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The Ninja A-League returned this week as Western Sydney looked to build on an impressive point in last weekend’s Sydney Derby.
Meanwhile, Melbourne City visited Canberra hoping to make the most of their games in-hand and climb up the league. Here’s how the action unfolded.
Canberra United 2-1 Melbourne City
Canberra United hit top spot in the Ninja A-League as they stunned last season’s unbeaten Premiers Melbourne City at McKellar Park.
City squandered a golden chance to take an early lead when Holly McNamara closed down Sally James’ attempted clearance inside two minutes.
Both James and her City counterpart Melena Mieres were forced into smart stops to keep the scores level.
The hosts took the lead when Emma Hawkins headed home at the back post from Nanako Sasaki’s cross.
Michelle Heyman doubled the lead seven minutes later, sidefooting home Hayley Taylor-Young’s cross. McNamara converted a penalty twenty minutes from time but City were unable to prevent Canberra making it four wins in a row.
Melbourne Victory 1-0 Adelaide United
Melbourne Victory remain a point behind the leaders thanks to a narrow win over Adelaide United.
Erin Healy’s brilliant volley from the edge of the box drew an equally impressive save from Courtney Newbon with just under 30 minutes gone.
An errant pass from Newbon was latched onto by Healy five minutes before halftime. Healy drove forward before unleashing a pile-driver that was tipped over by the Victory keeper. Those missed chances took on great significance in the 50th when Rachel Lowe put Victory ahead, seeping home from the edge of the box.
Adelaide couldn’t find an equaliser and last season’s surprise package are only off the foot of the league on goal difference.
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Western Sydney Wanderers 1-2 Central Coast Mariners
Western Sydney remain rooted to the bottom below Adelaide as two first half goals condemned them to defeat against the Mariners.
Isabella Coco-Di Sipio gave the visitors the lead when she beat Wanderers keeper Shan Khamis to Lorena Baumann’s long ball to loop home.
Izzy Gomez took advantage of uncertainty in the Wanderers’ back line to rifle in a second ten minutes later.
Talia Younis’ late strike was merely a consolation for a struggling Western Sydney side.
Perth Glory 1-0 Wellington Phoenix
Perth Glory claimed a vital win in the battle of two more strugglers as they overcame Wellington Phoenix.
An entertaining contest sprung into life when Wellington’s Sabitra Bhandari curled an effort just over the bar.
The Nix — backed by a sizeable Nepalese contingent in Perth — continued to look like the most likely to open the scoring. Twice, Glory scrambled Wellington efforts off the line.
That profligacy came back to haunt Wellington when Susan Phonsongkham grabbed what turned out to be the match winner with 15 minutes left.
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Newcastle Jets 3-0 Brisbane Roar
Newcastle Jets moved into third place thanks to an impressive win over Brisbane Roar.
Melina Ayres got the scoring underway for the Jets with a neat finish on the turn with 32 minutes played. Kelli Brown later opened her Jets account from the penalty spot in first half stoppage time after she was fouled in the box.
India Breier sealed the points with 20 minutes left with a strike from distance. It’s not one Brisbane goalkeeper Chloe Lincoln will want to watch back as she spilled the ball over the line.
