CommBank Matildas were heavily influential in this weekend’s fixtures, ensuring that the race for the premiership will go down to the wire.
Read our Matildas at Home review below.
The weekend got underway with a fascinating distance derby. Wellington Phoenix defeated Perth Glory 3-1, their first win in Australia since Round 2 in October. Alyssa Whinham scored first for the Nix and the game would be defined by her performance, dominating the game in what has been an otherwise tough season for the talented 20-year-old.
The result means that the Phoenix remain in the hunt for the top six - only two points off - while the Glory sit one place above them, equal on points with sixth-place Newcastle Jets.
A dramatic late equaliser to American striker Maliah Morris meant that the clash between Western Sydney Wanderers and Canberra United ended 1-1. Canberra struck first, a header from Michelle Heyman after a free kick falling into the path of Nicki Flannery, who made no mistake from close distance.
However, the Wanderers had the better opportunities throughout – with more than double the total shots of Canberra – and eventually made their pressure count. Substitute Maliah Morris found herself 1v1 with Canberra’s goalkeeper Coco Majstorovic and, in the seventh minute of stoppage time, slotted her first A-League Women’s goal into the back of the net.
Sophie Harding played the full match for the Wanderers while Heyman was her usual influential self, her assist proving vital.
The Central Coast Mariners temporarily moved up to second place on the ladder with a 2-0 defeat of Brisbane Roar. Em Husband’s side has been defensively organised throughout the season and it showed in their performance. Goals to Chinese international Wurigumula and Kyah Simon on either side of the half-time break were enough to seal the result for the Mariners.
The Mariners are now firm favourites to seal a finals spot in their return to the league, seven points clear of sixth with three games to go, and only four points away from the top spot. Tameka Yallop’s Roar finds themselves four points out of the top six and must win at least two of their last three games to remain in contention for end-of-season honours. Yallop started and played 84 minutes on Saturday, while Simon played 72 minutes for the Mariners.
Sydney FC picked up a huge win on Saturday night and put the premiership in their own hands, defeating Western United 3-1. A first A-League Women’s goal to Abbey Lemon, followed by a Cortnee Vine brace, earned them a vital win and saw them finish the round in third place – two points off the top with a game in hand.
It was one of Vine’s best performances of the season and has put her side in the box seat to claim their fourth premiership in a row. Jada Whyman played the full match in goal for Sydney. Meanwhile, Chloe Logarzo was unavailable for the match and did not take the field due to a hip injury.
Melbourne City won for the first time since January with a convincing 2-0 victory over Newcastle Jets. A second-half brace to Kiwi international Hannah Wilkinson sealed the result and meant that they ended the round in second place, only one point behind Western United in first. Bryleeh Henry was particularly impressive in an unfamiliar full-back position, picking up both assists.
The final match of the round was the Pride Cup fixture between Adelaide United and Melbourne Victory. It was Victory who finished 4-1 victors thanks to a hattrick from Emily Gielnik, who has been in stunning form since returning from injury earlier in the season. Adelaide captain Isabel Hodgson got a goal back to make it 3-1 in the second half, but a Kayla Morrison header for Victory’s fourth put the result beyond doubt.
Alex Chidiac and Gielnik ran amok for Victory, making it four wins in the last five games for their side. With only three games left in the season, they will be hoping to take that form into the finals series. Elise Kellond-Knight was unavailable for this game due to injury, while Lydia Williams is still unavailable after recovering from ankle surgery.