The ladder is taking shape in the Westfield W-League and the competition between Westfield Matildas is stronger than ever.
Kyah Simon’s penalty was almost enough to give Melbourne City all three points against Michelle Heyman’s Adelaide United, while Brisbane Roar’s trio of Westfield Matildas won the bragging rights over Emily van Egmond, Gema Simon and the returning Larissa Crummer at Newcastle Jets.
READ: How to watch Westfield W-League Round 6
GOAL OF THE ROUND: Georgia Campagnale – Adelaide United
Ellie Carpenter’s Canberra United overcame a star-studded Sydney FC at McKellar Park on Sunday to get their second win of the 2018/19 Season.
In the other Sunday fixture, Laura Alleway and Emily Gielnik were in the thick of it as Melbourne Victory soared to the top with a 2-1 victory over Western Sydney Wanderers.
Kyah Simon spot on in Melbourne
Simon’s first goal of the Westfield W-League 2018/19 Season almost gave City their second win of the campaign.
The game was an absolute shootout, with both sides registering a combined 32 shots in 90 minutes.
Elise Kellond-Knight anchored the midfield as City enjoyed more than 62% of the possession, and on 54 minutes they were rewarded when Westfield Matilda Tameka Butt drew a penalty.
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Simon gave City the lead, yet it was a national team-mate who would play a major role in Adelaide United’s comeback.
Heyman showed her years of experience by dummying a pass that was seemingly destined for her. That feign allowed Georgia Campagnale to steady her shot and find the bottom corner past Lydia Williams.
Cue pandemonium as Heyman’s input helped draw the ledger with Butt, Kellond-Knight and Simon.
https://players.brightcove.net/5472387882001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5974033857001
Gielnik pulls the strings as Victory head to the top
Emily Gielnik is having a sensational end to the year.
In the space of four weeks, she has scored for club and country, and registered an assist in navy blue.
Unfortunately, her through ball to Natasha Dowie did not count as an assist as it took a touch from the onrushing Jada Whyman.
However, that along with her shot which cannoned off the crossbar, were pivotal in both of Victory’s goals and their consequent 2-1 win over Wanderers.
Laura Alleway’s Opta heat map showed she spent far more time in narrower positions than her counterpart on the left, Teigen Allen.
This narrower orientation shows Alleway’s jack of all trades attitude, often finding herself in the midfield and playing a large part in Victory’s build-up which has earned her 57 Westfield Matilda caps.
https://players.brightcove.net/5472387882001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5974256407001
Carpenter gets the wood over Sydney FC
Sydney FC had four current Westfield Matildas starting against Ellie Carpenter’s Canberra United, with Princess Ibini coming off the bench.
Caitlin Foord, Alanna Kennedy and Chloe Logarzo all played the full 90 minutes, while Lisa De Vanna got through an hour.
If that wasn’t enough, Teresa Polias and the fit-again Amy Harrison have previously donned the Green and Gold, and Danielle Colaprico and Sofia Huerta are capped for the United States.
That mattered little though, as they were undone by Rhoda Mulaudzi’s tremendous determination and Karly Roestbakken’s tenacious rocket.
Carpenter swung in the cross that eventually fell to Mulaudzi in first-half stoppage time, rounding out a good day at the office for Heather Garriock and her side.
https://players.brightcove.net/5472387882001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5974266707001
Brisbane trio Roar ahead of van Egmond and Simon
Brisbane Roar’s strong core of Westfield Matildas has deserved every minute of they attention they have received throughout the 2018/19 Season.
Mackenzie Arnold, Clare Polkinghorne and Katrina Gorry have been simply immense for Mel Andreatta’s side, and continue to prove week-after-week why they are so highly regarded by team-mates and fans.
Polkinghorne won 80 per cent of her duels in the heart of defence and even registered a shot on target.
Not to be outdone, Emily van Egmond dominated the game, amassing 93 touches in what equates to more than one touch per minute.
Larissa Crummer returned to the starting lineup following a foot injury she sustained in camp with the Westfield Matildas. The 22-year-old played in the heart of defence with Gema Simon, who replaced her team-mate in the Westfield Matildas camp.
https://players.brightcove.net/5472387882001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5973033818001
