Round One of the new Ninja A-League finished with a bang on Sunday with 11 goals being scored in just two matches!
Getting us off and running for the day at ctrl:cyber Pitch were Melbourne City and Perth Glory, and it turned into an absolute goalfest.
Going 2-0 down shortly after half-time, Michael Matricciani’s City side hit FIVE unanswered goals as they defeated Glory 5-2 to kick off their season in style.
Meanwhile in the last clash of the round, Newcastle Jets and Western Sydney Wanderers played out a four-goal thriller, with the home side coming from two goals down to snatch a point in Cessnock.
SATURDAY WRAP: Mariners sink Sydney FC as Canberra and Victory win five-goal thrillers
Super-sub inspires City to stunning comeback win after Glory score Goal of the Season contender
Kelli Brown’s Perth Glory career couldn’t have gotten off to a better start against Melbourne City: One shot. One goal of the Season contender.
Picking up the ball in midfield but more than 30 metres out from goal, Brown took a touch and, realising there was no pressure on the ball from Melbourne City, promptly unleashed an unstoppable effort which sailed over the head of the back-peddling Malena Mieres and into the City net.
“What a strike from Kelli Brown!” said Paramount+ commentator Pokuah Frimpong after the striker let fly.
“The Kiwi saw Mieres off her line and said ‘let me take a crack at it!’ – That is a sensational opening goal to start this contest.”
Early in the second half the Glory then found themselves 2-0 up and cruising thanks to another mistake.
But what happened next has to be seen to be believed.
New City head coach Michael Matricciani turned to his bench and brought on substitute Kathryn Harvey and between her and Rhianna Pollicina, City went on to produce one of the all-time Ninja A-League comebacks; hitting FIVE unanswered goals to seal a resounding victory.
MATCH CENTRE: Click here for more stats, updates and videos
Jets and Wanderers play out a thriller as Julie Dolan Medalist hits the ground running
Reigning Julie Dolan Medalist Sophie Harding has picked up where she left off in the Ninja A-League, bagging a goal and an assist in her side’s 2-2 draw with the Newcastle Jets.
Rewarded with the game’s top individual honour for her all-round prowess last season, Harding was a constant thorn in the Jet’s side in round one of the Ninja A-League; capitalising on a goalkeeping mistake to fire the Wanderers in front after just four minutes.
Robbie Hooker’s side then doubled their lead in the 27th minute through midfielder Sienna Saveska, who drilled a clinical left footed effort beyond the keeper and into the far corner after good hold-up play from Harding.
The Jets pulled one back on the stroke of half-time after the officials deemed Deven Jackson’s header had indeed crossed the line before they levelled things up in the 61st minute through Lauren Allan.
As the Cessnock heat began to take it’s affect, both sides flew forward in an attempt to find a late winner with cross-code convert Sheridan Gallagher coming close but the two sides were forced to share the spoils in round one.
MATCH CENTRE: Click here for more stats, updates and highlights
