Sydney FC’s winning run in the Westfield W-League came to an end and in what is shaping as even competition.
Results – Round 3
MELBOURNE VICTORY 3 beat Perth Glory 0
Newcastle Jets 0 lost QUEENSLAND ROAR 2
ADELAIDE UNITED 3 beat Sydney FC 2
Canberra United 1 lost CENTRAL COAST MARINERS 2
Game Wraps
A dominant performance by Melbourne Victory has seen them get the three points over Perth Glory at Bob Jane Stadium in Melbourne. Melbourne had the better of play throughout, but it wasn-t until just before half time that they were able to break Perth-s resistance and from there they never looked back. The breakthrough came in first half injury time, when Rebecca Tegg was hauled in the penalty box and captain Tal Karp made no mistake from the spot. Despite Glory fielding Lisa De Vanna in their side for the first time this season after she arrived back from Sweden the day before, it was Melbourne that continued to create the better chances in the second half and with 15 minutes to go they double their advantage, when Carys Hawkins put the ball into her own net from a corner. Perth-s star midfielder Collette McCallum should have reduced the margin shortly after, when Louise Bisby handled the ball in the penalty box resulting in a penalty. But McCallum-s Westfield Matildas teammate Melissa Barbieri chose the correct way and saved McCallum-s spot kick. Bisby made sure of the win in the 82nd minute, heading home from another corner.
Queensland Roar put the shock loss to Canberra United in the last round behind them, with a comfortable 2-0 win over Newcastle Jets, at a rain-soaked Oakes Oval in Lismore in northern NSW. A massive thunderstorm hit Oakes Oval five minutes before kick-off, but it proved no deterrent for Roar who took the lead through Courtney Beutel after 13 minutes and never looked likely to surrender their lead. Beutel, coming in for the injured Jenna Tristram, headed home from close range. The Jets had several half chances in the slippery conditions with Casey Dumont showing good hands and the Roar goal and they sealed the win late in the match, with Lauren Colthorpe scoring.
Sydney FC suffered its first defeat of the season, after unexpectedly going down 3-2 to Adelaide United at Hindmarsh Stadium. Despite getting the news that star midfielder Heather Garriock may miss the rest of the season, Sydney started off brilliantly with Leena Khamis getting some free space on the right and finishing clinically. It wasn-t however till it was all square again, Sharon Black scoring with a brilliantly taken free kick, curling it over the wall and past the outstretched hand of Nikola Dieter. Another Black free kick saw Adelaide take the lead on 30 minutes, her dangerous ball into the area, coming off Sydney FC defender Lisa Gilbert. Adelaide-s grip on the game became even more secure soon after the break, with Victoria Balomenos heading home from close range. Sydney FC came back into the contest with 20 minutes remaining, Kylie Ledbrook scoring directly with her shot from a free kick. They pressed hard for an equaliser, but Adelaide held out for a good win.
Central Coast Mariners overcame the sending off of goalkeeper Lisa Hartley soon after half time, to win 2-1 against Canberra United in front of over 1600 fans at the McKellar Park in Canberra. Hartley had been in the thick of the action in the first half, making two good saves to deny Canberra striker Sasha McDonnell. A minute after the break, Kyah Simon, who had returned the day before from Malaysia with the Westfield Young Matildas, gave the Mariners the lead when she chased down Lydia Williams attempted clearing kick and stroked home into the empty net. Two minutes later and Hartley was red-carded when she dropped the ball and then hauled down Sara Mowbray, who was set to score. Canberra captain Ellie Brush blasted her spot kick home and they then pressed for a second goal. The Mariners however held out and then Simon caught Williams out with a lobbed effort that she later claimed was a cross.
Weekend Goals Tally: 13
Card Count: 14 yellows – 1 red
Leading Goalscorers
4 – Leena Khamis (SFC)
3 – Sandra Scalzi (AU)
2 – Lana Harch (QR), Kate Gill (NJ), Renee Rollason (CCM), Sharon Black (AU), Kyah Simon (CCM), Lauren Colthorpe (QR)
