Tameka Yallop equalled Sam Kerr’s 70 A-League Women’s goals with an audacious backheel nutmeg on Sunday, but it was ultimately in a losing cause after a dramatic late winner for the Perth Glory.
Elsewhere, Melbourne Victory triumphed in the Big Blue, Michelle Heyman scored for Canberra, and Holly McNamara scored the winner for Melbourne City against the Western Sydney Wanderers.
Read our review of all of the Matildas at Home action below.
Melbourne Victory 2 – 0 Sydney FC
Melbourne Victory triumphed against Sydney FC in the second Big Blue of the season, coming away 2-0 victors.
Alana Jancevski scored a stunning free kick early in the first half to give Victory the lead. Sydney pushed for an equaliser but when Holly Furphy – on debut in the competition after returning to Melbourne from college – scored in the second half, Victory would not be caught.
Alex Chidiac and Emily Gielnik both started and played the full match for Victory.
Western Sydney Wanderers 0 – 1 Melbourne City
It was tighter than perhaps expected, but Melbourne City remained undefeated and top of the league with a 1-0 victory over the Western Sydney Wanderers.
In her first start since returning from injury, it was Holly McNamara who scored the only goal of the game and the ultimate winner, getting on the end of a wonderful assist from Mariana Speckmaier to tuck the ball home at the far post.
The Wanderers certainly had their chances throughout the game but were not able to earn themselves, which would have been a fantastic point in the context of their season.
McNamara and Leah Davidson both started the match before being withdrawn in the second half, with Karly Roestbakken replacing McNamara. Laura Hughes played the full game in midfield. Bryleeh Henry remained unavailable due to concussion protocols.
Adelaide United 1 – 1 Western United
Adelaide United held on to a 1-1 draw with Western United at home in a hard-fought top-six clash.
The Reds scored first thanks to a stunning individual effort from Erin Healy. Her second goal in consecutive games was the difference until Catherine Zimmerman found the breakthrough for Western in the second half.
Despite Western United having the majority of the play throughout the match, they were unable to find the second goal, and the Reds escaped with a point.
Matilda McNamara played the full match in Adelaide’s defence, while Chloe Lincoln and Chloe Logarzo did the same for Western United.
Newcastle Jets 2 – 2 Canberra United
The Newcastle Jets played out an entertaining 2-2 draw with Canberra United.
The Jets struck first, a rocket from CommBank Young Matilda Lara Gooch capitalising on an error playing out from the back. However, it was Canberra who would lead at the break – an own goal affected by Sofia Christopherson, and a Michelle Heyman goal, meant that Canberra led at half-time.
Sheridan Gallagher would score in the second half to equalise for the Jets but they would have to see out a nervy few moments after she was sent off minutes before the end of regulation time. They managed to hold on with ten players, and both teams would have to settle for a point.
Heyman started and played the full match for Canberra. Tash Prior started for the Jets before being subbed off due to injury in the first half.
Central Coast Mariners 1 – 0 Wellington Phoenix
A wonder goal from 16-year-old Tiana Fuller ensured that the Central Coast Mariners picked up an important three points against the Wellington Phoenix.
It was a very even game between two sides fighting for the top six. However, it would be the Mariners who would find the breakthrough, with Fuller scoring a remarkable third goal of the season in her first-ever start in the competition to give her side a lead that they would not relinquish.
Jessika Nash started and played the full match for the Phoenix.
Perth Glory 3 – 2 Brisbane Roar
18-year-old Ella Abdul Massih scored her first A-League Women’s goal in style, a stoppage-time winner from a direct free kick the ultimate difference between the Perth Glory and the Brisbane Roar.
The Roar took the lead early through a backheel nutmeg goal to Tameka Yallop after a corner. The goal was her 70th in the competition, drawing level with Sam Kerr for second on the all-time list.
The Glory would equalise twice - both times through Caitlin Doeglas, with a Grace Kuilamu goal for Brisbane sandwiched in between – and it was 2-2 at half-time. The scores remained that way until stoppage time when a Holly McQueen red card for a denial of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity opened the door for Abdul Massih’s heroics.
Yallop started and played the full match for the Roar. Sharn Freier also started before being withdrawn in the second half due to an ankle injury. The Roar have stated that the injury is only ankle bruising.