Mariners hold firm to take out Victory

Melbourne Victory 1-1 Central Coast Mariners

Central Coast Mariners win 5-4 on penalties after extra-time.

by Alice de Koster-Kitto (18/5/25)

Above: Central Coast Mariners lift the A-League Women Grand Final trophy in only their second year back in the competition. Photo: A-Leagues

Central Coast Mariners have been crowned the 2024/25 A-League Women Champions after defeating Melbourne Victory after the first-ever penalty shootout in the league’s history.

It had been a showstopping 120-minute battle at AAMI Park. The Grand Final ended in a penalty shootout for the first time in the league’s history, leading the Mariners to their first ever Championship title, concluding what is just their second season since being reinstated to the league. 

Both teams’ defences have been regarded as some of the strongest in the competition this season, leaving crowds prepared for an intense end-to-end battle. The match lived up to its expectations, with immediate physicality on the pitch. A foul on Bianca Galic by Sara D’Appolina just under 30 seconds into play set the scene for what would be an exhilarating conclusion to the 2024/25 campaign. 

A link-up between Jade Penncok and Brooke Nunn gave Mariners an early chance when Nunn’s strike was collected by Courtney Newbon, as the underdogs, unnerved a confident Victory side. 

The attacking power of Emily Geilnik proved once again to be an invaluable aspect of this Victory side, as the scoring was thought to be opened by the hosts in the eighth minute, before being called offside, following a scuffle inside the box.  Though the goal was not awarded, it asserted Victory’s dominance over what has been considered an impenetrable Mariners defence at times.  

Taylor Ray’s return to a comfortable defensive midfield position caused quite a disruption to what was expected to be a dangerous battle between Izzy Gomez and Alex Chidiac. Despite this change unsettling the home side’s game-plan for a time, all eyes were still on this midfield showdown when Gomez was unable to intercept Chidiac’s through ball, which gave Nicki Flannery an excellent opportunity, but the ball was ultimately sent too wide. 

It was Central Coast who dominated the ball in the first half, holding 61% of possession, while Victory had the better of the chances. Neither side was able to capitalise on their respective advantage, as Jess Nash worked hard to deny Victory’s attack.

As the first half came to a close, the Mariners managed to capitalise on their chances, evening out the opportunities, creating a slew of end-to-end action. While at the top of the match it seemed that Victory – albeit not without a fight – would be the ones to open the scoring, the game became quite unpredictable, with Emily Husband’s side garnering the momentum to create their own opportunity to break the deadlock.

The final chance of the first half was a long range strike from Alana Murphy, who had an impeccable first half, got dangerously close to opening the scoring, fell just above the post.

The Mariners wasted no time in the second half, as Isabel Gomez opened the scoring just a minute in, taking advantage of a missed interception to put her side into the lead.

Gomez’s goal marks yet another addition to what has been a brilliant campaign for the 22-year-old, receiving a Matildas call-up, for the first time since suffering a knee injury in Central Coast’s previous meeting with Melbourne Victory in November. It was Gomez, of course, who scored the last-minute goal against Melbourne City in the semi-final that landed the Mariners at AAMI Park this evening. 

Melbourne Victory looked for an instant reply, with a strike from Rachel Lowe, meeting the hands of Sarah Langman. 

Lowe continued to dominate in Victory’s attack, challenging Central Coast’s defence as she desperately looked for the equaliser, with back-to-back chances, none of which were able to be turned into a goal. 

The next opportunity for the hosts came via an excellent strike from Alex Chidiac, but yet another impeccable save by Langman denied the Matilda.

Melbourne Victory gained a sense of false hope for the second time this match when Claudia Bunge managed to put the ball in the back of the net, before being called rightfully offside. The shot was not dissimilar to Gielnik’s previous effort that was ruled out for offside after a tough fight inside the box, putting it over the line. 

The first change for Victory came at the 65th minute as Rachel Lowe made way for Holly Furphy, in hopes that fresh legs would contribute to their much-needed impact on the game. Furphy managed to involve herself in two big chances just minutes after touching the pitch, and although these first few touches weren’t to be transformed into goals, the momentum of the game was changed for the home side, as stoppage time approached. 

With just 20 minutes left of regulation, Sarah Rowe made way for 17-year-old Blake Hughes, who made an instant impact on the pitch, shooting high on her first touch, keeping Victory off the ball.

Just as hope was dwindling for Melbourne Victory, the scoring was equalised in the 80th minute, when a ball from Alana Murphy was tapped over the line by Claudia Bunge inside the box, leaving a level Grand Final in the last 10 minutes. 

Once again, the safe hands of Sarah Langwan came to the rescue of the Mariners as a shot on target from Alana Jancevski threatened a late goal for Victory in the 88th minute. 

Despite the efforts at either end, the match was left even at full time, sending the Grand Final to extra time for the first time in 17 years. 

A change in the formation at the start of extra time, set to shake a confident Victory side, looked to create opportunity for the Mariners, as Taylor Ray dropped back into defence, after Taren King concluded her first 90 minutes since returning from an anterior cruciate ligament injury. 

Gielnik continued to be a dominant threat to the Mariners with a series of dangerous strikes, none of which were a match for the gloves of Sarah Langman, who added to her arsenal of outstanding saves. 

Melbourne Victory were the dominant side in the first minutes of extra time, though Mariners’ defence still remained stable as ever, remaining unshaken by Victory’s determination. The pressure from the home side did not shake the Mariners, as their collected style of play and ability to absorb such pressure continued to give them an advantage in such an intense environment. 

The ever-confident Mariners took quite a hit at a crucial point in play when Jess Nash came off with an injury. With no direct replacement available, the Mariners risked playing with 10, in hopes that Nash would recover before the second half of extra time. 

Victory took immediate advantage, with a dangerous strike from Flannery in the 106th minute that was saved..

Despite several opportunities at both ends, the match was left 1-1 after 120 minutes of tireless and heart-racing play, sending the Grand Final to a penalty shootout for the first time in A-League Women history. 

The first penalty was taken by Alana Jancevski. Sarah Langman’s ability was not needed, as the ball bounced off the crossbar, leaving the Mariners at an immediate advantage. 

16-year-old Tiana Fuller took the Mariners’ first penalty, striking the ball to the bottom right corner, putting Central Coast Mariners into the lead. 

The remainder of the penalties remained even, leaving Victory and Mariners fans alike on the edge of their seats, holding their breaths, waiting for the tiebreaker. 

It was Bianca Galic who took the last penalty for the Mariners, a choice that was sure to unnerve Melbourne Victory, as they were taken back to their last shootout against Central Coast in the 2024/25 season, in which Galic’s penalty had them eliminated. 

It was history repeating itself, as Galic’s strike soared past Newbon, hitting the back of the net, and awarding the Central Coast Mariners the title of A-League Women Champions for the first time in history. 

Concluding just their second season since rejoining the league, simply making the final was an extraordinary achievement for the Mariners, and a testament to head coach Husbands’ clear vision and unwavering commitment to bettering her team week after week throughout this campaign. 

When the Central Coast Mariners exited the league 14 years ago, lifting the trophy would have been unimaginable. Yet the sheer determination of Husband and her squad has not only revived this team but exceeded all expectations and cemented themselves in Australian football history. 

Now go to our Instagram page – @ImpetusFootball for EXCLUSIVE photography from the Grand Final from Impetus’ duo of photographers at the game – Beck Hartley and Tilly McDonald

Teams: MELBOURNE VICTORY (4-3-3): Newbon, Wilson, Bunge, Murphy, Chidiac, Flannery, D’Appolonia, Gielnik, Morrison, Lowe, Jancevski. Substitutes: O’Grady, Furphy, Pickett, Curtis, Young, Candy.

Scorer: Bunge 80’

CENTRAL COAST MARINERS (3-4-1-2): Langman, Nash, Martin, Gomez, Pennock, Gaelic, Ray, Rasmussen, Rowe, King, Nunn. Substitutes: Morrissey, Fuller, Kraszula, Trimis, Hughes. 

Scorers: Gomez 46’. 

Referee: Izzy Cooper. 

Attendance: 6,568.

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The Women’s FA Cup: A History

By Catherine MacKenzie (17/05/2025)

Above: Southampton Women lifting the inaugural Mitre Challenge Trophy. Photo: The National Football Museum.

On Sunday, Manchester United and Chelsea face off in the final of one of England’s most prestigous tournaments. Ahead of the game, Impetus‘ Catherine MacKenzie looks back at the competition’s long history.

If you ask fans of men’s football in England, they will likely say the FA Cup is magical. The Football Association Challenge Cup is the world’s oldest football competition, dating back to the 1870s. Open to all football clubs across the football pyramid, it has become famous for upsets – spirited underdogs beating a team three or four leagues above them. The 2025 men’s trophy is emblematic of this: won by underdogs Crystal Palace by beating giants Manchester City 1-0 in the Wembley final.

Throughout the 1970s and 80s, the frequency of these upsets led pundits to coin the phrase “the magic of the FA Cup” – capturing the sense that anything can happen in the competition.

Some of these games include Southampton beating Manchester United in 1976; Wimbledon beating Liverpool in 1988; Millwall beating Arsenal in 1995; Wigan winning against Manchester City in 2013, and bottom-tier Shrewsbury Town beating premier-league side Everton in 2003.

The women’s competition may be comparatively recent, but it has proved to be just as magical. After the FA wrote a letter to the Women’s Football Association (WFA) in December 1969 confirming that the longstanding ban on women playing football would be lifted, the Mitre Challenge Trophy was established.

Independent of the formal FA, the WFA worked across the whole of the UK and allowed teams from Scotland and Wales to compete in its competitions – including early Mitre Challenge competitions. In 1972, the Scottish Women’s Football Association (SWFA) was founded, and Scottish teams reverted to playing in competitions organised by them – no teams from outside of England have competed since the early years.

The first final: Southampton 4 – 1 Stewarton Thistle

Early years were dominated by current National League South club Southampton Women FC (not to be confused with the WSL2 club of the same name) and current National League North side Doncaster; Southampton’s Sirens won the first final on the 9th of May 1971 by a scoreline of 4-1, beating Scotland’s Stewarton Thistle.

Above: Southampton’s Sirens with the Mitre Challenge Cup. Photo: The Guardian.

From the 1970s to the early 1990s, most games were played at small non-league grounds around the country. As the ban on women’s football was only on the verge of being officially lifted when the competition was established, no club from the men’s Football League offered their ground for its first final.

As a result, the WFA arranged for the final to be played at the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre – a venue steeped in history as the host of 20 men’s FA Cup finals, the last of which took place in 1914.

Footage from the final – although grainy – reveals a pitch with long grass and a surface that would be considered substandard by today’s expectations. The crowd is thinly spread along the perimeter behind the barriers near the running track, but the main stand is nearly full; although no official attendance records exist, it is thought that at least hundreds of spectators were in attendance (the following year, 1,500 attended the final).

Speaking of that first final, then-Southampton captain Lesley Lloyd told The Women’s FA Cup website: “Cup final day was fantastic. For me, it felt like being at Wembley. The feeling of lifting that cup is something I will never forget, thinking that we had actually won it, and the feeling that after all that time the FA had finally recognised that women could play football.”

Above: Lesley Lloyd in 2021. Photo: FA/Slog/Handout Photo/PA.

In 1979, the FA dedicated a new trophy to the competition as a celebration of its 10th anniversary. The original trophy has since disappeared.

Early years: 1971-1993, Southampton’s Sirens and the Doncaster Belles

Throughout the 1960s, the rise of feminism meant women started campaigning more vigorously for the right to play football. On November 1, 1969, delegates from 44 clubs gathered in London for the inaugural meeting of the WFA. Arthur Hobbs, a carpenter and amateur player, became the WFA’s first Honorary Secretary, and Pat Dunn was appointed as its first Chairperson.

An early ally of women’s football, in 1967 Hobbs had spearheaded the organisation of a women’s football tournament in Deal, Kent, with backing from the local mining community at Betteshanger Colliery. As the ban was still in place and no FA fields could be used, the game was played on the colliery’s fields. The Deal Tournament aimed to celebrate women’s football; it became a precursor to the Mitre trophy, proving a women’s tournament could be successful.

After beating Stewarton Thistle 4-1 in the first Mitre Trophy final, Southampton continued to dominate. The team from the South made it to the first three finals of the competition, beating Scottish teams to the trophy on all three occasions. The Sirens’ squad boasted some of the country’s top talents, including Sue Lopez, prolific forward Pat Davies and goalkeeper Sue Buckett. The team would go on to win seven of the first ten finals; the last of which came in 1982.

Following Southampton’s dominance, women’s football was growing more competitive throughout the 1980s. Founded in 1969, the Doncaster Belles eventually found their share of the dominance too. The Belle Vue Belles were established in 1969 by a group of women who sold raffle tickets at Doncaster Rovers’ Belle Vue stadium. Initially named after the stadium, they changed their name to Doncaster Belles in 1971.

Above: The Doncaster Belles in the 1980s. Photo: The Football History Boys.

During the 1980s and early 1990s, the Belles established themselves as a powerhouse in English women’s football. Between 1983 and 1994, they appeared in the FA Women’s Cup final 11 times over a 12-year span, claiming the title on six occasions during that remarkable run.

Mitre stopped sponsoring the competition in 1976; it was then known as the WFA Cup until the FA takeover in 1993.

Recent history: FA takeover and dominant London clubs

The FA took over running the competition in 1993. This meant it became official and more closely aligned with the men’s FA Cup – including being rebranded as the ‘FA Women’s Cup’.  While the WFA is credited for establishing and nurturing women’s football through difficult early decades following the ban, the FA’s takeover in 1993 provided the institutional backing needed for the sport to grow nationally and eventually reach more professional standards. This coincided with men’s top-tier clubs beginning to further finance their women’s sides.

Chelsea, for example, have been backed extensively over the last two decades, and Arsenal have long been integrated into the club’s structure. Being early starters gave both clubs a head start in scouting the nation’s best talent, building infrastructure, and establishing the dominance that enabled them to continue that investment. Arsenal have been pioneers – founded in 1987, they dominated the game for years and have a rich trophy history, including a UEFA Women’s Cup (now the Champions League) win in 2007.

Arsenal won their first final in the 1992-93 season and have won 13 since, including a run of four successive wins between 2005 and 2009.

More recently, women’s football in England has been dominated by another London club: Chelsea. The blues have won five FA Cups, most recently in 2023. That year’s runners up were Manchester United, who celebrated their first major trophy in 2024 by lifting the FA Cup at Wembley in front of over 76,000 spectators.

Above: Manchester United win the FA Cup in 2024. Photo: The Guardian.

This Sunday, United face Chelsea in the FA Cup final at Wembley once again, and they will be hoping to avenge that 2023 defeat. The game has officially sold out, exemplifying the progression of women’s football. In 2015, the stadium hosted its first women’s FA Cup final, seeing Chelsea beat Notts County 1-0 in front of 30,000 spectators.

That ten years later the final would be played in front of a sold-out crowd would have been unthinkable then, and even more unthinkable back at the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre in 1972.

Chelsea v Manchester United kicks off at 13:30 BST at Wembley Stadium. The game will be broadcast live on BBC One in the UK and on Optus Sport in Australia.

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Sermanni hails City duo Henry & Davidson

By Emma Burke 16/5/25

Above: Bryleeh Henry (right) after scoring against Chinese Taipei. Photo: Football Australia

Matildas coach Tom Sermanni was full of praise for the in-form Leah Davidson and Bryleeh Henry at the Matildas squad announcement

“The call up was definitely bittersweet,” said midfielder Leah Davidson when asked about her weekend. 

The Matilda alongside her also Melbourne City club teammate Bryleeh Henry had both received the email calling them into the upcoming National Team camp after their 1-0 loss in the A-League Women semi-final against Central Coast Mariners.

“We’re really proud of what we did on the weekend as a club, we kept them out for 100 minutes with ten men,” she said.

Both Davidson and Henry have now been called up to the Matildas for the third time.

“Each time you go in you get used to what the environment is like, the first time you’re a bit starstruck,” said Henry before explaining that with each call up, “you can focus more on playing and training and doing what you can best.”

Matildas Interim Head Coach Tom Sermanni only had praise for the two young players when prompted on their selection. 

“Leah’s been in the last few camps and has performed very well in those camps so she deserves to keep her spot… [she’s] really held her own in amongst our midfield players,” Sermanni said of Davidson.

When speaking on Henry, Sermanni lauded her ability to play all across the pitch, as she’s able to play as a striker, a defender, and out wide on the wing.

“She’s a versatile player and got the international characteristics that she’s athletically very good, she’s quick, and has the ability to play in numerous positions,” he said.

Now the pair are looking ahead to not just their next appearances as Matildas, but their Asian Women’s Champions League semi-final game. 

Melbourne City will travel to Wuhan and enter a centralised hub for the finals of the competition. They face South Korean side Incheon Red Angels in the semi-final on Wednesday May 21 at 10pm AEST, and should they progress, will meet either Wuhan Jiangda or Ho Chi Minh City I in the final. 

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”I’d do anything for the team and anything for us to win”- Jancevski hungry for a trophy with Victory

By Kieran Yap/ interview conducted by Isabelle Campbell. 17/5/25

Above: Alana Jancevski. Photo: A-Leagues

Alana Jancevski is preparing for her second Grand Final in less than 12 months.

The Victory Star and goal of the year nominee lifted an NPLW Championship trophy with Victorian club Heidelberg United in the off-season. Now she is back at her other childhood club ready to repeat that success.

“I think being a part of a Grand Final experience is really important,” she told Impetus at Victory’s open training session.

“I think you can understand (the) excitement, the nerves.

“Obviously going down in that Grand Final and having that real feeling to need to have a big last seven to ten minutes to try and get the result.”

In that game, Heidelberg were down 2-1 until the dying stages, when a late Jancevski corner helped deliver a dramatic win.

“I think being in that position was really helpful and I hope that on the day on Sunday it can help me in tough moments.”

Jancevski’s arrival back at Victory was one of the most heralded signings by the club. A former star of the youth setup, she developed her game at Perth Glory and Adelaide United before returning home and delivering one of her best individual seasons.

Her ability was no surprise to Victory fans, but her role was somewhat unexpected. Following the retirement of Beattie Goad, Jancevski dropped into fullback and has been part of the leagues most uncompromising defence.

“Jeff (Hopkins) came up to me when Beattie retired with such big shoes to fill and he asked if I’d be open to try it out.

“Of course I’d want to do anything for the team and anything for us to win. 

“It was definitely a challenging experience and throughout the season there’s been ups and downs where I’ve had such good role models and such good people to help me in that position.”

Jancevski, the prodigal star has more than delivered on her return to the club, and has the chance to cap off the season with her first A-League title on Sunday.

It will mean the world to the 22 year old who once dreamed of representing the club as a child.

 “It warms my heart and I know little Alana would be screaming in her boots right now so I think that’s just got to fuel me throughout the game and really enjoy it and put everything out there for her.”

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West Ham United Season Wrap Up

Above: West Ham’s team photo from their 2-0 win at home over Tottenham Hotspur. Photo: West Ham on Instagram.

By Ella McShane (16/05/24)

In the first of a series reviewing how the team’s of the WSL fared in the 2024 to 2025 season, Impetus Football’s Ella McShane evaluates how West Ham United’s campaign went. 

The 2024/25 season was one of transformation for West Ham United. A campaign defined by fresh faces, international tours, new leadership, tactical growth and solid foundations for a promising 2025/26 campaign. The Hammers’ journey was true testament to the club’s growing ambition for the women’s game.

Standout signings

The 2024-25 season commenced with a host of new additions to the claret and blue. The most notable among them being Shelina Zadorsky, Kinga Szemik and Shekeria Martinez.

Joining the club as a loanee from Tottenham Hotspur in the 2023-24 season, Zardorsky then made things permanent in the summer, and was later appointed vice captain.

Polish international Kinga Szemik was brought in as East London’s new number one, the Pole playing in every Women’s Super League fixture.

Shekiera Martinez has emerged as West Ham’s star signing of the season. Returning from loan in January, the German international has accumulated 10 goals in 12 matches, and won the Barclays Women’s Super League rising star award.

Above: Martinez (right) goes toe to toe with Manchester United’s Dominique Janssen. Photo: Lindsay Cook for Impetus.

Preseason in Perth; a club committed to the women’s game

West Ham’s campaign officially kicked off down under at the inaugural Perth International Football cup. As this was the first tour the women’s side had embarked on, it represented a new chapter in the club’s commitment in elevating the women’s game.

The preseason tournament hosted the Hammers’ alongside the likes of French giants Paris Saint-Germain, and fellow WSL side’s Leicester City and Manchester City. This provided much needed time for the refreshed squad to build cohesion on and off the pitch.

Above: Katrina Gorry, who was named the club’s new captain at the start of the season. Photo: Lindsay Cook for Impetus.

A new era of leadership; Gorry takes the armband

Upon the Hammers’ return from Australia it was announced that Australian international Katrina Gorry was appointed captain of the east London side. She succeeded her fellow Matildas’ teammate, Mackenzie Arnold.

“It was a special moment…I was really emotional as it is something that I don’t take lightly.”

The Aussie’s example of leadership on the pitch and advocacy for eating disorder awareness and IVF accessibility earned her the Barclays Women’s Super League Champion of Change award.

A team capable of competing – yet struggling to convert

The league commenced, and early struggles were evident within the revitalised squad. A lack of cohesion saw the side unsure of their tactical identity and conceding frustrating goals they were capable of defending.

Following a discouraging defeat to Manchester City in October, Manager Rehanne Skinner acknowledged the teams’ growing pains:

“I think we’re still trying to work on everyone understanding everybody and how they play, as there are still a lot of new players on the pitch.”

Above: The team huddle together after a loss at Manchester City. Photo: West Ham on Instagram.

West Ham eventually secured their first win of the season in a 1-0 triumph against Leicester City at home. A far cry from the 5-2 defeat the Hammers’ faced at the feet of the foxes in Perth just months earlier.

As the season progressed it was evident that the hammer’s attacking identity was still ineffective. Initially adopting a direct style of attack, they then switched to a more effective possession-based approach for the latter half of the season, breathing a renewed sense of confidence into the team.

Shekiera Martinez’ return from loan in January, also played a significant role in the sides converting ability. The German international accounted for 12 of the total 34 goals scored by West Ham this season, all in an impressive trademark fashion.

Season Highlights

The Hammers’ made it to the semi-final of the Subway™ league cup, giving Sonia Bompastor’s Chelsea a hard fought game. Although ultimately falling short, the side gave a commendable performance through the entirety of their league cup campaign.

Crystal Palace away was the team’s most successful fixture across all competitions this season. Martinez netted a whopping four goals in world class fashion, Viviane Asseyi’s worldie earning herself WSL goal of the month and youngster Emma Harries’ score sheet debut in the form of a brace.

Above: Viviane Asseyi with the ‘goal of the month’ award for April. Photo: West Ham Women on Instagram.

Interpreting ultimate league standings

When reflecting on the Irons’ performance during this campaign, their goal difference is particularly illustrative. Although finishing ninth on the league table, the Hammers’ maintained a goal difference of -5.

The most positive figure among all teams outside the top four. Highlighting the sides’ ability to maintain respectable score lines and keep matches competitive.

In conjunction with West Ham’s narrow score lines, you simultaneously must question their ability to maintain a productive winning mentality. The Hammers’ drew with WSL powerhouses like Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United, but then suffered repetitive defeats to compatible WSL sides. An assumingly frustrating position for players, staff, and supporters alike.

Looking forward

Despite the season making a less than ideal start, West Ham have laid solid foundations for a promising 2025/26 campaign. The second half of the season saw the emergence of a clear tactical identity, in particular improvements in their attacking play.

While results may have varied, the Hammers consistently demonstrated their ability to go toe-to-toe with a wide range of opponents, showcasing resilience and an ability to provide consistent competitive match ups.

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Chelsea v Manchester United: FA Cup Final Preview

By Catherine MacKenzie (16/05/2025)

Above: The FA Cup at Wembley. Photo: The FA Website.

Chelsea and Manchester United: contrasting histories

For fans of Manchester United women, this time last year was a special one. Captain Katie Zelem lifted the club’s inaugural major trophy at London’s Wembley stadium, having bulldozed past Tottenham Hotspur 4-0 in the FA Cup final.

Since that day, there have been many changes for United. Zelem is no longer at the club; she, alongside other key players such as goalkeeper Mary Earps and World Cup winner Lucia Garcia, left United for pastures new.

United have a bunch of new players: Grace Clinton returned from loan with bestie Celin Bizet from Spurs, Wolfsburg’s Dominique Janssen was brought in to bolster the central midfield, and Brighton’s top scorer from the 2023-24 season was added to the mix (Norway’s Elisabeth Terland). In goal, Phallon Tullis-Joyce has taken over the reigns from Earps with style, sharing the 2024-25 golden glove with Chelsea’s Hannah Hampton.

Head coach Marc Skinner has repeatedly referenced that United are a “young” team – both in terms of personnel and in being one of the last of the big Premier-League affiliated clubs to establish a professional women’s side. Whilst Chelsea have had a women’s team competing in the top division since 2004, United’s history has been more tumultuous: a women’s team has been in place in some form since the 1970s unofficially, and the club formed an official partnership with them in 2001.

Above: Manchester United Ladies in the 1980s. Photo: Exploring Trafford’s Heritage.

However, new owners the Glazer family disbanded the team in 2005, stating that it was “never their intention to become involved in women’s football at a high level”, adding that it was not a part of the “core business”.  That team were gifted water bottles as leaving presents and wore hand-me-down kits from the men’s side. They were reformed in 2018 under the guidance of Casey Stoney (now head coach of Canada’s WNT) – and were promoted to the top tier after their first season.  

Chelsea’s journey has been a different kettle of fish. The side’s origins are also in the 1970s, overseen by Chelsea men’s player John Hollins as president. Since the beginning, their legacy has been one based on winning trophies – they won the London Women’s Football Challenge Cup in 1974, beating Millwall Lionesses in the final 4-2. The team were officially formed in 1992, and since then, the story has been glittering: despite a struggle to rise to the top tier, they won the County Cup in 1999, retaining it the following year and adding the league cup and the league title.

Above: Chelsea Ladies winning their inaugural trophy in 1974. Photo: Chelsea FC Website.

They have played in England’s top tier since 2004 and come into this final as one of women’s football’s most successful teams – enjoying a great run under current USWNT head coach Emma Hayes. Hayes departed last summer and whilst many pundits predicted a readjustment period, the team have gone the league season undefeated.

Whilst United celebrated their first major trophy in 2024, Chelsea have won eight Women’s Super League titles, five FA Cups, three League Cups, and one Community Shield.

One of those five FA Cups came in 2023, after beating United 1-0 via a goal from Australia’s Sam Kerr. The lineups from both teams for that game are vastly different than the twenty-two who will take to the field on Sunday: Chelsea’s team included Germany keeper Ann-Katrin Berger, Bayern’s Magdalena Eriksson, Canada’s Jessie Fleming. United’s team included the current golden-boot winner and Arsenal striker Alessia Russo, Brighton’s Nikita Parris, Zelem, Earps, and Barcelona’s Ona Battle.

Above: Sam Kerr celebrates scoring to win Chelsea the 2023 FA Cup. Photo: PA Images.

Sunday’s final will be a different battle, however – United have won a major trophy, and are coming off a successful season of their own. Establishing Champions League football for next year and under the leadership of new captain Maya Le Tissier, the Red Devils are looking strong.

Chelsea have recently announced that Serena Williams and her husband Alexis Ohanian have invested £20 million into Chelsea Women specifically, which head coach Sonia Bompastor has called a “game-changing endorsement”. The two will attend Wembley, prompting reflections to last year when United’s own major shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe chose instead to watch United men play Arsenal in Manchester. It is unknown if he will make the journey to London this time around.

How have the teams fared against each other?

Chelsea and United have played each other 14 times (since United’s 2018 reformation). Across the 15 games, Chelsea have 12 wins; United have one (last year’s FA Cup semi-final), and there has been one draw.

In the fixture, Chelsea have scored 35 goals, United have scored 10. The last three meetings have all ended in a 1-0 victory for Chelsea, with the goals primarily coming from set pieces.

United head coach Marc Skinner has been talking about the narrow losses and how he hopes his team can bridge that gap: “We are going to have to have strategies as coaches to help the players manage momentum when they’re in the moment, especially for set pieces. It might be visual aids; it might be visual cues. It’s about you being adaptable for every player on that pitch because they’re going to have to make decisions that might go against any plan that you have made.”

What do the stats say?

Across the WSL season, Chelsea have scored 56 goals (compared to United’s 41) and conceded 13 (compared to United’s 16). However, goal conversion is on the red side: United have a 14% shot-to-goal conversion rate compared to Chelsea’s 13%. United are also fonder of headers – eight of their goals have come from headers compared to Chelsea’s five.

A key part of the game on Sunday may be physicality. Both teams have a host of players across the pitch that like to play a physical game, particularly in attacking areas. For example, comparing United striker Elisabeth Terland with Chelsea forward Aggie Beever-Jones: Terland has more shots-per-game (3.3 compared to Beever-Jones’ 2.1, although this could be due to positioning, as the Chelsea forward has been played in different positions up front), and has made more tackles per game (1.3 compared to 0.9). Both players have recovered an average of 2.7 balls per game.

Grace Clinton is another United player who enjoys the physicality of football: making four tackles per game, she also wins more duels (around 50%), and makes more ball recoveries (7.6) from her position in midfield.

In his pre-match press conference, Skinner referenced physicality: “It will be vital, Chelsea can beat you on physicality. Where we’ve been before – I remember last game of last season at Old Trafford, we were beaten on physicality. We were beaten on motivation, whereas, we’ve improved that massively this year.”

Form

From their last five games in all competitions, United have one win, two draws and two losses – although it must be considered that this was a period where they faced Manchester City twice, Chelsea, Arsenal, and a resurgent West Ham. They have scored seven and conceded seven.

Chelsea come into the final following four wins and one loss – beating Tottenham, Liverpool, and United all 1-0, whilst beating Crystal Palace 4-0 and losing to Barcelona 4-1. They have scored eight and conceded four.

What do the managers say?

Marc Skinner: “To beat Chelsea in the final I think is something that is another step for us. It’s a big team, a big game, and it’s gonna be tight, there’s no doubt it’s going to be a tight game. So we have to be prepared for that.”

“I’m really happy with how we’ve performed this season and where we finished. But there’s also the competitor in me that wants to win these games.”

Sonia Bompastor: “We want to go into the game showing pride, but with the exciting news [new investment], you also want to feel responsible for the result we get on Sunday, and show our best version”.

“We have been really focused on that one last game, it’s a very important game for us, a final….we have the opportunity again in one game to win a trophy which will be something exceptional for the team and for the club.”

Chelsea v Manchester United kicks off at 13:30 UK time on Sunday, 18th May 2025. The game will be broadcast on BBC One in the UK.

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“It Would Mean Everything”: Captain Morrison’s Grand Final Moment Arrives 

Isabelle Campbell  16/05/2025 

Above: Kayla Morrison. Photo: A-League Women.

As Melbourne Victory prepares to face the Central Coast Mariners in the Grand Final this Sunday, captain Kayla Morrison is relishing the chance to lead her team on the pitch after missing the club’s last final through injury. 

“Really excited,” Morrison told the media. “It’s just another game, though, and it does kind of feel that way. It’s a headspace I’m trying to stay in.” 

The sense of calm heading into such a high-stakes match has been consistent across the Victory squad. 

“I actually think it’s a really calm environment at the moment, and just keeping to a normal week, we’ve not done anything differently, and the girls seem to all be on the same page.” 

Having played in multiple grand finals, Morrison knows how to maintain her composure. 

“I don’t necessarily think that I let the pressure get to me too much, which maybe just shows some mental strength in that area. I just think it’s a privilege to have that pressure and to be in that situation. So I don’t take it as a negative, but just as a positive.” 

And when the moment comes to visualise lifting the trophy, she doesn’t hold back. 

“No, I think it’s good to have some positive manifestation and to visualise positive things and it would be really exciting to do that. So it’s not something I stray from. If it pops in my head, it puts a smile on my face.” 

”She’s been my comfort…”

Victory’s journey to the final has been marked by strong performances and most notably a defensive line that’s been dubbed the best in the league. 

“We take a lot of pride in our defense, not only the defenders, but from the nine all the way back. Everyone knows their shape defensively, and it’s something that we really focus on.” 

Though it’s a team effort, much of that defensive strength can be credited to her centre back partnership with Claudia Bunge. 

“She’s one of my best friends off the field as well as on the field. So it’s a calming presence next to me. She’s a calm person off the field as well, she’s got that personality that just everyone gets along with. So it’s really easy to play next to someone like that, and she’s just been my comfort my whole time at Victory.” 

This year’s final will be against the Central Coast Mariners, though a surprise opponent to many, not an underestimated one. 

“I think they’re a great team. I think they have a good game plan against us. In saying that I think we play well against them. So I think they’ll bring the best out of us.” 

The two sides met in last year’s elimination final, which ended in a penalty shootout win for the Mariners. On preparing for the possibility of a repeat in events, Morrison assured they were ready.

“Ever since we knew we were going to be in the finals we’ve had penalty shootouts at the end of every training session. So I don’t think it’s a nerve-wracking thing if that’s what the game leads to. It will be what it will be, but I think we’re ready for it.” 

The journey back to this moment has been a long one for Morrison, who is determined to make it count. 

“It would mean everything. I think it would not just be the hard work from this year, but for me personally, the hard work from coming back from that injury all the way through up to this weekend, it would mean everything to me. And to do it with this group of girls, that puts an extra emphasis on it because it’s a special team and I just think that it would be the cherry on top of a good season.” 

”I feel valued here”

It’s that connection to the team that makes the moment even more meaningful. It’s also why she recently extended her contract with Victory, a place she proudly calls home. 

“I feel valued here. I feel like I belong. Jeff [Hopkins] takes my opinions and makes me feel like he’s truly listening to me. I just feel like a really valued part of the puzzle here. The girls are like my sisters, some like my daughters. It’s a really comfortable place for me and that’s a special feeling.” 

Morrison also reflected on her time during the offseason at Bulleen Lions in the NPLW and early pre-season training as key to Victory’s readiness. 

“There were a lot of us working in that off-season. I also think we were already starting to play together earlier than a lot of teams, there were only a few of us there, but it did kind of bring excitement, starting to understand each other better, and we just had more fitness, more gym and more touches on the ball. So I think that has played a really important role.” 

As captain, her role extends to helping her teammates manage the mental side of such a high-stakes game. 

“I think just talking to the girls about it as just another game. There will be a lot of outside influence on the game and there’ll be more people there, but it is just another game if you go out and follow the game plan. Once the whistle goes, you kind of forget the surroundings and you just know that you have to win this game, just like we felt in the league. So just reminding the girls to feel your emotions, but when you go out there, there’s a job to be done.” 

And on the growing calls for VAR to be implemented in key A-League Women’s fixtures following the controversial goal that sent the Mariners through to the final? 

“No comment.”

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“It’s a great feeling” – Courtney Newbon has found a home at Victory

By Alyce Collett 16/5/25

Above: Courtney Newbon (left) photo: Impetus

There are many stories every year surrounding the A-League Women’s Grand Final, and this year perhaps one of the most interesting is that of Melbourne Victory’s goal keeper Courtney Newbon.  

It has not always been an easy journey in the A-League Women’s for the 24 year old, who has bounced around a number of clubs in the competition before finally settling at the Victory.  

Last year was a particularly crazy year for Newbon, starting the year as a temporary replacement player at the Central Coast Mariners before moving down to the Victory and ending the year as the first choice keeper at the Victory.  

“I think last year was honestly a bit of a whirlwind” Newbon confessed. 

“At the start of the year, I wasn’t playing A-League at all last season. I then turned around and played at two different clubs and played maybe 17 odd games or whatever it was, it was definitely unexpected. 

“I almost felt like I was maybe thrown in the deep end a little bit, but I think I dealt with it in the best way that I could have and I guess maybe I used that as an opportunity to get to Victory and now I’m here and enjoying myself and enjoying my football.” 

Newbon certainly feels grateful to have finally found a home after all those years bouncing around a number of clubs. 

“It’s a great feeling. I think like any player, I would’ve loved to have found this right at the start of my career, eight years ago at Wanderers or whenever it was” Newbon said.  

“But to finally get here and finally being a club that has taken me and has believed in me, has actually given me a solid chance, has been something that I’ve been super grateful for and maybe something that I was missing a couple years ago.” 

This Sunday’s Grand Final will see Newbon play her old side the Mariners, but Newbon said that she does not have the same feelings facing them that she would have if she had played there for a number of years.  

“It’s a bit of a weird one, right?” Newbon said.  

“Central Coast was my old club, but at the end of the day I only played four games there on an injury contract. So I was never there for years and years and that sort of thing. So, I still want to go out, I still want to win. I want to get one back on them from last year.” 

Looking ahead to this weekend, Newbon is certainly feeling excited about playing in the biggest match of the season.  

“It’s awesome. It’s something that everyone would love to do some point in their career and I guess to do it so early on in mine, it’s something that it’s pretty amazing and something that I’m pretty proud to achieve” Newbon said.  

Newbon also agreed that because she is so early on in her career that the emotions surrounding making the decider are amplified.

“I think I’m quite good at maybe compartmentalising things, so I’m trying to stay quite calm and cool and relax. But I’m sure the closer we get the more maybe nerves or will kick in, that’s part of the occasion, right?” 

Controlling nerves and emotions around such a big game can sometimes be a struggle, but the ever professional Newbon certainly has a plan for what she is going to do.  

“I think just maybe treating it as a normal game as best as I can, going through my processes and what I typically do on a normal game day, and try not to stray too far away from that,” Newbon explained. 

Melbourne Victory were the first side to book their place in the decider, but as their players watched on to see who they would be playing, Newbon said that there was not a preference among the group as to who they wanted to win the other semi between the Mariners and Victory’s crosstown rivals Melbourne City.  

“I don’t think we were too concerned” Newbon said.  

“I mean, we would’ve loved a Melbourne Derby just because it’s a Melbourne Derby and we haven’t got one over them this year. That would’ve been nice, but at the end of the day, we weren’t really concerned which team we got. I think we back ourselves and we know what we can do that it wasn’t a huge concern at the end of the day.” 

During the first leg of Victory’s semi final win over Adelaide, Newbon picked up a goal assist, a rare feet for a goalkeeper, after her long kick from defence set up Emily Gielnik who then scored the first goal of that match. 

“That was awesome. That I think is a career highlight” Newbon said with joy when reflecting on that moment.  

“I joke about it with my teammates. I’ll say at training I’m going to get an assist this weekend, and so some may say I manifested it, but yeah it was pretty cool. I was in shock I think.” 

Already with a three goal to one lead in the bank heading into the second leg, Newbon said that Victory did not rest on their laurels in the return leg of the tie.  

“We really treated that game like we didn’t have the lead,” Newbon explained. 

“We treated that game like we had to win, like we treated every other game this year. We’ve had to go in and had to win and maybe had to grind it out and we were prepared to do the ugly stuff if we needed to.  

“I think we were quite fortunate that we got that first goal quite early on, and then it leaves Adelaide in a place where they have to score three, so it’s obviously a little bit more of an uphill battle.” 

All of this is the culmination of quite the journey for the star goal keeper, who may have never even become a goal keeper if it was not for a successful representative team trials back in the day. Originally an outfield player, she decided to trial in goals at those trials, and backed by the confidence against potential pain given to her by her rugby league days, she made that team as a goal keeper and the rest is history.  

Why Victory can win the Grand Final

By Kieran Yap 16/5/25

Above: Melbourne Victory. Photo: A–League

It is a sporting cliche that a great team is better than a team of great players. This season has shown that Melbourne Victory is both at once , and they can prove it on Sunday.

Melbourne Victory are in form. They are undefeated in 15 games, and have only conceded nine times in that streak. During that impressive run, only once did they concede multiple goals.

Impressively, they have done this while rotating the backline dure to injury or departures. Laura Pickett and Rosie Cutis have both deputised for Ellie Wilson while the English fullback was injured, while Alana Jancevski has been a revelation at left back.

This shows that Victory have a game plan that works and the depth and talent to execute it every week.

Only a near perfect season by local rivals Melbourne City denied Victory a top of the table finish, but statistically, they are the best team left in the finals race, with defensive stability, a star studded but hard working midfield and an attack boasting firepower in the starting XI and on the bench.

This is a side that has been unbeatable for more than half the season, and have the experience, discipline and talent to win this Grand Final.

Talent and Grit

Melbourne Victory have big names. There are senior internationals in midfield, attack and defence. They have players capable of changing the game across the pitch and almost every player in the squad is capable of scoring.

Importantly, this is not an all-star team. They may be a team of great players, but they have shown a willingness to sacrifice their own ego’s to win games.

Alex Chidiac has built her reputation as a playmaker with dazzling feet and an eye for goal, but she has played in a much deeper position this season. Often she is found receiving the ball from the defenders or winning it from the opposition.

Jancevski was signed as a wide forward capable of curling crosses and thunderous shots, but has emerged as an uncompromising, and disciplined fullback who still manages to chip in with a few long range goals.

Nikki Flannery has shown a willingness to switch flanks to help make room for Emily Gielnik’s finishing, and Sara D’appolonia is are selfless as she is tireless, running from box to box, retrieving any loose ball and forcing midfielders into hurried passes.

Victory can fight out games, they can grind out results and they can score heavily when they need to. Whether in an arm wrestle or a shootout, they are equally comfortable, and it makes it nearly impossible to deny them their preferred gameplan.

Peaking at the right time

Although they have been winning for most of the season, the semi finals have seen victory at their best. Against one of the league’s most entertaining attacking sides in Adelaide United they looked more dangerous in attack and more stable in defence.

They did concede in both legs, but ended the tie 6-2 ahead on aggregate, with Claudia Bunge and Rachel Lowe both scoring braces in either game.

Victory scored from set pieces, good old fashioned wing play, and precision long balls from the very last line of defence to overcome The Reds and the two wins sent a message that Victory could still improve on their 15 game run with an even stronger performance when it mattered most.

Head to Head History

This season, Victory enjoyes the edge over The Mariners. They have drawn 1-1 away, but won at home 2-0. Interestingly, Victory looked to have the stronger side in the drawn game. Beattie goad had not yet retired and Ellie Wilson was available.

Both first choice fullbacks were missing from the winning result, with Central Coast missing the talismanic Izzy Gomez.

Victory look more settled now than they did on either of those days, and are a far more formidable side than the one that lost to The Mariners on penalties at the end of last season.

Tactically, Victory are unlikely to have the same vulnerabilities that undid City. While Central Coast love a counter attack, Jeff Hopkins prefers a structured and deeper defence, even when his side is attacking. The matchup of a side that likes to score on the break against one specifically set up to avoid that happening will be fascinating to watch and this could be decided by set pieces, which Victory also excels at.

Game Changers:

Kayla Morrison

The Victory captain is a chance to win the Julie Dolan Medal this season. She has been among the best players every week in a campaign that has seen her play every single minute.

Morrison scores goals, marshals the defence and helps start attacks with her impressive passing range.

She has been one of the best players in the league this season and is a centeback that opposition coaches need to plan around at both ends of the pitch.

Holly Furphy

She’s a substitute, but shes often decisive. Furphy has an eye for goal, a deadly shot and impressive speed on the ball.

The wide forward is usually brought on in the second haldf either to break deadlocks or turn momentum back in Melbourne’s favour and she almost always manages to impact the game.

In less than half a season, Furphy has established herself as a star of the competition. A highlight machine who has shown impressive consistency.

Rachel Lowe

Another player forced to sacrifice her natural game for the benefit of the team. Lowe is generally seen as a number 10, or deeper playmaker, but at Victory she has been used at the point of the attack. Often battling with her back to goal or as rhe first to start to defensive press.

Lowe is one of Victory’s real barometers, she might not feature in the player of the week polls, but for Victory to win, she will need to have a good game, or at least execute her part of the plan to perfection.

Wildcard

Ella O’Grady

The former Young Matildas striker has had limited game time this season, but if she is turned to by Hopkins she has the ability to define this contest.

O’Grady can score from almost anywhere inside half way and has phenomenal running power. She can burst clear of defenders or go straight through them. As we saw last season with Shea Connor’s winning foal for Sydney FC, a substitute striker can make the day their own if they take their chance to when it arrives.

O’grady has that ability.

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Why the Mariners Can Go All the Way 

By Isabelle Campbell 15/5/25

Above: The Central Coast Mariners. Photo A-League

The Central Coast Mariners are preparing for their biggest moment since rejoining the A-League Women in the 23/24 season. Just two seasons into their return to the competition after a 14-year absence, they now stand on the brink of something few could have predicted: a shot at the title. 

Their opponent, Melbourne Victory, brings no shortage of finals experience but Central Coast have shown all season that they’re more than capable of matching up against the league’s best. They’ve earned their spot in the Grand Final not through luck, but through tactical clarity, resilience under pressure, and a belief in their system. 

A Team Built for Finals Football 

Under head coach Emily Husband, the Mariners have formed a clear identity: defensively disciplined, efficient in transition, and composed in big moments. Their style of play may not be the most flashy, but it has kept them competitive in every match and helped them take points off some of the league’s top sides. In many ways, they’re built for knockout football. They don’t need to hold the majority of possession to control a game, they use organisation, patience, and the ability to strike at the right time. And they’ve shown they can do exactly that. 

Semi-Final Statement 

Their semi-final win over Melbourne City wasn’t just a great result, it was a landmark moment. City entered the tie unbeaten all season. But the Mariners matched them over two legs, holding firm in defence and delivering the decisive though controversial goal in extra time through Izzy Gomez, whose last-minute strike secured a 1-0 win on the night and a 3-2 aggregate upset. 

It was a performance built on belief in a system that has proven itself time and time again and goes to show that they should not be counted out too early. 

Head-to-Head History 

Victory may have taken the edge across three meetings this season, with two wins and a draw, but the gap has been marginal. All three matches were tight, with only one goal separating the sides in their most recent encounter. The first of those, a 1-1 draw in Round 4, came without Gomez, whose return to the team has added significant threat in midfield. 

And it would be wrong to not mention that just last season, it was the Mariners who knocked Melbourne Victory out of the finals through a penalty shootout. The Mariners team knows how to handle the pressure, and how to beat this particular opponent when it matters most. 

Underdogs Edge 

If Melbourne Victory are expected to win, then Central Coast gets to play with something even more valuable: freedom. Without the heavy burden of expectation, the Mariners are able to head into the final full of confidence, lifted by their recent momentum, and focused on playing to their strengths. 

They’ve already proven they can beat the best. Now, with belief, structure, and a little bit of grit, they might just be ready to go all the way. 

Game Changers 

Izzy Gomez 

Izzy Gomez has been a revelation since returning from injury, with six goals and three assists in just 15 matches. Her winning goal against City underlined her ability to rise to the occasion. Just this week, she was recalled to the CommBank Matildas squad, after receiving her first call up late last year but having to withdraw due to injury. This call-up is a clear sign of her rising profile on the international stage. 

Jessika Nash 

In defence, Jessika Nash brings composure and leadership well beyond her 20 years. A former Victory player herself, she’s been a stabilising presence at the back for the Mariners and could prove vital in shutting down her former teammates. Despite her youth, she has emerged as one of the most reliable and composed central defenders in the league. Nash’s maturity on the ball and her ability to read the game make her a key figure in the Mariners’ backline. 

Sarah Langman 

Between the posts there’s Sarah Langman, the league’s top shot-stopper. No goalkeeper made more saves or had a higher save percentage this season. Against a team like Melbourne Victory, who thrive on set pieces and often apply immense pressure in the final third, Langman’s presence becomes even more invaluable.  


Wild Card- Brooke Nunn 

Nunn brings energy, creativity, and experience to the Mariners’ attack. She’s known for her flair and ability to beat defenders one-on-one, using sharp footwork and clever movement to find space and create chances. Her impact was clear in the first leg of the semi-final against Melbourne City, where she scored a crucial brace to keep the Mariners in the tie. She also thrives on frustrating her opponents, often drawing fouls and forcing errors through relentless pressure. That ability to get under another player’s skin was on full display in the second leg, where her pressure and knack for riling up the opposition led to City’s Lourdes Bosch receiving a red card, a turning point that left the side with just ten players.

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