Even a hotly contested, physical match against St Alban Saints Dinamo Soccer Club in Round 2 of the Nike FC Cup couldn’t have prepared Sale United Football Club’s senior women for their Round 3 clash against an aggressive Caroline Spring George Cross Football Club, who defeated the Swans 5-3 in the state-wide knockout competition.
After a controversial, week-long consultation between Sale United, fellow Latrobe Valley Soccer League club Fortuna 60, the LVSL hierarchy, and Football Victoria over whether the Swanettes would play Round 1 of the 2023 LVSL season against Fortuna, or Round 3 of the Nike FC Cup against Caroline Springs George Cross, had finally been determined. It was time for the Swanettes to show another State League 2 side what their country club was made of.
The Swanettes arrived at Godfrey Baldwin Reserve on Saturday, a scorching 37-degree afternoon; win or lose history had already been made, with 2023 marking the first time two LVSL clubs have entered the Nike FC Cup.
Unfortunately for Fortuna, the Swanettes cut their Nike FC Cup campaign short, defeating the Latrobe Valley side 4-2 in Round 1.
Sale United Women’s Coach, Madeline Breakspear said progressing to Round 3 of the Nike FC Cup was a historical moment for both the club and the LVSL.
“Having been successful in the first few rounds against Fortuna 60 and St Albans meant that making it to Round 3 of the cup was a historical moment not only for our club but for our league,” Breakspear said.
“From our team perspective, this is an incredible start to the year as it sets us up well to continue our good form into our season.
“Compared to the start we had in 2022, which was so disjointed from our preseason to our first game due to opposition forfeiting games, 2023 has been a great build-up with really strong games.
“Our good run in the Nike FC Cup is just the beginning for our Sale women’s team in 2023; I think we have a big season ahead of us and the ability to achieve big things this year.”
Breakspear emphasised the increased participation of women in football this year ahead of the 2023 Women’s World Cup, describing it as an exciting time for the future of women’s football.
“This year is the first year ever that there are more senior women’s teams than senior men’s teams in the LVSL; isn’t that amazing?” Breakspear said.
“If we are given the opportunity to continue to grow and improve our league, in particular by participating in the Nike FC Cup, as it allows us to challenge ourselves and display quality players we have in country areas, imagine how much more our women’s league can grow and progress.”
The Swanettes filed out onto the field, the whistle was blown, and Caroline Springs’ was quick to make an attack, moving tactically and efficiently up the field into the Swanettes’ half.
Their quality of skill and ability to maintain possession caught the Swanettes off guard, yet Sale goalkeeper Teagen Fairbrother, freshly back in action following a prolonged knee injury requiring surgery, had them covered.
Fairbrother performed consistently, making valuable saves throughout the first half.
With a strategic breakthrough, the Swanettes regained possession and pressed into their attacking half.
After a Caroline Springs player cleared the ball over the goal line; Sale set up for a corner kick, the Swanettes’ star attacking midfielder Anouk Meereboer, stepping up for the job.
In a kafuffle, legs flying in all directions directly in front of the goal line, a Caroline Springs’ own goal gave Sale United an early 1-0 lead.
A goal from Meereboer extended Sale’s lead to 2-0 just before the break.
Fatigue was setting in for both teams; the heat was relentless, with the temperature continuing to rise.
When the second half began, the Swanettes started off on the upper hand, but Caroline Springs was quick to attack, scoring two goals to equalise, each followed by obnoxious, nearing demeaning celebrations.
The physicality and continuous insolence from Caroline Springs was starting to take a toll on the Swanettes; Sale, however, would not stoop to their level.
Caroline Springs’ assistant coach and coach received red cards in the final minutes of the second half for their persistent abuse of the referees.
The Swanettes maintained composure and continued to defend their goal into the final minutes of the game, occasionally finding opportunities to attack the opposition, yet struggling to find the back of the net.
As the final whistle was blown, with the score equal, 2-2; the game headed into extra time (two back-to-back 15 minute halves).
Caroline Springs was first to score, leading Sale United for the first time since the game’s beginning.
The Swanettes gave it everything they had.
Dani Wilson on the right wing received a great pass from centre midfielder, Breakspear, making a run down the line towards the opposition’s goal.
Caroline Springs’ defence, unable to catch Wilson, recklessly made a foul tackle inside their 18-yard box, granting the Swanettes a penalty kick.
Breakspear lined up to take the kick, blocking out all negative remarks from Caroline Springs.
“Come on Maddi”, Caroline Springs’ goalkeeper repeated in an unsuccessful attempt to get inside the Sale’s playing coach’s head.
Breakspear smacked the ball effortlessly into the back of the net to score the equaliser.
The second half of overtime began with the Swanettes fatigued.
Following some highly controversial calls, a debatable handball granted Caroline Springs a penalty which saw the State League 2 side regain the lead 4-3.
The Swanettes continued fighting until the final minutes of overtime, but were unsuccessful in toppling Caroline Springs’ lead. The game ended with a heart-breaking 5-3 loss for the Swanettes.
Sale held their heads high, making their way to their opposition for after-game formalities, shaking hands and sharing congratulations, but was rudely dismissed by the State League 2 side who flagrantly turned their backs on the Swanettes, partaking in unsavoury celebrations, as if hitting, scratching, pushing and verbal abuse on the pitch wasn’t enough.
The loss was a heartfelt disappointment for the Swanettes, but uplifting words were spoken as teammates embraced one another.
Sale played with pride and, despite receiving nothing but disrespect from their opponents, were grateful for the challenge and new experiences that came from the game.
“I am proud of the fight and passion our girls displayed,” Breakspear said.
“We were able to take a State League 2 team all the way to extra time.
“I hope we made not only our club proud but also our league through promoting and celebrating women’s football in our area.”
