Holly McNamara was the match winner in her first Ninja A-League start in over a year as unbeaten leaders Melbourne City edged Western Sydney Wanderers 1-0.
McNamara made her first start in 433 days, having last been in the starting XI in November 2023 – the same game that saw her suffer a third anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury and the Commbank Matildas attacker capped it with a goal on Saturday.
An assist-of-the-season contender from Mariana Speckmaier teed up McNamara for the 14th-minute goal and her third of the season for high-flying reigning premiers City.
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The win at Wanderers Football Park ensured City reclaimed their place atop the standings by two points through 13 matches, while Western Sydney remain bottom of the standings after seven games without a victory.
While the Wanderers entered the fixture in the midst of a six-game winless run – including three straight losses, they had won their past two home fixtures against City.
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Western Sydney had a couple of chances throughout the first half as they threatened the reigning premiers, including one for Danika Matos.
But it was high-flying City to struck first via McNamara in the 14th minute.
Making her first start of the season, McNamara was on hand to side-foot into an empty net following a sensational moment of individual brilliance from Speckmaier, who pressed and won the ball deep in the Wanderers’ half, turned by opponent and skipped past another before teeing up her team-mate.
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McNamara and City should have had their second goal four minutes into the second half after Lourdes Bosch released the Australia international, who then saw her shot roll past the post.
No other goals were scored in the game as City made sure they took all three points with them back to Melbourne.