Cortnee Vine scored the winner for Sydney FC in an action-packed weekend of fixtures as part of the A-League's inaugural Unite Round, while Tameka Yallop made her 150th appearance in the A-Leagues.
Read our review of the action below.
Melbourne Victory and Perth Glory played out a 1-1 stalemate in the first match of the weekend. Victory took the lead through a first-half Rachel Lowe goal, but a Hana Lowry corner in the second half created enough indecision for Jamilla Rankin to head it over her goalkeeper and into her own net for the equaliser.
Elise Kellond-Knight and Alex Chidiac both started the match in midfield for Victory. Emily Gielnik made her long-anticipated return from injury from the bench in the 74th minute and will be hoping to be back starting in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, Lydia Williams was ruled out after picking up a minor ankle knock last week and was replaced in goals by Courtney Newbon.
The Central Coast Mariners came from behind on Friday evening to defeat Wellington Phoenix 2-1. Wellington was on top after a third-minute Emma Main goal, but goals to Rola Badawiya and 17-year-old Young Matilda Peta Trimis were enough to secure the three points for the Mariners. That win leaves them sitting in ninth - but only two points away from the top six, and only four points away from third.
Kyah Simon is still unavailable for the Mariners.
Canberra United defeated Adelaide United 3-1 on a historic occasion, as former Matilda Michelle Heyman became the first player to score 100 goals in the A-League Women. Adelaide took the lead through Isabel Hodgson, before a quickfire brace to Heyman – the first of which was the historic hundred – turned the game on its head. The result was sealed with a Vesna Milivojevic stunner that put her back on top of the Golden Boot race.
The Newcastle Jets overcame Tameka Yallop’s Brisbane Roar 2-1 in an arm wrestle that was defined by a 60th-minute red card to the Roar’s Holly McQueen. The game was scoreless until Sarina Bolden made it six goals in seven games to give Newcastle the lead only minutes after McQueen was sent off due to a denial of an obvious goalscoring opportunity.
A goal to American striker Mia Corbin gave the Roar hope, but a Yallop own goal in the 77th minute would prove to be the winner for the Jets. The game marked a historic one for Yallop, making her 150th appearance in the A-Leagues.
The Western Sydney Wanderers upset league leaders Melbourne City 1-0 thanks to a second-half Holly Caspers goal. City had an opportunity to take the lead through a penalty but Rhianna Pollicina, usually one of the best in the league from the spot, shot wide. Caspers capitalised on a defensive mistake only minutes later, and her goal was enough to give the Wanderers an unexpected three points and see them establish themselves fourth on the ladder.
Tweet: https://twitter.com/aleaguewomen/status/1746435337155678304
Finally, Sydney FC overcame Western United 1-0 in the rematch of last season’s final. Western had the upper hand in the first half but was unable to find a way past Jada Whyman in Sydney’s goal. In the end, it was Cortnee Vine – returning from injury as a second-half substitute – who made the difference, scoring after a delightful assist from Princess Ibini. Her goal proved the difference as Sydney FC were able to see out the game and continue to prove the defensive acumen that has underpinned title successes in recent years.
Chloe Logarzo played the full match for Western United – playing as the centre-forward in Hannah Keane’s absence from the starting lineup - but could not continue her recent goalscoring form.
