The February Football Frenzy is over but the midweek football rolls on – and it’s the Liberty A-League took centrestage on Tuesday night.
Melbourne City remain in premiership contention after defeating Newcastle Jets 2-0 at ABD Stadium.
But before City faced the Jets, Western Sydney Wanderers were stunned by a resilient Wellington Phoenix outfit coming from a goal down to win 3-2 at Wanderers Football Park.
KEEPUP followed along LIVE to bring you all the goals, highlights, up to date scores and biggest talking points from two Liberty A-League fixtures on Tuesday night.
- Western Sydney Wanderers 2-3 Wellington Phoenix
Liberty A-League, Wanderers Football Park. Kick-off 6.35pm AEDT
MATCH REPORT: Phoenix edge Wanderers in ALW thriller
- Melbourne City 2-0 Newcastle Jets
Liberty A-League, ABD Stadium. Kick-off 7.05pm AEDT
MATCH REPORT: ALW title race on as City beat Jets
REACTION
‘We’re thinking of them’: Davis’ tribute to flood victims on record night
Cassidy Davis was in the spotlight on Tuesday night, her record-breaking 109th consecutive A-Leagues appearance making sure the quiet achiever received the credit deserved for an incredible stint of longevity and consistency spread across the best part of nine years.
But in the aftermath of her historic appearance clocked against Melbourne City in Victoria, Davis turned the focus away from her personal achievement, orchestratinh a touching tribute to those affected by floods and severe weather in both New South Wales and Queensland.
As Davis spoke on Paramount+ post-game, Hannah Brewer and Tiana Jaber held aloft a message that read: “Thinking of you all up north – stay safe”.
“There’s a lot going on at the moment,” Davis said. “I’m very privileged to be playing football tonight, some people are struggling so yeah, we’re thinking of them.”
Wilkinson and Pollicina partnership key to City’s finals push
‘The premiership push is still alive – and so is the Golden Boot race,” said Paramount+ commentator Ben Homer as Hannah Wilkinson led Melbourne City to within two points of league leaders Sydney FC with a 2-0 win over the Jets.
Wilkinson’s solitary goal, netted with the help of an inventive Rhianna Pollicina assist early in the second half, took the New Zealand international to within two goals of Fiona Worts at the top of the Golden Boot leaderboard.
Wilkinson admitted jet-lag was a factor in her 90-minute display, getting home from the United States after going goalless at the SheBelieves Cup with the Football Ferns – but personal form came secondary to the importance of securing the points and remaining in the hunt for the premiers plate.
“It was extremely important for us to get this win,” Wilkinson told Paramount+ post-match. “Newcastle put up a good fight, they were really threatening at times and certainly gave us a lot of challenges. In the end thankfully we were able to put a couple away.
“I think it could’ve been a lot better, but what we needed was three points and we got that today.
“I’m feeling (a) little bit jet-lagged, but I’m stoked I got 90 minutes to help this team win. It’s just an honour to be back with City – but I’m sure I’ll sleep well tonight.”
Paramount+ co-commentator Leah Blayney watched City make hard work of their 2-0 win over Newcastle, with just two of eight shots on target converted whilst the Jets threatened down the other end with five shots of their own testing Melissa Barbieri in goal.
City wing-back Kaitlyn Torpey revealed at half-time that star forward Holly McNamara had gone under the knife for surgery on her ACL on the same night her side trumped the Jets – and in the absence of McNamara Blayney saw a burgeoning relationship between Wilkinson and Pollicina she sees as key to City’s attacking fortunes moving forward.
“(Wilkinson is) clear-cut one of our better internationals in the league,” Blayney said.
“She’s going to be happy she’s back to goalscoring ways… she’s going to want to be banging in goals moving in to the finals and trying to find the combination she’s missing with McNamara in Pollicina.”
But as it gets tight at the top….
A late fight presents for the wooden spoon.
It looked an unlikely prospect at the midway point of the season, but two impressive wins late in the campaign from Wellington Phoenix has opened the door for this season’s expansion side to try and end the Liberty A-League season off the foot of the table.
Western Sydney are the team in danger after losing 3-2 to Gemma Lewis’ Phoenix on Tuesday night – and the tasks don’t get any easier for the Wanderers, with a final-day clash with Melbourne City to prepare for on Saturday, March 5.
City have the chance to go top of the table with a win – an opportunity Rado Vidosic’s side is unlikely to pass up as they push to secure the premiers plate.
It’s a turn of events leaving Wellington in the box seat to push for the points needed to demote the Wanderers to the foot of the table, and avoid the wooden spoon in a season which began with fears the ‘Nix would go winless throughout.
WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS 2-3 WELLINGTON PHOENIX
GOALS! Wanderers and ‘Nix exchange late goals at the death (8.30pm AEDT)
Grace Jale capitalised on an under-hit pass from Alexia Apostolakis aimed toward Wanderers keeper Langman to tuck Wellington’s third goal of the game away – and it proved important in the end as Libby Copus-Brown found a late goal for the home side.
The two goals in quick succession made it 3-2 to Wellington deep into second-half stoppage time – and that’s how the score remained as the final whistle blew.
It’s the second win of the season by the ‘Nix earned in the NSW wet after the home side took a 1-0 lead in the first half. Wellington are now level on points with the Wanderers and with one game to play this season could jump off the foot of the table depending on how both teams fare in their final games of the season.
GOAL! From 1-0 down to 2-1 up, the ‘Nix soar through Pritchard (8.07pm AEDT)
Wellington are on the cusp of a magnificent comeback result, getting on top of the Wanderers and taking the lead through Ava Pritchard.
The ‘Nix forward latched on to a through ball played off the right flank, and on the slide lifted the ball over Langman to find the back of the net.
It’s 2-1 to Wellington with under 20 minutes to play in the second half.
Halloway gets across to deny Jale (8.00pm AEDT)
That was brilliant defensive work from Erica Halloway, who forced her way into the path of Grace Jale as she prepared to strike on goal from cose range on a tight angle.
Half an hour to play with nothing to split the sides (7.57pm AEDT)
There’s just under 30 minutes left for either side to gun for maximum points at Wanderers Football Park.
Chances have been few and far between in the second half with neither side able to break the deadlock.
HALF-TIME: WANDERERS 1-1 WELLINGTON (7.25PM AEDT)
It’s all square at the break after Taylor’s close-range finish cancelled out Crofts’ opener at Wanderers Football Park.
GOAL! Taylor’s maiden ALW strike brings Phoenix level (7.14pm AEDT)
A goal just before the break from central defender Kate Taylor levels the scores at 1-1.
Isabel Gomez provided the assist with a dinked pass from midfield and Taylor – who made her way up front for a ‘Nix free-kick – was on hand to score from close range.
CHANCE! Whinham lashes one wide from distance (7.03pm AEDT)
That would have been some finish by Alyssa Whinham. Her first-time strike from outside the box called Sarah Langman into a desperate dive to her left as the ball squirmed past the post.
Knott bright down the right but Jale can’t meet the cross (6.55pm AEDT)
Chloe Knott looked to spark the visitors into action with a marauding run down the right flank, leaping over a challenger before whipping a cross toward Grace Jale at the back post. The imposing Wellington forward rose to meet the ball but couldn’t get her head to the dangerous delivery.
GOAL! Crofts heads home to put hosts ahead early (6.39pm AEDT)
What a start by the hosts and Ashlie Crofts!
Rising to meet a cross from the right flank, Crofts flicked on her header toward goal from close range, watching the ball fly past Alfeld into the back of the net.
It’s 1-0 early doors with Western Sydney making a dream start.
KICK-OFF: Wanderers and Phoenix engage in battle (6.35pm AEDT)
We’re underway at Wanderers Football Park with the home side kicking off, looking to condemn the visitors to the wooden spoon with a win tonight.
PRE-MATCH
The Wanderers and ‘Nix will face off at Wanderers Football Park tonight after the late call to relocate this Liberty A-League fixture from CommBank Stadium.
Initially a behind-closed-doors game, fans will now be allowed to attend at Wanderers Park, with the APL determined to honour its commitment to get the Phoenix home to New Zealand by the date promised.
But, due to the late change of venue, this matchup will not be broadcast on Paramount+. So, follow along with KEEPUP as the LIVE feed brings you the best of the action from this Liberty A-League clash.
TEAM NEWS
Wellington captain Lily Alfeld returns from international duty to captain the ‘Nix tonight. A win would take Wellington level with Western Sydney on points, with one game to play to decide which team lurking near the bottom takes out the wooden spoon.
MELBOURNE CITY v NEWCASTLE JETS
ABD Stadium. Kick-off 7.05pm AEDT
FULL-TIME: CITY 2-0 JETS
Melbourne City keep their hunt for the premiership alive with a three-point display against Newcastle Jets on Tuesday night.
Hannah Wilkinson closes Fiona Worts’ gap at the top of the golden boot standings to just two as she guns to finish the season as the league’s top scorer.
CHANCE: High and wide from van der Meer (8.49pm AEDT)
A pinpoint Leah Davidson pass has split the gap between Newcastle’s left centre-back and full-back to find Marisa van der Meer steaming in on goal for City.
But her shot lacked composure, flying high and wide of the mark under no defensive pressure.
GOAL! Wilkinson on hand to head home Pollicina cross with ease (8.11pm AEDT)
Hannah Wilkinson scored her 11th goal of the season with ease to put City two goals to the good.
Pollicina’s initial shot from close-range was blocked by Coelho, but the rebound fell back to the City star who lobbed the ball across goal toward Wilkinson all alone, who stooped down to head the ball into the back of an unmarked net.
It’s 2-0 to City just minutes into the second half.
HALF-TIME: CITY 1-0 JETS
Newcastle had opportunities to score throughout the first half – but it was City finding the back of the net on two occasions through the first 45, with the latter being chalked due to an offside call.
OFFSIDE! No goal for City (7.40pm AEDT)
Jets keeper Claire Coelho was forced to deal with a Rebekah Stott shot from distance after Ashlee Brodigan ducked to avoid contact with the ambitious strike.
Coelho denied stott but Rhianna Pollicina was on hand to tuck the ball home. Unfortunately for the hosts her finish from inside the six-yard box was tucked home from an offside position.
GOAL! Torpey buries the opener (7.22pm AEDT)
The hosts make Newcastle pay for an early miss, with Kaitlyn Torpey bombing down the right flank to find the back of the net to put City ahead inside 16 minutes at ABD Stadium.
Torpey led the charge toward the bench in the aftermath of the opener to hold Holly McNamara’s number nine kit aloft in a tribute to the injured City star.
CHANCE! Off the woodwork for the Jets (7.14pm AEDT)
Sophie Harding has given the home side a tremendous scare, rattling the left-hand goalpost with a low, driven shot from inside the box after winning the ball on the edge of the penalty area and driving in on goal off the left flank.
(KICK-OFF: Davis the record-breaker for Newcastle (7.05pm AEDT)
It’s official – Cassidy Davis owns the outright record for consecutive A-Leagues appearances, with her 109th-straight game in Newcastle kicking off at ABD Stadium.
TEAM NEWS
PRE-MATCH
Newcastle Jets defender Cassidy Davis will break the all-time A-Leagues record for consecutive appearances with her 109th game in succession kicking off against City at ABD Stadium tonight.
It’s a phenomenal achievement for Davis who overtakes both Nikolai Topor-Stanley and Steven Ugarkovic who clocked 108 appearances on the bounce in the Isuzu UTE A-League – a competition with roughly double the amount of games each season for a player to feature in.
The Jets travel to face a City side bruised by their shock loss to Brisbane Roar last time out. The defeat took the premiership hunt out of City’s control, giving advantage to Sydney FC.
A win to City would bring Rado Vidosic’s side within two points of Sydney with one game to play.
