Matildas at Home Review: Harding brace; Heyman & Vine score, Whyman makes 100th appearance

Taryn Heddo 1711329066,1711333794

A Sophie Harding brace took the Wanderers one step closer to only their second-ever A-League Women’s finals appearance.

Meanwhile, a Michelle Heyman goal lifted Canberra United off the bottom of the table, and Cortnee Vine’s Sydney FC are only two points away from a fourth-straight premiership.

Read our review of the Matildas at Home action below.

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The weekend got underway with a drama-filled 3-2 win for Newcastle Jets over Melbourne Victory. Goals to Rachel Lowe and Tori Hansen gave Victory a 2-1 lead that they held deep into the second half. A dramatic late brace from former Victory player Melina Ayres lifted the Jets to a 3-2 lead.

The tension was compounded by a stoppage-time red card given to Jets goalkeeper Isobel Nino after an incident broke out between the two teams. However, it was the home side who were able to hold on for the three points.

Emily Gielnik and Alex Chidiac both played the full match for Melbourne Victory. Elise Kellond-Knight and Lydia Williams were unavailable due to injury.

Melbourne City defeated the Central Coast Mariners 3-0 in a clash between third and fourth place. Hannah Wilkinson, Emina Ekic and Taylor Otto were on the scoresheet for City in a game that was much more even than the scoreline suggests.

Kyah Simon started for the Mariners and was subbed out in second-half stoppage time after missing a penalty. Daniela Galic made her return for City after the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup, coming off the bench in the 70th minute.

The Western Sydney Wanderers took one more step to securing a top-six place with a 3-1 victory over Western United. Western United scored first through Hannah Keane. However, a goal to Ella Buchanan in the first half, assisted by Harding, and then a second-half brace to Sophie Harding, was enough to see the Wanderers over the line.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 23: Sophie Harding of the Wanderers celebrates scoring a goal during the A-League Women round 21 match between Western Sydney Wanderers and Western United at Wanderers Football Park, on March 23, 2024, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

The match was overshadowed by a serious injury to Western United star striker Hannah Keane, who was forced off the pitch in the second half. Chloe Logarzo remains unavailable for the side through an injury of her own.

A fifteenth goal of the season to Michelle Heyman lifted Canberra United off the bottom of the table and to a 1-0 victory over the Wellington Phoenix. It was a match of few chances that the Phoenix looked to be edging until Heyman popped up with a second-half header. It continues her fantastic goal-scoring form and sees her equal Sam Kerr’s record of 21 goal contributions in a single A-League Women’s season.

Sydney FC took themselves to within two points of a fourth-straight premiership with a 3-0 win over Adelaide United. Goals to Caley Tallon-Henniker, Mackenzie Hawkesby and Cortnee Vine were enough to lift the side back into first place with two games remaining.

Vine of Sydney FC celebrates with her team after scoring a goal during the A-League Women round 21 match between Sydney FC and Adelaide United at Leichhardt Oval, on March 24, 2024, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Cortnee Vine of Sydney FC celebrates with her team after scoring a goal during the A-League Women's Round 21 match between Sydney FC and Adelaide United at Leichhardt Oval, on March 24, 2024, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Jada Whyman picked up yet another clean sheet, her ninth of the season. Whyman made history in the game, becoming just the fourth goalkeeper in the Liberty A-League to make 100 appearances. She and Vine played the full match.

The Brisbane Roar are on their way to finishing their season on a high, defeating Perth Glory 2-0. A delightful chip to Kijah Stephenson, and a nice finish from Sharn Freier, was the difference as they look to build the foundations for a successful next season.

Tameka Yallop started the match and played the full game for the Roar.