Above: The Mariners celebrate a dramatic win. Photo: A-Leagues
The Central Coast Mariners have pulled off arguably the biggest upset of this A League Women’s season, pulling off a 1-0 win over Melbourne City to not only move through to next weekend’s Grand Final, but end Melbourne City’s invincible season.
It was an at times chaotic match, and the sides were unable to be split until the dying moments of the second half of extra time, when Isabel Gomez popped up and scored that deciding goal.
It was a pretty free flowing beginning to proceedings, with a lot of end to end, non congested action on display.
However only 10 minutes into the match disaster struck for City, when Holly McNamara went down after a heavy collision with Mariners keeper Sarah Langman. After a significant delay, City was forced to substitute their star striker, while Langman was able to continue.
Things went from bad to worse for City at the 25 minute mark when Lourdes Bosch was shown a straight red card for assaulting Brooke Nunn after letting her frustrations get the better of her.
Nothing was going right for City, but it was not necessarily because of anything the visitors were doing. Their list of playable players was decreasing fast, and they just could not make the most of any goal scoring opportunities.
As the first half progressed, momentum certainly shifted and although there were no goals to show for it for either side, the Mariners looked a lot calmer on the ball than City did, and also looked the more dangerous of the sides.
After a whopping eight minutes of extra time at the end of the half, the score was still nil all, Emily Husband would have certainly been the happier of the two coaches heading into the half time break.
Perhaps as a sign of their awareness of their predicament, Melbourne City went on the attack early in the second half, with plenty of attacking momentum despite their numerical disadvantage.
The Mariners did have some moments of potential, with Gomez starting to become lively and create really movement after moving to a more central role, but the visitors just could not quite find the back of the net.
As the minutes started to tick down, neither side really looked like scoring, so extra time was looking more and more likely, and extra time was eventually needed.
Through the first half of extra time it was City who dominated possession despite having a numbers disadvantage.
However despite the best efforts of both sides a goal just could not be found, and the score remained at nil all heading into the second half of extra time.
It was clear that their efforts were starting to take a toll on the City players, with several players pulled from the field due to cramps, with the City coaching staff not taking any chances.
Just as it looked like the match was heading to penalties, Gomez broke the hearts of the home fans, chipping the City keeper to finally find a goal in stoppage time of the second half of extra time. It was a goal that caused huge controversy with claims that Gomez was offside. Referee Molly Godsell was not moved, and the goal stood.
City did not stop attempting to find the equaliser even with so little time left, but a resolute Mariners defence denied every attempt they made, and the history-making win was theirs.
Check out our Instagram feed @impetusfootball to see Beck Hartley’s stunning EXCLUSIVE set of images from the game:
Above: Arsenal celebrate their win. Photo: Arsenal Women on X.
On the final day of the WSL season, Arsenal welcomed Manchester United to London. Despite being at opposite ends of the country, the two were neighbours in the table, both aiming to be league runners-up. For Impetus, Arsenal fan Ella McShane and United fan Catherine MacKenzie break down the action.
The context
Although the most important positions in the WSL were already determined – Crystal Palace were to be relegated, Chelsea champions, Arsenal and Manchester United completing the top three – there was still a lot to play for at the Emirates Stadium in London on Saturday afternoon.
Arsenal were one point ahead of United at kick off, and by avoiding a loss would clinch second place. This is important because it gives them an extra week off ahead of the new season; the third-placed team will play an extra qualifying game ahead of the Champions League. This game is scheduled to take place soon after the conclusion of this summer’s European Championships, meaning players would get less recovery time.
Both teams also have a major final to play soon – Arsenal will face Barcelona in the final of the Champions League, and United will face Chelsea in the FA Cup.
The United Analysis – the importance of Jade Riviere
By Catherine MacKenzie(10/’05/2025)
United came into the game off the back of a 2-all draw with neighbours Manchester City; a result that cemented a top three finish next season for the reds. Team news ahead of Saturday’s match was concerning, as right-back Jade Riviere was ruled out of the trip to London after sustaining an ankle injury against City.
Riviere has been a revelation this season, playing in every game and making two assists since the start of the year. Her link-up play with winger Celin Bizet has been particularly joyous to watch, and fruitful; Bizet has six assists this season, mostly for Elisabeth Terland.
With Riviere out of contention and left-back Gabby George also suffering a knock, United changed formation. Normally opting for a back four of Riviere, Le Tissier, Turner, and George, the players who form part of the league’s best defence were forced out of position. The back four became a back three (and at times in the second half, a back two) of Janssen, Turner and Le Tissier.
The back three struggled to cope with Chloe Kelly, and it was obvious that the formation was new to the team, particularly at the back. Janssen normally plays as a central defensive midfielder for United – and has been a solid presence protecting the backline and controlling the ball.
The Janssen-Turner partnership has not really been tested, and there were numerous times when they seemed to think the other would claim a ball or shut down an Arsenal attack.
In the first half, United also missed Elisabeth Terland – the club’s top goal scorer enjoys defensive work – and, as Phallon Tullis-Joyce put it last week, “can be terrifying”. Whilst United had their chances in the first half and looked more clinical than Arsenal, in Terland’s absence Galton and Malard left more space behind them for Arsenal to play into.
Above: Elisabeth Terland thanks fans. Photo: Manchester United Women on X.
The unusual formation held out for the first half, however this changed when Arsenal received a penalty early in the second half. This seemed to flick a switch for both teams. Whilst Arsenal looked substantially more dangerous, United became sloppy and seemed fatigued. Efforts to play out from the back often went awry so United opted for the long ball, of which only eight (29%) were accurate (compared to Arsenal’s 14 for 44%).
The scoreline at 70 minutes was 4-1, due to a rampant early second half from Arsenal. Elisabeth Terland made it 4-2 on the 70th minute, and Maya Le Tissier converted a penalty six minutes later. This set up a nervous final twenty minutes for both sides and seemed to provide United with the impetus to get back into the game. A full comeback was not to be, however, and both sides had a few minor chances to change the scoreline before the fulltime whistle.
For United fans, the concerning part of the game is not the loss, or the fact that we conceded four goals (conceding more than three for the first time since the six-nil demolition at the hands of Chelsea in the final game of the 2023-24 season).
Above: United thank traveling fans. Photo: Manchester United Women on X.
The concerns are twofold: one, that there seemed to be such a capitulation in the opening period of the second half, a time that Arsenal are known to dominate (they are sometimes called ‘second half-enal’ after all), and secondly that the injuries sustained to Riviere and George seemed to disrupt the team so greatly.
There is a week until the FA Cup final, and United fans will certainly be hoping that both will be back fit by then.
The Arsenal Analysis – Starring Chloe Kelly
By Ella McShane (10/05/2025)
The fruit of a second-place finish to the WSL season weighed on both Arsenal and Manchester United. Chloe Kelly’s cracking opener of a goal set the tone for an ultimate 90 minutes of hot and cold.
Above: Chloe Kelly with her Player of the Match trophy. Photo: Arsenal Women on X.
The spark ignited by Kelly’s creativity was quickly extinguished in the quarter of an hour following. United’s backline starved the gunners of possession. Manuela Zinsberger refusing to take her foot off the gas, tipped Grace Clinton’s on target shot away from the Arsenal goal 11 minutes in.
Arsenal attempted to cool down the Red Devils, playing potential forward chances back, in an attempt disperse United’s organised defence.
Although both sides were level at the halftime break, Arsenal’s eventual attempts to play the ball forward, came much closer to securing the goals required for a comfortable second place finish.
Arsenal introduced the second half with the composure required to maintain possession. The term “composure” used solely when referring to the maintenance of possession.
Today’s matchup recorded a total of “30 fouls” (BBC sport). Referee Melissa Burgin’s efforts in keeping the match up fluid, being extremely commendable.
One of said fouls was committed inside the Arsenal box. A penalty and Mariona Caldentey’s trademark composure ensured the score line was raised. Instilling a confidence in the gunners not seen since the second leg of Champions League Semi Final.
Arsenal’s confidence kept the ball in their favourable side of the pitch, for a healthy portion of the second half. With forward balls courageously continuing momentum. Although not all chances were promptly capitalised on, resulting in frustrating missed chances.
An emphatic 6-2 win for Melbourne Victory over Adelaide United on aggregate at the Home of the Matildas has secured their place in the A-League Women’s Grand Final.
Entering the game 3-1 ahead from last week’s game at Coopers Stadium left Victory in prime position to punch their ticket for the final, and Adelaide with a very tall mountain to climb.
Unfortunately for the visitors, they picked the wrong day to underperform against a side that failed to put a single foot wrong across the 90 minutes.
It was a particularly aggressive free kick taken by Alana Jancevski that opened up the chance for Victory to score.
Having committed five to the wall, Adelaide were left scrambling when Claudia Jenkins made the save but didn’t keep hold of the ball, allowing Rachel Lowe the time and space to push the ball over the line.
The home side doubled their lead in the second half through Sara D’Appolonia, who caught Adelaide off guard at the top of the box to receive a cutback pass from Nicki Flannery. In all kinds of space, D’Appolonia had the time to shoot on her non-preferred left foot and beat Jenkins.
The third goal was put away by Lowe, her first brace of the season, when substitute Holly Furphy was released down the right side and able to find Lowe in the box.
Adelaide managed not to leave empty-handed, however, finally finding a goal in the dying minutes of the game through Izzy Hodgson, when Dylan Holmes’ perfectly weighted cross found her in the box and she was able to sneak it past the previously impenetrable Courtney Newbon.
With a final aggregate of 6-2, Melbourne Victory have now earned their place in the Grand Final to be held at AAMI Park, with their opponents to be decided tomorrow between Melbourne City, thus far undefeated, or Central Coast Mariners who are locked together at 2-2 after the first leg.
To view an excellent photo gallery from Impetus’ Adrian Geremia’s at the match, visit our Instagram feed @ImpetusFootball
Alamein have continued their strong start to the 2025 season with a 4-0 win at home over Brunswick Juventus. A long range stunner from Neve Duston opened the scoring before a second half blitz of goals delivered the home side their fifth win of the season.
Alamein began this game with intent. They attacked from the opening whistle with fullback Estelle Bougias enjoying space and opportunity to deliver crosses and shots from the right.
On the opposite flank, Savanna Anastasopoulos was a constant menace for Alamein and the attacking gameplan made for some rushed passes and hurried touches but kept the visitors on the back foot.
The opening goal came in spectacular fashion in the 38th minute. Duston unleashed a furious drive from the left wing and the ball flew beyond Brunswick goalkeeper Payton Woodward from about 30 yards out. The goal had been coming, but the method of its arrival was a mixture of shock and awe.
Paige Clemenson scored the second goal on the hour mark that started a flurry of goals in the second half. Anastasopoulos intercepted a throw in and slalomed her way through the Brunswick defence. She was unable to get the shot away but shifted the ball wide where Clemenson finished emphatically from the right side of the box.
Anastasopoulos finally got reward for her effort in this game with a goal of her own in the 69st minute. A hopeful ball forward looked easy for Brunswick to deal with, but Anastasopoulos intercepted the back pass, stayed composed and tucked the ball away from close range.
The player of the match brought up her brace after finishing off a flowing team move just two minutes later. She swept the ball into the net with a cushioned volley after a Zoe Houghton cross from the right to make it 4-0 and give Alamein their best result of the season so far.
In Round Seven’s other games, Bulleen Lions defeated Bentleigh Greens 1-0 thanks to a 90th minute winner by Taylor Golden. The substitute scored her second in as many weeks with a back post header from a last-minute corner kick.
Football Victory Academy continued to improve their performances with a 2-2 draw against Preston Lions. Lara Aitken opened the scoring in the third minute, and Clancy Westaway gave the youngsters a two goal cushion in the 52nd minute before Preston clicked into gear and levelled the scores through Eri Narita and Mizuho Yamada.
An Olivia Anderson equaliser denied South Melbourne a win for the first time this season. Spring Hills FC held on for a draw against the league leaders despite Alana Burn’s opening goal and their defence being under siege for most of the 90.
Three first half goals from Heidelberg United was enough to see off Box Hill 3-0 at home.
Cameron Barreiro was instrumental in the first two, first delivering a pinpoint corner onto the head of Keeley Lockhart in the fourth minute.
In the 32nd minute her long cross from the left founds its way to Samantha Curwood-Wagner via a Sawa Matsuda layoff. The finish across goal, through a crowded defence doubled the lead in style.
Matsuda put the home side in cruise control with a third before half time. Kathryn Vlahopoulos threaded a through ball into the path of the Japanese attacker who kept composed to provide an unassailable lead by the 38th minute.
Essendon Royals thought they had rescued a draw against Boroondara Carey Eagles with Emma Langley’s 90th minute equaliser. Eagles speedster Priya Savarirayan opened the scoring in the 24th minute and as time ticked away that looked like it might be enough.
A long range effort from Kendrah Smith bounces off the crossbar and Langley tapped home the rebound to make it 1-1 with only added time remaining, but Hayley Geurts stepped up with a late answer to win the game. The three points were delivered in the most dramatic way possible from a direct free kick at the edge of the area. There was no room for error as Geurts won the match with the last kick of the evening.
No Geurts, No Glory! 🥹
The Boroondara captain delivers a stunning free-kick from outside the box to secure the Mitre NPLW Round 7 Goal of the Week! pic.twitter.com/Pty6K7ecXA
Above: Phallon Tullis-Joyce. Photo: Manchester United.
Speaking to Impetus’ Catherine MacKenzie alongside other media, Manchester United goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce shared her experience watching last year’s FA Cup final from the sidelines, how she deals with the pressure that comes with being Manchester United’s no.1, and what this year’s FA Cup final means to her.
At the end of the 2023-24 season, surprising news came out of Manchester. United and England legend Mary Earps – at the time voted the World’s Best goalkeeper – would leave United for pastures new across the channel in Paris. It was a fitting end that her last action as a United player was to lift the FA Cup trophy at Wembley, hot off the heels of a 4-0 demolition of Tottenham Hotspur.
Following Earps’ departure, United had two senior goalkeepers in their ranks: there was highly regarded but young and inexperienced academy product Safia Middleton-Patel, and unknown American import Phallon Tullis-Joyce, who arrived the previous summer from Seattle. Tullis-Joyce was given the nod as United’s new no.1, allowing the club to spend its relatively modest funds elsewhere, and neither she nor United have looked back since.
In a season of transition for United – Earps’ departure coincided with other high-profile players leaving the club, such as captain Katie Zelem – Tullis-Joyce has been a constant, starting every game but one (an FA Cup duel with Wolverhampton). It is telling that despite these departures, a key feature of this United side has been togetherness. The squad work together as a team, win as a team, and lose as a team. Speaking to Tullis-Joyce, it is clear this approach is something that suits her. Asked what she is looking forward to ahead of the FA Cup final, the keeper said:
“I am excited to be with my teammates. It’s just the chemistry is really what makes it so special to get to this moment. I think it’s just building upon the legacy of the women that started it here. Because it could not have been easy to be a part of those first teams and they’ve already gotten the hardware with that first trophy, and being able to witness that from the sidelines was super special. Now we want to keep adding to that shelf.”
For evidence of the team’s cohesion, one only needs to look at how they defend. Whilst Tullis-Joyce has proved solid in providing cover, making standout saves at crucial moments, the team in front of her also play their part – something the keeper is keen to acknowledge.
“Terri [forward Elisabeth Terland] can be terrifying. I think we’ve seen that this entire time. She’s always just dead set on helping the team in any way that she can.”
The sentiment of whole-team defending is shared by club captain and center-back Maya Le Tissier: “We all love defending. I love blocking, I love doing anything I can to keep the ball out of the back of the net. And that goes for every single player on the pitch. The way that we press helps us massively. It’s a massive team method.”
It is not all about her fellow players, though. Tullis-Joyce also highlights the guidance she has received from Manchester United goalkeeping coach Ian Willcock, who will depart United at the end of the season to join ex-United boss Casey Stoney’s team at the Canada WNT.
“I have the best time with Wilco. I’m super grateful. He was actually the person that I had a phone call with who helped me make that decision to come to Manchester United, because he came with the whole presentation of the things I already did well and things I could improve on, and he actually got me excited about the game again. I knew that I would grow massively under his tutelage, and you know, I was pretty correct with that and I will miss him greatly.”
Above: Tullis-Joyce with Mary Earps, Middleton-Patel and Ian Willcock with the 2024 FA Cup trophy. Photo: Ian Willcock on X.
Whilst Willcock will travel to Canada, Tullis-Joyce’s roots are further South – born and raised in New York City, the keeper was first called up to Emma Hayes’ USWNT in October 2024. Although she did not debut in that camp, she did not have long to wait, earning her first cap for the United States against Brazil in April 2025. She made six saves to keep a clean sheet, and the US won the match 2-0. On her experiences in camp, the keeper shared:
“They’ve been really, really accommodating to me. And you know, I’m just grateful to the staff here and getting to know the staff there, they’ve just been great people.”
Representing a country like the United States comes with a pressure – just as there is a pressure to play for a club like Manchester United, particularly given their legacy of world class goalkeepers like Edwin van der Sar, Peter Schmeichel, David de Gea, and now Mary Earps. Although she arrived in Manchester from Seattle Reign, which has its own large fanbase in the NWSL, United no.1 is an impossible position to prepare for – not only for the size of its fanbase, but also for the size of its ambitions in one of the world’s toughest leagues:
“You have to adapt to survive in this league”.
This strength of mindset is something that Tullis-Joyce has shown time and time again this season. From going down to ten against Manchester City at Old Trafford to making five saves against Chelsea the evening that they became Champions – Tullis-Joyce has proven adept at managing stress and pressure with maturity. Asked specifically about the pressure she encounters as part of both United and the USWNT, she spoke of the importance of being in the moment:
“I think I just have to do the thing. That’s what I tell myself every single day, and every single game day. You know, as nervous as you are, as stressed as you are, as much pressure as there is, there is just one step in front of the other. Which is like a quote from a Christmas movie!”
Above: Tullis-Joyce after her first USWNT cap. Photo: USWNT.
Adding more pressure are the inevitable comparisons to Earps, who cemented a place in the hearts of many across England due to her heroics in both the 2022 European Championships and the 2023 World Cup. It is easy to imagine that the goalkeeper to replace her at club level would feel the pressure of these comparisons, inevitable as they may be. However, the American steadily bats away the notion:
“I think for me that pressure was never related to Mary. I never let myself go down that route. I know that I am a different keeper. Every single keeper is a different keeper. So I never really let that affect me. The pressure is making sure that I keep to the same standard that is expected of a Manchester United goalkeeper.”
Her refusal to be drawn into a rabbit hole of comparison provides evidence once again of the importance of mindset for Tullis-Joyce. The goalkeeper shared that she sometimes leans into the pressure she feels, resulting in excitement rather than stress: “I think it makes every game that much more fun. Just knowing how much is at stake and how much the standard that we have for this club…is something to honestly look forward to each game.”
Some may think that this focus on the moment lends itself to periods of reflection. However, she has a different plan for the summer period: “As soon as the season ends, I’m getting in the ocean.”
Whilst Bayern Munich goalkeeper Mala Grohs is passionate about engineering and Georgia Stanway about tattooing, for Tullis-Joyce, it is the water. With a degree in marine biology and certifications in scientific and scuba diving, the United player once compared her teammates to different species of fish, in a video filmed for the club’s media channels. Stanway has her tattoo studio, Tullis-Joyce has her ocean.
There is something unique about the way that many players in the women’s game seem to have passions outside of the football world. Perhaps a symptom of needing a ‘back up plan’ in case professional football does not work out (or purely for retirement planning), there is a theme of players recognising what time not thinking about football gives them.
“I think it’s helped me tremendously just to have something that’s completely and utterly separate from my career here on the field. And I even took up free diving as well. That helped me understand my bodily physiological responses to stress. So now I’ll be able to kind of sense my stress a little bit faster. That let me be my best self on the field because now I am not carrying that stress with me. From day to day, I am actually able to get a pretty major release just by being able to let go through nature.”
Tullis-Joyce has two major games to manage before she can get in the ocean: a trip to the Emirates to face rivals for second-place Arsenal, and the FA Cup final at Wembley against Chelsea. Asked if she used the recent USWNT camp to ask Hayes for tips on beating her old club Chelsea in the FA Cup final, Tullis-Joyce was coy: “I think her loyalties are to Chelsea”.
Whilst the goalkeeper may be dreaming of mako sharks and blue whales, she is also excited to be in the starting lineup this time around: “I am pretty excited for the final. I think it’s been really fun to be a part of that journey, but now to have a bigger role and make it to the final to see what it’s all about.”
Manchester United face Chelsea in the Women’s FA Cup final at Wembley on Sunday 18th May 2025 at 13:30. The match will be streamed live on BBC One in the UK.
Above: Brighton’s Amex Stadium. Photo: Brighton and Hove Albion FC Website.
In January 2025, Brighton & Hove Albion FC announced plans to design a custom-built stadium for their women’s team by the 2027-28 season. In her debut for Impetus, Clare McEwen asks some key questions: is a new stadium really needed? What could a purpose built stadium for a women’s team look like?
Brighton & Hove Albion are breaking ground in women’s football: metaphorically and soon to be literally. Their purpose-built stadium project, the first of its kind, is bidding to push women’s football further down its own unique path whilst asking a question of other WSL clubs.
Brighton are investing heavily in their women’s team: building the squad this season with marquee signings including England internationals Fran Kirby and Nikita Parris, they are now also planning their new women’s stadium – all signs are pointing to club bosses realising the opportunity women’s football presents and seizing the initiative.
Currently, the team play most of their games at Crawley’s Broadfield Stadium, but deputy club chairman, Paul Barber, hopes they will have their own purpose-built stadium for the 2027/28 season. Although we’ve seen a shift towards women’s teams playing more games at the clubs’ main stadiums, there are many advantages to these teams having their own stadiums.
Above: Broadfield Stadium. Photo: Frank Jasperneite.
As much as the sport is the same regardless of who’s playing it, in reality, the needs of players and fans are different. And then there is the attendance at women’s matches. One day the crowds will rival those seen at men’s games but until then, there is a need to be realistic.
There’s no doubt the main club stadiums provide a great experience for everyone. Players get to play at iconic stadiums in front of bigger crowds than can be squeezed into their home grounds. Families get to enjoy the major club stadium vibe but with accessible ticket prices and an inclusive atmosphere (rather than the more hostile and hugely expensive men’s games). But there are downsides. It’s expensive to run a big stadium so ticket sales have to cover expenses. And as much as this won’t be a problem in the future, at this point in time, it is.
That’s not the only concern. Teams (and fans) get a much better atmosphere when stadiums are full. It’s probably not great to play in a massive stadium with a few thousand spectators rattling around in it. The atmosphere at Chelsea games played at Stamford Bridge has sometimes been described as disappointing by fans. It must also be disappointing for the players. You lose some of that home advantage if there is no audible ’12th woman’ in the stands.
These high profile games also only get played when the men’s teams are not using the main stadium; the women’s teams work around the men’s schedule — such as when Arsenal’s Champions League clash with Bayern Munich was moved to Meadow Park instead of the Emirates so that the men’s team could play Crystal Palace in the League Cup. In the future, this balance will surely shift, but for now, even Champions League games mean making the journey out of central London for Arsenal fans.
This is why purpose-built, mid-sized stadiums are the logical next step in the evolution of women’s football. Currently, although Arsenal and Leicester City regularly use the club’s main stadium, most WSL teams have either smaller grounds of their own (Chelsea and Everton) or share their grounds with academy teams, non-league teams, English Football League (EFL) teams or rugby teams.
Chelsea’s Kingsmeadow is too small for bigger games – and Everton’s Walton Hall Park will soon be too small for WSL requirements (Goodison Park is currently being looked at as a possibility now that the men’s side will be moving out). Although Manchester United’s Leigh Sports Village is bigger and well-suited to the size of the fanbase, it is shared with Leigh’s rugby team and the United men’s academy team.
Above: Manchester United’s Leigh Sports Village. Photo: Castleford Tigers Website.
It seems Brighton are currently the only club seeking to make purpose-built women’s stadiums a reality. If they get it right, it may become the blueprint for other teams. Brighton and Hove City council gave the go-ahead for the club to look for a site for a purpose-built 10,000 capacity women’s stadium facility. This would become the first football stadium in England to be specifically built around the women’s team. With Brighton leading the way, it’s surely only a matter of time before other clubs follow.
There is a chance for Brighton to build the facility from the ground up: size isn’t the only consideration. Women’s football attracts a different audience to men’s, so it’s important to find out who comes to women’s matches and how to redesign the football match experience around them.
Making it more family-friendly should be a consideration — family rooms, baby change facilities, buggy parks, different food and drink options, family-friendly ticket options, and easy (and plentiful) parking areas, for example. Seat tiers are currently designed for a male height and size. How could this be designed to make viewing easier for women and children? Could they build in areas for people with sensory overload concerns, blind people, and other disabilities that would extend beyond just a couple of wheelchair spaces?
For the players, changing rooms designed for them would look different to those built for men and Brighton are already considering whether the pitch surface itself should be different — do different surfaces alter injury risk? Pitches have always been created for male players and maybe a different surface would reduce the injury risk in females.
Leaving no stone underturned, Brighton are planning their own research into whether pitch preparation could be altered to better suit the female physique. If a club is building a whole new stadium specifically designed for women, it is sensible to look at everything and Brighton seem to agree.
Their project offers an opportunity to revolutionise stadiums for different players and a different audience. Paul Barber, deputy club chairman, has said that a purpose-built stadium would give “respect and focus” to the women’s team and help them build an audience that isn’t yet there, but he believes will be in the future.
The club is thinking of a modular approach to building the stadium so that it can grow with the audience. They’ve already thought about a mid-sized stadium and maybe a purpose built pitch for female athletes.
Brighton could lead the way in many areas of purpose-built stadium design. Fans, players, and other clubs will all be watching, hoping this is the start of a new era in women’s football. Ideally, other clubs will get on board quickly and help build the research pool with Brighton, but for now, Brighton & Hove Albion are pioneers. Maybe they even will revolutionise women’s football.
Above: Brighton celebrate a big win. Photo: @BHAFCWomen on X.
Brighton pounced on a low-on-confidence Arsenal to claim a historic first victory against the Gunners, beating them 4-2 at the Broadfield Stadium.
In the opening moments of the game, Brighton put immediate pressure on Arsenal’s back line. Jelena Cankovic was the first to take a shot at goal but was deftly denied by Manuela Zinsberger with a fingertip save.
Arsenal made an immediate response seconds later, with Alessia Russo using her strength to guide the ball down the right-hand side of the pitch. After sending a fantastic ball into the box, Russo found the feet of Foord who was one-on-one with the keeper but the pressure from Sophie Baggaley was enough to send the ball just wide of the post.
As Arsenal eventually began to find their feet in the game, they were caught out on the counterattack. All it took was a perfectly timed pass from Cankovic and Fran Kirby powered the ball into the top right corner, sealing the first goal of the match for the home side.
Above: Fran Kirby peels away after scoring Brighton’s first. Photo: @BHAFCWomen on X.
Despite the setback for the Gunners, Arsenal looked positive and continued to apply pressure to Brighton’s back line for a large sector of the first half.
The Gunners managed to make it equal in the twenty-ninth minute through Caitlin Foord as she received a precise delivery from Mariona Caldentey.
However, the victory was short-lived for Arsenal and in the closing stages of the first half Brighton claimed their second goal of the game after receiving a corner, resulting in an astonishing volley from Cankovic.
Although the half time stats presented Arsenal to be dominating the game, the scoreline told a remarkably different story.
Going into the second half was clear that Brighton were feeling confident and it wasn’t long until this confidence paid off.
Extraordinarily, in the space of three minutes Brighton bagged two more goals through Cancovik and Seike. Cancovik managed to get her name on the board for the second time of the day after a poor clearance from Zinsberger was intercepted and played back over to her.
Arsenal’s defensive system suffered again just over a minute later, after Seike beat Katie McCabe to the ball and confidently shot it past the Arsenal keeper.
In the closing stages of this exhilarating game, Caldentey found the back of the net and got a second for the away team after finding herself unmarked just within the box.
However, this, along with a close attempt from Jenna Nighswonger that hit the crossbar from long range just wasn’t enough for Renee Sleger’s side to get back into the game this late on.
For Brighton, it was an important event as they had beat Arsenal for the first time. Although for the Gunners, this was their second consecutive defeat in the space of a week, leaving a large stain on their confidence ahead of a big week. The result also gives Manchester United a way of pipping them to second place – all they need to do is beat the Gunners at the Emirates next weekend.
Above: Manchester United celebrate. Photo: @ManUtdWomen on X.
Manchester United welcomed their local rivals Manchester City to Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon in a vital match in the race to the top three of the Women’s Super League. In this collaboation between Impetus contributors, Manchester United fan Catherine MacKenzie and City fan Gethin Thurlow break down the game and consider where the result leaves their teams….
The context
Manchester United finished last season in fifth place, out of contention for the Champions League qualifying stages. City finished second, equal on points with champions Chelsea but behind on goal difference.
Despite a blockbuster win against reigning champions Barcelona in the Autumn, City were eliminated in the qualifying rounds of the Champions League after injuries ravaged their squad depth.
United have had a stronger 2024-25 season and would cement the all-important third place WSL finish with a point against City. To have the opportunity to usurp the Red Devils and poach third place, City needed a win against them.
City’s previous game was a narrow one-nil win over Leicester City, buoyed by the return of long-term injured duo Alex Greenwood and Lauren Hemp. United faced a Chelsea who would be crowned champions with a win; the blues managed a late winner in Manchester to wrap up the league title.
The action
United started the game strongly and had an early goal from Elisabeth Terland ruled out for a foul in the build-up. Combined with the stop-start nature of the game (which saw major injuries to City’s Leila Ouahabi and United’s Jade Riviere), this gave the visitors the momentum. City took the lead as Lauren Hemp crossed into Laia Aleixandri, who shot home.
Minutes later, City defender (and substitute for the injured Ouahabi) Rebecca Knaak headed home from a Yui Hasegawa corner.
Above: Rebecca Knaak celebrates her goal. Photo: @ManCityWomen on X.
City were not two ahead for long, however, thanks to another early substitute. Aoife Mannion had come on in the 29th minute for the injured Jade Riviere, and she put in a sublime ball which Grace Clinton slotted home to give United a lifeline.
Melvine Malard was introduced on the hour mark, equalising five minutes later through a team goal that started with Tullis-Joyce and included touches from Maya Le Tissier, Aoife Mannion and Elisabeth Terland.
Above: Melvine Malard celebrates scoring the leveller. Photo: Manchester United Website.
The latter stages of the second half were tense as both teams gave their all in the quest for Champions League football; United needed to maintain the draw, and City needed to get the winner.
Alex Greenwood was shown a yellow for a frustrated foul, and Mannion was sent off after receiving her second. The home side faced the last fifteen minutes a player down, however a tenacious display from the backline managed to limit City to a handful of strong chances despite mounting pressure.
The game ended with a draw, cementing United’s Champions League ambitions and leaving City four points behind in fourth.
The fan POV: Manchester United
By Catherine MacKenzie
This game felt important on a number of fronts: the potential for Champions League football next year, facing a City who are rejuvenated with the return of England internationals Hemp and Greenwood.
The game was also played at Old Trafford, in front of a powerful crowd of over 30,000, a far cry from the 12,000 who attended the opening game of the season against West Ham.
Most important was the potential to cement Champions League football for next season. Head coach Marc Skinner has consistently suggested that his primary aim for the season was to achieve third place.
To the fans, the club’s ambitions were tempered by last summer’s exodus of players and comments from new majority-owner Sir Jim Radcliffe suggesting he did not take the club’s women seriously – which were reinforced by actions such as moving the women into temporary portacabins whilst the men’s facilities were being revamped.
Cementing the Champions League for next season has been seen as a way of celebrating a team that has been known to ‘go under the radar’ this season – particularly defensively, as the team leads the way in terms of WSL clean sheets and have only conceded 12 goals, one less than champions Chelsea.
However, against City it was the midfield that made the difference. United’s midfield – Grace Clinton, Hinata Miyazawa, Ella Toone, and later Dominique Janssen – were instrumental in both defensive solidity and offensive transitions.
Above: Grace Clinton picks the ball out of the net after scoring. Photo: @ManUtdWomen on X.
Clinton’s work off the ball allowed her to contribute both defensively and offensively, while Miyazawa’s technicality provided balance.
Toone, operating in a more advanced role, showcased her creativity and vision, contributing to United’s attacking transitions. Janssen was introduced following Mannion’s red card, likely for her ability to control the direction of play and calmness on the ball.
United needed Janssen’s experience in the closing stages, when City were throwing the proverbial kitchen sink at the United goal. A calming presence that has been through many international tournaments and big games for VfL Wolfsburg and Arsenal, United will need more figures like Janssen to compete in the Champions League next year.
Skinner alluded to this after the game:
“We saw City drop off because of injuries. In order to go into the depths of the Champions League, or even out of the qualifying rounds….we’ve got to have that depth. We have good depth but we need a little bit more. Hopefully it opens that market for us. When we have recruitment calls, it’s all about if you get Champions League, if you get Champions League….”
It is not common that a draw in the Manchester derby can be celebrated; however today, the promise of Europe next season means United fans will be celebrating that result as if they had trounced their rivals 5-0. Speaking post-match, Skinner suggested the same:
“…to go 2 nil down to then come back and to go down to ten players….to see the game out absolutely feels like a win.”
The fan POV: Manchester City
By Gethin Thurlow
For City, It was another tough blow in a brutal season dominated by injuries to key players.
Going into the game, there was an increasing sense of optimism among the fans. The last week felt like it was coming together – Hemp and Greenwood returning last Sunday, and Chelsea beating United midweek to keep the gap at four points.
Whilst it was not at all guaranteed that United would fail to beat Arsenal on the final day; there was a definite feeling that a victory would’ve put third place firmly in City’s grip.
Losing the potential for third in such a way – after holding a 2-0 is particularly brutal, and City’s lack of ability to manage the game until half time was ultimately their undoing.
You could also argue that not taking advantage of the extra player was costly, but it was always going to be an uphill battle with United crowding the box and going all out for a draw by this point.
A controversial tactical tweak that did not pay off was pushing Greenwood out to left back when Leila Ouahabi went off injured, with Rebecca Knaak taking up the left centre back role.
Above: Alex Greenwood in the derby. Photo: @ManCityWomen on X.
Usually, Ouahabi provides an overlap while Hemp cuts inside and can cross beautifully, whereas Greenwood lacks the pace to do this, and her positioning and solidity is missed in the middle.
With Knaak often being dragged out of position, perhaps City could have instead turned to Layzell or Wienrother on the bench and moved Casparij to the left, as was so successful against Barcelona back in October.
To miss out on a Champions League place goes beyond the initial heartbreak and even further than ‘we won’t get Champions League nights next year’. It makes City a much less attractive option for players coming into England (Kerolin herself admitted that was a major reason for signing in January) and could mean an exodus of players who are sick of not winning trophies.
Ultimately, it concludes what was an unsuccessful three-month interim period for Nick Cushing – compared to the objectives set out when appointing him that is. It is harsh to judge him against these standards considering that the injury crisis got so much broader as he took the job and it is worth noting there were some significant improvements compared to Gareth Taylor’s running of the team.
Above: Jess Flannery (15), Louise Tana, and Daisy McAllister jump for joy today with Maja Archibald coming to join them as Perth SC became the first side to defeat Football West Academy this season. Photo: Rob Lizzi.
It was a big week of action in the league with the top two facing off against each other, and the same for the bottom two. Elsewhere, there was a battle of sides placed third and fourth on the ladder, and a game between those placed fifth and sixth. It was an absolute cracker.
During the midweek, Subiaco claimed a 5-1 victory at Murdoch University Melville in a game that was originally scheduled to be played in Round One, but was postponed due to extreme heat.
UWA-Nedlands 2-0 Murdoch University Melville
The round opened on Saturday afternoon as UWA-Nedlands gained a vital victory in the battle of the league’s bottom two sides at the UWA Sports Park.
Going into the encounter, these were the only two teams in the NPLW WA yet to win this season, but there was clear daylight between the teams in this huge encounter, with the home side running out comfortable victors.
UWA-Nedlands carved out their first opportunity just 40 seconds into this match as Samara Riches hit a shot just over the top. Indeed, the hosts claimed three corners inside the first five minutes alone as they came out firing.
With 10 minutes played, Melina Franklin, who was excellent throughout, broke through to play in Riches, who hit a shot from the right of the box that trickled against the left-hand post.
Murdoch University Melville (MUM FC) attacks were few and far between. Their earliest opportunity came when Anna Denona’s free-kick curled over the top with 17 minutes on the clock.
Just before the half-hour mark, the warning signs began to flash for the visitors as Kaitlyn Mohan tipped a shot from outside the box over the top. Within 60 seconds, though, she would be beaten.
UWA-Nedlands forced back-to-back corners, and from the second, MUM FC cleared initially, but only as far as Andrea Preiato, who lifted a first-time shot from the edge of the box into the net.
There was one further opportunity before the break when Mohan was forced to save from her own defender as Jessie Ellis’ header from a UWA-Nedlands corner was flying perilously close to the goal.
Murdoch University Melville were on the back foot, finding it almost impossible to break out of their own half of the field. The home side had forced eight corners in the opening half and as many shots on target. MUM FC were looking for their first in both of those stats.
Things didn’t improve for the visitors after the break, as UWA-Nedlands continued to have the possession and territorial advantage. On the hour mark, Franklin’s turn and shot from the outside of the box to the right needed a touch from Mohan to ensure it went narrowly wide of the left-hand post.
Finally, the hosts made sure of the points with a second goal in the 79th minute. An excellent one-two along the left between Franklin and Riches saw the former cross high into the box. Elise Cleminson got a touch which took play out for Amy Hartley to return a low ball into the mix for her fellow substitute Hannah Seeley to turn home.
This was a deserved win for UWA-Nedlands. They controlled the pace, possession, and field throughout. Whilst it must be said MUM FC did come into this game on the back of a midweek game against Subiaco, it was a disappointing display from the visitors who are now bottom of the ladder and have a significantly worse goal difference record compared to their opponents.
Freo ran out winners in this crucial battle between the two sides, who went into the round just outside the top four thanks to Leyna Wood’s early goal.
With Subi’s midweek win over Murdoch University Melville pushing the hosts down to sixth on the ladder, the port city outfit knew that a victory would be important to prevent Greg Farrell’s side from putting clear daylight between the two clubs.
Fremantle built an early lead. With just over five minutes played, Abbey Green drove forward to feed Tatem Spencer, who saw her shot saved by Monique Todd in the Subi goal. City would have better luck with the very next piece of play.
The home side regained possession from the resulting goalkick, with Janice Kiama then picking up the play in the centre midfield. She found Catherine Adams outside her to the left, who in turn fed Wood. The American turned the ball further out to Mikayla Lyons, who returned the favour with a lovely insightful pass through to the box, where Wood hit a cool finish into the left of the goal.
The outcome of this match would prove to be even sweeter for Fremantle, who are now unbeaten in their last three matches, as results elsewhere ensured that they would climb into the top four for the first time this season.
Perth RedStar gained a superb victory over top-four rivals Balcatta Etna as a rich reward for Renee Leota’s landmark 300th appearance for the club.
The New Zealand international brings awe-inspiring experience and accolades to both Perth RedStar and the NPLW as a whole having won seven league titles, six State Cups, and four Top Four Cups. On top of this Leota can point to being part of the Football Ferns’ 2008 Olympic squad as part of her 15 international caps.
The half started off steady, with both sides negotiating for control. At the eighth-minute mark, Balcatta’s Lucy Jerram pulled over a promising cross from the left wing but it found the hands of a calm and collected Gabby Dal Busco in the home goal.
Leota was involved in a chance for RedStar as her pass met the feet of a steadily striding Caitlin Doeglas. Balcatta’s defence were alert to the threat Doeglas posed, and promptly entered a one-v-two. Given minimal space to work in, Balcatta may have thought they had the Perth Glory attacker covered – except this is Caitlin Doeglas we’re talking about.
A trademark stunning attempt caught Balcatta goalkeeper Rebecca Bennett off her line, and the home side were in front.
The visitors’ hunger for to hit back became evident. What started off as a steady and gradual match-up, quickly became intense, with a collective of 14 fouls and 13 shots at goal recorded in the first half alone.
Surrounded in a sea of white Balcatta shirts, it seemed unlikely that RedStar would be able to capitalise on even a small chance this close to their goal. Again, Doeglas worked her magic with a powerful shot from outside the box to put her side 2-0 up after 32.
Marking the special occasion, Leota secured what can only be described as a perceptive goal. The Kiwi skilfully intercepted a pass from Balcatta’s defence aimed towards goalkeeper Bennett. Weaving her way around would-be tackles, Leota secured a lovely goal on a such a momentous afternoon for her personally.
In steady succession, RedStar’s Sarah Carroll’s prompt analysis of positioning skillfully intercepted a loose pass from the visitors, and the number two pushed on to earn the defending champions a comfortable 4-0 lead.
Another threat from RedStar called for a rapid response from Balcatta’s backline. Balcatta’s backline positioned to defend; Frankie Murray-Hocking’s misjudged defensive efforts saw the ball find the back of her side’s goal.
Although the afternoon was far from ideal for Balcatta Etna, the squad should be commended for their ability to analyse the game and assume intentional playing positions. Balcatta’s forward speed and, more particularly, Lucy Jerram on the wing, were also noteworthy.
However, for a team that many people put into the equation as likely league champions in pre-season, too many errors were made defensively, and Perth RedStar are always going to seize on them to make a team pay. They did so yet again today, and how.
BALCATTA ETNA: Bennett, Murray-Hocking, van Heurck, St. Pierre, Davis, Meakins, Marwick, Jarvis, Duncanson, Jerram, Gale. Substitutes: Cook, Britton, Hargreaves, Comito.
Perth SC 3-0 Football West Academy
by Ben Gilby
Above: Football West Academy goalkeeper Daisy McGeadie Cole is beaten by Jess Flannery’s superb shot that put Perth SC 3-0 up at Dorrien Gardens today. Photo: Rob Lizzi.
The Azzurri scored three stunning goals to see off the Football West Academy (FWA) in Sunday’s battle between the only two teams in the competition who were unbeaten going into this round.
Perthwere on the front foot from the start, and earned their first corner with just three minutes played. It would take just a further two minutes for them to take the lead.
Epril Nossent played a teasing through ball from the right flank for Daisy McAllister to chase between FWA defenders Daniella Santich and Marley Barlow. McAllister showed great pace and skill to beat the pair and lift a stunning shot from just outside the box into the right-hand corner of the net.
The home side’s forward momentum, allied with crisper passing and tactics, ensured that the visitors had minimal time when on the ball, and ensured that they remained on top.
Perth were working hard to keep the visitors’ key attacking weapons of Klaudia Houlis and Xuri Dalton at arm’s length. Indeed, Houlis had just the one opportunity during the opening 45.
It came just before the half-hour mark, when she used her pace to beat Hannah Collins on the left-hand edge of the box and fired a shot just over the top from an acute angle.
There was one further chance before the break when Azzurri keeper Dayle Schroeder looked to play the ball out, but Dalton was in the way for the FWA, and the ball fell for Lacey Heys, who was denied by an excellent diving save by the Perth shot stopper.
Perth reasserted their control early in the second half, as they forced three successive corners.
From the first, which came in high from Mathers from the left, Matilda Boehm saw her header at the back post pushed away by Daisy McGreadie Cole in the FWA goal. Flannery curled the resulting flag kick from the right, which saw Mathers’ effort from close range repelled by the visiting keeper for the third attempt that came to nothing.
Then, just before the hour mark, the Azzurri doubled their advantage with another outstanding move.
Maja Archibald took possession inside her own half and fed McAllister to the right of centre. Her sublime touch with the outside of her foot was measured to perfection for Louise Tana to run onto to lift a shot into the net from outside of the box.
Whilst the FWA had a glimmer with 20 minutes remaining when Dalton’s free-kick from 30 yards out was pushed out by Schroeder at the right-hand post, they still couldn’t get any sort of foothold in the match.
Perth punished them again in the 79th minute – again in some style. A perfectly weighted ball from Mathers released Flannery, who raced to the edge of the box and let fly with a stunning effort which flew into the left-hand corner of the net.
The visitors had a greater percentage of possession in the closing period, but they could only really muster a handful of half-chances, which saw Schroeder comfortably repel efforts from Houlis and Nelli Johnson.
Above: London City Lionesses after the final whistle confirmed their promotion to the WSL. Photo: London City Lionesses on Twitter
Birmingham City 2-2 London City Lionesses
By Alyce Collett (4/5/25)
London City Lionesses are Barclay’s Women’s Championship champions after picking up a point from a 2-2 draw against Birmingham City. Coming into the match only needing to avoid a loss, London City initially had a comfortable lead, but had to fight off a solid Blues’ comeback to make sure they lifted the trophy.
London City’s goals came from Isobel Goodwin and Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah, while goals from Emily Van Egmond and Cho So-hyun brought Birmingham City back into the match, those goals were ultimately not enough.
The match was open and free flowing early, with much of the match being end to end action. Birmingham City had the first decent chance to score, but the sheer numbers of the London City defence neutralised it.
Eventually momentum started to swing the visitors’ way, as they started to rack up time in their attack and picked up a couple of corners in a row. City were not without their moments of potential though, at times really testing the foundations of the Lionesses’ defence.
As the half reached its halfway mark Ivana Fuso started to really get into the game for the home side and started to create things in midfield, while Lee Geum-Min was also starting to get into dangerous positions.
Meanwhile for the visitors Goodwin was getting herself into good positions, but her first touch was too heavy at times which was letting her down. Sofia Jakobsson was also creating dangerous moves out wide on the right.
As the first half progressed it was a very even contest, and it was the type of match where minor mistakes or millimetre imperfections could prove telling.
As half time drew closer London City started to wrestle back control and got incredibly close to putting a first goal on the board but could not quite find the back of the net. The scoreline ultimately sat goalless at the break after an intriguing first half, with the match still all to play for in the second half.
The half time stats really showed how even the first half had been.
London City had about 7% more of the possession, but crucially only one of their seven shots was on target. By comparison, Birmingham City got three of their six shots on target.
The Lionesses came out of the half time break on the front foot, and did not even take two minutes to put the opening goal on the board after Goodwin scored a rocket from outside the box.
They had a second just over 10 minutes after their first when Boye-Hlorkah headed home an Asllani corner to make the hill the Blues had to climb just that bit taller.
However just as everything looked settled, Birmingham City breathed some life back into the game after Van Egmond headed home a goal of her own.
The goal gave the home side a bit of a pep in their step and they started to press harder when in possession. They continued to build up continuous time in their attacking third, but just could not find a way past the London City defence.
As the minutes continued to tick down it was not looking good for the home side, but with about five minutes left in the match Cho belted a shot home to really make it anyone’s game. Just to add to the drama, with everything that had happened in the second half there ended up being 10 minutes of stoppage time.
London City went very defensive in that stoppage time, and it was clear that they were just trying to ride out the time as all they needed was a draw to take the title. Birmingham City kept attacking and spent just about the entire 10 minutes with the attacking momentum, but no matter what or how hard they tried they just could not get past the London City defence.
It was a messy and at times chaotic final moments of the match, but ultimately the Lionesses kept the Blues out, and the title was theirs.
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