Kirsty Fenton opened the scoring in the first Sydney Derby earlier this season and ahead of the second instalment this Saturday, revealed the secret to the Sky Blues’ youngsters having such impressive seasons.
In the new extended season, with bodies pushed to new limits, Fenton is feeling it but taking the international break as a good time to recover, refocus and prepare for what should be a brilliant encounter at CommBank Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
“This season has been a tough season with a few injuries for myself and the extended season is new this year but everyone is doing it and it’s not just us.
“It’s hard for everyone on the bodies and it hasn’t been easy but its good for the long run for Women’s football.
“The points are tight at the moment and we still have a job to do at the moment and we did enjoy the break to get the bodies right but it doesn’t mean we have taken it easy,” Fenton said.
In the first fixture of the season, the number 5 popped up with a half-volley on the edge of the box to open the scoring against the Sydney rivals and she still remembers the euphoria of that moment and what it meant to her side leading into this game.
“Scoring was a shock to the system and my position doesn’t get on the scoresheet often but seeing my name on that scoresheet for Sydney FC is an amazing thing to experience.
“The crowd after the World Cup was brilliant and the atmosphere was 20x better than what I could’ve imagined,” she said.
“Being a Sydney Derby as well, it was the perfect game to do it but more importantly it was getting the goal for the girls. I was really happy that I got that goal but it was mainly for the girls and the team.”
Since that match, the Sydney FC girls have seen many injury set backs and have been forced to shuffle the pack. This weekend, they will also have to change it with six players away with the Young Matildas at the AFC U20’s Women’s Asian Cup.
“In that first game against Wanderers we had plenty of experience in the team with the likes of Nat [Tobin], Fiona [Worts] and Shea [Connors] who have all experienced injuries since then but the young girls have shown what they can do and have stepped up and helped us get to where we are on the table.
“We have come a long way and are closer as a team and the girls are working well to achieve what we do,” she continued.
“We have players returning from injury which is going to be key for us and with some younger players who didn’t go to the tournament, it is their opportunity to step up and show why they deserve to be here and potentially start.”
Finally, Fenton reminisced on her time as a teenager in the Newcastle Jets ranks and how she managed to take her chance when it came and what sets the current crop of youngsters in the Sydney FC ranks apart.
“At the Jets, due to an injury I was put into the line-up and ended up playing the whole season.
“When the opportunity does come, you have to be ready mentally and physically and have the confidence to show what you are capable of,” Fenton added.
“You are where you are for a reason and I think the confidence young players have today is amazing and it is great to see what they can do on the field.
“To be able to see the young players do that on the field I see that they are comfortable with us and they know that whatever they do on the field they won’t get judged.
They’re in a comfortable environment and we will support them and keep pushing them with whatever they do on the field.
“To be able to see the younger girls like Maddie [Caspers], Indi [Dos Santos] and Zara [Kruger] score goals and do the things they do, it is amazing to see and makes me feel so much better.
“Seeing them do that and know that we have built such a comfortable and safe environment for them to be able to express themselves is just great,” Fenton concluded.
Kirsty will be looking for three points this Saturday in the latest Sydney Derby.
Match Details
Western Sydney Wanderers v Sydney FC
Liberty A-League Round 18
Saturday 2nd March, 2024
CommBank Stadium, Parramatta, NSW
Kick Off: 5:00pm
Broadcast Live: Paramount+ & 10Play
Tickets: Click Here
