Inspired by a 38-minute Holly McNamara hat-trick, Melbourne City equalled a Club record on Wednesday evening at ctrl:cyber Pitch.
A dominant 5-1 victory over Western United extended our unbeaten streak to 18 matches, matching the longest in Club history set by our Women’s team in the 2015/16 season when they first entered the competition.
Team News
With a short turnaround between matches, Michael Matricciani made two changes to his starting XI.
One of those was enforced, as Matildas midfielder Leah Davidson was ruled out for at least the next couple of weeks due to a knee injury.
In more positive news, fellow Matilda Bryleeh Henry was named on the bench after missing several fixtures due to concussion.
Starting XI: 24. Malena MIERES (GK), 8. Alexia APOSTOLAKIS, 5. Taylor OTTO, 13. Rebekah STOTT (C), 16. Karly ROESTBAKKEN, 14. Laura HUGHES, 6. Leticia McKENNA, 10. Rhianna POLLICINA, 19. Lourdes BOSCH, 17. Mariana SPECKMAIER, 9. Holly McNAMARA.
Substitutes: 23. Melissa BARBIERI (GK), 7. Kathryn HARVEY, 12. Shelby McMAHON, 22. Bryleeh HENRY, 29. Tyla-Jay VLAJNIC.
What happened?
After struggling to break through in our last outing, City needed just three minutes to find the back of the net this time around.
Returning to the starting lineup, Rhianna Pollicina played a brilliant through ball to McNamara. While her initial effort was well saved, she made no mistake with the follow-up, calmly slotting home to give us an early lead.
In the 19th minute, Lourdes Bosch turned provider, threading a sublime pass through the heart of the Western defence to send McNamara through on goal once again. This time, perhaps caught between passing and shooting, she couldn’t quite double the advantage.
Western found an equaliser in the 26th minute through a moment of individual brilliance from Chloe Logarzo, who unleashed a stunning strike from outside the box that nestled into the bottom corner past Malena Mieres.
However, City—led by an inspired McNamara—quickly shifted into another gear.
Bosch showcased the quick footwork that became a trademark earlier in the season, fooling her defender before squaring the ball for McNamara to tap home her second of the night.
Less than two minutes later, McNamara completed her hattrick in style.
Pollicina was again the architect, threading a classy pass forward that left Western goalkeeper Chloe Lincoln in two minds—whether to rush out or retreat. McNamara took full advantage, producing a composed chip from distance to send the ball over the stranded goalkeeper and into the net.
While City’s attacking display stole the headlines, Mieres played her part late in the half with two key saves in quick succession to deny Isabel Dehakiz, ensuring we carried a 3-1 lead into the break.
McNamara made way in the 58th minute for a well-earned rest, but City showed no signs of slowing down.
Having played a key role in two of the first three goals, Pollicina got on the scoresheet herself, coolly slotting home into the bottom corner just before the hour mark to net her first goal since Round 1.
Although in an extremely rare occurrence City had less of the possession, it had no impact on the team’s dominance of general play.
Henry nearly marked her return with a goal in the 72nd minute, but Lincoln produced a good save—only for Bosch to react quickest and tuck away the rebound.
Shelby McMahon, Kathryn Harvey, and Tyla-Jay Vlajnic were introduced late on as City comfortably saw out the match, adding a crucial buffer to our position at the top of the table.
What’s next?
Another quick turnaround awaits as we travel to face Newcastle Jets away from home on Saturday night.
Following that, we return to AAMI Park for a massive doubleheader against Sydney FC on February 15. Click here to get your tickets!
