Round Five of the A-League Women saw goals and a triumphant return for CommBank Matildas across the league as Western United continued their winning streak, and defending champions Melbourne Victory scored five goals.
In the first action of the weekend, Adelaide United came away with a 1-0 win over bottom-of-the-table, Wellington Phoenix, in Wellington. An own goal from Mackenzie Barry that came as the result of a dangerous Chelsie Dawber cross proved decisive to the result.
The same scoreline was repeated in the first of the 5 pm double-headers, with Brisbane Roar holding on to a 1-0 victory against Western Sydney Wanderers. Hollie Palmer was the goalscorer, after a shot from Larissa Crummer deflected into her path. Crummer started for the Roar but the headline for CommBanks Matildas fans was the return of Katrina Gorry after taking a four-week break from the game. She played the entirety of the first half, and her quality made a noticeable difference to the Roar’s midfield.
Meanwhile, Chloe Logarzo scored a brace as newcomers Western United continued to prove that their early form is no flash in the pan. Their 3-1 victory over Melbourne City was their fourth win from four games and ensconced them as league leaders, equal on points with Adelaide United but with a game in hand.
Adriana Taranto scored an early goal, but a 64th-minute thunderbolt from Logarzo stole the show. She secured the result with a penalty deep in stoppage time. Melbourne City’s Emma Checker was not named in the matchday squad.
Melbourne Victory put in a 5-star performance as they swept aside the Newcastle Jets 5-2 on Sunday evening. A brace to striker Melina Ayres and an astonishing hattrick from centre-back and captain Kayla Morrison – the first time a centre-back has scored a hattrick in the competition’s history – ensured that Victory’s recent momentum continued. Alex Chidiac and Elise Kellond-Knight both started in midfield. Chidiac’s set piece delivery continued to prove dangerous and led to the fifth goal.
In the final game of the round, Perth Glory overturned a two-goal deficit to defeat Canberra United 3-2. A goal to Cyera Hintzen was sandwiched between a brace to fellow American Rylee Baisden and resulted in their first 3 points of the 2022/23 season.
Next Week’s Action
The next round of A-League Women’s action sees games split before and after Christmas.
The Newcastle Jets will host Larissa Crummer and Katrina Gorry’s Brisbane Roar at 6 pm on Friday, 23 December, as both teams look for three points to haul themselves up the ladder.
Meanwhile, Emma Checker and Melbourne City travel to Canberra and will be hoping to bounce back after their defeat to Western United in the previous round.
The pre-Christmas fixtures come to a close with a 2.20 pm Christmas Eve Sydney derby. Jada Whyman, Cortnee Vine and Remy Siemsen will look to strengthen Sydney FC’s place in the top four against a Western Sydney Wanderers side yet to earn a point this season.
The league picks up again after the break as Melbourne City host Perth Glory on Tuesday, 27 December. Adelaide United and Wellington Phoenix continue the action at 5.05 pm AEDT.
The round concludes on Wednesday, 28 December at 5 pm as Chloe Logarzo and Western United will look to continue their momentum at home against the Newcastle Jets.
You can catch all of the action live on 10Play and Paramount+.