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Herald Women’s Premier League Round 11 Preview

Story and photo courtesy of Northern NSW Football

Adamstown v Wallsend

Sunday 20th May, 2:30 pm

The Gardens

Last start: Adamstown lost 4-2 to Warners Bay, Wallsend lost 3-0 to Merewether

Position on ladder: Wallsend 4th, 13 points; Adamstown 6th, 7 points

Squad news

Adamstown has been dealt a cruel blow with keeper Olivia Sneddon out for the next 4-6 weeks due to a tear in her PCL. U20’s keeper Natalie Wiseman will join first grade and strike weapon Lauren Allan returns from the United States. There are no changes to Wallsend.

What the coaches say

Adamstown coach Paul Devitis is hoping there will be more effort from his side on Sunday.

“We will be looking to put in a strong performance and get a positive result,” Devitis said.

“Both clubs try to play a good brand of football so it should be a good spectacle.

“This weekend’s game against Wallsend is huge for us and the girls are up for the challenge.”

Wallsend coach Marc Hingston says he has been impressed with the standard of football his side has shown in the last two weeks.

“We have spent time with our attacking players this week to work on technique in front of goal,” Hingston said.

“The girls were hitting the target constantly and their confidence is starting to grow.

“Our stat of 46 shots in two games for four goals doesn’t read well but it says a lot about creating so many chances.

“Hopefully with a focus on finishing this week we can get a reward for playing well.”

Bottom line

Wallsend escaped with bragging rights over Adamstown back in Round four but it may not be smooth sailing this weekend. Adamstown has had terrible luck with injuries so far and the loss of Olivia Sneddon will hurt their defence massively. There is nobody more capable of filling the void than Natalie Wiseman and excitement is building for her performance on Sunday. The welcomed return of Lauren Allan from America is a huge bonus for the side as she scored 16 goals in eight matches last season for the Buds. Wallsend boasts quality across the park and has shown in the past they have the ability to compete with the best. It’s an exciting matchup that could go either way and executing opportunities will be the deciding factor.

Herald Women’s Premier League Round 10 Review

Story and photo courtesy of Northern NSW Football

Match of the Round
Merewether 3 (Rhali Dobson 2, Jamee Ellis) defeated Wallsend 0 at Wallsend Park on Sunday. Half-time: Merewether led 2-0.

There was no shortage of action at Wallsend Park as Merewether continued their winning streak with a grinding 3-0 win over Wallsend on Sunday afternoon.

It didn’t take long for the visitors to get on the board with Jamee Ellis scoring from an absolute thunderbolt free-kick in the 16th minute.

Merewether shot-stopper Alison Logue had potentially her best game of the season and even managed an assist after Rhali Dobson ran onto her full field goal kick and chipped Devil’s keeper Danielle Redding to score just before half-time.

Wallsend’s failure to score wasn’t from a lack of trying with Libby Copus-Brown and Sass Seaborn both unlucky not to put one in the back of the net.

The visitors were able to put the game to bed in the dying stages of the game after Rhali Dobson drew the keeper out and slotted one in behind her.

Wallsend coach Marc Hingston said it was one of his side’s best performances all year.

“We had 19 shots on target and played a standard of football so high that any coach would be proud,” Hingston said.

“Our effort was enormous and we dominated for the most part but conceded three goals against the run of play.

“It was heartbreaking to watch as we deserved more but our football and effort was outstanding.”

Merewether coach Cass Koppen thought her side played below their capability.

“We didn’t concede and we battled hard to grind out the win,” Koppen said.

“There has been an inconsistency with player availability this season which has been difficult.

“We faced a much stronger Wallsend side than in Round one and full credit to them.”

NEWFM Northern League One Round 9 Review

Story and photo courtesy of Northern NSW Football

Match of the Round
Wallsend FC 1 (Sam Bradshaw) def. by Thornton Redbacks FC 6 (Jake Millstead x2, Jye MacKellar, Tallan Martin, Patrick Wand, Trent Partridge)
Sunday 13th May, 2:30 pm, The Gardens

After both teams lost their first game of the season last weekend, it was the Redbacks who bounced back in style defeating the Red Devils with a dominant, high-scoring performance to evict Wallsend to outside the top four.

Although defensively is where Thornton has excelled this season, it was their attacking powers that were on show early as Jye MacKellar and Tallan Martin scored in prompt fashion for the visitors to give them a first-half lead.

Matters only worsened for the home side too as key men Ty Goldsmith, Matt Williams and Travas McCabe all needed to be substituted due to injuries, leaving Wallsend without any replacements for the remainder of the match.

Just minutes before halftime though, Wallsend created a glimmer of hope after being awarded a penalty that was calmly slotted away by Sam Bradshaw.

Thornton came out firing in the second half though and Patrick Wand doubled Thornton’s lead after scoring an incredible free kick that landed squarely in the top right corner.

Despite being beaten multiple times already in the match, Wallsend’s goalkeeper Joel Magnee showed his class making some great saves to keep Thornton at bay, but the Redbacks would be too hard to stop, and two goals to Jake Millstead and an impressive strike from Trent Partridge would seal a decisive victory and deal Wallsend their first back-to-back loss this season.

Thornton’s coach Gary Wand said the result and performance was the perfect reply to losing their first match last weekend and praised his side for their ability to adapt to changes.

“You can’t for any more than what happened today,” Wand said.

“We changed a few things going forward, but we just had to play like a team that’s one of the best sides in the comp, which we did.”

“When you win 6-1, you haven’t really got a bad player.”

NEWFM Northern League One Round 9 Preview

Story and photo courtesy of Northern NSW Football

Match of the Round
Wallsend FC (5th) vs. Thornton Redbacks FC (4th)
Sunday 13th May, 2:30 pm, The Gardens 

One week ago, this would have been a mouth-watering clash between two undefeated sides, however after both teams had their unbeaten streaks ruined last weekend, this fixture between Thornton and Wallsend will be about returning to the winners’ circle and safely back inside the top four.

Although last week marked the Redbacks first loss of the year, they’re still chasing their first victory away from home despite only conceding one goal on the road and only six in total.

Wallsend on the other hand, haven’t lost a game at The Gardens so far this year, and as they now sit outside the top four for the first time this season, they’ll be looking to solidify their home ground as a fortress.

Wallsend’s coach Ben Edwards, affirmed his confidence in his team returning to winning ways but admitted he was expecting a tough battle against the Redbacks.

“We’ll bounce back,” Edwards said.

“We’re trying to make our home ground a fortress and make it a hard place for other teams to visit – not just because of the surface.”

“I’m expecting them [Thornton] to come out hard to try and get back on their winning streak, as we will be as well.”

Edwards also suggested that despite being held scoreless for the first time last weekend, that he wasn’t worried for his forwards and expected them to return to their attacking potential this weekend.

“It had to come eventually, so I’m glad we got it out of the way now instead of at the end of the season.”

“It’s just something the boys have to learn from.”

Herald Women’s Premier League Round 10 Preview

Story and photo courtesy of Northern NSW Football

Match of the Round
Wallsend v Merewether
Sunday 13th May, 2:30 pm
Wallsend Park

Last start: Wallsend beat Thornton 4-1, Merewether beat Adamstown 5-0. 

Position on ladder: Wallsend fourth, 13 points; Merewether third, 16 points

Squad news
Wallsend is without Jess Evans for the next two weeks due to work placement in an otherwise full-strength side. Centre midfield Leah Giuffre returns for Merewether after missing last weekend’s match due to work commitments.

What the coaches say
Wallsend coach March Hingston believes his side can take the three points if they play to their potential.

“Our standard of football was excellent last week but we’re looking to improve another five percent,” Hingston said.

“We’ve been working on being more clinical in front of goals at training as well.

“We know we won’t get 27 attempts on Sunday so our decision making will be a big focus.”

Merewether coach Cass Koppen is expecting a tough match despite beating Wallsend 4-0 in Round three.

“We know Wallsend won’t give an inch and anticipate they will be putting up a stronger performance than we faced in Round one,” Koppen said.

Bottom line
Merewether have scored 10 goals in their last two games and should be hungry for more come Sunday afternoon. They are strong across the park and each player is comfortable with their role in the team. On the other hand, Wallsend will be hoping to build on last weekend’s strong showing against Thornton which should see them produce the attacking play they are known for. Both sides have ‘star’ players who are instrumental to their side’s success which will make for an exciting game on Mother’s Day. This game will be likely decided by executing opportunities with Merewether in the box seat to take the three points.

Wallsend FC

NEWFM Northern League One Round 8 Review

Story courtesy of Northern NSW Football

West Wallsend Bluebells SFC 2 (Joseph Holt, Josh Knight) def. Wallsend FC 0
Saturday 5th May, 1:00 pm, Johnston Park 

The Wallsend Derby is always a great clash that presents an entertaining day of football and once again that was the case at Johnston Park, as the home team surprised the Red Devils to win and deal their bitter rivals, Wallsend, their first defeat of the year.

Wallsend’s new striker Ty Goldsmith looked like he may have scored a spectacular goal from halfway, chipping West Wallsend goalkeeper Jesse Cook, but the ball heartbreakingly landed on the top of the net.

The Bluebells would capitalise on Wallsend’s near miss, and after a scramble inside the penalty box, Joseph Holt managed to put the ball in the goal to give his side the lead after 20 minutes.

Goldsmith and Wez Pryce had chances saved by Cook, and it looked like Jarrod Olivieri would make Wallsend pay and double the lead from the penalty spot, but Joel Magnee, Wallsend’s goalkeeper, made a great diving save to deny him.

In the second half, Pryce seemed destined to equalise the game from a Goldsmith cross, however, the ball hit the upright, and as the frustrated Red Devils attempted to attack to steal a point.

The Bluebells dealt the killer-blow when substitute and youngster Josh Knight scored his first goal for the season and sealed the club’s fourth consecutive victory – the first time they have in 11 years.

West Wallsend now astonishingly sit in third place, just two points behind league-leaders Cooks Hill, while Wallsend drops down into fifth.

Herald Women’s Premier League Round 9 Review

Story courtesy of Northern NSW Football

Wallsend 4 (Laura Hall 2, Sophie O’Brien, Sass Seaborn) defeated Thornton 1 (Brooke Meredith) at The Gardens on Sunday. Half-time: Wallsend led 1-0. 

Wallsend returned to their stomping ground in style with a 4-1 win over a struggling Thornton on Sunday.

In the first half, the momentum shifted back and forth with both sides unable to string something together.

Wallsend headed into the sheds at half-time with a narrow 1-0 lead after Sophie O’Brien scored just before half-time.

In the second half, the Devil’s scored early through Laura Hall but Thornton answered with Brooke Meredith scoring from a free-kick.

It wasn’t meant to be for Thornton however, with Laura Hall grabbing her second and Sass Seaborn putting the nail in the coffin just before full time.

Wallsend coach Marc Hingston thought his side put in a 90-minute performance which they had been lacking in recent weeks.

“We played really good football for 90 minutes so I was really happy with the performance,” Hingston said.

“We had 27 shots so our completion rate wasn’t the best but our focus was a complete performance.

“It’s been a goal for weeks now and we will gain a lot of confidence through achieving it.”

Thornton coach Rob Richardson said he is running out of soldiers with a mounting injury list.

“Wallsend threw everything at us and we were still in it at 2-1 but unfortunately we conceded two late goals and they deserved the win,” Richardson said.

“We had three girls back up from Saturday and Lauren Faulkner played a full game in 17’s and first grade.

“The girls played their hearts out for no result but we will keep pushing on for next weekend.”

20s: Thornton 2 beat Wallsend 1.

17s: Wallsend 4 beat Thornton 2.

14s: Wallsend 1 beat Thornton 0.

Wallsend FC U/6’s handed out the shirts to our first grade team and they received a pack from the girls, we would like to thank everyone for making this happen and being so supportive to the families and junior players.

Herald Women’s Premier League Round 9 Preview

Story courtesy of Northern NSW Football

Wallsend v Thornton
Sunday 6th May, 2:30 pm
The Gardens

Last start: Wallsend lost 4-1 to New Lambton, Thornton lost 4-1 to Adamstown

Position on ladder: Wallsend 4th, 10 points; Thornton last, nil points 

Squad news
Wallsend will take the field with a full-strength side as Libby Copus-Brown returns from tonsillitis. An undecided Thornton side with a mounting injury list won’t be finalised until after training on Thursday. 

What the coaches say
Wallsend coach Marc Hingston is asking for consistency from his side after failing to close out last weekends game against New Lambton.

“Our past five games we have either led comfortably or been in control but our second half has let us down,” Hingston said.

“We spoke about having a desire to change this at training so hopefully we can flick the switch and perform for 90 minutes.

“We’re really excited to play our first game at The Gardens this year.”

Thornton coach Rob Richardson is hoping his side will enjoy football and not pressure themselves to get the result on Sunday.

“Whilst we are disappointed with our last outing, it’s obvious the pressure to succeed is having a reverse effect,” Richardson said.

“This weekend is about getting the girls to enjoy football and just have fun.” 

Bottom line
Wallsend will be hoping to get back on track and extend their top four lead even further which should see them come out fired up and ready to play. When at their best, the Devils are no doubt a force to be reckoned with and can give any team a run for their money. Wallsend can create and execute opportunities that other teams simply couldn’t and that is a huge advantage heading into the match. Whilst Thornton may not appear to be a threat, it would be dangerous to discount a side hungry for their first win of the season. Not having the added pressure of trying to get a result will alleviate the stress they have been feeling the past few weeks. A changed line-up could be the key to winning and if they can overcome a strong Wallsend side, the momentum will start to flow for the Redbacks.

NEWFM Northern League One Round 8 Preview

Story and photo courtesy of Northern NSW Football

West Wallsend Bluebells SFC (5th) vs. Wallsend FC (3rd)
Saturday 5th May, 1:00 pm, Johnston Park 

Due to the Hyundai A-League Grand Final, the first Wallsend derby of the season was moved to an earlier time slot and although many will be looking forward to the Newcastle Jets game, later on, there is no denying that this game featuring two of the oldest rivals in Northern NSW football will be one of the most exciting clashes to happen this weekend.

West Wallsend is fresh off the bye but prior to that, won their three last consecutive matches, the first time ever since 2013, making confidence at the club at an all-time high. However, the Red Devils are a side in great form too and are still yet to lose a match this season.

Wallsend’s newfound offensive weapon Ty Goldsmith has been causing havoc for opposition defenders and has contributed greatly to his side’s impressive goal-scoring record.

Wallsend’s coach Ben Edwards suggested that although the Wallsend derby is a massive event for the club, that they weren’t preparing for it any differently than a normal game.

“Nothing changes. There’s a bit more in it because you never want to lose a derby, but in the same token, we don’t want to lose any match.”

“I think they’ll be like us, fresh off the bye and ready to go again. They’re in-form so I’m sure they’ll make it very difficult for us to get a result, especially with it being at Westy.”

Edwards also praised Goldsmith for his recent performances and expected him to once again be a handful for the West Wallsend defenders.

“With Ty it’s an unknown every week. He’s always dangerous and can just make goals out of nothing.”

“I’d imagine they’ll be wary of that, but I think he’ll be dangerous no matter what he does.”

West Wallsend coach Gary Rowe stated that although he is aware of the attacking prowess that Goldsmith brings, he isn’t going to be giving him any special treatment and instead he’ll be cautious of every Wallsend player on the field.

“We won’t be giving him any more attention than we would give anyone else,” said Rowe.

“You don’t score five goals in a half against anybody unless you’ve got multiple weapons, so we would be silly focusing any of our time on one player.”

“If we focus all our attention on Ty, it’ll just make it easier for their other boys, so no, we won’t be giving any special attention to him.”

“I expect it’s going to be really difficult.”