Western United forward Kahli Johnson scored two second-half goals to go equal-top on the Golden Boot leaderboard and inspire her side to a 2-0 win over Newcastle Jets on Friday night.
Western came into Round 10 bruised from an 8-2 defeat at the hands of Brisbane Roar but responded in style against the Jets, with Johnson’s second-half brace enacting a swift response to the devastating loss.
It was a special evening for twin sisters Melissa and Adriana Taranto at Ironbark Fields; while Melissa made her 50th Ninja A-League appearance for the club, Adriana came off the bench in the second half for her first appearance since suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in March.
The 2-0 win over Newcastle on Friday night helped Western back into fourth spot on the Ninja A-League table in the first game of Round 10, and denied the Jets the chance to draw level on 12 points with sixth-placed Adelaide United with a win in Tarneit.
Newcastle’s 2-0 defeat was further soured when Matildas defender Natasha Prior received a straight red card late in the game, for what appeared to be a comment made in the direction of the assistant referee.
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Western United enjoyed the better of the first half chances but weren’t able to capitalise before the break, as the two sides headed into the sheds level at 0-0.
Chloe Logarzo and Melissa Taranto had early chances to break the deadlock but the two Western midfielders flashed their respective efforts just wide of the target.
Kahli Johnson had the best chance of the first half, after pressure from Logarzo high up the field led to Jets keeper Tiahna Robertson turning over possession in a dangerous area.
Johnson’s delicate chipped attempt from outside the box hit the underside of the crossbar and failed to cross over the line.
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The Jets posed a greater attacking threat after half-time and had a big chance to take the lead when Lorena Baumann’s floated cross met the head of Sheridan Gallagher in space in the box; the former Young Matildas captain couldn’t keep her header down as the ball floated over the crossbar.
Just before the hour mark, the hosts took the lead when Kahli Johnson won the ball in an aerial duel with Jets keeper Robertson in the six-yard box and helped Julia Sardo’s floated delivery over the line.
There was initial confusion as players from both sides suspected a foul had been called on Johnson before realising the goal had been awarded; Jets head coach Ryan Campbell protested the decision to allow the goal to stand but play resumed in Tarneit with the hosts up 1-0.
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While there was controversy surrounding Johnson’s first goal of the game, there was no complaints from the Jets regarding her 78th-minute header. The clinical finish off Kiara De Domizio’s delivery put the result out of sight in Tarneit.
Up 2-0 and cruising to full-time, Western head coach Kat Smith brought Adriana Taranto off the bench to make her comeback from an ACL tear suffered in March, 2024.
In a fiery conclusion to proceedings at Ironbark Fields, Jets defender Prior was sent off as players form both teams clashed in a late fracas before Western saw out extra-time to notch a 2-0 win.
