Western United boss Marc Torcaso has heaped on praise on his side’s fight and character, believing their come-from-behind 2-1 win over Melbourne City showcases what side they hope to be.
City led through Leticia McKenna’s first-half strike at AAMI Park on Saturday but coughed up the advantage just after the break when Hannah Keane accepted a gift from Sally James to level the score.
The 21-year-old ‘keeper played an attempted pass straight to the prolific American forward, who took a touch and slotted the simplest of chances into the net.
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It was Liberty A-League top-scorer Keane’s 10th goal of the season for United as she eyes the competition’s golden boot.
Sydney Cummings stepped up and scored United’s winner from the penalty spot in the 86th minute after Aimee Medwin’s shot struck Julia Grosso’s outstretched arm.
The result meant United snapped a two-match losing run and moved five points clear of City at the top of the ladder.
“It was just that pure fight and I loved the confidence of Sydney in the end to go up there and take that penalty,” United coach Mark Torcaso said.
That game there shows the type of team that we are, with that character just to keep fighting right to the end.
City started the derby brightly and Hannah Wilkinson had the ball in the back of the net after just seven minutes, but was flagged offside.
Bryleeh Henry teed up McKenna for the opener in the 40th minute and the midfielder grabbed her opportunity with a sweet first-time shot from the edge of the box.
But United levelled through Keane in the 48th minute.
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Tempers flared soon afterwards, when United’s Danielle Steer pushed opponent Kaitlyn Torpey into Emma Robers as the trio fought for the ball.
City’s Emma Checker was also caught up in the collision and required treatment, while United’s Robers was assessed by medical staff as players from both sides rushed to the scene to remonstrate.
James made amends for her earlier mistake with a fine one-handed save to deny Tyla-Jay Vlajnic’s low shot in the 62nd minute and recovered to put enough pressure on Keane as the striker blasted the rebound over the bar.
But there was nothing James could do to prevent the winner as Cummings sent her the wrong way from the spot.
“The (first) goal that we gave away was a big turning point,” City coach Dario Vidosic said.
“We just never really recovered after that.
“We had some other chances where luck maybe fell our way and we just couldn’t punish (them).
“It’s a cruel game. Twice now we’ve been the better team (against United this season) and both times we’ve walked away with zero points, but there’s plenty of positives to take away from that.”
Featured image: Rachel Bach (@bythewhiteline)
