Harriet Withers revealed Melbourne City left everything out on the training ground last week in preparation for Sunday’s thrilling 3-2 win over rivals Melbourne Victory.
Victory’s resounding 6-0 triumph against the reigning Westfield W-League double winners last Sunday sparked a week of soul searching amid the City camp.
Rado Vidosic’s side raced to a 2-0 lead courtesy of Alex Chidiac’s first goal on home soil since returning from Atletico Madrid and a Claudia Benge own goal.
But Victory stormed back to parity within six second half minutes from stunning goals from Mindy Barbieri and Catherine Zimmerman.
If that had set pulses racing in the City camp, Withers revealed to FOX Sports post match that the players remained composed in the face of the challenge.
REPORT: City exact Melbourne Derby revenge as Withers decides five-goal epic
“There was never a doubt,” Withers said. “We backed ourselves. It was two shots. That’s the way we looked at it. And we didn’t put our heads down.
“We fought really hard two nil up and it was just a case of doing the same thing over and over again.”
Withers, who had earlier missed a glorious chance to score a third for City on the cusp of the interval, redeemed herself by arrowing her first Westfield W-League goal past Victory goalkeeper Gabriella Garton for a memorable triumph.
She added: “We had a lot to prove and this is what we wanted today. We went in training this week and we worked our butts off.
“We knew it wasn’t going to be easy, they have a great team and were confident.
“We knew we had to come and fight really hard and that’s what we did so I’m incredibly proud.”
READ: Sydney FC go top after brushing Wanderers aside
READ: Heffernan identifies where Wanderers must improve to get season back on track
Ways to watch
Download the MyFootball Live App now
ABC TV
Sign up for Kayo Sports
Get Foxtel
ROUND 3: Westfield W-League Goal of Round 3 – Lisa De Vanna
ROUND 3: Westfield W-League Save of Round 3 – Lily Alfeld
SQUAD TRACKER: All of the players signed for Season 2020/21
