Graphic: Michael Alesich

Round 6 confirmed Sydney FC’s plans for world domination – or NSW at the very least – while Canberra United confirmed they can score in the first half and Victory clawed back a win away against Adelaide. 

Adelaide United 0 – 1 Melbourne Victory

Written by Angela Christian-Wilkes

With Adelaide coming in off a hot performing streak, and Melbourne Victory looking to forget their 0-6 loss, this game was always going to be tightly contested. Adelaide lined up relatively unchanged and Natalie Martineau made her first start for Victory. 

Both sides seemed ready to bide their time in the afternoon heat. Victory were the first with a substantial chance – and debateably, a goal – in the 13th minute. Kyra Cooney-Cross’ corner fell to ‘keeper Sian Fryer-Mclaren – but not before bouncing off the inside of the post and potentially going into the goal. 

Adelaide had a close chance of their own at the 27th minute mark, with Gaby Garton unable to comprehensively collect a cross in while under pressure from Georgia Campagnale. Chelsie Dawber had a clear opening on goal, but sent the ball sky-high. Maria Jose Rojas had an opportunity of her own creation four minutes later, but this time Garton was there to catch it. The home side finished out an eventful but goalless half with a long range shot from Worts floating over in added time.

It was a feisty second half – a shirt tug from Rojas that saw Kayla Morrison collide into her comes to mind. The lone goalscorer, Catherine Zimmerman was able to capitalise on the free kick that eventuated after she was fouled. Angie Beard floated the ball in to the left post where Melina Ayres headed square across the goal-line for Zimmerman to finish off. 

Canberra United 3 – 0 Western Sydney Wanderers

Written by Steffen Moebus

On the morning of this match, Canberra United coach Vicki Linton spoke on the ABC Canberra Grandstand radio programme about the need for her team to score when her team dominates in the first half of games, instead of leaving the scoring until late.

For the visitors, Sarah Willacy made her Wanderers debut in goal. It was a first W-League start for Sarah Hunter, and the first WSW opening minutes for Teigan Collister, both of whom had come off the bench the previous week.

Together with a tweak in personnel (Keeley Richards debuting in goals; Kendall Fletcher as a six; Grace Maher as a ten; Hayley Taylor-Young starting; and Paige Satchell coming off the bench), Linton cannot have asked for a better response from her team. In a physical game, United went into the sheds 3-0 up at half time, with two goals to Michelle Heyman and another in which she was involved at the back post of a corner kick, but which was eventually credited as an own goal.

Nicki Flannery played a vital role in proceedings in the first half, seemingly able to get in behind the Wanderers’ defence at will. Her first such run in the opening minutes led to a corner from which Heyman turned two defenders before rifling in a left-foot shot for the opening goal.

Their combination came to the fore in the second goal just after the half-hour mark when a characteristic Flannery dart down the left channel culminated in a beautifully placed ball into the path of the long-striding Heyman, who finished with authority.

The Wanderers created chances in the first half but were unable to make the most of them, with Georgia Yeoman-Dale on the left flank in particular causing problems for the Canberra defence.

Contrary to the pattern of every other Canberra United game this season, the home side were unable to ‘turn it on’ to full effect late in the game, in a half that was more of an arm-wrestle with no satisfying outcome for either team.

The 3-0 win temporarily places Canberra United on top of the ladder, but also leaves Western Sydney in the wooden spoon position. Heyman’s brace leaves her just one goal shy of equalling Sam Kerr’s all-time W-League goalscoring record.   

 

Melbourne City 2 – 3 Brisbane Roar

Written by Marissa Lordanic

Brisbane Roar maintained their undefeated start to the season with a 3-2 win over Melbourne City at AAMI Park. In a contest studded with Matildas, it was the women in orange who left smiling. 

Those national team connections were on display early with Tameka Yallop and Emily Gielnik combining to test yet another member of the national team in Teagan Micah. In keeping with the theme it was only fitting that a Matilda opened the scoring. Clare Polkinghorne beat her defenders and headed the ball to score her 15th W-League goal. 

Eight minutes later, a handball in the box saw the Roar awarded a penalty. Gielnik stepped up and made no mistake to ensure her team entered the break with a two goal buffer.

Melbourne City started the second half off with attacking intent. Chinatsu Kira intercepted a loose pass at the back, diverting it into the path of Alex Chidiac. Her shot took a deflection and whizzed past Georgina Worth in the Brisbane goal. 

City then received a penalty shout of their own with Sam Johnson converting the spot kick. Both Micah and Worth were called on to make some pretty epic saves so it was unsurprising that the game was decided by an equally spectacular shot. 

A counter attack saw Tameka Yallop lay the ball out to Mariel Hecher who’s first time shot beat Micah and hit the inside of the far post perfectly. 

Sydney FC 2 – 0 Newcastle Jets

Written by Dale Roots

Sydney continued its winning start to the season, edging out a determined Newcastle Jets 2-0 at Cromer Park on Sunday evening.

Goals from former Jets winger Cortnee Vine and Northern Beaches local Remy Siemsen either side of half time sealed the three points for Ante Jurić’s side, becoming the first Sydney team to register four consecutive wins to start a W-League season. 

Added: Led out by Tara Andrews, who celebrated her 100th W-League appearance this week, the Jets looked to replicate the defensive intensity that helped them secure a dominant win last week against Western Sydney, pressing Sydney almost as soon as the ball crossed half-way, forcing the Sky Blues to look wide for attacking outlets.

The two teams went into the break with Sydney a goal to the good thanks to a moment of (potentially unintentional) brilliant from Vine, whose delivery from the right flank sailed over Claire Coelho in the Newcastle goal to give the Sky Blues a deserved lead.

And Sydney had a second on the hour mark as Siemsen scored her first W-League goal at her childhood home ground, latching on to a mis-hit clearance by Coelho with enough to take a touch and chip just over the retreating keeper before wheeling away with relief.

Newcastle continued to press Sydney’s defence in the closing stages, with substitute Jemma House breaking through the Sky Blue backline, forcing a brilliant diving smother from keeper Jada Whyman, sending House tumbling through the air from the force of the collision.

Round 7 details

All times are AEDT. 

  • Melbourne City v Sydney FC at AAMI Park (behind closed doors) – Thursday February 4, 7:05pm.
  • Western Sydney Wanderers v Adelaide United at Marconi Stadium – Sunday February 7, 4:05pm. 
  • Sydney FC v Canberra United at Jubilee Stadium – Monday February 8, 4:35pm.

Download our shareable W-League calendar. 

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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