It was a weekend full of goals for CommBank Matildas as the top six began to take shape.
Read our preview of all of the Matildas at Home action below.
Brisbane Roar defeated Adelaide United 2-1 on Saturday. Deborah-Anne De La Harpe scored first, a lovely solo effort to give the visitors the lead, with Yallop claiming the assist for the opener. Her goal was cancelled out by an equalizer from Chelsie Dawber before Tameka Yallop struck the winner, bursting in behind the defence to slot it past goalkeeper Claudia Jenkins in a 1v1 situation. Yallop played 91 minutes before being withdrawn in stoppage time.
Despite the win, results elsewhere meant that the Roar’s finals hopes are now over – they will be unable to overturn the seven-point deficit with two goals remaining. Adelaide is similarly playing for pride and to avoid the wooden spoon. They have three games to try to stay off the foot of the ladder.
The Western Sydney Wanderers secured a crucial win to keep a three-point buffer in sixth, overcoming Perth Glory 1-0. It was an even game that was separated only by a Sophie Harding stunner – her tenth goal of the season. Harding played the full game as a striker.
Sophie Harding with a contender for Goal of the Season! 🤯🔥
The touch 🤤 The finish 💥 Incredible from the @WSWanderWomen striker!
Tune in on 10 Play 📺#WSWvPER #ALW pic.twitter.com/nazJKraO8a— Liberty A-League (@aleaguewomen) March 16, 2024
The result means that the Wanderers are favourites to cling onto a title place but will have to secure four points from their final two games to make sure of it. The Glory, meanwhile, are eliminated from title contention – a bitterly disappointing result after their promising start to the season.
A brace to Cortnee Vine helped Sydney FC to a 4-2 victory over the Wellington Phoenix. Sydney raced to a three-goal lead thanks to Vine’s double and an own goal against Tiana Jaber. The Phoenix hit back – two goals in less than ten minutes to Isabel Cox and Mariana Speckmaier brought the deficit down to one. However, a goal to American defender Jordan Thompson made it four for the visitors and secured the victory.
Vine played the full match-up top and looked as dangerous as she has all season in that position. Jada Whyman was in goals for Sydney.
The result leaves the Phoenix’s finals hopes clinging on by a thread – they will have to win all of their games and hope the Wanderers fail to pick up another point. The Sky Blues meanwhile are now on top of the table by a point and with a game in hand are favourites to secure a fourth straight Premier’s Plate.
A much anticipated Melbourne Derby ended in a scoreless draw between Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City. City had the slightly better running of the play but were not able to capitalise on their opportunities. Alex Chidiac and Emily Gielnik played the full match for Victory, while Lydia Williams and Elise Kellond-Knight were unavailable due to injury.
The draw leaves City securing a top-six place, while Victory is very close to doing the same. Both are still in with a shout for the premier’s plate but will have to rely on results going their way to challenge for the silverware.
The Central Coast Mariners stamped their place in the finals on their return to the league with a 4-1 victory over Canberra United. All four goals were scored in the first half, with Chinese international Wurigumula scoring in the fourth minute and American Rola Badawiya netting twice. Kyah Simon scored a penalty and picked up an assist on the Mariners' opener as she played 75 minutes.
KYAH SIMON'S GOAL SCORING RUN CONTINUES!!@CCMariners lead @CanberraUnited 3-Nil in Gosford!
Watch #CCMvCBR, live and free on 10 Play!
📺💻📱: https://t.co/Wb1quLngXs pic.twitter.com/sdtpsDEhKZ— 10 Football (@10FootballAU) March 17, 2024
Michelle Heyman started the match for Canberra but was withdrawn at half-time. Canberra will need points from their last three games to ensure that they can leapfrog Adelaide and avoid finishing bottom.
The Newcastle Jets spoiled Western United’s Tarneit homecoming with a 3-1 victory. Goals to Libby Copus-Brown, Lauren Allan and Sarina Bolden lifted the Jets over the home side and kept sixth within touching distance. Western had more possession and opportunities but the Jets were clinical and walked away with a well-deserved three points.
The loss allowed Sydney FC to overtake them in first after Sydney’s win in Wellington earlier in the day. They are still well and truly in the premiership conversation, however, and have also secured a finals place. Chloe Logarzo was unavailable for Western United due to injury.