Laura Montgomery: Inspirational Founder and Leader of Glasgow City

Ben Gilby caught up with Glasgow City’s co-founder and Chief Executive Laura Montgomery to hear about a phenomenal 2019 at the club, their Champions League run in 2020 and why re-starting the Scottish Women’s Premier League is vital for the credibility of the women’s game in Scotland

Laura Montgomery is one of the most important names in British women’s football. She co-founded Glasgow City in 1998 with Carol Anne Stewart. When we spoke previously in October 2019, Laura recalled how: “Carol played senior league women’s football having played at university. I wasn’t able to play football at primary school because I was a girl. I started a girls’ team when I was at high school, but we had very few other teams to play against. We only had about six games in all my time at high school. I played at university and was asked to come to Maryhill and play for them, as was Carol Anne. I tore my ACL, and so the two of us spent time talking about how we could do things better for women’s football. Better facilities, sponsors.”

Above: Laura Montgomery pictured giving a TEDx talk in 2014. Photo: Twitter.

“We were fortunate at that time that the structure in women’s football in Scotland was changing – it was an opportune moment; now or never. At that time, there was a first division and a regional second division with only one team getting promoted. The structure then changed with more regional divisions at the second level. You could go straight into the second level. So, we formed Glasgow City, entered into the league and won that division in our very first year. The next year, our first in the Premier saw us finish fifth. We’ve never been lower than second since.”

For Montgomery, it’s because Glasgow City place huge emphasis on their passion for “advancing girls and women and their role in society. That runs through everything we do. Players coming to us know that they won’t be coming to a club that suddenly lose funding simply because the men’s side are not doing well, or can’t train or play because a boys’ under twelve team need a pitch.” She points to a TEDx talk she gave in 2014 where she stated: “Quite simply, you can’t be what you can’t see without visible role models. How do girls grow up thinking they can be anything other than sexualised objects, which is how the media currently portray women?” The ‘you can’t be what you can’t see’ message was famously displayed on the back of Glasgow City’s away shirt in 2017 – a reference to the lack of coverage of women’s football within the Scottish media.”

“It comes down to everyone involved at the club having high standards. Carol Anne and I are successful businesswomen and that mentality goes into Glasgow City. We pioneered so many things that are now common place in women’s football. We had the first full-time head coach, the first club to insist on our head coach holding a UEFA pro licence, the first to transfer a player for money. We were the first women’s club to use sports science. We want to train as often as a professional club – up to five times a week. We also played a major part in getting some television coverage for women’s football in Scotland. BBC Alba (the BBC’s Scots Gaelic language TV channel) followed us for a year in 2011 for a documentary, and on the back of its popularity, they got involved with covering women’s football.”

Since we last spoke almost eighteen months ago, Glasgow City have made some wonderful new history – which included winning the league for the thirteenth consecutive season and the Scottish Cup. However, their incredible Champions League run topped even those achievements.

I asked Laura what that famous night against Danish side Brøndby in the last sixteen of the UEFA Women’s Champions League in October 2019 was like: “It was one of the best nights ever for the club, if not the best. We had managed to get to the Quarter-Finals before in 2014/15, but Brøndby were far tougher opposition. After making the quarter-finals previously, we never thought we’d do it again given how the women’s game has moved on and with the size of the clubs we were now up against. Winning the away leg in Copenhagen was fantastic. Then, of course in the home leg they got it back to 2-2 on aggregate and it then went to penalties. The crowd that night were amazing. It was such an emotional night for so many reasons. My partner, Kat Lindner had passed away. Kat was such a big part of the club and for that period for us being so successful winning the league for the thirteenth time in a row, getting the Scottish Cup back and then the Champions League run. It was very emotional.”

Above: Glasgow City celebrate their famous penalty shoot out win over Brøndby in the last sixteen of the UEFA Women’s Champions League. Photo: @BBCSportScot

Not long after the Quarter-Final draw which paired Glasgow City with giants of European women’s football VfL Wolfsburg, came the coronavirus pandemic and the end of football for the season. I wondered how tough it has been off the pitch for the club since then.

“It has been hugely challenging,” said Laura, “but it is like that for everyone. We’re not out there on a limb. We have more outgoings than others with a full time head coach and staff. It was also the start of what would have been a new financial year from a season perspective. As we weren’t able to play any games our sponsorships didn’t kick in which was hard – but everyone was in the same position.

The Wolfsburg tie was eventually rescheduled to take place as a one off game as part of the final stages of the competition held in the Basque region of Spain last August. At this point, Glasgow City had not been able to train for months and had to rely on sponsorship to make the journey. It was far from ideal preparation for such a tough tie.

“Physically the preparation was the toughest in our twenty-two years. Players had been off for months. We could only meet together as a squad due to holding Covid testing, at the cost of thousands of pounds for us. It was hugely challenging. Playing Wolfsburg at any time is impossible, but given the Bundesliga had only stopped for a short period, it meant that Wolfsburg were able to play friendlies and hold mountain training camps. We had to accelerate our training. We had to get players at peak physical fitness ahead of time and that causes injury. When it came to the game we only had three fit players for the bench. It wasn’t what we wanted. We had no choice but to get players match fit for a game like that in four weeks. You physically can’t do it.”

From the outside it looked like everything had conspired to make an exceptionally difficult tie virtually impossible for Glasgow City, but despite that, they emerged with credit. Montgomery was exceptionally impressed with their opponents.

“Listen, Wolfsburg are a fantastic team – an absolute joy to watch and it was tremendous to play against them. From a point of view of the experience, it was a single occasion. UEFA did brilliantly in terms of what was put on for us, the preparation, they dressed the stadium magnificently to make it a great experience for the players. Although it was a heavy score line (City lost 9-1) it will rank as one of the highlights of many of our players’ careers.”

Above: Pernille Harder part of a VfL Wolfsburg side who showed no mercy against Glasgow City in the UEFA Women’s Champions League Quarter-Finals. Photo: @guardian_sport

Taking a wider look at the experience of being part of the final stages on the competition all played in one area with teams such as Olympique Lyonnais, Paris St. Germain, Barcelona and Arsenal was particularly memorable. “It was vital for the women’s game that the tournament did get played and completed. I ended up quite enjoying the fact that everyone was in the same place. There was a real tournament feel. It was potentially a one off which we were part of. It was fantastic. The stadium in San Sebastian was fantastic as were all the facilities.”

That run of success in 2019 and 2020 was overseen by Scott Booth as head coach. I asked Laura what his major qualities are as a coach and as a person: “He’s a UEFA pro license coach. On paper he has the qualifications we needed when we hired him in 2015. We had a number of top candidates for the job of which Scott was one. He interviewed well and we get on well. It works really well. We have similar thoughts on players and football. He knows his stuff. He is a good coach, a good person, not remotely egotistical at all. He is so unassuming and is fully immersed in the women’s game.”

A recent development at the club is Laura’s appointment as full time Chief Executive – a role that is not new for her – but she is now able to devote her full attention to the position: “I’ve always done the role in my spare time on top of another job. Selflessly, I’ve always wanted to do it for free and not taken money out of the club. The board have asked me to do it and think about how we progress the club further. I do player negotiations, working with Scott (Booth) on new players and have recently appointed a full time head of academy.

Glasgow City are known for the phenomenal work that they do in supporting the all-round development of young girls – and obviously this is going to become even more important once we are in a position to get football going again. The club have been preparing for the post-lockdown return of their young players with some exciting new developments ready for them.

“The number one priority is to get all our girls back. We have twelve teams. Right now it’s so important. Boys in Scotland can still watch men’s football on TV as they are still allowed to play. Girls in Scotland can’t watch the women’s game here as its been halted, so they can’t see their role models play as well as not being allowed to play themselves. We’ve made a major investment in our academy. We’ve worked with a company called Athlete Focused for sports psychology and nutrition with our first team and they now are working with the academy which means that every team in the club now has access to sports science experts too.”

As Laura alluded to, the Scottish league has been very stop-start with no matches at all for over two months. Glasgow City’s chief executive is absolutely clear that getting the game going again, at the top level at the very least is of utmost importance.

“For the credibility of women’s football in Scotland, it would be catastrophic if we can’t finish the season as we have two Champions League places to play for and if the league doesn’t get completed by a certain time, we cannot take those places. Getting back to train on 1st March would mean games could start on 28th March. If we can’t get back on 1st March it means it’s going to be tough to complete the league. Even if we do get back then, it could mean having to play three games a week. The league has attracted lots of top players back to Scotland and credibility is at stake when it comes to re-starting.”

One thing that has been clear in the short period that the top flight was able to be played in 2020/21 was the number of new signings that both Rangers and Celtic have made in a bid to end Glasgow City’s run of thirteen straight championship wins.

“They’ve always had more money than us although it must be said they have increased the amount they have put in even more recently. Rangers have five of the players that finished last season with us. But the money that Celtic and Rangers have put in actually just puts more pressure on them. I always believe in our values at Glasgow City, what makes us special, the fact that we are the most important team at the club. There isn’t a men’s team here. If you have a men’s team, they will always come first. We believe in our club and our players and we will always be competitive.”

Beth Churchill: Home Town Hero

As part of our partnership with Penryn Athletic, Ben Gilby caught up with the club’s Beth Churchill about her footballing experience and how she is making the best of the present difficulties caused by the pandemic.

Beth is a child of the early 90’s, born and raised in Penryn, Cornwall. She recalls spending hours in her childhood “spent outdoors playing with the other children on the estate I lived on, playing games like ‘manhunt’ in between kicking a football about. This was great for me as it meant that I was getting regular exercise and plenty of running- I can thank those games of manhunt for my (rapidly dwindling) speed!”

Above: Beth Churchill of Penryn Athletic Ladies. Photo via: Amie Andersen.

These early days kicking a ball around the estate in Penryn was the start of Beth’s footballing experience – but it took a while for her to be able to take things further: “I was always up for a kick about with the rest of the children on the estate, but it wasn’t until secondary school that I really started to play ‘competitively’. My friend’s dad set up an after-school club for girls. At a similar time, another local dad was establishing a girls team as part of the Falmouth United set up, so a few of us from the school club ended up going along to the Falmouth United training too and hence playing in a formal league.”

In terms of other key people in those formative years in Beth’s footballing career, her PE teacher played a central role.

“Mrs Mingo would always let me know about any opportunities and organised for me to attend Cornwall trials, so I managed to obtain some higher-level training opportunities through that set up. Just having someone who shows an interest and has a bit of belief in you is hugely important and I found that motivational.”

From here, Beth became involved at Penryn Athletic. “My first experiences of ladies’ football were playing for Penryn ladies at age fourteen. Competing against and learning from the more experienced players at such a young age I feel helped with my development. More recently I have been involved in re-establishing a team in Penryn and have even had opportunities within the league as secretary and vice chair for a short stint (when I had more free time!)”

“I understand I am not the most technically gifted player, but I think I compensate for that in passion and commitment. I’ve played in almost every position on the pitch; I am probably most confident as a centre back but this season I have been pushed up to striker which is interesting and providing a new challenge for me to meet!

Football for me has always been an opportunity for escapism. Regardless of what else I have going on, having those 90 minutes where my whole focus is just on playing and being a part of a team, enables me to forget about everything else. I think team sport is somewhat magical in that respect and I would encourage all who are able to have a go at a team sport!”

Above: Beth Churchill driving forward for Penryn. Photo via: Amie Andersen.

Like every player, Beth has had to overcome a significant number of challenges in her career.

“I think as a young player the biggest challenges were financial and travel based. Having to rely on other people for transport did make things more difficult and I often felt like a bit of a burden. I think that often I felt a bit out of place almost. I rarely had a parent there cheering me on and once when my mum did come along- I wasn’t played, which as a 13-year-old was pretty gut wrenching. I felt like I had wasted her time.”

“I think a significant part of my self-doubt stems from a couple of events like that. I feel like that has however shaped a lot of my views on what team sport at grassroots level should be about. I think that we should nurture and offer opportunity to all who want to play, those who turn up week In and week out, are crucial parts of a team and deserve to feel like they are just that. I would hate for anyone to feel like I did as that 13-year-old. I think eventually when I am too old or injured to play I would like to do some coaching/management and really have a team where inclusivity is central.”  

“More generally, I think as a female player there is often a sense of judgement from men (primarily) who feel it is acceptable to pass comments on your ability and often sexuality too, because you’re playing sport. I do feel that these judgements are becoming a lesser narrative now, but historically there has been a real issue with sexism in the sport and a desire to directly compare the men’s game with the women’s which has always frustrated me!”

“In addition, I feel that attracting good quality and reliable coaches/ managers to the grassroots female game is an ongoing challenge. We are fortunate at Penryn to have great support from the club which has helped to raise the profile of the women’s team and in turn enabled us to attract some positive coaches/managers but historically this has been the most challenging aspect.”

Beth also identified several of her key role models in football and sport in general: “Megan Rapinoe is not only an outstanding player but someone who uses their platform to speak on issues like Black Lives Matter and LGBT rights.”

Above: Beth going for goal. Photo: Amie Andersen.

“I have huge admiration for Marcus Rashford’s recent work for free school meals and great to see someone from a low-income background make it to the top level of their sport. A real role model in my opinion for many young people in the country today.”

“Then there’s Michael Jordan. I don’t have much of an interest in basketball but having watched the documentary ‘The Last Dance’ I was just amazed to learn that much of his success has centred on just never giving up. Having that growth mindset and really not stopping until he had achieved a level of basketball that led to him being considered the best in the world.”

Also, I need to give a big shout out to all the amazing people who I have played football with and against in Cornwall in the last twenty years or so of playing – you are all heroes!”

Away from football, Beth is a teacher. “This takes up the majority of my time at present! I also have a young son and a husband who I can usually be found out walking with. I think the social element of football has been hugely important to me too, and that is something I have really missed and appreciated more during the pandemic.”

“I can’t wait for this lockdown to be over so that I can see the girls again and get back to playing matches! We all worked so hard during pre-season and it would be such a shame not to complete the season this year.”

Like Beth we also can’t wait for Penryn Athletic to be playing matches again and following their progress on the site.

Jada Mathyssen-Whyman – an Inspirational Player with a Big Future

As part of our #MidweekDub feature, Ben Gilby profiles Jada Mathyssen-Whyman, Sydney FC’s young and highly talented goalkeeper who is a fabulous role model for female indigenous Australian football players.

Above: Jada Mathyssen-Whyman training with Sydney FC. Photo: @jada_whyman.

Jada Mathyssen-Whyman is one of those players who seems to have been around for a long time – yet she is still just 21 years-old and still pushing for a place in the Matildas squad.

With ancestry from the Wiradjuri and Yorta Yorta (also known as Jotijota) indigenous peoples and with West Coast Eagles Aussie Rules legend David Wirrpanda as an uncle and godfather, Mathyssen-Whyman grew up in Wagga Wagga, which is located 284 miles from Sydney, Jada became a goalkeeping star from a young age.

She began playing football at the age of ten and within a year was selected for the New South Wales Country team At the age of just thirteen, Jada was selected for the Young Matildas for the 2013 Asian Under Sixteen Women’s Championships. Also in this squad were current W-League stars Sunny Franco, Rhianna Pollicina, Georgina Worth, Teagan Micah, Isabel Dalton, Angie Beard and Alex Chidiac.

Above: Jada making a great save aged thirteen. Photo: Michael Frogley.

Two years later, Mathyssen-Whyman played for Australia’s U20 side at the Asian U19 Women’s Championships in China before being selected for the main Matildas squad in 2018 for friendlies in France and England.

The level at which the young goalkeeper was now playing meant many hours travelling from her Wagga Wagga home to play in the NSW Premier League with Macarthur Rams – a round trip of over five hundred miles each week. In addition she was also spending time in Canberra being mentored by the Matildas goalkeeping coach Paul Jones at his Academy.

This was an exceptionally tough time for the whole family which also led to them having to spend some time camping in a tent – a period which Jada now identifies as a period which helped to make her stronger personally. Eventually, the Matthysen-Whyman’s made the move to Sydney which enabled Jada to attend Westfields Sports High School – which served as the pilot for the then FFA’s High Performance Football School Program.

Whilst at Macarthur Rams, Jada was voted as Goalkeeper of the Year in 2015, 2016 and 2018.

Above: Jada Mathyssen-Whyman with the 2016 Golden Glove award as a 16 year-old during her time with Macarthur Rams.

In 2016 she was offered her first W-League contract with Western Sydney Wanderers. At the time, she told Rebecca First of the local ‘Leader’ newspaper: “It will probably be scary, but pretty awesome at the same time. What I am most excited about is playing against Lydia Williams (now of Arsenal), she’s one of my biggest inspirations in goal.”

That inspiration comes from Williams not just being an outstanding goalkeeper, but also as a fellow indigenous Australian. “I was watching TV when a story about Lydia came on, it stated how she was indigenous and a goalkeeper also…I was instantly filled with enjoyment as I watched her,” Mathyssen-Whyman told Ann Odong in 2016.

Her first season in the W-League with Western Sydney Wanderers started with a bang in the big derby against Sydney FC. That campaign saw Jada make seven appearances before suffering the agony of a torn thigh against Newcastle Jets which ended her season.

Above: Jada with her family after a game for Western Sydney Wanderers. Photo: Instagram.

She came back and played a further twenty-eight games for Western Sydney Wanderers over the following four seasons and suffered injury heartbreak once more, with a long term knee injury before joining Sydney FC for the 2021 campaign.

Mathyssen-Whyman is aware of her status as a role model to young indigenous Australians. “Seeing what indigenous athletes too like a long time ago Cathy Freeman, now Jade North and Lydia Williams, Kyah Simon as well, players like that show me that my dream can come true and hopefully what I do can help other kids;” she said in 2018.

Jada has subsequently become involved with John Moriarty Football, an organisation who, in partnership with Football Australia, are dedicated to helping young indigenous Australian footballers. Additionally, the young goalkeeper also does volunteer youth work for Glebe Youth Service who support young indigenous Australians in remote communities.

Above: Jada makes a fine save for Sydney FC against Adelaide United on Sunday. Photo: Kris Goman.

With Sydney FC going so well in the W-League campaign this season, Mathyssen-Whyman will be aiming to add a Grand Final winners medal to her cabinet in the coming months. Whatever happens, she is a player and an individual to keep a close eye on.

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.

Impetus Partnership with Bure Valley Youth Delivers New Equipment

Bure Valley Youth FC chairman Ted McCarter shows how working with Impetus has helped to bring valued new training equipment for the girls and youths teams once restrictions are lifted.

Last week we were so excited to announce that we had partnered with Norfolk based girls and youth football club Bure Valley. Connected with this, we were only too happy to donate a small amount of money in order to help the club buy new training equipment to help support the club once coronavirus restrictions are lifted.

Via Wroxham Women player Kate Pasque, who works for Lowestoft based Harrod Sports (who have provided equipment to many major sporting events such as the 2019 Rugby World Cup and the UEFA Champions League Final), the club were able to use Impetus‘ donation to purchase this incredible range of equipment:

Above: Bure Valley Youth FC’s new equipment. Photo: Ted McCarter.

Speaking about the arrival of the fantastic new resources, Bure Valley Youth chairman Ted McCarter said: “Today we’ve taken delivery of some fantastic new training equipment financed by a kind donation from our friends at Impetus. A new relationship has been forged with Harrod Sport and Wroxham Women’s Kate Pasque, they have provided us with the new Finesse range. Our amazing children can’t wait to get back to training and improving their fitness and skills. A massive thank you to Impetus for their support of the female game at grassroots level, it’s absolutely amazing.”

We are so happy to have been able to help and can’t wait to hear how the children get on when they are back in training!

Artwork: Graphics by PW

Selma Bacha – Part of an Exciting New Generation in French Women’s Football

Jean-Pierre Thiesset spoke EXCLUSIVELY with Olympique Lyonnais and France U20’s star Selma Bacha (22/2/21).

Above: Selma Bacha in action for Olympique Lyonnais. Photo: Damien LG






Selma Bacha was born on 9th November 2000 in Lyon. She is French of Algerian and Tunisian origin. She started her career with FC Gerland in Lyon at the age of five-years-old after following her older brother at a training session. Bacha played as an amateur in 2008 and 2009 with FC Gerland before joining Olympique Lyonnais.





One of the brightest potential future stars of French women’s football, the young left back signed her professional contract with OL during the 2017/18 season on 1st July 2017 at the age of sixteen.





Selma has made nine appearances for the France U16s squad in 2016, scoring two goals, thirteen appearances with the national U17 squad between 2016 and 2017 (and five goals), which included three games at the U17 European Championship final phase in 2017. Additionally, she appeared five times for France U20s since 2017. This includes playing in the 2018 U20 World Cup in France as well as being in the winning U19 European Championship French team in 2019. 





Above: Selma Bacha during the D1 game between Rodez and OL game on September 30, 2018. Photo: Jean-Pierre Thiesset





At only 20 years old, Selma has an impressive prize list that a lot of international players in the world could envy her.










Interview:





Jean-Pierre Thiesset: What is your preferred position and which other positions could you play?





Selma Bacha: My preferred position is at left-back because I have learned to like this role. I like also to play left midfielder to be able to go up the field a little more and participate more in the team attacks. However, at Olympique Lyonnais, the left-back plays rather high because we are a team who attack a lot and this is what I like.





Above: Selma Bacha during D1 game between OL and Metz on May 4, 2019. Photo: Jean-Pierre Thiesset.





JPT: Who/what inspired you to become a football player?





SB: My brother, who brought me to a training session when I was five years old. I love it so much that I engaged myself in football; it is as simple as that. I had tested Gymnastics before, but I did not like it at all.





JPT: Who are your favourite women players (French and foreign)?





SB: Wendie Renard, Amel Majri, Griedge Mbock and Pernille Harder.





JPT: Who is your role model if you have one?





SB: When I was young Amel Majri was my model but now that I have grown up, I do not have a role model anymore and told it to Amel. I just want to be myself.





JPT: What is your greatest challenge on and off the pitch?





SB: On the pitch, always obtain what I want and win. On the other hand, outside the field, I do not really challenge myself.





JPT: Who are your closest teammates?





SB: Griedge Mbock, Amel Majri, Delphine Cascarino, Wendie Renard, Sakina Karchaoui and Melvine Mallard who is a close friend.





JPT: What do you like to get up to off the pitch?





SB: First rest, I love so much to rest. I like to watch action films. I like also to read books on life in general; I try to read books that tell real stories for example but no science fiction. I spend time also to learn English because I told myself that it could useful to speak English for my career.





JPT: You do not play video games?





SB: No, I am not too much into that.





JPT: What is your preferred animal?





SB: Baby cats. Because they are so cute.





JPT: What are your preferred foods?





SB: My Mother’s couscous.





JPT: What makes OL such a great club to play for?





SB: First, because we have an excellent president, Jean-Michel Aulas, who does everything to ensure that we succeed. The prize list of the club, because nobody has ever achieved what OL has done and I hope that it will last a long time. Additionally, the club has the best players in the world. 





JPT: The other players should be pleased also to play with you.





SB: I hope so (laughs).





JPT: You are beginning to become an important player in the team.





SB: When I will be selected in France senior squad, then I will be an important player. This is one of my main objectives.





JPT: What is your main quality?





SB: Generosity.





Above: Selma Bacha “generous” even during training session in Groupama Training Center on September, 2019; Photo: Jean-Pierre Thiesset





JPT: What do you need to improve in your game?





SB: I think that I must still improve myself a bit defensively especially on the tactical level; know how to place myself, read what the opponent will do, and anticipate even if I have already made progress. Otherwise, on technical, athletics, and mental levels, I think that I have progressed very well.





JPT: Is there a message you would like to give to your fans?





SB: First take care of yourself and of your relatives, even if this period is a bit complicated. We missed you on the fields because it is empty without you. Thanks to everyone who support me, and I hope that we will see you soon on the pitch.

	


	





	

		
Sky Blues Back To Winning Ways
	


	
	

		

Sydney FC 2–1 Adelaide United





Report and EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS from Kris Goman.





It’s a gorgeous clear day at Cromer Park, possibly a bit hot for playing football but perfect for watching it. Sydney will be hoping to make amends for their drubbing last week against the Roar.  The result is unlikely to see either team drop out of the top four in the table but both would like to solidify their position with three points.

Both Sydney and Adelaide are playing a 4-3-3 formation today with the hosts kicking off and they apply the pressure straight away. An early corner is cleared by Adelaide. It’s wave after wave of Sydney attack with one notable clearance landing on the roof of the building next to the field.





A second corner is also cleared as Adelaide have a clear height advantage. For the first fifteen minutes, Sydney have the bulk of possession and the game is mostly in their half. Adelaide have a couple of forays into their half but with the exception of Mallory Weber bringing it into the box on one occasion, they aren’t looking too threatening yet.

By the same token, their defence is standing strong and the game moves to the midfield until Princess Ibini brings the ball down the left to the top of the box and passes it to Remy Siemsen who has just run into an offside position. Her shot goes wide anyway but play is called back for the free kick.





Above: Princess Ibini lays off a pass. Photo: Kris Goman.





Sydney retrieve possession and catch Adelaide slightly unaware. Some quick passes around the top of the box sees a pass from Ally Green send Siemsen into the box with Adelaide defence in hot pursuit. Her shot bounces straight off the keeper, Annalee Grove. Sydney restore possession again but eventually it goes out for a throw in for the hosts.

Adelaide step up and are putting pressure right back on Sydney. Maria Jose Rojas is making inroads and looking dangerous at the top of the box. That attack is cleared with no damage done.





Not long after Emily Condon gets the ball in midfield and passes across to Charlotte Grant who’s in the open on the left. Unusually, Ibini comes in clutch in defence with a burst of speed to a sliding tackle that clears the ball for a corner. The corner drops right in front of goal and Jada Mathyssen-Whyman leaps above everyone else to snatch it out of the air.





Above: Jada Mathyssen-Whyman claims the ball for Sydney FC. Photo: Kris Goman.





Sydney play out of the back but Adelaide are making it difficult to get through. Soon enough, it’s one tackle too many and Adelaide are back in possession. They pass back to the keeper and Grove’s clearance is intercepted by Cortnee Vine. A challenge bounces towards the keeper and she has it safely once more, despite Vine’s imminent arrival.

Adelaide are back pressing and Georgia Campagnale sends a great pass through to Holmes who crosses but Mathyssen-Whyman beats Weber to the ball.

Sydney build again and bring the ball up the field through a series of passes. When Siemsen gets it, she lays it off to Wheeler on the right and in the box. See takes it right down to the line and passes back. Maruschka Waldus blocks the cross out for a corner.

Teresa Polias’ corner goes to the far side of the box where there’s no Sydney-siders at all and is cleared. The clearance is picked up by Green and brought down the left. That move ends in another corner for Sydney. This time the corner goes straight to Siemsen in front of the box and she heads it past Grove for the first goal of the match. 1-0 Sydney at 40 minutes.

Adelaide try to immediately return fire and have a run down the right. The cross is straight to Mathyssen-Whyman though. The ball is sent out to Green who passes to Taylor Ray as Adelaide press again. Her pass back to Natalie Tobin is miscalculated and bounces over her head and out for a corner in a rather poor effort.





The corner goes to Ibini, who heads it backwards across the face of goal to Matilda McNamara facing goal. She heads it towards goal but Clare Wheeler is able to head it clear. As Charlize Rule brings it up the right flank, Isobel Hodgson comes in late with her tackle and floors Rule. She gets a free kick for her efforts.

The ball is quickly up the other end and Ray lobs a ball to Vine who brings the ball into the box but it goes just out of reach and the keeper has it wrapped up.





Above: Charlotte Mclean (3) of Sydney FC tussles with Maria Jose Rojas. Photo: Kris Goman.





Just before half time, Dylan Holmes chases a ball to the goal line on the left, cuts back in and gets past Ray. Tobin blocks the cross and, soon after, play is stopped to deal with Siemsen who has hurt her ankle.

Two minutes of injury time are announced and Sydney continues to press to no avail until the half time whistle is blown.

Adelaide kick off in the second half. Sydney gets a corner very early on. Polias’ kick floats high and long to drop in the middle of the goal mouth right in front. Vine jumps high and beats Grove’s outstretched arm to head it in goal. 2-0 Sydney at 48 minutes.





Above: Courtnee Vine leaps to head home past a despairing Annalee Grove. Photo: Kris Goman.





From a throw in virtually straight after kick-off, Ibini nutmegs Kahlia Hogg and gets away a pass to Green on the left. Green crosses to the far post and the ball is batted away by Grove before Vine can get there. It comes out to Wheeler who takes a lovely on-target shot but it’s straight to Grove who has to absorb the power with her body.

Very soon after, Green has the ball again on the left but her cross finds Wheeler offside this time.

Next attack from Adelaide sees Rojas on the right, come right down beside the near post. Tobin gets just in front of her and punts it up to Mathyssen-Whyman. She initially catches it but realises it’s a pass back and drops it like a hot potato. The ball rolls down her body and she sort of flutter kicks it away and through Rojas’ legs and clear. They are very lucky as no one was expecting that and Rojas was right there and it could have so easily deflected off her. Mathyssen-Whyman gives a wry smile knowing she got away with murder.

Adelaide are in strife when a pass back hasn’t got enough oomph and Ray chases it down. Grove just beats her to the ball and clears it safely.  Green then brings it back down the left and her cross had Siemsen and Vine perfectly positioned to pounce but Grove rises above and snatches the ball away.

From a free kick, Adelaide execute a wonderful series of passes through midfield that sees the ball delivered to Hodgson on the right with Ibini in chase. Tobin closes down the angle and gets the clearance. Soon after, as Adelaide are back on the attack, Ray gets a yellow for a shirt pull.

At 62 minutes, Adelaide have a free kick. Weber takes it and it sails curling towards goal. The Adelaide team rushes forward with one attempted header by Holmes not connecting but McNamara is following up and connects perfectly to send the ball to the back of the net for her first W-League goal. It’s game on and the score is now 2-1 in favour of Sydney.





The home side retort with a run down the left wing. The throw in sees a painful hip clash between Meleri Mullan and Green, who goes down. The ball lands with Ray who smashes it towards goal only to have Waldus head it behind. The resulting corner lands straight on top of the net.

At 74 minutes, Siemsen passes to Lowe in the box, she spins and losses sight of the ball which is cleared out to Wheeler, who is always in the right place at the right time. Wheeler belts it towards goal but it’s got a little too much uplift and it skims the crossbar. It’s just a matter of time until Wheeler scores a worldie.





Above: Dylan Holmes put in another solid performance for Adelaide United. Photo: Kris Goman.





As the clock ticks down, Adelaide dial up the pressure. There’s a couple of runs into their top third and then Rojas and Weber attack McLean as she tried to clear it out of the box. Rojas ends up with it and they are both in the clear. Rojas sidesteps Tobin then shoots. She goes to the left of Mathyssen-Whyman but the Sydney keeper has anticipated it and throws herself in that direction and blocks what should have been a certain goal.

The last five minutes are very transitional with the ball up and down the field. Polias gets a yellow for wasting time after a free kick is awarded to Adelaide. There’s four minutes of extra time announced as Toby gets a yellow for a late tackle on McNamara.

The free kick goes up to the Adelaide box and Holmes shoots. The shot is blocked and rebounds back up the field to Hawkesby. She lobs it further upfield with Toby running it down. Grove comes right out of goal and Allira Toby beats her to the ball, heading it over her and towards the left corner. It bounces high as Toby and Emily Hodgson speed towards it. Hodgson gets a foot to it and sends it into the air again. This is like a panto where Toby can’t see the ball. It’s behind you! Hodgson is able to head it out and Grove is back in goal.

It’s quickly back down in the Adelaide third and a throw in sees a snap shot by Holmes deflected to the cross bar and into the top of the net. The referee gives a goal kick instead of a corner much to the disappointment of Adelaide.

Adelaide are not giving up and continue to pile the pressure on. In the dying moments Sydney make a break and Ibini ends up in the right of the box and shoots. Grove is able to block the shot as the full time whistle goes.

The intensity really ramped up in the last fifteen minutes but neither team could break through. Both teams certainly displayed why they are in the top four and displayed top class defending. Sydney had the upper hand during most of the game and their skills in the set pieces were the deciding factor in the end.

Clare Wheeler got player of the match with an extraordinary work rate re touches and tackles and two cracking shots on goal.





Teams: SYDNEY FC: Mathyssen-Whyman, Rule, Green, Mclean, Tobin, Polias, Vine, Wheeler, Ray, Ibini, Siemsen. Substitutes: Campbell (GK), Hristodouou, Hawkesby, Lowe, Toby.





Scorers: Siemsen 40, Vine 48.





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





Scorer: McNamara 64.





Referee: Rebecca Durcau.





Attendance: 1,087.





 PWDLFAPtsGD
Sydney FC870118621+12
Brisbane Roar954021619+15
Melbourne Victory7412151113+ 4
Adelaide United8413131213+ 1
Canberra United7322121211=
Western Sydney Wanderers82157177– 10
Newcastle Jets71159144– 5
Melbourne City71157174– 10
Perth Glory5013291– 7





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





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.











	


	





	

		
Dream Goal On Return For Crummer
	


	
	

		

Brisbane Roar 4–0 Perth Glory





By Ben Gilby.





Above: Brisbane Roar – still unbeaten in the W-League after seeing off Perth Glory. Photo: @brisbaneroar





Larissa Crummer scored a dream goal on her eagerly awaited return to the W-League after a two year injury lay-off as Brisbane Roar ran out comfortable winners against a game Perth Glory outfit in a match played in front of a big crowd in thirty degree heat at Lions Stadium.





There was plenty of interest before the game with on-field matchups. Notably, the teenage McKenna sisters were coming up against each other. Leticia had established herself in the Perth side last season before moving to Brisbane Roar for this season and her younger sibling Tijan is making her first inroads into the Glory side this campaign. Another former Glory favourite, Kim Carroll, who spent five seasons in WA, lined up in the Roar orange and black along with Morgan Aquino, who kept goal for Perth last season.





This was always going to be an exceptionally tough challenge for Perth Glory, who were just on their way back in the competition after Coronavirus related border restrictions and have only played half the number of games that some sides have. Factor in a game in Sydney less than three days earlier, a trip to the only unbeaten side in the W-League was not exactly the fixture schedule of choice that the Western Australians would have gone for.





Brisbane started well initially with Tameka Yallop looking particularly dangerous. Perth were looking to maximise retaining possession with skipper Tash Rigby asserting her influence with Alexia Moreno looking to offer herself around the box without being quite able to get an early shot away. Glory boss Alex Epakis would have been happy with the way his team set out their stall in the early exchanges.





Emily Gielnik got the first shot on goal after ten minutes. The Matilda cut in from the left hand wing, got away from Liz Anton and got a fierce shot away that Lily Alfeld did well to push away.





Just sixty seconds later, Roar teenage sensation Jamilla Rankin played Gielnik in again down the left and Alfeld had to make another decent save.





Just before the twenty minute mark, Glory’s seventeen year-old Taneesha Baker, playing only her second W-League game got away from Winonah Heatley thanks to some outrageous skill on the left and played in a dangerous cross that Caitlin Doeglas couldn’t quite get on the end of.





However, Brisbane made Perth pay for missing this opportunity and a defensive error shortly afterwards. After they had originally dealt with a free kick from Kim Carroll, Perth gifted the ball to Yallop who played a ball across to Leticia McKenna who in turn found Mariel Hecher. Her cross eventually was laid off by Isobel Dalton to Olivia Chance and the Kiwi fired a sensational left footed effort into the net from outside of the ‘D’ giving Alfeld no chance.





Perth responded well with Moreno holding the ball up well. Hana Lowry showed great maturity to win a corner off of Clare Polkinghorne which the Queenslanders dealt with and quickly broke away.





Emily Gielnik strode purposefully through the middle of the park and saw Alfeld off her line and from just inside the Glory half lobbed a glorious shot over the Perth keeper who couldn’t do anything other than help push it in with twenty-seven minutes played.





Just after the half-hour mark, Brisbane almost grabbed another sensational goal. Winonah Heatley chipped a ball in from the right flank which cannoned back off of the crossbar with Alfeld beaten.





With five minutes of the half left, Baker got through again down the left for Perth and put in a cross which Lowry got a touch to before being brought down by Polkinghorne with the play being waved on.





Above: Perth Glory goalkeeper Lily Alfeld gathers the ball closely watched by team mate Tash Rigby and Brisbane Roar’s Clare Polkinghorne. Photo: @PerthGloryFC 





Gielnik was denied just before the break after she managed to get a shot away despite the close attentions of Deborah-Ann De La Harpe with Alfeld getting the slightest of touches that put the ball out for a corner.





The second half opened with a rainbow across Lions Stadium and the Roar furthering their bid to find the mythical pot of gold at the end of this W-League season.





It took five minutes of the second half for the game to be finally put to bed. Emily Gielnik was given far too much space on the left and she cut in, beat Sarah Carroll with ease and fired a shot into the far corner for her eighth goal of the season.





Mariel Hecher was gifted a free-kick near the right hand corner flag which was floated in by Jamilla Rankin but a combination of Tash Rigby and Taneesha Baker cleared the danger.





Perth pushed forward just before the hour mark with Hana Lowry creating down the right and finding Caitlin Doeglas. Mariana Tabain managed to get an effort deflected out for a corner. Deborah-Ann De La Harpe curled the flag kick in and it was met with a powerful header from Malia Steinmetz which went wide.





Roar responded with Olivia Chance firing in a long distance effort after being played in by Isobel Dalton, but it went well wide of the left hand post.





Perth produced some excellent continued attacking efforts in this period with Alexia Moreno turning Polkinghorne beautifully which led to Tash Rigby putting in a dangerous cross. The Glory also brought on Tijan McKenna to come up against her older sister Leticia with twenty-five minutes left.





Fellow teenage sub Isabella Wallhead then found Moreno. The nineteen year-old played a sensational cross field ball to Doeglas who controlled it beautifully and cut back on her left foot but fired over.





Brisbane responded with Tameka Yallop receiving the ball outside of the box and curled an effort just wide of the left hand post. Shortly afterwards, Hecher showed great strength to beat two defenders and fire in a great cross which no-one could get a decisive touch on.





With just over twenty minutes left, there was a welcome return to the W-League for Larissa Crummer who came back two years after a dreadful broken leg injury which ended a period of her career which had seen her amass twenty caps for the Matildas, three W-League championship medals and the competition’s Golden Boot and Young Player of the Year awards.





As the game entered the final ten minutes there was concern for the Roar as Emily Gielnik left the field injured.





On eighty-three minutes, Crummer turned and payed in a teasing low cross which was met by Kaitlyn Torpey but the ball went over.





It took just another four minutes before Crummer got a dream goal on her return. Torpey played a low ball in from the left and Crummer got ahead of Patricia Charalambous to gleefully hit the Roar’s fourth to complete the scoring.





Above: Heat, cloud, rainbows, a beautiful sunset and a fantastic game played in front of a big crowd at Lions Stadium. Photo: @brisbaneroar





Perth Glory’s Caitlin Doeglas said: “It was probably our best performance so far in terms of keeping possession. The weather was quite humid, not what we’re used to in Perth. We had to keep it tight at the back and focus on playing our game and taking our chances up front.”





In the end Brisbane Roar kept their unbeaten record intact comfortably and looked persistently threatening. The skill and experience in this team is something which could well eventually be the difference in their favour in this season’s W-League.





For Perth, this was a game from which they could take a number of positives – they played some lovely passing football at times and did threaten the Roar defence – but they still struggle to convert those chances into goals. They are a team with a lot of potential, albeit one who will take a while to reach their best.





BRISBANE ROAR: Aquino, Heatley, Polkinghorne, K. Carroll, Rankin, Yallop, Dalton, Chance, Gielnik, L. McKenna, Hecher. Substitutes: Worth (GK), Torpey, Horsey, Freir, Crummer.





Scorers: Chance 23. Gielnik 27, 50. Crummer 87.





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





Referee: Kelly Jones.





Attendance: 1,639.





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.










Artwork: Graphics by PW

	


	





	

		
Dark Blues Take The Victory over Frustrated Jets
	


	
	

		

Newcastle Jets 0–2 Melbourne Victory





By Kieran Yap.





Above: Melbourne Victory celebrate a comprehensive victory in the Hunter Valley. Photo: @VictoryWLeague





After a lockdown enforced week off, Melbourne Victory travelled north to play Newcastle Jets for the second time in three weeks. It was a game that Newcastle had to win to maintain a chance of making the top four but they were up against the same side that had defeated them 4-2 in the previous round.





Melbourne welcomed back Lisa De Vanna to the starting line-up and Annalie Longo returned to the squad from injury, Newcastle had the in-form Tara Andrews up front supported by Rhianna Pollicina and brought Claire Coelho back as goalkeeper.





Victory started on the front foot, the attacking trident of Melina Ayres, De Vanna and Catherine Zimmerman pressed aggressively, any attempt by Newcastle to play out from the back was prevented and any time they did manage to clear the ball it was intercepted by Amy Jackson or Mindy Barbieri in midfield.





Despite this early dominance, Newcastle managed to create the first chance of the game, Rhianna Pollicina controlled and turned in attack and clipped a beautiful pass over the defence to Sunny Franco whose shot missed the target and flew over the bar. Her search for her first goal continues.





Above: Sunny Franco had a glorious early chance for Newcastle Jets. Photo: @NewcastleJetsFC





Victory responded immediately, Kyra Cooney-Cross embarked on a run down the left flank and was fouled, she took the resulting free kick herself and curled it in perfectly into the vicinity of Kayla Morrison. The Victory centre back met the ball cleanly and headed it over Coelho to put the visitors 1-0 up in the eight minute.





The ball in by Cooney-Cross was wonderful but all the power and direction was from Morrison, Coelho was slightly off her line but was beaten by an excellent finish.





The visitors kept the pressure up and ensured that Newcastle were pinned back into their own half, frustrations started to show early with players committing needless fouls when starved of any meaningful possession, the Jets were lucky not to be two goals down and had Coelho to thank for preventing Ayres extending the lead. Lisa De Vanna found the young striker in the six yard box, she shifted into enough space to get the shot away but it was blocked well when a goal looked certain.





The Melbourne attack was largely clicking but for a few instances of Zimmerman and De Vanna moving into the same space, when the two linked up well though they looked a deadly combination, a ball whipped in from De Vanna found the American in front of goal but the pace of the pass made it difficult to turn in and it was another let off for Newcastle.





Kyra Cooney-Cross was busy throughout, dribbling, probing and testing the home defence, in the 24th minute she lined up a shot from distance that thundered off the crossbar to the relief of the Newcastle fans.





Above: It was another impressive performance from Melbourne Victory teenager Kyra Cooney-Cross. Photo: @NewcastleJetsFC





Minutes later, Newcastle’s luck ran out and Victory had their second goal, Melina Ayres received the ball on the edge of the 18 yard box, thinking quickly she played a short through ball ahead of Catherine Zimmerman who burst past her marker and shot beyond Coelho to make it 2-0.





Newcastle had struggled to get into the game but before the half time break they managed to forge two great chances for Tara Andrews to pull one back. The first after she controlled a long pass into the box off her chest, she hit the half-volley cleanly and on target but Gabriela Garton managed to save it at the near post, the second was a close range header on goal, she met Gema Simon’s cross well and timed her run perfectly but the ball flashed wide.





Those two chances would be the last real opportunities to Newcastle and the second half followed much the same pattern as the first. Victory chased down Newcastle when they had the ball and maintained possession when they got it back, Cooney-Cross continued to torment and Lisa De Vanna saw her left foot strike saved comfortably after some clever footwork to find space.





Victory again struck the woodwork when Mindy Barbieri lined up for a free kick around 19 yards from goal. Her previous goal this season was from a similar range against Melbourne City, she had struck it venomously on that occasion, this time she opted for placement, the result was nearly spectacular but the ball bounced off the crossbar.





Melina Ayres had another good chance to score after she rose to meet an Angie Beard cross into the box, but she couldn’t redirect the whipped in ball on target, De Vanna and Zimmerman tried to play a neat exchange of passes through the defenders but Zimmerman couldn’t quite reach the final ball and Cooney-Cross again shot from distance but missed off her left foot.





Above: Newcastle Jets’ Sophie Harding tries to get away from Melbourne Victory’s Angie Beard. Photo: @NewcastleJetsFC





The young playmaker was a menace with the ball from the first whistle and Newcastle struggled to contain her, when she left Victory for the 19/20 season she was used mostly as a speedy striker or wide player, on her return she becoming a dominant midfielder. Newcastle had no answers for her mobility and skill to the extent that Rhianna Pollicina was shown a second yellow card after clipping Cooney-Cross following a typical mazy run through the middle of the pitch.





It was a comfortable win for Melbourne Victory in the end, their only disappointment would have been that they did not score more and if goal difference comes into play for the final ladder it may be a day they see as a missed opportunity.





Newcastle did not resemble the side they had been for much of this season, they lacked attacking ideas and looked outrun and outworked all over the pitch.  While they are not mathematically out of contention for finals, time is running out and they will be looking to return to the dynamism and creativity that has been more typical of them this season.





Teams: NEWCASTLE JETS: Coelho, Tamplin, Simon, King, Brewer, Bass, Franco, Davis, Pollicina, House, Andrews. Substitutes: Simonsen (GK), O’Brien, Petratos, Chronis, Harding.





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





Scorers: Morrison 8, Zimmerman 30.





Referee: Casey Reibelt.





Attendance: 652.





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.










Artwork: Graphics by PW

	


	





	

		
Perth Return, But The Glory Goes To Wanderers
	


	
	

		

Western Sydney Wanderers 1–0 Perth Glory





Report and EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS from Kris Goman.





Above: Western Sydney Wanderers’ Julie-Ann Russell celebrates her goal with Teigan Collister. Photo: Kris Goman,





It’s been a difficult journey for the Perth Glory this season. Although Western Australia hasn’t really been too badly affected by Covid, they keep closing their borders to the eastern states thus meaning the team can’t travel. To date they’ve played Adelaide United twice and Canberra United once resulting in two losses and a draw.

They bring with them a young team with five players making their W-League debut this season. Seventeen year-old local product Taneesha Baker is making her debut tonight. For the Wanderers, one of their most experienced players, Leena Khamis, is being rested and is not even on the bench. Seventeen year-old Bryleeh Henry is taking her place up front.

Wanderers are kick-off. The ball is up and down a bit with a couple of runs into each box but no notable plays until a cross comes in from the right to Julie Russell who spins her marker and gets a shot off at the top of the box. It doesn’t have a lot of power on it and is easily covered by the Glory keeper, Lily Alfeld.

Tash Rigby kicked off a Perth counter attack with a run down the right and a cross that went via Hana Lowry but eventually out over the goal line. The clearance is intercepted and sent out to Baker who has a crack from way outside the box. It’s not a bad effort but goes just wide to the left. Not a bad idea as the Wanderers defence is pretty solid, so going over is one way through.





Above: Perth Glory debutant Taneesha Baker battles with Western Sydney Wanderers’ Georgia Yeoman-Dale. Photo: Kris Goman.





Shortly afterwards Glory find themselves with the ball at the top of the box. Alexia Moreno slips a perfectly weighted pass through into the box for Caitlin Doeglas to run onto. She squares it to Lowry who sends it forward just a touch too much. As Sarah Willacy dives forward for it, Georgia Yeoman-Dale clears it out of the box to the left. That was very close for Glory. If Lowry had struck that instead of touching it, it probably would have gone in.

Wanderers get another attack spearheaded by Yeoman-Dale on the left who gets it forward to Russell. Russell performs some magic getting through a number of defenders before shooting. It’s straight at Alfeld though and is gathered safely.

A little later Yeoman-Dale makes a half field run into the box to lay off to Bryleeh Henry but they are not quite on the same page and the ball goes out for a goal kick as Henry twists the wrong way.

At this stage the Wanderers look to have the upper hand making more consistent runs. The game is quite transitional though but the Wanderers are getting in front a bit more and dominating the possession.

About 31 minutes in Henry gets the ball from midfield and dribbles it into the box with Rigby and Liz Anton in hot pursuit. They perform a pincer movement and crush her from both sides. All three go down in the box. It’s considered a fair tackle and no penalty is awarded.

Post the clearance, Libby Copus-Brown nicks the ball and scurries away on the right. She drags it back and crosses but it’s straight to the keeper as Henry had fallen over in the box and couldn’t get to it.

Teigan Collister is being heavily marked by Rigby on the right wing but manages to evade her to lob a lovely ball right in front of goal but Deborah De La Harpe gets to it first and is able to clear it.





Above: Teigan Collister of Western Sydney Wanderers tries to get away from Perth Glory captain Tash Rigby. Photo: Kris Goman.





Shortly after, Copus-Brown passes out to Collister. She gets another clear run down the right, passes to Danika Matos who is able to make the cross but it just goes over the head of Olivia Price, who can’t connect. Baker brings it out of the box and up to half way but her cross-field pass is straight to Copus-Brown. She distributes to the right corner of the box and Collister and Alfeld are both racing to it and Alfeld gets there first.

At 44 minutes, Cooper brings the ball up the midfield right to the top of the box and gets the ball to Russell on her left. She takes one touch then slams it to the left of Alfeld who gets a hand to it but can’t deflect it out of goal. Wanderers score and it’s 1-0 just before half time. It’s Russell’s first goal for the Wanderers this season.

One minute of extra time is announced and Glory jump on the opportunity to use that minute. Malia Steinmetz sends the ball out right to De La Harpe. She crosses to the face of goal and it’s headed to the back of the box by the Wanderers. Anton picks it up and shoots straight into a couple of players. Lowry picks up the rebound and pokes it across to the right of goal where Willacy pounces on top of it. Half time is called shortly after.

Perth kick off the second half and are immediately attacking. An early press sees some action in Perth’s front third but no real threats on goal.

Shortly after it’s up the other end and a goal clearance goes straight to Copus-Brown who takes a long range shot. It’s on target with a bit of power and is deflected into the top bar by Alfeld in what was a goal saving move.





Above: Perth Glory’s Lily Alfeld gets a hand to a Wanderers effort. Photo: Kris Goman.





Wanderers are applying the pressure now and Russell gets the opportunity for another shot on goal. It’s on target but doesn’t have enough power to be a threat to Alfeld. Not long after, both Collister and Henry are foiled in their shooting attempts in the box after Collister intercepted a clearance.

After a brief attack by Perth, Cooper kicks a long ball to Russell, who brings the ball down the left flank, right into the box past two defenders. She sends it across the face of goal and Henry gets a toe to it but can’t control it and it just dribbles to the right of goal and out, very luckily for Glory.

It must have been deflected by Glory and the resulting corner goes to Yeoman-Dale at the top of the box. Her shot is a bit lacklustre but gets to Russell who turns and shoots. The shot gets lifted straight up, clips Lowry to Alfeld who bats it up over the top bar. Next corner is short to Nikola Orgill, who sends a long ball straight to Alfeld. She pushes it down in front of her and it drops in front of Hunter. She shoots and it bounces off Alfeld again and back out to Collister. She gets two defenders on her immediately and they clear it out to the right, safely. Glory survive an intense attacking phase by the Wanderers.

Sixteen year-old Tijan McKenna comes on as a sub for Glory and her first touch sends a lovely ball through to Doeglas at the top of the box that brings Willacy right out of goal. She clears it OK but it’s a close call by Perth with the subs having immediate impact.

Sarah Hunter receives the ball in midfield and approaches the box before passing out to Collister on the right. The pass back is back to Hunter but her one touch shot is not controlled and goes wildly to the left in a missed opportunity.





There’s now constant pressure from the Wanderers and Yeoman-Dale and Henry do a 1-2 in and out of the box that sees Yeoman-Dale’s shot sail over the goal.

Glory gets a cross into the box that bounces up into Moreno’s hand. The calls for handball are ignored by the referee but the replay clearly shows a handball. Thankfully it’s cleared with no problems by the Wanderers.

Glory get another opportunity with Moreno sending a cross over to Patricia Charalambous situated at the top of the box. Orgill is straight onto her and she can’t do anything with it and it goes back to midfield.





Above: Julie-Ann Russell (12) competes with Taneesha Baker of Perth Glory with Georgia Yeoman-Dale looking on. Photo: Kris Goman.





A Wanderers corner sees a header by Henry pop to Hunter to be headed towards goal but Sarah Carroll intercepts with another header that Lowry in turn heads out. Next corner is punched out by Alfeld but comes back in and out of the box a few times before going out on the side-line.

At 85 minutes, Yeoman-Dale brings the ball down the left in a driven run. She passes to sub Aideen Keene downfield who plays it back across to Copus-Brown. She gets past two defenders to shoot. It’s long and from outside the box but well directed and weighted. Alfeld has to jump to tip it over the crossbar. The corner amounts to naught.

Perth get two late yellow cards in quick succession. First to Moreno after a desperate tackle on Cooper and then McKenna for a very late tackle on Keene.





After the latter card, Galea steps up to take the free kick and it’s pretty obvious she’s going for goal. She skies it and full time is called and Wanderers get their second win of the season and the much needed three points.

Wanderers totally dominated the second half but couldn’t broach the Glory defence. They really are crying out for a more clinical finishers as there were plenty of opportunities created. They had a similar problem last week against Brisbane. The youth and inexperience of the forwards shone through on a night like tonight. Saying all that, the defence and midfield were very solid. Cooper in particular, didn’t put a foot wrong. Yeoman-Dale was exceptional in both defence and attack finding ways through constantly. Copus-Brown bossed the midfield, getting the distribution right time and time again and narrowly missing a couple of shots.

Perth Glory looked pretty good, especially considering their lack of game time. They had a lot more chances in the first half but their defence was particularly impressive, especially Tash Rigby and Lily Alfeld in goal.

Julie-Ann Russell got player of the match. Well deserved. Apart from the goal, she made plenty of attacking runs and created chances all match.

The Glory have a pretty demanding schedule in front of them to catch up on the matches they’ve missed. Hoping it doesn’t take too harsh a toll on the team and they can get some wins under their belt.





Teams: WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS: Willacy, Matos, Russell,  Orgill, Cooper, Price, Hunter, Copus-Brown, Collister, Henry, Yeoman-Dale. Substitutes: Newbon (GK), Gomez, Galea, Keane, Middleton.





Scorer: Russell 45.





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





Referee: Rachel Mitchenson.





Attendance: 413.





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.










Artwork: Graphics by PW

	


	





	

		
Hana Lowry: One of The Brightest Teenage Stars
	


	
	

		

Impetus was absolutely delighted to be given the opportunity to hold an interview with Hana Lowry, one of the brightest stars for the future of the women’s game in Australia. Already a Young Matilda and a W-League regular for home state side Perth Glory, Ben Gilby asked Hana to critically review her career so far and discuss her aims for the future.





Above: Hana Lowry of Perth Glory. Photo: Getty Images – supplied by Gareth Morgan, Perth Glory FC.





Hana Lowry is spoken about by many as, potentially, one of the brightest stars among the next generation of Australian women footballers.





The seventeen year-old Western Australian grew up in Cockburn, about twelve miles from Perth, and went to Coogee Primary. She went on to study at John Curtin College of the Arts which is the state’s leading football program in secondary schools.  





Hana began our chat by describing how she was first introduced to the game: “I have an older brother who has always played football as did my dad, so I was immediately introduced to the game as soon as I was born!”





“I started football properly when I was seven playing with the boys in Cockburn up until I was 14. I then moved to the Western Australia National Training Centre (NTC) program in the under 15’s and I have now been there for three years. I was selected for my first state team in under 12’s and since them have played at the national youth championships at Coffs Harbour in New South Wales as well as the NTC Challenge – which is a competition where the different state representative sides take on each other.”





It was two years ago that Hana’s ability was brought onto an international stage when she was selected for the Junior Matildas (Australia’s U17 national side).





Above: Hana (second left in the back row) with the Junior Matildas team in 2019. Photo: Westfield Matildas





“In 2019 I was selected for my first Junior Matildas camp and throughout that year travelled to Laos, Tonga, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands as well as Thailand for the Asian Championships. I was given a scholarship with Perth Glory in 2018, and in 2019 I got my first contract and made my debut.”





The teenager has many people to thank for helping her on her footballing journey. “My family are definitely my biggest supporters. My brother was the reason I started playing and he has always been there for me and giving me advice in football. They have always been there for me and have sacrificed so much to support me in any way they can. All my coaches from Cockburn, to the NTC, John Curtin College Football Program and Perth Glory have all been so supportive and have helped me to improve as both a player and person.”





Whilst Hana’s senior footballing career is still in its early stages, I wondered what her biggest challenge so far has been: “I have been lucky to not have too many significant setbacks. Going into lockdown earlier in the year was definitely a challenge for everyone who plays sport. Going from seeing your team every day to only being allowed to train alone was challenging. However it allowed me to take some time to work on my own weaknesses and also made me realise how important playing in a team environment is.”





Perth Glory have been particularly badly hit by the impact of the coronavirus restrictions. The total closure of Western Australia’s state borders for most of 2020 meant that it was very late into December that the team’s new arrivals, including head coach Alex Epakis, could get going. The club have also played half the number of games that the majority of their W-League opponents have due to a new state lockdown over the past month, which has now been lifted.





Despite these difficulties, Perth Glory have been trying to make the best of a tough situation and the work of new coach Alex Epakis in developing the new squad has gone well. Hana told me about the qualities that Epakis has brought to the club: “Alex has been amazing since he has arrived at Glory. He creates a very good environment both on and off the pitch which allows the team to work well together. He is very focused on creating a positive atmosphere which allows the team to have a strong bond. Both Alex and the team always push to create a high intensity at training.”





Above: Hana Lowry in action for Perth Glory on Thursday night at Western Sydney Wanderers – up against another teenage star, Sarah Hunter. Photo: Kris Goman.





Despite the many postponements and changes to their match schedule, Hana feels the squad remain in a good place: “Obviously the changing in fixtures has been a challenge for the team, however the team has been incredibly flexible and adaptable and not allowed it to affect how we are at training. We haven’t let it affect us and know that we must be ready to play whenever we are able to do so.”





Perth’s four matches to date in the W-League have seen narrow losses against Adelaide United and Western Sydney Wanderers and an outstanding draw away to title contenders Canberra United. As part of a squad with a number of hugely talented teenagers, I wondered how Hana viewed the early games: “Although the results have not gone our way so far, we have definitely showed improvement as we get further into the season. Being a very new team, we are getting used to how each of us plays and this will continue as we get more games in.”





This was always going to be a transitional season for Perth Glory and the beginning of a long term project of bedding in a number of young, locally developed players, so I asked Hana what success would look like for the team this season: “Success for our team is getting better each game and in doing so, getting good results. An improvement of performance every time the team steps onto the pitch and winning as many games as we can.”





We closed our discussion by examining the high points of Hana’s short career so far and looking at what goals she wants to set herself in the medium term: “Being selected for the Junior Matildas was definitely a dream come true and stepping onto the pitch for the first time with the team was very special. The team had a unique bond which allowed us to achieve some great results especially in Thailand. Playing at a World Cup has always been a dream ever since I was little and being able to on home soil would make it very special.”





“Over the next five years I want to improve and work hard to get better. It is definitely a goal of mine to play for the Matildas one day and get more experience in the W-League to grow as a player.”





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.










Artwork: Graphics by PW