There were massive upsets and shock results in the A-League Women’s this week as CommBank Matildas were heavily influential throughout.
Read our review of all of the Matildas at Home action below.
Melbourne Victory 1 – 1 Wellington Phoenix
A late header to young Kiwi Manaia Elliott rescued a point for the Phoenix on Friday night, leaving Victory ruing a wasteful evening in front of goals.
Victory were the dominant side throughout the first half and were rewarded early in the second, with Alana Jančevski converting from the spot to give them the lead. However, one goal leads are always precarious. The Phoenix grew into the game and by the time Elliott’s bullet header hit the back of the net, they more than deserved their goal.
Emily Gielnik and Alex Chidiac both started and played full games for Victory.
Western Sydney Wanderers 5 – 1 Western United
The Western Sydney Wanderers secured their first win of the season in an incredible fashion, smashing title contenders Western United 5-1.
CommBank Young Matilda Sienna Saveska scored a remarkable first-half hattrick to help her team explode out of the gates and shock the Melbourne side. Cushla Rue scored before half-time to make it 4-0 at the break.
Chloe Logarzo scored a penalty to give a glimmer of hope to the visitors in the second half, but Danika Matos’ first-ever A-League Women’s goal sealed the result for the Wanderers.
Logarzo and Chloe Lincoln both started and played the full match for Western United.
Sydney FC 1 – 2 Newcastle Jets
The Newcastle Jets scored two late goals - after playing most of the game with 10 - to secure a famous victory over defending champions Sydney FC.
Sydney looked to have the upper hand when Jets goalkeeper Daniella Krzyzaniak was sent off in the 12th minute. They capitalised ten minutes later, when CommBank Young Matilda Indiana dos Santos scored a rocket, and it was going to be a tall order for the Jets to get back into the game a player down.
Despite having 26 shots, Sydney could not score a second. The Jets hung in there and could have been forgiven for celebrating a draw when Deven Jackson equalised with four minutes of regulation time remaining. However, their night was about to get even better.
The ball found Newcastle local Lauren Allan deep in stoppage time after a free kick. She made no mistake, scoring in the 95th minute to seal a momentous result.
Sydney now sits in 11th, equal bottom of the ladder with fellow Sydney side Wanderers. Tash Prior started and played the full match for the Jets.
Brisbane Roar 2 – 1 Central Coast Mariners
After a 24-hour delay due to heavy rain in Brisbane on Saturday, the Roar inflicted the Mariners first defeat of the season with a 2-1 victory.
The Roar had the upper hand throughout the match but the Mariners were a constant threat in transition. That made itself clear in the nature of the first two goals scored, with Deborah-Anne De la Harpe giving the Roar the lead in the second half before CommBank Junior Matilda Tiana Fuller equalised 15 minutes later – her second goal in her first two games in the competition.
The winner came in the 80th minute. Tameka Yallop has been in outstanding form, and this game was no different. After a cross came into the back post she somehow found a way to score from a difficult angle and win the game for her side.
The Roar end the round in second on the table, two points behind leaders Melbourne City. Yallop and Sharn Freier played the full match for the Roar, while Jessika Nash played the full match in defence for the Mariners.
Melbourne City 4 – 2 Canberra United
A brace to Michelle Heyman was not enough for Canberra United, who fell 4-2 to the league leaders Melbourne City.
Canberra struck first after a stunning assist from November’s Young Player of the Month Mary Stanic-Floody was coolly converted by Heyman. Canberra took their lead into half-time but City dominated after the break, with goals to Kathryn Harvey and Laura Hughes – as well as an own goal heavily influenced by Mariana Speckmaier – saw them take a 3-1 lead.
Heyman scored again after sharp build up play from a corner to make it 3-2 heading into stoppage time. However, City would not be denied. Holly McNamara – coming onto the pitch in the 72nd minute on her return from her third ACL injury – was played in behind Canberra’s defence. Her shot hit the post, only to be tapped home by an onrushing Leticia McKenna, but it was a typically influential return for the talented 21-year-old.
Bryleeh Henry, Laura Hughes, Leah Davidson and Karly Roestbakken all started for City, while Michelle Heyman played the full match and was a typical threat up top for Canberra.
Perth Glory 3 – 1 Adelaide United
The Glory won for the second time this season, defeating Adelaide United 3-1.
Perth took the lead early after a set piece found the head of CommBank Young Matilda Naomi Chinnama, who headed home for her first ever goal in the competition. Adelaide hit back through Chelsie Dawber but a brace to American striker Gabby Hollar – her first two goals in the league – secured the result for the home side.
Matilda McNamara started for Adelaide but was shown a red card in the 82nd minute, the referee adjudging that she had denied an obvious goal scoring opportunity after committing a foul. She will be suspended next week as a result.
