Melbourne City FC has recorded a third-consecutive win in the Liberty A-League, securing a 4-0 Sunday afternoon victory over Perth Glory.
Holly McNamara starred with a brace, whilst Rhianna Pollicina and Hannah Wilkinson also got their names on the scoresheet.
Starting XI
A feature of Rado Vidosic’s side for the majority of the season thus far, the City head coach was again able to name an unchanged lineup to face the Glory.
What happened?
Melissa Barbieri was kept busy in the opening minutes of the game as a series of turnovers afforded Perth several early chances that required some strong hands from the veteran keeper.
An enthralling first half followed as a battle for midfield dominance played out, with both sides showing good signs at different stages.
The scoreline looked almost certain to remain level at the break as neither side was affording an inch to their opponents, but a late Rhianna Pollicina goal saw City take a lead into half-time. Hannah Wilkinson used her aerial dominance to head the ball down at the edge of the penalty area for City’s #10, with Pollicina then controlling the ball and finishing well under pressure.
The cagey midfield battle continued into the second period, with fans again seeing few chances as a result, but the game came alive in the 61st minute with big action at either end.
The City defence failed to clear a Perth corner and a chaotic scramble ensued, with the ball trapped between the competing feet of a handful of player squeezed into a tight bunch. The ball was eventually cleared long and Holly McNamara used her speed and awareness to anticipate the errant header from the Perth defender, with the young striker bearing down on goal and finishing coolly.
Leticia McKenna replaced Pollicina later in the half as City’s #10 struggled with a niggling injury, and she nearly netted a stunner off the bench in the 81st when she tried a shot from distance, with her rocket flashing narrowly over the crossbar.
The substitute midfielder would be at the centre of the next goal, however, clipping a line-breaking ball through for McNamara who was able to lob the ball over the keeper from a fair distance out to make it 3-0 in the 88th.
To put the icing on the cake, Wilkinson got in on the action in the final minute of stoppage time, capitalising on a defensive error to round the keeper and pass into an empty net to secure the 4-0 win for the visiting City.
What’s next?
The result is a big one for City against a fellow Finals contender and the team is now closing in on mathematical qualification over the final rounds of the 2021/22 season. Vidosic’s side will now look to carry the confidence and belief from their past four victories as they prepare for a blockbuster top-of-the-table clash against Sydney FC.
