Darrell Allen returns with all the news from last weekend’s matches in these two tier five divisions which are both led by clubs partnered by Impetus!
Above: Dulwich Hamlet (pink) battle it out with Saltdean United in the London & SE Premier on Sunday. Photo: Liam Asman
Another extraordinary Sunday in the Eastern Region Premier Division saw four games produce 21 goals with the Norfolk teams claiming the main headlines for the second consecutive Sunday.
Bowers & Pitsea came from 2-0 down to lead Bedford 3-2 before a late equaliser from the visitors saw the points shared at the Len Salmon Stadium. Wymondham Town‘s game against HaringeyBorough was postponed due to Haringey players receiving call ups for their county side.
Above: King’s Lynn Town (blue) are more than finding their feet after promotion into the Eastern Region Premier. Photo: @SmidgerLinnet
King’s Lynn Town recorded back to back wins with an impressive 3-2 away success at AFC Dunstable. An own goal, plus strikes from Lily Porter and Jodie Hopkins sealed the points for Joe Simpson’s team. The Linnets have hit a fine run of form with seven points from the last 12 available.
Above: Plenty of smiles for Royston Town after their 4-1 win over struggling Colney Heath. Photo: Kevin Richards Photography
In the day’s other game, RoystonTown continued their positive start to the season with a solid 4-1 victory at Garden Walk against Colney Heath. A brace from Emma Slater, Charlotte Smith and Bella Simmonds secured the points which sees Royston sit fourth in the table.
Table from: Eastern Region Football League
London & South-East Women’s Premier:
Sunday’s action saw five games produce 20 goals.
Above: Ashford Town have lots to be proud of at the moment with a fourth straight win to top the table. Photo: @AshfordWomens
Impetus sponsored Ashley Cheatley scored a brace for another of the site’s partner clubs, Ashford Town(Middlesex) in an impressive 4-2 win over New London Lionesses which sees the Tangerines remain top of the table with four wins from four. Alissa Down and Chloe Farrell added the other goals for the home side. New London Lionesses put up a spirited fight with the game level at 2-2 up until four minutes to go but Ashford secured the win with Cheatley now having scored eight goals in four matches.
Dulwich Hamlet‘s one hundred percent win rate continued after an impressive 3-0 victory on the road at SaltdeanUnited with Manzi, Monkman and Harbour-Brown all finding the net.
Dartford also secured a big away win, as goals from Emily Vaughen, Alicia Gibbs, Kim Green and Nicha Dyett secured all three points in a 4-1 success at Denham United.
Worthing beat Fulham 2-1 in front of an impressive crowd of 152 thanks to goals from Hannah Hewlett and Katie Young.
Above: Worthing jump for joy after scoring against Fulham. Photo: @WorthingFCWomen
In the day’s other game, Aylesford came out on top 3-1 at Whyteleafe, securing their first away win of the season in the process. This success, plus a home win last weekend gives the Kent side a place in the top half of the table.
Above: Grace Birchall’s hat-trick – her third of the season, saw her rack up a half century of goals for the Tier Five ERWFL Premier leaders. Photo: Ben Gilby.
The Yachtswomen moved to the top of the Eastern Region Women’s Premier after a 4-1 victory at St Ives on Sunday afternoon.
Although boasting a 100%-win record in the league this season, Wroxham got off to the worst possible start. A cross from the right flank was turned past Cyan Fullbrook in the away goal by Tia Everdell to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.
Stunned by this reverse, the visitors pushed forward and won a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area, with the set-piece just clearing the bar. From the resultant goal-kick, Wroxham gained possession and Becky Russell’s shot hit the woodwork before being cleared.
The visitors were forcing St Ives to defend deep in their own half and Alice Parker who received a long cross from Kayleigh Holloway, fired just over the bar before Lauren Bullard saw a header saved by the keeper. Holly Walker then ghosted in at the back post, hit a half-volley just over the goal. At the other end, Fullbrook comfortably saved a free-kick.
Leading goal scorer Grace Birchall replaced Walker, and within ten minutes had a hand in the equaliser. Receiving a long free-kick from Hope Strauss, Birchall was brought down in the penalty-area and Bullard converted the spot-kick.
Above: Jess Horn (right) squared the ball for Grace Birchall for Wroxham to take the lead at St. Ives. Photo: Ben Gilby.
Just five minutes later, Wroxham took the lead. Bullard chasing down a long ball from Jess Horn, squared to Birchall who slotted past the keeper. Another substitution led to the visitors extending their lead. This time, Dana Smith, on for Gracie Squire, sent a looping ball over the defender for Birchall to score her second goal and give Wroxham a 3-1 lead at half-time.
The second half saw the visitors pushing forward straight from the start and forcing a corner which was cleared, before Russell saw her shot produce a great save from the home keeper pushing the ball over the bar.
Holloway was the next player to force a good save from the St Ives keeper, having cut in from the right flank, she saw her shot tipped past the post, for a corner which was headed clear by the hosts.
Most of the play was taking part in the hosts half and a free-kick from Parker saw the keeper save with her legs and the ball went out for a corner. From the corner, taken by Smith, Birchall running towards the near post planted a header past the keeper to complete her hat-trick which now takes her to the fifty goals mark for Wroxham.
Wroxham comfortably saw out the remaining twenty minutes to maintain their unbeaten start to the season with five wins from five games to take advantage of Wymondham Town’s inaction to top the table.
Above: Players from DLR Waves, Cork City, Peamount United and Shelbourne lining up with TG4 ahead of free to air broadcast of the FAI Women’s National League. Photo: @LOIWomen
In what will be a first for the League – which was established in 2011 – a national broadcaster will show four League games free-to-air over the coming weeks and they will also be available globally via the TG4 Player App.
The timing of this announcement coincides with a thrilling title race between Peamount United, Shelbourne and Wexford Youths, a battle to finish inside the top five involving DLR Waves, Galway WFC and Bohemians, and plenty to play for amongst Cork City, Treaty United and Athlone Town.
Sacar Beo will be presented by Galway sports broadcaster Máire Treasa Ní Cheallaigh, who will be joined by a team of expert football analysts including UEFA A Licence coach Laura Cusack and former Cork City manager Ronan Collins. The series is produced by Fogarty Fenwick Services.
Coverage will commence with Shelbourne versus DLR Waves on Saturday October 2 at 5pm at Tolka Park.
TG4’s Head of Sport Rónán Ó Coisdealbha said: “TG4 is delighted to have football back on the station and we look forward to an action-packed season from the SSE Airtricity Women’s National League. We are very proud to continue to lead the way in broadcasting of women’s sport in Ireland and to bring the best of sporting action to our audiences.
“This announcement reaffirms our dedication to the broadcasting of women’s sport in Ireland. In 2021 TG4 has brought the Women’s Australian Football League and the Vodafone Women’s Interprovincial Rugby Championship to Irish TV audiences for the first time, while also increasing their coverage of the LGFA Lidl Leagues by 150%.”
League of Ireland Director Mark Scanlon welcomed the announcement by saying: “It is fantastic to be able to raise the profile of the SSE Airtricity Women’s National League even higher by teaming up with TG4 to give the players even more visibility through the broadcasting of live games.
“We have enjoyed unprecedented success with LOITV this season, where every game has been available to stream live for free. But having a national broadcaster come onboard to promote the League is a huge milestone.
“It’s important that we continue to improve in all areas of promoting the game. We are excited to work with TG4 and will hopefully attract even more newcomers to the League as a result of this partnership.”
Details of the remaining games that will be shown live on TG4 will be announced soon.
Impetus hears the latest goings-on in Australia’s camp ahead of their friendly next week with the Republic of Ireland. There is newsof a late squad change and the views of Jenna McCormick and Chloe Logarzo.
Above: Jenna McCormick, back in training with the Matildas in Dublin this week. Photo: Football Australia.
Ellie Carpenter and Kyah Simon have been withdrawn from the Matildas squad for next Wednesday’s friendly with the Republic of Ireland in Dublin next Tuesday.
The Olympique Lyonnais defender and Tottenham Hotspur attacker will now remain with their clubs.
In their place come the Fortuna Hjørring duo forward Indiah-Paige Riley and midfielder Clare Wheeler who becomes the latest player to earn a first call up to the senior side, while Riley will return to the Commonwealth Bank Matildas after earning her first cap in April against Germany.
Australia’s 25 player squad commenced their training camp in Dublin on Monday with Wheeler and Riley joining the assembly yesterday afternoon.
Also returning to the squad is defender Jenna McCormick, for whom the training camp marks a return to the national team after an 18-month absence.
“A lot can happen in 18 months,” said McCormick. “I feel like I have ridden the rollercoaster of football; the highs, the lows, and everything in between.”
Above: Chloe Logarzo in training in Dublin. She speaks about how happy she is to be back in the USA after a spell in the FAWSL with Bristol City. Photo Football Australia
“It has been challenging. It has been good, it has been bad, it has been the entire spectrum of football emotions. Fast forward to now, it’s a different story. I am really happy where I am in Denmark playing for Aarhus and just back to loving my football.”
At the other end of the spectrum, midfielder Chloe Logarzo returns to the camp following a short break at the conclusion of the team’s intense Tokyo campaign. Recently earning her 50th cap for Australia, Logarzo is currently playing her club football in the United States with Kansas City.
“My time in Kansas City has been really good. It’s really nice to be back in the US. It’s quite comfortable for me (there),” she said.
“It’s definitely where I want to be for my personal self. I think it’s definitely what makes me grow as a player, on and off the field.”
Updated Australia Squad to face the Republic of Ireland:
Name
Position
Club
Caps (goals)
Mackenzie Arnold
Goalkeeper
West Ham United
26 (0)
Angie Beard
Defender
Fortuna Hjørring
0 (0)
Steph Catley
Defender
Arsenal WFC
91 (3)
Emma Checker
Defender
Melbourne City
7 (0)
Kyra Cooney-Cross
Midfielder
Melbourne Victory
9 (0)
Mary Fowler
Forward
Montpellier
15 (2)
Emily Gielnik
Forward
Aston Villa
48 (11)
Charlotte Grant
Defender
FC Rosengård
0 (0)
Amy Harrison
Midfielder
PSV Eindhoven
13 (0)
Winonah Heatley
Defender
Växjö
0 (0)
Alanna Kennedy
Defender
Manchester City
98 (8)
Sam Kerr
Forward
Chelsea
99 (48)
Chloe Logarzo
Midfielder
Kansas City
53 (8)
Jenna McCormick
Defender
AGF Fodbold
4 (0)
Teagan Micah
Goalkeeper
FC Rosengård
7 (0)
Courtney Nevin
Defender
Unattached
3 (0)
Clare Polkinghorne
Defender
Vittsjö GIK
135 (11)
Jamilla Rankin
Defender
Brisbane Roar
0 (0)
Hayley Raso
Forward
Manchester City
56 (6)
Indiah-Paige Riley
Forward
Fortuna Hjørring
1 (0)
Remy Siemsen
Forward
Sydney FC
0 (0)
Emily van Egmond
Midfielder
Unattached
108 (23)
Clare Wheeler
Midfielder
Fortuna Hjørring
0 (0)
Lydia Williams
Goalkeeper
Arsenal
91 (0)
Tameka Yallop
Midfielder
West Ham United
96 (11)
Republic of Ireland v Australia Tuesday 21st September 2021 Venue: Tallaght Stadium, Dublin Kick-Off: 7pm local time (4:00 Wednesday 22nd September AEST)
Above: Erin Cuthbert puts in a superb tackle. Photo: Ben Gilby
For Chelsea, what a difference a week makes!
Blues boss Emma Hayes moved to provide more cover at the back after their below-par defensive performance against Arsenal – an unsuccessful system left Chelsea dangerously vulnerable at the Emirates Stadium with Jess Carter in particular exposed.
The same three players – Carter, Millie Bright and Magda Eriksson – formed the backline, but Sophie Ingle replaced Niamh Charles in the defensive midfield position and provided greater solidity.
Another important difference was off the pitch. Seven days ago, fans were few and far between on the way to Arsenal’s stadium for the season opener. An hour before kick-off at Chelsea’s Kingsmeadow, Kingston Road was full of supporters heading in early for the first competitive game with fans at the south-west London venue in 2021.
Above: Magda Eriksson marshalled her defence excellently once more. Photo: Ben Gilby
Unfortunately for Everton, things stayed depressingly familiar. Willie Kirk’s side had arguably the best summer transfer window of any Barclays FA WSL club, but despite signing so many impressive young players, they look far from being the Champions League qualifiers that many have predicted.
The combination of so many new players, many of whom are young and playing FA WSL football for the first time, is a major reason for Everton’s present travails which have seen them concede eight goals in two games without finding the net themselves.
Like Chelsea, Everton suffered defensively last week, and their first half against Manchester City was nothing short of disastrous. They kept faith with Nathalie Björn, Gabby George and Megan Finnigan at the back, while Nicoline Sørensen came into the midfield to provide additional ballast.
It was clear from the start that the Toffees were not going to trouble Chelsea. Given the Champions’ defensive frailties the previous week, Everton were expected to press high from the start, but instead they were pedestrian and made the fundamental error of allowing Chelsea to get into their stride.
Above: Guro Reiten – dominant on the left-wing all afternoon. Photo: Ben Gilby.
Guro Reiten was able to create down the left, causing Björn all sorts of problems and being able to throw in dangerous crosses which put pressure on Sandy MacIver in the visitors’ goal. Chelsea focused their attacks on the left-hand side of the pitch for most of the afternoon, with Pernille Harder and Ji So-Yun also finding joy along that channel.
Above: Ji So-Yun rampaging down the left: Photo: Ben Gilby
Chelsea took 25 minutes to find the net and as expected it came down the left. Ji released Fran Kirby, with the reigning PFA Player of the Year turning Björn before lofting a shot in at the far post.
Above: On a difficult afternoon for her side, Everton’s young summer signing Anna Anvegård had a number of promising moments. Photo: Ben Gilby
Everton were rarely seen in an attacking perspective. Big summer signing Hanna Bennison struggled to make an impact on the game and was well marshaled by Chelsea. Her fellow Swede and summer signing Anna Anvegård however, was the best of the Merseyside club’s players in the opening forty-five, making several intelligent runs and looking to run in on goal when she could.
Above: Hanna Bennison – a disappointing debut for Everton’s big-money signing. Photo: Ben Gilby
Any hope the visiting supporters had that their side would rally after a rousing half-time team talk fell apart just two minutes after the break, thanks to a defensive disaster from Everton. MacIver played a pass out towards Finnigan on the edge of the 18 yard box, but the Toffees defender was seemingly not aware that Sam Kerr was lurking behind her ready to pounce, and a dreadfully short attempted back pass was intercepted by the Matildas record scorer, who slotted home one of the easiest goals of her career.
Above: “Ow! That hurt!” Sam Kerr shares a joke with Fran Kirby after heading in her second goal of the afternoon. Photo: Ben Gilby
From there it was simply a matter of “how many” for Chelsea. The hosts scored their third with just over fifteen minutes to go when Reiten broke free down the left once more and pulled over a cross, which Kerr headed home in a trademark finish.
Reiten was involved again for the fourth goal on 79 minutes when she supplied Erin Cuthbert, who had put in another tigerish performance. The Scot’s powerful effort smashed off the bar and went in off newly introduced Beth England.
Above: Pernille Harder put in arguably her best performance for Chelsea so far and dominated the action on the left-wing. Photo: Ben Gilby.
Credit must go to Harder for her incredible work rate in this game. Everton simply couldn’t stop her raids down Chelsea’s left side and whilst Harder didn’t end up with the goal she deserved for her endeavours, the Danish superstar was an integral reason for Chelsea’s creativity in the second half.
Chelsea’s return to form was ominous – as was a post-game tweet from Everton director Sarvar Ismailov which simply read “unacceptable”.
Above: Brighouse Town gather to discuss their performance against Holwell Sports. Photo supplied by: @btafcwomen
Brighouse Town Women marched through to the first round proper of the FA Women’s National League Cup with a 4-1 against Holwell Sports who play a division lower in Division One Midlands.
Town manager Rob Mitchell made several changes to the team and also welcomed back both Abi Lee and Ellie White to the squad after several weeks out with injury.
Brighouse started the game well against their lower league opposition and should have gone 1-0 up inside a minute, Monique Watson was thwarted by the keeper Chloe Quinn who was excellent all game.
Chances came and went with Town looking to take the game to Sports without being able to take any real chances. Eventually though, the goal did come mid way through the half, Annabelle Cass scored an excellent header from a corner taken by Impetus sponsored Leah Embley to make it 1-0.
The second half saw Mitchell make five changes and Holwell took advantage of this with a well placed pass in behind being met by an unmarked attacker, who beat keeper Carrie Simpson to make it 1-1.
This seemed to wake Town up who responded almost straight away. Cara Fields took a Sophie John pass with style and fired past the keeper. Ellie White was then brought down with Cass converting the penalty to make it 3-1. Drew Greene then drove passed the defence before cutting back to White who made it four!
A professional performance sees Town through to the next round of the League Cup. Player of the match – Annabelle Cass Match Day Sponsored – Embroidery In House
Above: AFC Portchester (orange and black) compete with Gosport for a header. Photo: Lewis Millington.
It was back to business for AFC Portchester Ladies on Sunday as they hit ten past visitors Gosport Falcons, in a Hampshire County Women’s Football League game that was abandoned after worrying scenes where an ambulance was required to support a player who had collapsed. My impressions were the player was OK after treatment on the pitch but regardless it was the right decision to suspend the game, player safety is always the priority after the scenes we all witnessed in Copenhagen at the Euros.
Prior to this though we were treated to a goal fest. Although Portchy, performance wise, took longer to get into gear than they would like by their trademark high standards, chances were still created from the get go. Laura Streeter must have thought she had put the home side 1-0 up after two minutes, although her header was ruled out for an offside.
The legitimate breaking of the deadlock came about on 17 minutes. A lofted ball from the back by the fans’ player of the 2020/21 season, goalkeeper Roxy Roberts, found teenage talisman Ella Wilson. Wilson then knocked the ball past the defender in the box before passing the ball calmly into the net.
Gosport came back at Portchy with attacks from the right hand side, but an injury to Lillie Thomas and organised defending from the back line kept the visitors at bay.
Portchy almost got their second after 22 minutes. A great cross sailed across goal from the right found Michelle Niven, who was industrious with her runs all afternoon. However she hit her first time volley over from close range.
Nevertheless the net rippled for a second time three minutes later. A fantastic piece of play from new signing from Portsmouth Women, Eilidh Currie, where a Cruyff turn in the centre of the pitch left the surround players for dead. Driving forwards, Currie played a beautifully weighted through ball onto a plate for Wilson, who rounded the keeper to slide the ball in from the angle.
Above: AFC Portchester bring the ball forward. Photo: Lewis Millington.
Wanting to make sure she made her mark on the game, Laura Streeter got the third goal on the 35 minute mark. Streeter drove into the box from the right and slapped the ball into the bottom right corner.
Wilson made it four for her hat trick on 40 minutes, a curled effort into the right of the net. Wilson clearly picking up where she left off last season, with her performances earning her managers player of the season.
Most sides might power down at this score line, but it was clear Portchy were still going up the gears – finding their rhythm and settling into a controlling short passing game which could quickly transition into direct attacks down the flacks.
A good passing phase led to Portchy’s fifth on 42 minutes. Captain Lynsey Crewe received the ball at 30 yards out before hitting a peach of a curler into the top right hand corner, giving the diving keeper no chance.
Portchy then managed to take their tally to seven during added time, with Currie grabbing two goals of her own in quick succession. The first came when a low cross from the left by Niven was collected by Currie, where she mercurially drove the ball into the far side of the goal. Two minutes later she had her second from a fantastically whipped free kick from 35 yards, ensuring the game was beyond reach for Falcons before the break.
Three more goals came in the second half. Gosport started the half with a few chances, forcing Roberts to come out of her box to sweep away a loose touch which could of led to a goal.
Above: AFC Portchester working together for another season of success after a fantastic campaign last time out. Photo: Lewis Millington,
However, Portchy transitioned the ball back up the field to win a corner. The curled corner then found Crewe in the box, where she dispatched a volley from close range to get her second and Portchy’s 8th of the day.
Portchy then made it 9-0 on 53 minutes. Smart play by ball playing centre back TJ Hewitt put Laura Streeter through on goal, where she confidently finished powerfully past the keeper for her second.
Showing no signs of slowing up despite a wave of substitutions, Portchy hit double figures on 62 minutes. A sprint down the right wing from Shannen Woods put her in on goal, where she then hit her shot too close to the keeper. However, the power in the shot was enough for the ball to ricochet back into the six yard box, where Currie was on hand for her hat trick with a tap in.
In the end, this was the final action. As emergency medical attention was needed for the Falcons player and the referee understandably called time on the game. Thoughts certainly go out to the player in question, Portchy now go into their next match full of confidence with that display.
Impetus’ North American correspondent, Catherine Paquette details the quite staggering arrangements for this year’s NWSL Championship Final which has been saddled with arguably the least player and fan friendly kick-off time of any major women’s football match ever.
All leagues conclude their season with a team as their champion. For the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), this champion is selected in a slightly different manner to European football.
While a trophy is awarded to the team who accumulates the most points in the NWSL’s 24 game season, a championship game and trophy at the conclusion of a short post-regular season playoff also exists. One could easily argue that that the regular season trophy, known as the NWSL Shield, is more difficult to achieve than the championship trophy as it requires greater consistency and success over several months and not just a few post-season games.
However, for the NWSL’s clubs, players and fans it is the Championship that is the real prize. Four teams have previously won it: the now defunct Western New York Flash and FC Kansas City, and the still existing North Carolina Courage and Portland Thorns. This season’s championship was meant to be its most exciting one to date, with a longer post-season play-off structure expanded to include six teams and three rounds, thus making the route to the championship game also more difficult than ever.
Last week, less than two months away from the end of the regular season, NWSL commissioner Lisa Baird appeared during the half-time show of the CBS’s live coverage of the Orlando Pride-Houston Dash game to announce the hosts, date and time of this year’s championship game.
Above: Providence Park, Portland. The venue for the NWSL Championship Final for the third time in nine years. Photo: footballgroundguide.com
The first part of her announcement, the championship game’s hosts, should have been the main cause of annoyance or controversy with NWSL players and fans. Again the game will take place in Portland, who have already hosted the championship game twice in the previous eight years it has been held.
While it has now been reported that the Portland Thorns were the only club to submit a final bid to be hosts, due to venue restrictions of other clubs, fans of opposition teams are rightfully annoyed at the idea of the Thorns once again possibly having a home advantage.
Moreover, NWSL players who have long been advocating for better playing conditions including the elimination of any matches on turf playing surfaces, are dissatisfied with this selection. Portland’s Providence Park stadium is one of two artificial surfaces that remains in the NWSL, the other being the Washington Spirit’s part-time home at Segra Field.
However, it was the latter part of commissioner Baird’s statement that created the real controversy. The championship game for the winner of this year’s 2021 season will take place at 9am local time. Yes, you read that right, at 9am.
Once again, for those unfamiliar with the NWSL post-season structure and the championship game’s importance to North American sports, this championship game is meant to be the epitome of the season. It is meant to be the year’s top occasion, its crowning moment, its Super Bowl.
The NWSL currently has a broadcasting deal with CBS and it has been reported that the 12pm eastern time slot, 9am local on the west coast where the final will be held, was previously agreed upon. CBS also covers college American football in the autumn, with those games monopolizing the afternoon Saturday schedules starting at noon on the east coast, the same start time as this match. The college games have long been scheduled across most of the broadcaster’s multiple platforms & channels.
Above: The 2019 NWSL Championship Trophy. Photo: Fran Stuchbury.
Sean McManus, the chairman of CBS Sports, stated when discussing the 9am kick-off: “Yeah, I think the location should be taken up with the NWSL. We didn’t choose the location, and we’re trying to make sure that we can give the most exposure that we can to the championship game, and that happens to necessitate a noon start. So, you know, I understand the dissatisfaction out there.
“That is the hand that we have been dealt and we’re going to make the most of it. But we have a program schedule that is pretty full. It’s not that we don’t value women’s soccer, I think our commitment to women’s soccer, especially with the broadcast window that we’ve given the league, I think, is pretty illustrative of the fact that we do value it. But as far as the location, again we didn’t we didn’t chose the location, the NWSL did.”
With this broadcast scheduling limitation, one has to ask why the initial television deal did not include an assurance of an appropriate time for the final depending on host selection. It is difficult to imagine any men’s professional league being given a 9am start, especially for their championship game. Television is important, but again, one has to question why they could not do better.
NWSL players have not played at 9am since they were children, for the obvious reason that no elite or professional athlete should be asked to compete at their optimal performance so early in the morning.
This start time will result in a pre-game wakeup at 5am, a pre-game meal at 6:30 am, a stadium arrival at 7:45 am and a pre-game warm up at 8:15 am On a day where the sun is expected to start rising at 7:17am, just imagine the crews preparing the stadium, under the floodlights, because it is just too early to see anything.
Above: North Carolina Courage’s Jessica McDonald has taken to social media to speak of her astonishment at the announcement of the venue and kick-off time of this year’s NWSL Championship Final. Photo: Lewis Gettier/ISI Photos/Getty Images.
Baird’s announcement has prompted players and managers from all around the world to question the decision and to call for a change. World Cup winner and North Carolina Courage striker Jessica McDonald stated:
Olympic gold medal winner and Manchester City attacker Janine Beckie also tweeted of her astonishment at the arrangements for the final:
Paul Riley the manager of the North Carolina Courage, who are the current NWSL Shield and Championship holders, simply stated:
“There’s not one league in the world that will play a championship game at 9am but unfortunately we are. Two teams are going to be in it playing at 9am which is sad when you consider what a big league it is in the world and how it is revered and stuff like that. But anyway, that’s probably for another day.”
To be ‘fair’ to the NWSL’s current scheduled time, this is not the first top women’s football competition scheduling blunder this year. The women’s Gold Medal match of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics was originally supposed to take place at 11am local time.
The same concerns over player performance, combined with concerns over player welfare as the temperatures were meant to be in the high 30os (100oF), were raised. The inequity with the men’s time, who were scheduled to play at a more suitable 8:30pm, was also questioned. The game was eventually moved to 9pm that night.
A number of UEFA Women’s Champions League first round group stage qualification games were also given early starts this year, as early as 11am local time – during the working week. Again this was not ideal, but it was also not 9am.
Above: The NWSL’s decision for a 9am Championship Final kick off has led to widespread anger. Photo: Getty Images.
It is also not be the first time a major women’s final will take place around this time. The 2003 Women’s World Cup final, held in the United States, was scheduled at 10am. It was a fantastic match between Sweden and eventual winners Germany. But this isn’t 2003. The world has moved on and seemingly progressed.
This current 9am start shows that it hasn’t progressed enough. If the women’s game is to grow it must be given the circumstances to do so. One cannot expect the best product to arise, or for it to be profitable, if it is not scheduled at times that are optimal for both players and fans.
Clearly discussions still need to be had about the respect that women and those who support them should be given. These are professional athletes and their gender should not result in them playing at the same time as young Sunday league players. A 9am start is insulting to players who have spent ten months building to a championship game as well as to the fans that have supported them along the way.
Women’s football and women’s sport deserves better. If that cannot be given by the broadcaster in question, and supported by the league, then changes need to be made in leadership so that basic respect for proper competition can be a primary driver of those in NWSL decision making positions.
Until that happens it is difficult for proponents of the National Women’s Soccer League to state it is one of the best league in the world. The 9am start proves they are far from this.
Above: Adriana Leon celebrates after putting West Ham United ahead after just eight minutes.Photo: Sky Sports.
Dagenham is turning on the good weather for this important early-season game. Both teams with a lot to prove today but a draw gets them each a point in a hard-fought game with West Ham unable to break their long-standing hoodoo of not winning at home.
West Ham dominated in the first 20 minutes but once Aston Villa settled into the match, it was a much more even affair.
It’s Emily Gielnik’s debut for Villa in this match. Up against her Matildas teammate, Mackenzie Arnold, who is in goal for West Ham. A lot is expected of the dynamic Australian forward, coming off a successful Olympic campaign.
Five minutes in, Dagny Brjynarsdottir sends a ball central to Adriana Leon from the left but Leon’s shot goes wide to the left of the goal.
Most of the possession is with West Ham early on and there is a sustained attack. Lisa Evans ran onto a ball into the box, beating Anita Asante, to pass back to Leon who flicks the ball past the keeper, Hannah Hampton, on the left. West Ham score after just eight minutes.
Above: All smiles for the Hammers after Adriana Leon’s early goal. Photo: @WestHamWomen
A badly timed pass back to the keeper, Hampton, sees her well off her line in a race with Leon. They both get to the ball at the same time and it bounces towards the box into the open. Villa defenders got back in time to save it but could have been disastrous for the visitors.
West Ham is on fire with another run into the box by Brynjarsdóttir. She passes to Leon who crosses. The ball is then bouncing around in the box narrowly avoiding another goal. It goes out and comes back in culminating with a shot by Brynjarsdóttir across the goal.
Almost immediately afterward Lisa Evans gets a shot on goal collected by Hampton.
It’s been all Irons until about 18 minutes in and Gielnik gets the ball, turns on it, and shoots. It’s high over the crossbar but it’s the first action she’s seen and the first time Villa looked threatening.
Villa get a free kick just outside the box after captain Remi Allen is literally bowled over. It goes straight to Arnold in a wasted opportunity.
The second city side’s first serious attack sees Alisha Lehmann bringing the ball down the right and passing to Gielnik. After a quick one-two in the box, Gielnik shoots and is denied by Arnold in her first on-target save of the match. The resulting corner floats over everyone as Villa miss another opportunity to score.
Above: West Ham’s Claudia Walker looks on as Ruesha Littlejohn clears the ball for Villa. Photo: @AVWFC
A long ball to Lehmann sees her dance around the top of the box before shooting. It’s safely in Arnold’s gloves but some nice moves by Lehmann and Villa are looking much more engaged after the early domination by West Ham.
42 minutes in and Allen takes a long-range shot on goal that goes a tad high but at this stage, Villa seem to be a lot more in control and on the front foot. Soon after Chaney Boye-Hlorkah brings the ball into the box and takes a shot that sails across goal and out.
As they come back on from halftime, things are looking pretty even. 49 minutes in and Gielnik passes to Lehmann who takes it into the box and then goes down. She calls for a penalty but it’s not forthcoming.
Sarah Mayling sends a lovely ball through to Gielnik but she’s offside and Arnold has the shot covered anyway.
A long ball down the right to Leon sees her cross to Brynjarsdóttir who heads the ball directly into Hampton who somehow manages to stop a certain goal by being in exactly the right place at the right time.
64 minutes in, Abbey-Leigh Stringer is tackled by Maz Pacheco and Allen and grabs Pacheco as she goes down. Allen is complaining about it and when Stringer gets up, she gives her a good shove. Ruesha Littlejohn runs into the melee trying to calm things down and Stringer gets a yellow for her troubles and the decision goes the visitors way. Almost immediately afterward Littlejohn and Stringer contest a ball. Stringer gets ahead and Littlejohn grabs her around the throat and brings her down. Stringer is livid understandably and Littlejohn gets a yellow for her act of revenge. Gotta love a bit of biffo in this game.
Above: Adriana Leon (19) tries to escape from Villa’s Ruesha Littlejohn. Photo: @AVWFC
After a thwarted West Ham attack, Villa get a shot on goal that’s easily stopped by Arnold. West Ham launch another attack through Leon down the right. Her cross goes straight to Hampton though. Claudia Walker takes another shot shortly after from a distance but its also gathered safely by Hampton.
Immediately after, Petzelburger gets a shot that hits the right post and Gielnik sends the rebound out on the right.
At 74 minutes, Walker is off to be replaced by Lois Joel for West Ham. At 83 minutes Littlejohn comes off to be replaced by Shania Hayles as Villa take a free-kick. It gets to Allen in the box but she kicks it straight to Arnold who has it safe.
Shortly after, a ball comes into the box for Hayles. She rounds Lucy Parker and shoots but Arnold gets a hand to it and it’s out for a corner in a very close call. The corner bounces around and is finally sent out wide by Pacheco.
With two minutes of normal time to go, Hayles gets a corner with a deflection off Gilly Flaherty. It goes to the far post and Asante takes a shot that’s cleared. It’s eventually out for a goal kick. The pressure is definitely on.
There’s four minutes of added time. With two of them left, things get crazy in the box. It’s bouncing around from a throw-in and Petzelburger gets it across to Allen to head it past a wrong-footed Arnold for the equalizer. Wild scenes as it’s 1-1 with 90 seconds left. The final whistle goes and it’s a draw between pretty evenly matched teams.
Above: West Ham’s Abbey-Leigh Stringer (4) battles with Aston Villa’s Chloe Arthur. Photo: @AVWFC
West Ham are left still looking for that elusive home win but both teams can take a lot away from this match. Solid defence and keeping on both sides. Good attacking but finishing needs a little refinement as a couple of genuine chances went begging. Aston Villa recomposed themselves well after the early West Ham goal. This made for a very entertaining match.
Teams: WEST HAM UNITED: Arnold, Wyne, Stringer, Flaherty, Evans, Walker, Longhurst, Parker, Filis, Leon, Brynjarsdóttir. Subs: Leat (GK), Joel, Cairns, Garrard.
Ben Gilby rounds up all the week’s news from the Champions League, Damallsvenskan and Elitettan.
Above: Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, scorer of BK Häcken’s third goal against Vålerenga that sealed their spot in the UEFA Women’s Champions League group stages in midweek. Photo: Expressen.
UEFA WOMEN’S CHAMPIONS LEAGUE NEWS:
BK Häcken made it through to the group stage after their midweek 3-2 win over the Norwegians Vålerenga completed a 6-3 aggregate win. Once more Stina Blackstenius was on the scoresheet, with a brace and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd grabbed the third. Two goals in the last seventeen minutes from Synne Jensen and Katie Stengel gave the score line a more pleasing look from the Vålerenga perspective.
Rosengård‘s hopes are over despite gaining a creditable 3-3 draw away from home to 1899 Hoffenheim. The damage was done in their 3-0 defeat in the home leg. Laura Reinroither increased the German side’s aggregate lead to four goals after just eight minutes before Jelena Cankovic got the Swedes on the board. Sarai Linder put Hoffenheim ahead once more before Mimmi Larsson levevlled on the night with 25 minutes to go. The two sides exchanged goals once more with Jule Brand on target for the hosts and Loretta Kullashi scoring for Rosengård. 1899 Hoffenheim progress to the group stage 6-3 on aggregate.
DAMALLSVENSKAN:
Vittsjö gained an excellent 1-0 victory on the road to third placed Eskilstuna United. They had to thank Sandra Adolfsson for the three points as she scored the only goal just before half-time to the delight of the 371 gathered fans. The visitors will now look to go on a positive run of results in order to keep their own top three hopes alive.
Rosengård continued their imperious form up with a 3-0 dismissal of AIK in front of 300 fans. It took the home side longer than they would have hoped to break through, but once Jelena Cankovic put the league leaders ahead just before the hour mark, there was no turning back. Gudrun Arnardottir and Olivia Schough scored four minutes apart to keep their team six points clear at the top.
Above: Olivia Schough and Mimmi Larsson in celebratory mood for Rosengård. Photo: Walter Luger.
BK Häcken remain second, but they made very hard work of getting a win at struggling Piteå in front of 523 fans. Mille Gejl Jensen scored the only goal after 48 minutes. The midweek exertions in the UEFA Champions League certainly did not help the second placed Gothenburg based side, but ultimately getting three points was all that mattered.
KIF Örebro gained a vital win at bottom side Växjö to avoid being drawn into the dogfight themselves. Wilma Ohman’s goal with just over 15 minutes left sealed their win in front of 176 fans.
Hammarby took advantage of Eskilstuna United’s slip up by coming from behind to win 2-1 at Kristianstads – another side involved in the battle for third place. Delaney Pridham gave Kristianstads the lead to the delight of the 460 strong crowd. Emilia Larsson levelled after 67 minutes with Emma Jansson hitting the winner seven minutes later.
Linköping joined the pack of five clubs battling for third place after a 3-1 win over Djurgården in front of 567 fans. Two first half goals from Cornelia Kapocs, after the Stockholm based side’s Portia Boakaye was sent off, put Linköping on the road to victory. Uchenna Kanu made it three just after the break before Nellie Lily hit a late consolation for Djurgården.
Table From: Svensk Fotboll.
Round Sixteen Fixtures:
Djurgården v Vittsjö
Hammarby v Rosengård
Kristianstads v Linköping
Eskilstuna United v Växjö
BK Häcken v KIF Örebro
AIK v Piteå
ELITETTAN:
Above: Umeå’s Henna-Riikka Honkanen was on target again last weekend. Photo: Pelle Börjesson/BILDBYRÅN
Umeå IK extended their lead at the top of the table to six points after a 4-0 win at home to Lidköpings FK. Two goals in the first 35 minutes from Henna-Riikka Honkanen set the hosts on their way and a brace from Lisa Bjork in nine second half minutes completed the scoring to the delight of the 249 fans. Second placed IK Uppsala suffered a disappointing 3-2 loss at home to tenth placed Alingsås FC United. The visitors were 2-0 up after less than half an hour with Alma Oberg and Rebecca Cameras on target. Ida Stromblad gave Uppsala hope, but Stine Jensen’s strike with sixteen minutes left sealed the points. Moa Ohman’s late goal for Uppsala was nothing more than a consolation as her side’s hopes of overhauling Umeå IK suffered a significant setback. IF Brommapojkarna’s run up the table continued after they thrashed Borgeby FB 5-1. Daniella Famili got the ball rolling with a ninth minute penalty and Sara Eriksson doubled the lead two minutes later. Kajsa Arthursson got a goal back for Borgeby early in the second half, but two goals in the last 13 minutes from Mathilda Johansson and a penalty from Jennifer Sjosten ensured that Bromma are now just a single point behind second placed IK Uppsala. IFK Kalmar remain fourth thanks to a 3-2 win at Älvsjö AIK FF. The visitors raced to a 3-0 lead thanks to goals from Tabby Tindell (2) and Kristen Schnurr. Two second half goals in ten minutes from Älvsjö gave the side from Stockholm’s suburbs hope, but they couldn’t quite get an equaliser. Morön BK are fifth, but only two points behind second place, after a 3-0 win at Jitex Mölndal. All the goals came in the first 33 minutes thanks to Ellen Shampoo, Hildah Magaia and Lova Andersson’s goals.
Latest Results: IK Uppsala 2-3 Alingsås FC United, Mallbackens IF Sunne 0-0 IFK Norrköping, Sundsvalls DFF 2-1 Bollstanäs SK, Älvsjö AIK FF 2-3 IFK Kalmar, Jitex Mölndal 0-3 Morön BK, Umeå IK 4-0 Lidköpings FK, IF Brommapojkarna 5-1 Borgeby FB.
Next Fixtures: IFK Kalmar v Mallbackens IF Sunne, IFK Norrköping v IK Uppsala, Lidköpings FK v IF Brommapojkarna, Sundsvalls DFF v Umeå IK, Bollstanäs SK v Älvsjö AIK FF, Borgeby FB v Jitex Mölndal, Alingsås FC United v Morön BK.
Table From: Svensk Fotboll
NEWS ROUND-UP:
Danish national team midfielder Frederikke Thøgersen, who recently signed for Rosengård, has suffered a cruciate ligament injury and will miss the rest of the season.
Above: Frederikke Thøgersen – Rosengård’s new signing is out for the rest of the season. Photo: FC Rosengård.
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