Laura Alleway put in a Player of the Match performance for Lincoln Lades | (Credit: Lincoln Ladies) Laura Alleway put in a Player of the Match performance for Lincoln Lades | (Credit: Lincoln Ladies)

While the W-League is in its off-season, we still have plenty of Australian footballers to keep a track off thanks to the mass exodus of players to the European Leagues.

This weekend we had several in action in England as the FA Cup fifth round got underway and in Germany as the Frauen Bundesliga continued.

Sally Shipard played a full 90 minutes as her team Bayer Leverkusen suffered a narrow 0 – 1 loss to second placed FCR 2001 Duisburgh in the Frauen Bundesliga.

From the ladder positions it would have seemed a David and Goliath battle for Leverkusen but they were not without their chances.

The best came to American Katie Bethke in the 62nd but she was unable to keep her strike down. In the end a defensive lapse allowed Japanese striker Kozue Ando to play through Mandy Islacker who converted the lone goal of the match.

"So a 0-1 just before the end hurts more than a clear defeat.  This is a shame, becaue we have played in the second half, dominant and had a clear opportunity that we have unfortunately not used," said Leverkusen coach Doreen Meier.

"While I can be proud of the performance of my team in the 85 minutes, but football is now even a sports result, therefore outweighs the disappointment."

 Match Report

 Match Highlights 

In England, the FA Cup got underway ahead of the opening weekend of the FA Women's Super League.

Laura Alleway and Collette McCallum were in action for Lincoln Ladies against Cup holders and perennial powerhouse Arsenal Ladies.

Despite a gallant effort, the Lady Imps went down 0 – 1 thanks to Ellen White's 17 minute goal.

Alleway and McCallum both played the full 90 as Alleway, "looked an imposing presence at the heart of the home defence", and was named the Player of the Match.

Despite the loss the Lady Imps' coach Glen Harris was positive about the performance.

“We’re obviously gutted that we’re out of the cup, but if you look at it, we’ve pushed the treble holders all the way. I think we’ve frightened them to death, honestly. I couldn’t have asked for anything more from the girls.

“Early doors we had a little too much respect for them. Once they got the goal, it was a case of rolling our sleeves up”.

Match Report – FA WSL

Match Report – Lincoln Ladies

Perth Glory captain Tanya Oxtoby was also in action as her Doncaster Rovers Belles grabbed a late extra time goal to progress through to the next round at the expense of Barnet.

Match Report