The most dangerous score in football, blah blah

Sydney FC 2 Auckland FC 2

Every footballer knows that a 2-0 lead early in the game can sometimes result in a heart-wrenching loosening of the grip on the three points later in the game as the momentum suddenly swings in the opposite direction. This was a classic case, Sydney FC rolling out the red carpet for the league leaders to come and steal all three points, but despite the best efforts of Harrison Devenish-Meares, Auckland FC passed up the opportunity to stride even further clear at the top of the A-League ladder and settled for a point. Take a bow, Adrian Segecic for two fabulous goals, but Sydney were anything but calm with the lead and a point was welcome at the full-time whistle.

  • 4.15pm for a 5pm kick off. SOunds unlikely.
  • 4.55pm for a 5pm kick off. I’m not late yet.
  • 5.01pm. Maybe they’ll start late
  • I’m not the only one!

It’s the crazy time of year when football gets in the way of football. Enjoying my third crisp lager after toiling in the sun at Eastwood Oval as referee for an 18/1 fixture and then patrolling the midfield in a glorious 3-0 win for the mighty Gladesville Ravens Over 45s, it was time to get moving. Dumping my football gear in the car, it was 4.15pm when I got on the train at the adjacent Eastwood Station, and 4.55pm when I got on the light rail at Central. So far so good, the games usually kick off a bit late, but judging by the noises coming from the stadium as I reached Gate 3, I’d missed the start quite handsomely.

  • Green and gold on the move
  • Toddlers race
  • Action at nightfall

I’ve mentioned this before, but being outside a stadium when a game is going on is eerie. There were people moving the pre-game activations, there were people coming from the races and wondering how to buy tickets, there were loads of fans in Sky Blue shirts running late. It gave a feeling that I wasn’t missing out as such, but that I was in a group of intrepid explorers, battling time to make it to the stadium for kick off. Having missed the final women’s home game of the season, I wasn’t going to miss this one, but I’d cut it a bit fine and the game was maybe ten minutes old as I lined up for refreshment at the main bar at the halfway line and saw Adrian Segecic blast a hole in the net with an incredible strike to give us the lead.

The away end was busy, the Auckland FC supporters on their tour of duty to this fine stadium, and the stadium in general was a lot more lively than it had been for a few weeks. I had taken my seat in Cove Heights when forgotten man Anas Ouahim tested the Auckland FC goalkeeper up the far end. A few changes to the side that messed up so horribly on Wednesday night in the ACL2, no Patryk Klimala, no Douglas Costa, no Alex Grant; this would be a test, but we were already a goal up. Jordan Courtney-Perkins had a header from a corner up the other end that could not have been far wide before Sega gave us another classic strike on the half-hour, his left foot thunderbolt coming from nowhere after an Auckland counter-attack had been snuffed out. Two goals up, absolute mayhem. This never happens!

As soon as we had taken the two-goal lead, it was back to one as Auckland scythed through the Sydney defence and a low save from Devenish-Meares fell perfectly for Logan Rogerson to drill the rebound home in front of the Cove. We had plenty of warning too, Auckland looking dangerous coming forward, and 2-1 at the break flattered the Sky Blues. The grand final of the toddler race took place at half-time, the qualifying heat marred by a disqualification of the winner for a false start in a surprisingly strict decision, and this time it went down to the wire. A strangely satisfying half-time ritual this one, not quite Peak A-League but almost, and the sight of toddlers having no idea what to do after they’d kicked the ball into the goal was pretty funny.

Kicking the ball into the goal would prove too hard for Sydney FC in the second half as they lost their way, and when Devenish-Meares made a hash of a cross, palming it straight to David Carney lookalike Francis De Vries, he smashed the ball back into the net with a peculiar bouncing finish for 2-2. Segecic went close to another rocket as time ran out, but Auckland should have won it. Former Victory man Jake Brimmer had a chance right in front, but Devenish-Mearfes got a hand to it and Courtney-Perkins hacked the ball off the line. From our angle that was a deadset sitter, but from the replays on the big screen it might not have been as close as we thought.

An absolutely ridiculous moment then summed up what this season has been like for a Sydney FC fan. Sydney FC were intent to try and play the ball out from the back, and just like in the last home game, it had not worked at all. This time though, Devenish-Meares placed the ball on the ground for some reason with Auckland players in attendance, still with his hand on it, and a collective ‘what the fuck’ from the crowd must have dawned on him as he realised what he’d done. His hurried clearance hit the Auckland man and what looked like a simple finish ended up bobbling towards goal and hitting the post, the away bay at fever pitch.

We then had the customary loss of head by Leo Sena, who was inviting the tackles in as the game wore on. He took exception to one that didn’t look too bad, and chased after the aggressor, leading to an all-in melee of pulling and pushing. It’s got the point now where we expect at least one instance per game of Sena lashing out in frustration at being held back or reacting badly to a tackle if the referee takes no action. Perhaps offloading the ball quicker might be a better ploy for the undoubtedly talented midfield man.

The final whistle was met with polite applause. The manner of the result was not pleasing; we might have taken this result before the game, but it was another slip on the way to the luckiest finals appearance ever and the majority of the 18,000+ crowd slipped quietly away into the night. I didn’t even get a chance to see my name up on the members board, but I did notice Ufuk Talay’s up there as I walked past. The Brazilian energy drink had just run out as we headed past down the stairs outside Gate 1, but we were gifted some of the Brazilian chocolate biscuits. We were heading back to the Light Rail to head back to Eastwood and then on to the Northern Suburbs to catch the late game on Paramount+.

  • Action at our end!
  • The Wall of names
  • Brazilian Sports Drink. Must be good.

Busy on the light rail and likewise on the train as we ended up back home some time around 8.30pm, ready for another big day of football on the Sunday. Should Sydney FC scrape into the top six this season, it could be a very brief finals series. Wednesday night at home to Lion City Sailors is massive, we should win 5-0, but Sydney FC were absolutely dreadful last week in the first leg and anything could happen. If the worst was to happen, the run in to the season end could prove very uncomfortable for Ufuk Talay, and if we find ourselves 2-0 up, the players should have this game in mind as they strive to put the game to bed. See you on Wednesday night, with fingernails ready to bite.

  • Busy light rail
  • Happy Sydney fans despite another slip up
  • Happy to munch through these in front pf Perth Glory v Adelaide

City break Spartans in derby clash

Blacktown Spartans 0 Blacktown City 2

Second-half goals from Emily Jackson and Sienna Bell steered Blacktown City to victory at Blacktown Football Park on Sunday, but the victory came at a cost. A snapped wrist in the final moment of the derby encounter with the Spartans saw combative midfielder Bell end the game in agony to take the shine off the three points on a hot and sunny Sunday afternoon in Western Sydney. A game that see-sawed in a scrappy opening twenty minutes and could have gone either way eventually settled into a dominant display by the visitors, who move into the top half of the table with some enticing games to come.

Playing representative football in Australia comes with some difficulties, and two of those were at play today at Blacktown Football Park; the temperatures at the height of the day can vary wildly at this time of year, and this one was played in furnace-like conditions in unrelenting sunshine. Coupled with the unforgiving artificial surface, which adds several degrees to an already scorching arena, there is an immediate dip in quality with these uber-slick and extra-bouncy surfaces strewn with black rubber. The result is a game where the biggest challenges are controlling the bounce and the adjustment in weighting the pass, with even the softest touch sending the ball rolling past its intended target. It’s a frustrating game to watch, and the players learn to revel playing on grass when they get the opportunity.

Today’s Blacktown derby was one of those games, and it took both sides a long time to get used to the conditions. City were the first on the break, Lily Waterhouse and Bell pressuring the Spartans defence into a corner; Rachel Fry’s corner kick saw a scramble where Aurelia Smith’s shot was blocked by a sea of legs. The left side of attack was fruitful for the visitors, the Spartans defence of Aaliyah Hsieh and Aoife Murdock kept busy, but the home team had the first real chances, and they were created by mistakes at the back from the usually solid City defence.

First, goalkeeper Courtney Mackenzie miskicked her clearance, the ball falling to Leila Khattab who couldn’t force the ball past the stranded goalkeeper, atoning for her mistake, and Khattab blazed the rebound over. Moments later Zara Eade was presented with the ball from a wayward clearance from Mackenzie, but her shot was blocked, City making a meal of clearing the ball and looking lost at sea.

Lara Green was taken out on the right, Courtney Kitching swung in the free-kick and Bell was there to smash a shot over the bar as City got back into their rhythm, but Spartans still had a spring in their step, Murdock blazing upfield and cutting inside, but her shot was fielded easily by Mackenzie in the City goal. A game that swung from end to end continued as Kitching went long for Fry; her battle with Murdock saw the ball pop out to Green, whose shot was saved by Amelia Shepherd. The lively Eva Buterin lined up a shot from distance that Mackenzie had no trouble with, before City fashioned a great chance. Bell burst through on the left and slipped the ball in for Fry; the return ball to Bell saw her advance on goal, but the shot was wide, and the offside flag would have gone up anyway, but it was a superb move.

Another rampaging run by Bell resulted in a hurried clearance in the box; Green backtracked and controlled the ball before firing in a thumping shot that soared onto the crossbar in a thrilling moment that got the crowd going. More good work by Bell forced a corner, Fry lifted the ball in, Smith got her head to the ball to send it goalwards, and Shepherd did well to gather the ball with Bell lurking. Spartans were quick on the break despite being hemmed in, Khattab and Ava-Rose Lewis combining for Aria Miltiades but the shot was wide under pressure. Lucy Silk then scampered up the left, but Angelica Conate was there to clear the danger for City.

Mackenzie’s difficult first half continued when Silk launched in a speculative shot that should have been food and drink to the expert City shot-stopper, but she fumbled the ball out for a corner. The resulting corner sailed over Mackenzie’s hands and hit the inside of the far post, the ball somehow ending up over the bar in the scramble, with the City defenders looking at each other with relief and disbelief.

Emilie Chandran’s long throws were searching down the left, Green advanced with the ball at one point, surveying what was ahead before standing on the ball awkwardly and coughing up possession. It was starting to look like one of those games where nothing goes right for the visitors, but when a ball was deflected into the path of Sarah De Sousa, she took time to control the bouncing ball and her shot was blocked for a corner. From the second corner, the ball fell for Emily Jackson who fired just wide, City getting closer to breaking the deadlock. Another long throw from Chandran saw Fry control the ball in the area and lay off to Smith, the resulting shot sailing just past the far post to oohs from the crowd.

De Sousa was brought down on the right, Kitching swinging in a free kick that was easy for Shepherd, then Fry was upended on the left. Kitching’s effort this time was deflected over her own bar by Mackenzie Clifford-Farrell, and the resulting corner was headed high over by Kitching, the final action of a busy but goalless first half that could have seen either team with a commanding lead.

The conditions were not deemed warm enough for a drinks break this week, the referee turning down requests from the players, but now the constant breeze had returned and there was at least some movementin the hot air. Clifford-Farrell and Silk combined well on the left as Spartans started the second half on the front foot, but the conditions were taking their toll and the pace of the game dropped dramatically. City’s attack fashioned a chance, Zoe Thompson and Waterhouse combining for Fry to send in a shot that Shepherd saved at the near post.

City had started the second half tentatively, but the moment that changed the game came as City stepped up a gear. Chandran placed a good pass inside for Jackson who took the space up the middle, playing a glorious one-two with Thompson and taking the time to steady herself before placing her shot past Shepherd for 1-0, a brilliant goal. The CIty players and fans alike were thrilled with the goal and they didn’t have to wait long for the next action, Thompson gifted a free shot by the Spartans defence that took a wild deflection and bounce to wrong-foot Shepherd, but the Spartans goalkeeper made an astonishing save before pouncing full-length onto the rebound.

The danger of Murdock continued as she strode out of defence from a goalkick to win a free kick on the right. Midfield kingpin Buterin’s shot was easy for Mackenzie, but the free kicks continued, Waterhouse somehow winning hers in a dangerous position on the left. This was Kitching range, and with the wind now in City’s favour, the resulting ball in was only just too high for the in-coming Smith, the ball bouncing harmlessly wide.

Smith’s ball through for Waterhouse had just too much on it, Jackson was the calming influence in a frantic midfield, while Buterin continued to run the show for the Spartans. Jackson played in the marauding Mikayla Gadd on the right, but the cross was wayward, Waterhouse hassled well to win a throw-in up the left and when the ball was bouncing around the penalty area, Smith showed great determination to try and force the ball goalwards to no avail.

Jackson lined one up from distance that Shepherd saved easily, then Kitching played a long ball over for Gadd, who won a corner on the right. Kitching was still up with the attack when the ball fell her way on the left. In a run not unlike Aziz Behich vs Argentina in the FIFA World Cup in 2022, she glided past players and it was only the final ball that let City down, the ball flashing across the face of the goal with no takers. Spartans were still in this, and Buterin cut inside to fire in a useful shot that Mackenzie saved well.

At the other end, Evdokia Papafilopoulos and Smith traded passes, Papfilopoulos unlucky to see her shot charged down, and then the killer goal arrived. Smith was in there causing a nuisance, a high ball deflected into the air as the home team tried to clear; Bell took the ball down and weaved into the penalty area, the defence parting like the Red Sea as Bell finished expertly past Shepherd for 2-0, another excellent goal for City.

Bell was having a strong game, playing on the edge but getting very little from the officials, and Jackson took the opportunity to slalom through the generous Spartans defence, but couldn’t emulate her teammate’s goal, the shot blocked. With time almost up, Bell raced up the left, her energy limitless despite the challenging conditions. She was sent crashing to the floor in a tackle and stayed down holding her arm, in obvious anguish. The final whistle was almost ignored as the midfielder was given treatment from the concerned physio team, and she was helped off the field holding her forearm. We would later find out that she would be out for six weeks with a broken wrist.

The gloss was taken off an excellent three points for Blacktown City, but in reality they had found the going tough today after two good performance against teams at the top end of the table. With next weekend’s game on Saturday, the chalenges are coming thick and fast, this time a mid-table clash of 7th v 8th as Bankstown City Lions come to Landen Stadium looking to overtake their closest rivals. Blacktown Spartans face the in-form league leaders Hills United at Valentine Park on Monday, the league’s most miserly defence finally breached by Marconi Stallions on the weekend despite another big win. Stay tuned for more action from the Football NSW Leagues Girls Youth League 2 Under 18s. You’ll only find it here!

Thanks for reading. Any corrections, fire them through. Always a challenge to decipher a 5, 6 and an 8 on a crumpled shirt behind a pony-tail in the glaring sun; there may be cases of mistaken identity in the Spartans team! See you next week for more action.

Hills too steep for City in derby clash

Hills United 1 Blacktown City 0

A goal deep into the second half of an absorbing game at the home of Football NSW saw Hills United maintain their unblemished record against a hard-working Blacktown City on Tuesday night. Valentine Park was on a knife-edge until Charlotte Mear beat the offside trap and rounded goalkeeper Courtney Mackenzie to grab the only goal of the game. Up until then, Blacktown had soaked up the pressure but couldn’t find the sprinkle of magic to unlock the Hills defence for the first time this year. A great advert for Girls Youth football tonight, and both teams could go on to have very productive seasons.

A hastily arranged Tuesday night fixture saw two form teams meet, Hills having kept clean sheets in every game this season while City were coming off the back of an excellent win against St George. With the return of Zoe Thompson into the City squad for her first appearance of the season, City went into the game confident but aware that the task may prove to be one step too far. The expert defence of goalkeeper Harkeerat Bhari behind Samara Chiert and Ava Ayres were eyeing off another shut-out, but the game started with City on the front foot.

Liliana Waterhouse was tenacious in the tackle on the left for Blacktown, but couldn’t get past the last defender, Emilie Chandran did well to force her attacker to concede a goal kick, but Dominique Ashton was meanwhile down on the floor in anguish. The central defender was helped from the field to be replaced by Thompson and City’s stocks were depleted almost immediately.

Hills looked impressive in possession, Chiert to Mear, who crossed well, Mackenzie able to field the ball well in the Blacktown goal. The lively Amelie Armstrong cut inside to fire in a shot which flashed wide of the post, but City were giving as good as they got. Waterhouse was foraging up the left before Emily Jackson placed a delightful through ball into the path of Sienna Bell, but goalkeeper Bhari was swiftly out. It was the little things that City were doing well, Chandran making a great clearance as the game threatened to open up on the right, and Jackson picking the pocket of Addison Xerri to set up an attack.

Armstrong and Makiah Bardsley combined on the right, Thompson conceding the corner, and when Mackenzie couldn’t hold the ball from the cross, a scramble saw Aurelia Smith ease her defender off the ball to allow her goalkeeper to snuff out the chance. Armstrong versus Chandran was a great battle on the Hills right, but from a clearance, Jackson swept a long ball out to Lara Green racing up the right hand side. Some clever juggling held up play while the cavalry arrived, and her ball in was just too strong for Smith who had darted into the box looking for a chance.

Smith and Chandran played their intricate football on the left to make advances before Bell released Rachel Fry with a superb ball to try her luck before the ball was cleared. City just couldn’t get into the Hills penalty area, and Hills broke upfield, Armstrong racing through to fire in a shot that was saved by Mackenzie and when the ball popped out favourably to the Hills player, Thompson launched herself to block the shot with the goal unguarded. A potentially match-changing moment.

Keeva LeMaire took a big hit to the head as Mackenzie went for the big clearance from point-blank range, Angelica Conate did well to step in front of her player to win a free kick which allowed Green to race up the right and beat her player, but Bhari was there to cut out the danger. The City defence was resolute, although Mackenzie’s pass to Conate was drilled with venom and Waterhouse had to be alert to help out her defender to clear the danger. A corner was blocked brilliantly by Conate, and City threatened to break, but Armstrong and Sydney Miller conbined well to play their way out of trouble.

The closest City came was a peculiar moment when a long punt from Mackenzie was headed down by Evdokia Papfilopoulos and Green launched an up-and-under which was going towards goal, but Bhari kept her concentration and fielded the bomb to preserve her team’s perfect record. Another good win by Papafilopolus saw Sarah De Sousa embark on a Messi-esque run through the defence, weaving past players at will, but the ultimate shot had no power and Bhari was able to field easily. Positive signs going into the break, but the game was poised and could go either way very quickly.

A harsh handball against Xerri presented City with an early chance in the second period, Jackson’s ball in was into the perfect spot for mayhem, and Bhari avoided a collision with Courtney Kitching by dummying the ball out for a goalkick. Hills looked frustrated as City badgered them in midfield, keeping them hemmed in tightly, although a booming speculator from the Hills left saw Mackenzie misjudge the generous bounce, and she had to scramble back to prevent an embarrassing goal.

The tidy Hills defence then creaked as Bhari’s clearance was picked up by Papfilopoulos, who sent the ball back with interest, but Bhari saved easily. Jackson was brought down in the middle of the park, but Kitching was too hasty with the free kick, but Waterhouse intercepted the clearance and shot just wide of the goal. Hills were shaking. City were pressing. Green was being a nuisance, blocking two clearances that could have gone anywhere as the Hills defence struggled to regain their composure.

Waterhouse then fed Smith who slashed a shot well wide, Chandran was brought down on the left, Kitching firing towards goal but Bhari again had her eyes firmly set on the ball and pushed it away before pouncing on the loose ball. An intricate one-two between Papfilopolous and Smith saw the City midfielder touch the ball around Bhari, but the wily goalkeeper stuck out an arm and dragged the ball back into her grasp with the goal untended. Had City used up all their chances? A long range effort from Miller tested Mackenzie, but City continued to create openings, De Sousa working hard to feed Waterhouse who was tackled well.

The big crowd at Valentine Park appreciated the next move as Conate’s crunching tackle prevented a Hills attack on the left; she was up in an instant to clear the ball away to roars of approval from the main stand. Miller was determined to shoot from distance, her shots not getting much purchase, but the intent was there.

Mackenzie was taking no chances, making a number of long clearances to clear the danger, but she could do nothing as a cross landed at Mear’s feet, but the striker fired disappointingly wide. A momentary lapse of concentration was all it took for Hills to grab the vital goal. Hills went straight down the middle of the park and Mear was released clean through. Mackenzie had committed early to the danger, but was beaten to the ball, Mear taking care to roll the ball into the net for 1-0, and then completely mobbed by her teammates.

Chandran and Smith then combined to sweep a ball out to Green, but she couldn’t get a cross in. Thompson moved up front in search of an equaliser, but City were striggling to get the ball out of their half. Anyka Chand raced back to foil the pacy Green who threated to break up the right, and the final minutes of the game were nothing short of frantic. Kitching played a long ball to Waterhouse, who checked back to cross in for Fry, and the City striker was close to getting a touch ahead of Bhari. Mikayla Gadd battled hard to concede a corner; a Hills player was stranded on the ground, but play went on. When Hills tried to play the ball out, a miskick saw it stay in play and City were off on the attack, amidst appeals to put the ball out. Gadd was then caught in possession but Kitching was strong and cleared the danger. City rushed to see if they could fashion a final chance, but the whistle beat them, the arms went up from the yellow shirts and Hills had won the battle.

Hills rejoiced in their derby victory, while City licked their wounds. Bell had been prevented from coming back on after taking a knock to the head, and Ashton was hobbling badly, not the best result from a tough midweek game ahead of another important derby game on the weekend. This was a tough one to take for City, but they definitely showed a resolve and fight that could have earned a result tonight. Hills should be too strong for Marconi next weekend, although some trading of results has seen some interesting scorelines so far this season. City play Blaktown Spartans at the home of Western Sydney Wanderers, a Blacktown derby that could be an indicator of where City will be heading in this inaugural Under 18s season in 2025. Stay tuned for more!

Thanks for reading. Photography at night has never been a strong point, we look forward to a sunny game next weekend. We think we’ve worked out who the mysterious number 65 was, they were down as 34 on the team sheet – they must have forgotten their shirt. Very hard to tell the numbers apart in the low quality light, it might not have even been Charlotte Mear that scored the goal. Let me know, please!

Kitching!! City on the money in St George victory

Blacktown City 3 St George 1

The visit of St George FC, a team with a perfect record of five wins from five so far in the 2025 season, looked like a tough assignment for shot-shy Blacktown City, but ninety minutes later they were celebrating a huge statement win. Rachel Fry opened the scoring midway through the first half to stun the visitors, so when St George equalised through Lauren Wells at the start of the second half, the expectation was for a swift turnaround. Instead, a free-kick from Courtney Kitching somehow found the net to put the home side immediately back in front, and the central defender saved the best til last, powering home a thumping header to seal the victory, with an outrageous backflip celebration to match. City held their nerve to repel the St George attack to post an eye-catching win and elevate themselves into the top half of the table, but the day belonged to captain Kitching for a memorable display.

A sunny day in North West Sydney and after a long delay as we awaited the referee team, St George won the toss and turned the teams around, mind games at play right from the start. Ex-Blacktown star Josie Riley was involved in the first move for the visitors, raking a ball to Eyerus Hillman on the right whose cross was hacked away from in front of goal. Any sign that this was going to be a one-sided affair was dispelled when Emily Jackson played in Fry, whose precision through-ball found Sienna Bell, but goalkeeper Zara Phillips was out quickly when the final touch was too heavy. City looked alert and tenacious in the middle of the park and a loose pass was pounced on by Lara Green who found Bell again, but Jasmine Sidoti was there to clear.

A moment of hesitation when two Blacktown defenders got in each others’ way, the ball fell for Ruby Ackland who smashed a shot off the top the bar with goalkeeper Courtney Mackenzie beaten. Green and Fry combined well, but the ball broke for St George, and Allie Sheedy played in Hillman, Eve Hunter getting the shot away from distance that was easily smothered by Mackenzie. The battle between Bell and Riley was a feature, Bell doing well to race away from the St George player, but her cross was blocked. The all-action Bell then turned sweetly on the left, racing through to shoot just wide as City threatened again. Bell’s timely intervention somehow resulted in a corner to the visitors, Hillman getting her head to the inswinging kick, but the ball was well wide.

The game was heating up; a long searching through ball found Bell again in a foot race with her defender. This time she was clear, and again Phillips did well to challenge on the edge of her area. The ball fell for Fry, well outside the box, realising that Phillips was now stranded, and the City striker lifted the ball towards the empty goal and in for a deserved opening goal. The Blacktown players were ecstatic, the referee ordering a drinks break before play could continue and both sets of players had a chance to cool down. Conditions were hot. A handball shout against Lauren Bisnette was waved away by the referee, but worse was to come for the St George captain when she had her pocket picked by Sarah De Sousa, and only the sturdy wrists of Phillips prevented De Sousa from increasing the slender lead.

Emily Chandran and Aurelia Smith combined not once but twice as Chandran raced upfield, and when Jackson played in Chandran again, City had a corner. The corner kick from the left was met by Kitching under pressure, but the ball sailed harmlessly wide. Blacktown then coughed up possession in the middle when Jackson’s ball to Smith sold her in to trouble, Wells firing into the side-netting with a great chance, before Chandran was beaten to the ball on the St George right, but Dominique Ashton was there to clear up well for the home team. A searching ball by Eva Drivas saw Hillman turn sweetly, racing away into the penalty area but shooting well wide.

The half-time whistle sounded with Blacktown City maintaining their shock lead against their illustrious opponents, and the players disappeared into the changing rooms to cool down from the hot conditions.

The temerature eased as the second half got underway, the cloud cover giving us the perfect stage for a second half battle. Chandran and Bell linked up with Liliana Waterhouse up the left, but there was no end product. The visitors started to look panicky and were fraying at the edges. Evdokia Papafilopoulos was brought down but no free kick given to City, before Hunter was penalised for going through the back of Angelica Conate. Hunter then spread the ball out right to Riley, and her cross landed at the feet of Hillman, however the St George striker got the ball caught in between her legs and the chance was gone.

Riley had been pushed into an advanced position on the right and Chandran couldn’t cut out her cross, Mikayla Gadd finding herself on the wrong side of Wells, who smashed the ball home for 1-1. This was surely a turning point, the game appeared to be moving in St George’s favour, but a fortuitous free-kick was awarded to the home team on the sideline when Conate was adjudged to have been fouled. A speculative ball was launched high into the area by Kitching. Phillips hesitated then came. The ball bounced once, up and over the stranded keeper’s reach, heading towards goal. Phillips made an attempt to play the ball that only resulted in the ball hitting her defender and crossing the line. The City players raced towards the goal scorer, celebrating their fortune more than the quality of the goal itself.

The long throw weapon of Riley came to the fore, Conate reaching with every sinew to clear a chance from the edge of the six-yard box, then Mackenzie had to be alert to push away a shot from Hillman when she scampered through. Riley was having a superb tussle with Chandran, and a pull by the full back gave St George a free kick in a useful position on the right. Chloe Ryan’s effort though sailed harmlessly over the bar.

Bell was sliced down unceremoniously after she had turned away from her player, the St George bench earning a talking-to from the referee as things began to get heated. When Bell was freed on the right, she powered to the byline and crossed, the defender putting the ball into row Z when Phillips may have been able to field the ball. Ashton came across to take the corner and lofted a ball straight into the pack of players on the edge of the six-yard box. Up rose Kitching as she ran in, and she met the cross with a fantastic header that was past Phillips before she could even think. The City defender wheeled away for a Sam Kerr tumble before being swamped by her delighted teammates. What a goal! What a moment!

When Kitching smashed into Hillman soon after, she escaped a yellow, and then Ryan raced through on the right to shoot, Mackenzie at full stretch to turn the ball around the post in a thrilling action. Kitching was instrumental in clearing up the corner, calmly chesting the ball down to avert the danger, and City clung on to their impressive two-goal lead. The second drinks break was unnecessary, given the more temperate conditions, but City were happy to start managing the game from then on, with twenty minutes left on the clock.

A clever ball through by Waterhouse then found De Sousa, but she ran out of room to get the shot in, and St George started to look more dangerous. Hunter had a good run and shot easily saved by Mackenzie, Alexandra Lumb then lined up a shot but didn’t catch it right as the City defence scrambled, and Jackson took a leaf out of Bell’s book of solid tackles with a crunching challenge to diffuse a difficult situation on the edge of the penalty area. Riley continued her dominance of the right-hand side, Mackenzie making another save look easy, before Riley again fed Wells, who had time and space, but Mackenzie made the save. A deft header by Riley then set Hillman away, the offside flag up to save the home team.

City looked to kill the game off. Smith found herself in unusual territory, breaking through on the left and heading for the corner flag, but her attempt to play the ball off the legs of the defender allowed St George to break again upfield. Jackson was there though, and she raced out of defence into the open midfield to feed Bell. The combative midfielder won the race to the ball with her defender, but she had nothing left to give the cross and Phillips gathered. The sound of the final whistle was sweet for the home team, an incredible three points here today against a powerful St George team that had only conceded one goal all season.

The City players applauded the home fans in the main stand, as the result started to sink in. We had some impressive performances across the park today. Bell was outstanding, Fry and Chandran earning the plaudits for solid performances, but this was Courtney Kitching’s day. The goal and the celebration, captured on video in glorious technicolour, was a highlight that will be difficult to beat this season.

We don’t have long to wait before the City girls are in action again, a hastily rearranged game with Hills United on Tuesday as the games come thick and fast. For those of you who weren’t there, you missed a truly memorable moment, a fabulous performance and a deserved win for City. For those of you who were, you’ll remember this one for a long time.

Thanks for reading. As always, let me know of any mistaken identity or memory fails. Thanks to Gerry for some cracker shots. Come back soon for more absorbing match action from the Football NSW Girls Youth League 2 Under 18s.

Click here to see the video. You won’t regret it!

Is this it? Is this our season?

Sydney FC 2 Melbourne City 3

The 2024/25 season shuddered to a halt on Saturday evening as Sydney FC forgot to read the script and floundered to an embarrassing home defeat at Allianz Stadium. For all the huffing and puffing about the Asian Champions League 2 and the glory it will bring, the everyday bread and butter of a league game didn’t lift the players at all and they got what they deserved. Jordan Courtney-Perkins and Douglas Costa both equalised in an unnecessarily exciting first half, but any lessons learned in the half time team talk were out of the window as Melbourne City snatched a winner and killed the game off in a dismal last half hour for the Sky Blues. Not the first time that Sydney FC have not shown up at home, and we now look ahead to the Tour of Duty at Adelaide next week, staring at the ultimate six-point fixture. Is this where the season ends?

  • Driver Avenue
  • The magical steps
  • Crowd building – where’s the activations?
  • Arrived just on time
  • Read and weep – fantastic prices from another world

We were late to get moving for this one, a 5pm kick off getting in the way of weekend life, and our new home near the M2 allowed us to take advantage of the direct route to Allianz Stadium, albeit at a price. The crowds heading along Driver Avenue were encouraging, and we still had enough time to get into the stadium before the game kicked off. Turned off by the snaking queue at the Cove bar, we headed instead to the bar at Gate 2 at the halfway line and grabbed some of the most expensive drinks I have ever bought, heading to our seats just as the game had kicked off. The interest from our group of Cove Heights regulars was low, and the picky ticket checking at the entrance wasn’t appreciated.

  • No questions asked
  • Back of the Cove regulars
  • Names not down, you’re not coming in
  • What next?
  • Leo’s game is over

The first ten minutes of the game were simply disastrous. Marco Tilio, looking like a jockey in his sashed shirt, teased the Sydney defence, weakened by the absence of captain Rhyan Grant following his biff against Pheonix last time out, and the cross was swept home in front of the Cove by the unmarked Medin Memeti. Jordan Courtney-Perkins, where were you? It wasn’t even the first sight on goal either, Sydney looked all at sea at the back, and the returning Alex Popovic didn’t seem to have a handle on his role at all. Firebrand Leo Sena was bundled over and immediately signalled he was in trouble, hobbling off when the stretcher was called, but taking the ride in front of the Cove when he couldn’t continue. It looked serious and he was not happy. What a start.

The Sky Blues did look lively up front, Joe Lolley and Patryk Klimala combining for a shot up the far end that fizzed wide, then Adrian Segacic cut inside and tested the City goalkeeper with a cracking shot from the edge of the area – we were right behind the shot, and it was a great save to push the ball away for a corner. Courtney-Perkins atoned for his marking by out-smarting Aziz Behich to head home unchallenged from close range and we had our equaliser. Surely the game would swing in our favour from here.

The playing surface was awful, an overall dark colour suggesting a lot of chopped up grass, and the rugby league markings were almost as prominent as the football lines. So much, in fact, that Douglas Costa let the ball run over the by line for a corner to City, thinking that he had plenty of time to clear the ball. His look over to the corner flag to confirm which line he should be respecting and then his out-stretched arms told the story of frustration. He’s obviously never played park football before. A non-award of a penalty when Courtney-Perkins had a-hold of a City shirt was mysterious, the referee having been confused by which line was the penalty area, and somehow the result was a free kick on the edge of the area and not a spot kick down in front of us.

Harrison Devenish-Meares did his usual wander off his line, gifting the ball to City in the middle of the park with a nonsense ball, eliciting the long range chip from the City midfielder in return. This time he was easily back on his line, but one day it’s all going to backfire and it was a save he had manufactured for himself a la Bruce Grobelaar. City went ahead again, that man Tilio flicking the ball into Max Caputo, who should have been cleaned up by Joel King, but the Sydney defender was easily beaten to it and the ball was tucked home for 2-1. Alarm bells were ringing. This was such a weak performance so far, the frailties that have haunted our season exposed for all to see.

In typical cavalier fashion, Sydney equalised again, Costa taking his time to dance inside a tackle and fire in an unstoppable shot that rippled the net for 2-2 and our mood changed again from despair to hope. The half time whistle meant a walk up to the outdoor boxes on level 2, where the Gladesville Ravens Over 45 team was hanging out, Wanderers fans included – our captain Rob, a member at Commbank Stadium, originally from Melbourne and a Victory fan, didn’t know whether to cheer or not when each goal went in. Decent view up there, in luxury surroundings, and the additional white lines on the field weren’t as noticeable from that angle. The groundsman was out though, marking the lines again, and we could now see clearly which line was in play. Could have been done before the game though, couldn’t it? It was really confusing in the first half.

  • Goal to City
  • The Cove enjoying an exciting first half
  • Mickey mouse
  • A different world
  • Second half underway
  • Wrong football
  • Looking like a team of ex-pros

Heading back down just before the second half got underway, two blokes doing keep-ups in front of the big screen in the concourse behind the Cove watched in horror as their ball bounced off the top of the bin where they had left their beers, somehow missed their plastic cups, but bounced into the gap behind, between the bins and the wall. The football on the field was of no interest to them as they worked out how to get their ball back.

  • Under pressure again
  • More entertaining than the second half
  • Minimal pressure

The unimpressive Joel King was replaced by Zac De Jesus but Sydney then fell behind when they allowed City to waltz into shooting range and Alex Grant may have unsighted Devenish Meares who was beaten by a terrific low shot inside the far post. It was another slack moment from a team that looked totally bereft of ideas and leadership, and the City players celebrated their unexpected success with their coaches and subs.

Klimala’s usual devastating finish was lacking when he got the better of his defender. Costa’s near post corner nearly caught out City, almost flying straight in, and a triple substitution didn’t make us froth with excitement, Lolley, Klimala and Popovic making way for the young’uns, and that was where the game seemed to end as a contest. Sydney were as blunt as we could remember, despite the running of Tiago Quintal and the trickery of Costa. Quintal and De Jesus were guilty of poor play at the back, and Devenish-Meares looked out of ideas trying the same short ball every time from a goalkick, despite the move not working once. City had perhaps the best chance to wrap the game up, Devenish-Meares blocking a stinging shot from Behich.

The traditional storming finish and get-out-of-jail card wasn’t there today. All we had was cheap giveaways and unnecessary pressure, while at the other end, whenever our players found space on the wings, there was no one to aim at in the middle. The lack of urgency was incredible, even Costa ambling over to take a late corner when he should have been sprinting for the ball. The final whistle was met with apathy from the remaining crowd, a lot of people having accepted our fate well before stoppage time. What a dismal second-half performance, and one that could be so costly to our hopes of finishing in a finals spot.

  • So that’s that
  • Fans still want to meet the losing players
  • Queueing to get out

Being an early kick off, there was a lot of interest in the players after the game; we applauded those players who acknowledged the support, but we weren’t going to hang around and dwell on this terrible result. Off into the drizzle we headed, a queue of people snaking out onto Driver Avenue from the Entertainment Quarter hopefully heading to watch something a bit more inspiring than a 3-2 home defeat. We were back just after 9pm, parental Uber duties making for a quiet night with no EPL to consume.

Disappointing. Uninspiring. Worrying. Deflating. Four words to describe that second half performance. Hopefully Rhyan Grant is back on the weekend for the trip to Adelaide, his grit and anticipation at the back was sorely missed. Onwards and upwards. Forza Sydney FC.

How the West was won

Western Sydney Wanderers 0 Sydney FC Women 2

Sydney FC’s fainter than faint hopes of a top-six finish were boosted as they recorded another win in a run which has seen them propelled from the foot of the ladder to within three points of a finals spot. An eventful night in Western Sydney which culminated in a pitiful ambush in the Marconi Stadium car park, this was all about the football on the field and the resurgence of the Girls in Blue after a horror season. A fortuitous penalty on the stroke of half time was converted by Mackenzie Hawkesby and a second half Indiana Dos Santos finish underlined the Sydney dominance that keeps the other Sydney team in last place on the table. This city is ours!

  • Wasteland
  • The famous Marconi Stadium
  • A beautiful sight
  • One hundred and eighty
  • No rain tonight please
  • Computer DJ

A tricky one to navigate, this, a 7pm kick off at Marconi Stadium, deep in the suburbs of Western Sydney, giving a proper intimidating derby away-day feel. Knocking off work slightly early, we were on the road from the far north-western suburbs of Sydney just after 5.15pm and didn’t really hit any expected traffic, arriving around 6pm into the enormous Club Marconi car park. We were ushered into the stadium’s main entrance and welcomed by the friendly staff, who were handing out posters and flyers, and we made ourselves up towards the traditional away end terraces behind the goal. A late change of spot had us near the corner, and the Cove set up base camp ready for action.

The Wanderers players were warming up at our end, looking sharp in front of goal, teen superstar Talia Younis effortlessly pinging shots into the goal, and when the players emerged from the tunnel on the far side, an unexpected firework display engulfed the main stand in smoke. It was actually quite a scene against the dreary backdrop and threatening sky, and the players lined up facing away from the main stand for TV purposes, the massive gantry on the car park side of this marvellous stadium bearing down over the field.

  • A magnificent view
  • Warming up the drum
  • Fireworks at night – that’s novel!
  • This was actually really good
  • Like a game in Eastern Europe
  • Backs to the crowd

Sydney FC looked as comfortable as they have done all season in the first half. They were very composed at the back and Shay Hollman and Lucy Johnson busied themselves in closing down their opponents and starting up attacks. Goalkeeping sensation Jasmine Black was a virtual spectator as Sydney pressed, Hawkesby getting through on the left, but unable to outpace her defender, while Caley Tallon-Henniker had another frustrating half, unable to make any physical imprint on proceedings despite getting into some good positions. The Women’s Cove rattled out tune after tune, this was a good turnout, and the sound carried well across the whole stadium.

The first half was coming to a close, and Sydney had run their opponents ragged without really threatening, when a mis-hit corner by Dos Santos flashed low into the penalty area, the ball jumping up and striking the hand of the Wanderers defender. It appeared to be purely accidental, but every player and fan in Sky Blue appealed to the referee, and the decision went in Sydney’s favour. The footballing gods had turned; decisions like these have not gone Sydney’s way all season, and Hawkesby made no mistake from 12 yards, the Wanderers keeper not even having a guess at which way it was going.

A fabulous end to the first half, and Sydney FC’s active fans were in full voice as the players disappeared again down into the main stand.

  • Action under lights
  • The referee’s gift accepted
  • Defend for your lives
  • Excited for the final whistle
  • Derby spoils

There were people in the car park checking out the Cove; whether or not they were just interested passers-by or if this was someone scouting for trouble, we’ll never know. Inside the stadium the Cove marshals and the two police officers who were doing the rounds made it seem as though they didn’t even need to be there, and it was a safe environment, even if an 11-year-old youngster insisted on waving his Wanderers flag in front of us.

The second half was superb from Sydney. The game opened up, but every one-on-one chase was won by our ever-alert defence, Abby Lemon’s no-nonsense tackling well applauded and Jordan Thompson making vital stops. Captain Nat Tobin was a step ahead of her player and the tempo was good.

At one point Lemon looked at a ball that had veered across the goalmouth and appeared to be going out for a goal kick, and turned her back, but the ball had stayed in, and an unnecessary foot race saw her clear her lines with relief. Both teams had chances, Half-time sub Princess Ibini hit one just over the bar, Tallon-Henniker did well to cross dangerously right in front, and Millie Farrow tried a spectacular overhead flick that went well over the bar. The second goal when it came was a gift, just when Wanderers appeared to be coping with the pressure. Hawkesby pounced on a loose ball, Farrow was one on one with the keeper, and she squared for Dos Santos to curl the ball away from the stranded keeper and into the inside netting. The Cove was mid-chant and the chant continued, growing in volume. This was fantastic. In-diana, In-In-diana.

The Wanderers had chances towards the end of the game, Black making a good stop with her legs before watching the same striker drill wide from right in front. On any other day this season, those would have gone in, but the renewed and regenerated Sydney FC women survived, and were good value for the three points. Shea Connors got lucky with a bounce that went her way and she was off on a one v one with her defender, but she was well tackled, before Tobin won a ball and played it into the corner flag at the far end, a marvellous piece of non-time-wasting game management that was appreciated by her teammates.

The Wanderers creche had by now decided to regale the Sydney Cove with their thumbs-down swimming carnival chants, but the volume from the visiting fans was drowning out everything. The game ended to a backdrop of We Are Sydney and the players milled around the far side of the pitch before finally coming our way. The marshals were keen to get us out, but we had celebrations to do. F*ck You Western Sydney scum rang around the fast-emptying stadium as the players lined up for the celebration. Jordan Thompson showed the Cove drummer that he’s not that bad after all, and the players and fans joined in the call and response with capo MMTV leading the way with gusto. This truly was a family moment.

What a superb end to a derby encounter, the players were obviously pumped, and the mood in the squad appears to have been mended by a few morale-boosting victories. The players were off back to the sanctuary of the main stand to meet and greet with the inactives, while the active fans assembled to head out of the back entrance and into the busy car park.

  • Should be a good photo on the Sydney FC socials
  • Super Sydney FC
  • She bangs the drum
  • Job done, let’s get outta here
  • Seems like a nice safe place

Just as the fans were starting to head off in their cars, a pack of Western Sydney rat boys swarmed one of the cars and started punching the windows; in a split-second they were gone, disappearing into the night after being spooked, but the evening wasn’t over yet. As we headed away from the stadium and passed an RBT station on Horsley Drive, a police car caught up with us and did a U-turn in front of us at speed to head back to the stadium. Moments later an out-of-control car came up behind and roared past, a car coming out of a side road cutting them off and sending the speeding car into the air. All the occupants of the two cars piled out, so luckily there were no casualties other than the vehicles themselves, and we drove past wondering if we had seen some of these characters in the car park minutes before. What a peculiar end to a fabulous evening, and we were back in the relative oasis of calm of North Western Sydney at 10pm trying to fathom just what went on.

Uh oh, here comes trouble

Sydney FC winning the derby in Western Sydney. The Women’s Cove in full voice. The players rejoicing the win; it doesn’t get much sweeter than that. We’ve got two more games to go, and we’re relying on Brisbane Roar especially to continue their awful run of results. It’s a super long shot, but could they do it? It could be over by the end of the weekend, but at least we’re still in with a faint sniff. Forza Sydney FC, the A League entertainment never stops!

Radio silence as Marconi fall to City

Blacktown City 1 Marconi Stallions 0

The Football NSW Under 18 Girls Youth League 2 served up a thriller at Landen Stadium on a dreary Sunday in North West Sydney as Blacktown City’s rearguard action protected a goal of the season contender and the home side prevailed. A superb long-range strike from Emily Jackson midway through the first half, the culmination of a team move that swept from left to right, was perhaps against the run of play as the much-fancied Marconi put pressure on the City goal. A miracle second-half goal-line clearance from Mikayla Gadd was worth a goal in itself as the hosts defended stoutly, and the relief at the final whistle was palpable as the three points stayed in Blacktown and the home fans saw their first win of the season.

The on-off drizzle may have kept the majority of the crowd in the main stand and the umbrellas up elsewhere in the stadium, but conditions were perfect for football as the two teams stepped out on to the increasingly rubbery field for this round 4 clash. Marconi, who were so dominant in the pre-season fixture between these teams earlier this year, were full of confidence and it showed in their final warm-ups. The game though started with Blacktown City on the attack, Emilie Chandran freeing Sienna Bell on the left, and when Rachel Fry helped the cross in to Sarah De Sousa, the lively striker was unfortunate with the bounce and the miskick rolled harmlessly wide. At the other end, Dominique Ashton presented a ball straight to the Marconi striker but got away with it, and Bell was unceremoniously sliced down by Sofia Fragomelli, who was fortunate to escape the first yellow card of the game. Ashton’s free kick was whipped in to the near post, but goalkeeper Aesha Rosas saved well.

Marconi always posed a threat in attack, and when superstar Jaydaleah Browning slipped in Eden Babakian, Courtney Kitching had to move quickly over to concede a corner. City’s next chance was presented by the visitors, as Amber Mitchell’s backpass went under Rosas’ foot and was hacked away off the line, Jackson fighting for the ball and Aurelia Smith firing in a shot that was saved at the near post. Fry then flicked the ball over the last defender and with her goalkeeper stranded, Mary Palogiannidis swept the ball away from goal. The resulting corner saw Kitching connect on the volley at the near post, but the ball bounced wide.

A shaky moment at the back as City goalkeeper Courtney Mackenzie presented Browning with the ball from a scuffed clearance resulted in another corner which was well cleared again by the towering Kitching. Browning then played in Mitchell on the left for a run on goal, but Ashton did well to cover and Mackenzie saved well.

City raided down the left, Bell playing a neat ball in for Fry who forced the ball out right to Gadd who had joined the attack. The momentum seemingly lost, she turned the ball inside for Jackson who rode a challenge and advanced, teeing up a thumping shot from 25 yards. As soon as it left her foot, the crowd were off their feet as the shot sailed into the top right hand corner of Rosas’ goal, the Marconi custodian unable to get anywhere near it, Jackson wheeling away in delight and mobbed by her teammates to celebrate a superb goal. Rosas had fallen awkwardly and was helped away to be replaced by Shaina Ahani.

The home team had their tails up, looking good in possession, but Marconi had attacking options all over the field, and when Angelina Putrus played in Isabella Samo, Mackenzie was bravely out to smother at her feet, taking a heavy knock from the striker in the process. Good play by Lara Green at the other end saw fullback Gadd strike on goal, her shot sailing wide, but it was Marconi knocking on the door. A long ball into the corridor of uncertainty saw Mackenzie and Gadd leave the ball for each other, and Fragomelli had a clear shot on goal from the left but could only hit the side netting. Fragomelli was again through, played in by Lujain Gad, but again the shot was weak and Mackenzie made a comfortable save.

The game was in the balance. City attacked, Fry flicking the ball to Bell who won the corner as the home team eased the pressure. Putrus then fended off the challenge of Chandran after Mitchell had played her in on the right and Mackenzie got down well to save as a dangerous cross was fired in. The combination of Fry and Bell was paying dividends on the left, City with another corner, but there was no end product from the set pieces. Ahani was finally handed a bib when the referee realised that the substitute goalkeeper was in the exact colours of Blacktown City.

The half ended with a bizarre moment as the referee held the whistle in his mouth to blow for a foul by Smith. The free kick didn’t eventuate and the ball had broken in City’s favour, Fry realising and racing onto the ball down the left; her cross found Evdokia Papafilopoulos in a good position, but the bounce hit her hand and the chance was gone. City had ended the half in attack, and that was what they needed to do in the second half to keep the ball away from their own goal – this could be a siege in the second half.

Rosas was back between the posts in the second half as Marconi started with intent. City couldn’t get the ball away for more than five seconds, Gad wriggled to the byline to cross but it was too far, and was then played in past the final defender but again there was too much on the cross and the ball bounced away into touch. Elliana Englen was playing a safe game at left back, safety first the motto as Green kept the pressure on. Green flicked a ball over her defender and raced onto it, but ran out of space. Angelica Conate against Browning in midfield was an intriguing match-up, two terriers going at each other, and Green somehow escaped a yellow card when she hauled back Samo with a fistful of her shirt. Faith Bugeja was starting to dictate play for the visitors, as City were hemmed in with little to no attacking options to ease the pressure.

City finally got sight of goal when De Sousa played in Green on the right, who tucked the ball back in for De Sousa who in turn forced a corner. Ashton’s corner was close to the goal, catching out the Marconi defence who were pre-occupied with the players running in. De Sousa was there to challenge, Smith kept the ball alive, but Kitching’s effort was over the top, Marconi showing a little panic at the back, contrary to their otherwise calm and collected defensive play.

City almost undid their good work, Ashton’s heavy touch bringing the ball out of defence pounced on by Bugeja, but Mackenzie made a smart stop to force the ball behind for a corner. Browning came steaming in at the back post from the cross, the only player reading the flight of the ball, but her header was wide. Browning again won the ball in an advanced position as the home side buckled, Amelia Luke firing wide as the ball fell to her perfectly. The game was on a knife-edge.

The footballing gods shone down on City though when they got in a tangle at the back. A bouncing ball fell for Ashton to clear after Mackenzie had stretched for a cross, she drilled the ball into Kitching and the ball spun towards the empty goal. Time stood still for a second as the City players looked on in terror, but Gadd appeared from nowhere to slide the ball off the line for a miraculous clearance, the crowd on their feet at the game-changing moment. Gadd was soon in the action again, injured on the right, the referee stopping play and then forcing her off the field and refusing to let her back on.

Bronagh McKeown was having a superb game at right back for Marconi, keeping the City attack in check, and it was from one of her clearances that Georgia Arbolino and Gad combined, the shot saved by Mackenzie. Browning then teased the City defence, but after making space for the shot, the final effort was scuffed as the defence closed in. There appeared to be only one way this game was going, but Mackenzie and her defence stood firm.

City tried to play their way into attacking positions, De Sousa played in Liliana Waterhouse who showed good feet to win a corner, the pressure taken off the defence for a moment. There were cheers and olés from the travelling fans as Marconi stroked the ball around magnificently in midfield, the one-touch play lighting up a dull day, but again the City defence repelled the attack.

A cross from Waterhouse found De Sousa as City broke, and she managed to dig out a shot but with no power and the next wave of Marconi attacks could start. The Blacktown players looked out on their feet, and the game management started as they tried to run down the rest of the minutes to an unlikely victory. All of a sudden, Palogiannidis miscontrolled a long kick by Mackenzie and De Sousa was onto it in a flash. She raced towards goal, Palogiannidis in close attendance, finally making a strong tackle on the byline to clear the ball away. De Sousa had taken a knock in the process and was down, the referee allowed the physio on and De Sousa hobbled off in discomfort, the Marconi players incensed at what could have been seen as time-wasting. Marconi still had time though, and Ashton did well to force the ball behind for a corner.

There was a huge cheer as the dangerous corner was plucked out of the air by Mackenzie and the City faithful knew that the game was over. The referee brought an intriguing match to a close, and the Marconi players were distraught. Blacktown coach Michael Gadd was stoic as he congratulated his exhausted players, lauding their resilience in the face of an unrelenting onslaught.

This was a fantastic way to grab a first win of the season, a fighting display against a talented team who became increasingly agitated as the game went on. The second-half goal-line clearance from Mikayla Gadd and the first-half missile from Emily Jackson will be remembered fondly as Blacktown City went on to win for the first time in Under 18s. This moment in history could be the springboard for a good season ahead, get yourself to a game and enjoy top-quality youth football from the cream of New South Wales.

Thanks for reading. As always, any corrections to names are welcome, as is any like, share or comment on social media. Stay tuned for more exciting action next week as Blacktown City head to Nepean.

Capital gains for Tour of Duty

Canberra United 0 Sydney FC 1

The Sydney FC Women’s Cove’s Tour of Duty took the Sky Blue squadron down the motorway to Canberra on a revenge mission. After weathering a series of dangerous set pieces and some hairy moments, a fierce shot from Mackenzie Hawkesby sent Sydney FC on the way to a terrific three points against the team that denied them the premiership in this same fixture a year ago. A strong finish to the game typified Ante Juric’s team spirit of late, and we now go into the final three weeks of the season with renewed hope and optimism, even with no hope of making the finals.

  • Jordan Pickford in the background
  • Well trodden path
  • Shaun the Sheep away
  • Tradition
  • Stand United
  • Warm up in progress
  • Pondering life
  • Picture perfect

There’s something special about NSW away games. The Saturday afternoon kick off time made it even more special. The only thing missing was another team’s fans travelling to a different game and crossing paths in the motorway services for a spot of tension. If BBC 5 Live had been playing in the car, a hundred other games happening across the country and the temperature slashed in two, this could have been any Saturday in England. Wake up Texi…

With the remit of meeting for an ovine selfie at the Goulburn pitstop at 2pm, we were on the road soon after 11.30am. Multiple tolls and a bit of traffic as roadworks brought the flow down to one lane saw us pull in to the Big Merino car park right on time, and the rest of the Sydney Women’s Cove was enjoying exquisite German baked goods in front of Australia’s number one ‘big thing’.

A further hour on the road had us pulling into the Belconnen United car park at McKellar Park ready to plant our flag and stake our claim on a patch of the stadium to call our own. The stadium was pumping, probably twice as many people as last season, and all the shady areas were taken; the Cove flag was mounted on the metal stand in the bright sunshine and we had our base for the day. A hat might have been a good idea, and the stand at the entry promoting sun sense and offering free sun cream was the most popular of all the activations. The atmosphere was superb, happy smiling faces, this is why Canberra United was saved and why it will continue to be a valuable part of Canberra life.

  • Pride Round
  • Stanic-Floody’s number one fan
  • Proud of Pride
  • Number One
  • Lounging in the shade
  • Flooding in
  • Take it easy on the grass

There were many sky blue shirts. It was a joy to see. Picnic blankets were everywhere, gazebos up to protect from the beaming sun, and Sydney FC warmed up with some much-needed shooting practice. There were shouts of “ball” as the shots rained down onto the unsuspecting fans behind the goal, and the goalkeeping coach winced as multiple balls made it out of the stadium altogether. Shea Connors though was rattling every one of her shots in the net, hopefully a sign of things to come.

It was clear that the Cove were only going to be joined by a handful of extras for today’s proceedings, most people sensibly choosing the shade of the main stand, but it was lovely in the sun and our fearless capo MMTV, back from international duty, roused the stadium after the players had come out for their Pride Round entrance. We Are Sydney pierced the air, but the Canberra United faithful were straight on it, giving us a song in return. The stadium was alive, the game kicked off, and the Cove continued with the chant to let the players know that they had our full support.

  • Shooting practice
  • That might be wide
  • That one’s in though
  • Ready to roar
  • The view from the Cove
  • Pride flags for the entrance

Sydney were shooting away from the car park end, and took a while to get into their rhythm. Canberra had the first chance from a corner, and it was ridiculous defending from Sydney to allow the hosts to pack the penalty area and the ball bounced off the bar with a free header. A goal from a corner was surely coming. Our first corner looked like a good chance for captain Nat Tobin at the far post, but she may have been on the byline as she headed the ball back instead of on goal, and Tori Tumeth eventually got the shot in, but it was deflected away. Canberra enjoyed the bulk of possession, but Sydney had the odd break, and another corner was prodded wide by player of the season Jordan Thompson.

Sydney’s failing for the season were there for all to see. Caley Tallon-Henniker was stand-offish and wouldn’t go into a challenge; her lightning pace was no match for the defenders on either side who simply brushed her off. Indiana Dos Santos was caught with the ball on more than one occasion, and even playing out from the back Sydney FC were sloppy. The slight Maddie Caspers trying to intimidate a defender before being side-stepped showed at least the girls were trying to close down their opponents, but too often Canberra were given too much respect, the powerful Michelle Heyman untouchable when she had the ball.

When Sydney FC play the ball around swiftly, without taking that extra touch, that’s when they seem to be able to pick apart the opponents. The Cove offered encouragement throughout the first half, and by all accounts were audible from the main stand. Shay Hollman was somehow shown a yellow card after she had her legs whipped away from under her – perhaps something she said afterwards, but it was strangely a free-kick against her. Was anything going to go right today?

Goalless at the break was no surprise; it was hot after all. With the sun coming further down, the second half would be a challenge to see anything, and the long shadows would make for an interesting forty-five minutes, especially for the goalkeepers.

  • Sydney youth with the king of the kids
  • Queue for refreshment
  • Just a glorious afternoon
  • Cross Bar challenge
  • Pride flags
  • Half time heroes
  • The Cove flag claims our spot for the day

The simple half-time entertainment was well-received as queues formed for cool drinks and cold ice-creams. A cross bar challenge was happening at one end, the half-time heroes were playing at the other. More sun cream was applied. By the time we got back to the designated Cove stand, the players were coming out and we had a big second half to come. Canberra went forward, Heyman flashing in a cross that fell nicely for goalkeeping sensation Jasmine Black. Former Sydney FC player Aideen Keane flopped down in the penalty area looking for a spot kick and was quite rightly ignored by the referee. The game was opening up now, the introduction of Millie Farrow to join half-time attacking replacements Princess Ibini and Connors gave Sydney FC that extra bite. Connors raced through the middle to fire in a low shot, but it was set pieces again where Canberra would be dangerous. A swinging corner came in and Hollman somehow deflected the ball off the line and Sydney FC escaped.

  • Scoreboard says something
  • Capo unravels drummer
  • Fruit drinks for all
  • Full voice

Farrow then stole the ball on the far side, the referee seeing nothing wrong with the challenge. Dos Santos raced into the area, clean through on goal, but seemed to hesitate. Her choice to square the ball for Hawkesby though was vinidcated as the midfielder rifled the ball into the net for a cracking opening goal, the Sydney players really enjoying it, and the Cove going bonkers on the other side of the field. The celebrations were still happening when a hopeful ball somehow found Ibini on the left, and she dinked past her defender and was taken out. Deadset penalty. But no, the referee waved it away. Even from our distant spot it looked nailed on, but for some reason it wasn’t given. That could be pivotal.

If Canberra had scored at the other end when Keane handballed en route to goal after a route-one upfield shank, there would have been an inquest, but Thompson was there to block the shot. Canberra had another corner, they had been dangerous all day, so when the corner sailed harmlessly behind to a chorus of ‘aaaaaghhh’ from the Sydney fans, perhaps we were a chance at preserving the lead and nicking the win. Tumeth’s game management tactics were a little opaque – asking for a ball from the ball crew when another ball was right next to her, and then fumbling it, by accident of course. The Sydney defender had already taken on water supplied by the Cove when there was a short break in play, and the extra zing that gave her allowed her to win a meaty challenge right in front of the Sydney fans that was cheered enthusiastically. We had the Dos Santos derby too as Janaya came on and was flattened by her sister, the Canberra Dos Santos looked composed and confident, the move having been a good one for her.

The final whistle almost caught us out, there wasn’t even enough time to chew fingernails, and We Are Sydney rang out again, this time in celebration. The players knew where the active fans were and made their way across for some lovely moments, JT and Nat with the fan selfies and a warm welcome back for super capo MMTV from the players, now that we know she is not the jinx. Adrian and Lidia, absent from another victory, suspicion continues to grow that the jinx is with the newlyweds. Super Sydney FC rang around the stadium, the Cove joined by more sky blue shirts; what a great end to the day.

  • Celebrate good times
  • Come on!
  • JT feels like something’s heating up
  • But she said no f*ck that!
  • Hard day’s work
  • Winners

The scoreboard showed 1-0 we think ; facing the sun, it was difficult to tell. The Canberra players fronted their adoring fans, the defeat forgotten. The temptation to barrack former Victory star Maja Markovski was there, memories of her gestures our way after our semi-final defeat at Kogarah still fresh in the memory, but she was having a great time signing boots that we left that right alone. The mood was happy; the young fans had easy access to the players. The Canberra goalkeeper was being peppered with questions about playing that position from a bunch of young boys and they were lapping it up. This is what football is all about. It’s for the fans, it’s a game for the people, and today, even though the result went the wrong way for the home fans, they were entertained and left with a genuine desire to come back for more.

  • I think we won
  • Signings despite defeat
  • Drum hat
  • Sydney FC enemy number one (I’m kidding!)
  • Busy after full time
  • Map of McKellar Park
  • Acknowledge the land where you lost
  • United in victory

There was a bottleneck as supporter access was blocked to allow the players back down the tunnel, but we were out soon after. With the players piling on the bus, we drove off into the setting sun, and back to Goulburn for a succulent McDonalds meal and then back on to Sydney, arriving at 10pm ish and ready to relax ahead of another football day.

What a great day out. Six hours in the car, but rewarded with an exciting game, and the Tour of Duty to the nation’s capital gave us three points and still a probability-defying mathematical possibility of making the top six. Get your arse to the next game, see you there! Forza Sydney FC!

Sydney aggro, Sydney aggro, hello, hello!

Sydney FC 1 Wellington Phoenix 1

Sydney FC’s finals hopes took a big hit on Sunday night as Wellington Phoenix came to town and left with a point to keep their own faint finals aspirations alive. A smashing goal from Adrian Segecic had Sydney in command in a domineering first half, but the lead was wiped out by old boy Kosta Barbarouses, and a second half of pressing couldn’t find a winning goal for either side. On a stinking hot and ferociously humid day in Sydney, a 7pm Sunday evening kick-off was not high on a lot of Sydneysiders’ attentions, and a meagre crowd watched the game with gritted teeth, pretending to be enjoying it. One for the purists and die-hards, this one won’t be remembered beyond the weekend, save for a superb piece of captaincy from club legend Rhyan Grant who picked up his fifth yellow card and subsequent one-game ban in spectacular fashion.

  • Sculpture by the SCG
  • ..and everything
  • That’s where the new FA HQ is located!
  • Driver Avenue no driving
  • Activations are back
  • Sony giving good shit away

This Sunday fixture came at the end of a big footballing weekend that would ultimately conclude with the Carabao Cup in the early hours of Monday morning at Cheers Bar in the city, and enthusiasm was undeniably waning as the peak of the hot and humid weather underlined the need for an afternoon nap. There was definitely hesitation as the 5pm alarm pierced the still air, but the desire to watch another twist in Sydney FC’s topsy-turvy season had us on the road soon after, racking up handsome tolls on the M2 and arriving just after 6pm in the Entertainment Quarter car park.

Driver Avenue was closed for this one, unlike the Thursday fixture, and the crowd seemed to be very similar; not sure what the stipulation is for closing Driver Avenue, but it does make access to the stadium that much easier, unless of course you are less mobile.

  • STadium not filling up nicely at all
  • Pride of Moore Park
  • Setting the scene
  • The pride flag has arrived
  • Line-ups
  • Human shield

The crowd was thin, but at least the sushi bar was open and we stocked up, choosing the nearby bar that lets us take cans away instead of the Cove bar that insists on pouring the contents of your can into a plastic cup. Bet they don’t do that at the rugby. We had at least some of our block of seats occupied this evening, but still surrounded by rafts of empty ones too. It’s difficult to convey just how oppressive the conditions were – not a breath of wind, and every time the big screen behind was lit up in anything but blue, the temperature would go up five degrees. The humidity had everyone pulling shirts off sticky skin, and there was an efficiency in movement that we hoped wouldn’t translate to the field.

The Cove repeated the tactic from midweek by bunching the active fans centrally to make for a good atmosphere, but the super capo was forced into an impassioned plea, as he did so politely at Macarthur recently, to bring the best out of those around him. Once the parameters were set and everyone understood that, yes, this was 7pm on a Sunday, yes, it was 200% humidity but yes, noise was mandatory, the chants restarted with added vigour. It’s nights like this that separate the Cove from all other active fan bases.

Wellington were on the attack immediately, running towards the Sydney end and away from their little corner of yellow. A quick break saw the ball blazed into row Z when Phoenix found themselves in a good position, Sydney starting slowly, and Harrison Devenish-Meares signalled his intentions for the evening by racing out of his box to clear with a spectacular diving header. Come On You Boys In Blue, shouted the Cove in the call and response with Cove Heights, but the action was happening at the far end, and Joe Lolley played in Adrian Segecic as we were responding to the call, and his finish saw the chant transform seamlessly into the goal celebration and Sydney were off and running.

  • Harrison’s handiwork
  • Half time balls up the far end
  • Phoenix Pride
  • Flag malfunction
  • Hot and shot in the Cove
  • I fancy Costa over the wall
  • Lost Dad alert. We’ve found him in Cove Heights.

The SFC chant was early and the drum was smoking, almost on fire, as the tempo reached its maximum. Devenish-Meares raced out and was first to the ball, but only just, and he was nearly chipped again but the execution from the Phoenix player who spotted the chance was woeful. Alex Grant made an excellent back header to clear up the danger, and Alex Rufer was constantly getting his pocket picked in midfield. Despite the difficulty tuning in due to the humidity and lack of moving air almost sending the fans into a stupor, the Cove continued to be as animated as ever.

Suddenly, the scores were level as Barbarouses pounced on a through ball and waltzed around Devenish-Meares, but the flag was up and it definitely looked offside. The VAR check went on as we were shown replays of the goal, and the general acceptance that this was going to stand came over the stadium, and the resulting decision allowed the Phoenix players and fans a second celebration, the score confirmed as 1-1. Game on. This being Pride round, it was particularly disappointing when a fan accused a Wellington player at full volume of “f*cking him up the arse” when Segecic was bundled into from behind. A better turn of phrase may have been advised there.

  • Getting closer
  • Rev up Sydney
  • See you after school in the car park
  • Mutual applause
  • Post match happy place

A half-time walk around the stadium revealed just how empty it was, and I was in my seat just as the second half kicked off, Sydney FC having emerged first and having to wait for their opponents. Eagle-eyed Steve spotted that the assistant referee patrolling our half had an all-yellow flag, contrary to the usual checkered number. That sparked debate as to what the assistant referees usually had. Anyone have any insight? I think it might be normal, you know!

The Cove capo had crept further up the Cove, perching on the railings to really drive home the chants, Lolley gave us another right-foot shot that didn’t trouble the Wellington keeper, and Segacic went close, first his shot pushed wide of the post, then another stinging shot pushed over the bar as Phoenix wilted. Try as they may, there was no way through for Sydney, Jordan Courtney-Perkins seeming to inadvertently clear the ball off the Phoenix line when Douglas Costa whipped in another telling set-piece, and even when the ball was spilled, Sydney couldn’t force the ball past the impressive Wellington shot-stopper. A spicy moment towards the end saw Leo Sena get hacked down and captain Grant race across the field to get involved, appearing to shove the aggressor. We held our breath as he only received a yellow, Alex Rufer getting one too for his part in the incident, and when the final whistle went, Grant was again involved in handbags at ten paces as the players went to shake hands, the temperature boiling over again. Sydney aggro!

This had been a tough watch. Sydney dominated but lacked the lethal touch. Anthony Caceres and Costa again dictated the play, the latter using his array of flicks and tricks to cause all sorts of issues, but there was no end product. The players coped remarkably well with the conditions, and two injuries were mysteriously manufactured at the mid-point of each half to allow the players to take on fluids. Where this leaves us now, with an international break to ponder, is anyone’s guess. Three points adrift of the top six, but unbeaten for nine games since the Australia Day reverse at Melbourne Victory, this strangely exciting season has much more to give if Sydney FC so choose. It’s time to get behind the boys in blue and roar the boys on to the finals. See you in a fortnight back at Allianz. Forza Sydney FC!

Motherless Cove inspire Sydney girls

Sydney FC 2 Wellington Phoenix 1

Pride round for the 2024/25 season brought a welcome change of fortune for the reigning champions as they fought off a fast-finishing Wellington Phoenix to score a cracking winner in the dying minutes. Reduced to ten players after a harsh sending-off, the visitors pushed for victory, but were undone when the traditional final five-minute surge from the hosts paid dividends. It was a beautiful finish to a less-than-beautiful game, but restored faith in a team that has underperformed all season, and made the sweaty conditions worthwhile for everyone involved in Sydney FC.

  • Celebrate
  • Proud to be Sydney FC
  • Orange Grove Plaza – oh la la
  • It’s definitely orange
  • The boys in Lime Green
  • There she is

Warm does not come close to describing Saturday’s weather conditions; it was absolutely stinking hot, and after somehow making it through a pre-season Over 45s fixture, it was time to head to Leichhardt Oval for a special occasion – Pride Round, and an opportunity for ticket-holders to enjoy discussion over food and drink in the function room at the top of the main stand. Michelle and Tess headed in, as I headed off past the early arrivers to the Orange Grove Plaza to join the rest of the Cove for a pre-game meet.

Low quality pool on an orange table and comedy Lime bike journeys through the backstreets of Leichhardt and we were all assembled in the shady corner of Leichhardt Oval, ready to cheer on the girls in blue. The girls in black today though, and what an ill-advised colour to be wearing on such a hot and humid day. The opponents were warming up slowly, and the Sydney girls were being put through their paces, the extent of the condtions not quite registering just yet. With capo MMTV on her mid-season hiatus in another continent, and with last week’s Euro-capo Tess enjoying the corporate hospitality up in the air-conditioned bliss of the Pride event, it was down to Ethan to lead away the songbook selection and Daniel to give us the beat on the bigger and better drum. The boys left to their own devices in the women’s Cove. What could go wrong?

  • Taking water from any source
  • The colour Cove
  • The lads in charge today
  • Bleach blond drummer
  • Warm up – in this heat?
  • Screens!
  • A pride of Hawks
  • Resplendent
  • Colour pre-game
  • Unfurl that banner

There was plenty of colour around; not only the limited edition pride shirts that appeared to have sold well, but plenty of dress-ups and a touch of rainbow. The flag in the centre circle was unfurled too, a positive gesture by the club on this meaningful weekend. Conditions were not meant for football today, but here we were, and the game started with Wellington doing all the pressing. Goalkeeper Jasmine Black was making her starting debut after her cameo in the loss in Newcastle, and she was in the action early, palming away a long-range effort and smothering another stinging shot. Honestly, how had she been overlooked this season?

Sydney’s Caley Tallon-Henniker was having a puzzling performance, unable to make a simple pass and being hassled off the ball by her more physical opponents. Indiana Dos Santos was not given a moment on the ball. Even seasoned professional Mackenzie Hawkesby was struggling to make any sort of contribution in an advanced role, and the omission of Princess Ibini deprived the team of any proven goal threat. There were few bright moments in a hot and sweaty first half, so it was an absolute joy to see Sydney take the lead just before the break, and it was Tallon-Henniker the provider, racing up the right a la Cortnee Vine and pulling a cross back for Maddie Caspers to step inside and finish beautfully inside the post. The Cove went crazy; Sydney Sydney Sydney, our girls are amazing! It was the goalscorer’s birthday too, 18 years today, and the cheers from the crowd suggested that there was a good contingent of her family and friends here today to celebrate.

  • Cove corner
  • Don’t mind us, take your corner
  • Thirsty work
  • Rugby league in a can
  • Singing in the Cove
  • A momento of a momentous day

We had visitors from the Pride event, who brought some additional girl-power to the male-dominated Cove, and there was a groundswell of support from the curious young fans, who joined the fray for the second half. This was going to be fun. Sydney FC failed to take advantage of shooting towards their fans, and with fifteen minutes remaining we were struggling to see where a goal might come from. Crowd favourite Shea Connors came on and instantly brought some urgency to the team, bundling forward but unable to fashion any kind of shooting opportunity. She had only been on the field for five minutes though when the head of steam was cut off, and Phoenix broke upfield to score, captain Nat Tobin sucked into a challenge that she was never going to win, and the extra player made it count, a low finish past Black bringing the scores level. The pocket of Phoenix fans were in fine voice, the game was now in the balance.

We had been starved of excitement at our end of the field, but Sydney were ramping up. Connors looked like she would be the source of anything positive, and when she skipped past her player and was scythed down, the roar of the crowd was enough to bring out a yellow card for the miscreant, a second yellow and a somewhat tough sending off. That brought the tempo of the game to the boil. Alas, it was Phoenix who looked the most like scoring, Black tipping one onto the bar and then saving a tidy swivel and shot – Sydney were playing like they were the team down to ten. The Cove was an awesome place to be. The volume, the tempo and the octave had gone up, all hands on deck with the Pride event finished, and the young’uns were loving the energy.

Given the four drinks breaks that had been called during the game, the hefty chunk of additional time was about right, and Sydney FC went forward on one last foray to try and win the game. Connors did brilliantly to get the ball to Abby Lemon, who reprised her occasional forward role of last season as she got the ball out to substitute Ibini. A sublime one-two with Lemon, straight from the Football for Dummies handbook, put Ibini in a shooting position, and she swept the ball in for a dramatic winner. Football is such a simple game! The joy in the terraces was unbridled, the joy on the field was something to behold, the players all stacked on Prinny and there was a mixture of relief and delight in the whole stadium.

  • Take off
  • New faces in the Cove
  • Pile on as Ibini seals the win
  • Acrobatics in the Cove
  • We’re a family
  • We love you, we love you…

What a moment. Sydney FC had won, turning another missed opportunity into three big points, and the players were straight over to join in the celebrations, Super Sydney FC belted out to perfection and We Are Sydney rounding off the day’s entertainment. Prinny danced a jig as the fans chanted her name. The scenes afterwards were like those of last year, happy smiling faces and lots of crowd interaction between player and fans. The return of the good times. It’s times like this that remind us why we go to the games, and it tees up a cracker next week as the Cove tour of duty takes us to the nation’s capital for a revenge mission against Canberra United. The late season trip last year saw us miss out on the Premiership – this season we have little to play for other than to turn the tables and see them miss out on the top six. Are we that petty?

  • Boss man thanks the Cove
  • The smiles are back
  • Jasmine’s starting debut
  • Wonderful sight
  • Flawless folding technique
  • After match mingling
  • Any goalkeeping spots going?

See you all at McKellar Park on Saturday, come on you girls in blue! Let’s finish this season with a flourish and get the fans excited for next season.