Round 8 in the A-Leagues got underway on Friday night with three games on the matchday agenda.
The action kicked off at AAMI Park in the Isuzu UTE A-League, as Western United ended their six-game losing streak with a dramatic 2-1 win over Brisbane Roar in the first iteration of the ‘Aloisi Derby’, before Western Sydney Wanderers saw off Adelaide United 1-0 at CommBank Stadium.
In the Liberty A-League, Central Coast Mariners and Melbourne City played out a 1-1 draw in the Industree Group Stadium.
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Western United 2-1 Brisbane Roar (Isuzu UTE A-League) – AAMI Park
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MATCH REPORT: Late captain’s goal ends Western’s losing streak in dramatic victory over Brisbane
Western United’s losing streak is finally over, after captain Josh Risdon nodded home a dramatic late winner to give his side a 2-1 victory over Brisbane Roar at AAMI Park.
Western looked set to fall to a seventh straight defeat in the league, after squandering a number of gilt-edged opportunities and falling behind with just over twenty minutes remaining thanks to a Jay O’Shea penalty on Friday night.
However, Daniel Penha, who had a goal disallowed only minutes before, smashed home a deserved equaliser from the spot before Risdon rose the highest to nod home the winner in the first minute of second-half stoppage time.
The win alleviates a heap pressure off the shoulders of John Aloisi, taking them off the bottom of the table for the time being and breathing much-needed life into their season.
It also means bragging rights for the Western boss who knocked off his brother, Ross, in the first edition of the ‘Aloisi Derby’.
Meanwhile, Brisbane missed a chance to go top of the league heading into the remainder of the weekend; instead remaining in second for the time being and could fall to as low as fifth by the end of the round.
Central Coast Mariners 1-1 Melbourne City (Liberty A-League) – Industree Group Stadium
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MATCH REPORT: Stott’s stunner seals a point for Melbourne City against Central Coast Mariners
A sensational late goal from captain Rebekah Stott has seen Melbourne City return to the top of the Liberty A-League after snatching a point against the Central Coast Mariners.
Below their usual standard for large parts of the game, City found themselves behind early in the second half after Rola Badawiya’s cool finish put the Mariners in front.
However that goal eventually sparked City into life with Stott curling an beauty into the far top corner in the 78th minute from what was just the visitor’s second shot on target of the evening.
The point moves Melbourne City back to the top of the Liberty A-League, one point ahead of Perth Glory who host Sydney FC on Sunday, whilst the Mariners move up to seventh on the ladder.
Western Sydney Wanderers 1-0 Adelaide United (Isuzu UTE A-League) – CommBank Stadium
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MATCH REPORT: Late captain’s goal ends Western’s losing streak in dramatic victory over Brisbane
10-man Western Sydney Wanderers have hung on to a 1-0 victory over Adelaide United at CommBank Stadium, returning to the winner’s list thanks to Dylan Pierias’ first-half strike.
Pierias’ inventive goal was the difference on the scoreboard on Friday night, showcasing brilliant smarts to flick the ball over Reds keeper Joe Gauci to score the decisive goal.
The Wanderers, however, had to defend resolutely for the final minutes after Josh Brillante was sent off, but Marko Rudan’s side did just enough to hang on to all three points under enormous pressure from Adelaide’s attack.
The win ends Western Sydney’s run of two straight games without a victory, taking the Wanderers above Macarthur FC, Wellington Phoenix and Brisbane Roar – who lost earlier in the evening – on the standings heading into the remainder of Round 8.
Meanwhile, Adelaide’s disappointing run of form continues, falling to a third successive defeat and their fourth loss in their last five games.
