Melbourne City continued its strong form to begin the A-League Women’s season with a big 5-1 win over Newcastle Jets on Saturday afternoon.
It was another fantastic day for football at Casey Fields and first half hour couldn’t have gone much better for the hosts, finding the back of the net three times.
17-year-old Caitlin Karic scored her first professional goal in the second half, while Emina Ekic also got her name on the scoresheet for the second week in a row to round off the win.
Team News
Head Coach Dario Vidosic decided to stick with an unchanged line-up following back-to-back wins to begin the season. Captain Emma Checker was once again named on the bench as she builds up her match fitness.
Starting XI: 1. Sally JAMES (GK), 8. Kaitlyn TORPEY, 3. Naomi CHINNAMA, 14. Katie BOWEN, 7. Julia GROSSO, 18. Leah DAVIDSON, 10. Rhianna POLLICINA (C), 24. Daniela GALIC, 22. Bryleeh HENRY, 13. Emina EKIC, 19. Maria Jose ROJAS.
Substitutes: 23. Melissa BARBIERI (GK), 4. Chelsea BLISSETT, 6. Leticia MCKENNA, 15. Emina EKIC, 20. Caitlin KARIC.
What happened?
Vidosic would’ve likely been very pleased with what he saw early, City bossing the possession and barely allowing the visiting Newcastle outfit to touch the ball.
This dominance would pay off quickly, as Kaitlyn Torpey looped a long range effort over Newcastle goalkeeper Georgina Worth and into the back of the net in just the eighth minute.
16-year-old midfielder Daniela Galic then went close from an almost impossible angle just moments later as City heaped the pressure on.
A crazy two minute period just before the half hour mark saw Vidosic’s side find the back of the net twice as the Jets struggled to deal with the City pressure.
Emina Ekic’s first put a corner into a dangerous area in the 27th minute which Worth attempted to punch clear, but unluckily for the visitors went into her own net.
City continued to press hard as it looked to kill the game off early and Bryleeh Henry was next to join the party.
Maria Jose Rojas hit the post and Ekic had an effort blocked in the build-up, before the ball was on a silver platter for Henry to put home from close range after a trademark lung busting run to continue her streak of scoring in every game this season.
Newcastle did enjoy a little more possession for the remainder of the first half but couldn’t make a dent in the 3-0 scoreline as City entered the break full of confidence.
After 20 or so minutes off the bench last week, Checker was this time on for the entire second half, getting some valuable minutes into her legs.
The likes of Leah Davidson and Daniela Galic continued their strong midfield shifts in the second 45, while Katie Bowen was as reliable as ever at the back.
The Jets did manage to pull a goal back in the 70th minute through Tara Andrews, but it was far from a sign of City taking its foot of the gas.
Just moments after entering the pitch as a substitute, Karic had a moment she’ll remember for the rest of her career.
Fellow substitute Leticia McKenna spotted the dangerous run and played a lovely ball from midfield into Karic’s path. Spotting Worth coming off her line, Karic didn’t bother messing around taking a touch, instead having an effort on goal with an audacious chip that was over the keeper and into the back of the net.
As was the case in the first half, one goal brought two as City made it five for the day just three minutes later.
The dangerous Ekic was brought down in the box following a powerful run, and then stepped up herself to slot the spot kick to see City run out 5-1 winners.
What’s next?
City is set for its first AAMI Park fixture of season 2022/23 next Saturday evening when it hosts Western United. The fixture will be part of a double header, with City’s Men’s squad taking on Victory in the Melbourne Derby later that night. Click here to get your tickets!
