Another big weekend of action in the Liberty A-League has come to pass, with plenty to digest from Round 7. Here are some of the major talking points.
Five and Zero: Western United roll on
The streak continues.
Western United’s incredible start to life in the Liberty A-League continued on Sunday evening, coming from behind – not once, but twice – to secure a thrilling 3-2 win over Perth Glory.
MATCH REPORT: IT’S UNBELIEVABLE’: WESTERN’S RESPONSE TO THEIR FLAWLESS LIBERTY A-LEAGUE SEASON
Again, Matildas midfielder Chloe Logarzo came from the bench to hit the score-board, making it three goals in five games since joining Western – while American striker Hannah Keane added another goal to her superb start to life down under.
A lot can be pinned to the never-say-die attitude of Mark Torcaso’s side at Macedonia Park, but really, when you look at the numbers – particularly the expected goals (xG) – it was three points well deserved.
Western tallied a whopping, season-high of any team in a single game 4.13 xG on Sunday afternoon – showcasing that really, they could have won by even more had it not been for some incredible saves from Glory keeper Sarah Langman.
But most importantly, it’s another three points in the bag for Western – who are still yet to drop a single point from their opening five games and incredibly, haven’t played a home game since Round 1.
And with a return to City Vista Reserve for the first time since Round 1 looming against Wellington on the weekend, the streak could very well continue for yet another round.
Jets finally have some lift-off defensively
Talk about a much-needed three points.
MATCH REPORT: JETS CAUSE BOILOVER WITH SHOCK WIN OVER ADELAIDE TO CLOSE OUT 2022 WITH VICTORY
After three straight defeats – which included a 5-1 and 5-2 thrashing – and being without star American duo Murphy Agnew and Sarah Griffith, Newcastle Jets got back to winning ways with an all-important 2-0 win over Adelaide United on their home deck.
Newcastle weathered Adelaide’s storm and held firm defensively, keeping their first clean sheet of the season and were prolific on the counter with Lauren Allen’s double proving to be the difference.
But the most important factor was the defensive solidity, as the Jets came into the contest with the league’s most porous back-line (18 goals conceded) and sorely needed a stronger defensive performance after weeks of shipping goals by the truck-load.
On top of that, it was their first win in Newcastle in 386 days.
Conversely, it was another wasteful performance for Adelaide, who continue to largely under-perform their xG (five goals with an xG of 9.24 this season).
Despite only conceding four goals all season and sitting only goal-difference outside the top four, Adelaide have struggled to hit the net all season – with Julie Dolan medallist and reigning Golden Boot winner Fiona Worts still yet to fire along with off-season signing Xiao Yuyi.
Victory weather injury storm
Melbourne Victory’s strength in the depth came to the fore on Saturday afternoon, weathering a mini injury crisis to come away with all three points against Canberra United.
Alex Chidiac’s goal along with some masterful goalkeeping from Casey Dumont proved to be the difference, but heading into the contest Victory were forced into a bit of a re-shuffle in order to counter-act a number of key absentees.
Star striker Melina Ayres (hamstring) and Matildas midfielder Elise Kellond-Knight (illness) were last minute withdrawals – missing out on the contest despite being named in the pre-game squad on Thursday.
While defensive duo Claudia Bunge (ankle) and Gema Simon (calf) also missed – meaning coach Jeff Hopkins was forced into as many as four changes to his side that beat Newcastle Jets 5-2 in their last time out.
On top of that, back-up goalkeeper Miranda Templeman had a spinal injury scare in the lead-up to the contest, meaning Victory had to re-sign goalkeeper assistant coach Melissa Maizels on an injury replacement deal.
Beattie Goad was shuffled into right-back to cover for Simon, while Jessika Nash shifted centrally to partner Kayla Morrison in the heart of defence and Natalie Tathem came in at right-back.
The back-four managed to keep a clean-sheet, but not without the brilliance of Dumont behind them – who won the praises of many for her unbelievable performance to keep Canberra at bay.
Further up the pitch, Tiffany Eliadis slotted in alongside Alana Murphy in midfield, while Paige Zois was handed her first start of the season and new signing Rikke Madsen led the line in Ayres’ absence.
Zois, particularly stood out, taking her opportunity in the XI with aplomb – capping it off with an inch-perfect pass to Chidiac for the winner.
Thankfully, Hopkins is set to regain Kellond-Knight and potentially Bunge, Ayres and Templeman for the clash with Perth on Friday – but Simon will miss.
Green shoots for the bottom two?
Wellington Phoenix and Western Sydney Wanderers have lift-off.
REACTION: ‘MORE POINTS WILL COME’: WELLINGTON BUOYED BY WANDERERS DRAW
The league’s two bottom sides played out a 1-1 draw in Wellington on Monday afternoon, with neither side able to shoot ahead and secure an elusive first win of the campaign.
Michaela Robertson opened the scoring for the home side, before Sheridan Gallagher pulled one back to ensure the spoils would be shared at the ‘cake-tin’.
But with the drought now over, what sort of positives can either side take out of the contest going forward as they look to use this as a springboard heading into 2023?
Wellington coach Nat Lawrence felt as if her side deserved more from the contest – creating 11 shots to the Wanderers’ ten – but was confident the draw would lead to more positive results in the games to follow.
“We thought we did enough to win… we had more shots. We had more crosses. We had more entries into the penalty box,” Lawrence said.
“I’m more happy that we didn’t lose… more points will come.”
READ: THE ISSUE FACING PHOENIX & NEW ZEALAND AHEAD OF WOMEN’S WORLD CUP: ‘IT’S LIKE A 3D JIGSAW PUZZLE’
Conversely, it’s still a point gained for the Wanderers, who showed resilience in fighting back from their early deficit in order to snatch a point on the road.
However, the wait for a win is closing in on the one-year mark (last victory came on January 9 2022) and the longer the wait goes on, the longer it continues to loom like a dark cloud over their heads.
And with Melbourne City to come on the weekend, the job to finally end the drought won’t be much harder for Kat Smith and her charges.
