagnosed with pericarditis, an inflammation of the fibrous sac that surrounds the heart which left her with sharp chest pain, fever, shortness of breath and general weakness.

“Mentally it was one of the craziest things that I’ve experienced in my life, Fran said. “It was a trauma. Just thinking about coming back and playing football scared me because of how I was feeling. I just couldn’t think of anything worse than getting back playing.”

“Then I got injured in my first England training camp after recovering from the pericarditis. That was possibly my biggest mental battle.”

Fran feels that it is incredibly positive that more professional sports stars are talking about their mental health battles. “We have to be honest. We’re not robots, we’re human beings. It gives the fans more of a personal relationship with you. If they can see our struggles and we’re getting through it then maybe they see that they can too if they have struggles.” The relationship with fans is something that comes with positives and negatives for sports players’ mental health. “When the fans are happy with you, it’s great. When they are not, it’s hard to separate this. I try not to get too caught up in opinions of me. I don’t look at comments about my performance because it can impact you.”

In terms with how mental health is dealt with at Chelsea, Fran is hugely positive. “Emma Hayes has been amazing through everything that I’ve been through. You need to feel reassured and valued. You need to feel what you are doing for your job is important. I was still being told how valued I was and how I was part of the squad.”

Fran concluded with a suggestion for everyone on how to try and support as many people’s mental health as possible. “Little things like a smile is a big deal. When you’re walking down the street, look up from your phone at the people who walk past and smile at them. I always try to make a conscious effort to do that. Smiles are infectious! You don’t know, maybe someone you passed and smiled at was really struggling and that smile you gave them was a big positive thing for them.”

Ben is a Women’s Sports Alliance Member and took so much from the Mental Health Discussion: with Fran Kirby event. As supporters of the WSA and their work, we urge you to become a member, today. Register here: https://www.wsportsalliance.com/membership to ensure you are able to access the range of events coming up.

Thank you to the Women’s Sports Alliance, Fran Kirby and WSA Founder Jordan Guard for putting on such a great virtual event.

State of the Art Permanent Home For Matildas Announced

Overnight, a major development was announced in Australia as a world class, purpose built training and development centre specifically for all of the national women’s football teams was announced.

**Above:** An artists impression of the centre. **Photo:** La Trobe University.

Football Australia and Football Victoria (FV) were delighted to hear the Victorian Government’s announcement confirming their investment to make the world-class Home of The Matildas at La Trobe University, Bundoora, a reality.

This announcement, following the 2020 commitment of $15 million from the Federal Government, provides a green light for construction of the Home of The Matildas and Home to Football Victoria, within a purpose built, state-of-the-art State Football Centre, alongside a State Rugby Union Centre at La Trobe University, Bundoora.

The commitment was made by Acting Premier, the Hon. James Merlino and Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, the Hon. Martin Pakula, at the future site of the facility.

The precinct is expected to be ready to receive the Westfield Matildas in advance of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023.

In addition to supporting Australia’s national women’s football teams, the facility will provide year-round access to elite training and match facilities for the Victorian football community. Both junior and senior players will be able to follow in the footsteps of their football heroes with opportunities to train and play on the five natural, hybrid and synthetic pitches and a purpose-built futsal court.

The historic announcement is three years in the making, with Football Australia and FV partnering to drive the project with the support of the Victorian State Government, since 2018.

Westfield Matildas captain, Sam Kerr was excited upon learning of this news.

“This is wonderful news for the Westfield Matildas and the prospect of having a state-of-the-art facility specifically designed for our use is very exciting.

“The team loves playing in Melbourne and we really look forward to having a dedicated base where we can train and prepare for matches when we are in Victoria.”

**Above:** Matildas captain Sam Kerr is hugely excited by this landmark development. **Photo:** Herald Sun

Football Australia Chief Executive Officer, James Johnson celebrated the investment into football at all levels.

“This substantial commitment from the Victorian Government, combined with the Federal Government’s earlier $15 million contribution to the project, will have a significant impact on the development of women’s football, and football overall, in Victoria and Australia for decades to come. This commitment is also a good launching pad for the Facilities and Infrastructure pillar of our ambitious Legacy ‘23 plan which was recently launched.”

“The high-performance environment that will spring to life on the La Trobe University grounds in Bundoora will feature world-class facilities and amenities that will ensure Victoria can regularly play host to the Matildas, as well as other youth and senior national teams and touring international nations and clubs.”

“Crucially, The Home of The Matildas at La Trobe University will not only be a space that caters for the elite levels of the game, but the community and grassroots, too. The site will become home to Football Victoria’s Administration, ensuring consistent, year-round use by the football community through football, futsal, all-abilities, multicultural, and social programs.”

FV President, Antonella Care was delighted to establish a home base for female football in Victoria.

“This is a milestone day for our Victorian football community. The Matildas have captured the imagination of our nation, establishing themselves as one of Australia’s most loved teams,” Care said.

“The team are the ultimate ambassadors for our beautiful game, providing inspiration for football fans of all ages to step off the sidelines and get in the game.

“FV and Football Australia’s target of 50/50 male/female participation by 2027 is ambitious, but this announcement provides us with the ultimate launchpad to make that ambition a reality for Victoria,” she said.

The next phase of the project includes detailed design and planning, with construction expected to commence in December 2021 and be completed in time for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023.

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.

Terriers Prepare For Brighton Cup Tussle

by Jack Walker

**Above:** Huddersfield Town’s Katie Nutter gets a shot in on the Manchester United U21 goal in a recent friendly game. **Photo:** Jess Hornby.

FA Women’s National League Northern Premier side Huddersfield Town Women make the journey to play Brighton and Hove Albion in the fifth round of this season’s Vitality Women’s FA Cup in a 12pm kick-off on Sunday afternoon.

The Terriers won three games to reach round five, beating Liverpool Feds, Brighouse Town and Derby County en-route to the latter stages.

Super League side Brighton are fully professional and boast international stars so fitness may play a big role on Sunday but, having gone to extra time twice in the Cup this season, Town will be hard to out-run.

Brighton’s WSL campaign finished with a commanding 3-1 win against Bristol City – the same side the Seagulls beat to set up the tie with Town – last weekend, as opposed to the months of league-free football that the Terriers have had since the FA WNL season was curtailed shortly early in the year.

Manager Jordan Wimpenny, however, hasn’t focused on how Brighton will have geared up for Sunday’s showdown.

“Brighton are a [Women’s] Super League side. As I’ve said, they’re very athletic and are ahead of us with the amount of training, the opponents and surfaces they play on, so we have to prepare for situations that we’ve never faced before.

“My team are well prepared. We’ve had two friendlies against strong sides and have put in solid performances. We will continue those preparations.”

Town have only reached this stage of the competition once before when they miraculously came from three goals down against Charlton Athletic to eventually win on penalties. Although he wasn’t at the helm back then, Wimpenny’s side have also taken teams all the way in this season’s competition.

With many of the current squad featuring on that famous day in the capital, he wants to use memories of Charlton to full advantage.

“To have that history is massive for the Club. We’ve had tough games, gone to extra time, to penalties and also done it in ninety minutes. We know we’ll give them [Brighton] a good game and it would be amazing if we go through.

“It’s a Cup game, which means anything can happen. We need to look at characteristics: leaders, desire, wanting to go through. That will all play a massive part in the result.

“The players will need to be together more than ever this weekend. We have to give everything we’ve got. We have nothing to lose. We’ll be going in as the underdogs, so we have absolutely nothing to lose. The players have had a fantastic season and I would love to see them progress into the next round.

Huddersfield and Southampton are the only two FAWNL sides left in this season’s FA Cup. After both facing grueling fixtures to get this far, Wimpenny wants to do the lower leagues proud.

“I had a look at Southampton’s run and they have come a long way, so congratulations to them. If we can put a stamp on this competition for the lower leagues then it just shows the quality that is in the lower leagues and the growth of the women’s game that can happen. We’re challenging Championship and WSL sides, long may it continue.”

Town are just one win away from the Quarter Finals and, having never reached the last eight, this weekend’s game is arguably the most anticipated in Town’s history. After a record-breaking league campaign with goals flying in left, right and centre, the Terriers will travel to Brighton with one thing on their mind: to do themselves and the fans proud.

The Swedish Scene

The latest column from @DandalBs, sees a focus on the Swedish Cup Final, the fourth round of Damallsvenskan and Elitettan and more transfer news.

SWEDISH CUP FINAL:

**Above:** BK Häcken celebrate Stina Blackstenius’ goal which put them 2-0 up over Eskilstuna United. **Photo:** svt.tv

BK Häcken took on Eskilstuna United in this year’s Swedish Cup final on Thursday. Going into the game, Eskilstuna were playing in their first ever Cup Final while Häcken’s previous incarnation Kopparbergs/Göteborg played in three, against Tyresö (2011 and 2012) and Kristianstad (2019) and won them all. The even earlier incarnation Kopparbergs/Landvetter lost the 2002 final to Umeå.

In the end, it was a comprehensive win for BK Häcken. Eskilstuna’s defensive set up worked well for the first half, but the second half was a totally different story as Häcken completely dominated. Eleven minutes into the second period, Filippa Angeldahl put the Gothenburg based side ahead. An outstanding second goal from Stina Blackstenius with 20 minutes left ensured that she ends the competition as the joint top scorer with Hammarby’s Emilia Larsson. Pauline Hammarlund completed the scoring after 87 minutes.

DAMALLSVENSKAN:

**Above:** Amanda Edgren (left) and Kristianstad celebrate her winner against Vittsjö. **Photo:** Bildbyrån

Kristianstad earned an impressive 1-0 win over Vittsjö thanks to a goal from Amanda Edgren. The result puts Kristianstad up to second place, just two points behind leaders FC Rosengård.

**Above:** AIK’s Rose Kafaji who earned the Solna based side a draw against rivals Hammarby. **Photo:** AIKfotboll

AIK’s positive start to the campaign continued after Rosa Kafaji scored a late equaliser to earn a 2-2 draw in their Stockholm derby at home to Hammarby. Nora Rönnfors scored the Solna based side’s other goal. Eva Nyström and Madelen Janogy were on target for Hammarby. It was a lively match that the visitors will be frustrated not to have won.

**Above:** Uchenna Kanu, who scored Linköping;s winner against BK Häcken. **Photo:** trendupdate.ng

BK Häcken have slipped to third after a disappointing 1-0 defeat at home to Linköping. Uchenna Kanu scored the only goal after she finished a great move when Maanum played in Simonsson who back-heeled a pass to Kanu who scored.

**Above:** Piteå celebrate Anam Imo’s winner against Växjö. **Photo:** fotbollskanalen.se

Piteå returned from their enforced break due to a coronavirus outbreak to grab their first win of the season as they beat Växjö 1-0 thanks to a goal from Anam Imo.

**Above:** Rosengård are the only team in the *Damallsvenskan* with a 100% win rate after four games after this win over Djurgården. **Photo:** fotbollskanalen.se

Rosengård stay top and are the only team to have won all four games after they saw off Djurgården 3-0. Sanne Troelsgaard and two goals from Jelena Čanković, the first of which was an outstanding free kick. Rosengård are looking more and more confident.

KIF Örebro drew 1-1 with Eskilstuna United. Örebro 1-1 Eskilstuna. Jenna Hellstrom was on target for the hosts with Fanny Andersson finding the net for Eskilstuna.

**Above:** Cornelia Kapocs, scorer of two goals for Linköping in their dramatic re-arranged game with Piteå. **Photo:** Linköping FC

Linköping took the spoils in a seven goal thriller against Piteå in the rearranged game between the two sides after the original game was postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak in the Piteå camp. The game looked to be won with just over half an hour played as Linköping built a 4-0 lead. Cornelia Kapocs and Uchenna Kanu both scored twice in the period. Maja Green got a goal back for Piteå in first half stoppage time. Anam Ino got another goal back for Piteå with 19 minutes left. The visitors got a late third goal to throw some doubts into the minds of Linköping when Guro Petterson scored with a free-kick, but they couldn’t quite get a fourth to earn a point.

Note – this table does not reflect Linköping’s 4-3 win over Piteå played on Thursday.

Round Five Fixtures:

Vittsjö GIK v AIK

Växjö v Rosengård

Piteå IF v KIF Örebro

Djurgårdens v BK Häcken

Eskilstuna United v Hammarby

Linköping v Kristianstad

ELITETTAN:

IK Uppsala couldn’t fully take advantage of Umeå IK not being in action as they could only draw 1-1 in their game with third placed Älvsjö AIK FF. Beata Olsson gave Uppsala the lead just gone the half hour mark before Linn Bogren levelled on 58 minutes. The top of the table is now very tight with the top three only separated by two points. Umeå IK’s game in hand will be at home to winless Borgeby FK. At the bottom, Lidköpings FK gained their first win of the season after seeing off Morön BK 2-1. Sundsvalls DFF and Bollstanäs SK are still looking for their first wins of the campaign.

Round Four Results: Borgeby FK v Umeå IK POSTPONED, IF Brommapojkarna 5-1 Bollstanäs SK, Sundsvalls DFF 0-5 Mallbackens IF Sunne, Alingsås FC United 1-0 IFK Kalmar, Lidköpings FK 2-1 Morön BK, Jitex Mölndal 0-3 IFK Norrköping, Älvsjö AIK FF 1-1 IK Uppsala.

Round Five Fixtures: IFK Norrköping v IF Brommapojkarna, Alingsås FC United v Umeå IK, IK Uppsala v Mallbackens IF Sunne, Morön BK v Jitex Mölndal, Sundsvalls DFF v Lidköpings FK, Bollstanäs SK v Borgeby FK.

NEWS ROUND-UP:

Eskilstuna United have signed former KIF Örebro keeper Mimmi Paulsson-Febo, as the second back-up to Emma Holmgren and Emelie Lundberg.

**Above:** Mimi Paulsson-Febo, newly signed at Eskilstuna United. **Photo:** M.A.V. Foto/Örebrotribune.se

Frida Manum of Linköping has set her sights on a move to England and Spain. She has said she hopes that Linköping get a transfer fee for her when she leaves after the club developed her since the age of 18.

Adrian Stenta: Stability the Key To Success

Adelaide United have recently completed their best ever W-League season which saw them win more games than ever before and smash the record attendance for a stand-alone match in the competition’s history. These successes were tempered by the club missing out on a first ever place in the Finals on goal difference. Ben Gilby reviewed the club’s season with head coach Adrian Stenta in our latest #DubWrap feature.

**Above:** Adelaide United head coach Adrian Stenta had a hugely positive first season in charge. **Photo supplied by** Adelaide United FC.

Going into the W-League season, Adrian Stenta stepped up to the head coaches role after serving as assistant to Ivan Karlovic, who was appointed as the club’s first ever head of women’s football.

“My aims for the season were to push hard for a spot in the Finals and for us to be a side who were not just competitive, but who consistently won matches by playing a good style of football,” the head coach said.

Adelaide started the season with an incredible game at Canberra United which saw the South Australians take a 2-0 lead within the first half hour thanks to goals from Cote Rojas and Isabel Hodgson before the side from the national capital hit back to draw level and then score a further two goals in two stoppage time minutes at the end of the game. There was still time for Mallory Weber to get a third for Adelaide in a 4-3 defeat.

“I learned a season’s worth of lessons from that game,” admitted Stenta.

“The first half told me that we could be a competitive side who play good football and can achieve good results. To concede four goals in the second half was disappointing. What it did teach me though was that kind of result in a first game had the potential to derail our season and dent our confidence. The way we responded to that result was really positive and it showed me that the side had a lot of fight, spirit and character.”

Stenta also highlighted several other massive positives that he saw from his team that bode well for the future. “Their work ethic – the players work extremely hard and never looked for or made excuses when things were not going their way.

“The way the players all came together was pleasing. We had a great environment and culture within the playing group. When you have that and a strong work ethic then you set yourself up for success. The players worked hard and professionally to achieve their goals.”

With the team missing Finals football by the narrowest possible margin, Stenta is already clear in his mind about what needs to happen next season to ensure that Adelaide United get over the line.

“We need to be going along a similar path to what we have been doing for the last few seasons which is stability among the core group of players. We need to keep as many players from this year’s squad if we possibly can and add some quality players where we need to.

“We just have to keep building on what occurred this season and the positives from before. We were really pleased with what we were able to achieve from a certain point, but we still fell a bit short from the goals that we set ourselves at the start of the season. Stability will be the key thing in the off season if that is possible.”

In terms of recruitment for the next W-League campaign, the Adelaide United head coach was positive due to the strong links that the Reds have to their state NPLW clubs. “Recruitment can be a challenge. There is a lot of technology and footage available these days to help with the process.

**Above:** Adrian Stenta makes a point during a training session. **Photo supplied by:** Adelaide United FC.

“We’re lucky in that we have very close links with Football SA and one of our coaches is involved with coaching the state NTC girls as well. That link and that pathway is strong.

“Then it’s a case of watching as many games and as many players across the local SA NPLW to see how players already attached to our club are performing and those we could be interested in. I like to engage in lots of dialogue with the NPLW coaches about how players are progressing within their own programs because that is the league that underpins our W-League. It’s really important to keep close tabs and see how players are performing in that competition. Our local coaches are a great source of information in regards to that.”

We also look at the national competitions plus any players abroad that we have our eyes on as well. The fact that we have a really long off season does help that recruitment process, but it’s a challenge when we don’t know many details about the next W-League season yet.”

These details include the timings of the season, something which impacted the last W-League season as players, including Adelaide United’s Dylan Holmes departed for Scandinavia with the Australian season still in progress. Charlotte Grant’s subsequent move to Sweden at the end of the W-League campaign also came with an announcement that could allow both stars to return for the new W-League season if the calendar’s line up correctly.

**Above:** Adrian Stenta sees plenty of scope for growth within his Adelaide United squad. **Photo supplied by:** Adelaide United FC.

“There is potential there for Charli to return. Firstly, it was great for both Dylan and Charli to make their moves as it will be good for their careers. That’s a big positive.

“We do know that players can play across both leagues if they wish to, but there are some unknowns about the timing of the next W-League season which makes it hard to be sure at this stage. But the pleasing thing is that both Dylan and Charli have indicated that they are keen to return to us if they can and we’re certainly keen to have them back.”

The other massive positive for the club was the record breaking crowd for a stand-alone W-League match which Adelaide United achieved when 5,159 people attended their final home game with Western Sydney Wanderers at the club’s A-League regular venue, Coopers Stadium.

“That was a fantastic event,” said Stenta, “It was well promoted by the club and well attended by our fans. We’re hoping to be able to play at Coopers Stadium more often in the future, and it just goes to show that when sport is promoted properly and supported, people will come out to watch because the product is worth it. The players are worth it. I was so glad that the players were able to experience that for their final experience in the season just gone.”

Building on that crowd figure and the performances in the season just gone, Adrian Stenta’s goals for the club in the future are all about providing opportunities.

“We’d like to have some success, first and foremost within our program and that will come with making a Finals appearance for the first time in the club’s history. Yet, something we have taken away from this season is that we’re not just about trying to make Finals, we want to push for a Championship as well.

“Our broader focus as a club is about providing pathways for our young South Australian women to play at the highest possible level for them whether that be with us here, or opening up opportunities for South Australian footballers to play overseas potentially, that would also be part of our goals moving forwards.”

Look out for another #DubWrap feature with another W-League Head Coach/Player looking back at their season soon!

Stockport County: Building A Positive Future

Ben Gilby spoke to Stockport County Ladies Welfare Officer Peter Attfield about how the club have been making the best of a stop-start season in the FA Women’s National League Division One North.

**Above:** Going for goal – it’s been far too long since Stockport County (left) were in FAWNL action. **Photo via** Peter Attfield.

Stockport County Ladies were set up following a partnership with the local authority. Formed in 1989/90, Peter remarks that “they were an instant hit.”

The coronavirus pandemic has led to a massive period of adjustment for the club as Peter explains: “None of our teams were able to play or train during the two periods of lockdown, which has been difficult for us trying to keep the club active. A huge thank you has to go to our volunteer coaches who have been doing everything they can to keep players of all ages, fit, engaged and entertained during this time.”

Apart from coronavirus, Peter sees the biggest challenge that the club has to face being the fact that there are no paid staff: “All the coaches and committee have to fit in club activities around full time jobs. The demands of running a first team in the FA Women’s National League without full time staff is difficult. As a club run entirely by volunteers it would not be right to single out any individual, as everyone gives up a significant amount of their free time to allow the club to function. Having said that, our Club Secretary, Jane Morley, bears the brunt of the day-to-day grind of making sure everything happens.”

Peter explained how the women’s club’s links with Stockport County men’s team, who play in the fifth tier of the men’s pyramid has, historically depended on how successful the male side has been doing, but there are signs of very promising developments in the relationship: “We are administratively and financially independent of Stockport County FC. In past years the level of interaction between the two clubs has varied, largely depending on how well the men’s team were doing. Since the takeover of the club by Mark Stott, earlier this year, there has been a significant increase in the dialogue between the two clubs with major benefits for the ladies. We look forward to working together to build on this positive initiative in the future.”

**Above:** Stockport County (blue) in action earlier in the season. **Photo via:** Peter Attfield.

This season has been exceptionally stop-start for Stockport County Ladies, and they have only played four games in the FAWL National League Division One North. “It has been very difficult to maintain any momentum so far this season,” Peter observes. “There’s been some very good performances which have been offset against a couple of disappointing results. We had some major changes in personnel, playing and coaching, over the summer and it will be good to see how these changes take shape when we can get a run of matches together. Initial signs are encouraging and hopefully we have everything in place to allow us to progress in the FAWNL.”

In terms of what one of the major strengths are for the club, Peter is absolutely clear: “We regard it as being the pathway available to Stockport County Ladies. When football is back to ‘normal’ we have football available all the way through from five years old Wildcats, right through to open age with teams at county league level, FAWNL Reserve League and FAWNL. We did have a significant increase in the number of new junior players coming to the club following the last Women’s World Cup in 2019.”

In terms of looking ahead to the future of the club, Peter was slightly guarded, perhaps no surprise given the completely uncertain last twelve months that we have all lived through: “At the current time, I don’t want to even attempt to predict what the football landscape will look like in the short to medium term future. Let’s just hope we’re back to training and playing on a regular basis!”

A thought that is echoed by just about every sport loving person around the world.

**Above:** Sticking together – Stockport County Ladies. **Photo via:** Peter Attfield.

Helston Clinch The Title

Penryn AFC 0-4 Helston Athletic

by Paul Parfitt

**Above:** Helston Athletic celebrate winning the Cornwall Women’s Football League on Sunday. **Photo** **via:** Paul Parfitt

Paul Parfitt’s Helston side arrived at Kernick Road knowing a point against second placed Penryn Ladies would be enough to secure a maiden League title.

Penryn themselves have been in superb form since the end of the lockdown registering three wins and a draw meaning a win for them would leave them in with a chance of winning the league themselves, this was a clash of the two best teams in the division.

Both teams fielded strong squads and as the match started Penryn took the initiative and had the success in the early exchanges winning 50/50 balls. Although their link up play wasn’t quite working for them and perhaps showing signs of nerves in the context of the match, Helston still looked dangerous albeit from broken play. Penryn had the first clear chances to score but a last ditch tackle from Georgie Sweet and a save from Eve Moore did enough to keep the score even.

On 19th minute Helston’s Abi Locke chased an expertly weighted through ball from Ellie Brewer and lobbed the on-rushing keeper to make it 1-0 Helston and settle some nerves for the travelling side.

Penryn stayed in the game and their physical and determined approach winning 50/50 ball and pressing and harassing Helston still featured in their game. Another through ball saw Abi Locke caught accidentally with studs in the follow through of Penryn keeper Clare Churcher, this injury required treatment and brought an end to the goal scorers game. Locke was replaced by the teams second top scorer Katy Barker-Thomas who immediately caused Penryn problems.

There was a phase of play in the first half where Helston were caught offside eight consecutive times and captain Sasha Sparkes spoke with the referee during a break in play which resulted in a yellow card and 10 minutes in the sin bin for the Helston captain to the bemusement of many onlookers.

Down to 10, a galvanised Helston started to take the upper hand, Penryn still looked dangerous but the energy of substitutes Alice Rae and Keri-Ann Moxom added to Helston’s ability to retain the football and play their style. It remained 0-1 at Half Time.

Parfitt had made four changes going into the second half and Helston started brightly seemingly finding their rhythm, Sparkes re-joined the side in the 50th minute and it was just three minutes later that the familiar combination that has brought Helston 60 goals across all matches this season were back at it again; Katy Barker-Thomas hitting a super cross that beat the punch of Churcher in goal and saw Sparkes rise at the far post to head in Helston’s second.

With a front three now looking to get after Penryn, Helston enjoyed a good period in the game, Katy Barker-Thomas delivered another superb cross three minutes later and in a desperate attempt to prevent it falling to the striker a Penryn defender headed into her own net to make it 0-3, the away side then had a couple of penalty shouts went by before one was awarded for a late challenge. The Helston skipper hit the post with her effort and Penryn were let off. The home side themselves then pushed forward winning a corner and testing both the Helston defence and keeper in what was still a fairly even game.

Helston made further changes utilising the roll on roll off substitutions and they looked to push on and improve the score. Helston were utilising the superb throw of Kim Yould and were regularly causing the Penryn defence issues, still blighted with offsides there was frustration for the team in blue. The Penryn keeper again keeping the score respectable with a string of saves and coming off the better in one to ones with Helston missing one or two open goals also.

As the game crept into time added on there was still opportunities coming and it was somewhat befitting that Helston scored in the 92nd minute to wrap up their League Title Win in Paul Parfitt’s inaugural season; typically fitting too was the goal scorer, with Jade Sweet sliding a pass through for Captain Sparkes to collect and outwit both defender and keeper to slot home and secure the CWFL Trophy for her team.
The game was a representation of desire and hunger in the Women’s game in Cornwall and the match was played in a manner of that befitting the top two sides in the division. Penryn’s season is now finished having played all their fixtures, Helston have two remaining away games at Mousehole and Culdrose on the next two Sundays as they undoubtedly look to finish the season unbeaten in the league.

This Helston side look to take promotion to SWRFL for next season and manager Paul Parfitt has already stated his intentions to enter a Development Side in the CWFL which will be managed by the experienced and popular Kev James. If you fancy taking up football or playing for Helston next season keep an eye on their socials and go along to their open trials on Sunday 6th June.

Helston Athletic: E Moore, C Sparkes-Bond, C Demouy, E Brewer, G Sweet, G Lane, D White, K Yould, S Sparkes (c), A Locke, S Sparkes-Bond. Subs Used: J Sweet, K Barker-Thomas, A Rae, K Moxom, S Clouter.

Scorers: Locke 19, Sparkes 53, 90, OG 56

The View From France

Jean-Pierre Thiesset rounds up all the actions from the twentieth week of action in D1 Arkema, French women’s football’s topflight.

**Above:** Jamaican international Khadija Shaw scored the goal that secured a first ever qualification for the UEFA Women’s Champions League. **Photo:** Daniel Vaquero/SIPA

Soyaux won 1-0 at home against Fleury. Goal for Soyaux from Henriette Akaba (90). With this victory, Soyaux still have a chance to avoid relegation in D2; They are now 4 points ahead from Issy which are 11th.

Bordeaux won 1-0 away from home against Montpellier. Goal for Bordeaux from Khadija Shaw (76). With this victory, Bordeaux are now certain to finish third and to play the UEFA Women Champion League next year for the first time in their history.

Paris FC won away from home against Dijon 1-0. Goal for Paris FC from Clara Matéo (57). Paris FC will finish fourth in the D1 Arkema Championships whatever their results in the last two games.

Paris Saint Germain won 2-0 away from home against Le Havre despite never quite hitting the heights. Goals for Paris SG from Nadia Nadim (6) and Marie-Antoinette Katoto (80). With their defeat, Le Havre cannot hope of finishing better than eleventh. After being eliminated by Barcelona in UEFA Women’s Champion League, PSG played an additional match in D1 with a victory away from home against cross city rivals Paris FC 3-2 despite missing Kadiaditou Diani. Unfortunately, after her goal Katoto had to be substituted due to injury and PSG now face potentially having to play the likely title decider against Lyon on May 30 without its leading scorer.

Olympique Lyonnais won away from home against Issy 4-0. Goals from Amel Majri (10 penalty), Catarina Macario (32 and 42) and Eugénie Le Sommer (56). Without playing at their best, Lyon were in control and were never in danger. After the replacement of Jean-Luc Vasseur by Sonia Bompastor as coach two weeks ago, it seems that Lyon are improving after successive wins by big scores – 5-1 against Le Havre on April 30 and 4-0 against Issy in the last game.

Guingamp were held 0-0 at home to Reims.

The D1 ARKEMA table now looks like this:

Kerr-ific Chelsea Retain The Title

Chelsea 5–0 Reading

By Ben Gilby

**Above:** All smiles as Chelsea lift the FAWSL title for the fourth time. **Photo:** @BarclaysFAWSL

Chelsea regained the Barclays FA Women’s Super League title with a comfortable victory over Reading at Kingsmeadow.

Emma Hayes named the same starting line-up as last week’s Champions League Semi-Final which meant that Swedish international Jonna Andersson remained on the bench.

Reading’s season will be filed under ‘transitional’ and the retirement of legend Fara Williams symbolises this end of an era.

The 37 year-old, who lined up for the final time in her career at Kingsmeadow won a record 172 caps for the Lionesses and during a spell with Everton from 2004 and 2012 scored 70 goals in 122 games.

It didn’t take long for Chelsea to show their dominance as the home side earned a corner from the opening play. Jess Carter’s low corner found Melanie Leupolz on the edge of the box and she side footed a shot into the net with just over a minute on the clock.

One thing Reading are renowned for though is their stubbornness and work rate and Kelly Chambers’ team dug in to stifle Chelsea’s forward ambition for the next half hour or so as their defensive pattern shifted to actively press the home side’s offensive play with the consequence that the Blues were forced to go backwards in an attempt to come forwards.

However, if anyone had the creative nous to break through the Reading wall, it was the Kerr and Kirby double act. Ji played a trademark perfect pass out to Kirby which Kerr ran onto. Her ball back to the England star resulted in Kirby hitting a first time effort into the net for 2-0.

**Above:** Sam Kerr and Fran Kirby – one of the greatest double acts that the FAWSL has seen. **Photo:** @BarclaysFAWSL

The partnership between Kerr and Kirby is unquestionably the key component in Chelsea’s relentless march to silverware and at this point, it’s important to cast our minds back to October when there was sustained criticism of Kerr and complaints that the FAWSL had been sold a dud.

These critics missed three very important points which were impacting Kerr at the start of the season. Prior to lockdown in March 2020, the Australian had developed a strong understanding with Beth England, her main strike partner at the time. Watching the two together at Kingsmeadow in those three months was a joy to behold as a real telepathic understanding was growing before our eyes.

Then, England had an operation over the summer and never really established herself as a regular starter this season, which meant that Kerr had to develop a new offensive relationship with Fran Kirby and Pernille Harder.

Kirby was unable to play for Chelsea when Kerr first arrived in January 2020 due to a debilitating injury and associated mental battles which the Lionesses star deserves huge plaudits for overcoming to the extent that she is now playing the greatest football of her career. Therefore it was no surprise that it took a number of weeks to build up that understanding, but once it built up, boy did it work.

The third element that the critics were ignoring was perhaps the one which showed the lack of awareness they had about Sam Kerr as a player. To a number of those critics, the Western Australian was simply a goal machine and her failing to find the net was a sign she was a failure. They either showed no awareness of or chose to ignore the huge amount of work off the ball which Kerr was getting through each week for the South London side. Something that she has always done throughout her career which has made her the ultimate team player. Blues boss Emma Hayes was well aware of this part of Kerr’s game and highlighted it week in week out in response to the criticism.

Since then, Kerr has not looked back and apart from scoring 21 league goals of her own this season, the East Fremantle born striker has been responsible for a large number of Kirby’s tally of 16 in a devastating partnership which you feel is only going to get more deadly next season.

Whilst it’s been the trio of Kerr, Kirby and Harder who have earned the column inches and social media posts, there are two other players who have been absolutely vital in the Chelsea’s success this season.

Erin Cuthbert embodies a massive part of what makes Chelsea the team they are. The 22 year-old is the ultimate Scottish terrier snapping around the ankles of the opposition. She is capable of taking on and dominating the best as Lucy Bronze found out earlier in the season when the Irvine born star had the Lionesses’ legend in her back pocket all afternoon long. Cuthbert runs kilometre after kilometre off the ball to neuter opponents and chase down and ultimately win countless lost causes. Erin Cuthbert is the player who will leave the pitch caked in mud when everyone else is pristine clean. It will be the biggest travesty of all if she is not in the Team GB squad for the Olympics.

**Above:** Another stellar season from Erin Cuthbert. **Photo:** @erincuthbert_

Then there is Ji So-yun who is coming towards the end of her seventh season for Chelsea. She remains a key part of the midfield establishment at Kingsmeadow. The South Korean has played over 110 games in her time in South London. At times last season there were signs that the opposition were able to successfully out muscle her to reduce her impact on the game. However, from the start of the season, Ji has brought back out her magic wand and has used it to remarkable effect. She is capable of class of the highest order: a perfect centimetre perfect through ball from midfield, pulling the strings to link up play or her famed glorious free kicks.

Reading began the second period on the front foot. It was the tighter and more offensive combination play of their midfielders Rachel Rowe, Angharad James and Fara Williams who were behind this improved standing in the game. Unfortunately for the Royals this was not matched by sharpness from their sole striker Danielle Carter.

Yet again though, as Reading threatened and failed to break through, Chelsea showed them how it was done. A long ball through to Kerr on the right saw her side foot a pass to Kirby who was just outside the ‘D’. She took a touch, created space and unleashed a rocket into the right hand corner of the net.

The Special K partnership combined again for Chelsea’s fourth. Cuthbert played a short pass through to Kirby who looped a ball into the box which Kerr volleyed first time into the net to ensure she won the FAWSL Golden Boot Award as the league’s top scorer.

Cuthbert made it 5-0 when her effort was helped over the line by Royals keeper Grace Maloney.

The scary thing for Chelsea’s opponents in England and Europe is that there is still scope for them to get even better. There is no question for me that Emma Hayes’ team do not have the strength in depth in defence that they do in midfield and up front. Whilst it might seem churlish to suggest this of a team who only conceded ten league goals all season, the highest standards of defence can help to decide the finest margins at the very highest level in the Champions League and if Chelsea want to dominate the pinnacle of European women’s football in the way Olympique Lyonnais did previously, this is where they will need to focus their recruitment.

**Above:** Magda Eriksson – Chelsea’s captain and talisman. **Photo:** @ChelseaFCW

Some Blues fans were surprised that last summer only Niamh Charles arrived in a defensive position with the club again focusing on bolstering their offensive options. Magda Eriksson’s loss for a month saw the Blues look more vulnerable than usual. Millie Bright is not the same player without Eriksson beside her at the back.

Interestingly, the only player Chelsea have been linked with so far is Manchester United’s young forward Lauren James. Given James’ family are based just over 10km from Kingsmeadow, it is a move which looks very likely to happen.

Chelsea can celebrate the third piece of silverware for 2020/21, but with a Champions League Final coming up next Sunday and this season’s FA Cup running into the new campaign, they still have every chance to have many more glory days ahead.

CHELSEA: Berger, Charles, Eriksson, Bright, Carter, Ingle, Leupolz, Ji, Kirby, Harder, Kerr. Substitutes: Musovic (GK), Blundell, England, Reiten, Fleming, Cuthbert, Spence, Telford (GK), J. Andersson.

Scorers: Leupolz 2, Kirby 43, 57, Kerr 71, Cuthbert 75.

READING: Malone, Leine, Cooper, Bartrip, Roberts, James, Williams, Rowe, Harding, Harries, Carter. Substitutes: Nayler (GK), Childerhouse, Flores, Jeon, Eikeland, Chaplen.

Referee: Stacey Pearson.