The Westfield W-League is back with a bang! A glut of goals, upsets galore and Sam Kerr – who else? – continuing where she left from last season. Round 1 had it all.
If you missed any of the action from the opening weekend of action, here’s a snapshot for your Monday morning.
ROAR SIZZLE IN SYDNEY FC UPSET
Highly-fancied at the start of the season, Sydney FC were brought crashing back to earth by a red-hot Brisbane Roar outfit in a 3-1 loss on home soil.
In a stunning opening, Matildas star Katrina Gorry scored the first goal of the new season with a thumping effort inside the first 30 seconds.
Winger Allira Toby doubled the visitors’ advantage just prior to the break before Emily Sonnett gave Sydney hope with a well-taken penalty with 10 minutes remaining.
But Toby’s second, a superbly-taken header just four minutes later, sealed a deserved victory for Mel Andreatta’s side.
GLORY EARN GF REVENGE WITH CITY ROUT
In a replay of last season’s Grand Final, Glory earned some consolation with a thumping 4-1 win over City.
Sam Kerr fired the hosts ahead after just four minutes before new City recruit Kyah Simon levelled proceedings with a stunning long-range strike just after the break.
Rachel Hill gave Glory the lead with just over 15 minutes remaining before Nicola Bolger sealed the result less than 10 minutes later.
Hill scored again in stoppage time to put the stamp on a dominant performance.
VICTORY EDGE CANBERRA IN THRILLER
In an entertaining clash, an impressive Melbourne Victory outfit overcame a determined Canberra side 2-1 at Epping Stadium.
Victory took the lead inside six minutes with Kristen McNabb netting a well-taken header before United equalised midway through the first half through Michelle Heyman.
But English striker Natasha Dowie restored Victory’s lead just past the hour mark with a neat finish and it proved decisive as the hosts held on for the win.
JETS SWAT WANDERERS
Newcastle Jets have kicked off their Westfield W-League season with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Western Sydney Wanderers on Sunday afternoon.
In hot conditions which resulted in drinks breaks for the players, American Katie Stengel’s tap in on the quarter hour mark gave the hosts the advantage at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle.
But the Wanderers hit back with a brilliant equaliser with 15 mins to go, Erica Halloway finishing off with her head some super lead up play from Lo’eau La Bonta and Marlous Pieeta.
However, within a minute a blunder by WSW keeper Trudy Burke – who came out for a floated free kick but missed her punch – gave Jenna Kingsley the easiest of headers to regain the lead for Newcastle.
