Melbourne City took another massive step toward claiming back-to-back A-League Women’s Premierships with an emphatic 4-1 victory over Newcastle Jets on Friday night at AAMI Park.
In a chaotic first half, Holly McNamara scored twice while Newcastle were reduced to nine players before the break.
Despite a second-half goal to the visitors, City responded instantly with Rhianna Pollicina and Bryleeh Henry both getting on the scoresheet to round out a dominant win.
Team News
Head Coach Michael Matricciani made just one enforced change to his starting lineup following the ankle injury to Mariana Speckmaier. Bryleeh Henry returned to the XI, while Emilia Murray was added to the bench.
Starting XI: 24. Malena MIERES (GK), 8. Alexia APOSTOLAKIS, 13. Rebekah STOTT (C), 5. Taylor OTTO, 16. Karly ROESTBAKKEN, 14. Laura HUGHES, 18. Leah DAVIDSON, 6. Leticia McKENNA, 22. Bryleeh HENRY, 19. Lourdes BOSCH, 9. Holly McNAMARA.
Substitutes: 23. Melissa BARBIERI (GK), 10. Rhianna POLLICINA, 11. Emilia MURRAY, 12. Shelby McMAHON, 27. Tyla-Jay VLAJNIC.
What happened?
City was in complete control from the outset and made our dominance count in the 20th minute. After a turnover forced by Leticia McKenna, Holly McNamara charged into the box and tucked home a calm finish to open the scoring.
Newcastle’s challenge became even tougher just seven minutes later when Sheridan Gallagher received a second yellow card, reducing the visitors to ten players.
McNamara made them pay again in the 33rd minute, rising highest to nod home McKenna’s pinpoint cross from the left for her second of the evening.
Just before the break, the Jets’ night went from bad to worse when Lorena Baumann was shown a straight red for an off-the-ball incident with Karly Roestbakken, leaving the visitors down to nine.
City remained on the front foot after half-time, and despite a surprise 66th-minute goal to the Jets from a scrappy set-piece, the response was swift.
Within two minutes, substitute Rhianna Pollicina found space on the edge of the box and curled a perfect finish into the bottom corner to restore City’s two-goal buffer.
She was back at it again in the 71st minute, combining beautifully with Bryleeh Henry before finishing her second of the night to make it 4-1.
Much to the delight of the City faithful, veteran goalkeeper Melissa Barbieri was brought on in the closing stages as City cruised to a professional and vital win in the race for the Premiership.
What’s next?
Just one hurdle remains as City looks to complete an undefeated regular season for only the second time in Club history—and the first time in a full home and away campaign.
We’ll travel to Perth next weekend, aiming to lift the Premiers Plate for a second consecutive year.
