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Victory Sets Dark Blues Up For Huge Sydney Clash

Melbourne Victory 6–0 Perth Glory

By Kieran Yap

**Above:** Melbourne Victory celebrate a comprehensive win which sets up a decider for the end of season W-League top spot away to Sydney FC on Wednesday. **Photo:** @VictoryWLeague

It was another round of mini finals in the Dub this weekend when Melbourne Victory hosting Perth in search of a win to secure their finals place.

They named an unchanged line-up against a Glory side that had held them to a one-goal win two weeks ago and Perth were hoping to improve on that performance to send Kat Jukic off in style in her retirement game.

The opening stages of the match were closely contested with all the pressure on the home side and Perth looked to have an early goal to celebrate when Hana Lowry bundled the ball into the back of the net. Unfortunately for the visitors the young midfielder had been judged to have fouled Gabby Garton and the goal was contentiously disallowed.

Victory soon clicked into gear, Lisa De Vanna ran onto a long ball behind the defence and looked to be clear in on goal before losing her footing and Annalie Longo threatened on multiple occasions, getting on to the end of crosses from De Vanna and Amy Jackson but unable to beat Lily Alfeld in the Perth goal.

**Above**: Annalie Longo of Melbourne Victory (10) competes with Perth Glory captain Tash Rigby in the air. **Photo**: @PerthGloryFC

Kyra Cooney-Cross was next to be denied by the goalkeeper with a curling left foot strike from distance tipped over the bar, Glory were holding on, but it looked like the floodgates were straining.

The opening goal came soon after, Angie Beard tore past her opponent on the left flank and whipped in a low cross that was met emphatically by Melina Ayres in the six-yard box, Alfeld had no chance at stopping the goal, the pace on the cross and the timing of Ayres run was perfect, the finish might have been the easiest part though it was very well taken.

Ayres doubled her tally minutes later when De Vanna’s shot from deep was spilled by Alfeld, the striker reacted quickest and got to the ball before any defender to slide it under the scrambling goalkeeper to make it 2-0 before half time.

**Above:** Thumbs up from Melina Ayres after her second goal for Melbourne Victory. **Photo:** @VictoryWLeague

The onslaught continued in the second forty-five, Kyra Cooney-Cross won a corner with persistence on the left and swung the ball into the six yard box where Claudia Bunge leapt to head to ball into the net, it was 3-0 and Victory were in cruise control.

To their credit, as they have done all season, Glory did not take a backwards step, they kept trying to score and keep the ball with no inclination to park the bus, they had come to play football and Hana Lowry typified that attitude with a stinging shot on target that Gabby Garton was equal to. If Perth can keep getting Lowry into scoring positions or facing goal with the ball more often she could do a lot of damage to teams next season.

Victory had no intention of resting on their lead and the returning Catherine Zimmerman made it 4-0 after Cooney-Cross’s first time shot bounced off the crossbar and the American recruit was able to control it and slide it home.

**Above:** Teenager Kyra-Cooney Cross (second left) put in another stellar performance for Melbourne Victory. **Photo:** @VictoryWLeague

On the hour mark the dominant Cooney-Cross scored one for herself, the ball dropped to her just inside the penalty area, with a sumptuous first touch she cushioned it down with her left foot and with her second she shifted it into space with her right, she finished into the bottom corner to make it 5-0 with a well-placed finish beyond Alfeld.

Victory and especially Cooney-Cross were not yet finished, on the seventy-sixth minute, she raced onto a long ball on the left wing and with no teammates in the middle she charged straight at goal. As she neared the target Alfeld stood her ground, forcing Cooney-Cross into a decision, she elected to go with raw power this time and hit the ball with fury right over Alfeld’s head, crashing it into the net. She struck it venomously, like the ball had somehow personally offended her and wheeled away all smiles in celebration. It was 6-0 and the rising star had two goals and two assists.

Cooney-Cross was the dominant player in an imperious display by Melbourne Victory, as the game neared the end it looked like the only way to stop her at full flight was by simply grabbing her shirt but the whole Victory team was in frightening form and even the usually demanding Jeff Hopkins looked to be having fun when Natalie Martineau narrowly missed a chance to score when her header hit the post following another Cooney-Cross delivery.

The game ended 6-0 and Melbourne jumped from fifth to seconf on the table with a chance to finish top of the league with a win in their final match. This game was a warning to the rest of the competition and they look to be hitting their best form at the right time.

**Above:** Young Hana Lowry putting in another impressive shift for Perth Glory. **Photo:** @PerthGloryFC

Perth Glory have endured probably the most difficult season in W-League history, due to their geographical isolation and the restrictions due to COVID-19 they were unable to play games early in the season and their hastily assembled squad struggled to find rhythm. Despite this they began every game attempting to win or at least take the game to the opposition. There are some quality young players in their line-up and they were unlucky to lose Gemma Craine to injury so early in their campaign. They should be admired for the way they approached the year and hopefully with better preparation and minus a pandemic they can look forward to a better 2022.

Victory play Sydney FC in just three days in what could be the biggest game of the season so far as a premier decider and a potential grand final preview. It will be a titanic encounter and a wonderful way to end the W-League regular rounds.

Teams: MELBOURNE VICTORY: Garton, Doran, Beard, Bunge, Morrison, Jackson, Barbieri, Longo, Ayres, Cooney-Cross, De Vanna. Substitutes: Maizels (GK), Martineau, Privitelli, Eliadis, Zimmerman.

Scorers: Ayres 21, 35. Bunge 48. Zimmerman 53. Cooney-Cross 60, 76.

PERTH GLORY: Alfeld, De La Harpe, Rigby, Anton, Wallhead, Steinmetz, Lowry, Morgan, Jukic, McKenna, Charalambous. Substitutes: Bennett (GK), Carroll, Doeglas, Moreno, Tabain.

Referee: Rebecca Mackie.

Attendance: 508.

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.

Green Machine Clinch Finals Spot

Canberra United 0–0 Sydney FC

Match report and EXCLUSIVE photos by Kris Goman at Viking Park.

**Above:** Michelle Heyman gets a shot away for Canberra United against Sydney FC. **Photo:** Kris Goman.

Friday night football at Viking Park in Canberra will figure out who’s going to the finals and who’s staying home. This is a key match for both teams. If Sydney win, it will clinch the premiership. If Canberra United win, it guarantees them a place in the final series so there’s plenty at stake for both teams.

Canberra have never lost at Viking Park and it’s pretty certain they don’t want to start now. The combinations and permutations of the possible outcomes of the last round matches means the finals are still well open and impossible to predict.

What unfolds is a war without a victor. There are plenty of battles and minor skirmishes that are fought and won. Ground is gained and lost but the battlements are never conquered and each goal remains unsullied by the passage of the opposition’s ball. It unfolds thus:

Sydney kick off and the game is pretty even and all over the field until Satchell drives down the right towards Ally Green and then passes to Maher on her left at the top of the box. Grace Maher snaps a shot away but Jada Mathyssen-Wyman has it under control despite Michelle Heyman hovering.

**Above:** Canberra United’s Grace Maher pictured before a free-kick. **Photo:** Kris Goman.

When Canberra sends a ball back to Keeley Richards to reset, the clearance goes straight to Remy Siemsen. She passes to Wheeler who lobs the ball over Richards and it bounces into goal but Wheeler is offside so it doesn’t count. This was a great attack by Sydney and very unlucky for Wheeler who was just caught offside by the defence stepping up to Siemsen.

The action switched to the other end shortly afterwards. Natasha Prior sends a ball back to Mathyssen-Whyman. The Sydney keeper looked to be ready for it but her first touch sent the ball a few metres in front of her and Heyman came up a bit faster than she expected. The ball went out for a goal kick and Mathyssen-Whyman wasn’t happy with Prior despite really caused the problem herself.

Back at the other end, some smart passing from Princess Ibini to Siemsen to Teresa Polias to Mackenzie Hawkesby around the top of the box sees a lob from Hawkesby bounce to the keeper. Richards is prone on the ground but loses possession briefly and Polias comes in to get the rebound just as she gathers it back but it sends Polias toppling over her to avoid kicking her.

Probably the best attack of the game is created by a great ball through by Paige Satchell out to Nikki Flannery on the left wing who immediate sent it back to Bianca Galic who drives to the box. The ball bouncing out of the tackle is picked up by Hughes who manages to get it out to Heyman who is unmarked on the right in the box. She gets a completely clear shot on goal and pounds it above the head of Mathyssen-Whyman. But the Sydney keeper gets her hand to it and tips it over the goal safely.

**Above:** Sydney FC’s Jada Mathyssen-Whyman dives and despite what it might look like, the ball didn’t quite go in! **Photo:** Kris Goman

Canberra continue to show a bit more initiative when Maher picks up a Satchell pass and takes a long range shot from about 10 metres from the top of the box. It just skims the crossbar but looked very dangerous.

Polias intercepts and chips a ball for Siemsen but Siemsen is marginally offside and she wouldn’t have beaten Richards to it anyway.

After a Canberra free kick is cleared, Vine brings the ball up most of the field in an inspired run. She gets it to Siemsen who is mobbed but gets it back to Hawkesby who passes out to Ibini on the left and is in the clear. The defence rush to cover but she’s able to get it onto her right foot and take a decent shot at goal. It’s just over the crossbar and sails clear.

Courtnee Vine goes down in the top right corner after landing heavily on her knee. She gets treatment and is taken off and comes back on to only go down again in a bit of pain by the looks of things. She’s walking OK but something’s obviously not right. She is replaced by Taylor Ray in the 36th minute. A good six minutes after the original injury.

Ray has an immediate impact when she gets a pass away to Siemsen in the clear and facing the right direction. Siemsen takes a good shot but is leaning back just a touch and the ball is over the crossbar. Sydney’s on target shots are severely lacking at the moment and Richards hasn’t really been tested yet.

In the dying minutes of the first half, Keir sends a beautifully weighted long ball to Heyman in the box to head towards goal. Unfortunately, there wasn’t enough on it and Mathyssen-Whyman picked it up easily and the half-time whistle goes.

A reasonably even first half, but Canberra’s chances looked more exciting and dangerous. Most of their shots were on target and Mathyssen-Whyman had to make a couple of difficult saves. Richards at the other end has been rarely tested.

**Above:** Sydney FC’s Princess Ibini in possession. **Photo:** Kris Goman.

Straight back into it in the second half and Canberra get an unrealised chance when Heyman receives the ball and passes to Maher on the right. She runs onto it in the clear but instead of shooting, controls the ball, which gives Sydney time to recover and surround her. She ends up passing to Laura Hughes while Heyman stands in the box with her arms outstretched. Hughes shoots to the top left corner to make Mathyssen-Whyman stretch but stretch she does and it’s safely in the gloves.

Fighting straight back again, Fletcher passes to Galic from halfway and then she gets it back to Maher. Maher is not making the same mistake this time and crosses to Heyman on her favoured left foot. Heyman does a diving header and the ball ricochets off the right goal post.

In the clearance, Sydney gets the ball to Charlotte Mclean out on the right. Siemsen is at the top of the box with her back to goal and heads it down and back to Hawkesby whose shot is blocked by Fletcher. Fletcher has been doing a lot of hard work like this throughout the match and nullifying a lot of the Sydney attack before it can start.

A few minutes later, the second best Canberra opportunity presented itself when Lauren Keir lobbed a wonderful ball over the Sydney defence for Heyman to run onto. Heyman is completely in the clear with Mathyssen-Whyman coming out of goal to her. The ball is bouncing and Heyman sensibly tries to chip it over the fast closing Wyman. She succeeds in this but it’s just wide of goal and goes out instead of in the net.

Moments later Sydney are back on the attack. The ball comes out to McLean on the right and she crosses back to the centre of the pitch to Ibini who is running onto the ball at speed. At the same time Kendall Fletcher has anticipated where the ball will land and is waiting for it. Ibini collides with Fletcher, knocks her to the ground then lands on top of her. Fletcher is winded and takes her time to recover and get back up.

Just after 60 minutes, Sydney starts a press and are in and around the box for an extended period. It becomes frustrating when Siemsen is in the box and gets the ball on two occasions but has her back to goal and passes back out of the box instead of turning and shooting. It feels like she’s on defensive duties for Canberra. Taylor Ray is doing all the work here, running around, sending the ball through ingeniously only to have it returned to her. Eventually Wheeler lobs it and Ibini jumps up to try to head it but its a little high to control it properly and it’s out to the left of goal.

**Above:** Sydney’s Clare Wheeler tries to escape from a tight corner. **Photo:** Kris Goman.

Just after the hour mark, Satchell runs the ball through the midfield. She’s been making good ground all evening and has been one of the standouts on the field. Natasha Prior’s slide tackle on her is cleared to Maher who strikes. It lands at the feet of Mathyssen-Whyman and she’s able to pick it up with no troubles.

Both Siemsen and Fletcher cramp up at 74 minutes in. Flannery is helping Siemsen stretch out.

Sydney launch another attack through Ray who passes to Ibini, who gets it out Lowe on the right. She flicks it back to Ibini who brings it up the centre and slides a great pass through to Siemsen but Siemsen is offside and her rather soft shot was well anticipated and controlled by Richards.

A little one-two by Wheeler and Lowe sees Wheeler dribble the ball upfield through the centre. Siemsen is to her left but about ten metres out from the box she takes a long range shot. It’s on target but straight into the waiting arms of Richards.

When Maher takes a run towards goal, she passes out to Flannery on the left who returns it to Maher when she has few options. Maher kicks it towards the box and Tobin heads it down to the feet of the waiting Heyman. She flicks it right, across to Taylor-Young. Her return pass to Heyman is intercepted by Prior, who had been particularly solid in defence all night. The clearance goes to Koulizakis who decides to shoot. There’s a lot of power but all in the wrong direction as the shot goes skyward and well clear of the goal.

Canberra launch another attack that sees substitute Demi Koulizakis trying to shoot and being foiled before Heyman receives a throw in, turns and snaps a shot off low to the near post. There’s some fire in it and it bounces out of Mathyssen-Whyman hands but she recovers and pulls it in.

**Above:** Paige Satchell in determined mood for Canberra United against Sydney. **Photo:** Kris Goman.

Canberra get a very late corner but it’s cleared by Prior as three extra minutes of time are announced. The tension is building and the crowd is chanting for Canberra. Canberra seem happy to take the point and Sydney probably won’t complain about it either so both teams are all about their defence at the moment as either team letting a goal in will ruin their party.

Canberra are taking it to the corner at this stage to protect that point. Whilst in the corner, Canberra concede a foul and then Flannery gets a yellow for complaining about it and wasting time. The final whistle goes and Canberra celebrate like they won. And really they did as they only needed a point to make the finals and it’s a fresh start from there. A nil all draw makes it less clear for Sydney as to whether they get the premiership or not. They were always in the finals but they are going to need to step up from the performance of this match if they want to make the Grand Final.

Both teams were very solid in defence but Sydney’s attack was wanting. Siemsen looked disconnected and seemed to be facing the wrong way and sending balls backwards rather than forwards most of the game. Ibini was more involved than she often is but dropped back a bit so had more work in defence in the midfield to do but when she came up she was often threatening. Ray was good in making ground and getting passes though.

For Canberra, Heyman got some very good shots in and made Mathyssen-Whyman earn her keep. Maher also looked dangerous on many occasions and the Canberra shots on goal were seven compared to one for Sydney. And that’s probably the key statistic of the match as most others were pretty even.

Kendall Fletcher got player of the match but it could have just as easily have been Natasha Prior for Sydney as it was the defence of both teams that was most important. Satchell also had a great game and a lot of impact.

So now we wait on the results of the last two games of this final round and the delayed match from the previous round between Sydney and Melbourne Victory to know exactly who will contest the finals and where.

Teams: CANBERRA UNITED: Richards, Keir, Ilijoski, Nash, Fletcher, Galic, Maher, Hughes, Heyman, Flannery, Satchell. Substitutes: Jones (GK), Grove, Foletta, Koulizakis, Taylor-Young.

SYDNEY FC: Mathyssen-Whyman, Mclean, Green, Tobin, Prior, Polias, Wheeler, Hawkesby, Siemsen, Ibini, Vine. Substitutes: Offer (GK) Hristodoulou, Lowe, Ray, Toby.

Referee: Rebecca Durcau.

Attendance: 1,411.

Dobson Brings Curtain Down On A High

Melbourne City 2–1 Perth Glory

By Ben Gilby

**Above:** Melbourne City players show their delight after Rhali Dobson (facing camera) scores in her final game. **Photo:** @MelbourneCity

Melbourne City ended their disappointing campaign on a winning note with a 2-1 win over a game young Perth Glory outfit at Frank Holohan Reserve in Dandenong.

The game marked 28 year-old Melbourne City striker Rhali Dobson’s final appearance after 109 games to support her partner who has brain cancer and made a post match marriage proposal to her in emotional scenes. She was also on the scoresheet for City in a storybook ending to her career.

In contrast to last weekend’s clash between the two sides in Western Australia, the game opened in end to end style, but similarly to that match, it was pretty physical at times.

With five minutes gone, some good play down the left by Tyla-Jay Vlajnic resulted in a cross to Leah Davidson who fired an effort narrowly over the bar.

**Above:** Melbourne City’s Tyla-Jay Vlajnic (19) was prominent in the early stages. Here, she tries to beat Perth Glory’s Liz Anton. **Photo:** @Melbourne City.

Perth responded with character. Deborah-Ann De La Harpe became more of a threat along the left and combined well with teenage star Hana Lowry in the central midfield position. Her glorious angled ball out to Tijan McKenna saw the 16 year-old take a touch and her fierce shot was just wide.

Another of Glory’s youngsters, 18 year-old Isabella Wallhead was putting in arguably her best shift of the campaign, biting at the ankles of Dobson to prevent her raids.

It was still Vlajnic who was at the heart of the most dangerous action City were producing. She danced her way down the left with a quarter of an hour played and hit another shot which was just wide.

Wallhead again got the better of Dobson after Vlajnic played in a teasing ball from the left. The Western Australian youngster ensured she got there before Dobson could slide on to the end of the cross.

The first corner of the game came in the twenty-first minute when Lowry’s shot was deflected away. From the resulting ball in, Lowry had two more shots on goal in quick succession. If Glory captain Tash Rigby could have stuck out a foot after the teenager’s second attempt, it could easily have been diverted into the net.

**Above:** Perth Glory captain Tash Rigby holds off City’s Shinatsu Kira. **Photo:** @PerthGloryFC

Glory have never been quite the same side coming forward since the devastating early season injury to Gemma Craine. The English striker had come into the season in great scoring form for Fremantle City in the WA NPLW and was looking very dangerous for Perth in their opening two games.

After the hour mark, chances became slightly fewer and farther between as the importance of the first goal became to become ever more apparent.

With five minutes until half-time, Melbourne City missed a catalogue of chances in quick succession as the Perth Glory penalty area resembled a pinball machine. Alex Chidiac’s effort rebounded off of Wallhead to Chinatsu Kira, but Perth keeper Lily Alfeld smothered her effort straight into the path of Dobson. Her shot came back off Isabella Wallhead again and fell to Chidiac who was denied by yet another block from Wallhead.

Despite a highly eventful first forty-five minutes, the score line remained 0-0.

**Above:** Tijan McKenna had arguably her best game in the Perth purple. **Photo:** @PerthGloryFC

Caitlin Doeglas, who has been in good form for the visitors over recent weeks was finally seen in an attacking mode at the start of the second half when she showed her pace down the right and got an effort away which forced a save from Melissa Barbieri in the Melbourne City goal.

Doeglas caused more problems along the right in this period, but Perth were unable to capitalise.

Melbourne City came close on the hour mark with Vlajnic getting away again down the wing. Her fierce effort was just wide of the left hand post.

A sustained period of pressure began from City with a dangerous low ball into the box cleared brilliantly by Glory striker Alexia Moreno at the cost of a corner with sixty-three minutes played. Kira played the resulting flag kick into the box. Rhali Dobson’s header across the area was not responded to quickly enough by Glory and Tori Tumeth was able to play a back heel across the box which Dobson was able to hit home – a wonderful way to commemorate her final game.

**Above:** Melbourne City’s Emma Checker embraces Rhali Dobson. **Photo:** @MelbourneCity

The pressure continued to grow on Glory. Chidiac was played in by Dobson, but just as she was about to get a shot away, McKenna put in a crucial tackle at the cost of a corner. From Chidiac’s delivery Emma Checker’s effort rebounded off of the right hand post into the arms of Alfeld in the Perth goal.

With twenty minutes to go, Marianna Tabain came on for Perth Glory for her hundredth appearance. Shortly after this, Sarah Carroll, who also came on for the Western Australians at the same time, conceded a free kick to the right of centre about ten metres outside of the box. Vlajnic’s effort just bounced wide of the right hand post.

After seventy-five minutes, an emotional Rhali Dobson was substituted to a great ovation from the crowd on her final appearance in women’s football. It was the final chapter of a wonderful career of a great player who has been a real driving force in positive change for the sport.

Melbourne City wrapped the points with ten minutes to play when a poor clearance from Alfeld in the Perth goal gave possession to Kira on the right. The Japanese international laid off a square ball to Harriet Withers on the edge of the box. In turn, she found Alex Chidiac who took a touch to see off the efforts of Tash Rigby and Liz Anton and fire a shot into the net.

**Above:** Alex Chidiac pictured after scoring Melbourne City’s match winning goal. **Photo:** @MelbourneCity

From the re-start, Kira was able to crash in another shot which Alfeld grabbed above her head.

The vast majority of the remaining ten minutes was played inside the Perth half, but despite the fierce pressure, the home side could not add to their tally.

Instead, Glory were rewarded for their determination by grabbing a consolation in stoppage time at the end of the game. Marianna Tabain turned Sarah Cain in midfield and played a superb chipped ball through into the path of substitute Patricia Charalambous. The 26 year-old striker hit a great first time effort into the far corner.

Melbourne City started the season as defending champions and with a squad that, whilst not as star-studded as the 2019/20 version, on paper still looked well capable of playing Finals football. It has been far from a vintage season for the Sky Blues and ending it with three straight wins does not gloss over what a poor return it has been for them.

**Above:** Melissa Barbieri and Harriet Withers chair Rhali Dobson after her last game to the acclaim of the crowd. **Photo:** @MelbourneCity

Perth Glory captain Tash Rigby reflected on the game saying: “We really gave it to them last time we played them and went out to eliminate their structure. They have a strong three at the back, so we were looking to press really high and that worked in the first half. It was definitely a better performance than last weekend. We’re looking to improve every week.”

Alex Epakis’ side have one more chance to gain that all important first win of the season, but it comes away to a Melbourne Victory side who will be looking for a win to confirm a place in the Finals.

Teams: MELBOURNE CITY: Barbieri, Vlajnic, Checker, Johnson, Thomas-Chinnama, Tumeth, Hoelsbrekken-Eckhoff, Dobson, Davidson, Kira, Chidiac. Substitutes: Varley (GK), Withers, Sardo, Muldeary, Cain.

Scorers: Dobson 63, Chidiac 79.

PERTH GLORY: Alfeld, De La Harpe, Rigby, Anton, Wallhead, Lowry, Steinmetz, Morgan, Moreno, Doeglas, McKenna. Substitutes: Bennett (GK), Carroll, Charalambous, Jukic, Tabain.

Scorer: Charalambous 90+5.

Referee: Kate Jacewicz.

Attendance: 454.

Georgia Yeoman-Dale: Back From Injury and Aiming For a Matildas Return

After a long term injury, Western Sydney Wanderers’ Georgia Yeoman-Dale is back and put in some impressive displays in the W-League this season. Ben Gilby profiles the 26 year-old whose ability to play at right back and as an attacking midfielder could aid her chances of a Matildas recall.

Above: Georgia Yeoman-Dale (right) in action for Western Sydney Wanderers. Photo: @WSWanderers

It’s been a long road back to action for Georgia Yeoman-Dale. Prior to this season, she had played only seven matches since 2018, but a series of strong performances in a Western Sydney Wanderers side who had a great second half of the season this year to proves she is well on her way to getting back to her best.

Yeoman-Dale missed eighteen months due to a bone lesion on her shin which also led to a stress fracture on her ankle. Yet originally it didn’t seem anywhere near so serious. Indeed, Yeoman-Dale played and trained on for a while before succumbing to an injury that ultimately also cost her a potential place in the Matildas squad for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup and forced to sit on the side lines as her club made their first ever Finals berth in 2019/20.

Above: Georgia Yeoman-Dale in action for Australia (right). The Western Sydney Wanderers star holds five Matildas caps. Photo: @TheMatildas

During the spell, she was warned that she may never play again, something which Yeoman-Dale admits she found it tough to accept, and took several weeks out of recovery in order to gather the mental strength required to come back.

That time stood her in good stead and after playing for APIA Leichhardt in the New South Wales NPLW (state league for women’s football), she was ready to make her W-League return with Western Sydney Wanderers.

The serious injury that kept Yeoman-Dale out for eighteen months was preceded by another one which came under the heading of “freak accidents” when a collision of heads with Kim Carroll in a game against Perth Glory saw her end up with a deep scar reminiscent of something from a Harry Potter novel and needed twenty-one stitches to fix.

Above: Georgia in action against Perth Glory in a game that she suffered a terrible head injury. Photo: @WSWanderers

Whilst not able to play last season, Yeoman-Dale was kept involved at Wanderers and was impressed by the club’s new Centre of Football in Blacktown which includes three elite pitches specifically for the club’s women’s, men’s and academy teams. “It’s the best I’ve played in the W-League,” she observed.

Yeoman-Dale’s footballing career began in the Australian Capital Territory at Majura FC before beginning her W-League career with Canberra United as a seventeen year-old and over the course of three seasons in the capital city, she clocked up twenty-eight appearances and scored four goals – a period during which she won the first of her five caps for the Matildas and was part of a Canberra squad which won the W-League once and were premiers on another occasion. Her most recent call-up came in 2017 for Australia’s internationals against Brazil in Penrith and Newcastle.

It was to Newcastle Jets that Yeoman-Dale moved in 2014 when she joined the Jets from Canberra United in search of more regular football. “I still consider myself quite young in the game and I’m still growing and trying to develop myself as a player,” she said at the time.

Above: Georgia pictured shortly after signing for Newcastle Jets. Photo: @NewcastleJetsFC

Two seasons at the club saw Yeoman-Dale play twenty-one times and score one goal before Sydney FC came calling. It was a period which saw the club make two Grand Finals and Yeoman-Dale make a further twenty-seven appearances.

In time for the 2018/19 season, Yeoman-Dale joined several other players in making the move across Sydney to Western Sydney Wanderers following Dan Barrett’s appointment as head coach. Of the move at the time, she said: ”I think I’ve chosen the right way. As soon as you see an ex-Sydney FC coach moving over to the Wanderers, players like myself who enjoyed playing for him makes the decision a little bit harder.

Above: Georgia in Sydney FC’s Sky Blue before her cross city move to the West. Photo: Getty Images/Matt King.

”I’m really excited about joining the Wanderers, it’s my fourth club now but it’s the right move at the moment.”

The serious injuries may have curtailed Yeoman-Dale’s hopes of making an immediate impact at the club, but the signs this season suggest she is about to make up for lost time.

The Swedish Scene

@DandalBs brings us up to date with the goings on in Swedish women’s football over the past seven days. This week, there’s UEFA Women’s Champions League and Swedish Cup action, plus more significant transfer news. With additional reporting by Ben Gilby.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE:

FC Rosengård came away from their UEFA Women‘s Champions League Quarter-Final 1^st Leg tie away to Bayern Munich with a 3-0 defeat in what was always going to be a tough match. It took Bayern only nine minutes of constant domination to take the lead, thanks to a goal from Linda Dallman. The second goal came just after the Swedes forced a corner, but the Germans launched a counter attack with Lineth Beerensteyn who played in Klara Bühl who easily made it 2-0 after just under half an hour. Beerensteyn completed the scoring with twenty-five minutes to go when she got past Glodis Viggosdottir in the Rosengård defence to slot the ball home by Ben Gilby.

SWEDISH CUP NEWS:

**Above:** Eskilstuna United’s heroes in their win over Hammarby in the Swedish Cup last weekend – Emma Holmgren, left who saved a penalty and Loreta Kullashi. **Photo:** @EskilstunUnited.

Group A:

Linköpings FC defeated Växjö 1-0 thanks to a goal from Kanu. BK Häcken demolished Lidkopings FK away from home 8-1 with Hammarlund (2), Zigiotti-Olme, Blackstenius (3), Angeldahl and Zomers on the scoresheet. It sets up a group decider between the two winners this weekend.

Group B:

Alingsås FC United were crushed 7-0 at home by FC Rosengård. On the mark were Seger, Schough, Cankovic (2), Brown, Viggosdottir, Larsson. Kristianstads DFF edged out Vittsjö GIK 2-1 thanks to goals from Welin and Rantala with Markstedt getting on the scoresheet for Vittsjö GIK. The loss for Vittsjö means that they are no longer a contender. Kristianstad’s second win in a row ensures that they play Rosengård this weekend to decide who wins the group and goes through to the semi-final.

Group C:

Eskilstuna United DFF gained an impressive 1-0 win over Hammarby to take them to the top of the group table ahead of the final round of group matches. Kullashi scored the decisive goal. That and a stoppage time penalty save from Emma Holmgren saved the day for Eskilstuna. The result condemned Hammarby for a first loss after six straight pre-season wins. Sundsvalls DFF are out of the running for the next stage of the competition after a comprehensive 6-0 loss at home to KIF Örebro DFF. Dupuy, Wickenheiser (2), Lundin (2), Scarpa were on the mark. Eskilstuna United will qualify for the semi-finals if they avoid defeat to KIF Örebro DFF this weekend.

**Above:** Vilma Koivisto scorer of two goals for Umeå IK FF in the Swedish Cup last weekend. **Photo:** @UmeaKFF

Group D:
Umeå IK FF defeated IK Uppsala Football 3-0. Two free-kicks from Koivisto and one from Honkanen was the difference. Morön BK suffered a 5-1 home defeat to Djurgårdens IF FF. Arnadottir, Ekengren, Lindwall, Lång and Olai were all on target. The two winners from last weekend’s matches will face off this weekend to decide the semi-final spot.

NEWS ROUND-UP:

**Above:** Emily Gielnik, has been in outstanding form with Brisbane Roar in the W-League this season. **Photo:** @WLeague.

Emily Gielnik, who had an impressive stay with Vittsjö last season, returns to the club. Gielnik has been in outstanding form for Brisbane Roar in Australia’s W-League and there is a transfer fee involved which Brisbane describe as “significant”.

The thirty-one cap Matilda will join her Roar and Matildas team mate Clare Polkinghorne at the club after playing her final game for the Queenslanders this weekend, meaning she will miss their upcoming Finals campaign. Gielnik has been in outstanding form in the W-League this season and, added to the loss of Polkinghorne, will majorly impact Brisbane’s hopes of winning the W-League Grand Final this season.

Speaking to brisbaneroar.com.au about the move, Gielnik said: “I wanted to finish out the season with the Roar and that was my intention, but in terms of what’s best for me, I had no choice but to sign in Sweden so that I didn’t miss that transfer window. It’s just a really unfortunate circumstance.

With regard to the impact of the move of Roar’s Finals hopes, she went on to say: “Everyone is replaceable to some degree. We most definitely have the capabilities within the team.”

Brisbane Roar’s chief executive David Pourre told the club website: “It’s never easy to lose a player of Emily’s quality, but when a situation like this arises we have a responsibility to achieve the best outcome. Financially, this is a strong result for Brisbane Roar. That’s important. Emily’s form over the past few months speaks for itself and we are comfortable with the fee as compensation for enabling this move to happen at a complex time” by Ben Gilby.

**Above:** FC Rosengård’s Hanna Bennison pictured with her NXGN 2021 award with FC Barcelona’s Ansu Fati, who won the men’s award. **Photo:** @goal.

FC Rosengård’s midfielder Hanna Bennison has been voted as the best female player on the planet in the NXGN 2021 awards. The 18-year-old has been a regular in the Rosengård midfield since the age of 16, and scored her first Champions League goal in December. She is also a full Sweden international, having made her debut in November 2019 against world champions, the United States. The club have also announced the signing of Stefanie Sanders, a 22 year-old forward from Freiburg in Frauen Bundesliga. Sanders is a proven goal scorer.

Chilean 30 year-old forward Daniela Zamora joins Djurgården, to replace Olivia Schough. Zamora played in Chile’s World Cup campaign and also captained Universidad de Chile on their run to the Copa Libertadores semi-finals.

**Above:** Djurgården;s new signing, Chilean international Daniela Zamora. **Photo:** Expressen

Bure Valley’s Youngest Girls Tell Us Why They Love Playing Football!

We’ve had some fantastic Friday articles from the youngsters at our partner club Bure Valley Youth FC over the past few weeks. This time, two of the club’s youngest players, cousins Autumn and Ella tell us why they love playing at Bure Valley FC.

Hello, I am Autumn. I am 5 years old and am in reception class. I go to football at Bure Valley FC. I am a Mini Kitten. I like going to football to see all my friends like my friend Ellie from school. I have made lots of new friends too. The best thing is I get to see and play with my cousin Ella. My Mummy and my Auntie Rosanna are my coaches and sometimes my sisters Gracie and Poppy help too. I like playing lots of different games. My favourite game is the numbers game. At football I have lots of fun and I love seeing my friends enjoy it too. When I play football, I am like my Mummy as she plays for a team too! My favourite football team is Everton because my Daddy likes them, and I also like Norwich City.

**Above:** Two of Bure Valley YFC’s youngest players Autumn and Ella share their love of the game. **Photo via:** Ted McCarter.

Hi, my name is Ella, I am 5 and in reception class. I like playing football at Bure Valley Mini Kittens as I get to see my cousin Autumn and my Auntie Victoria. I love playing football and practising new skills. The best thing too is my Mummy is my football coach and my Auntie, that’s great as they are really nice and fun. I have lots of new friends there too. I’m left footed but my right foot is nearly as good as my left now. Over lockdown I’ve practised every day in my lounge. My favourite ball mastery skills are toe taps, tic toks and sole roles, I can do toe taps really fast now! I also love practising my step overs and scissors and lately I’ve worked on my turns; I find my step over turn and drag back the easiest but need to practise my Cruyff turn more as I find that one really tricky. My favourite football player is Teemu Pukki who plays for Norwich City FC and my favourite England player is Harry Kane.

PSG Rue Missed Opportunities In Quarter-Final

Jean-Pierre Thiesset reports on the UEFA Women’s Champions League Quarter-Final First Leg game between Paris St. Germain and Olympique Lyonnais.

**Above:** About 20 OL ANG’ELLES fans were at the Groupama OL Training Centre to cheer for Olympique Lyonnais’ Women team on March 12, 2021. **Photo:** Jean-Pierre Thiesset.

Olympique Lyonnais gained an important 1-0 win away from home in the first leg of their UEFA Women’s Champions League Quarter-Final against Paris St. Germain.

As an OL fan, it is difficult for me to say it, but Paris St. Germain deserved to win this game especially in the first half when they could have scored several times. Additionally, Lyon’s midfielders were not able to keep the ball which prevented them from putting their strikers in good positions to be able to threaten the PSG goal.

Lyon’s all important goal came from the penalty spot from Wendie Renard with four minutes left. It was awarded despite not being earned by a Lyon player.

Nothing is decided and the return game in Lyon on Wednesday March 31 will be interesting to watch. Even with one away goal, Lyon will have to step up to progress into the semi-finals.

FC St. Pauli: Inclusivity and Stability The Key.

Ben Gilby spoke to Inga Schlegel, the deputy head of women’s football at FC St. Pauli about how a club with a huge reputation for social inclusion are progressing in the third tier of German league system.

**Above:** FC St. Pauli pictured at the iconic Millerntor Stadium. **Photo:** Stefan Groenveld.

Inga opened our conversation by detailing the history of women’s football at the Hamburg based club: “Our department was founded in 1990 by female St. Pauli fans who wanted to play football for THEIR club. In the beginning, the club had to get used to the idea of women playing football but eventually the acceptance was there. Only around 2001 the first girls’ team started to play for St. Pauli. In 2008, the women’s team was split into two teams. The first team was supposed to play more performance-related football while the second team was playing more or less “for fun”.

With the German league having one of the highest profiles in Europe thanks to the Champions League exploits of VfL Wolfsburg and the growth of Bayern Munich, Inga explained how FC St. Pauli fit into the pyramid system: “There are two national leagues throughout Germany which are the Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga. Then you have five regional leagues which are split into different areas (North, North East, South, South West and West). This is the third highest level in Germany for women. Our first team plays in the Regionalliga Nord which covers the northern area of Germany. All our other women teams play locally on different levels in Hamburg.”

Whilst Schlegel hinted earlier that it took the men’s club a while to get used to the idea of having a women’s team at the beginning, I asked her how the relationship was now: “Women’s and girls’ football is completely independent from the men’s part. Nevertheless, there is a good exchange with the club in general and they are taking good care of their amateurs who are an important part of the club’s identity and supporters.”

**Above:** Goalmouth action involving FC St. Pauli in their famous brown kit. **Photo:** Stefan Groenveld.

The club’s identity is very much the biggest strength. For a 2. Bundesliga men’s club, FC St. Pauli have a huge profile completely out of sync with their standing in German football. This is due to their overt policy of support for social inclusion for all. Inga expanded upon how the women’s team support this: “We absolutely live and support the values of the club. Normally, if you come to St. Pauli – no matter if you are playing football, Rugby or table tennis – it is because you share the same values and want to meet people that have a similar mind set. It’s not any different in our department and we have seen it quite often that people started to live and breathe this club and its values once they had joined – even if before they weren’t overtly politically or socially active.”

That group of people playing girls’ and women’s football at FC St. Pauli is an ever growing one and once more, social inclusion is a key part of the set-up. Inga explained: “We have four girls’ teams and five women’s teams. Fortunately, we have teams on almost every level so that every girl has the possibility to join a women’s team once they are old enough – no matter their skills. Of course, the goal for a lot of girls is to join the first team and play on a really decent level. However, to immediately make that step is not always easy and we are trying to build an environment where young and talented players can grow slowly to find their way into the first team one day.”

That large number of girls and women pulling on the famous brown shirt has challenges of its own. “We want to grow and give more girls and women the opportunity to play football in our club,” says Schlegel, “Unfortunately, for that you need free and available training grounds – which are really difficult to find in Hamburg for anyone. The second challenge is to find qualified coaches that are able and willing to stay longer and really develop something with you. We are all volunteers and do this in our free time which sometimes is a big challenge.”

The league season for FC St. Pauli’s senior side has seen a win and a loss. I asked Inga how she saw the division this year and the club’s aims: “The loss was very unlucky but in general the start was really okay. The quality of all teams is very similar and from the results so far you can see that anyone can beat anyone. We would like to keep all teams in their leagues this season. However, the most important thing this season definitely is that people are staying healthy!

**Above**: Action from an FC St. Pauli game in the Regionalliga Nord. **Photo:** Stefan Groenveld.

In terms of where FC St. Pauli would like to be in five years’ time, Inga said: “In general, we would like to have a women’s team on every level – from the lowest up to the third league (which would be five teams in five different leagues). The first team should have stabilized further in the third league, ideally being placed under the top three on a regular basis. We would like to have more girls’ teams and give them an even better opportunity to play performance-related football. Nevertheless, we still want to have women and girls who want to play “just for fun” and make sure that they have a home in our department – and always will have.”

Jet Propelled Support

For our latest #MidweekDub feature, Ben Gilby spoke to Claire Taylor, Amanda Wetzel, Bekki Spratford, and Jess Kolbas of W-Jets Active, the Newcastle Jets W-League supporters group about their passion for the club, what’s been going on in Newcastle in recent times and how they view this current campaign.

Amanda, Claire, Bekki, and Jess all met at the last Newcastle Jets W-League home game of the 2018/19 season. The group got chatting in the stands after the game realised that they were all going to France to follow the Matildas’ Women’s World Cup journey.

They take up the story: “In France, we all became involved in the Matildas Active Support. It was an electrifying and unifying experience that we wanted to bring home to Newcastle. We set up the W-Jets Active in the weeks before the 2019/2020 season began and within the first week, we’d hit the 100+ mark, and the community was already forming. The momentum that followed showed us there was an enthusiasm for support specifically for the Jets’ W-League side, especially for our home-grown heroes.”

“We approached the club, and they were incredibly supportive. They’ve offered their services whenever needed, made sure we could be visible and noisy at home games and even the away games that we could get to, and have helped us keep the community connected to the players in so many ways that go unnoticed.”

“This is our second official season on Active Duty, and we’re loving how broad and diverse this community has become. Not everyone wants to be on the front line chanting, but there is a depth of support from home and afar. Our mission is simply to make sure the team knows that and to make the game day experience enjoyable for everyone, regardless of the final score.”

That brought us perfectly on to the topic of what a typical match day for the W-Jets Active looks like.

“Great question! It’s a busy day for us. It usually kicks off on game day eve, where we make sure our socials are pointing everyone in the right direction for tickets and pre-game meetups. This is followed up on the morning of the game with info about where and how to watch – in the stands or at home. We also like to get a bit of banter and buzz going on the player’s own game day posts or through our stories.”

“It’s tradition to meet up in a pub nearby pre-game, and we can’t ignore the hospitality that the Commonwealth Hotel and Sunnyside Tavern have always provided before and after home games at Number Two Sportsground and McDonald Jones Stadium, respectively. These tend to range between ten and twenty-five people, depending on several factors. Everyone is welcome – we can’t stress that enough.”

“As soon as the gates open, we’re there setting up our banners, flags, scarves, and the drum. This year, the club has given us designated Active Support bays at both Number Two Sportsground and McDonald Jones Stadium. We like to warm up with the team, with a few pre-game drumming and chanting to lift the energy.”

**Above:** Newcastle Jets photographed with some of the W-Jets Active Group this season. **Photo:** Sproule Sports Focus.

“From kick-off we live the game with the team – the highs and lows, the ins and outs – right until the final whistle blows. It’s not our aim to make 90 minutes of non-stop noise. Rather, we try to build on the energy and bring the crowd with us when the team needs it most.”

“After the game, we always stick around while the players warm down. This usually gives us a chance to chat with them, and for the little ones to get signatures on their hats and jerseys. Our team are very generous with their time. And, quite often, then we’ll head back to the pub to celebrate or commiserate, depending on the outcome.”

The W-League this season is very different from recent years with fewer internationals, lots of young stars and many new players coming in. I asked the W-Jets Active group how things were from their perspective.

“For us, it’s kind of business as usual. We’ve had a few well-loved internationals in recent seasons but have really relied on our home-grown talent. In some ways, we’re actually the W-League’s feeder team – with younger emerging players often signing for other teams or heading over overseas after a season or two. You saw that very clearly before the start of this season with so many departures from our squad making up deficits in teams that had previously relied on players from overseas.”

“This has definitely opened up opportunities for younger talent to step up into the W-League. So far, it’s proven to make for a much more competitive league – anything could happen on any given game day. I think, over time, this can only add to the depth on offer for our Matildas squad.”

“In terms of new faces ourselves, we had a lot of new players joining our existing legends this season. It was definitely an establishment phase feeling to the start of the campaign, with several new players making their W-League debut and a new-but-well-known-to-us coach, Ash Wilson. It was clear by game two that we could ask a lot of questions of our opponents, and it’s been great watching the team dynamics really shine.”

“We’ve played some excellent football this season but haven’t got the points or ladder position to show for it, but it has to be said, there’s a buzz about the team this year. Ash recruited well, and every new player ‘fits’ the club’s brand of football – staying connected to the community and bringing a never-give-up attitude to each game. That’s what makes them so easy to support through ups and downs. They don’t give up, so neither do we.”

The group’s assertion that the Jets’ performances have not earned the results that that it could have done is one we at Impetus would certainly agree with having seen the majority of the team’s games this season. I wondered who in particular had stood out for the fans this season?

“Every player has had a standout moment so far this season.

Above: The W-Jets Active Support Logo. Photo: @ActiveJets

Tara Andrews’ four goals in the first four games was exhilarating, and we loved being able to celebrate her hundredth game with the club at Cromer Park away to Sydney FC. She’s Newcastle through-and-through, a role model to so many of those coming up through the ranks, and absolute asset to the team.”

“Lauren Allan’s brace in Round Five against Western Sydney Wanderers was an absolutely joyous moment as well. She’s such a quiet achiever. She exudes a team mentality – poised to strike when needed but also ready to assist or elevate others when that’s right, too.”

“Sunny ‘Sunnybadger’ Franco and Rhianna ‘Mini’ Pollicina are both a joy to watch on the ball. Their hunger and drive make for such entertaining football. We were delighted to see Mini bag her first goal in Round Seven, staying so composed as she chipped it over the head of Gaby Garton. We were delighted to Sunny break her drought against Perth Glory. She deserved to finally be rewarded for all the great chances she creates.”

Jets’ start to the season came with the backdrop of growing uncertainty over the ownership of the club. In early January, the club CEO Lawrie McKinna announced that owner Martin Lee had not put any money into the club for at least fourteen months. Consequently the club appeared to be in debt and a group of A-League (Australian men’s top tier) investors had taken over the running of the club for the short term. I asked the supporters group how this had impacted on the club.

“The impact of the uncertainty around our ownership, and the lack of investment in the club from its owner, really can’t be underestimated. It shook every level of the club, all the way through to the players. We started our season running on the smell of an oily rag, and a lot of people were certain we simply wouldn’t have a season at all.”

“The commitment of those within the Jets, especially those behind the scenes, really needs to be applauded. They held the club together with support from the community at large, several loyal sponsors, and their own blood and tears.”

“The stability provided by this interim ownership model was such a relief. With the Women’s World Cup coming in 2023, it’s critical that we continue to have a W-League to showcase what we have to offer. This guarantees that the Jets will be able to maintain those pathways for our region. We have such a rich football history, which deserves to be recognised at the professional level.”

On top of everything else the club has had to deal with, there has also been the coronavirus pandemic. Australia’s international borders have been closed for over a year now and that does not look like changing for a long time to come. Ever changing state border restrictions have also had a major impact on signings and match schedules. I asked the group how the situation had specifically impacted on Newcastle Jets.

**Above:** The Jets players and W-Jets Active group pictured together this season. **Photo:** Sproule Sports Focus.

“Let’s not overlook the impact of the fixture changes – we’re on version ten of our season calendar now! It is inconvenient from a fan perspective, but it’s been close to unmanageable for the players. Despite being professional footballers, W-League players typically have primary jobs or study commitments. Juggling these is hard enough in a predictable season, but the last-minute leave requests, possibility of unexpected quarantine, uncertainty around accepting shifts, or missing classes is a tough and unreasonable ask. This highlights the need for policies to move us into a fully professional league.”

“In the stands, it has definitely changed attendance. Not only in numbers, but in the whole fan experience. The club bent over backwards to make sure that we could still come together as an Active group with distanced seat allocations in the same bay, so we did what we could to provide a visible presence. But we couldn’t make the same level of noise at the start of the season because chanting and drumming were banned and masks had to be worn in the stands. We were just incredibly grateful to be able to attend home games!”

“That said, it feels like more people tuned in from home, and as a result started to demand a lot more in terms of the quality of broadcasting for W-League games. This is definitely the season where W-League fans took to their socials to call out the inequalities and demand better. We still have a long way to go, but the more people involved in the movement for change, the better.”

As our discussion moved towards its conclusion, I wanted to discover what the W-Jets Active group think the short term future is like for the W-League.

“Football Australia obviously have a lot of work to do before 2023. That’s going to require investment in the women’s game before and after the World Cup. This event will shine a light on Australia’s women’s football league from around the world, so it’s time to really live the values we’ve hearing about for years.”

“A full home and away season has been talked about for too long – it’s time for action. Along with a clear plan to make the W-League fully professional. There also needs to be investment at grassroots level, with clearer pathways for girls to progress into the professional league domestically.”

“Stepping up the supporter experience also needs to be a part of this. That means easier access to accurate information about how to attend games or watch from home. Designated home grounds for W-League teams! We know how much our W-Jets prefers playing at Number Two Sportsground, and the atmosphere it allows can be a game changer. And quality broadcasting, with pre-game commentary, replays, half-time analysis, and commentators who can pronounce our player’s names should be on the agenda immediately (we got you, Coehlo!)”

Red Hot Adelaide Break Another Record

Adelaide United 3–1 Western Sydney Wanderers

By Kieran Yap

**Above:** Isabel Hodgson celebrates her equalising goal for Adelaide United. **Photo:** @AUFCWomen

In front of W-League record 5,159 fans, Adelaide United faced Western Sydney with plenty to play for, to keep their finals hopes alive they needed a win and to hope Canberra drop points against Sydney FC next week. For the Wanderers, this season is ending a little too soon having enjoyed some of their best form in recent weeks.

All of the pressure was on the Reds and in the early stages it showed, the home side began nervously, unable to maintain possession and seemed to lack composure defensively and they were punished by Oliva Price who hit her shot home low and hard after a corner kick spilled to her on the edge of the box. Although Sian Fryer-McLaren in goal was able to react and get a hand to the ball, it had enough power to roll past her and into the net. It was not the start Adelaide would have wanted but if there was a silver lining it was that it had happened early.

The recovery began immediately and in the eighteenth minute, Isabel Hodgson delighted the crowd with fantastic equalizer. Mallory Weber was fed the ball out wide and accelerated past her opponent to make room for a cross to the back post. Hodgson met the ball and calmly took it down before side footing it into the bottom corner to level the scores. She celebrated as emphatically as she’d scored, this was a final for Adelaide in anything but name.

**Above:** In a season of records being broken by Adelaide United, they also claimed a record breaking W-League crowd today. **Photo:** @AdelaideUnited

The Reds had gone into the game without the departed Dylan Holmes and the injured Chelsie Dawber and half way through the half things got even tougher for the home side. The electrifying fullback Charlotte Grant pulled up while racing Teigan Collister for a loose ball, she collapsed to the ground holding her hamstring and in visible distress. Laura Johns replaced her off the bench, but in the form Grant has been in recently, this was a potential blow to Adelaide.

While Collister was proving the biggest threat to Adelaide with her direct style and dangerous crossing, Maria Jose Rojas was putting on a show in typical style, delighting the crowd with the familiar tricks, flicks and sidesteps even if the final ball for both was sometimes agonizingly short of perfect.

As the half came to a close Adelaide looked to be in the ascendancy, Emily Hodgson stormed forward from right back, bursting into the area and sending in a low cross toward two Adelaide players, Sarah Willacy cut it off with a sure handed save to ensure the Wanderers went into the break level.

When the game resumed, Adelaide continued their assault on the Wanderers defence, buoyed by the possibility of finals and encouraged by the carnival-like atmosphere the crowd provided they went in search of a winner.

Lauren Jones who had deputized well for Grant, combined down the flank with Weber to once again set up Isabel Hodgson at the back post, this time the short missed the target.

Weber threatened the score line again minutes later when Willacy rushed a clearance under pressure from Fiona Worts. The ball fell to the Reds captain who struck it on target and forced Willacy to tip it wide.

Adelaide were rewarded for their repeated attacks when they took the lead through their centre-back Maruscka Waldus. An Emily Condon corner found her unmarked in the six yard box and she buried the header before sprinting in a celebration that included every outfield player and the entire Adelaide bench.

**Above:** Maruschka Waldus (red/navy kit) heads Adelaide United into the lead. **Photo:** @AUFCWomen

It was a well-placed corner kick, too far away for the goalkeeper to claim easily and close enough that Waldus only needed to direct it home, Western Sydney will be unhappy that she was unmarked but it was a fine goal nonetheless.

In response, the Wanderers sent on their experienced striker Leena Khamis, her impact was instantly noticeable after she beat Matilda McNamara to a long ball and lifted it over Fryer-McLaren, unfortunately it bounced off the top of the goal harmlessly, but it was a warning to Adelaide that the game was not yet over.

With less than 30 minutes to play Fiona Worts extended the lead for The Reds. A intelligently taken free kick was played low to the edge of the box, Waldus met the ball and hooked it towards goal the shot bobbled against players packed into the defence but fell kindly to Worts who picked her spot and buried it home to make it 3-1.

Both sides were unlucky not to add to the score line as the match wore on. Weber somehow crashed a shot off the inside off the post and Isabel Hodgson looked stunned not too have extended the lead after shooting from point blank range, only to be denied by a terrific reflex save from Willacy. Up the other end Sarah Hunter nearly provided a spectacular reply when she hooked the ball over her shoulder in a sort of standing bicycle kick that only just flew wide.

Fryer-McLaren kept any Wanderers attacks at back, coming out to cleanly and confidently collect some dangerous balls in, particularly from Copus-Brown’s consistently impressive set piece ability. It was a great way to end the match from a goalkeeper who had begun the afternoon in near-nightmare fashion and she had recovered well to play a major part in the win.

**Above:** Fiona Worts celebrates after scoring Adelaide United’s clincher. **Photo:** @AUFCWomen

Adelaide have done all they can at this point to qualify for finals, they have had their best season by any measure and recorded the biggest W-League crowd in history. Their contributions to the competition for the regular season have been wonderful and coach Adrian Stenta may have even unearthed a few future Matildas, if their season continues beyond next week, they will have made history with their first finals appearance.

This is the last we will see of Western Sydney for the 2020/21 campaign and after a rocky start due to an almost entirely new squad, they eventually found their groove and began to play some exciting football. Coach Dean Heffernan put his faith in young players and prioritized developing new talent over grinding out results, the emergence of Sarah Hunter and Bryleeh Henry as rising talents will be particularly memorable for fans of the club as both teenagers announced themselves with braces and performances that bode well for the future. The move of Libby Copus-Brown into a deep lying playmaker role got the best out of her and some of her sharp turns and long raking passes were top class. Hopefully Heffernan can keep the core of this side together, the class of ’21 is an exciting bunch.

**Above:** Adelaide United’s final home game of their greatest ever season ended with the greatest ever crowd for a W-League game. **Photo:** @WLeague

Its goodbye and thank you to Western Sydney for now and maybe a “see ya soon?” to Adelaide United. What a wonderful end to their regular season.

Teams: ADELAIDE UNITED: Fryer-McLaren, E.Hodgson, Grant, McNamara, Waldus, Hogg, Condon, Rojas, Worts, I.Hodgson, Weber. Substitutes: Grove (GK), Johns, Campagnale, Kirkby, Mullan.

Scorers: I.Hodgson 18, Waldus 50, Worts 63.

WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS: Willacy, Matos, Yeoman-Dale, Orgill, Cooper, Copus-Brown, Hunter, Price, Henry, Collister, Russell. Substitutes: Newbon (GK), Chauvet, Galea, Halloway, Khamis.

Scorer: Price 4.

Referee: Lara Lee.

Attendance: 5,159 (W-League Record).

	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts	GD
Sydney FC	10	8	0	2	24	10	24	+14
Brisbane Roar	11	6	4	1	26	12	22	+14
Adelaide United	12	7	1	4	22	18	22	+4
Canberra United	11	6	3	2	21	16	21	+5
Melbourne Victory	10	6	2	2	18	12	20	+6
Western Sydney Wanderers	12	4	1	7	13	21	13	-8
Melbourne City	11	3	1	7	9	22	10	-13
Newcastle Jets	11	2	1	8	14	18	7	-4
Perth Glory	10	0	1	9	6	24	1	-18

Top four sides qualify for the finals at the end of the regular season.