The A-Leagues action rolled into Saturday with five big games on the agenda – including a crucial game for under-presser Western Sydney Wanderers away to Perth Glory.
Re-live all the action from around the A-Leagues below.
MATCHDAY AGENDA
Perth Glory 1-2 Western Sydney Wanderers (Isuzu UTE A-League)
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After three consecutive heavy defeats, Western Sydney Wanderers bounced back into form with a 2-1 road win over Perth Glory at HBF Park on Saturday night.
The Wanderers travelled to Perth off the back of a 7-0 defeat to Melbourne City in midweek and head coach Marko Rudan saw an instant response from his side as Brandon Borrello put the visitors on top with his first goal of the season.
Adam Taggart fired back before the break but after a sustained spell of second-half pressure, Glory conceded once more to Wanderers substitute Lachlan Brook who scored his eighth goal of the campaign, initially ruled out for offside but allowed to stand after a VAR check.
Victory over Perth sent the under-fire Wanderers back into the top six, and left Glory 10 points adrift of the finals places.
FULL MATCH REPORT: Wanderers rally under pressure as substitute strikes late in momentum-turning road win over Glory
Adelaide United 1-2 Brisbane Roar – Marden Sports Complex (Liberty A-League)
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Tameka Yallop’s fifth goal of the season has kept Brisbane Roar’s finals hopes alive as they left Marden Sports Complex with all three points, defeating Adelaide United 2-1.
The visitors found the back of the net in the ninth minute as wing-back Deborah-Anne De la Harpe sprinted forward down the Brisbane right before firing the ball across the keeper and into the far corner to make it 1-0.
Brisbane then had two good chances to double the lead but went into the break level after Chelsie Dawber equalised in the 26th minute following a goalkeeping error.
Adelaide were then left frustrated in the 74th minute of the contest as Brisbane bagged the match-winner through Tameka Yallop despite the Matildas midfielder appearing to have strayed beyond the last defender.
The home side went all out in their attempts to find an equaliser but Alex Smith’s side held on for a valuable three points which moves them within striking distance of the top six with just two games left to play.
FULL MATCH REPORT: Brisbane keep finals hopes alive as Matilda’s controversial goal seals vital away win
Wellington Phoenix 2-1 Sydney FC – Eden Park (Isuzu UTE A-League)
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Wellington Phoenix came from one goal down to beat Sydney FC 2-1 in a gripping contest between two of the in-form sides in the Isuzu UTE A-League on Saturday afternoon.
The 18,000-crowd at Eden Park was treated to a high-quality encounter in Auckland; the Sky Blues took an early lead through Robert Mak and thought they had doubled the advantage before Jordan Courtney-Perkins’ goal just before the hour mark was ruled out by VAR for a handball.
The ‘Nix drew level early in the second half through a Hayden Matthews own goal and after creating the equaliser, Wellington star Kosta Barbarouses proceeded to win the game for the hosts with a driving run and finish just before the 70-minute mark.
The result sent Wellington back to the top of the Isuzu UTE A-League table, three points clear of Central Coast Mariners who now have a game in hand in an intriguing battle for the Premiers Plate.
FULL MATCH REPORT: Brilliant Barbarouses inspires Phoenix to comeback win over Sky Blues
Western Sydney Wanderers 1-0 Perth Glory – Wanderers Football Park (Liberty A-League)
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An outrageous goal from Sophie Harding fired Western Sydney one step closer to securing finals football as the Wanderers defeated Perth Glory 1-0 to lock up sixth spot on the Liberty A-League ladder.
Harding’s moment of magic occurred less than 10 minutes into the second half as the Matildas hopeful controlled a long ball before then dispatching a stunning strike over the head of Perth goalkeeper Morgan Aquino and into the back of the net to secure the victory.
Despite having plenty of possession and making over 500 passes in the match the away side barely tested Wanderers goalkeeper Sham Khamis and as a result of the loss at Wanderers Football Park can now no longer qualify for this year’s finals series.
FULL MATCH REPORT: Harding’s heroics fire Wanderers closer to finals as striker’s wonder goal seals huge win
Brisbane Roar 1-2 Macarthur FC – Ballymore Stadium (Isuzu UTE A-League)
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A superb finish from 20-year-old Raphael Borges Rodrigues secured all three points for Macarthur FC in a comeback 2-1 win over Brisbane Roar at Ballymore Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Brisbane took the lead early through Florin Berenguer but were pegged back by Tomislav Uskok’s header from a Bulls corner in the 26th minute. After rescinding the lead, the hosts found themselves trailing 2-1 when Raphael bagged his fourth goal of the season shortly before half-time.
Thomas Waddingham wasted a big chance to bring Brisbane level in the second half and Marco Rojas hit the post as the home side toiled to find a way back into the game to no avail.
Three big points on the road helped the Bulls above Melbourne Victory into third place on the Isuzu UTE A-League table. Brisbane, meanwhile, failed to draw level on points with Melbourne City in sixth and remain three points shy of the finals standings.
FULL MATCH REPORT: Moment of quality from Bulls youngster completes turnaround in road win against Roar
