CommBank Matildas were heavily involved in Round 8 of the A-League Women, with Brisbane Roar’s extraordinary 8-2 victory over Western United the headline.
Elsewhere, Melbourne Victory defeated Sydney FC to keep the defending champions bottom of the table, while City came from behind to beat the Wellington Phoenix.
Read our review of all the action below.
Adelaide United 1 – 0 Western Sydney Wanderers
Adelaide United finally broke through against the Western Sydney Wanderers, walking away 1-0 victors.
Adelaide had the vast majority of chances in front of their home fans but were struggling to break through against a resilient Wanderers outfit. In particular, Sham Khamis – the Wanderers goalkeeper – had a fantastic game.
The Reds found a way through in the second half. Their American striker Erin Healy, coming off the bench as she returned from a toe injury, struck her first goal in the competition to give them the lead and secure the three points.
Matilda McNamara started and played the full match for Adelaide.
Perth Glory 0 – 1 Central Coast Mariners
In a game of few chances, the Mariners capitalised on a late Glory error to take the three points back to Gosford.
The Glory came closest in the first half due to a number of testing long-range strikes, requiring Mariners goalkeeper Sarah Langman to spring into action. However, it was Jade Pennock who made the difference, her 85th-minute goal after a mix-up at the back winning the game for the Central Coast.
Jessika Nash started and played the full match in defence for the Mariners.
Sydney FC 0 – 1 Melbourne Victory
Sydney FC’s season of misery continued on the weekend as they were defeated 1-0 by Melbourne Victory.
Victory scored early thanks to a penalty to Alana Jancevski and did not relinquish their lead. They had more possession and the general run of the game – although Sydney certainly had chances of their own.
The result means that Victory finished the round in third, while Sydney are bottom of the table with only four points from eight games.
Alex Chidiac started and played the full match for Victory while Emily Gielnik missed out due to load management of a lower leg injury.
Melbourne City 2 – 1 Wellington Phoenix
Melbourne City came from behind to win yet again this season, defeating the Wellington Phoenix 2-1.
The Phoenix scored first through Olivia Fergusson and looked good value for their lead in the first half. However, City came roaring back in the second. An own goal and then a header to Laura Hughes ensured that the home side remained undefeated and top of the table at the end of the round.
Hughes, Bryleeh Henry, and Leah Davidson all started the match for City. Karly Roestbakken and Holly McNamara were second-half substitutes.
Canberra United 0 – 0 Newcastle Jets
Canberra United and the Newcastle Jets were unable to be separated at McKellar Park, the game ending in a scoreless draw.
The home side had the better of the opportunities throughout the game but were unable to convert. In particular, Michelle Heyman was heavily involved, but could not find the finishing touch.
Heyman and Natasha Prior started for their respective sides.
Western United 2 – 8 Brisbane Roar
In one of the most extraordinary games in A-League Women history, Brisbane Roar trounced Western United 8-2 on Sunday evening.
Sharn Freier got the scoring underway with an assist from her sister Laini, and would leave the field in the second half with a brace. It would be Laini who would steal the show, however, becoming the first player in competition history to score consecutive hat-tricks – and doing so in her first two starts!
Momo Hayashi scored a contender for goal of the season from a free-kick, Leia Varley scored her first competition goal, and Tameka Yallop got in on the action late with a goal from a corner.
For Western United, Chloe Logarzo scored from the penalty spot and a Grace Maher free-kick led to a second – but the goals proved nothing more than a consolation.
Freier and Yallop both started for the Roar, while Logarzo and Chloe Lincoln started for Western United. Freier and Logarzo were both taken off in the second half.