Olivia Price of the Wanderers celebrates a goal with teammates against Brisbane Roar (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Week three of the Ninja A-League was highlighted by a Grand Final rematch as Melbourne Victory welcomed Central Coast Mariners. Meanwhile, Western Sydney Wanderers halted Brisbane Roar’s perfect start to the season to bag their first win.
With Premiers Melbourne City in Asian Champions League action, they had the bye week for this round of domestic fixtures.
Here’s how the rest of the action unfolded.
Adelaide United 2-1 Canberra United
Adelaide recovered from conceding inside 30 seconds to claim their first win of the season.
Kiara De Domizio gave the visitors a dream start with a stunning curled effort that left Claudia Jenkins with no chance.
The Reds levelled thanks to Emily Condon’s strike. She skipped through the challenge of Emma Robers to drive the ball home under Sally James.
Canberra nearly retook the lead when Robers connected with a corner and struck the inside of the post. James produced two stunning saves on the stroke of half time to ensure her side were level at the break.
Adelaide’s pressure eventually told 12 minutes from time when Matilda McNamara headed home to seal the win.
Embed from Getty Images
Sydney FC 2-0 Perth Glory
Two second half goals were enough for Sydney FC to see off Perth Glory.
The Sky Blues were nearly gifted an early opening. Perth were caught trying to play out from the back, but Mackenzie Hawkesby couldn’t convert on her 100th appearance for the club.
Emma Tovar smacked the post and Susan Phonsongkhan was denied by a great save from Tiahna Robertson as the game remained goalless.
Bianca Galić broke the deadlock from close range following good work from Riley Tanner to drive into the box. It was Tanner who sealed the win 20 minutes left, firing into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.
Embed from Getty Images
Melbourne Victory 1-0 Central Coast Mariners
Rhianna Pollicina’s first goal in Victory colours saw them take all three points in this Grand Final rematch.
A game of few clear-cut chances saw Jynaya dos Santos try her luck from distance, but it was easy for Courtney Newbon in the Victory goal.
Pollicina marked her 100th A-League appearance with what turned out to be the winner. Rachel Lowe was denied by a brave stop from Sarah Langman. But the Mariners goalkeeper got no luck as the ball fell to Pollicina, who finished well through a crowd of bodies from the edge of the box.
Annalise Rasmussen nearly equalised for the Central Coast late on, but she couldn’t connect with Annabel Martin’s cross.
Embed from Getty Images
Wellington Phoenix 1-1 Newcastle Jets
A first half goal apiece ensured the points were shared at Porirua Park.
Brooke Nunn gave the hosts an early, latching onto Pia Vlok’s incisive through ball to just about force the ball over the line from a narrow angle.
The Jets were given a chance to level from the spot when Lauren Allan was unceremoniously bundled over in the box. Melina Ayres made no mistake with the spot-kick, sending Victoria Esson the wrong way to level the match.
Grace Jale and Nunn both squandered good chances to restore the Nix lead before Alyssa Whinham was denied by a flying Anna Leat save.
Kelli Brown’s free-kick ten minutes from time whistled past the Phoenix post as both sides had to make do with a point.
Embed from Getty Images
Brisbane Roar 0-1 Western Sydney Wanderers
The Wanderers produced the performance of the weekend to end Brisbane’s perfect start to the season.
Grace Kuilamu broke away early for the Roar but she was denied by Sham Khamis.
Wanderers skipper Amy Harrison nearly gave them the lead in stunning style on the half hour mark. She picked the ball up in the centre circle and took aim, but was millimetres wide.
Embed from Getty Images
Western Sydney struck late through Olivia Price. Danika Matos’ cross found Ella Buchanan whose initial shot was blocked by an orange shirt. The ball cannoned back to Buchanan who squared for Price to tap home. It was a first win in eight for Geoff Abrahams’ side and a first clean sheet in 27 games.
Related articles from Her Football Hub:
