Western United moved into the Ninja A-League’s top four on Sunday afternoon after Kahli Johnson’s eighth goal of the season was enough to see them defeat Sydney FC 2-1 at Leichhardt Oval.
A bright start from Western was rewarded in just the sixth minute as captain Chloe Logarzo beat debutant Bethany Mason-Jones at her near post with a low strike.
Short on goals this season, Sydney deployed midfielder Mackenzie Hawkesby upfront and she duly found the back of the net in the 14th minute as she converted from inside the box however Western would eventually re-take the lead.
Combining well with Logarzo on the edge of the area, the in-form Johnson restored her side’s advantage with a brilliantly dispatched effort from outside the box to make it 2-1.
Midfielder Logarzo missed a second-half penalty as Sydney applied some late pressure by Kat Smith’s side hung-on to secure all three points and move into fourth place.
As for the Sky Blues, their hopes of playing finals football are now well and truly fading after suffering their ninth loss of the campaign which leaves them stuck in 11th position.
Sydney FC head coach Ante Juric handed a debut to new goalkeeper Mason-Jones but she was soon picking the ball out of her net after just six minutes.
Fed the ball inside the box, Matildas midfielder Logarzo lashed a powerful shot towards the near post which squirmed past the keeper at her near post and into the back of the net.
The Sky Blues weren’t behind for long though as make-shift striker Hawkesby drilled the ball underneath the body of goalkeeper Chloe Lincoln and into the net after she was played through by Maddy Caspers.
With the game now level, both sides created plenty of good chances and each will feel as though they should have taken the lead.
Central defender Jordan Thompson had a glorious chance to score but the American headed over from a corner in the 36th minute when left unmarked inside the box.
Western then hit the woodwork when Adriana Taranto spotted Mason-Jones off her line but the keeper managed to tip the ball onto the bar before Sky Blues skipper Nat Tobin prevented Johnson from tapping in the rebound.
But while the former Sydney FC player couldn’t do the damage on that occasion it wasn’t long before she had her goal.
Found with a clever backheel on the edge of the box by the influential Logarzo, Johnson then fired a left-footed effort low into the far corner to register her eighth goal of the season and make it 2-1 to Western.
Brought on at the break, substitute Millie Farrow raced on to a pass over the top and while she beat the on-rushing Chloe Lincoln to the ball she couldn’t steer her effort on target in what was a let-off for the visitors.
However, having only recently returned from a hamstring injury Farrow’s time on the pitch lasted just 11 minutes as the English striker was forced off with a knee issue in a huge blow for the Sky Blues.
Things then got worse for the home side as referee Rachael Mitchenson pointed to the spot in the 68th minute after Thompson wiped out Johnson inside the box.
Captain Logarzo was tasked with dispatching the spotkick however the midfielder saw her penalty saved by Mason-Jones who sprang to her right and palmed the ball away.
The home side applied plenty of late pressure but couldn’t find the leveller as Western head back to Victoria with all three points and fourth place locked up for the weekend.
