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Impetus A-League Women Awards: January

Above: Leticia McKenna in action for Melbourne City against Brisbane Roar earlier this season. Photo: Melbourne City.

Each month, Impetus‘ team of writers and photographers who cover the competition will vote to decide their best player, head coach, and young player in the A-League Women. Here are the winners from December.

Player of the month

Leticia McKenna

The Melbourne City conductor had some close competition for January’s award. Caitlin Doeglas’s latest exploits caught the eye, while Erin Healy has been talismanic for Adelaide United. However, McKenna has simply been excellent in the competition’s top team.

The versatile midfielder has links play from deep, creates chances, finishes close to goal and has scored one terrific free kick. City have many strong performers, but McKenna, in a month that saw her bring up her 100^th A-League Women game has simply been the most consistent, dangerous and perhaps important player in a side that is still undefeated after 13 games.

Young Player of the month:

Alyssa Whinham

Whinham is a player expected to feature regularly in this column in the years to come. The Wellington Phoenix playmaker has been in eye catching form for much of this season, but in January has added a goal of the season contender to growing highlight reel

Whinham is an entertainer, a dazzling and gifted dribbler who is as composed as she is unpredictable. Wellington coach Paul Temple has entrusted the youngster with a key creative role. She provides the x-factor in a side that has proven hard to beat. Wellington are a finals chance, and the 21 year old Alyssa Whinham is a crucial reason for that.

Head Coach of the Month

Jeff Hopkins

This month was a tough one, Michael Matricciani continued City’s undefeated run in January, Emily Husband remained hard to beat and Adrian Stenta’s Adelaide United established themselves as genuine contenders.

Despite that tough competition it was Jeff Hopkins who took out Manager of the Month for January.

Victory have not been as impervious as City, or as exciting as Roar, but they have been getting results. Hopkins has kept the side hot on the tails of the local rivals despite losing Beattie Goad to retirement and Ellie Wilson to injury by bringing through a number of young or inexperienced players.

Victory only lost once in January, and Hopkins has added to Victory’s depth by trusting in a fast improving Laura Pickett and Rosie Curtis while introducing an immediately impactful Holly Furphy.

He has compromised his preferred game plan by using Alana Jancevski as an attacking full back to make use of her experience and delivery.

Coming in to this season, Victory’s biggest concern was defensive depth. For January at least, Hopkins looks to have found solutions while keeping his side on the hunt for silverware.

Impetus‘ A-League Award Winners 2024/25:

November 2024:

Player: Tameka Yallop (Brisbane Roar).

Young Player: Sarah O’Donoghue (Perth Glory).

Head Coach: Alex Smith (Brisbane Roar).

December 2024:

Player: Laini Freier (Brisbane Roar).

Young Player: Tiana Fuller (Central Coast Mariners).

Head Coach: Michael Matricciani (Melbourne City).

January 2025:

Player: Leticia McKenna (Melbourne City).

Young Player: Alyssa Whinham (Wellington Phoenix).

Head Coach: Jeff Hopkins (Melbourne Victory).

Kuilamu strike returns Roar to the winners list

Brisbane Roar 1-0 Wellington Phoenix

By Emma Burke 2/2/25

Above: Grace Kuilamu after scoring the winner. Photo: Brisbane Roar

Brisbane Roar have ended their three game losing streak after defeating Wellington Phoenix 1-0 at Perry Park thanks to a Grace Kuilamu goal.

The opening half saw Wellington put on a dominant performance, where they maintained a majority of control of the ball and had multiple opportunities to score.

Brisbane remained in the contest, but were forced into an early change half an hour into the game when defender Leia Varley had to exit the game with an injury and was replaced by Bulgarian striker Evi Popadinova.

The Roar broke the deadlock soon after the second half started, making the most of their first corner kick of the game.

Captain Tameka Yallop’s delivery was aimed at Laini Freier, but it was 17 year old Grace Kuilamu who had the final touch, heading the ball into the goal.

Wellington spent the remaining time doing everything they could to try and find an equaliser, but none of their 21 shots across the course of the night found their way over the goalline.

The home side had a handful of good chances to add to their goal and increase their lead, including a point where Yallop was in one-on-one with the keeper, but the shot she took was blocked by Vilao who came out off her line.

With all three points awarded to Brisbane, they make their way back into fourth on the table, while Wellington sit outside the top six in eighth.

Brisbane Roar (3-4-2-1): Sekany, Blissett, Varley, Hoyos, Pringle, Woods, Kruger, De la Harpe, Freier, Yallop, Kuilamu Substitutes: Popadinova, Morris, Hecher

Scorer: Kuilamu 62’

Wellington Phoenix (4-4-2): Vilao, Jaber, Kelly, Barry, Wall, Elliot, McCutcheon, Brazendale, Jale, Longo, Whinham Substitutes: Fergusson, Tanaka, Abbott, Main

Crowd: 2,866
Referee: Molly Godsell

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Late leveller from Speckmaier maintains City unbeaten run

Melbourne City 1-1 Melbourne Victory

by Jonathon Hagger (1/2/25)

Above: Mariana Speckmaier (left) and Rhianna Pollicina, who combined to score Melbourne City’s late equaliser, celebrate earlier today. Photo: Melbourne City.

Mariana Speckmaier’s equalising goal in the last minute of regulation time ensured that Melbourne City’s season-long unbeaten record would continue in a dramatic Melbourne derby at the ctrl:cyber Pitch.

It took only four minutes for the match to have its first pivotal moment, and it was as a result of a loss of possession in the City half that was pounced upon by Victory’s Rachel Lowe, with a shot that was struck well and low that secured the opening goal.

City looked to hit back, and they countered shortly afterwards with an excellent defensive press deep inside Victory’s area. The applied pressure resulted in Holly McNamara finding herself with a hint of a chance to shoot. A well-timed block by the Victory defenders cleared the ball for a corner.

The home side showed their attacking prowess for the majority of the first half with repeated attacks down both flanks. The vision of City defender Rebekah Stott created opportunities in transition as her precision passing found unmarked players on the wings as the Sky Blues monopolised possession.

Just before the half-hour mark, Victory were eventually able to secure a corner. An excellently weighted kick from Alana Murphy fell at the feet of defender Claudia Bunge but the ball was unable to be controlled and bounced just wide of the post. That particular moment marked the beginning of a momentum shift.

Two minutes later, City attacker Lourdes Bosch, linked up with Alexia Apostolakis who was making a run into the Victory goal box but the ball was sent clear by Nikki Flannery. The resulting attacking corner saw a beautifully played low kick, somehow run the entire way along the turf untouched – right across the face of the Victory goal, Another goal-scoring opportunity sailed by.

City kept applying the pressure as the Victory defenders were caught off guard in their marking assignments. In the 37^th minute, a lovely soft layoff from Taylor Otto to an unmarked McNamara, waiting at the top of the 18-yard box, was fired wide and caused no trouble to goalkeeper Courtney Newbon.

The visitors immediately seized on a brilliant opportunity when speedster Sara D’Apolonia jumped on a loose ball midway in the City half, charged towards the goal, and took a shot while on the run. The final touch on the ball was uncontrolled and the play came to naught.

Newbon, Victory’s goalkeeper, demonstrated exceptional vision in the 45^th minute unleashing a tremendous kick that found Emily Gielnik inside the City area. The Matildas attacker beat two defenders, and passed the ball smack bang into the path of Lowe but the City defenders were able to clear their lines.

The 50^th minute provided the first goal-scoring chance of the second half as City attackers Rhianna Pollicina and McNamara connected up to launch a shot on goal. Unfortunately for McNamara, the angle was too acute and the shot sailed wide into the side netting.

City’s first-half strategy of patience while in possession and building pressure dissipated in the second half. Long kicks from the keeper and speculative passes became more the norm. When the attackers held the ball, City looked far more dangerous.

A heart-stopping moment occurred in the 61^st minute as the Victory went end to end off a massive goal kick that ended up with Gielnik positioned just outside the City goal area. A shot on goal ran straight past the arms of the goalkeeper and out for a goal kick.

The Victory were not about to rest on a one-goal lead. In the 68^th and 69^th minutes, Gielnik got two shots on goal and was only denied by the brilliant positioning of the goalkeeper, Malena Mieres on each occasion to keep them out.

With 12 minutes remaining, City conjured up another chance to level as a diagonal pass from Bosch sailed past four Victory defenders into the six yard box, but Speckmaier just couldn’t get a toe on the ball with the goalkeeper collecting the ball. Yet another – what if moment.

Victory were equal to the challenge and struck back just seconds later, securing a free kick just outside City’s 18 yard box. A very handy kick by Murphy connected to the head of Gielnik, who rose above the defenders right in front of the goal, but the ball was never really on target.

Again in the 84^th minute a long ball into open space, delivered this time by defender Bunge deep in her own half, landed at the feet of Lowe inside City’s goal area but the play was closed down and again – no goal.

City stayed focused despite this and applied enough relentless pressure to find a levelling goal in the final minute of normal time. Having set up camp in the Victory half, Pollicina passed a threatening ball to Speckmaier, who coolly slotted the ball into the goal.

The remainder of the match played out in the same way through to the end. City playing patient possession and Victory making their own luck. The final result of this top-of-the-table clash was a very fair outcome for two excellent teams whose quality football is recognised through their being the top two sides in the league.

To view Impetus’ Adrian Geremia’s EXCLUSIVE set of images from the game, check out our Instagram feed – @ImpetusFootball

Teams: MELBOURNE CITY (3-5-2): Mieres, Stott, Otto, Apostolakis (83’), Vlajnic (46’), McKenna, Hughes, Davidson (46’), Bosch, Speckmaier, McNamara (75’). Substitutes: Barbieri, Roestbakken (46’), McMahon (75’), Pollicina (46’), Harvey (83’).

Scorers: Speckmaier 89′.

MELBOURNE VICTORY (4-3-3): Newbon, Curtis, Morrison, Bunge, Pickett, Chidiac, D’Applonia, Murphy, Flannery (46’), Lowe, Gielnik. Substitutes: Candy, Young, Sakalis, O’Grady, Furphy (46’).

Scorers: Lowe 5′.

Referee: Caitlin Williams.

Attendance: 1,545.

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Mariners astonish in a well-earned historic victory

Central Coast Mariners 5-1 Newcastle Jets

by Alice de Koster-Kitto (1/2/25)

Above: The Mariners celebrate one of their five goals against Newcastle. Photo: A-Leagues

Central Coast Mariners have made history, beating Newcastle Jets in Gosford for the first time in 15 years, in an astounding 5-1 victory.

The Industree Group Stadium crowd were treated to an enticing match from the start, with an endless stream of chances beginning almost immediately. Aside from the innate rivalry that comes with this meeting, both sides entered the match with a lot to prove.

A win for the Jets would mark their first win since December, while the Mariners are looking to extend their excellent campaign, having lost just once, in the past six matches.

The first big chance came just two minutes into play, with the first of many excellent runs from Jade Pennock looking to be headed toward goal, however, the Mariners striker was marked offside before anything could come of it.

Newcastle Jets dominated in terms of possession, and shots on target, however, it appeared early in that the first goal would come from the Mariners, as they were able to capitalise on the empty space left by the visitors.

An excellent shot from Jade Pennock almost put Central Coast in an early lead, however, the shot was saved by Jets keeper Danielle Krzyzaniak. Just moments later, Brooke Nunn’s effort opened the scoring for the home side in the eighth minute.

Newcastle immediately looked to respond to the goal, when a dangerously close strike from India Breier was saved by Central Coast keeper Sarah Langman. The match saw Langman extend her so far wonderful campaign, with a series of impeccable saves in succession over the 90 minutes.

The Jets were technically dominant in this match, with a series of wonderful strikes, and 100% passing accuracy in the first half, however, their lack of depth, prevented them from finishing on several occasions.

The frantic efforts of visitors finally came to fruition, when 16-year-old Josie Allan found the equaliser in the 29th minute, with a strike from outside the box.

Chances kept coming from both sides, at an incredible rate, as Allan looked for a brace almost immediately after scoring, while Alexis Collins was very close to securing a Jets lead and netting her first Ninja A-League goal, however the efforts of this young Newcastle squad, were no match for the Mariners almost faultless defensive line.

Central Coast’s lead was extended in the 33rd minute, when captain Bianca Galic, took advantage of what proved to be quite a disastrous slip by Krzyzaniak, as the keeper was found outside the box, allowing Galic the opportunity for a strike directly to the back of the net. It would remain 2-0 at the interval.

The top of the second half was met with the same tenacity as the first, when the Mariners found their third goal of the match in the 49th minute, with Tiana Fuller’s shot from the center of the box.

Despite Central Coast’s lead, Newcastle remained determined to find the back of the net once again, and although they now faced a tougher challenge than anticipated, the Jets have been no stranger to late comeback this campaign, as they maintained their possession and strike rate through the second half.

After a series of strikes and near misses throughout the match, Jade Pennock netted the Mariners fourth goal. In a thrilling battle inside box, her initial attempt bounced off the crossbar, a mistake that proved to be a blessing, as the ball was delivered directly back to her foot, whilst the Jets keeper was found off her mark, allowing Pennock to send the ball directly over the line.

Newcastle Jets found themselves in even more trouble, when Claudia Cicco was sent off after a clear foul against Mariners Annalise Rasmussen, leaving the Jets down a player, at a crucial point of the match.

Although it seemed highly unlikely that Newcastle would score again, Mariners struggled with their possession as stoppage time approached, as the highly energetic game seemed to have caught up with the dominant side, giving the Jets some hope that they would not further concede, despite a series of preventable mistakes throughout their defense.

This hope was not long maintained, as Central Coast netted a fifth and final goal in the final minute of added time. A wonder strike from range by Young Matilda Peta Trimis sealed the 5-1 win. The goal also marked the youngster’s first goal of the Ninja A-League season.

Newcastle Jets are set for another tough challenge in the upcoming round, as they head home to McDonald Jones Stadium, going up against current table leaders Melbourne City who are now unbeaten in 17 games.

Central Coast Mariners will head to McKellar Park to face Canberra United in a vital encounter in the race for the top six.

Teams: CENTRAL COAST MARINERS (4-1-3-2): Langman, Seaman, Nash, Martin, Pennock, Gaelic, Ray, Fuller, Rowe, Quilligan, Nunn. Substitutes: Carmichael, Rasmussen, Kraszula, Puxty, Trimis.

Scorers: Nunn 8′, Galic 33’, Fuller 49′, Pennock 54’, Trimis 90+3′.

NEWCASTLE JETS (4-3-3): Krzyzaniak, Wilson, Cicco, Davis, Breier, Dundas, Copus-Brown, Hoban, Baumann, Allan, Collins. Substitutes: Hammond, Gooch, Walandouw, Robertson, Adams.

Scorer: Allan 30’.

Referee: Bec Mackie

Attendance: 3,742.

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Anton strike sends former club to defeat

Canberra United 1-0 Perth Glory

by Ben Gilby (1/2/25)

Above: Liz Anton (right) celebrates her winning goal with Maja Markovski. Photo: Canberra United.

Liz Anton’s close range effort 11 minutes into the second half was enough to claim victory for Canberra United over her former side Perth Glory at McKellar Park today.

Whilst it was Perth who had by far the better of the opportunities (16 shots on goal to Canberra’s three), the home team were able to make theirs pay to deliver an important three points.

The Glory went into the game on the back of last weekend’s last-gasp 3-2 win over Brisbane Roar but also had to cope with the news that influential midfielder Georgia Cassidy had joined the long injury list that head coach Stephen Peters is having to manage.

On the positive side of the ledger, Sarah O’Donoghue returned on the bench after her own spell on the treatment table. It was a game that Perth knew they needed to win in order to maintain hopes of Finals football against one of their potential rivals for a spot in the six.

After both sides engaged in an early arm-wrestle to establish a foothold in the game, the first-half chance finally came in the 25th minute when the visitors’ co-captain Izzy Dalton sent a free-kick in from the left-hand edge of the box that curled across viciously before dipping late to only just clear the crossbar.

Four minutes before the break, Perth created another opportunity when Dalton found Wynne outside her on the right flank. The Welsh international’s low cross bounced just past the near post, helping it to elude the Canberra defence, allowing it to fall for Nat Tathem at the back.

Her shot rebounded up off of Alex McKenzie, but home keeper Sally James was unable to claim allowing Tathem a second bite at the cherry which was cleared.

**Above:** Tijan McKenna who had an impressive afternoon in the centre of the park for Perth Glory. **Photo:** Perth Glory.

Those opportunities for the visitors came and went, and 11 minutes into the second half, Canberra made them pay with their only shot on target across the 90 minutes.

Emma Robers floated a corner in from the right high to the near post amidst heavy traffic which made life extremely tough for Casey Dumont in the Glory goal. She did well to get a hand to the ball, but it fell for New Zealand international Anton to turn home from close range at the second attempt.

Perth tried to hit back, and with just over 20 minutes remaining came close once more. Tijan McKenna, who once more showed why centre-midfield is her best position with an impressive display of vision and ball playing ability, played in a corner from the right which was met by Onyi Zogg at the near post around the six-yard box with a first-time shot on the turn which was pushed onto the post by James before her defence tidied up.

With eight minutes remaining, Michelle Heyman, who started on the bench showed her danger with a flash of brilliance. Played through from a long ball towards the right, the Matildas’ striker held off two defenders and unleashed a shot from just outside the box with the outside of her foot that just went over the top.

This was a match that Perth will feel they should have taken points from, but the outcome now ends any realistic hopes that they have of making the top six, with the Western Australians now eight points behind.

However, for Canberra, this was a hugely important win in the battle for Finals where every point matters. The capital city side are deep in the mix for a place in the six, as one of five sides separated by just four points between fourth and eighth.

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

Scorer: Anton 56′.

PERTH GLORY (4-3-3): Dumont, Johnston, Chinnama, Zogg, Folletta, Tathem, Wainwright, McKenna, Doeglas, Dalton, Wynne. Substitutes: Abdul-Massih, Anderson, O’Donoghue, Sunaga, Templeman.

Referee: Georgia Ghirardello.

Attendance: 1,807.

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Slegers: “I am in a luxury position with all these great players”

Above: Renée Slegers addresses the media Photo: Arsenal FC

by Rachel Gore (31/1/25)

Arsenal’s manager Renée Slegers spoke on the fitness of Foord and Little, the club’s newest signings, and the “quality” of her squad ahead of Sunday’s match against Manchester City.

Following their recent loss to Chelsea, Arsenal are in fourth place in the WSL table, one point behind Sunday’s opponents Manchester City in third.

Whilst this match, and Arsenal’s next few games, are particularly important due to their position in the table, the squad will “approach the game” in the same ways as always. Slegers said that they are starting “afresh” after last week’s loss but equally that they “know what the table looks like”.

The last time that Arsenal faced City was in September, which ended in a 2-2 draw. Slegers has analysed this fixture but knows that City has “changed a lot of things” and that they too will have “looked back at that last game”, highlighting that “both teams are in a learning process”.

In this September fixture, Vivianne Miedema played for City against her former club. When asked about Miedema, Slegers said: “We play against a lot of quality players in this league and Viv is definitely one of them, she has high quality in everything she does”. She did, however, also state that the Arsenal “girls know her very well and they have a plan to defend against her in the best way”. Slegers’ squad will be extremely focused when they “defend the box” to prevent another Miedema goal.

Slegers also provided clarity on the fitness of Arsenal players Kim Little and Caitlin Foord. Little broke her finger during the recent Crystal Palace fixture and “managed two games” but had to undergo surgery for her long-term health. Slegers said that Foord is “recovering well” and that they will see whether she is fit in time for Sunday.

A key quality of these players, and the other Arsenal players, is their versatility. Slegers was keen to speak about the “quality in the squad” and the fact that many of her players excel in multiple positions. She remarked that she hasn’t “had the privilege of working with these kinds of players before” and further said: “You can have all these beautiful ideas in your head as a coach and anything is possible with the best players in the world”.

Despite the depth of talent in her squad, Slegers had been putting out similar starting line-ups for recent matches. She said that this decision came with the aim of building “consistency because it had been stormy around the team”. This “worked” and even with these measures, “playing minutes were quite well shared amongst players”.

In the last 24 hours, Arsenal have also announced the signings of two new players. Speaking on these signings, Slegers described the “processes in the background” and the “great structure in place”.

The first of these signings was Jenna Nighswonger, an American defender making the transfer from Gotham FC. Nighswonger has the “preferred position” of left back but “she can play in other positions as well”. Slegers mentioned that Arsenal had been looking to “add a player to the squad” who works well in these defensive areas and that this, alongside her age, makes Nighswonger “a great fit”.

The signing of Chloe Kelly, which became official late last night, saw Arsenal steal one of City’s players ahead of Sunday’s game.

Kelly has moved to Arsenal on loan from City and is, therefore, ineligible to play against her parent club on Sunday. Slegers is set to “sit down with Chloe this afternoon” and whilst discussions will “mostly” be about the processes at Arsenal and how they’ll work together, the manager did say that they “might have some conversations” about Sunday’s game.

Slegers is not only excited to welcome Kelly because of the intel she could offer about City’s tactics, but also because Kelly has been at the club before and so “understands what Arsenal is”, knows some of the girls, and has “links to the culture”. She revealed that Kelly had been on Arsenal’s radar for a while.

Slegers gratitude for these new additions to her squad, and the existing players, was evident as she said: “I’m in a luxury position with all these great players”.

Skinner: “This window could change the women’s game”

By Catherine Mackenzie (31/1/25)

Above: Manchester United Boss Skinner addresses the media. Photo: Manchester United Women

Manchester United boss Marc Skinner sees Chelsea’s Girma acquisition as game-changer

The January transfer window has now closed for all Women’s Super League clubs, and attention returns to the league games this weekend.

Manchester United head to London to play Tottenham Hotspur, who are currently sixth in the table. Speaking to media ahead of the clash, Skinner was asked for his thoughts on movements in the transfer market, particularly for Chelsea, who signed Naomi Girma for £900,000 – a world record for a female footballer.

In contrast, United have been quiet in the window, with the main movements being out of the exit door rather than incomings. Hayley Ladd was sold to Everton at the beginning of the month and there has been a loan move for Emma Watson to the Toffees as well.

On the lack of incomings, Skinner stated that “if we found the right person and we could find the right deal, we would try,” but that “we are solely focused on what we can achieve”.

On Girma, he asserted that “this window could change the women’s game” due to the level of transfers that have occurred in a January window – transfers that would normally be reserved for the summer.

He spoke extensively about United’s approach to transfers, suggesting that the club’s focus has always been on developing youth and recruiting “smartly”, and that he feels he has the quality of players to finish the season in a strong position.

Speaking about this weekend’s clash against a Tottenham in poor form – they have been knocked out of the FA Cup by Everton, and the League Cup by West Ham – Skinner asserted that “there is never a good time to play them”, and that he is expecting a tough game.

It will also be a return to the London club for Celin Bizet and Grace Clinton, who moved to the Reds last summer. Asked about the duo, he suggested that both will play vital roles for United in the final months of the season.

Clinton has been used as a substitute in recent games, however Skinner admitted that this is likely to change – he felt the team’s performances in her absence (due to injury) meant that changes felt unjustified in the moment, but that Clinton is definitely considered to be a vital part of United’s starting eleven.

Adelaide Snatch last-second win over Sydney FC

By Isabelle Campbell 31/1/25

Above: Chelsie Dawber scores for Adelaide United. Photo: A-Leagues

In a dramatic battle at Leichhardt Oval, Adelaide United triumphed 3-2 over Sydney FC. Despite Sydney’s best efforts to end a nine-match winless streak, Adelaide extended their unbeaten run to seven games.

Sydney FC hosted the current third place, Adelaide United at Leichhardt Oval on Friday. Looking beyond their struggles this season, Sydney had history on their side, having never lost to Adelaide at home. Meanwhile, The Reds welcomed back Dylan Holmes, who made her first appearance of the season following injury.

The match started evenly, with both teams establishing their presence in the opening exchanges. However, Adelaide soon began to show their attacking intent, with Erin Healy sending in a shot that nearly tested Sydney goalkeeper Brianna Edwards. The visitors continued to press and soon earned a corner, but the delivery was sent high over the bar following a header, letting Sydney off the hook.

Sydney’s first real chance came from a long-range strike by Indiana dos Santos, but Claudia Jenkins was alert and able to parry the effort away from danger. The hosts looked to build momentum, with captain Nat Tobin searching for a breakthrough, but she couldn’t find the finishing touch.

In the 23rd minute, Adelaide made their pressure count when Emily Condon found herself in a tight spot in front of goal but managed to find an opening and fire the ball home, putting the visitors ahead 1-0. Soon after, Healy looked poised to double the lead, but Tobin came up with a crucial block to keep Sydney within reach.

The final 10 minutes of the half saw both sides locked in a physical battle, fighting for control but struggling to create clear chances. As the halftime whistle blew, Adelaide maintained their narrow 1-0 lead, leaving Sydney with work to do in the second half.

Adelaide came out strong in the second half, with Emily Hodgson forcing Edwards into a save with a powerful shot from outside the box. Adelaide’s fluid build-up play paid off shortly after when Emily Condon scored her second of the game, making it 2-0.

Sydney tried to respond, but Tobin was shown a yellow card after a shirt pull on Healy, giving Adelaide a free kick in a dangerous position. Unfortunately for the visitors, they couldn’t make the most of it and were denied a third goal.

Sydney’s breakthrough came in the 65th minute, when Indiana dos Santos weaved through Adelaide’s defense and calmly slotted one past Jenkins to get Sydney on the scoreboard.

Maddie Caspers also looked dangerous in attack, creating several good chances, but couldn’t quite find the finishing touch to bring her team level. Sydney began to pick up momentum in the final 20 minutes, firing off a few solid shots at goal, but Jenkins was equal to them, holding onto the lead.

Then, in the dying moments of the match, Millie Farrow scored in the 93rd minute, netting her first goal for Sydney and sending the home crowd into a frenzy, with the score now tied at 2-2.

But Adelaide wasn’t ready to settle for a draw. In a dramatic last-second play, Chelsie Dawber fired home to snatch all three points for her side, making it 3-2 with mere seconds remaining. The referee blew the final whistle, and Adelaide extended their unbeaten streak to seven games.

Next weekend will see Sydney FC host again, this time Western United who will be coming off a convincing 4-1 win. The sky blues will be once again desperately searching for some points to add to the table. Adelaide United will return home to face off against Perth Glory.

For Kris Goman’s EXCLUSIVE photography from the game, check out our Instagram feed @ImpetusFootball

Teams: SYDNEY FC (4-3-3): Edwards, Bryson, Tobin, Thompson, Tumeth, Chauvet, Johnson, Caspers, Ibini, Hawkesby, Dos Santos. Substitutes: Franco, Hollman, Farrow, Lemon, Tallon-Henniker.

Goals: Dos Santos 65’, Farrow 90+3’

ADELAIDE UNITED (3-4-1-2): Jenkins, E. Hodgson, León, McNamara, Tonkin, Tolland, Sasaki, Morgan, Condon, Healy, Dawber. Substitutes: Grove, Karambasis, Dewey, Holmes, Bowler.

Goals: Condon 23’ 54’, Dawber 90+4’

Referee: Sarah Jones

Attendance: 1,488.

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Western United cruise to victory over Western Sydney Wanderers

Western United 4-1 Western Sydney Wanderers

Above: Sara Eggesvik celebrates first ALW goal for Western United Photo: Western United

by Joe Rosedon (31/1/25)

Western United up to fourth in the table following comfortable 4-1 win over Western Sydney Wanderers.

Western United could not have asked for a better start. A clean through Khali Johnson was brought down by Western Sydney goalkeeper Shamiran Khamis. Referee Isabella Cooper showed no hesitation in giving the penalty. Captain Chloe Logarzo made no mistake from the spot, sending Khamis the wrong way and scoring her 5^th goal of the season.

The start for the home side got even better. A corner from Western United was cleared only as far as a lurking Melissa Taranto on the edge of the area. Taranto controlled the ball with her first touch and hammered the ball with her second, giving Khamis no chance and doubling Western United’s lead remarkably in the 7th minute.

Unsurprising based on the balance of play, Western United got their third goal of the first half and it was from a corner once again. Grace Maher’s pinpoint corner located a rising Sara Eggesvik who headed home to score her first ALW goal. It was nothing less than Western United deserved.

Yet Western Sydney Wanders had not given up just again. Corners again proved to be the theme of the game, and this was the most spectacular of the lot. Sienna Saveska caught out Chloe Lincoln, scoring an Olimpico and giving the away a route back into the game.

The start of the second half followed a similar path to the first with Western United dominating the proceedings. Top scorer Johnson attempted to dink the ball over Khamis at close range but was her effort was well blocked via the goalkeeper’s shoulder.

Following this early chance, Western Sydney did up the pressure on the Western United defence but without any clear-cut chances being created that troubled Lincoln. Second half substitute Bronte Trew found a decent amount of space on the left-hand side but fired straight at the Western United goalkeeper while Saveska should have scored her second of the game but blazed it over the bar from close range.

The next goal and the fourth for Western United sealed the victory for the home side. With her first touch of the game, an unmarked Kiara de Domizio headed past Khamis following Maher’s pinpoint cross which perfectly located the forward to conclude the scoring.

For Adrian Geremia’s EXCLUSIVE photography from the game, check out our Instagram feed @ImpetusFootball

Teams: WESTERN UNITED: (4-4-2) Lincoln, Sardo, Dehakiz, Maher, Grove, Eggesvik, M.Taranto, Logarzo, A.Taranto, Johnson, Zimmerman. Substitutes: Dall’Oste, Mihocic, Prakash, Medwin, De Domizio

Scorers: Logarzo 3’(pen), M.Taranto 7’, Eggesvik 36’, de Domizio 86’

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

Scorers: Saveska 39’.

Referee: Isabella Cooper

Attendance: 507.

Holly McNamara previews Melbourne Derby

By Emma Burke 31/1/25

Above: Holly McNamara. Photo Melbourne City

Holly McNamara spoke to the media ahead of Melbourne City’s top of the table clash with Melbourne Victory

“We don’t like Melbourne Victory, they don’t like us, it’s like that,” said Holly McNamara when facing the media ahead of Melbourne City’s top of the table clash against Melbourne Victory.

“The Derby is always one of the biggest games, so to add a top of the table clash to that, it makes the stakes a little bit [higher],” she said.

McNamara is well on her way back from her third ACL injury, having appeared in eight games so far this season, scoring three times, and picking up one assist.

“It’s definitely been a slow one this time, it’s kind of on track for all things,” said McNamara about her knee, with this being the second time she’s torn her right ACL.

“Obviously it was a bit tough at the start, being injured, but since being back, my teammates, the staff around me, have been unreal. I think they’ve made the journey so much easier and the transition back to playing,” said McNamara.

The Melbourne Derby is to be played tomorrow at 6pm at City’s home ground of Casey Fields and McNamara recognises the severity of the meeting.

“Facing Melbourne Victory is the original Melbourne Derby, we want to be the best team in Melbourne, we want to be the best team in Australia, and to do that we have to beat Melbourne Victory.”

Also on the horizon for the young star, the potential of being called back up into the National Team.

The Matildas will make their return to the international scene in February, when they travel to America to play in the SheBelives Cup and face the United States, Japan, and Colombia.

Having already played three games for the Matildas back in 2022 at the Women’s Asian Cup, McNamara is familiar with what it takes to play at the highest level.

“Anytime that you can go up for selection for your country, you want to do that,” said McNamara.

McNamara’s keeping a level head about it all, choosing to keep her sights on what she knows is a definite for herself and her football.

“I’m just looking forward to this game, and then we’ll see what happens after that.”

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