Ninja A-League round-up: Adelaide United’s superb form continues as Sydney FC claim crucial win | OneFootball

The latest round of the A-League Women action saw league leaders Melbourne City in continental action — that gave the chasing pack the chance to close the gap to the top, including in form Adelaide United.

Melbourne Victory were able to do just that, thanks to them coming out on top of a seven-goal thriller against Newcastle Jets. Meanwhile, Adelaide United got the better of Brisbane Roar. Here’s how the week’s action unfolded in full.

Melbourne Victory 4-3 Newcastle Jets

A stoppage time winner from Kayla Morrison helped Melbourne Victory to all three points in a crazy game to open the weekend’s action.

Victory were 2-0 up through Emily Gielnik’s double salvo in the opening 11 minutes. She put the hosts ahead inside a minute as she fired past Danielle Krzyzaniak at her near post from a narrow angle. Gielnik’s second came courtesy of a near post header following Alana Murphy’s corner.

Alana Jančevski’s speculative effort from 30 yards out had Victory three ahead after just 22 minutes. It was a goal Krzyzaniak should have done better with.

The Jets found a lifeline thanks to Lauren Allan just before half-time. She rose highest to head home Cass Davis’ cross.

Embed from Getty Images

Sophie Hoban further reduced the deficit on halftime in bizarre circumstances. She charged down Claudia Bunge’s clearance and saw the ball cannon back off her and in past a shell-shocked Courtney Newbon.

Newcastle thought they’d snatched an incredible draw in stoppage time at the end of the game. Hoban fed the ball through the Victory centre backs for Sheridan Gallagher who slotted under Newbon. Victory cashed in their get out of jail free card with 96 minutes played. Morrison reacted quickest to turn home Bunge’s header back into the six-yard box.

Victory banked a win to close the gap on A-League leaders Melbourne City, while Adelaide also enjoyed an important win.

Wellington Phoenix 0-2 Central Coast Mariners

Central Coast secured a priceless win over the Phoenix as they gave themselves some breathing room in the race for a Finals place.

Grace Jale had the first real attempt of the afternoon, but she fired straight at Mariners keeper Sarah Langman.

The Mariners had chances of their own and hit the bar twice. The second of which led to a penalty when Annalise Rasmussen was bundled over. Rasmussen picked herself up to convert the penalty, sending Carolina Vilão the wrong way.

Isobel Gomez’s well-executed volley from the edge of the box early in the second half doubled the Mariners’ advantage.

Manaia Elliott’s stinging drive was as close as the hosts came, but it was well saved by Langman as the Mariners saw out the win.

Embed from Getty Images

Canberra United 0-1 Sydney FC

Sydney recorded a second consecutive win to move clear of the bottom of the table.

The corner deliveries of Emma Robers caused the Sky Blues early worries. Tegan Bertolissio cracked a header against the woodwork with ten minutes gone.

Sydney were having some success with their corners too. Tori Tumeth had an effort blocked on the line by a stubborn Canberra defence.

Canberra thought they’d taken the lead when another corner fell to Madison Ayson. She forced the ball goalwards but was denied by a combination of Shay Hollman and Princess Ibini. Ayson’s protests that the ball had crossed the line fell on deaf ears and the game remained goalless.

Mackenzie Hawkesby won it for Sydney with 13 minutes to play. Millie Farrow won the ball back just outside the Canberra box. Indi dos Santos took control of the ball and her cut back was hammered home by Hawkesby.

Embed from Getty Images

Perth Glory 1-0 Western Sydney Wanderers

Western Sydney’s bid to avoid the Wooden Spoon suffered a damaging blow as they were beaten in Perth.

Sienna Saveska went close for Western Sydney early on. Ella Buchanan’s pinpoint pass found Saveska but she could only lift the ball wide from six yards out.

Perth caused the Wanderers problems, Kelli Brown was denied by Amy Harrison’s block on Sarah O’Donoghue was thwarted by Sham Khamis in goal. In a game of few clear-cut chances, Khamis and her Perth counterpart, Casey Dumont weren’t overly tested by efforts from distance.

Isabella Foletta struck in injury time to give Perth the win. She was on hand to fire home the loose ball when Wanderers could only half clear a corner. That win keeps the Glory in with an outside chance of a Finals berth.

Embed from Getty Images

Adelaide United 3-1 Brisbane Roar

Adelaide United’s momentum shows no signs of slowing as they came from behind to beat Brisbane in their latest A-League clash.

The Roar had the better of the early chances. Alicia Woods drew a smart stop from Claudia Jenkins. Chelsea Blissett’s header smacked back off the woodwork as Brisbane continued to press for the opener.

The Queenslanders deservedly opened the scoring early into the second half, albeit in bizarre fashion. Jenkins and Ella Tonkin attempted to play a one-two on their own byline while under pressure from Laini Freier. Jenkins’ return ball cannoned off the face of Tonkin and Mariel Hecher gladly nipped in to volley home.

Embed from Getty Images

But this Adelaide side are the real deal. And in Chelsey Dawber and Fiona Worts, they have a potent combination. Dawber’s cross in was ruthlessly turned home first time by Worts two minutes after coming on.

Worts bagged what turned out to be the winner with four minutes left. She pounced on a missed header in the Brisbane box to finish for her 9th goal of the season. Dawber got in on the act in the closing stages as she won and then converted a penalty to send Adelaide ten points clear of fourth placed Western United in the A-League table.

Related articles from Her Football Hub: