Graphic: Michael Alesich

Round 3 saw Perth debut, Melbourne Victory make an impression and Brisbane Roar fall prey to another draw. Keep reading to find out more!

Game of the round: Melbourne City 0 – 6 Melbourne Victory

Written by Angela Christian-Wilkes

With the game moved last minute from City’s new Dandenong home thanks to…. magpies (?), Melbourne W-League fans were treated to another sweaty CB Smith afternoon.

Despite the heat, the car park was full, the turn-out was impressive and two of the away team’s supporters’ groups set themselves up at either end of the pitch.

While Victory were the guests, they played like they had the home ground advantage (perhaps helped by CB Smith being their home ground for last week’s draw against Brisbane. It’s been a weird season.)

City were the first to kick of the derby drama in the 3rd minute, with Kayla Morrison’s slide tackle on Harriet Withers not collecting the ball or the striker. Luckily for ‘keeper Gaby Garton, Withers’ shot drifted wide of the left post.

However Victory quickly stuck out as the more dominant side. Annalie Longo opened the account in the 15th minute, not wasting the clever through ball from Lisa de Vanna. Half an hour later, Melina Ayres doubled the lead, mopping up Angie Beard’s deflection off Teagan Micah. This left it 0-2 at the break.

City once again had the first chance on goal, as Jenna Mccormick headed the ball towards goal on the end of Chinatsu’s free kick.

However, despite their best attempts to bring on fresh legs – including recently returned Alex Chidiac – City visibly drooped. Victory often linked up with ease and then surged forward, burning the defensive line for pace.

No moment was more indicative of this than Lisa De Vanna‘s goal in the 72nd. She turned McCormick, lost Tori Tumeth as she streaked the entire half and sliced the ball past Micah.

 

Amy Jackson finished with aplomb eight minutes later, before Zimmerman scored her debut goal in the last minute of regular time, tearing away to the far post to meet MelindaJ Barbieri’s assist. For one smug B90 contributor, our preview predictions already seem to be paying off, with Kyra Cooney-Cross putting in a huge performance and putting the cherry on top in the 90+2nd minute.

The result was a historical event for a number of reasons. The scoreline was a nod in itself to the expertise of Jeff Hopkins and his 100 games coaching in the league. Rhali Dobson, who was subbed on in the , also celebrated her 100th game, while Natalie Martineau made her first W-League appearance. 


0-6 was the most comprehensive goal margin seen in a Melbourne derby, followed by City’s 4-0 win last season. All of the goal scorers bar Zimmerman have scored for Victory before, showing that Hopkins is not re-inventing the wheel but just re-configuring it in exciting ways.

City will be given their opportunity for redemption and Victory will be given their chance to prove that their firey performance wasn’t a fluke next Sunday at Epping.

Brisbane Roar 1 – 1 Canberra United

Written by Nick Amies

Canberra United continued their penchant for scoring goals in the second half, coming from behind to secure a 1-all draw against Brisbane Roar at Dolphin Stadium.

Having failed to find the net from over 40 shots in their opening two matches, the Roar were able to take the lead inside three minutes as Katrina Gorry curled one past Sally James from just outside the box.

United withstood the early pressure though, working their way into the match with some fine passing moves and some dangerous chances for the likes of Michelle Heyman and Nickoletta Flannery.

Emily Gielnik was eager to impress in her 100th W-League appearance, but unfortunately it wasn’t her night in front of goal, striking the crossbar and hitting the side netting from two good chances in the second half as Brisbane looked to double their advantage.

The home side would be punished for their profligacy in the 78th minute, as Grace Maher turned on the style to score the equaliser.

Receiving the ball inside the centre circle, Maher spotted Roar ‘keeper Georgina Worth off her line and duly delivered a spectacular finish.

Both sides remain unbeaten this season, though the Roar will have wanted more than three draws to show for their efforts.

Newcastle Jets 1 – 2 Sydney FC

Written by Daniel Hanney 

McDonald Jones Stadium welcomed the Newcastle United Jets for their first home game of a new era as they took on Sydney FC on Friday afternoon.

Sydney FC started the game brightly with a flurry of chances as they dominated the first half hour but just couldn’t covert and the home side made them pay on 41 minutes through a familiar foe in Newcastle’s leading scorer, Tara Andrews.

After a Gema Simon free kick wasn’t quite dealt with efficiently, the ball was recycled into the box Andrews was in the right place as a flick on from Sophie Harding and place it into the bottom corner.

Sydney FC were back on level terms just one minute after half-time with a left foot stunner from Taylor Ray who curled one past a diving Claire Coelho into the bottom corner.

Both sides held firm until the 70th minute when substitute Rachel Lowe finished off a lovely team passing move with a first-time dink into the top corner, upstaging Ray in the process with what would prove to be the winner.

Trailing 2-1 in the 90th minute, the Jets were given a set piece opportunity on the edge of the box. Standing over the ball were Tara Andrews and Gema Simon as the crowd of 1,918 roared in anticipation of a last gasp equaliser. Andrews right footed strike flew inches over the bar and the oh so familiar scoreline remained for the 2nd match of the season.

Sydney FC go two from two as they prepare for a blockbuster Sydney derby next Saturday night. The Jets are back at home next week against Brisbane Roar at McDonald Jones Stadium and despite their back to back losses, will be encouraged by their opening showings going forward.

Adelaide United 1 – 0 Perth Glory

Written by Neil Bennett

An Emily Condon penalty late in the game was enough to earn Adelaide United the three points against Perth Glory at Marden Park in sweltering conditions.

Glory’s new coach Alex Epakis had no less than seven players debutants in his squad, and one of those, Gemma Craine, nearly opened the scoring when her shot struck the post inside the first two minutes.

Glory were the livelier of the two teams early on and had another opportunity in the 8th minute when Marianna Tabain fired wide.

The home team slowly got into their stride and it took a superb save from Kiwi goalkeeper Lily Alfeld in the 21st minute to deny Emily Condon.

Glory responded with another Craine effort which needed a smart save from Sian Fryer-McLaren.

In the second half Adelaide took a firm grip of the game, with Condon and Maria Jose Rojas creating major headaches for the Glory defence.

The Reds should have gone ahead in the 53rd minute when a long-range Dylan Holmes shot crashed off the bar and only some desperate defending prevented American import Mallory Weber putting the rebound home.

Rojas was tormenting the defence with her clever dribbling, and in the 80th minute she went down under a challenge from Glory skipper Natasha Rigby. Referee Georgia Ghirardello had no hesitation in pointing to the spot, and Condon despatched the spot kick to give Adelaide the lead.

That was the end of the action, and Adelaide certainly deserved the three points on the strength of their second half display. For Glory there were some bright moments, but Epakis will have to work hard to try and turn the result around when the two teams meet again in Perth on Thursday.

Round 4 details

All times are AEDT. 

  • Perth Glory vs Adelaide United at Dorrien Gardens – Thursday, January, 14, 8:05pm
  • Sydney FC vs Western Sydney Wanderers FC at Stadium Australia – Saturday, January 16, 7:40pm
  • Melbourne Victory vs Melbourne City at Epping Stadium – Sunday, January 17, 4:05pm
  • Newcastle Jets vs Brisbane Roar at McDonald Jones Stadium – Sunday, January 17, 6:35pm. 

Download our shareable W-League calendar. 

Graphic: Michael Alesich
ANGELA CHRISTIAN-WILKES
ANGELA CHRISTIAN-WILKES
Melbourne based, Canberra bred, Angela began reporting on women's football in 2015. She went on to write her honours thesis on footballers' personal branding on social media and is currently involved in community club governance.
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