Western Sydney Wanderers failed to take advantage of a strong first half by falling to Melbourne Victory 2-0.
Western Sydney Wanderers failed to take advantage of a strong first half by falling to Melbourne Victory 2-0.
With the Wanderers creating chance after chance, Caitlin Friend shocked the Wanderers and put the Victory ahead just after half time before 16-year-old substitute Beatrice Goad sealed the win with a precise shot.
It was a great performance that scared the top-of-the-table Victory but the final score left the Wanderers coaching staff ruing the missed opportunity to take the three points.
USA U23 Captain Camille Levin ran riot in the second half, consistently over-lapping on the left causing no end of trouble for the Victorians.
It was her run that gave the Wanderers their first good chance of the first half as her run set up Emily van Egmond’s for a cross. While the ball was looking to go straight to the unmarked Jenna Kingsley at the back post, it didn-t dip enough and the ball flew millimetres over the wingers head.
On a roll the Red and Black continued to attack and before long the Wanderers were again close to scoring when Catherine Canulli-s lay-off set up van Egmond on the penalty spot but for the ball to go agonisingly wide of the post.
Not to be deterred, it was Levin again who started a combination move involving Cannuli and van Egmond for Garriock to latch onto. Unfortunately the shot from distance went just over the bar.
Shortly before the break livewire Linda O-Neill was stretchered off the park after a heavy collision with Lisa De Vanna, being taken to hospital for neck and head tests before being cleared of any injury.
The Wanderers went into the shed full of confidence and momentum but the game plan was undone just two minutes into the second half as Caitlin Friend poked home from inside the box.
Shocked initially, the Red and Black clawed their way back into the match and looked good for an equaliser before a counter attack with 13 minutes left saw Beattie Goad grab a second goal for Melbourne.
The result sees Wanderers outside of the top four but with three matches in eight days coming up a flurry of points will launch them back into the title race.
Melbourne Victory 2 (Friend 47′, Goad 77′)
Western Sydney Wanderers 0
HT:0-0
Melbourne Victory:1. Brianna DAVEY (GK), 3. Jessica HUMBLE, 4. Katie HOYLE, 7. Stephanie CATLEY (C), 9. Caitlin FRIEND (16. Beatrice GOAD 73′), 10. Jessica FISHLOCK, 11. Lisa DE VANNA, 12. Jessica SAMUELSSON, 14. Enza BARILLA, 15. Emma CHECKER, 17. Gulcan KOCA , (6. Cindy LAY 88′)
Unused Subs: 5. Laura SPIRANOVIC, 20. Cassandra DIMOVSKI
Western Sydney Wanderers: 2. Caitlin COOPER, 3. Shawna GORDON, 4. Camille LEVIN, 5. Emily VAN EGMOND, 7. Heather GARRIOCK (C) (11. Michelle CARNEY 84′), 9. Jenna KINGSLEY (12 . Jessica SEAMAN 75′), 13. Catherine CANNULI, 14. Alanna KENNEDY, 15. Teigan ALLEN (18. Helen PETINOS 41′), 16. Linda O’NEILL, 22. Dimitra POULOS (GK)
Unused Subs: 1. Mackenzie ARNOLD (GK)
Yellow Cards: ALLEN 34′, CANNULI 68′
