Melbourne City extended their unbeaten start to the season to 13 matches after a 1-0 win over Western Sydney on Saturday afternoon.
Making her first start of the season, Holly McNamara’s 14th minute strike proved to be the difference after she finished off some wonderful work from Mariana Speckmaier in the lead up.
City’s attention now turns to a huge top-of-the-table Melbourne Derby at the ctrl:cyber Pitch next Saturday. Don’t miss it, get your tickets now.
TEAM NEWS
Head Coach, Michael Matricciani, made one change to the starting XI with Holly McNamara replacing Rhianna Pollicina in attack – the City stars first start since returning from a long term knee injury.
A constant in the middle of the park, Laura Hughes was named to make her 100th A-League Women’s appearance.
On the bench, Emilia Murray was named for the first time in as many weeks, replacing Kathryn Harvey as an attacking option.
Starting XI: 24. Malena MIERES (GK), 8. Alexia APOSTOLAKIS, 5. Taylor OTTO, 13. Rebekah STOTT (C), 27. Tyla-Jay VLAJNIC, 14. Laura HUGHES, 18. Leah DAVIDSON, 6. Leticia McKENNA, 19. Lourdes BOSCH, 17. Mariana SPECKMAIER, 9. Holly McNAMARA.
Substitutes: 23. Melissa BARBIERI (GK), 10. Rhianna POLLICINA, 11. Emilia MURRAY, 12. Shelby McMAHON, 16. Karly ROESTBAKKEN.
WHAT HAPPENED?
After a cagey opening 10 minutes with the game opening up at both ends, City grew into the fixture, maintaining the lion’s share of possession.
On the 14th minute mark, the visitors were rewarded. A brilliant solo run from Mariana Speckmaier saw her dispossess Danika Matos before beating Wanderers captain, Amy Harrison, and putting the ball on a platter for Holly McNamara to open the scoring from close range.
City looked threatening on the right as the half progressed with McNamara and Lourdes Bosch finding space in behind the Western Sydney defence.
In A-League Women’s appearance number 100, Laura Hughes went close to doubling City’s advantage from range. The midfielder picked up the ball on the edge of the penalty area before curling her effort just over the crossbar.
Shortly after it was Hughes’ fellow defensive midfield partner, Leah Davidson, who tried her luck from range.
City captain Rebekah Stott went on one of her mazey runs, before combining with Leticia McKenna and finding Davidson. The Matildas international found herself in a pocket of space before unleashing a fierce effort that was too high to trouble Khamis.
In warm conditions, the second-half kicked off with City holding a 1-0 advantage.
Just three minutes into the second period, McNamara went inches away from securing her brace after a brilliant end-to-end build up from a goal kick.
Stott kicked things off before Mieres hit McKenna who combined with McNamara before finding Lourdes Bosch. Bosch then played through a perfectly weighted ball for McNamara, whose effort flashed just wide of the far post.
Moments later it was McKenna who went close to doubling City’s lead. Tyla-Jay Vlajnic slipped through the midfielder who forced a sharp save from Khamis on a tight angle.
City held firm throughout the second-half, with Stott and Taylor Otto leading the way in the heart of defence to ensure City secured an important three points and clean sheet on the road.
WHAT’S NEXT?
Next up, City host a huge top-of-the-table Melbourne Derby at the ctrl:cyber Pitch on Saturday 1 Feb, kick-off 5:00pm. Don’t miss it, get your tickets now.
