W-League Round 7 wrap, played between Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve, marks the mid-point of the 2019 – 20 season. This round proved to be a reason to celebrate for some teams but food for thought for others.
Canberra United 0 – 4 Western Sydney Wanderers
In a game that almost didn’t commence due to air quality issues, the home team largely matched the intensity of their visitors in the first half but were unable to contain the Wanderers in the second stanza, who recorded a first ever away clean sheet with their winning four goal margin.
Early chances went Canberra’s way with an Elise Thorsnes back post header nearly finding the mark, and a penalty shout for Samantha Staab‘s shoulder contact on Simone Charley in the Wanderers’ box. But it was the assured Kyra Cooney-Cross who scored first in the 38th minute with a looping header over keeper Sham Khamis on the end of Erica Halloway‘s ball into the Canberra penalty box.
The Wanderers began the second half with renewed purpose but it took until the 69th minute for this to be reflected on the scoreboard, with midfield dynamo Denise O’Sullivan firing a well-directed low strike into the bottom left corner of the Canberra net for her first W-League goal.
Attacking Wanderers duo Kristen Hamilton and Lynn Williams were irresistible in the back end of the game. The third goal in the 81st minute showcased Hamilton’s determination having turned her defender, while the final goal just four minutes later saw Williams on the break firing a rebound off Sham Khamis into the net.
https://twitter.com/WLeague/status/1210146321518059520
Gallery courtesy KLZ Photography
Perth Glory 1 – 2 Melbourne Victory
With both teams desperate for three points to get their season going, this game promised to be full of excitement and it didn’t disappoint. As early as the 1st minute ex-Perth Glory player Rosie Sutton had the ball in the net for Melbourne Victory, but it was ruled out for offside.
In the 2nd minute, Kat Jukic nearly scored for Glory, but her snapshot smashed off the post with Melbourne Victory keeper Casey Dumont stranded. The home team continued to press and, in the 22nd minute, were awarded a penalty after Crystal Thomas was brought down by Emily Menges. Thomas took the penalty herself, but her weak effort was saved by Dumont.
A contender for goal of the season from Amy Jackson then broke the deadlock in the 32nd minute when her 25-metre rocket cannoned in off the bar to put the visitors 1-0 up.
https://twitter.com/WLeague/status/1210897373511213056
Jackson doubled the lead in the 2nd half with a header from almost point-blank range, and Victory looked to be cruising to a comfortable win, but Leticia McKenna gave the home team hope when she lashed in a shot on the hour to make it 2-1.
The result leaves Glory winless but means Victory can keep their top four dreams alive.
Sydney FC 2 – 0 Adelaide United
An own goal from Amber Brooks and a 25-yard howitzer from substitute Princess Ibini helped Sydney to a 2-0 win over Adelaide United at Jubilee Stadium in Kogarah.
Missing attacking target Mary Fowler through injury, Adelaide relied on the defensive industry of their front three, pressing Sydney deep in their own half to force a number of turnovers in the first 45 minutes.
Unable to control possession through midfield, Sydney were at times disjointed between the lines, relying on both the brilliance of keeper Aubrey Bledsoe and Adelaide’s profligacy in front of goal to maintain their clean sheet.
Sydney eventually opened the scoring in the 77th minute, but not without significant assistance from the Reds; peeling into the box towards the right post, Remy Siemsen collected Ibini’s through-ball and crossed back across goal, only for her pass to deflect off the chest of the Adelaide skipper and into her own net.
With the clock ticking into stoppage time and Sydney looking to counter, Ibini wrote her own name on the scoresheet. She controlled a loose header in midfield from substitute Georgia Campagnale and unleashed a fearsome shot from distance into the top corner to seal all three points for the Sky Blues.
Hear from Sky Blue @WLeague star @princessibini_ as she discusses her stunning strike in Sunday's win over Adelaide at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium…#SydneyIsSkyBlue #WeAreChampions #SYDvADL pic.twitter.com/Bc47eL3b2C
— Sydney FC (@SydneyFC) December 29, 2019
Brisbane Roar 2 – 1 Newcastle Jets
Brisbane Roar continued their charge up the W-League table with a 2-1 win over Newcastle Jets at Lions Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The home side went on the front foot early, with Hayley Raso and Tameka Yallop forcing saves from Claire Coelho in the first five minutes.
However, despite this early attacking promise, the Roar would fall behind in the 22nd minute. A long free-kick forward found the head of Tara Andrews, who played a one-two with Nicki Flannery to cut open the opposition defence and finish past Mackenzie Arnold.
Coach Goodship’s side were eager to restore parity before half time, continuing to push forward in a relentless wave of orange. The breakthrough eventually arrived in the 40th minute, with Clare Polkinghorne heading home after the Jets produced two goal-line clearances in the build-up.
The second half saw a continuation of the barrage of shots on Coelho’s goal, though the Newcastle shot-stopper was proving exceedingly tough to beat.
Similar to the first Roar goal, it took multiple efforts to get the ball into the net for the winner. Carson Pickett’s long-range strike smashed into the crossbar in the 69th minute, and substitute Hollie Palmer headed home the rebound at the first time of asking.
https://twitter.com/brisbaneroar/status/1211197863230730240
After a slow start to the season, the Roar are unbeaten in their last four games, and are now fourth place on the table.
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