Holly McNamara scored her fourth competition hattrick for Melbourne City in a dramatic weekend of A-League Women’s action.
Elsewhere, Chloe Berryhill scored her first goal for the Wanderers, while Melbourne Victory pulled off a dramatic stoppage time comeback.
There are also two games to preview midweek, with the Wanderers hosting the Phoenix while the Mariners get ready for their traditional New Years Eve match.
Read about the Matildas at Home action below.
Adelaide United 5 – 2 Western Sydney Wanderers
Adelaide United broke the shackles of a difficult season in some style, defeating Western Sydney Wanderers 5-2.
Erin Healy scored a brace while Emily Hodgson, Paige Zois and Chelsie Dawber also got on the scoresheet. Young gun Allyssa Ng-Saad and Chloe Berryhill scored for the Wanderers, but they left themselves too much to do to get back into the game.
Adriana Taranto started for the Reds while Berryhill played the full match up top for the Wanderers.
Central Coast Mariners 3 – 3 Melbourne Victory
Melbourne Victory and the Central Coast Mariners played out a draw in the most extraordinary of circumstances, with Victory scoring three stoppage time goals to rescue a point.
A wonder-goal from CommBank Young Matilda Peta Trimis separated the two teams at half-time, before a brace for Annalise Rasmussen gave Mariners a three-goal advantage. When Rhianna Pollicina scored for Victory in the 91st minute, it appeared that it would be nothing more than consolation – but two goals in two minutes from Sofia Sakalis and Ella O’Grady meant that the shellshocked Mariners would have to settle for a point.
Isabel Gomez started for the Mariners and assisted the first two goals.
Newcastle Jets 0 – 1 Canberra United
It took until stoppage time, but Canberra United finally found a way through a resilient Newcastle Jets, defeating them 1-0.
Canberra piled on the pressure with 32 total shots and an xG of over two, but looked like they would not be able to get over the line. Entire Sienna Dale – the youngster’s second A-League Women’s goal in stoppage time lifted the visitors to all three points and put them back on top of the table.
Michelle Heyman started and played the full match for Canberra, while Natasha Prior was a huge part of the Jets defence.
Melbourne City 3 – 1 Perth Glory
Melbourne City defeated a spirited Perth Glory 3-1 as they continue their march up the A-League Women’s table.
Holly McNamara was clinical for Melbourne City, scoring a hat-trick as she converted all her big chances. All three goals were assisted by Leah Davidson in an eye-catching performance. The Glory did get a goal back through Bronte Trew, and looked very impressive with their high press, but did not quite have enough in the tank to overcome the City juggernaut.
McNamara started for City before being withdrawn in the second half. Alexia Apostolakis played the full game at right-back, while Karly Roestbakken came off the bench. Bryleeh Henry remains unavailable with a back injury.
Western Sydney Wanderers v Wellington Phoenix
Date: Tuesday, 30 December
Venue: Wanderers Football Park
Kickoff: 7pm AEDT
Broadcast: 10Play and Paramount+
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The Wellington Phoenix travel to Western Sydney for their first fixture after scoring seven past Sydney FC last week.
The Wanderers will hope they can bounce back after a quick turnaround from their defeat to Adelaide United on the weekend. The Phoenix, meanwhile, will hope to keep the good times rolling now that they have found their shooting boots.
Chloe Berryhill will be available for the Wanderers.
Central Coast Mariners v Brisbane Roar
Date: Wednesday, 31 December
Venue: Polytec Stadium
Kickoff: 4.15pm AEDT
Broadcast: 10Play and Paramount+
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The Central Coast Mariners will have little time to dwell on their match against Victory, taking on the Brisbane Roar in their traditional New Years Eve match on Wednesday.
The Roar travel to the Mariners after a long break and up-and-down form this season. The Mariners have shown that they are a tough team to play, especially at home - having not lost at Polytec Stadium yet this season - and all signs point to an even, intriguing match.
Isabel Gomez will be available for the Mariners while the Roar contingent of Chloe Lincoln, Sharn Freier and Grace Kuilamu are expected to start. Tameka Yallop remains unavailable with her hamstring injury.