Thursday night specialists Western Sydney Wanderers travel to Dandenong this week to tackle Melbourne City in what will be a battle for pride.
The Wander Women’s quest for a second successive Finals Series ended last week after a disappointing 1-0 loss to Melbourne Victory.
Annalie Longo’s strike just before halftime was enough to cement a Top Four spot for the Victorians, who were the better team all night.
Georgia Yeoman-Dale, Bryleeh Henry, and Danika Matos all worked hard but poor passing and the inability to have meaningful shots on goal cost the Wanderers.
Former Wanderer Kyra Cooney-Cross was excellent for Victory, creating plenty of chances, including setting up Longo’s winner.
Polly Doran and Kayla Ann Morrison were also outstanding all night, while Longo, deservedly scored the match-winner after presenting well all night.
Cooney-Cross returned to haunt her old team as Victory worked a set piece to perfection. After they won a free kick on the left, Cooney-Cross delivered a pin point pass which Melina Ayres nodded down for Longo to control with her chest, before she volleyed in from close range.
It was a beautiful passage of play in an otherwise scrappy game of football.
The Wander Women never found their run or rhythm, with Victory shutting them down well and often getting to the ball first.
Yeoman-Dale ran hard throughout to try and get her team back in the game but the last pass always let the Wanderers down. Henry showed moments of promise, often getting to the ball and trying to create attacking plays. Matos made several crucial tackles, including a few on Matilda legend Lisa De Vanna, to keep Victory at bay.
Melbourne City had the bye last weekend, this was after their 1-0 loss to the Wanderers at Wanderers Football Park two weeks ago.
Rado Vidosic’s team are languishing in second last spot, three points away from bottom placed Perth who have two games in hand.
City have never finished last and that alone will be enough incentive to put on a big performance in Thursday night football.
Melbourne City FC v Western Sydney Wanderers FC
Thursday 11 March 2021, 7:05pm
Frank Holohan Reserve
