Keep up to date with all of the action in week 4 of the Westfield W-League.
Newcastle Jets v Sydney FC
Saturday 12 November 2011
Adamstown Oval, Newcastle
Local kick-off: 3pm
An enthralling prospect awaits as the high-flying Newcastle Jets seek to maintain their momentum with a third consecutive win. Conversely, Sydney FC have endured an erratic opening to their season with just four points from a possible nine. Defeat here would really put the premiers off the pace, with leaders Canberra United already holding a five-margin.
Sydney misfired in attack last week against United, however, coach Alen Stajcic will take solace from the quantity of chances created. The Sky Blues poured on the pressure in the second half but some wayward finishing, and some typically dynamic goalkeeping from Matildas shotstopper Lydia Williams, kept the scoresheet blank. Nevertheless the cavalry is on the horizon. Stajcic hopes to have ace goalgetter Leena Khamis back from her spell in Denmark this weekend. The Sky Blues will surely also have Caitlin Foord making her first start after injury following consecutive substitute appearances, while Heather Garriock continues her return to full match fitness following injury.
The Jets needed some Lisa De Vanna magic last weekend to ultimately get the better of Brisbane Roar 3-2, thanks to two penalties in the final 20 minutes. However whichever you look at it, a defeat of the Roar on their own turf dispels any lingering doubt about Newcastle-s title credentials. Adding an extra layer of intrigue will be the Jets trio of Linda O-Neill, Nicola Bolger and Young Matildas captain Alanna Kennedy, who will face their former team for the first time.
Newcastle Jets squad: 1.Melissa BARBIERI (gk), 2.Hannah BREWER, 3.Alanna KENNEDY, 4.Gemma PEARCE, 5.Alex HUYNH, 6.Nicola BOLGER, 7.Gema SIMON, 8.Linda O’NEILL, 9.Tara ANDREWS, 10.Emily VAN EGMOND, 11.Lisa DE VANNA, 12.Monnique KOFOED, 13.Stacey DAY, 14.Bronte BATES, 15.Rhali DOBSON, 16.Cassandra KOPPEN, 17.Ariane HINGST (c), 20.Alison LOGUE (gk)
*three to be omitted
Unavailable: nil
Sydney FC Squad: 1. Allison LIPSHER (gk), 15. Thea SLATYER, 3. Danielle BROGAN (C), 5. Estelle JOHNSON, 6. Servet UZUNLAR, 4. Renee ROLLASON, Kylie LEDBROOK, Teresa POLIAS, 9. Sarah WALSH, 12. Teigen ALLEN, 8. Caitlin FOORD, 13. Brittany WHITTFIELD, 14. Rachael SOUTAR, 7. Heather GARRIOCK, 20. Monique JACKSON (gk), 21.Chloe LOGARZO
* one to be omitted
In: Chloe LOGARZO (promoted)
Out: Nil
Unavailable: Kyah Simon (injured), Victoria Balomenos (injured – season), Leena Khamis (overseas – 1 week), Alisha Bass, Sham Khamis (both international duty – Australia U-17)
Canberra United v Melbourne Victory
Saturday 12 November 2011
McKellar Park, Canberra
Local kick-off: 3pm
Live and Exclusive on ABC1 from 3pm AEDT
League leaders Canberra United will seek to secure a fourth successive win when the highly competitive Melbourne Victory visit the nation-s capital. Last weekend United notched further achievements with an inaugural win over Sydney FC, with the victory also marking the first time the club have opened the season with three wins on the trot.
United face the Victory sandwiched between matches against Newcastle Jets next week and Sydney last week. It is a pivotal time for United but a win this weekend will set up their campaign nicely approaching the halfway mark of the season. Canberra look a more mature and balanced unit than in previous seasons, although they rode their luck at times last week against Sydney. The only downside is the ongoing unavailability of experienced midfielder Leah Blayney who is now unlikely to return much before Christmas.
The Victory will be well rested after last week-s bye, however, they will be without coach Vicki Linton this weekend as the Australia U-17-s complete their FIFA U-17 Women-s World Cup qualifiers in China. The Victory will be looking to ensure that Canberra do not get too far ahead with the pair last year squaring off for a finals berth. However, Victory striker Jodie Taylor and Co will need to be at their best to get the better of United goalkeeper Lydia Williams who was in imperious form last week.
Canberra United squad: 1. Lydia WILLIAMS (gk), 2. Caitlin COOPER, 3. Georgia YEOMAN-DALE, 4. Christine WALTERS, 5. Kahlia HOGG, 6. Caitlin MUNOZ, 7. Ellie BRUSH, 8. Hayley RASO, 9. Grace GILL, 10. Snez VELJANOVSKA, 11. Michelle HEYMAN, 12. Sally ROJAHN, 13. Nicole SYKES, 14. Ashleigh SYKES, 15. Sally SHIPARD, 16. Ellyse EPERRY, 18. Taryn HEMMINGS, 19. Jennifer BISSET, 20. Aroon CLANSEY (gk)
*four to be omitted
Unavailable: Leah BLAYNEY (injured)
Melbourne Victory squad: 1.Brianna DAVEY (gk), 2.Rebekah STOTT, 3. Maika RUYTER-HOOLEY, 4.Kendall FLETCHER, 5. Danielle JOHNSON, 6. Rita MANKOWSKA, 7. Stephanie CATLEY, 8. Ashley BROWN, 10. Jodie TAYLOR (c), 11. Caitlin FRIEND, 13. Katrina GORRY 15. Amy JACKSON, 16. Louisa BISBY, 17. Gulcan KOCA, 19. Laura SPIRANOVIC, 20. Cassandra Dimovski (gk)
In: Gulcan Koca (return from overseas), Maika RUYTER-HOOLEY (return from injury)
Out: Laura SPIRANOVIC (injured – 1 week), Georgie KOUTROUVELIS (omitted)
Unavailable: Laura SPIRANOVIC (injured – 1 week),
Adelaide United v Brisbane Roar
Saturday 12 November 2011
Burton Park, Adelaide
Local kick-off: 4pm
This pair are unlikely companions at the bottom of the ladder with Brisbane Roar having accrued just a single point from their two outings to date. However, Roar coach Jeff Hopkins will accept nothing less than three points from the trip to Adelaide as the champions seek to get their campaign on track.
Despite their position on the ladder, the Roar have so far had to play last year-s grand final opponents, Sydney FC, and arguably the form team of the competition, Newcastle Jets. A hard-fought opening draw against the Sky Blues was followed by a somewhat unlucky defeat against the Jets. The Roar were on target for victory until the latter stages of the match when they were hit with a match-defining double blow, with goalkeeper Casey Dumont sent off and the Jets converting the resultant penalty. The red card means Dumont will be missing for this encounter, with untested Japanese custodian Hoshimi Kishi stepping into the fray for her starting debut.
While the visit of the Roar is a tough challenge for Adelaide, as it is for any team in the league, the home side should take confidence from their showing against Perth Glory. After a disappointing opening day 4-1 capitulation against Canberra, Adelaide turned in a heroic effort in the west and were unlucky not to come away with at least a share of the points. An early contender for goal of the season from Racheal Quigley was followed by a succession of attempts on goal, as United-s attack showed cohesion that was missing in the opening game and during much of last season.
Adelaide United squad: 20. Kristi HARVEY (gk), 2. Ruth WALLACE, 3. Anna GREEN, 4. Daniela DI BARTOLO, 5. Abby ERCEG (C), 7. Racheal QUIGLEY, 8. Leanne SLATER, 9. Marijana RAJCIC, 11. Ashleigh GUNNING, 12. Greta FRENCH-KENNEDY, 13. Vanessa REED, 14. Donna COCKAYNE, 17. Katherine EBBS, 18. Georgia MACRI, 19. Nenita BURGESS, 1. Sian MCLAREN (gk)
* one to be omitted
In: Katherine EBBS (return from suspension)
Out: Nil
Unavailable: Emma CHECKER, Grace HENRY, Ebony PHILCOX (All international duty – Australia U-17), Angela FIMMANO (injured)
Brisbane Roar squad: 30. Monique NELSON (gk), 2.Laura ALLEWAY, 3.Karla REUTER, 4.Clare POLKINGHORNE (c), 5.Brooke SPENCE, 6.Joanne BURGESS, 9.Catherine CANNULI, 10.Lana HARCH, 12.Ashley SPINA, 13.Tameka Butt, 14. Vedrana POPOVIC, 15.Sasha MCDONNELL, 16.Michaela HATZIRODAS, 17.Emily GIELNIK, 19.Ellen BEAUMONT, 20.Hoshimi KISHI (gk)
* one to be omitted
In: Monique Nelson (promoted)
Out: Casey Dumont (suspended – 1 week)
Unavailable: Elise Kellond-Knight, Kim Carroll, Aivi Luik (all overseas – 1 week)
BYE: Perth Glory
For all the details, in depth previews and information visit www.w-league.com.au or join the team on Girls FC www.facebook.com/girlsfc
