Western Sydney Wanderers midfielder Amy Harrison scored a winning goal to beat China last weekend, but her attention now turns to getting the better of a Westfield Matildas-studded Brisbane Roar line up on Sunday.
Harrison and the Wanderers are coming into the clash fresh from a 1-0 friendly victory over the Chinese women’s national team on Sunday, with the Red and Black leaving no stone unturned in their assault for a maiden piece of Westfield W-League silverware.
Following that Round 8 bye, Harrison’s Wanderers are out to lodge three points to see them keep pace with front-runners Melbourne City.
Roar were eclipsed 2-0 last time out by City, with Mackenzie Arnold, Clare Polkinghorne, Katrina Gorry, Hayley Raso and Tameka Yallop all starting while Elise Kellond-Knight made a half hour bench cameo.
Feature image thanks to Western Sydney Wanderers FC
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City could extend their current three point advantage over Western Sydney to six should they emerge victorious over Canberra United on Thursday night, kick off 7.30pm AEDT.
City’s group of Westfield Matildas Aivi Luik, Lydia Williams, Steph Catley, Ellie Carpenter, Emily van Egmond, Emma Checker and Kyah Simon were all involved in Round 8’s streetwise 2-0 win over Roar, with Luik netting her side’s crucial second goal and sealing a sixth straight win.
A Canberra outfit featuring Karly Roestbakken will be no easy-beats. Heather Garriock’s side are sixth on the ladder prior to Thursday’s contest and will be eager to demonstrate they have the means to halt the charge of the three-time Westfield W-League Champions.
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Meanwhile, Gema Simon’s Newcastle Jets face a do-or-die examination of their Finals Series credentials against Adelaide United on Friday night, with kick off at 5.00pm AEDT.
Newcastle slipped to their third consecutive defeat against Victory in that 2-1 reverse last time out and are seven points adrift of the fourth-placed reigning Premiers.
They will need to take maximum points against and Adelaide side who earned their first point of the season after a 2-2 draw with Perth Glory in Round 8.
Mary Fowler was on the scoresheet for the Lady Reds, for whom Sarah Willacy conceded a heartbreaking stoppage-time equaliser from the penalty spot which makes Adelaide’s top four ambitions only a mathematical possibility.