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Euxton Girls: Doing Great Work in Lancashire

Impetus recently announced a player sponsorship deal with Chorley Women’s Lisa Topping. One of Lisa’s early clubs was Euxton Girls. Ben Gilby talks to the club’s Michael Taylor about Euxton Girls’ development, Lisa’s time there and how things are going at the present time.

**Above:** Euxton Girls enjoyed success in the pre-lockdown period. **Photo via:** Michael Taylor.

We began our discussion with Michael telling us all about the history of the club: “Euxton Girls FC was formed in July 2002 by our Chairman Dennis Winn, when his granddaughter told him she wanted to play football. That granddaughter was Nicola Barker, who is still involved in coaching at the club. This grassroots, girls only club was established to encourage and help give girls, from the age of five to eighteen, the opportunity to discover the game. Originally with twenty-three girls signing on to U10s and U12s teams, and playing in the Lancashire FA Girls League. We now have over 250 girls across seventeen teams playing in six leagues and have an established FA Wildcats centre, recognised by the FA.

Impetus recently announced sponsorship of Chorley Women’s Lisa Topping who played for Euxton Girls in her early days as a footballer. I asked Michael how Lisa is remembered at the club: “Lisa is remembered as a hardworking and technical player. She had an excellent left foot, in which she often curled in goals straight from the corner.”

“Lisa was the first to make it at a professional senior level and was followed shortly by Danielle Gibbons (who also played for Liverpool FC). We also had Jasmine Elliot who represented England at Youth Level. Lisa was also the first to accept an American scholarship and many have followed her since, around 5% of our players over the years have made it into a higher grade of football. With rising numbers of players at the club and improvement within the women’s football pyramid, we hope to see plenty more of our girls progress into senior football, both at professional and grassroots level.”

**Above:** Euxton Girls in action – something which everyone hopes will be able again to happen before too long. **Photo** **via:** Michael Taylor.

Coronavirus has had a massive impact on life in the country and Euxton Girls have had to work their way through it too: “It’s been tough for everyone, Football was missed by everyone, especially the players, but we were very much on the front foot to get back and stay back safely, there is extra work but it’s worth it to get that hour in the week and a game on a Saturday or a Sunday to enjoy and see their teammates and a sense of normality on the pitch.”

“Lockdown was tough to start with but I think we did well all things considered, All the coaches were constantly in touch with their teams and each other, at least every week with quizzes, online training sessions and meetups etc. The club also did weekly online quizzes across social media with different themes such as Blockbusters and A Question of Sport, and amazingly we managed to get our club sticker book launched, online, which went down a real storm with all the girls.”

Apart from coronavirus, there are other challenges at the club as Michael highlights: “The biggest challenge now is the lack of facilities, pitches, and winter training especially as the club grows and less are available due to various reasons, we lost one of our pitches earlier in the year to housing development for example.”

That growth is incredible and the achievements of these ever growing number of Euxton Girls teams is phenomenal: “We started into lockdown with fourteen teams, we now have seventeen, with the addition of two new U9s and an Open age team during lockdown. Our last season’s u12s West team just won the Lancashire FA Cup in October, delayed from May, which is the highest achievement since our then U15s beat Manchester City to the league title back in the day. We’ve had tournament wins at Flamingo Land, Blackpool, Bispham and Skelmersdale national tournament as well as League wins in recent years in the West Lancs league. We currently have six of our older teams in contention for League honours.”

**Above:** Lisa Topping, sponsored by *Impetus* (back row in tracksuit) with a group of Euxton Girls players. **Photo via:** Michael Taylor.

Like every club, Euxton Girls have a wonderful group of volunteers, without whom they could not function. Michael highlights some the club’s real stalwarts: “Antonia, our U10’s West team coach especially stands out, she works with a few of the teams from the U9’s to the open age, she is fantastic at what she does and has been a real asset with the our newer female coaches to bring them up to speed with their teams and training and mentor them without the FA courses being available as yet. She’s due to go to America coaching later on this year and will be sorely missed. We wish her every success on her journey.”

“Maisie is another standout from our 16s team. She also plays for our U18s and helps to coach one of our U13s as well as leading our youth council which was cut short, both these girls are great role models to all the girls and fantastic examples of what the club is about.”

We ended our conversation by examining what the club’s aims are over the next few years: “The immediate aim is stability and recover lost ground, we’re in a good position and have some good things going on later this year all being well. The main aim is to get the conveyor belt going from the Wildcats upwards, we would like to see girls progress through the ranks to open age, if not via a player pathway with a club such as Chorley Women, to a higher level. It would be good to see more of our former players coming back into coaching their own teams as well and get more female coaches onto the books. If we can get to twenty teams by our 20^th birthday next year, that would be a fantastic achievement, facilities and coaches pending of course.”

**Above:** Lisa Topping of Chorley Women and formerly of Euxton Girls – proudly sponsored by *Impetus*. **Artwork:** Graphics by PW.

The View From France

Jean-Pierre Thiesset rounds up all the action from the thirteenth week of action in D1 Arkema, French women’s football’s top flight and updates us with all the transfer news around the division.

Olympique Lyonnais won away from home 5–0 against Paris FC. With the return of Selma Bacha (one decisive pass and involved at the start of the move which was concluded with a wonderful goal from Amel Majri) and Nikita Parris (two goals and one decisive pass) as starters, Lyon did not leave any chance to Paris FC by scoring twice in the opening eleven minutes of the match.

**Above:** Selma Bacha who played an influential role in Olympique Lyonnais’ opening goal. **Photo:** Damien LG via @OLFeminin

Lyon finally found their dominant form again and produced a very good performance. The scorers were: Dezsnifer Marozsän (7), Nikita Parris (11, 66), Amel Majri (33) with a wonderful bicycle kick and Wendie Renard (73) with a left foot kick and not a header as usual.

Bordeaux consolidated third place in the table by winning 7-1 at Reims. Bordeaux dominated the match from the beginning to the end, completely suffocating Reims, which were never able to really worry their visitors despite scoring a goal at the end of the first half. Goals from Inès Jaurena (5), Khadija Shaw (10, 40, 66), Maëlle Garbino (17, 53), Claire Lavogez (76). Mélissa Gomes (45) reduced the score for Reims. Khadija Shaw’s two goals ensure she stays top of the goal scorers chart in D1 Arkema. She has now scored seventeen goals. Bordeaux are now six points ahead of Montpellier, who seems to have already lost the battle for the third place.

Dijon won 3–2 at home against Soyaux. Dijon’s scorers were Shnia Demetrice Gordan (45, 68), Léa Khelifi (85). Marie-Charlotte Léger (61 penalty) and Nina Stapelfeldt (66) scored for Soyaux. This is a good result for Dijon who continues to pull themselves away from the bottom of the table being now nine points ahead of third from bottom. It is not such good news for Soyaux. They have now not won since their victory at Le Havre on October 2^nd, 2020, ten games ago. They have lost eight and drawn one in this period. Furthermore, Le Havre who are bottom, two points behind Soyaux have a game in hand on them as do Issy who are tied with them on seven points.

Paris St. Germain won 5-0 away to Guingamp. PSG are still league leaders, one point ahead of Lyon. By scoring very early in the game they shown to Guingamp how much they wanted to win. Goals from Sandy Baltimore (6), Marie-Antoinette Katoto (11, 56), Kadidiatou Diani (19) and Jordyn Huitema (85) earned the win. It seems that we will have to wait for the game between Olympique Lyon and Paris St. Germain to know who will win D1 Arkema this year.

The two other games both finished 0-0 draw – Montpellier at home against Fleury (with a red card for Montpellier’s Dominika Skorvankova after sixty-six minutes) and Le Havre at home against Issy.

The D1 ARKEMA table now looks like this:

	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts	GD
Paris St. Germain	13	12	1	0	51	2	37	+ 49
Olympique Lyonnais	13	12	0	1	48	4	36	+ 44
Bordeaux	13	8	2	3	32	14	26	+ 18
Montpellier	13	6	2	5	16	20	20	– 4
Fleury	12	5	4	3	11	16	19	– 5
Paris FC	13	5	3	5	21	22	18	– 1
Dijon	12	5	1	6	15	22	16	– 7
Guingamp	13	5	1	7	19	22	16	– 3
Reims	13	3	2	8	17	30	11	– 13
Issy	12	2	1	9	8	53	7	– 45
Soyaux	13	2	1	10	9	29	7	– 20
Le Havre	12	1	2	9	10	23	5	– 13

**Above:** Nikita Parris in action against Paris FC at the weekend against whom she scored. **Photo:** Damien LG via @OLFeminin

Other news from Olympique Lyonnais team:

Newly arrived Lyon player Catarina Macario, made her debut for the USNWT in the weekend against Colombia. She put in an outstanding performance, scoring the first goal in the USA’s 6-0 win and was voted player of the match. We are so lucky to have her in Lyon and I cannot wait to see her play with OL team.

As expected last week, defensive midfielder Damaris Egurolla signed a three and a half year contract with the club which will start on January 20, 2021 and run until June 30, 2024.

According to Jean-Luc Vasseur, Lyon coach, there will be several other players coming to Lyon soon. Now we can say that Lyon is definitively busy in the transfer market this winter.

D1 ARKEMA January transfers:

TEAMS	ARRIVALS	DEPARTURES
PARIS SG	Aminata Diallo (Utah Royals, USA, end of loan)	Aminata Diallo (Atlético de Madrid, Spain, loan)
OLYMPIQUE LYONNAIS	Catarina Macario (Standford University, USA), Damaris Egurrola (Everton FC, England)	Manon Revelli (Servette Chênois FC, Switzerland, loan)
BORDEAUX	Svava Rós Guðmundsdóttir (Kristianstads DFF, Sweden), Malia Berkely (Florida State University, USA)	Marine Perea (Soyaux, loan), Elena Linari (AS Roma, Italia)
MONTPELLIER	None	Marie-Charlotte Léger (Soyaux, loan)
FLEURY	Michelle De Jongh (Vittsjö GIK, Sweden), Kamilla Karlsen (Bröndby IF, Denmark), Emmeline Mainguy (SSD Napoli, Italia)	Laëtitia Philippe (GPSO Issy, loan)
SOYAUX	Marie-Charlotte Léger (Montpellier, loan), Kelly Gadea (FC Sevilla, Spain), Marine Perea (Bordeaux, loan)	None
LE HAVRE	Andrea Rán Snæfeld Hauksdóttir (Breidablik, Island, loan)	None
ISSY	Laëtitia Philippe (Fleury, loan)	Ariana Mondiri (USA)

There have been no transfer activity so far for the other teams.

Glory For Perth As First Point Earned

Canberra United 1–1 Perth Glory

By Ben Gilby

Perth Glory picked up their first point of the season by gaining an outstanding draw away from home to unbeaten Canberra United in a game played in 38^oc heat at Viking Park.

**Above:** Perth Glory celebrate Elizabeth Anton’s goal. **Photo:** @PerthGloryFC

Canberra United star Grace Maher was celebrating her fiftieth W League start as her team went looking for the win which would take them back to the top of the W League table.

Glory were rocked midweek by the news that their outstanding player so far this season, Gemma Craine has been ruled out for the rest of the campaign due to a hamstring injury. Coming into the team for her first start was sixteen year-old local product Tijan McKenna, still at school, made first start for Perth Glory.

The Lime Green Machine started on the front foot, and within two minutes Michelle Heyman managed to get on the end of a long ball down the right but Glory defender Elizabeth Anton made a great clearance for a throw.

They came again three minutes later when Emma Ilijoski was played in by Nikki Flannery and put in a dangerous ball which Heyman juggled and try to get a shot away but the Perth defence did their job well.

Heyman got through once more after the ten minute mark by a great ball from Flannery. Her first touch was not as good as she would have hoped for which allowed Sarah Carroll to put the ball behind for a corner.

Just before the quarter of an hour mark, Canberra’s New Zealand international Paige Satchell danced through several attempted Perth tackles to fire in a low shot which Lily Alfeld got down to well to push the ball out for a corner at the left hand post.

Canberra were well on top at this stage and earned another corner when Tijan McKenna ended another attack by putting the ball behind. Maher’s flag kick was well dealt with once more.

It took Perth until the twenty-third minute to get near the home penalty area thanks to a run from Kat Jukic. She found McKenna who tried to turn Satchell but lost possession.

Just before the half-hour mark, Lauren Keir played through an inch perfect ball to Heyman, but the Canberra star hit her shot disappointingly wide of the left hand post.

**Above**: Michelle Heyman hit an effort wide when through on goal. **Photo:** @CanberraUnited.

Perth were defending superbly well against a Canberra side who have such a dangerous forward line. If the Western Australians could add some more forward momentum, they could quickly ensure the frustration would grow within the team from the nation’s capital.

Five minutes before the break, another Canberra chance went begging when Heyman played a square ball into Isabella Foletta just outside the box and her rocket effort just went over.

Straight down the other end and Perth fashioned their best effort to date. Caitlin Doeglas played a ball in from the left to Marianna Tabain. She took a touch and hit an effort which was parried by Chantel Jones in the Canberra goal before Emma Ilijoski hacked clear.

The final chance of the opening half fell the home sides way when Kier put Ilijoski in down the left. Glory teenager McKenna looked to have held her off well before giving away a free kick. Maher’s ball in was comfortably held by Alfeld.

Perth began the second half having far more of the ball offensively. Six minutes into the half, Caitlin Doeglas hit a dangerous ball away to Malia Steinmetz who returned the favour with a pass back to Doeglas that allowed her to race clear of the home defence before being ruled offside.

Canberra responded with three rapid opportunities. Lily Alfeld needed to be alert to make a save from Nikki Flannery’s header after a corner. Then, Grace Maher laid off a lovely pass to Paige Satchell, who was being watched by Kiwi head coach Tom Sermanni. Her ball in found Heyman but she was well marshalled by Malia Steinmetz for Perth. Sarah Carroll then conceded a free kick which led to Maher firing an effort which Alfeld pushed away.

**Above:** Perth’s Tijan McKenna (far left) on her first start for the club at the age of sixteen watches on as team-mate Malia Steiinmetz puts a tackle in. **Photo:** @CanberraUnited

The heat then began to take its toll with chances at a premium ahead of the final quarter of an hour.

With ten minutes to go, Perth Glory won their first corner of the game. Deborah-Ann De la Harpe played the ball in and sub Patricia Charalambous got two efforts away but both were blocked by the Canberra defence.

Perth threatened again and a throw in found Hana Lowry. The seventeen year-old dinked a ball in which Jones failed to deal with which allowed Charalabous to earn another chance which couldn’t find the target.

Canberra responded instantly when Laura Hughes hit an effort narrowly wide of the left hand post.

With five minutes left, Perth won a free kick after Nikki Flannery was adjudged to have pushed Charalambous. De la Harpe’s ball in found Lowry who back heeled an effort which deflected into the path of Elizabeth Anton whose effort rolled in.

Straight from the kick off though, Canberra levelled. Demi Koulizakis found Hayley Taylor-Young and the substitute’s shot came off the right post then rolled along to hit the left hand one and bounce over the line with Michelle Heyman then adding a touch.

**Above:** Less than a minute after falling behind, Canberra were celebrating Hayley Taylor-Young’s leveller. **Photo:** @CanberraUnited

After that flurry of two goals in less than a minute the remainder of the game rather petered out and there is absolutely no doubt that, although disappointed to have conceded so quickly after taking the lead, Perth will be the happier with the outcome.

Perth Glory captain Tash Rigby, who was celebrating her 28^th birthday said: “We’re so happy. We wanted to go out and nail every action and intimidate with our actions. We are stoked with the result. We were pretty knackered with the heat, but then again we’re used to it in Perth.”

Canberra United head coach Vicki Linton was, perhaps not quite as happy: “We needed to make the most of our possession and chances and we didn’t. We knew Perth could hurt us. It was about concentration for us, which was hard in the heat.”

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

Scorers: Taylor-Young 87.

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

Scorers: Anton 86.

Referee: Rebecca Durcau.

Attendance: 1,041.

	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts	GD
Sydney FC	3	3	0	0	7	1	9	+ 6
Adelaide United	4	3	0	1	8	6	9	+ 2
Canberra United	3	2	2	0	8	6	8	+ 2
Brisbane Roar	5	1	4	0	8	2	6	+ 4
Newcastle Jets	4	1	1	2	7	6	4	+ 1
Melbourne Victory	4	1	1	2	8	9	4	– 1
Melbourne City	5	1	1	3	5	12	4	– 7
Western Sydney Wanderers	4	1	0	3	3	10	3	– 7
Perth Glory	3	0	1	2	2	4	1	– 2

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.

Allan Adds Fuel To Jets’ Fire

Newcastle Jets 4–1 Western Sydney Wanderers

By Kieran Yap.

At the inconspicuously named Number Two Sportsground in Newcastle, the Jets hosted the Wanderers in search of their first win of the season and revenge for a 2-1 loss a few weeks prior.

What transpired was an eventful, entertaining, fast paced and sometimes ill-tempered match that had everything a neutral fan could want.

Newcastle started with an unchanged line-up, lead from the front by the in-form Tara Andrews and an midfield anchored by Alisha Bass and Cass Davis in support of Rhianna Poccicina, Sunny Franco and Lauren Allen.

The Wanderers’ Rosie Galea scored a brace in the previous encounter and they would have been hopeful of another win in what has been a difficult start to the season.

The game was fast paced from the start, both teams looked to attack and make the most of their wingers, Georgia Yeoman-Dale looked dangerous early, testing out the Jets fullback Tessa Tamplin and getting in the first cross of the afternoon but it was the Jets who struck first.

Just seven minutes in, Rhianna Pollicina received the ball in space and had the time and skill to slide a pass beyond the Wanderers defenders and into the path of the fleet-footed Lauren Allen. The Jets winger took what looked to be a heavy first touch but had enough pace to be in control, her second touch was a flick of the right boot to put the ball beyond Courtney Newbon to score.

**Above:** Lauren Allan celebrates her first strike for Newcastle Jets against Western Sydney Wanderers. **Photo:** @NewcastleJetsFC

Western Sydney hit back almost immediately, Yeoman-Dale picked up a loose ball just inside half way and a burst of acceleration took her into space on the left wing, she cut inside and unleashed a strike in the net from the edge of the box that left Claire Coelho with no chance.

The game momentarily became tense but no less entertaining, a tussle between Galea and Hannah Brewer resulted in both players being yellow carded and Newcastle sent wave after waves of attack at the Wanderers. If not for Newbon saving spectacularly from an Andrews free kick they would have conceded again.

Sunny Franco has been in stellar form and demanded attention, but she was lucky that her reaction to Nikola Orgill’s shove went unpinished. She kicked out at the defender fortunately for both players the missed but made her frustrations known by throwing the ball at the back of Orgill’s head as she walked away. She was surprisingly not carded but the Jets had a free kick in a dangerous area.

The ball was floated into the box by Gemma Simon, Newbon was forced to come for it but collided with Orgill and Andrews managed to flick it on, Lauren Allen jumped highest and headed into the net for her second goal. Newcastle were 2-1 up. In the chaos Orgill was collected by her ‘keeper and momentarily went off to test for possible concussion.

**Above:** Sunny Franco (second right) jumps high to join the Newcastle celebrations. **Photo:** @NewcastleJetsFC

Newcastle had the momentum, another clever Pollicina pass was touched just wide by Sunny Franco who had snuck behind the defense with Allen leaving Newbon stranded and relieved to see it miss.

By half time The Jets were 3-1 up, another high ball into the area, this time from Tessa Tamplin should have been easily collected by Newbon but it was uncharacteristically fumbled, the ball dropped almost directly onto the boot of Tara Andrews and the number nine needed no second invitation to score for the fourth game in a row.

The second half was more of the same from a confident and dominant Jets team. Tara Andrews was putting on a clinic of forward play, she slipped in a brilliant pass for Allen again but under pressure the shot bobbled wide.

In the 53^rd minute Gemma Simon got on the score sheet, the Jets captain drifted forward and got onto the end of a Hannah Brewer long pass, she rounded the ‘keeper and tapped in for a rare goal.

Andrews remained the most dangerous player until she was substituted for a well earned rest, she again fed the ball into the path of Allen who took it past Newbon but the ball ran out and she was denied a third goal.

**Above:** Tara Andrews competes with Wanderers keeper Courtney Newbon. **Photo:** @NewcastleJetsFC

The score remained at 4-1 until the final whistle, Newcastle have scored in every game but this was their first win of the season. They had been quiet in a pre-season absent of big news or major signings but have been impressive in 2021. Any worries about potential off field turmoil have not affected Ash Wilson’s well-balanced and entertaining team.

They might not be the team to beat just yet but they are a team to watch, their home ground remains named Number Two Sportsground for the time being but if her form continues they might want to rename it The Tara Andrews Stage.

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

Scorers: Allan 8, 33. Andrews 44. Simon 53.

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

Scorer: Yeoman-Dale 11.

Referee: Casey Reibelt.

Brisbane Find Their Roar At Last

Brisbane Roar 6–0 Melbourne Victory

By Kris Goman

This game, played at the Gold Coast Sports Centre, rather than within Brisbane, looked to provide a fascinating match-up. The Roar have had four draws in a row which is previously unheard of. On paper I personally thought they’d be the team to beat not the team to draw with. Victory thrashed last year’s champions, Melbourne City, two weeks ago in a record breaking match but then were beaten, but only just, last week by the same team in the reverse derby.

Thankfully Victory haven’t brought the men’s active support with them tonight after the disgraceful incident last week with some individuals throwing bottles onto the pitch. The Roar Corps, the Brisbane Roar women’s active support have set up in the corner and look the part.

Katrina Gorry isn’t playing tonight and the Roar midfield may suffer as a result but we’ll see. It’s only Gorry and Emily Gielnik that have scored for the Roar to date so her talents and long range bombs will be missed. But Tameka Yallop is back in and brings her own talents. Lisa De Vanna is still out for Victory so it seems even.

**Above:** Brisbane Roar’s Jamilla Rankin causing problems down the flank. **Photo:** @brisbaneroar

Victory kick off. Roar get a couple of corners after Mariel Hecher takes a run down the right but both come to naught.

Kyra Cooney-Cross tries a very long range shot from the right but it’s not on target and doesn’t have enough on it to worry Worth.
A slightly slow play back to Georgina Worth sees Polly Doran rush the keeper but Worth clears it just in time.

Victory pressed again and Cooney-Cross takes another long shot and it’s deflected out by Worth for a corner. The corner goes straight out in a wasted opportunity for Victory. Amy Jackson comes through on the burst and takes a shot but it’s deflected out again safely.

On a transition, Victory keeper Gabriella Ganton and Gielnik are both rushing for the ball. Ganton just wins and clears.

At 26 minutes, Roar make Victory pay for an inability to take chances when Matildas star Gielnik crosses the ball to Hecher who taps it in for her first W League goal. Roar take the lead 1-0.

**Above:** Mariel Hecher celebrates her goal for Brisbane. **Photo:** @brisbaneroar

Victory have a pretty sharp passing game when they have possession but they aren’t always keeping possession.

Brisbane came again and Gielnik flicks a ball forward in the box to Yallop and it’s looking dangerous but Ganton throws herself on it to avoid another goal.

Claudia Bunge gets a cross in from the right and Cooney-Cross can’t control her first touch so doesn’t get the opportunity to shoot. Catherine Zimmerman takes another crack but it’s foiled too. It was a good push by Victory who certainly aren’t giving up.

Sharn Freier dribbles down the left then passes to Gielnik who smashes it straight into the stomach of one of the Victory defence then pushes her over. There’s no penalty or whistle and the game moves on. Sometime after, Olivia Chance then gets another shot directly in front and gets some pace on it but Ganton tips it over spectacularly for a corner.

The corner comes to the near post and is cleared by Victory to Yallop who twists and turns and gets a shot away which connects with the left post and bounces in to double Brisbane’s lead. The Roar are finally looking like the team we all think they should be and Yallop gets her first goal of the season.

**Above:** A banner supporting Brisbane Roar’s Kiwi star Olivia Chance on Friday night. **Photo:** @brisbaneroar.

Victory continue to attack and a cross comes to Melinda Ayres who tries a bicycle kick but she doesn’t quite get the direction or power right and it’s safe with the keeper. Still looked pretty impressive though.

Back up the other end and Chance sends through a perfect pass to Gielnik on the right on the box. She sends the ball across the face of the goal but no one is there to redirect it.

Clare Polkinghorne comes up from the back to midfield and drives the ball up the middle into the box for Gielnik but she can’t beat Ganton to the ball this time.
Just before half time, Yallop goes down and requires treatment and two minutes of extra time is added. The ball is given back to Victory but nothing much comes of it and the half time whistle blows.

It’s now the second half and Yallop is back on and seems to be OK. There’s a number of possession changes and Polkinghorne is back up the field again and once more feeds Gielnik but she’s offside this time.

Shortly afterwards, we find Cooney-Cross with the ball in the box dancing around Winonah Heatley before she crosses it. Amy Jackson can’t quite reach it but it continues on to Melina Ayres who smashes it into the crossbar and it flicks over and out.

Brisbane make the same play twice with Hecher bringing the ball down the centre or right, passing to Yallop then crossing to Gielnik. The second time Gielnik is by the near post but can’t get it in and misses goal. It’s a successful tactic but just isn’t finishing as hoped.

Brisbane push on again and a very long and perfectly weighted ball arrives to Gielnik in the box but she wasn’t quite expecting it and Ganton grabs it before she can get there.

A little later, Brisbane get a corner and Mariel Hecher takes it. She lobs it to Gielnik who has to almost dive to head it behind her and it bounces onto the crossbar and out. She can’t take a trick tonight.

**Above:** There was plenty to get the Brisbane fans roaring on the Gold Coast. **Photo:** @brisbaneroar

Kyra Cooney-Cross gets another run up the centre towards the box and sends it right to Privatelli who crosses. It is right across the face of goal but no one is there in time and it’s a goal kick for Brisbane.

Victory are pressing quite high and get possession back. Beard brings it forward, lays it off then gets it back on a run into the box. She gets a solid on-target shot away but it’s straight into the arms of Georgina Worth. Probably Victory’s best attempt to date.

A ball down the right sees a Hecher cross. It misses a couple of players but Sharn Freier brings it under control, dribbles around the defence to get a clear shot and fires a bullet to the far post from the left. It goes straight past Ganton into the back of the net. 3-0 and Brisbane consolidates their position. It’s a long way back for Victory now, who were looking pretty gung ho immediately prior to that goal.

A Brisbane free kick by Isobel Dalton on the left is played to an unmarked Olivia Chance in the middle. She lobs it over the wall to Yallop who gets her foot to it but it just goes over the crossbar in a heart stopping moment for Victory.

At 74 minutes there’s another free kick from almost exactly the same spot as the last one and Dalton is taking it again. This time it’s straight into the box and onto Gielnik’s head. She’s to the far left of goal and somehow flicks it up so that it lands on the top right of goal evading Ganton’s outstretched glove and hits the back of the net. 4-0 and Gielnik gets a well-deserved goal after many close attempts. Brisbane have an unassailable lead.

**Above:** Two more goals for Emily Gielnik against Melbourne Victory. **Photo:** @brisbaneroar

At 79 minutes Yallop brings the ball down the middle into the box and evades two defenders, shoots but hits the crossbar. It rebounds to the left of Hecher who takes a high left footed kick and it just dribbles past Ganton, who hasn’t recovered from Yallop’s shot yet, and into goal but the flag goes up for offside against Hecher.

Chance also gets a shot on goal from the left which clears the crossbar but forces a big air jump by Ganton.

In the dying minutes of the game, Victory are pressing again to no avail when Anna Margraf takes the ball down the right for Brisbane. She sends a long switch to Gielnik, right in front of goal. She just gets past Ganton who’s on the ground but she skies it into the large fence behind goals.

In the last minute of normal time, Victory are once again pressing. In a repeat of what just happened, Margraf sends another long ball to the centre which is picked up by Gielnik just past half way. She beats her marker and is in the clear with just Ganton between her and the goal. She has an unchallenged run into the box. Ganton comes out but Gielnik takes her time and tucks it past on the left for the long awaited fifth goal. It’s now 5-0 after 90:22 minutes.

With stoppage time ticking on, Victory’s Mindy Barbieri manages to get a yellow for taking out Torpey in what must be her first touch of the match and a free kick is awarded to Brisbane. Dalton goes for goal. It hits Ganton’s glove then onto the crossbar and bounces onto Heatley’s shoulder, who has rushed in front of goal, and she nudges it in for the sixth. Now Victory really know how Melbourne City felt on the end of a 6-0 thrashing.

**Above:** (from left to right) Kim Carroll, Georgina Worth and Clare Polkinghorne celebrate with Winonah Heatley after she completed the rout. **Photo:** @brisbaneroar.

Brisbane have finally answered all the questions that have been asked about their performance. It was a dominating win showing no mercy. Ganton made some good saves but if Roar were a little more clinical it could have easily been 10-0. I doubt too many Roar fans are complaining though.

The Roar have obviously been working on their attack as their defence hasn’t really had any problem to date. The linking through the midfield was on point tonight. Gielnik’s positioning was causing all sorts of problems for the Victory defence and Yallop and Hecher kept them on their toes too. They all look sharp and are working as a team which is what was lacking a bit before. On this performance, they really do look the team to beat but have they left their run too late, five games into the season? I guess anything can happen as has been shown numerous times already this season.

Teams: BRISBANE ROAR: Worth, Heatley, Rankin, Polkinghorne, Carroll, Dalton, Hecher, Chance, Freier, Gielnik, Yallop. Substitutes: Aquino (GK), Torpey, Horsey, Margraf, McKenna.

Scorers: Hecher 26. Yallop 39. Freier 64. Gielnik 76, 90+1. Heatley 90+5.

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

Referee: Lara Lee.

Attendance: 1,455.

Big Statement From Reds

Adelaide United 2–1 Melbourne City

By Kieran Yap.

Adelaide entered this round hoping to win three in a row but were missing American star Mallory Weber. Melbourne City were without talismanic defender Jenna McCormick but were brimming with confidence after their win in the derby last week. City had never lost to the Reds, but they had also never played in them in Adelaide before.

Both teams began aggressively, Alex Chidiac was threatening early and in the tenth minute bustled and tricked her way through four Adelaide defenders but could only find the side netting after running slightly wide.

**Above:** Alex Chidiac’s (centre) best efforts were not enough to prevent Melbourne City’s defeat. **Photo:** @MelbourneCity

City tried to defy the 32 degree heat and press Adelaide the way they did Victory the week before and although they created some turnovers in dangerous positions, the Adelaide defence were able to deal with it although on a couple of occasions they had to resort to a cheeky professional foul.

With City playing both Rhali Dobson and Harriet Withers on the flanks it meant that last week’s attacking revelation Charlotte Grant was forced to play much more defensively. While last week her pace going forward was electrifying this week she utilized it to keep tabs on the two speedsters who were vital in last week’s derby win.

The press was working and the Reds were having trouble passing the ball through midfield so in the 31^st minute they bypassed it completely to open the scoring. A long ball from a free kick deep in defence fell to Fiona Worts who exchanged passes with Maria Rojas before slipping a ball behind the City defence. Adelaide captain Dylan Holmes raced onto it and skipped around Teagan Micah in goals to finish into an empty net.

**Above:** Adelaide Untied celebrate Dylan Holmes’ strike. **Photo:** @AUFCWomen

After the goal, Adelaide enjoyed their best period of the game, Worts delighted the crowd with a fluid 360^o move to show that Cote Rojas is not the only Red with a bag of tricks and soon after saw her looping header bounce off the crossbar.

City kept trying though. Shinatsu Kira drew a free kick in a dangerous area around 20 yards out from goal and took it herself. She curled the shot around the wall and it looked destined for the top corner but somehow the Reds ‘keeper Fryer-McLaren managed to dive high, stretch out and save spectacularly. Kira already had her arms raised in celebration, she adapted smoothly to put her hands to her head in dismay in the way you might when you wave to somebody and then realize you don’t know them.

City were again unlucky not to equalize when Rhali Dobson’s well struck volley crashed off the post and Chidiac couldn’t keep the rebound down. Emma checker had the last meaningful chance from a corner, her header just whizzed over the bar.

The second half was end to end football, Melbourne City were pushing for an equalizer and Adelaide trying to counter-attack and slip more passes beyond the defenders. Again Adelaide were the ones to score and like the opener it was seemingly out of nothing. Hollie Palmer collected the ball in midfield and was looking for play the ball forward for City as she had done effectively most of the game. Dylan Holmes dispossessed her solidly and while the Melbourne defence were back peddling into position she unleashed a missile of a shot into the bottom corner from long range. The captain had a brace and Adelaide looked to be on their way to a historic first win over City.

**Above:** Dylan Holmes fires in hers and Adelaide United’s second goal of the evening. **Photo:** @AUFCWomen

The visitors kept trying but when Rhali Dobson was substituted after a clearance hit her in the face they lost one of their most dangerous attacking threats. Adelaide grew in confidence and although they were without large percentages of possession they looked in control of the game. Rojas had limited chances to get on the score sheet but should make the highlight reel with a joyous juggle between defenders. She eventually fell on the ball, but somehow turned, shielded it and moved it along.

Two minutes into extra time, Palmer made amends for her earlier mistake and delivered a precision free kick onto the head of Emma Checker who scored her first of the season. It was a deliberate set piece, Palmer gave a signal, curled the ball in and Checker buried the chance to give her team a lifeline late in the game.

**Above:** Adelaide United coach Adrian Stenta has a lot to be proud of as his team push strongly for a first ever finals spot. **Photo:** @AUFCWomen

Adelaide held on in a tense finish, they had won their third game in a row and so far are exceeding all pre-season expectations. They have scored in every encounter so far, often spectacularly and have in Rojas and Worts two of the best signings of the league. They beat Melbourne City for the first time in their history and did it without one of their best players in Mallory Weber. It might be too soon to declare they will make finals, but they certainly look good enough.

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

Scorers: Holmes 31, 53.

MELBOURNE CITY: Micah, Tumeth, Vlajnic, Checker, Johnson, Davidson, Withers, Chidiac, Dobson, Kira, Palmer. Substitutes: Barbieri (GK), Allen, Sardo, Cain, Robinne.

Scorer: Checker 90+3.

Referee: Isabella Blaess.

Attendance: 912.

Tony Gustavsson: Ready To Take The Matildas To The Next Level

Impetus’ Ben Gilby joined a Zoom Conference in the early hours of last weekend to became one of the first non-Australian based writers to ask the new Matildas head coach Tony Gustavsson about his ethos and how he is setting out to develop Australia’s national women’s team. The Swede, who has won Olympic Gold and two World Cups with the USNWT delivered an extremely impressive insight into his beliefs and motivations.

**Above:** *Impetus’ founder Ben Gilby (bottom middle) joins an early morning Zoom Conference with new Matildas head coach Tony Gustavsson (centre) and Ann Odong of Football Australia (top middle).*

Spending three quarters of an hour in the company of Tony Gustavsson emphasises the fact that he is far more than just a hugely successful sports coach. He is a highly articulate and deeply inspirational human being with a clear excitement and passion for his new job as head coach of The Matildas.

He speaks about developing athletes as people and the importance of the human touch rather than just relying on the computer data analysis which is ever prevalent these days. As Tony himself said at the start of the Zoom conference, “My passion is helping people reach their potential.”

Gustavsson revealed how his entry into the big time came about: “It was an unexpected email from my fellow Swede Pia Sundhage, then in charge of the US National Women’s Team (USNWT) just before the 2012 Olympic Games in London which simply said: ‘Hey Tony! I need an assistant coach. Do you want to win an Olympic Gold Medal?’

The new Matildas head coach explained how he has been greatly influenced by strong women role models in his life which is at the heart of his desire to grow women’s football.

“My Mum’s Mum emigrated to the USA at the age of nineteen, and my Dad’s Mum left Stockholm for love and moved to the far north of Sweden in the woods. My Mum is a PE teacher and one of the best role models you can have. She has taught at the same school for forty-two years. My partner and daughter are also so strong. It makes me passionate and if I can help to give a platform for women – great. But this is not about Tony. It’s bigger than that.”

He was quick to recognise that, at present people in Australia know far more about their nation’s women’s footballers than he does despite revealing that he spent “almost twenty hours last week meeting Matildas squad members over Zoom”.

I asked Gustavsson about his priorities for developing the pathway of new young players into the senior Matildas team after several years of age group Australian girls and women’s sides arguably underperforming in international competition: “We need to coach the coaches to educate players into making the best choices. It’s also hugely important to have more international games and camps. To be honest, these players need more players at club level too – it’s all about game minutes at the toughest level. There will be weekly Australian women’s player pathway meetings to help the pathway and development.”

The Swede also made another important observation: “Too many Matildas stop playing international football too early. I want to extend these players’ careers. Players can still play really well at 35 or 40.” Two players that fall into this category, although not specifically mentioned by the coach pop into the mind – Michelle Heyman at 32 and 36 year-old Lisa De Vanna – both of whom are still in top form in the W League this season.

He also made a brief aside about the debate as to whether Australia should wear green or yellow shorts. “Ah! The players all say they want green shorts. If we have to wear yellow shorts sometimes I will tell them to make lots of slide tackles so the yellow shorts will go green from the grass!”

I then asked how Gustavsson sees the gap between Australia and the top women’s sides in the world at present: “People say we can’t compete with the US player pool. I know that when we step on the pitch we can beat them right now. But long term we must invest in order to compete consistently. Things like game management – these are the moments that win and lose games. I’ve won and lost big games – UEFA Women’s Champions League Finals, World Cup Finals. I have some insight.”

**Above:** Tony Gustavsson at his unveiling as new Matildas head coach at the end of last year. **Photo:** @TheMatildas

“It’s about not conceding unnecessary fouls and unnecessary times of the game. We will face these countries in the later stages of tournaments. There it will be about small margins – physical and mental strength and the need to make sure we peak after four or five weeks in camp together.”

“The thing is we need to have twenty-three players, not eleven. The starting eleven in a Quarter-Final or Semi-Final will not be the same as the starting eleven from the first group game.”

Gustavsson then spoke about motivating and aiding young players: “You need to always remember what made you fall in love with the game. It will be tough, there won’t be a red carpet all the time. You need to try and take the burden off of your shoulders by having good support networks. You should love yourself as well the game. You need to have the passion of getting one day better, not one day older.”

“I feel that I have to make sure that I am passionate about getting better at my job too. If I’m not passionate about getting better, how can I ask my players to get better? You know, sometimes you get blinded by winning. Winning often can come at the expense of getting better. It is all about what you do when no-one is watching you.”

“Also, just think of the number of times the first question you ask after a match is ‘What was the result?’ Instead, we should ask ‘What did you learn from the game?’ “

In order to ensure his teams get consistently better, Gustavsson spoke about how he tries to split football into four different games: “You have to be the best technical team, win the tactical battle – what I call ‘The green field of chess’, have the best endurance and the strongest mental game. All of these are the keys.”

A strong mental approach is something that he himself uses in preparing for games – as Gustavsson revealed what he gets up to in the dressing room on his own whilst the players are warming up on the pitch: “I do my own warm up. I lie down on the bench in the room and play the game in my head. I paint different scenarios on what might happen. I also do some mindfulness reading.”

The Swede admits that making mistakes and losing is part of getting better: “Look, for me, failure is the first step to success. For me we never lose. We either win or we learn.”

In terms of learning, Gustavsson has an interesting philosophy about the use of data analysis, something which has a growing role in the game: “At Hammarby I worked with a top data analyst and he had lots of key performance indicators for the players. But I trained as a Maths and PE teacher, so I like to remind people that we work with humans. There is not a magic formula that can tell me which human I should pick to play football in what position on the field. Don’t get me wrong, we can lose important information if we don’t use data at all, but we are humans first. We have eyes to analyse with!”

Tony’s belief in transforming players as humans comes from his time in the USA: “A brain researcher once said that a star is distinguished from an average person because of a drive to achieve more and to put the work in. I believe that you have one important skill that no-one else has. It’s being you. Be proud of you. Showcase you – not someone else.”

**Above:** Tony Gustavsson with Australian international Caitlin Foord of Arsenal. **Photo:** @TheMatildas

“We should talk about five success criteria – the five c’s: competence, confidence, connections (with team mates and coaches), care and creativity. As well I talk about an approach called ‘STAR’ – See, Think, Act, Repeat.”

There is no doubt that the Matildas have has the players to potentially win a World Cup for a few years now. The discussion with Tony Gustavsson reveals that they now have a coach to potentially take them to a World Cup win too. His philosophy, motivation and sheer enthusiasm for what he does and for his four years ahead with the Matildas is obvious.

If you have any queries about your order, please email sales@chickensalt.co.uk

Harriet Meers: Lots To Look Forward To In 2021

Just before Christmas, Impetus announced it was sponsoring Wroxham Women defender Harriet Meers. In the first of our regular catch-ups with Harriet, she talks to Ben Gilby about her footballing journey so far.

Harriet began our conversation by introducing herself briefly to us:“I was born in 2000 (I am 20 years old) and was brought up in Ipswich and haven’t moved far until university where I study Biomedicine in Norwich at the University of East Anglia. I will also look to complete a Masters as a Physicians Associate when I qualify. Alongside my studies I have two part time jobs to keep me busy, especially during the pandemic! Although, I have to say, most of my life seems to revolve around football, that’s where my friendship groups are too!”

**Above:** Harriet in action for the University of East Anglia. **Photo via:** Harriet Meers.

In terms of her introduction to football, Harriet admits that she was a late starter: “I was quite late to football, considering most of the players I play with started as soon as they could walk, and I first joined a team at the age of fifteen. In my area and school as a child there never seemed to be the opportunity for girls unless you wanted to play alongside the boys, and even that opportunity wasn’t there unless you started as a little one! I helped on match days with my brother’s team and started attending a girls weekly turn up and play and that’s when the club Kesgrave started their first female football team. I played for fun in midfield roles and was captain of the team until the team parted due to various commitments three seasons later.”

“This was a pivotal point for me as I could have stopped playing but under the encouragement of my Dad, I started training with a new team, East Bergholt at ladies open age. In my first season with East Bergholt I found myself in the new position of right back and as a team, we went on to win the Suffolk Cup and League double. I then went to university but carried on playing matches with East Bergholt and we managed to get the double titles for a second season running! At this point the team mutually decided to take promotion into the Eastern Region League but due to becoming captain for the university team and travel problems I decided to focus on university BUCS football and take a season out from Sunday league. I took on the role of captain as the team got promoted so it was a challenging year ensuring we kept our position in the league, of which was success!”

**Above:** Harriet early in her footballing career with East Bergholt. **Photo via:** Harriet Meers.

“Due to the coronavirus restrictions the 20/21 season looked like it would have a BUCS sized gap in and I may not get to play much football. With this in mind I joined a local team Kesgrave Kestrels for game time to improve my fitness and to get into Sunday league mode again and found myself playing a centre back role which I have thoroughly enjoyed. Having started off the season at university training, I met Bex (Rebecca Burton, Wroxham Women head coach) and after a conversation I got an amazing opportunity to come be part of the Wroxham team just before Christmas. I knew as soon as I was offered to sign I had to take the opportunity as the next step in my football journey into the Eastern Region Premier division.”

Harriet has mentioned the influence of Rebecca Burton, but I wondered who the other key influences on her footballing career have been so far: “As I will say over and over again my Dad has been my biggest supporter and always will be. He started my journey and has kept pushing me when I doubted myself.”

“In high school, I will always remember my PE teacher at the time and football coach, Mr Finch. I didn’t think I was even good enough to use football as one of my GCSE sports but he quite literally forced me to join in with the boys, gave me encouragement and would without a doubt say he played a huge part in my journey so far, I ended up with full marks somehow so guess it wasn’t all bad!”

“There are so many people I could mention here, but the last people I want to mention are Bex and Harry Diggens. At University of East Anglia (UEA) they have given me a fab opportunity and have seen something, albeit God knows what, that’s worth working with. I am really looking forward to a fab season when things can return slightly more to normal!”

**Above:** Harriet is very excited by the opportunity to play for Wroxham. **Photo via:** Rebecca Burton.

In terms of the sponsorship from Impetus, I asked Harriet what difference it will make both personally and professionally to her: “When Bex announced I had received sponsorship I was over the moon, I didn’t expect it to happen, let alone so quickly! As soon as I heard about Impetus and their founder Ben, I was so excited to get on board and have someone who not only can support me financially but to have that one person believe in you makes such a difference. I instantly felt overwhelmed with this sponsorship opportunity and I am super excited to see where this journey takes us! Sponsors support clubs in so many ways, but the support to an individual is priceless and I am so grateful for Impetus and Ben, it definitely makes things easier!”

Life itself at the moment is full of challenges, I wondered what Harriet’s biggest challenge as a footballer has been so far: “My personal biggest challenge as a football has to be my confidence. My Dad has always believed in me, and I have one friend at university, who has always said I was better than I think I was but I have never been able to see it. My Dad even had to ‘persuade’ me to trial for the university team with the offer of new football boots as I was too afraid to go! Without those two I probably wouldn’t be here where I am now. I never would have had the confidence to trial for Wroxham without them! Sometimes you want to impress someone and that’s what inspired me to keep up running and everything over lockdown, when one person tells you they believe in you, when you don’t believe in yourself – that’s priceless and exactly what happened. Bex has helped massively with my confidence and this opportunity is one I will always be grateful for!”

Wroxham have been pushing for a place in the FA Women’s National League for several years now and are known as a well organised and supported club both on and off the pitch. This is something that Harriet agrees with: “Life at Wroxham is so different to anywhere I have been before! The training sessions are super intense, structured and thoroughly enjoyable. I knew Bex was an incredible coach before I started, but the team ambitions and goals are second to none. The club is such a big family and from the moment I came to my first session I felt so welcomed by everyone. Sometimes trialling at a club can be daunting and you can feel isolated but it was far from the case. The girls welcomed me over and got me involved and it didn’t stop at that training session. Right up to the point I signed I had the girls encouraging me.”

Just days after Harriet signed for Wroxham, football was cancelled again due to the coronavirus outbreak. I wondered how disruptive this time has been for her: “Corona virus has really disrupted football, but it has definitely still helped me in some ways. It has been tough not having guaranteed training sessions followed by weekly matches. University football is one of the most important things for me, it’s a great way to socialise, work release and offers a completely different type of football to Sunday league. Coronavirus has meant there has been no BUCS football and we have only had a few training sessions at the beginning of the year. Although with new coaching staff when it resumes its set to be a positive fresh start!”

**Above:** With the national lockdown starting soon after Harriet signed for Wroxham, it’s been a frustrating few weeks, but there’s much to look forward to. **Photo via:** Rebecca Burton.

“Sunday league football has been slightly less affected; however, this new lockdown has put a stop to that. It’s hard not being able to have that kick about, see your mates and have a good training session. After the first lockdown I once again started coaching U14 girl’s football which had its challenges due to the new corona virus guidelines; however, it was so rewarding to see how much the girls enjoyed the return to football. Most importantly for me, the lockdowns have been my personal challenge to improve my fitness and strive for new goals. Although I miss playing football, it has been great to get into running and massively change my fitness goals.”

In terms of footballers that Harriet admires, she’s pretty clear: “It probably sounds a cliché as everyone goes with Lucy Bronze but I think she is an exceptional footballer who has inspired so many, so it is no wonder she has won so many awards, not only for her ability but her personality – it might help she is a fab defender too! It is so important of female pro-footballers to use their platform like Bronze to inspire young girls into the sport!

Whilst Harriet is still in the early stages of her footballing career, I wondered what her aims are over the next few seasons: ”I would like to have solidified my place in the team with Wroxham and look to push for promotion into the FA Women’s National League. On a personal level, I would love to gain more confidence and improve myself as an overall player whilst having a good time! I also look to continue coaching in the girls football pyramid.”

The Chicken Salt Co Partner Impetus’ Coverage of Australian Women’s Football And Offer Readers Exclusive Discounts

We are really pleased to announce that UK based The Chicken Salt Co has begun a partnership with Impetus which will see them support our coverage of Australian Women’s Football and offer our readers an exclusive 5% discount on Chicken Salt orders from their website.

Chicken Salt is an Australian staple and found in all of the nation’s takeaway shops and supermarket shelves with Australians dousing it on their chips and rotisserie chickens.

The Chicken Salt Co is the first and only chip shop chicken salt seller filling a gap in the UK market for the real deal chicken salt you find in local takeaways in Australia… not the supermarket stuff but the real imported wholesaler salt, coarsely grounded and intensely yellow.

As well as their sponsorship of all of Impetus’ Australian Women’s Football coverage, 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.

If you have any queries about your order, please email sales@chickensalt.co.uk

The discount link for Impetus readers will appear on each article on the site related to Australian Women’s Football – whether it be W League, The Matildas, interviews, previews or features.

We thank them for their fantastic support and hope our readers develop a liking for the yellow stuff as much as we do at Impetus HQ!

Yaina Andrew – Looking For Progress At Penryn Athletic

In the latest piece linked to our content sponsorship with seventh tier Penryn Athletic, Ben Gilby spoke player-manager Yaina Andrew about her footballing journey and what’s been going on at the club since we last touched base in December. 19/1/21

**Above:** Penryn Athletic player-manager Yaina Andrew. **Photo via:** Yaina Andrew.

Yaina began our catch up by discussing her own footballing journey: “I was born in Treliske Hospital, Truro in June 1989 and raised in Penryn with my Mum and my Nan.”

“I started playing football with my neighbours when I moved house at the age of 6, I then played in Primary school and secondary school. I joined a local youth team called Falmouth United and then played for Penryn Ladies AFC when I was 14 years old. I then went on to play for Falmouth Ladies, Trevenson Ladies, Mullion Ladies, Mabe Ladies and then back to Penryn Ladies. The reason I had left Penryn originally was because the team folded and no one was available to take it over, Mullion were struggling for players and it was such a long drive that is when I decided to set up Penryn Ladies AFC.”

**Above:** Penryn Athletic’s Yaina Andrew in training. **Photo via:** Yaina Andrew.

“I have so many great memories from football and I can’t imagine my life without it! I have had so many good coaches over the years and was gutted to see them leave because of work commitments or family. My mum has always been my biggest supporter and she still is now. She loves coming to watch, even now she still comes to every home game.”

**Above:** Yaina plays in a corner for Penryn Athletic. **Photo via:** Yaina Andrew.

Off the pitch, I am a PE teacher at Threemilestone Primary School which I absolutely love, I have been there for six years now and the children are absolute super stars. I love spending time with my friends, family and girlfriend, this may involve us shopping, movie nights, partying, pier jumping, snorkelling and walking our two amazing dogs Mya and Rio.”

“My footballing heroes are Ruud Van Nistelrooy and David Beckham and my sporting heroes are Jessica Ennis-Hill, Kelly Holmes and Mo Farah. The reason why these are my sporting heroes are all for the same reason which is great sportsmanship and determination but with a positive attitude and friendly nature.”

We then turned to focus of Yaina’s biggest challenge in the game – interpretation of the rules! “For some reason Woman’s football seems to have different rules according to the referees. We want to be treated as equals, therefore we want the referee to call for a foul throw, a yellow card, a red card and a penalty. It rarely happens at our level of the game. Instead, the referee just plays on!”

**Above:** Yaina is longing to be back training again with her Penryn Athletic squad. **Photo via:** Yaina Andrew.

The last time we spoke to Yaina, Penryn Athletic were looking forward to continuing their strong start to the season in the Earthbound Electric Cornwall Women’s League. However, with a new national lockdown, that has been frustrated. “Nothing much has changed since we last spoke,” Yaina reveals, “We managed to start training again every Sunday for a couple of weeks but Covid has stopped that again, so yeah we’ve been without a match for months now which is absolutely gutting for us because we started the season really well.”

“We also may lose some players after this season because of it being their last year at university here in Cornwall, not the ideal way to go out with a bang. I definitely expected great things with more wins and more goals from myself but that may have to wait until next season now, who knows.”