The Westfield W-League 2018/19 Season is fast becoming the most unpredictable in the competition’s’ history as top four rivals continue to trade places.
Sydney FC’s 3-1 win away to Brisbane Roar was impressive in its own right but the three points mean that the Sky Blues leapfrog Brisbane into second spot, just one behind first-placed Melbourne Victory.
REPORT: Sky Blues make statement in Roar win
Proving the difference was two-goal hero Caitlin Foord, her brace separating the two sides as the race for finals heats up.
Firstly, the Westfield Matilda stepped up to convert a penalty after Leah Davidson was ruled to have handled the ball in the box.
Then, in a stunning end-to-end move, Foord’s run was spotted by Lisa De Vanna who played it through to the rampaging 24-year old.
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She calmly took stock and placed the ball past Mackenzie Arnold and into the Roar goal to rise to second in the Golden Boot race with nine strikes.
It’s an amazing turnaround for Foord and Sydney after an indifferent start to the season.
After a strong recruitment drive in the off-season many tipped them to go one better and finish the season as Champions but started with three losses in four games.
Saturday’s result was testament to their resilience and perhaps a glimpse into how the Sky Blues have evolved their game.
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Brisbane enjoyed 56 per cent possession and fired off 23 shots while Sydney managed 12 with only three of those hitting the target.
Three shots and three goals is the definition of efficiency and could point to how the Sky Blues intend to approach games at the business end of the season, especially on the road.
Either way, to sit in second spot with two games to play is not to be sniffed at and it would take a brave punter indeed to write them off as they seek redemption.
