The fifth round of the A-League Women season was split across two weekends and it was not short of action. Melbourne City returned to the top spot after a 2-0 win over Western Sydney Wanderers, keeping their unbeaten streak alive. Central Coast Mariners join them as the only other side yet to lose a match this season.
Trailblazing goalkeeper Casey Dumont made history with her latest appearance for Perth Glory but couldn’t find a result against Melbourne Victory. Here’s how the two weekends played out.
Melbourne City 2-0 Western Sydney Wanderers
Melbourne City hit the top spot as they overcame Western Sydney Wanderers at AAMI Park.
Mariana Speckmaier was nearly gifted an opening goal for City with 19 minutes gone. Wanderers goalkeeper Sham Khamis rolled the ball straight into the path of the Venezuelan international. Speckmaier took the shot on the turn with Khamis stranded but hit the crossbar.
Just before half-time, Melbourne City eventually made the breakthrough. Kathryn Harvey’s through-ball cut through the Wanderers’ defence and Speckmaier lashed home past Khamis.
In a passage of play that largely sums up the fortunes of Western Sydney, City nearly scored a second by complete accident. A quickly taken free-kick was played out to Rebekah Stott. Her cross in was cleared into the face of Rhianna Pollicina, which hit the post before going wide.
The home side did get a second in injury time and it was a familiar face that came back to haunt Robbie Hooker’s side. Alexia Apostalakis’ free-kick deflected off the wall and in for Melbourne City, leaving Khamis with no chance. Sophie Harding squandered a chance for a consolation as the Wanderers remain rooted to the bottom of the table.
Central Coast Mariners 2-1 Canberra United
The Central Coast Mariners remain unbeaten thanks to a come-from-behind win over Canberra United in Gosford.
The home side were awarded a penalty when Jade Pennock was fouled by Elizabeth Anton with ten minutes gone. The on loan Birmingham forward was denied by a smart save from Sally James.
Canberra took the lead late in the first half in stunning style. Maja Markovski was in space and took aim from 30 yards. She unleashed an absolute howitzer that beat Sarah Langman all ends up.
Early in the second half, a wonderful double save from Langman denied Markovski and then Ruby Nathan to keep the Mariners in the match. Those saves proved even more vital when Tiana Fuller pounced a loose ball to fire home the equaliser. The 16-year-old marked her ALW debut with a goal.
The turnaround was complete six minutes later as Pennock and Shay Evans linked up to devastating effect. Evans’ through ball set Pennock away down the right. She continued her run into the box where Pennock returned the favour, teeing up Evans to bag her first Mariners goal. The win lifts the home side to third in the league. Canberra remain in fifth place.
Wellington Phoenix 2-1 Brisbane Roar
Annalie Longo netted a brace as Wellington Phoenix bagged their second win of the season against Brisbane Roar.
The Roar were denied twice in the opening half hour by smart stops from Nix keeper Carolina Vilão. Just past the half-hour mark, Wellington capitalised on a disastrous Brisbane attempt to play out from the back. Leia Varley’s pass was intercepted by Longo inside her own box. The Wellington skipper played a one-two with Olivia Fergusson before slotting home at the near post.
Emily Pringle equalised in stunning style on the stroke of half-time. Picking up on a wayward pass on the half-way line, she ran the length of the half before firing past Vilão at her near post.
Longo wrapped up the points with 20 minutes left. She drove towards the edge of the Roar box before checking back and taking aim. The combination of an attempted headed clearance from Varley and the bounce bewitched Olivia Sekany and crept in at the near post.
Western United 2-1 Sydney FC
Sydney FC’s tough start to the season continued as they were beaten in Tarneit by Western United. The hosts were denied an opening goal by a stunning reflex save from Talia Franco. Aimee Medwin’s cross was met on the half volley by Keiwa Hieda eight yards out. Franco thrust up a hand to push the ball over the bar.
Western took the lead with ten minutes of the second half played. Kahli Johnson picked the ball up 25 yards out. She jinked and jived through the Sydney tackles before firing home from the edge of the box. There was nothing Franco could do this time.
The lead lasted barely a couple of minutes. Western gave the ball away from their own throw. Amber Luchtmeijer raced through, outmuscling Alana Cerne and sliding home under Chloe Lincoln. It was the 17-year-old’s first ALW goal.
Kiara De Domizio’s late header sealed all three points for Kat Smith’s side.
Adelaide United 2-0 Newcastle Jets
A brace from Fiona Worts set Adelaide United on the way to another win as the Reds’ impressive to start the season continued.
The Jets nearly took the lead but Lauren Allen saw her attempt cleared off the line by Emily Hodgson. Worts bundled home the opener just before the break when Newcastle keeper Danielle Krzyzaniak fumbled a freekick that she had given away for handling outside the box. An almighty scramble ensued before Worts eventually got the ball over the line.
Worts’ second of the afternoon was a far more clear cut affair as she slid in to convert Lucia León’s cross for her fifth goal of the season. That win moves the Reds up to fourth in the league.
Perth Glory 0-1 Melbourne Victory
A late Alana Murphy winner was enough to secure a win for Melbourne Victory in Perth. In a game short on clear-cut openings, Victory were given a great chance to take the lead with just over 20 minutes left.
Onyinyechi Zogg was adjudged to have handled Alana Jančevski’s and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Rachel Lowe stepped up, but Casey Dumont went the right way to save. The Glory keeper marked her milestone game with a trademark penalty save. Dumont is the first goalkeeper in ALW history to reach 150 games.
Glory hearts were broken deep into stoppage time when Murphy unleashed from all of 35 yards to leave Dumont with no chance.
