The second part of the split A-League Women’s fifth round is here, with four matches all taking place on Sunday after the international window.
Last weekend saw Melbourne City’s red-hot start to the season continue with a dominant 2-0 win over Western Sydney, while Central Coast stunned Canberra United.
The Wanderers suffered their fourth loss of the season after City’s Mariana Speckmaier struck true in the 45th minute, before Alexia Apostolakis added another at AAMI Park in wet conditions.
Later on Saturday, Central Coast claimed a come-from-behind 2-1 win over a Canberra United side missing star striker Michelle Heyman.
Western Sydney (no wins, one draw, four losses) are the only team yet to secure a win, while City go to the top of the table with a two-point buffer against the pack.
Apostolakis put the nail in the coffin when her 94th-minute free kick from outside the box deflected off the Wanderers wall and past the goalkeeper.
Over Industree Group Stadium, Maja Markovski nailed a long-range shot to put Canberra ahead in the 38th minute, before Central Coast debutant Tiana Fuller drew scores level at 63 minutes.
Shay Evans then popped up five minutes later for the match-winner.
The win lifted Central Coast to third, while Canberra dropped one spot to fifth.
Now onto the remaining eight teams.
Wellington Phoenix v Brisbane Roar
Wellington will be back on home soil after a week off, looking to build momentum following their first win of the season against Adelaide in Unite Round.
After starting their home-and-away campaign with three-straight defeats, the ‘Nix dominated a lacklustre Reds side to finally earn their first bag of three points at Jubilee Stadium.
But next up they face a formidable side in the high-flying Brisbane Roar.
Following an opening-round loss, Alex Smith’s side have not looked back, winning three straight games to find themselves atop the pack.
It is their defence that has shaped them nicely, Chelsea Blissett has starred and the solid backline have only conceding three goals so far.
But that isn’t all, they have stars everywhere with midfielders Alicia Woods and Momo Hayashi and Matildas forward Tameka Yallop all joining Blissett in Player of the Month contention.
Western United v Sydney FC
Both these sides are under pressure with just one win each this season.
Western United have not won since Round 1 when they beat the Phoenix 4-2, since then, it’s been two draws and a thumping 4-1 loss to Melbourne Victory.
The club has made the finals in it’s first two seasons and could find themselves back in the top six if they beat the Sky Blues this weekend.
Sydney on the other hand are in some decent form recently. The reigning champions started the season with two losses but have since notched up a win and drew with Melbourne City.
They’ll be hurting with the season-ending injury of Hana Lowry however, who received her first Matildas call-up but got hurt in the Unite Round.
Adelaide United v Newcastle Jets
Adelaide will be looking to make up for their slip up against the lowly Wellington in Unite Round that saw them drop out of the top four.
It was a lacklustre performance by the Reds who failed to register a single shot on target.
Newcastle (seventh) would jump Adelaide (sixth) on the table if they are to cause a boilover.
The Jets have lost just once this season and have taken four points from a possible six in their last two games.
But a difficult decision sits with coach Ryan Campbell on who starts as goalkeeper.
Regular No.1 goalkeeper Danielle Krzyzaniak is available to play after a suspension in Round 2 but Tiahna Robertson kept a clean sheet in Round 3.
But it will be a challenge for either keeper as in-form Adelaide forward Fiona Worts looms.
Perth Glory v Melbourne Victory
Perth Glory host Melbourne Victory in the very first A-League women’s game hosted at the newly-developed Sam Kerr Football Centre.
Both sides are coming off a 1-1 draw in Unite Round.
Perth walked away with one point after they failed to back up co-captain Isobel Dalton’s opening goal in the 41st minute against Canberra.
Canberra then pounced, with Mary Stanic-Floody equalising in the second half to deny Perth the victory and put a damper on goalkeeper Casey Dumont’s debut.
She will look to make appearance number two for Perth against her former side Victory, who are in good form.
Victory sit in the top four with one loss, but still walked away with a point last time they played.
Captain Kayla Morrison equalised with a header in the final minutes of regulation time in the clash with the Mariners.
But this week they are likely missing Golden Boot leader Emily Gielnik, who is on Matildas duty.
Matchday 5 (second week) – Schedule AEDT
Sunday 8/12
Wellington v Brisbane 2pm
Western United v Sydney 5pm
Adelaide United v Newcastle 5.30pm
Perth Glory v Melbourne Victory 8pm
Standings
Teams Win Draw Loss Points
1. Melb City 3.2.0.11
2. Brisbane Roar 3.0.1.9
3. Central Coast 2.3.0.9
4. Melb Victory 2.1.1.7
5. Canberra United 2.1.2.7
6. Adelaide United 2.0.2.6
7. Newcastle Jets 1.2.1.5
8. Western United 1.2.1.5
9. Sydney 1.1.2.4
10. Perth Glory 1.1.2.4
11. Wellington 1.0.3.3
12. Western Sydney 0.1.4.1
With AAP
