Melbourne City overcame yet another half-time deficit to secure another three points and remain top of the Ninja A-League table at home against Wellington on Saturday.
We went into the break behind on the scoreboard after a mixup at the back, but a rapid two-minute burst with little over 20 minutes to go proved to be the difference as Laura Hughes scored the eventual winner.
Team News
Michael Matricciani elected to make two changes to the XI that put in an impressive performance away to Adelaide just over a week ago.
Malena Mieres returned to the lineup as did Bryleeh Henry, with Melissa Barbieri and Mariana Speckmaier dropping to the bench.
Starting XI: 24. Malena MIERES (GK), 8. Alexia APOSTOLAKIS, 13. Rebekah STOTT (C), 5. Taylor OTTO, 27. Tyla-Jay VLAJNIC, 18. Leah DAVIDSON, 14. Laura HUGHES, 6. Leticia McKENNA, 22. Bryleeh HENRY, 19. Lourdes BOSCH, 7. Kathryn HARVEY.
Substitutes: 23. Melissa BARBIERI, 9. Holly McNAMARA, 10. Rhianna POLLICINA, 16. Karly ROESTBAKKEN, 17. Mariana SPECKMAIER.
What happened?
It was a mostly uneventful first half with neither team looking too threatening in the final third.
We controlled all of the possession with 71% of the ball across the first 45 minutes but despite this, a mixup at the back gifted Wellington the lead in the 37th minute.
Tyla-Jay Vlajnic was our most threatening player across the first half, looking dangerous both in deadball scenarios and in general play.
The second 45 continued along in a similar theme to the first, with clearcut chances few and far between across the early stages of the second half.
A trio of substitutes not long before the hour mark was the catalyst for a big change in the way things were going, Matricciani turning to the quality of Holly McNamara, Rhianna Pollicina and Mariana Speckmaier.
The match was turned on its head not long later as a hectic two-minute period saw us go from trailing to leading in the blink of an eye.
Vlajnic continued to be dangerous down the left-hand side and whipped a cross into the box which was turned into the back of the net by Phoenix defender Alivia Kelly in the 67th minute.
Before we’d even caught our breath, we had the lead. It was Alexia Apostolakis providing a pinpoint assist, picking out Hughes in the box who took the chance perfectly and headed home a great finish.
Mieres was tested from long range in the 84th minute but pulled off a great fingertip save, ensuring we’d walk away with all three points and maintain our undefeated record.
What’s next?
Our City Women are in action one last time in 2024, travelling to the Central Coast in just a few days to face the Mariners on New Year’s Eve.
