Melbourne City got back to winning ways on Saturday afternoon at Casey Fields, recording a 1-0 win over the visiting Western Sydney Wanderers.
Team News
Head Coach Dario Vidosic stuck with an unchanged starting XI, with goalkeeper Sally James missing a second consecutive fixture due to a finger injury.
Starting XI: 23. Melissa BARBIERI (GK), 8. Kaitlyn TORPEY, 3. Naomi CHINNAMA, 15. Emma CHECKER (C), 14. Katie BOWEN, 7. Julia GROSSO, 16. Karly ROESTBAKKEN, 18. Leah DAVIDSON, 10. Rhianna POLLICINA, 24. Daniela GALIC, 17. Hannah WILKINSON.
Substitutes: 30. Charlotte HREHORESIN (GK), 4. Chelsea BLISSETT, 6. Leticia MCKENNA, 22. Bryleeh HENRY, 25. Darcey MALONE.
What happened?
As we’ve come to expect from Vidosic’s side, City controlled all of the possession early.
Looking dangerous from the opening whistle, it didn’t take long for the opener to come, with Hannah Wilkinson getting her name on the scoresheet for the second week in a row.
Rhianna Pollicina’s 14th minute corner found the head of Kaitlyn Torpey at the back post, who was able to nod it on to the New Zealand international, taking a couple of deflections along the way before Wilkinson headed into the back of the net from close range.
A turnover in midfield for City almost proved costly 10 minutes later, but on her 99th A-League Women appearance, Melissa Barbieri rushed out to make a big save to clear the danger and ensure City remained ahead.
City continued to see more of the ball with virtually all of the Wanderers attacks coming in transition, with Barbieri forced into a few more good saves before the half time whistle came.
The City press continued to ramp up early in the second half, the likes of Pollicina and Daniela Galic creating some quality chances but just missing the finishing touch.
Naomi Chinnama continued another solid shift in defence, looking far from out of place in a back three also comprised of internationals Emma Checker and Katie Bowen.
Western Sydney never really looked like threatening Barbieri’s goal in the second stanza, thanks mostly to some fine work from City’s defence and the likes of the hard-working Leah Davidson and Karly Roestbakken in midfield.
City was able to create a few late chances as it searched for the second goal that would kill off the game, with Wilkinson and substitute Bryleeh Henry going close.
That second goal would never come though, but there’s no doubt Vidosic would’ve been pleased with the three points as City continues to put pressure on ladder-leading Western United.
What’s next?
City will return to AAMI Park for a big double header against Adelaide United next Sunday.
City Women will be in action in the second fixture of the day at 5:40pm, following the Men’s clash which kicks off at 3pm. Click here to get your tickets!
