A-League round-up: Melbourne Victory and Western Sydney Wanderers tie in eight-goal thriller | OneFootball

Much like myself at the dinner table, the Ninja A-League didn’t let up during the festive period. Brisbane Roar were the standout performers as they wracked up an incredible 14 goals against the Jets and Western United. Meanwhile, Sydney FC’s woes continued as they sank to the bottom of the league.

Let’s take a look at the latest round of matches as the new year got underway. The results featured a thrilling eight-goal affair between Melbourne Victory and Western Sydney Wanderers, with points shared on the day.

Western United 2-0 Newcastle Jets

Western bounced back from their humiliation at the hands of Brisbane thanks to a brace from Kahli Johnson.

Both sides had chances to open the scoring in the first half. Libby Copus-Brown had her shot cleared off the line for Newcastle and Johnson hit the crossbar late on in the opening period for Western.

The hosts took the lead just before the hour when Johnson headed Julia Sardo’s cross home when it seemed like Jets goalkeeper Tiahna Robertson was favourite for the ball.

Another Johnson header sealed the win, this time Kiara De Domizio was the provider with a pinpoint ball into the box. Newcastle’s misery was complete when Tash Prior was sent off in the final moments.

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Wellington Phoenix 2-0 Perth Glory

Wellington Phoenix moved into the top six as they picked up all three points on Saturday.

The Nix dominated the chances in the first half. Mebae Tanaka had her effort blocked on the line by Grace Johnston after Perth Glory goalkeeper Casey Dumont misjudged a cross into the back post.

Grace Jale gave the hosts a deserved lead in the opening minutes of the second half as she rifled home from 25 yards. Olivia Fergusson doubled Wellington’s lead with a powerful header past Dumont.

Perth flickered into life with five minutes left. Tanika Lala drew a smart stop from Carolina Vilão. The rebound was met by Miku Sunaga on the edge of the box, but her effort cannoned back off the underside of the bar as Wellington preserved their clean sheet and the win.

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Central Coast Mariners 0-1 Adelaide United

Emily Hodgson’s first goal in eight years was enough to see Adelaide United continue their fine start to the season.

Barely ten minutes had elapsed when the Reds defender found herself free in the box to turn home Chelsie Dawber’s cross. From there on in, United were indebted to goalkeeper Claudia Jenkins. The shot-stopper produced two smart saves in quick succession to deny Brooke Nunn and Shadeene Evans.

Sarah Rowe was next to try and break the deadlock for the Mariners, but Jenkins was equal to her low drive. Annabel Martin should have equalised, but she headed over from yards out. Deep into stoppage time, Jade Pennock saw her header blocked on the line by teammate Peta Trimis. Jenkins pounced on the loose ball to secure the win.

Following a dismal season last year, Adelaide now sit fourth.

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Brisbane Roar 1-2 Canberra United

A late Michelle Heyman goal gave Canberra United the victory at a packed out Perry Park.

Brisbane’s woman in form Laini Freier gave the Brisbane Roar the lead with just under 20 minutes to play as she swept home Tameka Yallop’s cutback.

Canberra equalised against the run of play in the 81st minute. Emma Robers picked up a ball in midfield and fired home from distance past Olivia Sekany.

A long ball from Canberra goalkeeper Sally James caused havoc in the Brisbane defence. Holly McQueen and Leia Varley couldn’t deal with the bounce, allowing Heyman to nip in. She curled home to complete the comeback as Brisbane’s three-match winning run came to an end.

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Sydney FC 1-1 Melbourne City

Embattled reigning champions Sydney FC claimed a valuable point at home to table-topping Melbourne City on Sunday.

Both sides had early chances to take the lead. Bryleeh Henry poked wide from yards out for City and Indi Dos Santos was denied by a stunning save from Malena Mieres to tip the ball onto the bar.

Sydney took the lead through an absolute howitzer from Shea Connors. She smashed home Lucy Johnson’s infield pass first time leaving Mieres helpless this time. Dos Santos was denied a second just before the break when her effort cannoned back off the crossbar.

City levelled through Leticia McKenna with 62 minutes played. Tahlia Franco sliced her clearance only as far as Holly McNamara who squared to the onrushing McKenna.

Neither side could find a winner as Sydney remain a point adrift of rivals Western Sydney at the bottom.

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Melbourne Victory 4-4 Western Sydney Wanderers

Melbourne Victory and Western Sydney Wanderers rounded off the weekend’s action with an absolute classic at the home of the Matildas.

Sophie Harding dispossessed Claudia Bunge and coolly slotted home to give Wanderers the lead after four minutes. Bunge atoned for her error on half-time as she headed home Alex Chidiac’s corner to equalise.

Into the second half and all hell broke loose. Ellie Wilson put Victory ahead in the 51st minute with a well-placed shot from the edge of the Wanderers box. Sienna Saveska pulled Western Sydney level with a classy curling finish from 20 yards out.

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The home side looked to have won it through a Gemma Ferris own goal and Chidiac’s first goal of the season with 87 minutes gone. Talia Kapetanelis was on hand to poke home from close range to set up a grandstand finish.

Harding’s second of the night bookended a remarkable game. Kayla Morrison slipped as she went to head the ball away and Harding finished with aplomb to earn a point.

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