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The Original Rivalry clash between Adelaide United and Melbourne Victory was the standout fixture of the round this week’s Ninja A-League action.
Elsewhere, table-toppers Melbourne City entertained Newcastle Jets as they looked to extend their lead at the top of the table.
Here’s what happened around the grounds this week.
Melbourne City 1-3 Newcastle Jets
Melbourne City missed the chance to extend their lead at the top of the table as they were stunned by Newcastle Jets.
The Jets were looking to back up a last gasp win against Sydney FC in midweek. New Zealand international Kelli Brown put the visitors ahead just after the half hour mark. Melina Ayers and Alexis Collins won the ball back on the edge of the City box. Collins was denied by Malena Mieres, but Brown was on hand to sweep home the rebound.
Holly McNamara equalised from the spot just before half-time. Tash Prior was penalised for handball leaving McNamara to thump her penalty high out the reach of Anna Leat.
Libby Copus-Brown restored Newcastle’s lead with 25 minutes left. Seizing on a poor goal-kick from Mieres and picking the pocket of Karly Roestbakken, she made no mistake from close range.
Five minutes later, Charlotte Lancaster rubber-stamped the Jets’ first ever win over City with a great strike past Mieres.
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Western Sydney Wanderers 1-1 Brisbane Roar
Bente Jansen’s late, late goal denied Western Sydney a much needed win.
Aimee Medwin forced Sham Khamis into a smart early save as Brisbane looked to cement their place in the top six.
Khamis nearly gifted Medwin an opener early in the second half with a poor clearance, but recovered well to push the shot away.
Ella Buchanan looked to have won the game for the hosts when she tapped home on the line in the 83rd minute. But Jansen’s stoppage time goal broke Wanderers’ hearts and ensured they remain rooted to the foot of the league.
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Adelaide United 2-1 Melbourne Victory
Adelaide overcame their old rivals Melbourne Victory to move above them into fourth in the league.
The Reds took the lead in fine style through Fiona Worts. The Englishwoman had space to turn inside the penalty box and unleashed a curling effort past Courtney Newbon.
Kennedy White equalised on the stroke of halftime. Ilona Melegh palmed White’s initial effort away, but the American reacted quickest to tuck home the rebound.
An olimpico from Paige Zois ten minutes into the second half proved to be the difference for an Adelaide side that are starting to hit form.
That’s now four unbeaten for Theo Tsiounis’s side.
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Canberra United 0-2 Wellington Phoenix
Canberra squandered a great chance to reclaim top spot as two late goals from Wellington proved their undoing.
The hosts had the better of the chances in the first half. Michelle Heyman should’ve put Canberra ahead before the break, but could only head wide.
Canberra were reduced to ten players in first half stoppage time. Tegan Bertolissio was shown a second yellow for two bruising challenges on Makala Woods.
The Nix eventually made their advantage count with five minutes left. Brooke Nunn crossed in and Zoe Benson beat Sally James to the ball to score at the front post.
Pia Vlok made sure of the points with the last kick of the game. Her long range effort looped over James from 20 yards out to ensure a very happy trip back across the Tasman.
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Central Coast Mariners 1-1 Perth Glory
The Mariners and Glory split the points in Gosford.
Annalise Rasmussen was denied by Teresa Morrisey early on who was quick off her line to smother the shot.
Central Coast knew a win would take them top and looked the most likely to open the scoring, but Morrisey was in fine form to keep them at bay.
It was the Glory who broke the deadlock thanks to Susan Phonsongkham’s stunning volley when the hosts couldn’t deal with Brontë Trew’s cross.
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With half an hour left, Peta Trimis hit a second olimpico of the weekend to bring the Mariners level.
Rasmussen missed a golden opportunity to snatch all three points, but she skied the ball over from six yards out. All of that means just five points separate first from ninth.
