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Cuthbert’s late header seals points for Chelsea against City

Chelsea 2-1 Manchester City

By Freya Hiscott (23/03/25)

Above: Erin Cuthbert celebrating after securing three points for Chelsea. Photo: Chelsea Women on Instagram

Erin Cuthbert’s header sealed a 2-1 victory in injury-time for Chelsea in their WSL fixture against Manchester City after a dominant second-half performance saw them come from behind.

Since Vivianne Miedema’s brace inflicted Chelsea’s first defeat this season in Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-final tie, Chelsea came out looking to retain their winning ways. The defeat at the Joie Stadium ended Chelsea’s 31-game unbeaten streak and it was Chelsea manager, Sonia Bompastor’s first loss since joining the club from Lyon last year.

The impact of Kerolin Nicoli

Above: Kerolin celebrating with City fans after her opening goal. Photo: Manchester City Women on Instagram

Kerolin Nicoli recently signed for this Manchester City side in the January transfer window, joining from NWSL club North Carolina Courage. Kerolin had two notable chances in early minutes of the game where she was pressing hard on Chelsea’s defence and driving the ball into their half.

Nick Cushing’s team looked as though they would secure a back-to-back victory as City were dominant in attack throughout the first half. Kerolin Nicoli was instrumental in leading the attack and scored the opening goal for the blues in the 32nd minute. Kerolin received the ball on the right edge of Chelsea’s box and skilfully slotted the ball through Chelsea captain, Millie Bright’s legs into the bottom left corner of the net, marking her first WSL goal since joining this City side.

Shortly after Kerolin was involved in a move that saw Jess Park controversially have a goal disallowed. Kerolin was fouled by Bright on the edge of the box, when the ball fell to Park as she curled it into the back of the net. However, referee Kirsty Dowle had already blown for a foul on Kerolin and called for a free kick, which subsequently left the score line remaining 1-0 to City going into half time.

Chelsea’s second half dominant display

With a compelling lead in the top spot of the WSL table, Chelsea could afford a draw but as typical champions they fought for the win, as they look to lift their sixth consecutive Women’s Super League title.

Chelsea came out in full force after having zero shots on target in the first half and they were awarded when Beever-Jones found the back of the net with the help of Johanna Rytting Kaneryd’s skilful cutback. City were quick to suffer the consequences of not closing Chelsea down fast enough as Beever-Jones’s goal meant it was level early on in the second half.

Khiara Keating was one of City’s notable star players as she heroically saved goals from Wieke Kaptein, Lauren James and Rytting Kaneryd. However, it took Chelsea substitute, Erin Cuthbert to finish the game off when she came on in the 55th minute to replace Maika Hamano.

Ashley Lawrence’s cross into the far corner met Cuthbert’s head as she directed it straight into the back of the net with only a couple of minutes of injury-time left to play.

Manchester City now sit seven points away from top three, fighting for a spot in the Champion’s League next season.

Interim head coach Cushing will be looking to tighten up defensively especically in counterattacks as City struggled to maintain possession in the latter stages of the game. City showed that whilst they can trouble Chelsea, they’ll need to maintain dominance throughout if they want to progress in the Champion’s League and salvage their chances of silverware this season. The blues will head down to Chelsea on Thursday to close off what will be their fourth fixture against Chelsea this month across various competitions. City are already 2-0 up on aggregate and will push to secure a spot in the semi-finals.

Lineups:

CITY (4-3-3): Keating, Casparij, Prior, Aleixandri (Captain), Layzell. Hasegawa, Roord, Coombs, Kerolin, Park, Miedema

Scorer: Kerolin (32′)

Substitutes: Annets, Startup, Ouahabi (89′), Fowler (58′), Weinroither (80′), Oyama, Murphy (80′), Davies

CHELSEA (4-2-3-1): Hampton, Lawrence, Bright (Captain), Bronze, Charles, Jean-Francois, Kaptein, James, Hamano, Kaneryd, Beever-Jones

Substitutes: Spencer, Bjorn, Baltimore, Walsh (63′), Cuthbert (55′), Macario (87′), Nusken, Fishel (87′), Ramirez (63′)

Scorers: Beever-Jones (49′) Cuthbert (90+1′)

Referee: Kirsty Dowle

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NPLW WA 2025 Round One Wrap

by Ben Gilby (23/3/25)

Above: Daisy McAllister, who hit two goals for Perth SC as they came from 1-0 down to defeat Fremantle City on Saturday night. Photo: Rob Lizzi.

It was a truncated opening round of NPLW WA action with two matches – Hyundai Football West Academy (formerly Hyundai NTC) against Balcatta Etna, and Murdoch University Melville’s home game with Subiaco both postponed due to extreme heat.

Whilst the program was halved, there was still plenty of hugely enjoyable action on view.

UWA-Nedlands 2-5 Perth RedStar

Perth RedStar overturned a 2-1 half-term deficit to hit back to defeat UWA-Nedlands on Sunday.

RedStar welcomed back striker Caitlin Doeglas from her time at the Glory in the A-League Women, as well as Abbey Woolley being named on the bench.

It was the home side that hit the front with 22 minutes played. From a throw-in, Melina Franklin combined with Alyssa Kinkaid to play the ball into the edge of the box. A bout of head tennis ensued before it fell for Franklin to hit a stunning volley from around 20 yards that flew into the net.

The lead lasted for just over 12 minutes. Kaitlyn Bellanca drove possession forward to the left-hand flank for Caitlin Doeglas to escape forward and drive a shot goalwards that UWA-Nedlands keeper Janina Sauer got a touch to and under pressure from Renee Leota, it looked like the final touch came off a defender as it rolled over the line.

But just as they did so often last season, the home side proved to be stubborn opponents, and five minutes before the break hit the front once more.

Samara Riches’ free-kick on the left-hand edge of the area came in high in the sun, RedStar keeper Gabby Dal Busco could only push it up, and coming in fastest to turn the ball over the line from the closest of range for UWA-Nedlands was Chloe Gaspar.

**Above:** Sarah Carroll (red shirt above) seen here in action last season, scorer of Perth RedStar’s equalising goal at the UWA Sports Park today. **Photo:** Rob Lizzi.

It was a lead that the home side would hold until just before the hour mark. Bellanca picked up possession midway inside the UWA-Nedlands half and switched play across to the right-hand flank where the ball was nodded on to Sarah Carroll who broke into the box and rolled a cool finish under Sauer to level the scores.

Just as you would expect from RedStar, they continued to up the ante and hit the front for the first time in the game less than two minutes later. From the centre of the park, Leota lifted a perfectly weighted pass into the stride of Jayna Ridley who advanced towards the edge of the area to slide a classy finish past Sauer.

The visitors added two further goals in the final 12 minutes. First, Grace Monteiro gathered possession in the centre midfield and laid a pass off for Leota outside her on the right-hand flank. Leota turned her defender excellently and fed a pass into Ridley who in turn played in Jay Coleman to side-foot home first time on the edge of the box in a central position.

Then in the last minute of regulation time, Doeglas sent a corner into the box from the right that Coleman met on the half-volley at the near post to make it five.

Both sides will take positives from this opening hit out in the fierce heat. UWA-Nedlands showed that they have the character to make life hard for the best in this league. RedStar’s five goals all had class oozing out of them. There’s quite a season of fun and games ahead in the NPLW WA.

Teams: UWA-NEDLANDS: Sauer, C.Gaspar, Gibson, Cain, Kinkaid, Preiato, Visic, Dinsdale, Seeley, Franklin, Riches. Substitutes: E.Gaspar, Hartley, Muller, Dadswell, Rodrigo, Large.

Scorers: Franklin 22′, C.Gaspar 40′.

PERTH REDSTAR: Dal Busco, Carroll, Doan, Teixeira, Ridley, Dunn, Bellanca, Monteiro, Leota, Coleman, Doeglas. Substitutes: Woolley, Lornie, Shilton, Finnegan, O’Donohoe.

Scorers: Own Goal 34′, Carroll 59′, Ridley 61′, Coleman 78′, 89′.

Perth SC 2-1 Fremantle City

**Above:** It was an influential performance from Fremantle City’s Mikayla Lyons. **Photo:** via Mikayla Lyons.

Two goals in a seven minute spell either side of the hour mark from Daisy McAllister – the second of which was an outrageous piece of individual skill – saw Perth SC come from behind to beat a talented Fremantle City side.

The visitors were doing their best to disrupt the Azzurri’s plans by chasing everything and looking to force the fatal error. From one such rapid closedown, they grabbed their chance.

With nine minutes played, Freo’s efforts earned turn over ball in the middle of the park which saw Leyna Wood play a lovely little flick to allow Mikayla Lyons to advance towards the area, draw her former teammate Dayle Schroeder in the Perth goal and calmly slot home.

Lyons was absolutely outstanding, particularly during the first half. She was pulling the strings and so instrumental in causing the Azzurri major headaches.

Freo took hold of the centre midfield which enabled them to create two further half chances just before the half hour. First, the ball was lifted through for Sofie Osborne to run onto, before dispatching a shot that Schroeder held at the second attempt. Then, a cross from the right found Lyons in space at the back post, but her effort went wide.

Freo conjured up one further chance when Sophie Meaden was fouled on the right, 25 yards out. Lyons chipped into the mix for Spencer to head over.

Perth came back into the game in the final 20 minutes of the opening half as they switched their point of attack to the flanks with great success. Marshall had already been probing well along the right, but now this was added to by excellent use of the pace of both Jess Flannery and McAllister on the left.

McAllister advanced along the left with 17 minutes remaining on the first half clock and drove into space before unleashing a powerful shot that Phillips held brilliantly.

Shortly afterwards, Flannery made the most of her skill to escape down the same flank before cutting in to dispatch an effort that flashed just wide of the far post.

Then, just before the break, Nossent advanced to play a high ball towards the left-hand post for Flannery to shoot low, but Phillips pushed out for a corner.

**Above:** Perth SC’s Jess Flannery, who looked to create throughout the game yesterday. **Photo:** Rob Lizzi.

The Azzurri were the strongest out of the blocks in the second term and substitute Maja Archibald had an immediate influence on proceedings. Making yards down the right, the former NTC teenager played in McAllister inside her on the edge of the box for a low shot to flash wide of the far post.

Perth SC were putting a lot more pace into their passing and there was more zip in the legs as well, which had the desired impact.

Ten minutes into the half, Archibald picked up possession in the centre of the park and drove forward before unleashing a powerful shot that only just went over the top.

Shortly afterwards, a cross came in high from the right to the back post where McAllister gathered, turned her defender, and fired in a low shot into the far corner of the net to level the scores.

Just 60 seconds later, the home side came close again, as Kim McCartney sent a trademark long-range free-kick narrowly over the top.

On the hour mark, Freo gave a reminder of their own threat when Alex Poad released Lyons to advance into the box and drive a shot against the bar before the Perth defence could clear for a corner. The resulting flag kick came in and just flashed wide of the back post.

Then came the moment of the match with 63 minutes played. Violet Longmore’s throw in around 30 yards inside the Freo half on the left found McAllister who lifted the ball over her defender before hitting a stunning drive that flew across Phillips and into the right-hand corner of the net. Pure genius from the Azzurri star.

Fremantle responded by bringing Abbey Green on, and the former Perth Glory A-League player looked to create along the right. The port city side dominated much of the last 10 minutes, but Perth were disciplined and hard-working to deny the visitors any real sight of goal.

Indeed, the home side did have two further chances of their own with Flannery seeing a shot from distance fly just wide before Tamsyn Hannan broke through and lifted an effort wide of the right-hand post.

This was an important win for Perth SC over an opponent who will be a consistently strong threat all season long. Character, grit, determination and skill were all on display as the Azzurri claimed the three points.

Teams: PERTH SC: Schroeder, Nossent, McCartney, Boehm, Longmore, McAllister, Collins, Mathers, Flannery, Tana, Marshall. Substitutes: Ottobrino, Insch (for Flannery 88’), Hope, Archibald (for Marshall 46’), Cavill, Hannan (for Tana 72’).

Scorers: McAllister 56’, 63.

FREMANTLE CITY: Phillips, Poad, Leek, Osborne, Spencer, Lush, Kiama, Meaden, Siah, Wood, Lyons. Substitutes: Green (for Lyons 69’), Adams, Mayoe, Reynolds (for Poad 79’), Johnson, Healy.

Scorer: Lyons 9’.

Round Two Fixtures:

Fremantle City v Balcatta Etna, Murdoch University Melville v Perth SC, UWA-Nedlands v Subiaco, Perth RedStar v Hyundai Football West Academy.

Adelaide claim the points in second half thriller

Adelaide United 3-1 Brisbane Roar

by Alice de Koster-Kitto (23/5/25)

Above: Adelaide United celebrate in their come-from-behind win over Brisbane Roar today. Photo: Adelaide United.

Adelaide United have proven themselves more than deserving of their third-place position on the Ninja A-League ladder, as they came out victorious in a fiery battle against Brisbane Roar at Coopers Stadium this afternoon in front of their second-highest crowd for a standalone women’s game.

It was impact substitutes Fiona Worts and Erin Healy who changed the game, not only earning a win for the hosts, but transforming a tense yet, somewhat uneventful first half, into a riveting afternoon of football.

The first few minutes of the match saw an uncharacteristic lack of momentum from both sides, which left fans at either end nervous and unsure of what the outcome would be going forward, especially considering the weight of this fixture.

With three points to take home, a win would be crucial in order for Brisbane to maintain their current position on the ladder, while Adelaide would be looking to prove their place among top sides Melbourne City and Melbourne Victory.

Although the spirit of the match was back and forth until the end, there was a definite shift as the strength of Adelaide’s back line lit a fire under a trapped Brisbane Roar that brought a sense of urgency to the pitch.

A shot on target from Alicia Wood almost put Brisbane in the lead in the 25th minute, however, a wonderful save from Claudia Jenkins meant the visitors did not yet find the back of the net. While the strike did not result in a goal for Roar, it did establish their tactical dominance early on, which would leave them the favourites for a majority of this match, despite Adelaide holding most of the possession.

Congestion in the midfield made it difficult for Brisbane to cut through and really lean into their attacking strength in the first half, allowing Adelaide to take a large portion of the many chances. Although it was the hosts that brought the impetus to the pitch, capitalising on far more opportunities, Brisbane ultimately had the better of the chances, getting dangerously close each time they did manage to break the defense.

With frustrations rising, the match became quite physical, when the 27th minute saw Roar’s Laini Freier receive a yellow card, following a shoving match with Lucia Leon, setting a precedent for what would continue to be a contentious match that could not be looked away from.

The second half opened quite passively, as did the first, and although the game remained entertaining, neither side was really showing the capabilities that they have proven to possess so far this campaign.

Mariel Hecher opened the scoring in the 53rd minute putting Brisbane Roar in the lead, when she intercepted the ball from Adelaide’s defence.

Adelaide responded by making a double substitution, as Emily Hodgson and Nanako Sasaki, made way for Fiona Worst and Erin Healy, respectively. Worts and Healy have been a crucial part of the Reds’ squad in what has been an extremely successful campaign for the hosts this season, and their absence in the starting lineup was truly noticed, as was their presence in the second half.

The substitution quickly proved to be an impactful one, as Fiona Worts scored the equaliser, assisted by Chelsie Dawber, just two minutes after entering the match.

Tensions continued to build as the meeting was now anyone’s game, and the desperation from both sides could be felt, as Brisbane Roar finally brought the passion they are so well known for to the pitch.

Healy took a chance as Adelaide’s second goal, with a fantastic ball on target, that ultimately ended too high, flying just over the crossbar.

It was Worts who put Adelaide in the lead, earning her second goal of the match in the 86th minute, as a result of Dylan Holmes’ set piece. Although just four minutes left of regulation, Adelaide did not get comfortable on the pitch, as Brisbane capitalised on every remaining moment in search of an equaliser.

The uninhibited passion brought to the tail end of the game, resulting in Chelsie Dawber being fouled by Deborah-Anne de la Harpe, which gave Adelaide a penalty in the 90th minute. It was Dawber herself who took the shot, striking the ball directly to the back of the net, and leaving South Australian side a two-goal lead, in the final minute of regulation time.

The result earns Adelaide United an important three points, which have leaves them third on the ladder, just two points below Melbourne Victory, while Brisbane Roar now sit in sixth place, with only one point over Canberra United and a large group of chasing teams.

Round 21 will be crucial for both of these sides, as Adelaide United head to AAMI Park to face Melbourne Victory, in what is set to be one of the most defining, and thrilling head to head battles of the season thus far. Meanwhile, Brisbane Roar will also go on the road, taking on Central Coast Mariners at Industree Group Stadium. The Mariners currently sit just one position above Roar on the ladder, and the meeting is sure to be as gripping as it is unpredictable.

Teams: ADELAIDE UNITED (3-4-3): Jenkins, E. Hodgson, Leon, Tolland, Tinkin, McNamara, Morgan, Holmes, Sasaki, Condon, Dawber. Substitutions: Karambasis, I. Hodgson, Healy, Worts, Melegh.

Scorers: Worts 64’, 86’, Dawber 90’.

BRISBANE ROAR (3-4-2-1): Richards, de la Harpe, McQueen, Blissett, Pringle, Hayashi, Woods, Hecher, L. Freier, Popadinova. Substitutes: Varley, Kinsella, Kruger, Morris, Gibbon.

Scorers: Hecher 52’.

Referee: Mikayla Ryan.

Attendance: 3,305.

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Melbourne City into Champions League Semi-Finals

Melbourne City 3-0 Taichung Blue Whale

By Emma Burke at AAMI Park (23/3/25)

Above: Taylor Otto (left) and Rebekah Stott. Photo: Melbourne City

Melbourne City have cruised through to the Asian Women’s Champions League Semi-Finals after defeating Taichung Blue Whale 3-0 at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium.

City opened the scoring through a corner play that ended in Mariana Speckmaier sending the ball careening into the roof of the net.

Their lead was doubled by an own goal just before the end of the first half, when Holly McNamara’s cross into the box took an unfortunate deflection off both defender Pei-Jung Li, and goalkeeper Ming-Jung Tsai.

The second half saw the game open up more, with Taichung looking to press higher on City’s backline.

Despite this, City found another goal from a penalty won and converted by Holly McNamara. McNamara was taken down in the box by Taichung’s keeper, and then from the spot delivered the ball hard and fast into the far right corner.

In a moment just after play restarted, McNamara ended up on the pitch clutching at her right knee, a potential cause for concern given that she has had three ACL reconstructions in her short playing career, but she was able to leave the pitch by herself, and was seen after the final whistle in good spirits and moving freely.

Their next clear goal-scoring opportunity came when substitute Emilia Murray was also taken down in the box by the keeper, however this time the spot kick taken by Leticia McKenna was sent almost directly at the keeper, and she was unable to convert on a second attempt.

This win sees City head into a centralised hub alongside the other three teams remaining to play out their semi-final against Incheon Red Angels from Korea Republic before the grand final, with a location to soon be finalised.

Impetus had photographers Adrian Geremaia and Beck Hartley at AAMI Park – go to our Instagram page (@ImpetusFootball) to see their exclusive photo galleries for us.

Teams: MELBOURNE CITY (4-2-3-1): Mieres, Apostolakis, Stott, Otto, Roestbakken, Hughes, McKenna, Bosch, Pollicina, Speckmaier, McNamara. Substitutions: McMahon, Vlajnic, Henry, Murray, Karic, Rossi, Barbieri, Varley, Accardo, Davidson, Myers

Scorers: Speckmaier 4’, Li 43’ (OG), McNamara 63’ (pen).

TAICHUNG BLUE WHALE (5-4-1): Tsai, Huang, Tanaka, Li, Chang, Peng-Ngam, J. Chen, Intamee, Lin, Sornsai, Y. Chen. Substitutes: Y. S. Lin, J. X. Lin, C. Y. Liu, C. Y. Nien, Y. C. Pan

Referee: Kim Yu Jeong.

Crowd: 1,865.

Foletta Keeps Glory’s Finals Dream Alive

Perth Glory 1-0 Western Sydney Wanderers

By Isabelle Campbell 22/3/25

Photography By Rob Lizzi

Above: Perth Glory celebrate Photo: Rob Lizzi for Impetus

It was a must win match at Sam Kerr Football Centre for both Perth Glory and the travelling Western Sydney Wanderers, with both sides looking to keep the possibility of a top 6 finish alive, but thanks to a last-minute strike from Izzy Foletta it was the home side who continued on their finals quest.

In a crucial bottom-of-the-table showdown, Perth Glory hosted Western Sydney Wanderers at the Sam Kerr Football Centre, with both teams fighting to climb out of the A-League basement. Coming off a dramatic 3-3 draw against Central Coast Mariners at Industree Group Stadium, Glory sat 11th, just ahead of the Wanderers in 12th place. With both sides struggling for consistency, this encounter was set to be a vital chance for either team to gain ground.

Perth Glory came out strong from the first whistle, asserting dominance with early possession. Though neither side was able to create any serious chances in the opening 10 minutes, it was evident that Perth Glory were the more likely side to break the deadlock, consistently pressing forward and controlling the tempo.

Above: Susan Phonsongkham shows her glee at Perth Glory’s winning goal. **Photo:** Rob Lizzi for *Impetus*

As the match progressed, the Wanderers began to find their rhythm in attack. Ella Buchanan delivered a perfectly weighted long-range ball to Sienna Saveska, but the forward, under pressure, failed to convert the opportunity. Glory’s leading goal scorer, Kelli Brown, then had a great chance to open the scoring but was denied by Wanderers defender Amy Harrison, who made a crucial block to keep the match level.

Izzy Dalton, the Perth Glory captain, had another chance to break the deadlock with a shot on goal, but her attempt was deflected, preventing any real threat to the Wanderers’ defense. At the other end, Bronte Trew made a promising run but could not find the right position inside the box before the Glory defense cleared the ball and regained control.

With the first half winding down, both teams had registered an equal number of shots, but the Wanderers were yet to test the Perth Glory goalkeeper, failing to record a single shot on target.

The second half of the match began slowly, with both teams struggling to create clear cut chances. It wasn’t until the 56th minute that the first real opportunity arose, as Glory’s Kelli Brown unleashed a strike from outside the box, but the shot was unable to make a difference. A minute later, Brown tested Wanderers goalkeeper Sham Khamis once again, but the shot was saved, keeping the scoreline level.

As the game progressed, the movement on the field became more scrappy, with both teams locked in a battle for possession in midfield. Neither side could break into a dangerous attacking position, and the match seemed to stagnate.

In the 68th minute, Natalie Tathem fired the first meaningful shot in quite some time, but her effort lacked power and failed to trouble the keeper. As the match entered the final stages, both teams had shots on goal, but none produced any real threat to the scoreline, and the tension in the game continued to rise.

With just seconds left in regulation time, the match took a dramatic turn. Having only been on the pitch for a brief period, Izzy Foletta made an immediate impact, scoring her first goal of the season to put Perth Glory ahead and keep their finals hopes alive.

Still with four minutes of extra time to play, the Wanderers desperately sought an equalizer, but it was beyond their reach. Foletta’s goal proved to be the decisive moment, and the match ended with Perth Glory securing a hard-fought victory, to the delight of an elated home crowd.

Western Sydney Wanderers will be returning home to host Sydney FC in the next round while Perth Glory will remain home and prepare for another important match in their quest for a finals place, against Canberra United.

**Above:** Perth Glory celebrate their late winner. Photo: Rob Lizzi for *Impetus*.

Check out our Instagram page @impetusfootball for more of Rob Lizzi’s superb images from the game for Impetus.

Teams: PERTH GLORY (4-3-3): Dumont, Johnston, McKenna, Wynne, Cassidy, Tathem, Chinama, O’Donoghue, Dalton, Zogg, Brown. Substitutes: Templeman, Foletta, Wainwright, Lincoln, Phonsongkham.

Goals: Foletta 91’

WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS (4-2-3-1): Khamis, Buchanan, Harrison, McComasky, Matos, Chessari, Younis, Price, Saveska, Trew, Rue. Substitutes: Bennett, Harding, Kapetanellis, Caspers, Segavcic.

Referee: Bec Mackie

Attendance: 996.

Hawkesby strike wins it for Sydney FC

Canberra United 0-1 Sydney FC

By Kieran Yap

Above: Mackenzie Hawkesby and Sydney FC after their vital win Photo: Sydney FC

Sydney FC have dealt Canberra United’s season a damaging blow with a 1-0 win away at Mckellar Park. Mckenzie Hawkesby scored the only goal in a game that was not short of chances, and where the home side was controversially denied one of their own.

Sydney FC came into this game looking for their second consecutive win and their fifth of the season. They faced a Canberra United side who still had finals football in their sights and lost in a 4-3 thriller against Western United the previous week.

Sydney FC continued with Mackenzie Hawkesby in attack. She spearheaded a side that light on experience but brimming with potential. Lucy Johnson was the only member of the midfield that was not a teenager. The Tasmanian was joined by Young Matildas Indiana dos Santos, Caley Tallon-Henniker, Shay Hollman and Maddie Caspers.

Canberra United rotated again after their second interstate match in two weeks. Emma Robers, Teagan Bertolissio and Mary Stanic-Floody all came into the starting XI for the must-win game.

The home side had the first great chance of the game. Sending a scare through Sydney FC fans as a Robers corner kick was headed onto the crossbar by Bertolissio.

Jordan Thompson and Tori Tumeth both had swings at a loose ball following a Sydney FC corner, but as it was at the other end, the ball could not find the back of the net.

Michelle Heyman’s pass almost set up Aideen Keane for an easy finish, but the young striker was slightly off balance as she met the ball, and Sydney FC were spared again.

As the hour mark approached, Juric turned to his bench and introduced Shea Connors and Millie Farrow into the contest. The pace and directness of Connors in particular caused immediate problems for Canberra’s central defenders. Her run through the middle and left foot effort brought the best out of Sally James.

Madison Ayson thought she had given Canberra United the lead when she turned another corner goalward, the referee’s assistant was better placed to judge than the camera angle on the broadcast, but it looked to be across the line on screens and the home crowd agreed.

That would prove fateful, and in the 78^th minute Indiana dos Santos broke free into space behind the Canberra defence. She kept her cool and played a ball across to Hawkesby who slotted home the only goal of the match. It was another impressive contribution by dos Santos. The 17 year old playmaker has obvious ability, but her decision making in the final third is what sets her apart from many in the league. This was another example of why she was signed to a two year extension earlier this season.

A late effort from Keane was blocked by Thompson and Sydney finished the game ahead by the slimmest of margins. They are still closer to the bottom of the ladder than they are the top six, but, mathematically their season is still alive.

A win in next week’s Sydney Derby can make things very interesting, while Canberra United face a tricky away trip to face Perth Glory.

Teams: Canberra United 4-5-1: James, Bertolissio, Ayson, Anton, Taylor-Young, Markovski, Robers, Stanic-Floody, Malone, Keane, Heyman. Substitutes: Mckenzie, Murray, J dos Santos, Christopherson, Majstorovic.

Sydney FC 4-1-4-1: Black, Tumeth, Thompson, Tobin, Lemon, Hollman, Tallon-Henniker, I dos Santos, Johnson, Caspers, Hawkesby. Substitutes: Farrow, Connors, Ibini, Bryson, Mason-Jones.

Goals: Hawkesby 78’.

Referee: Rachael Mitchenson.

Attendance: 2,194.

Mariners claim vital win in Finals race

Wellington Phoenix 0-2 Central Coast Mariners

by Alyce Collett (22/3/25)

Above: Central Coast Mariners celebrate during their win in New Zealand today. Photo: A-Leagues.

The Central Coast Mariners have given their finals hopes a handy boost after defeating the Wellington Phoenix 2-0 at Porirua Park this afternoon.

In a match characterised by who made the most of their chances, goals to Annalise Rasmussen and Isabel Gomez helped the Mariners further cement their spot in the top six and give themselves more breathing room in front of the chasing pack.

The Wellington Phoenix were a team on a mission early, with the home side dominating the attacking play and looking far more organised than their visitors.

However, no matter how hard the Phoenix tried they just could not find the back of the net, with Sarah Langman really keeping her side in the match despite everything the likes of Alyssa Whinham, Annalie Longo, and Gace Jale were throwing her way.

As the half-hour mark approached it was the Mariners who picked up the best chance of the half to date – going within inches of a goal – totally against the run of play.

This was also the point in the match when things started to get a bit heated as frustrations from both sides started to boil over.

As the half progressed, the visitors stabilised and their composure in structure and with possession returned. They really made the home side pay for their inability to convert their attacking dominance.

In the shadows of halftime, Rasmussen was brought down in the box and converted the subsequent penalty, giving the Mariners the lead.

Phoenix started the second half a bit like they did the first in terms of dominating possession, but not even 10 minutes into the half Central Coast again made the hosts pay for not taking their chances after Gomez’s strike from distance gave the visitors a second goal.

The second goal really seemed to take the air out of the Phoenix, who really found themselves on the back foot. Suddenly the roles had been flipped, and the Mariners were the ones who looked more composed and dominant with the ball. With the likes of Jade Pennock in particular really starting to become influential on the game.

Phoenix certainly had their moments in attack, but it was nowhere near as dangerous as in the first half, irrespective of the improvement in the defensive positioning the Mariners’ defenders had made.

Teams: WELLINGTON PHOENIX (4-4-2): Vilão, Wall, Kelly, Barry, McMeeken, Jale, Longo, McCutcheon, Whinham, Elliot, Fergusson. Substitutes: Brazendale, Ingham, Jerez, Tanaka, Neary.

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

Scorers: Rasmussen 45+1’, Gomez 52’.

Referee: Georgia Ghirardello.

Attendance: 765.

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Last gasp Morrison seals Victory in see-saw seven goal thriller

Melbourne Victory 4-3 Newcastle Jets

by Ben Gilby (21/3/25)

Above: Melbourne Victory’s Alana Jančevski shows her delight after putting her side 3-0 up. Photo: Melbourne Victory.

Melbourne Victory ran out dramatic late winners in a match against Newcastle Jets that at one point they led 3-0.

Kayla Morrison’s strike six minutes into stoppage time at the end of an incredible encounter at the Home of the Matildas earned the win after an incredible back-from-the-dead effort from the Jets looked to have earned an unlikely point.

The second-placed Victory were red hot out of the blocks, establishing a two-goal lead within the opening 11 minutes, with Emily Gielnik on the mark for both.

The Matildas striker grabbed her first after just 52 seconds when she was fed by Rachel Lowe’s looping pass over the Jets’ defence. Gielnik picked up possession out on the right flank, nodded the ball towards the box, and slammed a shot past Danielle Krzyzaniak as the Jets’ keeper rushed to narrow the angle.

She could have had a second just seven minutes in when a sublime pass from Alex Chidiac on the left found Gielnik in acres of space towards the 18-yard box on the other side of the pitch. She chested the ball down before firing narrowly wide of the far post.

However, her brace arrived on the 11-minute mark, and it was a goal that put her two clear at the top of the A-League Women scoring charts. Alana Murphy curled a corner in from the left and Gielnik’s back flick header propelled the ball in at the near post.

Ten minutes later, it appeared that Jeff Hopkins’ side had achieved a match-winning lead when they extended their lead to 3-0. Chidiac had possession centrally outside the box with her back to goal and squared a pass to Alana Jančevski on the left.

**Above:** Celebration time for Melbourne Victory – left to right: Kayla Morrison, Alana Jančevski, Alex Chidiac, and Nikki Flannery. **Photo:** Melbourne Victory.

The former Perth Glory magician took a touch before firing a long-range shot that bounced just ahead of the six-yard box which seemed to catch out Krzyzaniak before flying in at the right-hand post.

It was one of those goals that this very special player can suddenly pick out from nothing.

Game over, you might think? Absolutely not, as a rapid-fire burst of two goals in as many minutes just before the interval brought Newcastle right back into it.

With 43 minutes played, Cass Davis’ corner on the left was headed back to her by the home defence. Her second attempt saw her put a high cross into the mix at the back post with Lauren Allan getting up highest to head home into the top right-hand corner.

Shortly afterwards, the Jets closed the gap further with a goal that hugely frustrated the Victory. There was absolutely no danger whatsoever as Murphy played a ball back for Claudia Bunge. The Football Fern’s attempted clearance came crashing back off Sophie Hoban and flew into the net. Game on.

Ten minutes into the second half, Victory had a chance to seemingly put matters out of reach once more as Sara D’Appolonia played the ball in from the right which eventually found Nikki Flannery. However, the former Canberra United attacker leaned back slightly as she made contact which caused the shot to fly over.

Then came the real drama.

With four minutes of stoppage time played at the end of 90 minutes, Hoban advanced through the middle for the Jets and threaded a sumptuous pass that bisected two Victory defenders on the edge of the box and rolled into the feet of substitute Sheridan Gallagher who cooly sidefooted past Courtney Newbon from around 10 yards to level the scores.

Less than a minute later, the drama reached its stunning climax. Jančevski played a corner in high from the left that was headed back for Morrison to pounce from three yards out near to the back post to turn the ball home.

A quite incredible game decided in a quite incredible way.

**Above:** Kayla Morrison (blue shirt, third from left) shows her joy after hitting her last-gasp winner. **Photo:** A-Leagues.

Teams: MELBOURNE VICTORY (4-1-4-1): Newbon, Pickett, Bunge, Morrison, Jančevski, Murphy, D’Appolonia, Gielnik, Chidiac, Flannery, Lowe. Substitutes: Candy, Furphy, O’Grady, Sakalis, Wilson.

Scorers: Gielnik 1’, 11’. Jančevski 22’, Morrison 90+6’.

NEWCASTLE JETS (4-2-3-1): Krzyzaniak, Cicco, Prior, Wilson, Baumann, Dundas, Davis, L. Allan, Hoban, Jackson, Copus-Brown. Substitutes: Adams, Breier, Collins, Gallagher, Robertson.

Scorers: Allan 43’, Hoban 45’, Gallagher 90+4.

Referee: Molly Godsell.

Attendance: 632.

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Sørensen: “It’s 90 minutes of football and everything can happen”

By Alyce Collett 21/03/2025

Above: Brian Sørensen of Everton. Photo: Harvey Todd for Impetus

It is another important week for Brian Sørensen and his Everton charges as they prepare to face relegation battlers Crystal Palace at home tomorrow.

Looking ahead to the clash with Palace, it was mixed news on the injury front.
Clare Wheeler has been sick but Sørensen is confident she will play a role against Crystal Palace, even if not the whole match. Melissa Lawley copped a bit of what the Everton boss described as “a kick earlier in the week” but is back on the pitch and training. However, Louna Ribadeira is likely now out for the rest of the season after having surgery on her foot.

After last weekend’s action, tomorrow’s clash has a completely new context surrounding it. Everton and Crystal Palace are coming off being on opposing sides of 3-1 results, with the Toffees going down to Arsenal and Crystal Palace beating Aston Villa.

**Above**: Crystal Palace beat Aston Villa in their last outing. **Photo:** Crystal Palace Women

With the potential of Crystal Palace only being four points behind Everton by the end of the weekend if the result goes the visitors’ way, Sørrnsen is aware of the pressure his side is under. “It is really important and we know that also” The Toffees boss stressed. “But again, it’s 90 minutes of football and everything can happen in terms of we could be very dominant and they find two right moments to hurt us on and we’re hitting the post or vice versa.“

When asked what is like coming up against a side that is fighting to stay in the top tier, Sørensen said that “I think it’s like all other games, we need to be well prepared. We need to understand the threats and try to neutralize them, and we need to be at our best and also match them in energy and in fight.”

Sørensen added that he expects Palace to fight for their WSL place: “So I expect a tough game. And they were thrown a lifeboat last weekend, so they also know if they can go on and do the same tomorrow then they will be in a good place for the last five games of the season.”

He also noted that since new Palace manager Leif Smerud took over from Laura Kaminski, the biggest change in Palace that the Merseysiders’ boss has noticed is “a bit more playing to their strengths in terms of defending as a unit but also attacking and finding the moments to attack.”

Reflecting on the season, since the turn of the year one of the most notable areas of growth for the Toffees has been in attack.

While Sørensen agreed that the injection of Kelly Gago has been a huge boost for his side “because that was one of the areas we’ve been lacking in, so it’s been good”, he also noted that it’s broader than just Gago’s influence, praising the efforts of Toni Payne, Katja Snoeijs and Hono Hyashi.

Everton v Crystal Palace kicks off on Saturday at 14:00 GMT.

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Media conferences: Manchester United v Aston Villa

By Catherine MacKenzie (21/03/2025)

Above: Aston Villa manager Natalia Arroyo. Photo: @AVWFCOfficial on X

Manchester United manager Mark Skinner has warned fans not to expect an easy game against Natalia Arroyo’s Aston Villa, a team fighting to avoid relegation.

Sunday’s game in the midlands will be an unusual one for Manchester United, as they will come into the game off the back of a heavy defeat at the hands of rivals Liverpool. That 3-1 scoreline will still feel heavy in the minds of fans; losing to your fiercest rivals in such a way is never something that can be quickly recovered from.

Aston Villa are also entering the weekend following an unexpected defeat – to London club and fellow relegation fighters Crystal Palace, who notched only their second win of the season.

Many pundits have claimed that United’s season has “gone under the radar” somewhat; their fifth-placed finish last year and key departures in the summer suggesting a modest season would be ahead of them. Instead, they are challenging for the Champions League – and until that Liverpool game, were seen as unlikely title challengers.

**Above:** Manchester United regroup following loss to Liverpool. **Photo:** @ManUtdWomen on X

It could be argued that Villa’s season has gone under the radar for an altogether different reason; for a club that has former Lionesses and European Championships winners Rachel Daly and Jordan Nobbs in its ranks, a relegation fight and mid-season managerial change would not have been foreseen.

On Friday morning, both managers spoke to press. Team news out of both camps was positive, with no new injuries to report (barring a potential knock to United defender Gabby George, who is due to be assessed in the last training session).

United manager Marc Skinner was understandably asked about the reaction to the Liverpool loss from his team.

He expressed confidence that the team fully understood what should have been done in the game. He added that the loss has fuelled their “hunger” and that, against Villa, they aim to be more “ruthless in those attacking parts”.

Looking back on her team’s defeat to Palace, Villa’s Natalia Arroyo acknowledged that they had played “the game they [Palace] wanted us to play”. She emphasized that controlling emotions would be crucial for improvement against United, particularly in attacking moments against the team with the best defensive record in the league.

**Above:** Aston Villa’s Chasity Grant in action against Crystal Palace. **Photo:** @AVWFCOfficial on X

Arroyo anticipated that “Man United will probably force us to play a different game,” but emphasised that “we will be ready” and “we know we have the tools to win.”

For his part, Skinner suggested that playing against sides fighting relegation is dangerous in a different way to facing sides fighting for a place in next year’s Champions League. He talked about Villa being a “dangerous” team, agreeing that their results have not matched performances in recent weeks and that he expects more from them.

Asked about how Villa have changed since Arroyo’s arrival, he added that they have become more of a possession-based team, and that he sees them improving: “They are in a tough moment”, he said, “but I know they will grow from it”.

Aston Villa v Manchester United kicks off on Sunday at 16:30 and will be available in the UK on the Barclays Women’s Super League YouTube channel.

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