Melbourne City FC had a welcome return to form and picked up the three points at Kingston Heath on Sunday afternoon, defeating Newcastle 1-0 thanks to a first half goal from Chinatsu Kira.
First goal feels 🥰#CmonCity pic.twitter.com/l71jpqpD36
— Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) March 14, 2021
Starting XI
Rado Vidosic made just one change to the starting line-up that took to the pitch against Western Sydney on Thursday.
Rhali Dobson returned to the XI in place of Hollie Palmer who missed due to sickness.
The line-up for this afternoon's match against Newcastle is in!
Just the one change from Thursday with Rhali Dobson coming into the XI to replace Hollie Palmer who is sick.#CmonCity #MCYvNEW #WLeague pic.twitter.com/RuHKv1ZPXM
— Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) March 14, 2021
What happened?
City started strongly, controlling the early possession as it settled into the game nicely.
Chinatsu Kira was at the forefront of all of City’s attacking moves early, and put the Jets defence under pressure right from the first whistle.
She found the head of Jenna McCormick from a corner in the sixth minute, the central defender rising high but seeing her header go the wrong side of the post.
Newcastle put the ball into the back of the net minutes later but the assistant quickly raised her flag, ruling the move offside.
Both sides traded spells of possession with no real genuine scoring chances coming until the 41st minute.
Tori Tumeth caused plenty of problems down the right-hand side and she played a well-placed ball for Kira who just couldn’t get on the end of it.
The duo combined once again just a minute later but this time Kira was able to get onto it and finish expertly from a tight angle to give the home side the lead.
A debut @WLeague goal for Kira! 👏👏#CmonCity #MCYvWSW #WLeague pic.twitter.com/tmaWjEZEBN
— Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) March 14, 2021
City continued it’s work early in the second half with Kira once testing Jets keeper Claire Coelho from close range.
The lead was almost doubled by the home team in the 54th minute, with Tyla-Jay Vlajnic going on a strong run down the left before shooting. Her shot was kept out by Coelho, the rebound falling to Rhali Dobson who couldn’t muster up enough power to again test the keeper.
Both sides had chances to score in the final half hour but a resolute defensive performance from City saw it grind out the result and pick up a first home win of the season.
What’s next?
City’s W-League season has almost reached its conclusion with just two more games left to play. Both will be against Perth Glory with the first away from home on Friday 19 March before we host them the following Thursday at Frank Holohan Reserve.
