Above: Action from Huddersfield Town’s last encounter with AFC Fylde on the opening day of the 2020/21 campaign. Photo: Jess Hornby
Huddersfield Town travel to AFC Fylde in a highly-anticipated friendly as they build up to the mouthwatering FA Cup fifth round tie against FA Women’s Super League side Brighton & Hove Albion on May 16th.
The 2pm kick off will take place at Kellamergh Park Stadium behind closed doors and sees the top two sides in the FA Women’s National League Northern Premier meet for the first time since the opening day of the season.
Last time the Terriers met Fylde, the two sides played out a thrilling 3-3 draw in the 2020/21 campaign’s curtain-raiser, during which Town struck the woodwork three times.
After fans were robbed of the opportunity of seeing the clubs lock horns in what was already a fierce title race when the league was curtailed, manager Jordan Wimpenny expects another tough test in the North West.
“It’s going to be another tough game. The 3-3 draw (on the opening day of the season) came at a tough time when we were still adapting to new approaches, but look how far we’ve come.
“They’re a good side who were fighting with us at the top of the league so we know what they’re about and know that they will be up for it. They’re very good defensively so we’ll have to try and break them down.
“We’re all in this together and if you look at what the players have gone through these last two years, it’s not surprising to see their determination and togetherness on the pitch. We never give up.”
In Hudderfield Town’s most recent game, played last Sunday, the Terriers made it to the fifth round of the Women’s FA Cup by beating Derby County 3-2 at the Stafflex Arena last weekend.
Town took the lead in the 15th minute before Derby County equalising a minute later, but star striker Laura Elford scored twice more to register her hat-trick and put the game out of sight. A late consolation by Derby County was the only scare before the full time whistle was blown.
Jordan Wimpenny was pleased with the way his team handled Derby County’s challenges.
“I feel that the team deserved that after that performance. I feel that it was a tough game against Derby and they threw all sorts at us. The team had to weather a lot and you know fight together and for each other.”
Having drawn an FAWSL team in the fifth round, Wimpenny knows the team can’t get complacent and must go out with a winning mentality, but also knows the challenges Brighton will pose will be a completely different experience.
“I’ll always try and prepare for games to try and win and we know what oppositions coming next and it will be an unbelievable challenge and occasion for the players to go and experience and one that I think they deserve after this season.
“To keep progressing and go and experience that and have something as a reward for all their efforts and their performances, I look forward to accepting that challenge and see what lies ahead in the next round.”
@DandalBs brings us our regular Saturday round-up of the Swedish women’s football scene which this week saw the new Damallsvenskan and Elitettan seasons get underway.
NATIONAL TEAM:
This week’s draw for the group stages of the Olympic Games saw Sweden placed in arguably one of the biggest groups of death of all time. In the toughest draw for all teams concerned, Sweden will face the USA, Australia and New Zealand. The Swedes will start their Tokyo campaign against the USA before a potential qualification decider against the Matildas and end the group stage against the Football Ferns.
DAMALLSVENSKAN:
Above: Djurgården celebrate Sara Olai’s winning goal against KIF Örebro. Photo: Bildbyrån
The season got underway last weekend. The opening game ended with a 1-0 win for Djurgården at home to KIF Örebro, with Sara Olai scoring the winning goal. Djurgården are expected to be battling to avoid relegation to the Elitettan so this was an excellent win.
Above: Emmi Alanen pictured after scoring for Växjö agains AIK. Photo: Bildbyrån
Newly promoted AIK, tipped my many for instant relegation opened their Damallsvenskan campaign with a hugely creditable 1-1 draw away to Växjö. Emmi Alanen scored from the spot for Växjö with Nora Rönnfors on target for AIK.
The other new team in the Damallsvenskan this season, Hammarby suffered a 1-0 defeat at home to BK Häcken. The visitors were hugely dominant throughout the game but only managed a single goal victory. That was an own goal from June Pedersen after just four minutes when she unfortunately headed Anna Csiki’s corner into her own net.
Above: Fernanda da Silva scores the winning goal for Vittsjö. Photo: Bildbyrån
Vittsjö got off to a positive start with a 2-1 win at home to Piteå. Australian international Emily Gielnik continued her outstanding form in front of goal with Vittsjö’s opener with Ellen Löfqvist netting for the visitors. Former Piteå, player Fernanda da Silva grabbed the winner for the hosts.
EskilstunaUnited brought their good pre-season and Swedish Cup form into the new league campaign and earned a great 1-1 draw at home to Kristianstad. Eskilstuna narrowly avoided relegation last season and they profited from Felicia Rogic’s goal. Kristianstad, who played UEFA Women’s Champions League football this season grabbed the draw thanks to Sveindis Jane Jónsdóttir’s strike.
Above: Rosengård celebrate Stefanie Sanders’ late goal which won their opening game in Linköping. Photo: Bildbyrån
In one of the round’s most eye catching games, Rosengård left Linköping with a 1-0 win. The visitors had most of the play but couldn’t break through until the very end. In stoppage time at the end of 90 minutes, Stefanie Sanders headed Olivia Schough’s free kick into the net.
Round Two Fixtures:
BK Häcken v Växjö
Rosengård v Hammarby
Kristianstads v Djurgårdens
KIF Örebro v Vittsjö GIK
AIK v Linköping
Piteå IF v Eskilstuna United
ELITETTAN:
Round One Results: Borgeby FK 2-3 Älvsjö AIK FF, IFK Norrköping v IFK Kalmar POSTPONED, IK Uppsala 4-1 Lidköpings FK, Jitex Mölndal 3-0 Sundsvalls DFF, Mallbackens IF Sunne 0-1 IF Brommpojkarna, Morön BK 4-1 Alingsås FC United, Umeå IK FF 7-1 Bollstanäs SK.
Round Two Fixtures: IF Brommpojkarna v Umeå IK, Älvsjö AIK FF v Jitex Mölndal, Alingsås FC United v IK Uppsala, Bollstanäs SK v Mallbackens IF Sunne, Sundsvalls DFF v Borgeby FK, IFK Kalmar v Morön BK, Lidköpings FK v IFK Norrköping.
NEWS ROUND-UP:
Rosengård‘s Anna Anvegård, who won the Damallsvenskan Golden Boot winner for the last two seasons, is in concussion rehab and will missed the opening round of fixtures and at least this weekend too.
Above: Violah Nambi – faces a long spell on the sidelines. Photo: Svenskfotboll
Växjö forward Violah Nambi suffered a double bone fractures in training on Thursday. The 25 year-old, who was just back after a lengthy knee problem, can expect another long period of rehab.
In the first of our #DubWrap features, Ben Gilby spoke to Perth Glory head coach Alex Epakis about his background, the club’s W-League campaign, their squad of hugely talented local youngsters and plans for a brighter future.
Above: Perth Glory head coach Alex Epakis. Photo: Paul Kane/Getty Images)
Alex knew from the age of 22 that coaching was going to be his way of making a mark on the game.
“I played in the local NPL. I wasn’t going to be a professional player but I was comfortable with that and I thought that I wasn’t going to be a professional player, but I wanted to be in the game professionally.”
“I had to make a decision about what that was going to look like and I realised it was coaching. I started on that journey at a young age and, I think looking back at it now I’ve just turned thirty, that decision I made eight years ago has turned out to be one of the best I’ve made in my life.”
“Throughout that journey I had time at the Sydney FC Youth Boy’s Academy – that was my first proper coaching role. From there I moved on to Sydney University where I was also working with Canberra United as an assistant coach in the summer as the timings of the two seasons allowed that. So I spent a bit of time with Heather Garriock, which was a fantastic learning experience for me.”
“I only did that for one year because from a football point of view I couldn’t commit to 12 months of coaching. Sydney Uni was a big project and I didn’t want to let them down. So, I did four seasons at Sydney Uni, one of which was as assistant coach, three as head coach for the women’s team. I also coached the men’s team there in an interim position across two seasons.”
“It was a university for academics, but it was also for my education as a coach. I got to experience everything. I was fortunate enough to work with some good players (including Michelle Heyman) and good coaches and we had success.”
“By the end of last season there, we lost in the Grand Final after having been on a thirty-eight game unbeaten run. We lost there to Manly and I thought after that it was a good time to take a step back and have breather to balance my life out with other things.”
“Of course then, as tends to happen in football, when you announce you are going to step back for a bit, an opportunity that you’ve been waiting for presents itself and that’s what happened with Perth Glory.”
“It came out of the blue, the W-League pre-season was in full swing, so I wasn’t expecting an opportunity, but I got a call on the Friday from the CEO and I was there on the Monday.”
Coming into the W-League season, Perth Glory were in a very difficult position. The Western Australian state borders had been closed for much of 2020 and for so long it was not even certain that the club would be able to compete in the competition for this season as a consequence. Therefore very few players were attached to the club. I asked Alex what those early days and weeks were like.
“Ah, mate…! The club did a very good job of painting the picture of the difficulties that the season would be and what was happening. I didn’t go in there with any false ideas, but there’s one thing preparing for difficulties and another thing experiencing it!”
“I arrived on the Monday and I had to go into quarantine for two weeks, so I couldn’t coach the team. By the time I got out, we only had ten days to go until the first match.”
“In that period I also had to fill the last four or five positions on the squad and I had to do that remotely. There were thirteen players already signed, so I had to fill the rest. I wasn’t aware of the capabilities and balance of the players that were already at the club. So, I was taking a punt on the players that I was signing in the hope that they would balance the team. So, yes, there were difficulties, but it was an opportunity that I couldn’t turn down.”
Above: Perth Glory celebrate Caitlin Doeglas’ goal against Adelaide United back in January. Photo: Tom McCarthy
“The club were informed that they were able to play in the competition very late on. This was because there was the reality that Perth Glory may not be allowed to leave Perth to play. There was talk of relocating us to Sydney for the whole season, but none of the players were able to do that. So, if that was going to be the case, we wouldn’t be able to field a team this season.”
“The reality is that if things were different and I had more time, I would have put the pieces together differently. But, with coaching, you have to make the best of the crop you have, and if it wasn’t for Covid, I don’t know if I would have got the opportunity at the club that I did. Whilst Covid was difficult, it also presented an opportunity to me and players.”
That opportunity saw Perth Glory field an incredibly young team that, regardless of setbacks and circumstances just kept plugging away in a highly admirable manner.
“The squad had fantastic resilience. There was never a moment, despite the difficulties that we faced on and off the field, that a player dropped the tools or dropped their level of commitment or engagement. For that, I was so grateful.”
“There were countless times when we could have just fallen off, but we kept going. The players certainly developed. I was very proud to coach the team, and we had a very young and inexperienced team.”
“I really believe that I have given players an experience and an education and an opportunity that will hopefully set them up for success, whether that be with Perth Glory or other clubs in the future.”
“We were teaching inexperienced players to become competitive players, and that is not an overnight job, but we’re closer now than we were when we started.”
Above: Gemma Craine on the ball for Perth Glory just before injury struck. Photo: Tom McCarthy
The difficulties were compounded by the early season injury to Gemma Craine, who had looked in excellent form in the opening games home and away against Adelaide United.
“We didn’t have many attackers to start with and Gemma was a player that I saw in my first session when I arrived. She was a ‘train-on’ or a ‘triallist’. I gave her a position in the team on the spot. I think she had been in and around Perth Glory trials before, but never given an opportunity for whatever reason, but for me, we needed someone with an X-Factor, some bite up front and she fitted the bill.”
“We lost seven games this season by one goal. I think that if we had someone like Gemma, some of those may have been draws or even wins. We’ll never know, but she certainly was a loss. I won’t sugar coat it, it was very difficult to replace her.”
One of the major positives in the campaign for Perth Glory was the incredible determination, work ethic and spirit within the squad that ensured that they never stopped trying to create despite being in losing positions. I asked Alex whether this ethic was one he and his coaching staff worked to instil or if it was naturally there with this group of players.
“I can’t say that I had a conscious plan in instilling effort and desire. My idea is that should be a given for a footballer at a professional level. The reality is that you don’t always get that. I was very fortunate. The players just looked around and said ‘we’re a young squad, we’ve got countless hurdles in front of us, but let’s just give this a red hot crack.’”
“There were times when I thought, ‘how about I save myself here and play a very defensive set up and we’ll try not to lose games.’ But I can safely say that myself and the players never went out not to lose a game. Despite what was happening, we still went out trying to win every game.”
Artwork: Graphics by PW
“I don’t think the players would have taken it on board to sit off anyway. It’s not my style and it’s not their style. We were a young team and we had nothing to lose so our view was that if we were going to go down, we were going to go down having a real good crack.”
We then turned our conversation towards the future of Perth Glory’s W-League side and started debating whether the club could consider entering a side in the WA NPLW in a bid to keep the youngsters together ahead of the next W-League season.
“It’s something we’re certainly looking at,” said Alex “We’re not necessarily thinking about a full time program over winter, but I have brought to the attention of the club that we need to look at ways of engaging with the players more often because it seems silly that they go off to the NPL for seven months which is supposed to set them up for the premier competition which is for four months and we’re expecting them to be up here (holds hand high up) by the time pre-season starts.”
“We need to find a way to bridge the gap between the NPL and the W-League so players can get to a place that we need them to get to and we are looking at ways internally as to how we can make that happen.”
In terms of preparations and potential recruitment for the next W-League season, Alex is very clear that it’s already under way.
“As soon as the final whistle went in our last game of this season at Melbourne Victory, I was already making plans. Not just from a recruitment perspective, but from a club point of view. Tony Pignata (Perth Glory CEO) and Terry McFlynn (Academy Manager) in particular have been very supportive. I can’t thank them enough for the support that they’ve given in the difficult times, but also the support that they are giving now to enable me to go and do what I need to do to put the pieces together.”
“Player recruitment is certainly a very hot topic at this point in time. In terms of adding experience, well, experience is certainly a word that we like, but I look around and I think, ‘is it quality or experience that I want, is it just experience or is it just quality?’ For me, I want quality players on the field and quality people off the field. Now if that means they are 25 or 18 it’s irrelevant, but they are the people that we want. That is my framework when I go and talk to players that I want for next season.”
Above: Hana Lowry – one of Perth’s young stars who has just signed up for another season. Photo: Tom McCarthy.
With Perth Glory having a big crop of very young players who have great potential, the club are already beginning to secure some of their key players for another season.
Teenage duo Hana Lowry and Tijan McKenna have already been signed on for another year along with experienced club captain Tash Rigby.
“I am personally extremely pleased and proud that three of our core players have committed to the club going forward. It sets a fantastic foundation and direction for the squad and all three players have great value within the team.” Alex said.
“Tash proved to be a strong leader throughout adverse times this past season. Her commitment to the team and club on and off the field is priceless and she is one of the fiercest competitors I have come across in my coaching career to date. We are extremely pleased to have her lead the group next season and I look forward to working with her to continue to guide and set the direction for the team.”
“Hana is an outstanding talent. She was immense in her efforts and performances throughout the whole season when she certainly took the opportunity to step up and be a key player for the team. Hana has the potential and mind set to develop into a top-level player and I look forward to playing a part in that process.”
“Tijan is another key long-term signing who proved last season that she is able to go toe-to-toe with all players. She certainly stood out to me early in my time here and developed considerably over the course of the season.”
“All three women are local WA players who embody the values and commitment that we are seeking to form the cornerstone of our team direction.”
Above: Perth Glory captain Tash Rigby who has just extended her stay at the club. Photo: Tom McCarthy.
“The club have a spine of WA produced players that can potentially play for Perth Glory for a long time. We want to make sure that we support their individual goals which may well mean that at some stage they go overseas, but while there are WA girls playing in Australia, we want the best ones to be playing for Perth Glory and we want to not just retain our best crop from WA but also want to track the best talents from around Australia,” Alex continued.
“At the very least this season, any player or any coach in the W-League can turn to Perth and say ‘Wow! More often than not there were more teenagers on the field than there were over aged players’, so at least players can feel that if they come to Perth, there is an opportunity for them regardless of age.”
“We want to have a pool of talent coming through and there is a lot of work that we can do behind the scenes in the off season and ensure that we keep our best players in Perth whilst they are in Australia and support them until they can go to bigger and better things overseas.”
We concluded our chat by examining what potential goals Alex has for the club for the next W-League season in terms of progression.
“Next season started for me the day after the last game against Melbourne Victory. I’m an ambitious coach and no player wakes up to not be ambitious and not want to win. The plans are that we need to improve, we need to win games, we need to be competitive in games for 90 minutes and we need to continue to build a playing style that is recognisable for us and that we believe is effective against any opposition.”
“Once you can do all those things, then you can start to think of goals and where you want to finish. We’ve got to get the core things right first and if we can nail and improve those areas, success will be a by-product.”
“I’m really interested in the next couple of months in nailing down the players to bring the style to life. Once the style is brought to life consistently over 90 minutes, we’ll get closer to winning games. When we start winning games we can start to talk about where we’re going to finish. But, in a nutshell, we need to improve: that’s the main aim.”
Given the long-term approach that Alex Epakis is taking to his work in Western Australia, it looks like the club are in a good position to make progress next season.
Look out for another #DubWrap feature with another W-League Head Coach/Player looking back at their season soon!
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.
Ben Gilby spoke to Marine Women’s manager Iain Scott and assistant manager Declan Henry about the relatively new tier seven club who play in the Liverpool County FA Girls and Women’s Open League.
Above: Marine Women gather after a recent game away to Southport. Photo: @MarineWFC
Declan began our conversation by outlining how the club were formed less than a year ago.
“Marine knew for a while that they would like to establish a women’s team but there were questions around the who, when and how. Last summer after the lockdown the decision was made that the club should take the leap and form the team and Iain Scott was appointed as the Manager.”
“The team had six weeks to prepare for the season which was an incredibly tight turnaround, fortunately we were able to make use of the club’s relationship with Frankie Meadows from Crosby Stuart. Frankie is a grassroots legend and a pioneer of girls’ football on Merseyside, he was able to assist in building a competitive squad ready for the season.”
“Since the start of the season we’ve continued to grow, recruiting additional players so we’re in a position to establish a second team and making preparations for next season.”
This season Marine gained worldwide headlines when the men’s club were handed a fairy tale home FA Cup tie against the mighty Tottenham Hotspur. Ahead of the game, a post appeared on Marine Women’s social media challenging Spurs’ FA Women’s Super League side to a pre-season friendly. I wondered if they had heard anything back yet.
“The community were bursting with pride and a great relationship was built between Tottenham and Marine. The tweet was sent by Iain, the manager, in light of the news that the FA Cup fixture was to be played behind closed doors, and we are hoping that if the women’s fixture goes ahead it will give fans the opportunity they so richly deserve to be in the stands and to see the two great clubs go head to head. The clubs are in contact but there’s nothing to report just yet.”
Iain Scott, the club manager explained further: “I believe in my players, each and every one of them is an incredible athlete, I wouldn’t have sent the tweet if I did not genuinely believe that it would be a competitive fixture.”
“I was gutted when I learned all the fans were going to be missing out on going to the men’s game against Spurs, it’s possibly the biggest game in the club’s history and to play it without fans was devastating. Hopefully if this game can go ahead between the women’s sides it will give the fans the chance to re-live that excitement.”
Above: Marine pre-game against Southport. Photo: @MarineWFC
Marine’s first season has coincided with coronavirus lockdowns and the huge restrictions connected with that. I asked Declan just how hard it has been.
“It’s been really challenging, not just in terms of footballing, but also managing player’s health and well-being away from the pitch. Financially it’s been hugely challenging to the club and the lads run in the FA Cup was monumental in helping to offset those financial challenges.”
“The players all have football in their hearts, it’s taken a massive effort to make sure that we can keep them engaged, motivated, happy and healthy without being able to get together for a kick about or training. In terms of footballing, it’s been a small price to pay in order to protect our community and also ourselves and our own families.”
“Outside of the pandemic one of our largest challenges has been the speed at which the team was put together, we started the season with players having to play out of position and provide cover while we worked hard and continued to recruit in players to strengthen across the pitch.”
We’ve already touched on links with the men’s club in relation to their FA Cup match with Tottenham Hotspur, but I wondered what things were like on a more formal basis.
“We are firmly part of one club,” said Declan, “We’re well supported and we have the board of directors behind us and they’ve given us a budget to establish and build a competitive side. Unfortunately because of the times we’re living in we’ve not been in a position to enjoy that relationship fully but there’s a few ideas we’ve had that will come into fruition as and when we’re able to put them into action.”
Marine’s first league season has been very stop start, Declan explained how things have been going: “The season has been hugely challenging in a number of ways, but everyone at the club is happy with the performance. There is work to be done but to achieve what we have in such a short space of time has been fantastic.”
“Tactically we need to develop and become more confident in how we play, sometimes we’ve allowed our opposition to dictate the game to us on the pitch but that confidence will build with experience and spending time at the training ground and on the field together. With such a short period of time with the players before the season began it was always a tall order to expect them to take all the direction on board but the girls have been nothing short of incredible in that sense.”
“We’ve been able to learn more about the players, and they’ve had the chance to get used to playing alongside each other and we’ve been introducing changes in our play building it up over the season. In our last few games we’ve really seen the squad come together despite the results and now it’s about fine tuning that and being ready when football returns.”
“The gaffer has been able to make some exciting signings over the past few weeks, and with the players we already have in the squad we’re now in prime position to progress.”
Despite the club still being in its infancy, there is already a pathway from girls to women’s football at Marine as Declan explained.
“We’re in partnership with Crosby Stuart through our relationship with Frankie Meadows and as girls age out at Crosby Stuart they will come to Marine for a trial. This season we have brought in 5 U-18s players through the Crosby Stuart pipeline and they’ve already had a great impact on the squad.”
The club, like everyone, rely on a small band of volunteers. Manager Iain Scott outlined some of Marine’s.
“We do our best to sing about all of our heroes, but we’ll take this chance to praise them as well!”
“Firstly, Rachel Lamb and Nicola Taylor. Both work for the NHS, and both have been on the frontline in combating the pandemic as a Trauma Nurse and Paramedic respectively. They’ve both remained committed to the team and have given up their time off-shift to train hard with the squad.”
Above: Marine’s home stadium, The Marine Travel Arena in Crosby. Photo: @MarineWFC
“Nor Daley is also an incredibly talented artist and has balanced her roles as defensive midfielder, clinical support worker and mum, to make time to carry out photoshoots for our players.”
“I want to thank all of our players, this season has thrown challenge after challenge in their faces. They’ve pulled together and pulled each other through it all and are a fantastic squad to work with.”
“Also the families and friends of the players and our fans for standing in the wind, rain and even hail to cheer us on, they’re part of the team too and I’d like them all to feel that way.”
Liam (Dempsey – goalkeeping coach)has also been great, not only working our keepers, but spending time with all of our players to help them work on technique, finishing and playing out from the back.”
To close, Iain outlined his goals for the club and team over the next few seasons. “As a club we’re looking to have progressed up a few tiers on our journey to the Super League. We’re hugely ambitious and that vision is shared by our players, coaching team and the club staff.”
“Watch this space! This team is going places, our vision and goals are set, and we have the ability, drive and determination to achieve them.”
Ciarán Duffyof Post to Post Sport rounds-up all the goings on in Week Three of the Irish Women’s National League, which saw reigning champions Peamount United facing an early season top of the table challenge from Shelbourne and Wexford Youth’s teen star Ellen Malloy hitting four goals.
Champions Beat Another Challenger
Above: Bohemians (red) and Peamount United battle for the ball in the top game of round three. Photo: @FAI_WNL
Peamount United have played two games this season. They’ve both been against likely title contenders and they have both resulted in wins for Peas, who are looking to win their third consecutive league title.
Two of last season’s top goal-scorers, Eleanor Ryan-Doyle and Aine O’Gorman scored to secure the victory for Peamount against their Dublin rivals, who have finished as runners-up in both of the last two seasons.
The game started at a fast pace and continued that way as both teams had chances. Shels had the better of the opening exchanges, before Peamount started to threaten down both wings. After 25 minutes, Ryan-Doyle got on the end of O’Gorman’s cross to turn the ball in. They had a chance to double their lead five minutes later from the penalty spot, but Shels keeper Amanda Budden made the save. Peamount would get their second with a volley from Aine O’Gorman.
The second half started the same as the first with Shels having the majority of the ball. 75 minutes in Ciara Grant turned the ball home to get one back. Shels were unable to find an equalizer, they remain top of the table on goal difference having played one game more than Peamount.
FT Peamount United 2-1 Shelbourne
Molloy Masterclass Helps Wexford To Big Win
Above: Ellen Molloy – scorer of four goals for Wexford Youths at the weekend. Photo: scoreline.ie
Ireland’s teenage sensation Ellen Molloy scored four goals as 2018 champions Wexford Youths got their first win of the season, against bottom side Treaty United.
Treaty tried to play out from the back, but were caught out early on when Ciara Rossiter took advantage of a loose pass. Despite Wexford having all the momentum, the Limerick side did equalize six minutes later through Aoife Horgan. The sides remained level until just after the half hour mark when Sinead Taylor beat a defender and volleyed home. Molloy got her first of the game just before halftime when once again Treaty tried to play out from the back.
The second half was only just over a minute old when Wexford scored their fourth, a penalty by captain Kylie Murphy. The rest of the game saw Wexford in control. Molloy scored three goals in an eight minute spell late in the half. The young star earned an international call-up with her form last season, and will surely become a household name for the Irish senior team.
FT Treaty United 1-7 Wexford Youths
Bohs and Cork Hit Six To Share Spoils
Above: Cork City (green) and Bohemians competing hard at the weekend. Photo: Stephen Burke.
Goal fests are become a trend for games involving Bohs, all their games so far have involved at least four goals.
It took just four minutes for the first goal when Erica Burke scored from close range give Bohs the lead. Cork would equalize in the 25th minute, then take the lead 6 minutes later, with both goals coming from Lauren Egbuloniu.
In the 2nd half Aoife Robinson equalized for Bohs only for Laura Shine to put Cork back in front straight away. Chloe Darby scored from the spot to ensure Bohs took a point from the game.
FT Bohemians 3-3 Cork City
Impressive Waves Gain First Win Of The Season
Above: Katie Malone scores the late winner for DLR Waves over Galway. Photo: @DLRWaves
DLR Waves beat Galway 2-1 in a hard-fought arm wrestle of a contest.
The opening exchanges were cagey with no clear cut chances. However, 16 minutes in a spectacular ball by Jess Gleeson found the head of Kate Mooney who powerfully headed the ball home. DLR frustrated Galway for the remainder of the half and limited their opportunities.
The second half was a back and forth affair. Galway would equalize with a header from Rachel Kearns who got on the end of a freekick with 12 minutes to go.
It could have been a case of heads going down but the Waves pushed on. Eventually they found their way through late on when Katie Malone was in the right place at the right time to get the ball in the net. DLR were able to hold out a late Galway push to secure the win.
Above: Sam Kerr, in dominant first half form, gets away from Alex Greenwood at the Academy Stadium tonight. Photo: @ChelseaFCW
Chelsea moved within three points of the Barclays FA Women’s Super League title after earning a draw at closest challengers Manchester City.
In a high tempo, all action encounter of the highest quality, it was a dominant first half performance from Matildas star Sam Kerr which ultimately proved to be the difference. The Fremantle born striker scored her side’s opening goal before winning the penalty that delivered their second.
Both teams were missing their captains, Manchester City’s Steph Houghton has been out for almost a month now with an Achilles injury. Chelsea’s Magda Eriksson had to come off last Friday night in her side’s FA Cup Fourth Round tie against Championship side London City Lionesses.
The stats pre-game emphasised just dominant these two sides are. Manchester City had only conceded three times at home all season, hadn’t conceded at all for over 600 minutes and had never lost to the reigning champions at the Academy Stadium. As for Chelsea, they went into the match unbeaten in their last 37 away games (since a loss at City) and were 21 matches unbeaten against City and the other FAWSL big gun, Arsenal.
The early exchanges saw the two sides probing down the same flan of the pitch with Chloe Kelly and Erin Cuthbert pushing on. From a City perspective, Lucy Bronze and Alex Greenwood were trying to stick as tight as possible to Sam Kerr from the get go.
The hosts built a succession of half chances. With ten minutes gone, Sam Mewis cut in from the right and played in a dangerous ball which Millie Bright had to clear for a corner. The pressure that this built ended with Mewis heading over the bar.
Chelsea received their first opportunity just afterwards when Kerr was shoved in the back by Greenwood. The resulting free-kick out on the right saw Pernille Harder head wide under pressure in the air from Bronze.
The South Londoners came closer still two minutes later when a viciously in swinging corner from Erin Cuthbert on the right saw City keeper Ellie Roebuck come, miss the ball completely and Melanie Leupolz’s looping header had to be cleared off of the line by Greenwood.
Chelsea looked to profit from another City error when Keira Walsh’s attempted pass was intercepted by Ji who immediately found Kerr. The Western Australian put her foot down on the gas and raced towards the box, but was denied just inside by a perfectly timed tackle from Greenwood which resulted in the concession of a throw in.
It was from another corner that Chelsea finally profited. This time, Cuthbert played in an out swinger towards the centre of the box. Kerr lost her marker Greenwood and got between Caroline Weir and Lauren Hemp to power a trademark bullet header into the right hand side of the net.
Yet, just two minutes later, City were level. Weir fed Hemp on the left. Her ball in wasn’t dealt with by Bright which allowed Chloe Kelly the easiest of opportunities to turn the ball home and she didn’t look the gift horse in the mouth.
It took only a further five minutes for the next goal arrive. City coughed up possession in midfield with Kerr profiting. With no support in sight, the striker ran though and went to round Roebuck who caught her on the ankle with a palm of the hand. The Australian went down and referee Rebecca Welch had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Up stepped Harder and drilled the ball into the net to the right of centre to re-establish Chelsea’s lead.
Above: Pernille Harder, scorer of Chelsea’s second goal from the penalty spot, gets away from Sam Mewis. Photo: @ChelseaFCW
City responded well once more with Bronze’s effort having to be pushed over by Ann-Katrin Berger for a corner which the German then claimed comfortably ahead of the interval.
It was a harum-scarum start to the second period with City looking to push for the equaliser and the visitor’s content to hit on the counter.
With fifty minutes played, Kerr went down grimacing and required attention from the Chelsea physio before returning to the action.
City continued to build the pressure with Hemp at the centre of much of what was good about their play, but Chelsea were successfully playing the high press which was making life hard for the home side to get in behind.
It was from another counter attack that saw Chelsea away down the left with 25 minutes left. Fran Kirby got free and drove into the box before laying it back to Kerr whose side footed effort was wide.
A carefully controlled flurry of possession saw the visitors slowly build towards goal on seventy minutes which earned a corner. Another dangerous flag kick from Cuthbert resulted in substitute Niamh Charles’ effort going wide of the right hand post.
An uncharacteristic error from Fran Kirby gifted City a lifeline with just over fifteen minutes left. Her loose attempt at a back pass allowed Kelly to play a ball across the box. Bright swung and missed her clearance which allowed Hemp was able to smash home the equaliser.
Buoyed by the goal, City so nearly took the lead with just over ten minutes to go. Bronze won a corner off of Jonna Andersson. Kelly’s ball in was met with a back header from Hemp which was denied by an outstanding save by Berger who back palmed it onto the top of the bar and over. An incredible moment – the like of which ultimately decide matches.
Chelsea responded with Cuthbert sliding a pass across the outside of the box towards sub Guro Reiten. The Norwegian star drove an effort agonisingly wide of the right hand post.
There was one final chance when Kerr broke clean through but Roebuck saved just seconds ahead of the final whistle.
Despite City’s best efforts to find a winner, they never quite conjured up the ingenuity to break through for a third time. It will now take a slip up of unimaginable proportions for Chelsea not to retain their FAWSL title.
Jean-Pierre Thiesset gives us his report of the UEFA Women Champion League round of 8 second leg, Olympique Lyonnais game against Paris SG.
Paris St Germain won 2-1 away from home against Lyon, and qualified for the UEFA Women’s Champions League semi-final against Barcelona. Unfortunately for Lyon fans and as I foresaw, Lyon were not able to step up. Even if Lyon scored quickly in the game, PSG players were more efficient with 13 shots on goal, of which four were on target while Lyon had only five shots, three of which were on target. PSG players were also more efficient on the passes with 70% of successful passes against 61% for Lyon.
Despite Lyon taking the lead thanks to a goal from Catarina Macario (4), PSG hit back with goals from Paris SG Grace Geyoro (24) and a Wendie Renard own goal (61).
Is it the end of Lyon era? Their next game against Paris St. Germain, which will take place in Lyon on May 29 for the D1 Arkema final will tell us.
Above: Pride Park (in red change kit) take on Draycott Victoria. Photo: Shaun Hardwick.
An unfortunate combination of mishaps, injuries, ailments and events came together at the weekend to rule several of our players out of our trip to Draycott in the Derbyshire Ladies League, leaving us with just ten fit players available to start the game. With regular goalkeeper Jade Howell one of those missing, Vicky Wilsoncroft took the gloves as a very capable stand-in.
Particularly after last week’s false start to the resumption of our league season after the horrendous injury to Janine Wardman, we were hoping for a trouble – and injury free – game of football, and as if to give us a sign, the sun was out and it was a pleasantly warm afternoon.
The girls started in a determined mood and stayed compact and organised, denied space to Draycott, and mounted a stout defence. Although Draycott, inevitably, had the most of the possession, it was Pride Park with the early chances, all coming on the counter-attack, with Maja Znamirowska – playing only her second game in a year due to the Covid-related restrictions – a constant threat.
It was Maja who broke down the right flank after 27 minutes, and was getting beyond the Draycott defender, only to be taken down just inside the penalty area with a barge from behind. Tash Allderidge took responsibility for the spot kick, and hit it firmly but the ‘keeper managed to get across and get a hand to it – a rare blemish on Tash’s very good penalty record – and the ball was cleared from the rebound.
A minute later and Maja was in behind the Draycott defence again, going very close. Inevitably, despite our best efforts, Draycott were going to get chances and their first opportunity of any note came just around the half-hour, a dipping shot that Vicky did well to tip over at full stretch.
There was nothing Vicky could do about the next shot, after 33 minutes, which flew into the top corner from outside the area. It was a setback, but one that was brushed off quickly as Pride Park continued to defend doggedly and hit Draycott on the break.
There were a couple of minutes left to half-time when Maja latched on to a pass from Tash, and hit her shot for the left corner – only to see it ricochet off a recovering defender’s head and fly only just inches wide of the other post, leaving the goalkeeper completely wrong-footed and stranded. The resultant corner lead to a scramble in the goalmouth, but we just couldn’t find the decisive touch before a defender lifted the ball over the crossbar from the edge of the six yard box for another corner. It was a breathless end to the first half in which Pride Park could feel very unfortunate to not be at least on level terms.
Draycott had been frustrated by a really dogged, well organised and committed first half by Pride Park and, although the goal that divided the teams was very well taken, they could consider themselves a little fortunate to be ahead at the interval.
On a warm afternoon Pride Park were looking for more of the same in the second half – the only question was how long it would take before the prodigious effort they were putting in on a warm afternoon would take its toll. Eight minutes after the restart Draycott won a corner on our left which was initially cleared, but the ball fell to a Draycott player, was played wide and then put back into the box for a header from five few metres to double Draycott’s lead.
Above: Pride Park advance against Draycott Victoria yesterday. Photo: Shaun Hardwick.
With a two goal lead, and a numerical advantage on the pitch – and on the bench – Draycott had a degree of comfort, but Pride Park weren’t giving up, as Maja again went close after some really good combination play down the right between her and Annie Laight. Draycott extended their lead further with an excellent curling shot from wide that was placed in the far corner of the goal, giving Vicky no chance.
Draycott had by now recognised the threat posed by Maja and she was being shadowed by two or three defenders. Despite their close attention, Maja was still proving to be a handful and with fifteen minutes to play she threatened to break clear again, only to be body checked by a defender. The free kick was in range, but although Beth Jones was able to clear the wall, she wasn’t able to get the ball down again enough to trouble the ‘keeper.
The pitch had caused both teams problems with first touch and control, and the ball had a tendency to bobble unexpectedly on the hard, dry, surface. After seeing the players trying to control the ball and play “classic” football, it was entirely appropriate that when Draycott scored their fourth goal, with about five minutes left, it was from a toe poke from about ten metres, which in the circumstances was being smart to do what was effective.
As the game drew to a close Pride Park had one last opportunity for a consolation, as Tash Allderidge hit a close range effort wide of the ‘keeper only to see her instinctively stick out a foot to deflect the shot. It summed up pretty well how the ball just didn’t run kindly for Pride Park on a day when they were always going to be up against it and needed just a little helping hand from Lady Luck.
Nevertheless, it was a thoroughly enjoyable game and a very encouraging performance from which the players can take a lot of pride. The odds were heavily weighted in Draycott’s favour, but they were made to work very hard for their win and the scoreline doesn’t really do Pride Park any justice. At least it was an injury-free afternoon, which is something we are grateful for.
We were pleased to see some old friends – a couple of former players – take advantage of the weather to come down and support us, and really appreciated Simon coming along in the absence of the injured Janine – at times providing her with a commentary of the game in her hospital bed via the phone!
Next week’s opponents are second placed Wirksworth Colts. Kick off at Anthony Gell School in Wirksworth is 1.30pm.
Above: Huddersfield Town celebrate a goal against Derby County that sets them up with a tie against FA Women’s Super League side Brighton & Hove Albion. Photo: Jess Hornby.
Huddersfield Town Women emerged victorious from a five-goal thriller with Derby County to book their place in the fifth round of the Women’s FA Cup after a fierce and competitive game.
The Terriers held on for a dramatic 3-2 win at the Stafflex Arena, coming out the other side after positively weathering the storm in the first half against Derby County at the Stafflex Arena on Sunday afternoon.
The hosts started brightly with Lucy Sowerby linking up well with Laura Elford on the right hand side, whilst Derby created chances of their own in the early stages as the contest turned into a midfield battle with both teams searching for the opener.
Laura Elford gave Town the lead in the 15th minute as she was played in down the near side, took the ball down, and finished at the second time of asking. Although the hosts went in front, Derby equalised just one minute later and the Rams continued to threaten, smashing the right hand post eight minutes later.
With the two teams level at the break, it all came down to the second forty-five minutes and, just like in the previous round, Town’s substitutions worked a treat as Kate Mallin emerged from the substitutes’ bench to claim two assists.
In the 72nd minute, the winger whipped in a corner which was bundled over the line by Elford before the same combination saw the prolific striker completed her hattrick just four minutes later – rising high to once again head the ball in.
Above: Going for goal – Huddersfield Town against Derby County yesterday. Photo: Jess Hornby,
The two goals in quick succession secured victory and, although there was a late scare as Derby pulled a goal back seven minutes before full time. Town now travel to Brighton away in the fifth round of the Women’s FA Cup on May 16th.
Manager Jordan Wimpenny admitted it was a nice feeling to win the contest in the way the team did.
“It’s always a nice feeling to win a game and to progress to the next round is great. I feel the team deserve that after this performance.”
Debutant Paige Crossman was also very satisfied with her afternoon’s work. “We had to be quite tight in areas. I had to stay back and sit a lot more than I normally would. You’ve got to do what is right for the team. I think in my legs I knew I had it in my head that I will be fine physically. Just getting 90 minutes out the way, psychologically it’s a big thing. I feel we had quite a lot of space outside wide.”
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