A late strike from substitute Holly McNamara ensured Melbourne City left Ironbark Fields with a point after an entertaining 1-1 draw with Western United.
In a fiercely contested opening stanza it was Western who took the lead on the stroke of half-time; Kahli Johnson’s close range effort judged to have crossed the line despite the best efforts – and protestations – of City goalkeeper Malena Mieres.
City huffed and puffed in the second half and eventually found their equaliser with McNamara slotting home the leveller from inside the box after good work from Lourdes Bosch.
Both sides had a host of chances but neither team could find a late winner as City ensured their unbeaten run to start the Ninja A-League season now stands at 12 matches whilst also guaranteeing themselves top spot in the league for another weekend.
As for Western, Kat Smith’s side are now 7th on the ladder and a point outside the top six whilst the draw also means they still have never lost to Melbourne City.
City fashioned the first chance of the game in the 15th minute as Rhianna Pollicina saw her shot blocked on the line by some last-ditch defending from Western’s Sacha Grove.
The home side had their first sight of goal in the 35th minute when Johnson took aim from the edge of the area, lashing a fierce effort inches over the bar that had City keeper Malena Mieres at full stretch.
The Spanish keeper then had to be on her guard, racing out of her box shortly after to thwart Johnson when baring down on goal.
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In what was a dramatic ending to the first half Western then broke the deadlock just before the break in somewhat controversial fashion.
A floated ball into the box from Zimmerman was steered towards goal by Johnson and while the forward’s effort was initially saved by Mieres, the Spaniard didn’t get a handle on the ball and the referee judged the effort to have crossed the line despite protests from the keeper.
In a lively opening to the second-half, a freshly subbed on Holly McNamara raced clear of the Western defence following a turnover in possession but the forward was closed down by goalkeeper Alyssa Dall’Oste as she attempted to shoot.
Matildas midfielder Chloe Logarzo then tested Mieres from distance, forcing the goalkeeper into an awkward save before the midfielder then required treatment after appearing to land awkwardly.
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City began to apply more pressure as they searched for the equaliser but it was Western who almost bagged the second goal of the game; Zimmerman unable to make any contact on a teasing ball into box from Johnson and the ball flashed past the post.
Sara Eggersvik then went close to extending Western’s lead but her header from an in-swinging corner flew wide of the target.
City eventually found their equaliser though and it came from the boot of the lively McNamara as she poked home Bosch’s low cross from the right to set up a grandstand finish at Ironbark Fields.
Both sides battled it out at the end to try and find a winner but both sides will walk away from Tarneit feeling relatively pleased as City remain unbeaten this season while Western still haven’t lost to their opponents since joining the Ninja A-League.