Melbourne City has continued its unbeaten start to the season with a 1-1 draw against Sydney FC in Unite Round.
The hosts opened the scoring inside the first six minutes through Mackenzie Hawkesby, before City hit back moments later as Lourdes Bosch netted her third goal of the campaign.
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TEAM NEWS
Following last week’s 2-2 draw with the Mariners at home, Head Coach Michael Matricciani named an unchanged XI for City’s Unite Round fixture with Sydney.
The only change to the squad saw City welcome back young gun Shelby McMahon, who was named on the bench for the first time this A-League Women’s season.
Starting XI: 24. Malena MIERES (GK), 8. Alexia APOSTOLAKIS, 13. Rebekah STOTT (C), 5. Taylor OTTO, 16. Karly ROESTBAKKEN, 18. Leah DAVIDSON, 14. Laura HUGHES, 10. Rhianna POLLICINA, 17. Mariana SPECKMAIER, 19. Lourdes BOSCH, 7. Kathryn HARVEY.
Substitutes: 23. Melissa BARBIERI (GK), 6. Leticia McKENNA, 12. Shelby MCMAHON, 22. Bryleeh HENRY, 27. Tyla-Jay VLAJNIC.
WHAT HAPPENED?
The final Ninja A-League Women’s fixture of Unite Round saw City take on Sydney FC in a Grand Final re-match at Jubilee Stadium.
It was the hosts who got off to a fast start as Mackenzie Hawkesby fired the Sky Blues ahead with a right-footed strike from outside the area in the sixth minute.
The entertaining start continued in Sydney, and City hit back just five minutes later through Lourdes Bosch.
Netting her third goal in four league appearances, Bosch picked up the ball from Rhianna Pollicina, before striking a dangerous effort from range and beating Bri Edwards in goal.
City shot-stopper, Malena Mieres, was kept on her toes in the first half, making two crucial saves to deny Sydney who looked to capitalise on the wind advantage.
With the scores locked at 1-1, Matricciani made one attacking change at half-time, introducing Bryleeh Henry who replaced Kathryn Harvey.
City looked eager to wrestle the early ascendency in the second period and went close to breaking the deadlock when Mariana Speckmaier’s header glanced just wide of the far post.
Leading from the back, Rebekah Stott and Alexia Apostolakis continued to push forwards on the right as Henry added a spark in attack, but City we’re unable to find the breakthrough.
A point against the reigning Champions sees City remain unbeaten to start the season with two wins and two draws.
WHAT’S NEXT?
It’s a big one up next with City hosting Western Sydney Wanderers on Saturday 30 November in our first double header of the season.
Our City Women kick-off the action at 2:15pm, before our Men return to action at 5:00pm.
