Melbourne City defeated Canberra United 2-1 at AAMI Park on Sunday afternoon at Melbourne’s AAMI Park.
With former Westfield Matildas coach Tom Sermanni in the crowd, Fishlock was on the end of some physical treatment from United but had the last laugh with two superbly taken goals.
STORY OF THE GAME
- A scrappy start on a sunny day saw City striker Jess Fishlock clattered into by Canberra’s Claire Hunt after six minutes, but the Welsh star was soon to make her mark in spectacular fashion.
- GOAL: Fishlock with a moment of magic to open the scoring with a rocket from long range. 1-0.
- GOAL: A keeper howler gifted United an equaliser. 1-1.
- HALF-TIME: 1-1
- Yellow card: Fishlock again on the end of a heavy tackle, felled by Norwegian international Elise Thorsnes with the United player into the book after 57 minutes.
- Fishlock recovered to smash another long-range effort that almost gave City the lead.
- Kyah Simon went close for City after Kinga’s deft ball into the box was almost poked home by the Matildas great.
- City were dominant in the final 20 minutes as they pushed for a winner against a tiring Canberra.
- GOAL: And sure enough, after 79 minutes Fishlock was on hand, scoring the go-ahead goal to make it 2-1.
- SO CLOSE! Canberra’s Carpenter in the final minute of time added on, forced City keeper Williams to tip the ball onto the bar. Almost an equaliser.
- FULL TIME: 2-1
GOALS
Fishlock, City, 1-0, 19′
Canberra were harried in possession in their defensive third, Fishlock was fed, she set herself then powered home a superb right foot bomb from just outside the box.
Heyman, United, 1-1, 22′
Keeper Lydia Williams with the howler, gifting an easy goal after her pass out of the six-yard box went straight to the feet of the oncoming United striker who slotted home with ease for her 50th goal in a Canberra’s shirt.
Fishlock, City, 2-1, 79′
Simon and Kinga with the clever inter-play before Fishlock was put through in the box and she finished past Hayley Kopmeyer to give City a deserved lead. 2-1.
