(no title)

Balcatta end impressive Night Series run with trophy

Perth SC 0-1 Balcatta Etna

by Ben Gilby (15/3/25)

Above: Balcatta Etna lift the NPLW WA Night Series trophy last night. Photo: Rob Lizzi.

Jaime Duncanson’s goal just before the quarter-hour mark was enough to clinch victory for Balcatta Etna in the NPLW WA Night Series Final over her old side Perth SC at the Sam Kerr Football Centre last night.

Perth went into the game making one change from the side that head coach Tom Glavovic fielded in their 4-1 win over Fremantle City in the semi-finals last weekend. Maja Archibald came into the starting XI with Hannah Insch replacing her on the bench.

Balcatta welcomed Jaime Duncanson into their starting line-up after the former Azzurri player missed the 2024 season. She would have an influential role on proceedings during her 45 minutes on the pitch.

It was Balcatta who had the first chance of the night, with Abbey Meakins threading a pass through for Lucy Jerram on the left-hand edge of the box, but Dayle Schroeder gathered in the Perth goal.

**Above:** Daisy McAllister (azure shirt) breaks through two Balcatta Etna defenders. **Photo:** Rob Lizzi.

Whilst the Azzurri initially had success trying to break through their opponents with some rapid paced one-touch passing, Etna looked to respond by imposing an extremely high line which forced the likes of Kim McCartney and Daisy McAllister to try and play longer balls through or over the top for runners to chase.

Balcatta’s offensive work in the spell made the most of Rachel Jarvis making lots of ground through the centre, and Duncanson was busy and driving into the box along the left.

In an opening quarter of an hour of few chances, the next went Balcatta’s way. Duncanson hit a shot that was cleared out for a corner by Epril Nossent. The resulting flag kick from Jamie-Lee Gale came in high, and under heavy pressure, Schroeder pushed the ball up, and as it came down, Duncanson was on hand to score from close range.

Perth hit back impressively and forced four corners in a two minute spell. Jess Flannery’s curlers to the near post were tough for Balcatta to defend, and from one such set piece, Archibald saw a shot pushed off for a corner. McCartney then lifted a shot from the edge of the box which Rebecca Bennett pushed over for another corner.

Etna responded strongly. Gale powered along the flank and hit a ball towards the box from the left that came off Nossent’s arm, and a free-kick was awarded parallel with the penalty spot. Meakins’ effort was deflected out by Nossent for a corner.

**Above:** Jaime Duncanson (centre dark blue shirt) turns away after scoring for Balcatta Etna. **Photo:** Rob Lizzi.

With Balcatta now on top, they created a further two golden opportunities. A superbly timed through ball from Zoee Spadano on the left in her own half, released Gale who advanced to be one-on-one with Schroeder. She rounded the keeper, but Matilda Boehm blocked superbly. The rebound fell for Lucy Jerram, but this time McCartney got her foot in the way. Outstanding work from the Perth defence.

Pete Rakic’s side were looking to keep the Azzurri at arms-length. They were extremely quick to push up to close down when Perth were in possession in the attacking half. In a bid to try and solve the puzzle posed by Balcatta, McAllister was dropping back deeper in a bid to gain possession and drive forward. Just before the half hour mark, she came good by hitting a shot centrally from the edge of the box that Bennett held.

Perth ended the half with two further opportunities – first Ruby Marshall hit a wickedly curling cross shot from the right that flew goal wards until Bennett just managed to push it away.

Then, Archibald danced along the right and cut in to fire a shot that Bennett got down to at her near post.

The second half saw few clear cut chances, but what ones there were, largely went Balcatta’s way. In addition, they always seemed to have a dark blue shirt there to block anything the hardworking Azzurri threw at them.

**Above:** Balcatta Etna goalkeeper Rebecca Bennett gets down to save Maja Archibald (10)’s shot. **Photo:** Rob Lizzi.

It took until just before the hour mark before the next chance. Mia Britton showed searing pace to break along the right to feed Rachel Jarvis who let fly centrally from 25 yards, but Schroeder saved excellently in the Perth goal.

Once more, Perth’s outstanding defending kept out the opposition. With 67 minutes played, Jerram ran along the left and cut in to play a low ball across the box for the onrushing Meakins, but Longmore read the danger and got in a superb block.

Shortly afterwards, Schroeder was called upon again when Meakins broke through the centre to release Gale, but the Perth custodian pushed the danger away for a corner.

With eight minutes remaining, Jess Flannery got a shot away in the box that led to penalty shouts and claims it came back off a defender’s arm, but referee Samia Omar was unmoved.

As the game moved towards stoppage time at the end of 90 minutes, two Etna substitutes combined to create the final chance of the game. Sofija Nikoloska released Britton along the right to advance and fire in a shot that Schroeder repelled at her near post.

**Above:** Balcatta Etna players celebrate their NPLW WA Night Series victory after the final whistle. **Photo:** Rob Lizzi.

Balcatta saw out the two minutes of stoppage time to win their second NPLW WA Night Series trophy.

Perth had defended brilliantly, and worked diligently in an attempt to get their weapons into positions to hit back. In a game ultimately of small margins, they couldn’t quite grab an equaliser.

As all eyes now turn to next week’s opening round of the 2025 NPLW WA season, Balcatta have laid down a marker. Rakic’s side have been extremely impressive across their five matches of the pre-season Night Series.

A largely settled side with a handful of extremely talented new faces who have proven their quality at this level in recent years, his team have scored 16 goals in these games, conceding only three. They go into the league campaign with a great chance to bring more silverware to Grindleford Reserve this year.

However, with a new style and threat coming together at Fremantle City, Perth SC’s extremely young and talented new team, Perth RedStar’s perennial quality and threat, plus a developing new group at the Football West Academy before you even consider the growth at Subiaco, Murdoch University Melville and UWA-Nedlands, it’s looking like the closest ever season in the NPLW WA is ahead.

**Above:** Balcatta Etna in the huddle in front of the big crowd at the Sam Kerr Football Centre last night. **Photo:** Rob Lizzi.

Visit our Instagram page – @ImpetusFootball – to see more of Rob Lizzi’s images from the match.

Teams: PERTH SC: Schroeder, Longmore, Nossent, Collins, Marshall, McAllister, Archibald, Boehm, Mathers, Flannery, McCartney. Substitutes used: Tana (for Marshall 60’), Hannan (for Archibald 60’), Ottobrino (for McAllister 75’), Insch (for Nossent 75’), Hope (for Longmore 85’).

BALCATTA ETNA: Bennett, D’Opera, Duncanson, van Heurck, Murray-Hocking, Davis, Meakins, Jarvis, Spadano, Gale, Jerram. Substitutes used: Britton (for Duncanson 46’), Cook (for D’Opera 67’), Gama (for Jarvis 67’), Nikoloska (for Jerram 77’), Hargreaves (for Murray-Hocking 87’).

Scorer: Duncanson 13’.

Referee: Samia Omar.

Follow Impetus on social media –

Twitter (X): @impetusfootball TikTok: @impetusfootball

Instagram: @impetusfootball

Liverpool v Manchester United shows the WSL lacks historical rivalries

By Catherine MacKenzie (14/03/2025)

Above: the scoreboard at Anfield. Photo: @LiverpoolFCW on X

Liverpool beat Manchester United 3-1 at Anfield on Friday evening, thanks to an Olivia Smith brace and a Nagano goal.

When Liverpool men play Manchester United, the walls of Anfield ring with the voices of over 60,000 fans desperate to see their team take bragging rights against their fiercest rivals. The two most successful English clubs in the men’s game have an enmity that is rarely surpassed; stronger than other regional conflicts, there is deep-rooted emotion steeped in the histories of Manchester and Liverpool. The two cities of the industrial-North share an unparalleled passion for football; in the men’s game transfers between the clubs do not happen, and games are frenetic.

The region has also been home to some of women’s football’s most important historical figures – such as Lily Parr and the Dick-Kerr Ladies, who famously defied the FA’s 1921 directive that women should not be allowed to play football. It is arguable that the area should be at the forefront of the women’s game today rather than besieged by off-pitch headlines and overshadowed by their London peers.

Fans and pundits have often complained that the WSL lacks rivalry between clubs that have traditionally always been at odds. Whilst Arsenal and Chelsea have forged their rivalry due to their domination of England’s women’s football landscape, clubs farther from London have struggled to replicate this competitiveness.

This showed on Friday evening as Liverpool hosted Manchester United at Anfield in the WSL for the first time. Ahead of the game, United manager Marc Skinner spoke of the ‘spirits’ of Anfield; interim Liverpool boss Amber Whiteley talked about the importance of the Anfield crowd.

They were urging match-going fans to create the noise that forces games between their clubs’ men’s teams to become more than a tactical game of football. This noise is perhaps what those fans and pundits want the league to develop – the pure passion of taking on a fierce rival that can be seen in the International game, and in other leagues (such as Frauen-Bundesliga games between Bayern and Wolfsburg).

**Above:** Bayern Munich v Wolfsburg, 14/03/2025. **Photo:** FC Bayern / Eva Dippold

On this cold Friday at Anfield, they were not successful. A relatively meagre crowd did not create the noise Anfield is known for; but to be fair, they were given little reason to for the first hour of the game.

Manchester United, sitting above Liverpool in the table and on a seven-game winning streak, dominated the opening stages. Despite this, they did not score, and did not really create that much. Over 60% possession with little to show for it, United missed chances from Terland and Clinton, and looked fatigued and flat.

Liverpool’s main strength was their patience. They were patient on the ball, carefully choosing passes that would give them the most momentum. United let them do this, and there was little tenacity from the visitors. When Liverpool did have the chance to break forward, they were confident and took advantage of an uncharacteristically poor showing from the United defence. The team that had only conceded six goals in fifteen games conceded their seventh and eighth and quickly looked bereft of ideas.

The home side were also physical, acting as if they did realise in the end that this was supposed to be a game between two intense rivals. They prodded at United in the hopes of getting them to make sloppy decisions, and this proved successful when they were awarded a penalty to make it 3-0.

United showed more impetus following the introduction of Sandberg, Miyazawa and Malard. However, these substitutions came in the 69^th minute when the game was already beyond reach at 3-0, and there was little real impact the newcomers could make. The one positive for United came just before full-time, when Maya Le Tissier got on the end of a Miyazawa cross to make it 3-1.

Liverpool interim boss Whiteley makes it three wins from three. She has also implemented enough organisation and confidence that the Liverpool hierarchy will surely be looking at making her position permanent. For United, the outlook is less positive – their hopes of Champions League football and a top-3 finish now rely on achieving positive results against Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal.

TEAMS: LIVERPOOL (4-2-3-1): Laws, Hinds, Clark, Matthews, Bernabe, Kerr, Nagano, Smith, Hobinger, Kapocs, Haug. Substitutes: Evans, Enderby, Daniels, Micah, Fahey, Shaw, Parry, Bartel.

Scorers: Smith (42’), Nagano (45+2’), Smith (67’)

MANCHESTER UNITED (4-2-3-1): Tullis-Joyce, George, Turner, Le Tissier, Riviere, Clinton, Janssen, Galton, Toone, Bizet, Terland. Substitutes: Sandberg, Mannion, Miyazawa, Williams, Malard, Middleton-Patel, Naalsund.

Scorer: Le Tissier (89’)

Referee: Amy Fearns

Attendance: 15,596

Follow Impetus on social media –

Twitter (X): @impetusfootball TikTok: @impetusfootball

Instagram: @impetusfootball

Last gasp McKenna keeps Perth Finals hopes alive in classic

Central Coast Mariners 3-3 Perth Glory

by Ben Gilby (14/3/25)

Above: Tijan McKenna (light shirt) wins a header. Her late equaliser would earn the Glory a point. Photo: Perth Glory.

A goal three minutes into injury time at the end of 90 minutes from Tijan McKenna gave Perth Glory a point from a dramatic game in which they lost a 2-1 lead against Central Coast Mariners.

This was a thrilling encounter from the off between two sides who needed a win to keep pushing for a spot in the top six. Perth went into the game on the back of a superb 3-0 win against Western United, but had been hamstrung by an inability to win on the road this season. They went all out tonight at Industree Group Stadium to change that stat.

McKenna symbolised exactly what the Glory were hoping to achieve when she hit the game’s first serious effort on goal after 12 minutes. And what an effort!

Taking possession around 25 yards outside the Mariners’ area, the Young Matilda took a touch, cut into a slightly more central position, and let fly with an absolute rocket from almost 30 yards that former Perth goalkeeper Sarah Langman somehow managed to claw down and dive onto. It was a stunning shot, and a superb save which set the tone for what was to follow.

Six minutes later though, the home side hit the front. Following Taylor Ray’s corner on the right, Peta Trimis crashed in a cross shot from the right that Casey Dumont repelled, and set in motion a scramble of playground style proportions that ended with Jessika Nash cooly slotting home from the centre of the 18-yard box.

As the half wore on, the Mariners had a golden chance to double their lead. A mis-kick in the middle of the box from Onyi Zogg allowed Isabel Gomez to break clear. Dumont came out to narrow the angle, and it worked with Gomez’s shot going agonisingly wide of the right hand post.

Shortly after the interval, Perth made sure that Central Coast rued that missed opportunity. The visitors were awarded a free-kick around 30 yards out on the left hand side of the pitch. Sarah O’Donoghue’s shot came in low and bounced in front of Langman, squirming all the way into the net to level the scores.

**Above:** Sarah O’Donoghue celebrates after scoring for Perth Glory at Central Coast Mariners. **Photo:** A-Leagues.

From the re-start, the Mariners looked to apply the pressure immediately. Gomez strode purposefully through the middle of the park with acres of space ahead of her. Trimis came up in support on the left and was fed possession. Showing pace and superb footwork, the young star made herself space to fire in a shot from 15 yards out, left of centre which Dumont pushed over the top.

With 56 on the clock, it was Perth’s turn to threaten. Naomi Chinnama chipped a ball across the midfield for Megan Wynne on the left flank. The Welsh wizard played a sumptuous pass through that bisected the Mariners’ defence and fell perfectly into the path of O’Donoghue running into the box. Advancing one-on-one with Langman, the Glory attacker lifted the ball into the net for the icing on the cake – a classy move from start to finish.

Just four minutes later, Trimis once more showed her outstanding ability on the left. The teen star advanced before curling a low ball around the Perth defence into the path of Annalise Rasmussen who couldn’t miss from less than 10 yards at the back post. Another superb move full of skill and vision that finished with a goal.

With just over 20 minutes remaining, the home side completed their comeback by hitting the front. An errant pass in midfield gave possession to Central Coast in the form of Gomez. There were acres of space in front of her to play a perfectly weighted pass for Tiana Fuller to run onto. Dumont came out to meet her, but Fuller showed icy calm to round the Glory keeper and roll the ball home.

But the drama was not over yet. Three minutes into the allotted five of stoppage time at the end of 90 minutes, up stepped McKenna.

From the middle of the park, substitute Ella Lincoln threaded a perfectly pass through to find O’Donoghue. As the Glory co-captain entered the area, she laid off the ball for McKenna outside her on the left hand edge of the box. The Western Australian youngster took a touch before hitting a low shot first time that beat the despairing dive of Langman to claim a point for Perth.

This was a game full of outstanding moments of individual skill and sublime team play. So many young stars were showcased – the one frustrating thing for both sides is that neither could get the win that they really needed.

Being placed higher on the ladder, Central Coast will be more pleased than the Glory. For the visitors, the wait for an away win goes on. Until they can achieve one, it will be extremely challenging to get a top six reward for the immense character and continued improvement that they have shown this season.

Teams: CENTRAL COAST MARINERS (4-2-3-1): Langman, Stowe, Nash, Ray, Martin, Quilligan, Gomez, Pennock, Galic, Trimis, Rasmussen. Substitutes: Carmichael, Fuller, Hughes, McMahon, Nunn.

Scorers: Nash 18′, Rasmussen 61′, Fuller 69′.

PERTH GLORY (4-3-3): Dumont, McKenna, Zogg, Chinnama, Foletta, Palmer, Dalton, Tathem, Wynne, O’Donoghue, Johnston. Substitutes: Anderson, Lincoln, Phonsongkham, Templeman, Wainwright.

Scorers: O’Donoghue 49′, 57′. McKenna 90+3.

Referee: Molly Godsell.

Attendance: 1,115.

Follow Impetus on social media –

Twitter (X): @impetusfootball TikTok: @impetusfootball

Instagram: @impetusfootball

Vidošić hopes Seagulls “can put a few goals away” against Spurs

Above: Brighton coach Dario Vidošić Photo: Brighton and Hove Albion FC

By Aimee-Lou Caldecourt (14/03/25)

Head Coach Dario Vidošić spoke to the media today ahead of Brighton and Hove Albion’s away trip to Tottenham Hotspur this Sunday.

After a fortnight off, the Seagulls are looking to replicate the performance they put in against Chelsea. Vidošić reflected on that game after a controversial equaliser for Chelsea meant Brighton had to settle for a point.

“A little bit frustrating, I think, at the end, the offside goal and potentially a penalty for us.” He sympathised with officials, “but look, these are the decisions that were made, not easy ones mind you… when it’s all happening live, especially the offside… [it is] not the easiest call.” Saying “I think eventually we’ll see [VAR] in the women’s game”

Looking ahead to the Spurs game the squad have worked on all aspects of their game in training this week, Vidošić described the game as “two teams that want to play football” as both Brighton and Tottenham are teams who just want to get on with their game and get stuck in early on. In the reverse fixture back in December it was a stalemate between the two, “when we have those patches of dominance, we can put a few goals away, we didn’t manage to do that last time in the first half.”

Brighton are currently on track for their best finish in the WSL in their history, but Vidošić believes that it does not matter until May. “It is nice that we are in fifth, it only matters on the final whistle after the last game of the season.”

Team news is looking good, Jorelyn Caribali has been cleared of any serious injury after the last international break in the SheBelieves Cup. She still is not back out on the pitch; however, she is waiting for another scan to identify the issue in her knee. Bruna Vilamala is back on the grass and should see her return in a couple of weeks’ time.

Marisa Olislagers was the goal scorer of a stunning half volleyin the reverse fixture and Vidosic has high praise for her. “She’s a highly technical player, very intelligent as well… how she trained how she conducted herself how hard she works and when she came back in and had her chance, I thought she has been terrific, very very good player, young player.”

Brighton are still yet to register a league win in 2025 so far, and will be looking to rectify this against Spurs. The game takes place on Sunday afternoon at Brisbane Road with a 3pm kick off.

Follow Impetus on social media –

Twitter (X): @impetusfootball TikTok: @impetusfootball

Instagram: @impetusfootball

Western win in a classic against Canberra

Western United 4-3 Canberra United

By Alyce Collett 13/3/25

Above: Keiwa Hieda (left) retains possession against Hayley Taylor-Young. Photo: Western United

Western United have picked up three crucial points in the race to secure an A-League Women’s finals berth after a 4-3 win over Canberra United tonight.

In an absolutely chaotic match, Western United fought back from being down three times, and with goals to Keiwa Hieda, Catherine Zimmerman, Sandra Ibarguen and an own goal from Sally James, ultimately nabbed the winner in the dying minutes of regulation time. Canberra United did put up a massive fight though. Bethany Gordon, Madison Ayson and Mary Stanic-Floody all scored and they really pushed the home side all night.

Western United were definitely the side to get on top early, spending a lot more time in attack and creating a lot more attacking play than their visitors were. The likes of Keiwa Hieda, Zimmerman and Chloe Logarzo were particularly lively.

However, despite all that attacking play it was Canberra United who scored first. It was completely against the run of play, and happened after Michelle Heyman set up Gordon who slotted it in the back of the net after catching out Chloe Lincoln.

The goal completely flipped the momentum, with Canberra starting to play as the more confident side and the home side seemed really rattled.

Western United did regroup and began to rack up the attacking play again, but no matter how close they got to scoring a goal, James and the rest of the Canberra defence stood tall and denied their hosts again and again and again.

The half time stats told a stark story, particularly for the home side.

The possession count was 61% to 39% in Western’s favour, and Western United had quadruple the number of shots on goal (eight to four), but both sides had one shot on target each.

The second half can only be described as chaotic.

Western United finally got some reward for all that attacking play they had created only a couple of minutes into the second half, when Adriana Taranto set up Hieda, who curled one past James in the Canberra goal to equalise proceedings.

Unfortunately the home side’s joy did not last long after Ayson brilliantly headed a cross home to give Canberra back the lead not even five minutes after Hieda’s goal.

Western United was not done though, as Zimmerman launched one into the top corner of the Canberra goal after pouncing on a poor Canberra pass, and the game was back level again.

In a case of déjà vu, Canberra did not take long to restore their lead after Stanic-Floody scored a goal up the other end that was just as impressive as Zimmerman’s.

Just as it looked like Canberra were going to hold their hosts out, with about 10 minutes to go Ibarguen snuck behind the Canberra defence to slot home Western United’s third goal of the evening and level up proceedings yet again.

Western kept attacking the goal, and were rewarded with a fourth goal in the penultimate minute of regular time after a Kiara De Domizio ball in was deflected into the back of the net off James’ glove.

Teams: WESTERN UNITED (4-4-2): Lincoln, Grove, Maher, Mihocic, Medwin, Hieda, Logarzo, Eggesvik,A.Taranto, Dehakiz, Zimmerman. Substitutes: Cerne,Ibarguen, Dall’Oste, de Domizio, M.Taranto.

Scorers: Hieda 50’, Zimmerman 63’, Ibarguen 82’, James[OG] 89’

CANBERRA UNITED (4-3-3): James, Anton, Ayson, Heyman, Gordon, Taylor-Young, Christopherson, Malone, Robers, Markovski, Keane. Substitutes: Bertolissio, Majstorovic, Murray, Stanic-Floody, Nathan.

Scorers: Gordon 12’, Ayson 53’, Stanic-Floody 65’.

Referee: Caitlin Williams.

Attendance: 503.

Follow Impetus on social media –

Twitter (X): @impetusfootball TikTok: @impetusfootball

Instagram: @impetusfootball

Sørensen hails Arsenal’s organisation: “They are very well coached”

Above: Clare Wheeler for Everton. Photo: Emma Simpson for Impetus

By Alyce Collett

Everton boss Brian Sørensen admitted on Thursday that pitch conditions may have played a role in his opponent’s loss in the FA Cup.

Ahead of Friday’s game against Arsenal, Sørensen had both positive and negative news on the injury front.

He confirmed that Clare Wheeler is fit enough to start if need be (following injury), while Louna Ribadeira will be out for a while after developing a cyst in her foot. There is no timeline on the young Frenchwoman’s return.

Sørensen and his Toffees face an Arsenal side this week licking their wounds after a poor performance in the FA Cup last weekend against Everton’s crosstown rivals Liverpool.

“I think the conditions played a part in the way that they [Liverpool] exploited their weaknesses,” Sorenson explained. Speaking about Arsenal, the Everton boss asserted that “I think we’ve seen a couple of things that we can potentially hurt them on, but I generally think they have one of the best squads available, and then they are a team that works very well together”.

The Toffees’ boss highlighted Arsenal’s organisation: “You can see they are well coached, and even when Jonas was there, I thought they were very organised, and they still are so it’s going to be extremely tough for us. And I know it’s probably the worst time to play them, they want to bounce back quickly after a loss like that, but I know they also said it themselves, the circumstances they played under played into the way that that game went, they couldn’t really get any proper control and so on, but of course they have some weaknesses, we’ll try to explore it, but it’s going to be a really tough game.”

Sørensen’s opposite number for this weekend Renee Slegers described Everton as an “unpredictable” side, which the Toffees boss agreed with.

“If I should describe our team, I would say a bit of the same because that’s what we’re still try to do and strive to do” Sørensen said.

“But as I said many times, you need players to do that, and now we have it, so it’s probably a bit clearer from everyone, but from my side and the way I’ve been working with the staff, it’s been the same approach since basically I came in. With more players, better players, we can be much more dynamic, which we really want to be”.

There has been a resurgence from Everton since the new year, off the back of the Toffees finally being able to properly bring new players in during the January transfer window.

Although the Toffees are out of both Cup competitions, they are clear of relegation and Sørensen said that the position his side is in does give them a bit more freedom, noting that “It maybe settles the nerves a bit, in terms of worrying in about that battle with the others, in terms of who’s going to be relegated, when there’s still points available to pick up, and it’s reasonable for other teams to catch us”.

Sørensen highlighted what he believes is the key to Everton’s run of strong performances: developing relationships on pitch between new players and veterans. Sørensen praised the structure in place in the team, saying that “I think the structure we have is easy for them [new players] to understand”.

“But I also say all the ones who have been here for the last couple of years. They are five, six, seven and eight assistant coaches in terms of getting everyone drilled in fast. So yeah, credit to the to the players in terms of taking the new ones in and getting the messages onboard because then it’s easier for those one to understand.

“I think because we are like being so unpredictable and dynamic, it also takes a lot of practice, and it takes a lot from the players to take it on board.”

Follow Impetus on social media –

Twitter (X): @impetusfootball TikTok: @impetusfootball

Instagram: @impetusfootball

Liverpool v Manchester United Press Conferences: Standing against abuse

Above: Liverpool midfielder Taylor Hinds. Photo: @LiverpoolFCW on X

By Catherine MacKenzie (13/03/2025)

Liverpool interim boss Amber Whiteley and Manchester United’s Marc Skinner both showed their support for Liverpool midfielder Taylor Hinds, who was subjected to verbal abuse during Liverpool’s FA cup clash with Arsenal.

Press conferences ahead of a clash between Liverpool and Manchester United will always strike a different tone. Where the usual press conference is dominated by discussions about team selection and evaluating the opposing team, one of English football’s biggest rivalries demands something different; there is talk of the “spirit” of the game, which is tinged with an awareness that anything can happen when these two sides meet.

For the first time, Liverpool are set to host Manchester United at Anfield in the WSL, and in their press conferences ahead of the game, both head coaches spoke of the significance of the occasion: Marc Skinner said that facing Liverpool at Anfield transcends football and “is about the spirit of the game”. For her part, Amber Whiteley asserted that “these are the games that everybody wants to be a part of” and highlighted the importance of the game being at Anfield; “we want the crowd to get behind us”.

Liverpool will arguably start the game as underdogs, as United currently sit second in the WSL table behind leaders Chelsea, eight points behind with a game in hand. They have the best defence in the league, only conceding six goals in fifteen games and keeping ten clean sheets. In comparison, Liverpool have conceded twenty-four goals and kept only two clean sheets. This defensive record is something Whiteley has been tasked with improving during her interim term, and today she spoke of the importance of dealing with a United attack that is “really direct, quick in the attack”.

There is some positivity for Liverpool, however. In their last outing, they beat Arsenal away from home to advance in the FA Cup, keeping a clean sheet in what Whiteley admits was a confidence-boosting performance. They will be hoping to extend that organised performance against United, giving the interim coach three wins from three in her tenure. Asked about the improved performance, Whiteley said that “we were better without the ball” and praised on-loan midfielder Sam Kerr for her defensive work. In their last game, United ran out 3-1 winners against Championship club Sunderland in the FA Cup.

What the teams presently have in common is off-pitch headlines. Liverpool’s midfielder Taylor Hinds was subjected to verbal abuse from the stands in the game against Arsenal, and both Skinner and Whiteley made their support for Hinds clear: Whiteley asserted that “we are proud of Taylor for making a stand. It is important for her but for everybody else in the game too”. Skinner echoed that the treatment was “unacceptable”.

For their part, United are a constant presence in the media due to actions and words spoken by majority-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who has admitted that the women’s team is not a priority for him. Amidst fears that this may lead his squad to feel demotivated and unimportant, Skinner again suggested that inside the club, the mood is different: “I feel the support every day. I am absolutely convinced that the women’s team has a place within the club”.

Skinner and Whiteley also provided updates on the fitness of their squads, with positive news from both camps. Only youngster Simi Awujo is out for United; only Hannah Silcock for Liverpool, and Elisabeth Terland will be in the United squad for the first time since the February international break.

Follow Impetus on social media –

Twitter (X): @impetusfootball TikTok: @impetusfootball

Instagram: @impetusfootball

Slegers: “these emotions can lead to motivation”

Above: Arsenal Manager Renée Slegers Photo: Arsenal FC

By Rachel Gore (13/03/25)

Arsenal’s manager, Renée Slegers, spoke to the media on building a “winning culture” at the club and “moving forward” after Sunday’s FA Cup elimination, focusing on a win this weekend.

Currently, Arsenal sits in third place in the WSL table, with just one point separating them from Manchester City, who are in fourth. Friday’s fixture, against eighth place Everton, is an opportunity for Slegers’ side to cement their place in the top three.

Currently, all the players who were available for Arsenal’s last match will be at hand for Everton away, but Slegers highlighted that her team still have “one more training to go.”

Speaking on Everton, Slegers described the side as an “unpredictable” and “challenging team” who frequently “change between systems.” She highlighted how they can shift well between an aggressive press and comfortable defence with their manager, Brian Sørensen, playing them “to their strengths.” On Friday, Sleger’s squad will try to “break down” Everton’s tactics and bring 3 points back to North London.

Arsenal’s last two clashes against Everton have resulted in draws, with their most recent game seeing neither team place the ball in the net.

On Sunday, in their FA Cup match against Liverpool, Sleger’s side came away goalless once more. This result was “very disappointing” for Arsenal and caused players to be “angry on Monday.” Earlier on in the season Arsenal came back well “from disappointing results” and Slegers is hoping that her players can “leave emotions from last Sunday behind.”

The manager has seen firsthand how “these emotions can lead to motivation” and was keen to mention the quality of play that had been displayed in their training session today. She also mentioned “it was one of the best sessions we’ve had since I’ve come here.”

One Arsenal player who appeared to be particularly distressed after Sunday’s match was goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar. Slegers highlighted the many times that “Daphne has saved us” and stated that, in her opinion, “that goal was very unlucky.” Since Sunday, van Domselaar has had a “constructive conversation” with Arsenal’s goalkeeper coach.

Arsenal’s elimination from the FA Cup is not the sole headline that came out of Sunday’s game; following the fixture Arsenal have launched an investigation into sexually inappropriate comments aimed at Liverpool’s Taylor Hinds. According to Slegers, these comments are “obviously not what we want in society at all”, nor do we want them “in a women’s football context.”

Other recent news in women’s football has focused on the number of manager departures. When asked about the sacking of Manchester City’s Garreth Taylor, Slegers said that she “wasn’t expecting it from the outside” and wished Gareth “all the best for the future.”

Following their elimination from the FA Cup, Arsenal are “still active in the league and the Champion’s League” and “have a big month coming up.” The club are still hoping to bring home silverware as they implement “a winning culture” from the inside. Slegers will continue to “play every player to their strengths.”

Arsenal face Everton on Friday 14^th March, and the match will kick off at 19:00.

Follow Impetus on social media –

Twitter (X): @impetusfootball TikTok: @impetusfootball

Instagram: @impetusfootball

Exclusive Interview with Rosemary Durand – Team Manager & Player Care for Dijon

by Jean-Pierre Thiesset (13/3/25).

This article is based on an exclusive interview of Rosemary Durand, Team Manager & Player Care for DFCO (Dijon Football Côte d’Or) Arkema Première Ligue team, realized on January 21, 2025, by Jean-Pierre Thiesset, Impetus Women’s Football.

Rosemary Durand was born on February 19, 2002, in Vesoul, France. From a young age, she does a lot of sport and quickly turns to football where she plays midfielder. She played in French “Régionale 1” (tiers 4) in Vesoul, Saint Vit and Longvic. Unfortunately, she had a torn Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) for the second time in her young career and went under surgery at the end of last year; She is currently in recovery.

**Above: Rosemary DURAND, Saint Vit (Blue 6). Photo: Franck LALLEMAND, Est Républicain**

In addition to being on the field as a player, she carried out a mission as an educator in Vesoul and a year of civic service in Saint Vit where she was also an educator for U13 women’s and took care of the club’s communication on social networks.

Very involved in all the clubs where she went to help with events, working in the field of sport and particularly in sports management quickly became obvious to her. As she herself says: “I feel like it was innate and that I was predestined for working in sports since I was born.”

After three years of License in Sports Management in STAPS (Sciences et Techniques des Activités Physiques et Sportives – Sciences and Techniques of Physical and Sports Activities), she is currently in the second and final year of a Master in Sports Management in Law, Economics and Management.

How do we become Team Manager & Player Care for DFCO?

“Although there is no specific diploma as for coaches, education in Sports Management shows the theoretical aspect of the function. After my License in STAPS, I chose to pursue a different master’s degree to adopt a different approach to sports management and complete my skills in law and economics.”

**Above: Sylvain CARRIC, DFCO Women’s Section Manager and Rosemary DURAND, DFCO Team Manager and Player Care. Photo: Jean-Pierre THIESSET, Impetus.**

“Small peculiarity with the DFCO, I played there for a year, and when you are young in my area the flagship club in women’s football is Dijon. I had been asking Sylvain Carric, Manager of the Women’s Section of the DFCO since July 2022, to integrate me into the club for a few years, and last year he had the opportunity to take me with him. Sylvain is a very good person, he supports me a lot, he is attentive to ensuring that I am fulfilled in my work and that is great.”

What does the profession of Team Manager & Player Care and your own role entail?

“This profession is first and foremost management and logistics, especially during travel for hotel reservations and transportation. At home it is necessary to organize the match with the delegates, the planning and the chronology of the event. So that is all that is organizational. I ensure every day that the training conditions are optimized for the players so that they work in an ideal and efficient environment. It is important that when the players and staff arrive, they only think about football. Team Manager is so diverse with many different situations that that is also what is fun about this job. This includes coordination with partner clubs to organize the entry of young girls escorting players onto the field as well as discussions with federal authorities, for example. I am the one who organizes all the relationships between the different services. I am the interface between the players and other club services.”

“The Player Care side is a little more individualized support for the players, accompanying them and supporting them daily for all extra-sporting aspects. As soon as the players arrive at the club, we must pick them up, do medical checks, integrate them and help them with everything administrative such as looking for an apartment, carry out the procedures with them for rental, electricity, gas and water contracts so that they integrate more easily into the club and into the city. Daily, it means helping them with the various needs they may have, such as processing taxes or finding a hairdresser (laughs). There are also relationships with family and plane reservations when they return to their family. There is hardly a day when I am not in demand and that is fine with me. This year, the additional particularity is that there are more foreigners and there is a need for support which is even much greater. So, Player Care is about supporting the players, accompanying them in everything they need and being there for them.”

**Above: Rosemary DURAND DFCO with Coach & Women’s Section Manager. Photo: Jean-Pierre THIESSET, Impetus**

“As it is someone who is not directly into sports, it is normal that we talk about her or him less, and she or his is therefore someone in the shadows. However, she or he is someone very important and I think that the more the players rise to a higher level, the more pressure they have, the more they must change countries, and therefore the more it is necessary for them to have extra-sporting support and that this support is in direct correlation with their performance on the field. I am convinced that it is a profession that should not be neglected.”

“There are a lot of things that I appreciate about this profession, especially the little moments of adrenaline before matches or before going on a trip where you say to yourself “is everything going to go well?”. Honestly, overall, everything is quite gripping in the end. There are always hazards and things that do not go as planned and you must quickly adapt and react; Above all, you must be proactive and anticipated, it is full of little challenges that I like, before the match everything must be ready and squared, and I appreciate these moments of adrenaline.”

What is the most difficult for you in this job?

“For me, now it is English language where I am not super comfortable and where I need to improve. The players are kind to me, and they speak to me slowly. I am also in the process of thinking about it and as soon as I have the opportunity, I will try to go somewhere to learn to speak English well because in a job like this it is essential to at least speak fluently English. Otherwise, the hardest part is managing to be organized on all the small missions that are entrusted to me, and which are so different. There are very small things and more important ones to manage, and you must be able to follow the thread, be organized and this is the most complicated so as not to forget anything. Ultimately, it is the hardest, but it is also what is the most exciting and when the players thank me, it makes me very happy because in the end I am doing it for them. It is a success for me when I see that they are fulfilled and satisfied and that makes me proud.”

What are the main qualities necessary to practice this profession?

“You must be very organized, in my opinion that is the basis, and have good interpersonal skills. You must be proactive, anticipate potential hazards and always be one step ahead. We also must have a sense of contact because we are in contact with the players, the staff, the management, the other clubs, the delegates, the federation and we therefore must know how to adapt depending on the public with which we interact.”

How would you like to direct your career?

“I am very happy here in Dijon but then we will see depending on the project that will be put in place for next season if it still corresponds to my values, my ambitions and my objectives. That being said, I am not forbidding myself from looking elsewhere because I want to gain experience and see how things work in other clubs. I would also like to go abroad because doing so would be a great experience. In the longer term, go from club to club to learn, then work in a national team.”

What message would you like to send to the DFCO women players and to young people, girls or boys, who would like to do this job?

“The women players on the DFCO team call me Mom, so I consider them a bit like my daughters, and I try to take care of them as much as possible. They pay it forward to me, as well as to the staff, through their performances and the results they obtain. It is a group that is really united and unique with a mix of foreigners and French people who work very well together. They are an exceptional group, and I will continue to take care of them and be kind to them. Ultimately, we are like a little family.”

“To young people, I would like to say that it is a superb profession and that you should come to it. It is important that we have young people, and not just girls, who are involved because we are the actresses and actors of tomorrow for the development of women’s football. It is important to get involved on the technical side but also on the management and organization side to move things forward and develop women’s football so that there is real recognition of this sport in France. Get involved in women’s football clubs from a young age, you will flourish there.”

**Above: Rosemary DURAND, DFCO. Photo: DFCO**

Rosemary impressed me with her maturity and her determination to move things forward in women’s football. She reassured me that this job as Team Manager & Player Care was more than important for the future of women’s football and that it deserves to come out of the shadows and finally be in the light.

Follow Impetus on social media –Twitter (X): @impetusfootball TikTok: @impetusfootball Instagram: @impetusfootball

Phonsongkham: It was the lowest I’ve ever been

by Ben Gilby (12/3/25)

Above: Susan Phonsongkham speaking to the media today at Perth Glory’s Fremantle HQ.

Approaching her fourth season in a Perth Glory shirt, things had been looking good for Susan Phonsongkham. A new contract off of the back of arguably her best season for the club, and a hugely impressive NPLW Victoria season. Then it all went horribly wrong.

Phonsongkham had been a key part of the Preston Lions side that made the NPLW Victoria Grand Final in 2024, but during that big game, her last one before flying back to Perth to prepare for the A-League Women season, she suffered a devastating ankle injury.

It has been a desperately tough period for the 24-year-old attacker, who admitted today: “It was difficult for sure. I think it was the lowest I’ve ever been in terms of football, but it is what it is, it happens. Now I’m back!”

Back Phonsongkham definitely is. Her return to the Glory as a substitute in last Friday’s 3-0 win at Western United at the Sam Kerr Football Centre saw a cameo of everything that is so good about her. Centimetre perfect passes that curve into the strides of team mates, and devastating runs. The icing on the cake was a goal from the penalty spot.

“It means a lot to me, to be back playing with the girls, and just play for the fans and play for this club, and I want to do something for them…the home crowd has always been amazing here.

“It was really important for the girls to get three points, especially that game. Throughout this season we didn’t have the results we wanted.”

And, as for that penalty, there was just the merest hint of a rueful smile as Phonsongkham revealed how it came about that she took it.

**Above:** Susan Phonsongkham (left) in possession for Perth Glory on her return from injury against Western United on Friday. **Photo:** Rob Lizzi for *Impetus.*

“I kinda asked for it, just for myself, personally to get my confidence back up and the girls were backing me all the way.”

The midfielder/striker came back into a Glory side now under the stewardship of Stephen Peters, someone who she feels has kept her included and feeling valued despite spending almost all of her time since he arrived at the club on the treatment table.

“I think for Stephen – I’ve obviously played against him in the NPL in New South Wales, so I kinda knew him from then. He has been amazing for us. Implementing different playing styles to what we had last year, so it was good to be fresh.”

That win over Western United has now reignited Perth’s Finals hopes. The Western Australians stand six points outside of the last spot in the six – currently held by Central Coast Mariners. This Friday they travel to Industree Group Stadium to face Emily Husband’s side in a huge contest. It would be a perfect time to earn their first away win of the campaign.

“It’s always been a talk in our group to make the top six,” Phonsongkham admitted. We just need to take one game at a time and see where it goes from there. It will mean a lot for us as a group, also for the fans and the coaching staff as well. It will be a massive, massive thing for the club.”

Whilst in the immediate term, the 24-year-old is solely focussed on hitting her straps once more on the pitch for Perth, she is also beginning to look ahead to what is to come in order to get her in the best possible position to come out flying at the start of next season – and had a message that the club’s fans should feel extremely positive about.

“I’d love to stay. I love the fans, I love the club. The place is amazing, I love Perth. I’m going to have to be smarter in the off-season and not push myself playing NPL if it’s not needed. Every injury I’ve had has come in the NPL and I’ve not been able to come into the (A-League) season fit and ready, so I’ll be smart and look into that.”

Follow Impetus on social media –

Twitter (X): @impetusfootball TikTok: @impetusfootball
Instagram: @impetusfootball