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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.

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 24^th 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.

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.

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.”

The Swedish Scene

@DandalBs brings us our regular Saturday morning round-up of all the news from the Swedish women’s game. This week, there’s all the news from the Swedish national team in Malta, a wrap of last week’s pre-season friendlies plus all the transfer and injury news from around the country.

**Above:** Fridolina Rolfö (centre) celebrates Sweden’s 6-1 win over Austria in Malta. **Photo:** @svenskfotboll.

Pauline Hammarlund had a minor concussion in training last Friday and didn’t join the Swedish national team in Malta. Rosengård’s Mimmi Larson replaced her. Also suffering with concussion in the national squad is Kosovare Asllani. The Real Madrid medical team have stated that they believe she is far enough into her rehab to join the Swedish team in Malta and complete her rehab there.

Their first game saw a comprehensive 6-1 win over Austria. Linda Sembrant gave the Swedes the lead with a header from a set piece. Virginia Kirschberger levelled shortly after from point blank range before Sweden took over. A run down the right and shot across the goalkeeper saw Fridolina Rolfö give Sweden the lead. A backward header from Lina Hurtig from a corner made it 3-1. It was 4-1 when Rolfö played a clever inside pass to Filippa Angeldahl to shoot into the net. Rolfö made it five when she tapped home a low cross before Sofia Jakobsson completed the rout with a shot across the face of the keeper.

PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY NEWS:

In last weekend’s games, Växjö crushed Kalmar 5-0 thanks to goals from Signs Holt Andersen (2), Emmi Alanen, Ena Mujdzic and Madeline Gotta. Mujdzic is a trialist who previously played with coach Maria Nilsson’s old club Böljan.

Örebro went down 4-1 at home to Linköping. The goals came from Sara Lilja Vidlund for the hosts with Therese Simonsson (2), Frida Maanum and Synne Skinnes Hansen scoring for Linköping.

BK Häcken defeated Kristianstad 2-1 after an open and entertaining game. Kristianstad’s Sveindís Jane Jónsdóttir opened the scoring, Johanna Kaneryd equalised and then Häcken’s winner came after a scrum at a late corner with Filippa Curmark possibly getting the final touch.

Piteå played their second pre-season match against a local boys team, IFK Luleå boys U15. A 2-0 win resulted with goals from Hanna Andersson and Cajsa Hedlund.

Hammarby won the Volkswagen Stockholm Challenge after a very convincing 4-1 defeat of Elitettan (second tier) side Brommapojkarna in the final. Goals by Madelen Janogy (2), Emilia Larsson and an own goal was the difference. Tempest-Marie Norlin scored for Brommapojkarna.

**Above:** Hammarby celebrate their win over Brommapojkarna in the Volkswagen Stockholm Challenge Final. **Photo:** fotbollskanalen.

Newly promoted Damallsvenskan side AIK took third place in the Volkswagen Stockholm Challenge after a 1-0 win over local rivals Djurgården thanks to goal by Honoka Hayashi.

In this weekend’s pre-season friendlies, Eskilstuna United host Örebro, Linköping welcome AIK, Hammarby are home to Elitettan (second tier) side Älvsjö and Vittsjö host Elittan outfit Borgeby.

NEWS IN BRIEF:

Rosengård were drawn against Austrian side St Pölten in the last sixteen of the UEFA Women’s Champions League with the first leg at home.

Eintracht Frankfurt are looking to build a team that can qualify for the UWCL. Sportbuzzer has reported that the German side is trying to sign Wolfsburg’s Swedish star Fridolina Rolfö who has also been linked with clubs in England, Spain and France.

BK Häcken are rumoured to be interested in Juventus’ Swedish international Linda Sembrant and are supposed to have offered the 33 year-old a contract. At the time of writing, there has been no comments from either clubs or Sembrant herself. Häcken has lost a lot of players, particularly in defence, since they won the championship under their previous guise as Kopparbergs/Goteborgs last season.

Örebro have signed 21 year-old Alma Nygren who can play in midfield or up front on a two year deal. Last year she played in the second tier Elitettan for Kvarnsveden who were relegated at the end of the campaign and has youth national team experience. Meanwhile, the club’s goalkeeper Moa Öhman has ruptured her ACL meaning she will be out for most of the season, at least.

Piteå midfielder Linn Vikström has suffered an ACL injury and will be out of action for a long spell. The club are reportedly looking to add to their squad as a result.

**Above:** Rosengård have been drawn away to St Pölten in the last sixteen of the UEFA Women’s Champions League. **Photo:** sydsvenskan.se

Vittsjö midfielder Alexandra Benediktsson, has ruptured her achilles tendon, and will be out for at least six months.

Växjö have reinforced their attack by bringing in 22 year-old Icelandic international Andrea Mist Pálsdóttir, who last season played for FH in Iceland.

Rosengård’s Natahlie Björn has hinted that she would like to play in England next season.

Sofia Jakobsson has been offered a new contract by Real Madrid, but admits “it’s incredibly fun to be linked” with a move to Olympique Lyonnais.

The Impact of the Summer Transfer Window at Reading Women

Impetus welcomes new contributor Abi Ticehurst and her first piece is a detailed look at Barclays FA Women’s Super League side Reading’s new summer signings and the influence that they have had at The Madejski Stadium this season.

**Above:** Reading line up against Chelsea. **Photo:** Neil Graham / ngsportsphotography.com

As a consistently mid-table team, in the last few years at least, clubs like Reading tend to be forgotten because they’re not ‘Top 4’ or in a ‘relegation scrap’. Nonetheless, the departure of players from Reading at the end of a somewhat controversial 2019/20 Women’s Super League season will have had those watching the women’s game concerned and undoubtedly sent any fan into a flurry of panic, as the Royals found themselves in a slightly disappointing 5th place. With the development of the pandemic, Reading were quick to furlough all their staff and players, further adding to the concern that they were going to get left behind when the transfer window opened on the 19th of June.

Radio silence for almost a month…

Then with no hints or clue whatsoever, Reading announced the signing of Arsenal legend Danielle Carter and a sigh of relief was no doubt felt amongst followers as the ball, pun intended, was set rolling. And Reading did not disappoint, Carter was swiftly followed by fellow Gunner and Scotland international Emma Mitchell, whilst Deanna Cooper made the switch from midnight to royal blue. Second choice keeper Rachael Laws departed and she was quickly superseded by New Zealand international Erin Nayler from French club Bordeaux, whilst Jess Fishlock’s arrival from OL Reign was both unexpected but not a total surprise. Fishlock was back from injury after almost 18 months out, but was now faced with a ‘play or retire’ predicament with the NWSL season cancelled and as such gravitated somewhat organically to Reading as a home from home set-up, with four fellow Welsh players, Tash Harding, Rachel Rowe, Angharad James and Lily Woodham, already in the squad. A final surprise signing in the shape of Jeon Ga-eul from Bristol City, who had initially joined ‘The Robins’ just as the country went into its first lockdown, the South Korean is a decorated player with 38 goals and 101 appearances, she’s the country’s fifth most capped player and their second-highest goal scorer. Also worth noting is the six academy players who made the step up to first team duties this season in the shape of Molly Childerhouse, Lily Woodham, Emma Harries, Kiera Skeels, Bethan Roberts and Sophie Quirk.

So, what kind of impact have the six summer arrivals had at Reading? Impact is obviously a fairly subjective word, do we look solely to statistics, consider game time, goals scored, assists given or do we delve a little more qualitatively to team efforts or off the pitch contributions? The answer is both.

**Above:** Danielle Carter against Arsenal in September 2020. **Photo**: Neil Graham / ngsportsphotography.com

Danielle Carter ticks all the boxes when it comes to on pitch impact, for Arsenal and England that is at least, with 101 appearances and 28 goals for the club and 50 caps, 19 goals, a hat trick on her senior debut and a GB gold medal for country. Plagued by two ACL injuries in as little as 14 months, Carter found herself on the sidelines for her final two years at Arsenal so a move to a club like Reading, who typically favour experience over youth in their squad, seemed like a natural transition. Facing off against Arsenal in the opening game of the season, the less said about that game the better, Carter was able to scrap home a single goal on her debut for the Royals when Zinsberger fumbled the ball in the box. Carter has become somewhat of an ‘impact sub’, fresh legs with a bit of pace still in her, she’s able to latch on to a tricky ball in the box. She made the most of a Mitchell free-kick against Manchester United to head home a winning ball and take her goal tally to two. Off the pitch, she recently launched a campaign on her social media to send out the spare boots she’s been gifted to those less fortunate and was able to reach girls in the UK, as well as in India, South Africa and Saudi Arabia.

**Above:** Emma Mitchell battles against former team-mate and fellow Scot, Lisa Evans. **Photo:** Neil Graham / ngsportsphotography.com

Emma Mitchell was out of sorts struggling to get game time at Arsenal before a loan move to Tottenham in January of 2020, but the pandemic hit shortly after so once again she found herself without football. Then the chance to move to Reading came about in the summer and she was keen to head south of London. Mitchell has settled effortlessly into the backline of Reading and has been vital in denying opponents efforts. Not a one trick pony either, she is the set piece queen, pinpoint corners and soaring free-kicks, Reading really have capitalised on her abilities, most recently against Arsenal and Manchester United. Outside of football, she’s talked candidly about her mental health struggles and how important it is to be an advocate and encourage people to discuss how they’re feeling, whether it’s good or bad.

Deanna Cooper had much of her Chelsea success when she first joined in 2017 when the one-off competition FA WSL Spring Series ran. Similarly to Carter, she was hit with an ACL the following season, despite this she still signed a two year contract extension in March 2018. Cooper then made the move to Reading as a spot in the starting Chelsea squad became increasingly competitive. Cooper often goes under the radar in terms of recognition, but she’s already established herself well in defense and made some crucial blocks in front of goal, in particular the 1-1 draw against Bristol City. She slots in effectively alongside Emma Mitchell and Molly Bartrip.

Perhaps unfortunately for Erin Nayler, Grace Moloney is well established as first choice keeper and as a result has made just one appearance for Reading so far this season. A 3-0 defeat to West Ham in the group stage of the Continental Cup. Nayler is suitably impressive on the international stage, having been the Ferns goalkeeper in three World Cups and holding England to an historic 1-0 win in June. She seems content at Reading so no doubt there is plenty of time for her to get minutes on the clock and showcase that international talent.

**Above:**Jess Fishlock battles with Manchester United’s Leah Galton and Hayley Ladd. **Photo**: Neil Graham / ngsportsphotography.com

Jess Fishlock has had arguably the biggest impact both on and off the pitch for Reading. With potentially more to prove than any of the other signings having been out of the English game since 2013 and back from an injury that stopped her from playing for the 18 months prior to signing with the Royals. Fishlock is a playmaker, she’s the midfield missing link and despite being one of the older players in the squad, she shows no signs of slowing down as she runs box-to-box week in, week out. She’s got the hunger to strike too and has 3 league goals to her name so far this season. I suspect much of the reason she fits in this team so well is having her well compatriots on the team as they are able to utilise the previous playing years together. She’s often brutally honest when talking about individual and team performances which can be really refreshing in a time when women’s football is becoming more professional and possibly more ‘sanitised’ as a consequence. When she’s not commanding the field, she’s highlighting social injustices in the game including racism and homophobia. As well as giving a voice to charity initiatives such as the regeneration of Llanrumney Hall who provided free meals at Christmas for the local community.

Jeon Ga-eul comes with real credentials as the first South Korean player in the NWSL and the W-League. An unfortunate time to make her Bristol City debut it seems as the pandemic hit, she eventually made the switch to Reading during the summer. She made her starting debut on October 7th in Reading’s 4-0 home win over Charlton in the Continental Cup and made the starting line-up in the following league games against Birmingham City and West Ham. She hasn’t made an appearance since having not been part of the subs bench either with the physio team at Reading conforming on the club website that she suffered a hip injury during training in November and has undergone surgery as a result. She is currently undergoing rehabilitation and they hope to reintegrate back into individual and team training.

**Above:** Emma Harries Photo: Neil Graham / ngsportsphotography.com

The January window closed on the 28th of the month so it’s worth noting that it was relatively quiet for the Royals, they did however very casually announce the signing of Silvana Flores, former Arsenal and Chelsea player, just 18 and already impressing on the international stage for Mexico. Emma Harries did however sign her first professional contract having been at the club since the age of 8 and proving her worth in recent weeks by causing problems for opposing defenders. A debut goal is without a doubt pending for the Reading born and bred striker. A proper academy product if we do say so ourselves! Meanwhile, Sophie Quirk is out on loan to Championship side London Bees, whilst Kiera Skeels has made a loan move to FAWSL relegation candidates, Bristol City with it difficult for the defender to find a first team spot having the more experienced Mitchell and Cooper in the starting line-ups.

To find out more about Abi and Impetus’ other contributors, visit: https://impetus885775742.wordpress.com/about-our-contributors/

Perth Glory: Rebuilding With An Emphasis on Young, Local Talent

Impetus launches our brand new #MidweekDub feature. Each Wednesday from now until the W-League Grand Final, the #MidweekDub will profile a different W-League club or player. We kick the series off with Ben Gilby shining the spotlight on Perth Glory, a team who have been hugely successful in the W-League in the past and now are in transitional period focusing on a large number of locally produced young players who are full of promise.

**Above:** Members of Perth Glory’s 2020/21 squad. **Artwork:** Graphics by PW.

Perth Glory’s Westfield W-League team were formed in 2008 and initially struggled to make much of an impact. However, once they made the Finals (where the top four placed sides play-off for a place in the Grand Final) for the first time in 2012, they quickly made up for lost time.

They have claimed one Premiership – the title for the team who finishes top of the table at the end of the regular season – in 2014, but are yet win a Grand Final. They have come close on three occasions when finishing as runners-up to Canberra United in 2014, Melbourne City in 2016 and Sydney FC in 2019.

The club have been able to boast a number of hugely successful players who have thrilled the club’s fans. Kate Gill scored 36 goals in 47 games between 2009 and 2015. Then there is Matildas superstar Sam Kerr who debuted at the age of just 15 in 2009 and played her last game for Perth Glory in 2019 before moving to the FAWSL with Chelsea.

In terms of overall records, Shannon May tops the all-time appearances list with 120 and Sam Kerr’s 57 goals in 71 games make her the club’s all-time highest goal scorer, while Gill (twice), Kerr (twice) and Morgan Andrews have all taken out the W-League Golden Boot during their time in Glory purple.

**Above: TOP:** Perth Glory’s all time record appearance holder Shannon May **Photo:** The Women’s Game.
**BELOW:** A very young Sam Kerr, who represented her home state club from 2008 (as a 15 year-old) until 2011 and again from 2014-2019. **Photo:** Wikipedia.

Sam Kerr’s departure for England heralded the beginning of a transitional period last season. The situation was not helped by logistical problems which meant that the arrival of the club’s overseas players was delayed which undoubtedly contributed to a slow start to the campaign.

However, after picking up just two points from the opening eight games, Bobby Despotovski’s side secured three consecutive wins from their final four games to finish on a high note. In addition to a stellar maiden W-League season from US import Morgan Andrews, the season was notable for the emergence of teenage midfielder Hana Lowry who made a seamless transition to senior football and headed a spectacular first W-League goal against Newcastle Jets in Round Eleven at the age of sixteen.

Coming into this season, long-time head coach Bobby Despotovski departed. His replacement was announced as Alex Epakis who came directly from a hugely successful spell coaching Sydney University. Extremely driven and dedicated, meticulous in his preparation and an excellent communicator, Epakis has made a very positive impact. The playing group has really bought into his philosophy and he looks to be developing what is a very young group. Epakis and his staff have created a no-excuse environment and taken a very proactive approach to the significant challenges they have been presented with.

**Above:** New Perth Glory head coach Alex Epakis. **Photo:** Paul Kane/Getty Images – supplied by Gareth Morgan, Perth Glory FC.

Lots of new faces have come into the club this season.

Goalkeeper Lily Alfeld has probably made the biggest impact so far – the New Zealander has twice claimed the W-League Save of the Week and has impressed in every game. Fellow Kiwi Liz Anton has also caught the eye in the centre of defence and scored her first W-League goal in the outstanding away draw with Canberra United.
Gemma Craine, born in England but having played in Western Australia for a number of seasons now also showed great promise, but her season was sadly ended by a serious hamstring injury sustained against Adelaide United at Dorrien Gardens. Deborah-Anne De La Harpe has also made a good start to what is her first season in the W-League. Whilst not new arrivals, other key players this season are skipper Natasha Rigby, with her pace and physicality which have placed her on the fringes of the Matildas squad and Marianna Tabain who has made a welcome return after a spell out of the game and has the pedigree to trouble any defence in the competition on her day.

**Above:** 2020/21 skipper Natasha Rigby in possession for Perth Glory in their only home game to date against Adelaide United. **Photo:** Fotoenza, supplied by Gareth Morgan, Perth Glory FC

Nurturing home-grown talent has always been a cornerstone of the club’s W-League philosophy and the current squad contains a host of highly-rated local teenagers, including Hana Lowry, Tijan McKenna, Abbey Green and Isabella Wallhead.

As well as having a new head coach and a significant number of new, young players, things have been complicated further by the consequences of the tight restrictions which has seen the Western Australian state border closed for much of 2020. Pre-season preparation time was severely limited and recruitment itself was heavily influenced by the restrictions.

The ever changing state border restrictions has also significantly impacted the club’s fixtures, as going into a hub in another state (as the men’s A-League players have done) is not an option given that the vast majority of the W-League players have day jobs. Consequently the club have only played three games so far this season, half that of some teams on the W-League. They make their eagerly awaited return to the 2020/21 season tomorrow (Thursday) away to Western Sydney Wanderers before a tough trip to the league’s only unbeaten side Brisbane Roar on Sunday. The trip to Brisbane clocks in at over 2,242 miles one way and is just under five hours by plane in each direction.

**Above:** Two of Perth Glory’s top locally produced teenage talents – **Top:** Tijan McKenna and **Below:** Hana Lowry. **Photos:** Getty Images – supplied by Gareth Morgan, Perth Glory FC

Whilst the club have had great success in recent years, in the near future, the club’s aims are to be as competitive as possible while giving young Western Australian players opportunities to impress at senior level. The club are placing great emphasis on playing an attractive brand of football, ensuring that their players and staff are ambassadors for the game within the local community and be as competitive as possible.

Don’t miss our EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW with Perth Glory star HANA LOWRY which will appear on Impetus this Sunday morning (UK time).

Impetus Announces Support Of Girls’ Football with Bure Valley Youth FC

Impetus are exceptionally proud to announce a content partnership with Bure Valley Youth Football Club which has seen us provide some funds in order to provide some all-important new equipment for the club. In this piece to launch the partnership, Ben Gilby spoke to Bure Valley YFC chairman Ted McCarter about the club’s history and fantastic story so far.

**Artwork: Graphics by PW.** Photos supplied by Ted McCarter of Bure Valley Youth FC.

Ted began our chat by outlining the club’s history: “Bure Valley was formed in 2015 in Coltishall with two girls’ teams. The facilities in Coltishall had been left empty following the demise of Colt Jags a few years previous. I’d used the pitches for training at a previous club and had them earmarked for when I set up my own club. So having approached Coltishall Sports and Recreation Ground Trust we entered into a partnership. Since then the growth has been far quicker than I ever imagined, with the help of a grant from the Football Foundation we made a real effort to grow the female game locally. We’ve also opened a Wildcats centre supported by The FA which has been a fantastic success, bringing girls from 5 to 11 into the game. We’ve made a commitment to give these girls teams to play in and it’s worked.”

The development of girls’ football took another positive step when Bure Valley entered into a player pathway relationship with Wroxham Women. Ted outlined how that came about: “It all developed through conversations with Lee Robson at Wroxham FC and Rebecca Burton at Wroxham Women. We don’t have an adult section whilst Wroxham didn’t have a female youth section. With us being such close neighbours it made total sense for us to create a complete female pathway from three years old to adult.”

“When our teams reach U16 level, they will start to be coached in partnership with Wroxham in the hope that the girls progress to Wroxham’s development team that will play in Norfolk Women’s and Girls’ Football League (NWGFL), with the most talented players having the opportunity to progress to Wroxham’s first team squad. Wroxham’s coaches will work together with ours to ensure a smooth transition.”

The present pandemic has had a massive impact on Bure Valley.

**Above:** One of Bure Valley’s younger girls’ teams. **Photo via:** Ted McCarter of Bure Valley Youth FC.

“We couldn’t complete last season due to lockdown with a similar stop/start season in progress now,” said Ted. “It’s very frustrating for our kids that really miss their football.”

“We’ve had to adapt to FA guidelines with our protocols being probably the most robust. We take it very seriously and have gone above and beyond what is needed to keep everyone as safe as possible. Investments in all cleaning equipment etc have ensured we are ready to go again. Financially it’s been difficult, we lost one or two sponsors but gained others, we have new kits that we can’t use currently which is frustrating. To keep safe and clean it costs money. Money we hadn’t budgeted for. However, we’ve coped and will continue to put safety first.”

Similarly to many other clubs, apart from coronavirus, Bure Valley’s biggest challenges are financial ones: “We need to update and supply new equipment, new kit, update facilities and maintain our pitches,” Ted highlights. “Storage is also an issue, we’ve invested in this but more will be needed to keep up. Also as new teams are formed we need coaches and pitches to play on, we’re lucky in Coltishall to have access to two more pitches that we’ll be looking to use in 2021/22.”

I asked Ted to outline the number of teams that the club has at present and how they are performing: “We have two teams for U9s, U10s, U11s, 2 for U12s, U13s, U14s and U15s all playing League football. We also have a mini kittens group of girls aged four, five and six. Our Wildcats centre also runs throughout the summer. Whilst our focus and ethos isn’t about winning matches and trophies we have had some success, U9s Cup Winners, U15s Cup runners up, U16s league runners up and Cup runners up twice.”

The most important thing at the club right in the near future is “getting our kids back out onto the pitches playing football in a safe environment. If that means just training while tier restrictions exist that’s what we’ll do. As soon as we can play games again we’ll be out there ready to go. The kids are frustrated sat at home as are we but pretty powerless with Covid so dangerous currently.”

**Above:** Having fun and playing football is what it’s all about at Bure Valley Youth FC. **Photo via:** Ted McCarter of Bure Valley Youth FC.

In terms of the day to day existence of the club, Ted recognises that: “Obviously we are reliant on our growing coaching team and volunteers, without them we’d be nothing. We try to create a welcoming and family feel to the club which seems to attract parents and players. My wife Emma and I set the club up and take on the day to day running of the club fulfilling many different roles. We dedicate a lot of our time to it but love it.”

“Our aims are to continue to grow. We want to attract more girls from a young age and get them involved in football here at Bure Valley. Our partnership with Wroxham gives any player joining us the opportunity to go all the way.”

“I’m extremely proud of what we’ve achieved so far. Hopefully as our reputation grows we’ll continue to provide a fantastic club for the football journey to start at.”

Ted has high hopes that our partnership will only help that reputation to grow: “On the back of the Wroxham Women’s team partnership I’m absolutely delighted to come on board with Impetus. They have a real passion for the female game not only in the UK but across the world. This fits perfectly with Bure Valley’s efforts to promote the female game within Norfolk and increase girls’ participation. Our partnership with our neighbours Wroxham creates the total female pathway, hopefully Impetus can help us continue the growth with top quality coverage of the female game in our area and spread the word not only locally but across the UK and beyond.”

From Impetus‘ own perspective, we feel it is more important than ever to support girls’ football at the present time. This fantastic partnership allows us to assist a club with equipment and help to spread the word about what they are up to. It also ensures that the club’s youngsters have a platform to discuss their own footballing tales and an opportunity to report on games they play on or the women’s games they watch on TV. Once this pandemic is over, girls will need clubs like Bure Valley YFC and the thousands of other grassroots teams nationwide in order to help connect with their friends again and play the game they love once more.

We will be having monthly catch-ups with Bure Valley YFC and connected to the partnership is the opportunity for the club’s young players to write articles about their club and the matches that they play in with their work being published on Impetus to a worldwide audience.

To find out more about Impetus‘ sponsorships and partnerships with women’s football clubs, visit https://impetus885775742.wordpress.com/partnerships/

Brisbane’s Roar Sees Sydney Hit For Four

Sydney FC 1–4 Brisbane Roar

Report and EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS from Kris Goman.

Sydney FC’s one hundred percent winning start to the season came to a stunning halt after they were swept aside by Brisbane Roar in the battle of the only unbeaten sides in the W-League.

**Above:** Brisbane Roar celebrate their stunning win over a Sydney FC side who previously had a one hundred per-cent winning rate this season. **Photo:** Kris Goman.

After their recent win over Canberra United, yesterday saw another top of the table clash for Sydney, as their defeats of other teams change who is in second place on the table. Sydney had been looking unstoppable but if anyone was going to stop them, it was be Brisbane and this match was very telling.

Brisbane outplayed them on the day. They clearly wanted it more. They were faster, they were getting in front, their attack was more focussed and their defence almost impenetrable. I felt that the Roar didn’t deserve to win against the Wanderers last time out but they had Sydney’s mark yesterday. Sydney tried to win on reputation alone and it wasn’t enough. I’d also question the nature and timing of the substitutions.

Sydney started strong with a hard press for the first ten minutes with their 4-1-2-3 formation providing the necessary firepower up front.

Brisbane kicked off with their 4-3-3 formation but the ball stayed deep in their territory. Initially anyway. Princess Ibini gets an early shot on goal from the left that wakes Morgan Aquino up and causes a good save. Not that she was asleep but she knows she’s living now. There’s a couple of corners and the goal area is busy.
First transition is at five minutes and results in a goal kick.

Second transition is at seven minutes and results in a goal. Olivia Chance brings it down the left and passes to Emily Gielnik in front of her. Gielnik puts a perfect one touch cross direct to Tameka Yallop’s head in front of goal, a quick nod by Yallop and it’s in the back of the net for Yallop’s second goal of the season.

The pressure is on Sydney to reply now and they retaliate by attacking on the right through Cortnee Vine and Angelique Hristodoulou. They get a corner which gets headed around but then captured by Aquino.

Sydney continues to push and the ball goes back to Aquino for safety. She controls it but Clare Wheeler is approaching quickly. As Aquino clears it, Wheeler is on top of her and the ball rebounds off of the Roar player into goal for the equaliser. It’s a bad mistake by Aquino. It’s Wheeler’s first W-league goal after 72 games and the excitement is obvious as she celebrates with her teammates.

We’re twelve minutes in now and this is where things start to fall apart for Sydney. Brisbane ramp it up and Sydney rest on their laurels.

**Above:** Brisbane Roar teenager Jamilla Rankin, named player of the match for scoring two goals and, as shown here, keeping the threat of Sydney FC’s Cortnee Vine well under wraps. **Photo:** Kris Goman.

Three minutes later, Yallop makes inroads on the right for Brisbane. She releases Mariel Hecher down the right of the box. Her cross is punched to the left by Jada Mathyssen-Whyman directly to Jamilla Rankin who just taps the volley past the keeper. Two goalkeeper mistakes leading to two goals in quick succession. It’s also Rankin’s first W-League goal at only seventeen years of age. There’s been a lot of that this season.

Brisbane are invigorated now. Sydney get a couple of corners but the Queenslanders defence is solid. On the counter attack, Gielnik gets away down the left and sends a pass forward to Leticia McKenna. She tries to cross to Hecher but Ally Green intercepts with a sliding tackle and stops a certain goal. The resulting corner is eventually cleared after two waves of attacks.

Brisbane embark on a number of penetrating attacks resulting in a couple of corners. Sydney’s defence holds strong but they are very much on the back foot now and looking unstable. Brisbane are controlling the game and it’s being played in their attacking half. Sydney are looking disorganised as Yallop brings a ball down the centre and drives for goal. Her shot from outside the box is deflected by Mathyssen-Whyman for a corner. It’s cleared but the Roar are straight back on the attack. Sydney get some possession but it’s nullified quickly and effectively by the Brisbane defence.

**Above:** Brisbane Roar mounting another attack. **Photo:** Kris Goman.

There’s a nice Brisbane play started by Hecher who cuts back a pass to Gielnik. Her cross is glanced away by Hristodoulou right in front of goal. Yallop and Hristodoulou chase the ball to the left and Hristodoulou wins the battle to eventually clear the ball. It comes straight back into Yallop though but her shot is blocked out for a corner. Clare Polkinghorne heads the corner on top of the net which relieves the pressure.

Another Brisbane attack is saved by Green in the box. Late in the half, Sydney get a couple of corners but can’t make anything happen. After a minute of stoppage time, half time is called.

First few minutes of the second half see Sydney re-energised. Mackenzie Hawkesby kicks the ball straight into the referees bum and the resulting restart sees a long ball to the right corner chased by Wheeler. She evades Carroll and crosses to Ibini. She holds it up and draws the defenders and taps it across to Remy Siemsen but she mis-hits the ball and it goes out to the right of goal, in what was a very good chance.

The game swings again and Brisbane are back on the attack. Gielnik takes a long shot into the arms of Mathessen-Whyman. Another long ball in lands on Gielnik’s chest to bounce to the feet of McKenna. Her shot is deflected out by Natalie Tobin for a corner. The resulting ball in glances Polkinghorne’s head to go straight into goal for 3-1 at 54 minutes.

It constantly feels like Brisbane have more players on the field than Sydney, all there in defence and there in attack while Sydney are usually recovering or don’t have the numbers up front.

Charlotte Mclean gets a yellow card for a late tackle on Gielnik. The free kick is knocked out by Sydney so Brisbane get another corner. It goes to the far post and is eventually kicked out by Wheeler. Next corner is taken short and Hecher gets a shot that goes wide to the left. Not long after Yallop finds herself in the clear and takes a shot from outside the box that goes wide. The Brisbane attack is unrelenting.

**Above:** Sydney FC’s Princess Ibini (20) looks on as a physical battle at a corner develops. **Photo:** Kris Goman.

At 63 minutes, Ibini is off and Charlize Rule, two days short of her eighteenth birthday comes on. It feels a bit of a risk to bring on a younger, less experienced player at this stage but Ibini wasn’t particularly effective anyway, however Sydney’s two main strikers, in Ibini and Siemsen, are now on the bench when Sydney need goals.

Wheeler gets a good run down the right but her cross is wasted by no one being there to capitalise on it.

Shortly after, Yallop directs a missile to Gielnik just by the goal mouth. It bounces off her chest but Whyman is able to clear it. Sydney are getting some attacking runs but they feel desperate and passes are going into empty spaces with no one to run onto them. Opportunities are being wasted and possession lost. At 73 minutes, there’s another strange substitution for Sydney when Cortnee Vine is off and Taylor Ray is on. At this point, I’m not convinced that taking the last experienced forward off is the right move. Although I’m not sure what could save this side right now.

At 78 minutes, a push by Chance is rewarded with a corner. It’s taken short and the cross by Rankin floats to the top near post and Whyman jumps up to grab it but instead pushes it back into the goal. Gielnik almost looks sorry for her but Rankin claims her second goal with eight minutes left.

Three minutes of stoppage time is announced as Brisbane continue their attack. Sydney manage to clear it each time but can’t keep possession. They aren’t passing it or playing out from the back, just doing big largely undirected clearances.

**Above:** Brisbane Roar’s Tameka Yallop put in another fine display. **Photo:** Kris Goman.

Full time is called and Sydney register their first loss of the season. Brisbane remain undefeated but still second on the table but narrowing the gap to Sydney although the Harbour City side have a game in hand.

Brisbane looked very strong today in producing probably their most convincing performance of the season and probably what we all expected based on what the team looks like on paper.

Jamilla Rankin got player of the match and it’s very well deserved. Two goals, incredible defending and kept Cortnee Vine under wraps. So many tackles. Well done.

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

Scorers: Wheeler 18.

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

Scorers: Yallop 8. Rankin 16, 82. Polkinghorne 54.

Referee: Lara Lee.

Attendance: 1,126.

	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts	GD
Sydney FC	7	6	0	1	16	5	18	+11
Brisbane Roar	8	4	4	0	16	6	16	+10
Adelaide United	7	4	1	2	12	10	13	+ 2
Canberra United	7	3	2	2	12	12	11	=
Melbourne Victory	6	3	1	2	13	11	10	+ 2
Newcastle Jets	6	1	1	4	9	12	4	– 3
Melbourne City	7	1	1	5	7	17	4	– 10
Western Sydney Wanderers	7	1	1	5	6	17	4	– 11
Perth Glory	3	0	1	2	2	4	1	– 2

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

Five Star Chelsea Sweep Vixens Aside

Bristol City 0-5 Chelsea

by Ben Gilby

Chelsea extended their lead at the top of the Barclays FA Women’s Super League table with a comfortable 5-0 win over bottom side Bristol City at a wet Twerton Park in Bath.

The defending champions were absolutely rampant in the first half, forcing the Vixens to feed on such meagre scraps that you could count the number times that the home side got out of their own half on one hand.

With just over thirty seconds played, Sophie Baggaley was forced into an excellent one handed save and before the two minute mark, Magda Eriksson was allowed to run through the middle unchecked and fire in a shot which went just wide of the right hand post.

Four minutes in Baggaley saved City again. Pernille Harder’s exquisite back heel to Fran Kirby saw the Lioness play a one-two with Sam Kerr and then found Eriksson who Baggaley denied.

Just two minutes later, Ji sent in a cross which was headed narrowly wide of the left hand post by Kerr.

**Above:** Ji creating more mayhem for Chelsea at Bristol City this afternoon. **Photo:** @BristolCityWFC

The Vixens responded when Ebony Salmon, rightly called up to the England squad, played the ball through Ji’s legs and ran onto it to escape into the visitors box and got an early shot away which Ann-Katrin Berger held.

Chelsea’s dominance finally resulted in a goal just before the quarter of an hour mark. A corner came in from the left and Kirby got the slightest of touches to direct it past Baggaley for her tenth league goal of the season.

In the period after the goal, Emma Hayes’ side sought to maximise possession and pulled City around whilst waiting patiently for the right moment to release the final ball. Harder was noticeably popping up all over the place behind the front pair. The influence of Jonna Andersson was also worth emphasising. The Swede is someone who doesn’t get the same sort of headlines that the offensive Chelsea stars do, but she was so influential down the left and tormented Flo Allen and Charlie Wellings non-stop.

With half an hour gone, Ji danced down the left and played a ball in for Beth England who half-volleyed an effort just wide of the post.

Eight minutes before the break, Chelsea doubled their lead. Sophie Ingle won the ball on the right thanks to a great tackle and found Harder. The Dane played in England before receiving the ball back and slamming home a superb shot on the right hand side of the area.

Four minutes later it was three. Kerr was found down the left and found Kirby who had ghosted in on the right hand side of the box to sweep it into the net.

Deep into first half stoppage time, Chelsea almost got another when Andersson came in from the left and lofted an effort which bounced off of the top of the bar and over.

Despite being 3-0 up at the break, with seventy four per-cent of possession and twelve shots on target, Chelsea should arguably have been much further ahead.

The second half opened in heavy rain which would only make the sticky pitch tougher as the game progressed.

Chelsea remained firmly in control. It did though take them a further ten minutes to increase their advantage. Pernille Harder found Beth England down the left and the Lioness’ cross was met by a trademark thumping header from Sam Kerr for her eleventh league goal of the season.

To their credit, the Vixens responded by creating a rare opportunity as Ebony Salmon was found on the left and played in a superb ball – one you felt her team would have wished she could have got on the end of herself – but Ann-Katrin Berger was alive to the danger.

The consequences of that were clear for all to see just four minutes later when Harder popped up and played in a teasing low cross which was prodded into the net by Beth England sliding through the mud.

Back came City and again, it was Salmon who cut in from the left and fired a shot over the bar.

Chelsea continued to create and England came in off the left once more and found Fran Kirby who hit a powerful curling shot which Sophie Baggaley did well to push away for a corner. The resulting flag kick was met by the head of Sam Kerr, but the Australian’s effort flew over.

As the game entered its closing stages, Bristol City created their final half chance when Molly Pike played a beautiful ball across to Charlie Wellings. Her attempt to find Abi Harrison was foiled by the diving Berger.

The visitors had four further opportunities to increase their lead, all of which were dealt with by solid Bristol City defence. First, Erin Cuthbert, on as a sub, got passed Gemma Evans thanks to an outrageous show and go before putting in a dangerous cross which was cleared.

**Above:** Plenty for Chelsea to celebrate at Twerton Park this afternoon against Bristol City. **Photo:** @ChelseaFCW

Evans was the victim again shortly afterwards when her slip allowed Sam Kerr to run onto a great long ball from Millie Bright. Kerr fed Guro Reiten, but the Norwegian’s effort was deflected for a corner.

Reiten again created the danger with two minutes to play when her high pass found Kerr. She passed to England, but great work from Kiera Skeels saw the ball out for a corner.

Finally, it was Evans who produced a quite magnificent tackle on Kerr just as the Matildas hot-shot was about to pull the trigger.

Chelsea are now five points clear at the top of the Barclays FA Women’s Super League having played a game more than second placed Manchester City.

This match may well have served as a dress rehearsal for next month’s Continental Cup Final between the two sides at Vicarage Road and ultimately that rather than today’s one is the game against Chelsea that matters for Bristol City. Their FA Women’s Super League future will be decided by games against the teams around them in the table and whilst they remain within touching distance of West Ham United, those survival hopes remain strong.

Teams: BRISTOL CITY: Baggaley, Allen, Skeels, Evans, Purfield, Matthews, Wellings, Pike, Humphrey, Daniels, Salmon. Substitutes: Bryson, Rafferty, Haaland (GK), Palmer, Bissell, Collis, Harrison, Mastrantonio, Jones.

CHELSEA: Berger, Mjelde, Bright, Eriksson, Andersson, Ingle, Kirby, Harder, Ji, Kerr, England. Substitutes: Blundell, Carter, Reiten, Fleming, Cuthbert, Spence, Telford (GK),

Scorers: Kirby 14, 40. Harder 36. Kerr 55. England 60.

Referee: Emily Heaslip.