A look back at the A-League Women’s round 12 ahead of this week’s Matchday 13.
The Melbourne teams rule the top with Adelaide and Brisbane hot on their heels, though the latter has lost their last two matches. Wellington and Western United round out the top six but Central Coast and Canberra are jostling for a spot there. Sydney, Newcastle, Perth and Western Sydney continue to struggle.
Finals-chasing Western United thump Glory
Western United have thrashed strugglers Perth Glory 4-1 to charge back into finals contention.
Coach Kat Smith wanted last Friday’s 1-1 draw with Melbourne City to be a “line in the sand” that set up United’s back end of the season.
It clearly worked with United dominating from the get-go at Ironbark Fields, registering 24 shots (10 on target) to Perth’s eight (two).
An own goal from Glory’s Claudia Valletta in the 36th minute, courtesy of a mis-timed attempted clearance, gave United an early advantage.
Two minutes later, Grace Maher doubled the lead with an Olimpico – a goal direct from a corner kick – that her teammates watched nestle inside the net at the back post with glee.
This was followed by goals from Melissa Taranto and Aimee Medwin.
Western face another tight turnaround to face third-placed Adelaide United away on Saturday, while Perth host fourth-placed Brisbane on Sunday.
Sky Blues awarded victory in abandoned match
Sydney FC have secured their second win of the season after the 2-0 result of their abandoned match was allowed to stand.
A midweek game between them and Canberra United was called off after lightning strikes were recorded within 500 metres of Leichhardt Oval.
Bottom-two team Sydney were leading 2-0 in the 54th minute on January 15 when play was delayed for more than an hour. The venue had also lost power during the ferocious Sydney storm.
After reviewing submissions from both clubs, the APL on Monday determined the match would not be rescheduled and awarded the three points to the Sky Blues.
Sydney had been on a seven-game winless run and plummeted to the lower reaches of the table before their match against Canberra.
Plenty of drama for Sunday football
Manaia Elliott scored in added time to launch Wellington Phoenix to a 3-2 comeback win and consign Newcastle to more pain.
Also last Sunday, Central Coast blew their chance to move into the top six after a goalless draw with last-placed Sydney FC, and Adelaide United defeated Brisbane Roar 3-2.
The Jets looked in pole position to snap their five-game winless streak at Porirua Park after Sheridan Gallagher scored in the third and 42nd minutes in her return from suspension.
But the Phoenix flexed their muscles in the second half and slowly chipped away at the deficit.
Elliott came off the bench and began the attack with her 50th-minute goal before Annalie Longo levelled the scores nine minutes later.
It was another Elliott goal, directly from a corner kick with two minutes of added time left, that secured the three points for the hosts.
Wellington climbed to fifth on the table on goal difference, while ninth-placed Newcastle had their winless streak extended to six games.
Adelaide knocked Brisbane down to fourth and took their third spot with a dominant away performance at Perry Park.
Chelsea Dawber broke the stalemate for the Reds in the 42nd minute thanks to a classy cutback from Emily Condon.
Their lead didn’t last long, with Brisbane midfielder Alicia Woods peeling one back three minutes later.
It wasn’t until the second half when the visitors restored their lead via Erin Healey.
Dawber popped up again in the 72nd minute to settle the matter, and while a headed goal from Roar captain Tameka Yallop reduced the deficit, with only two minutes left on the clock, the hosts could not salvage a point.
At Leichhardt Oval, the Mariners should have walked away with three points but were wasteful with all of their 21 shots.
Victory over Glory, Canberra down Wanderers
Melbourne Victory are closing in on ladder leaders Melbourne City after snaring a hard-fought 1-0 win over 10-player Perth Glory in Bundoora.
Kayla Morrison’s 33rd-minute strike in Saturday’s clash at The Home of the Matildas was enough to guide Victory to the vital win, lifting them into second spot.
Victory are now just two points adrift of Melbourne City.
Glory are seven points adrift of sixth spot, and have 12 matches remaining to launch a major turnaround.
Earlier on Saturday, Canberra United also notched a 1-0 victory over Western Sydney Wanderers at their home base of McKellar Park.
The lone score was a Sham Khamis own goal, much to the chagrin of the Wanderers goalkeeper returning from suspension.
Earning a corner in the final minute before half-time, Sofia Christopherson’s header hit the left post and deflected off Khamis.
Western Sydney tried to rally, edging the hosts 12 shots to 11, but were wasteful with their opportunities.
Wanderers remain at the bottom of the league in 12th and extended their winless streak to six matches.
Matchday 13 – Schedule AEDT
Friday 24/1
Melbourne Victory v Sydney 4.50pm
Saturday 25/1
Western Sydney v Melbourne City 5pm
Adelaide United v Western United 5.30pm
Newcastle Jets v Canberra United 7.45pm
Sunday 26/1
Central Coast v Wellington 5pm
Perth Glory v Brisbane Roar 8pm
Standings
Teams Win Draw Loss Points
1. Melb City 7.5.0.26
2. Melb Victory 7.3.2.24
3. Adelaide Utd 7.1.4.22
4. Brisbane Roar 7.0.5.21
5. Wellington 6.1.5.19
6. Western Utd 5.3.4.18
7. Central Coast 4.5.3.17
8. Canberra Utd 5.3.5.17
9. Sydney FC 2.4.6.10
10. Newcastle Jets 2.4.6.10
11. Perth Glory 2.3.7.9
12. Western Sydney 1.3.8.6
With AAP
