Westfield Matildas at Home: Gielnik enters golden boot conversation

A double for Westfield Matilda Emily Gielnik has got round eight off to a blistering start with Brisbane Roar extending their unbeaten run.

It didn’t start well for the Roar, with Leena Khamis opening the scoring for the Western Sydney Wanderers at Marconi Stadium. The ball was put on a dime by Libby Copus-Brown and with plenty of work still to do, Khamis beat the defenders and the ‘keeper to give the Wanderers the lead.

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Only a couple of minutes later a dangerous cross from Tameka Yallop kick started a chain reaction which would end in a Gielnik goal.

Sarah Willacy was forced to punch away the cross with the clearance rolling out only as far as Isobel Dalton. Her scuffed shot turned into a pass straight to the feet of Gielnik. The Westfield Matilda earned a yard of space and shot past Willacy.


Gielnik scored her second from the spot, after a Georgia Yeoman-Dale handball in the box. The goal was Gielnik’s sixth, putting her level with Michelle Heyman at the top of the golden boot standings.


She will look to continue that goal scoring form as the Roar have a quick turnaround, facing the table topping Sydney FC this Sunday. Her Westfield Matildas and Brisbane team mate Clare Polkinghorne will have her hands full with the likes of Remy Siemsen, Princess Ibini, and Cortnee Vine to deal with.

Other Westfield Matildas in action this weekend include Melbourne City’s cohort taking on the Newcastle Jets. Both sides enter the match off the back of multiple losses and will be hungry for the three points to keep their finals hopes alive.

Emma Checker and Teagan Micah will have to contend with Tara Andrews as she looks to add to her goal tally, while Alex Chidiac will be looking to terrorise the Jets defence.

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Finally, Adelaide United host Canberra United. While the team in green couldn’t find the back of the net against Sydney last round, this game presents a new opportunity.

Vicki Linton’s side will want the win to consolidate their top four position. Michelle Heyman has the chance to reassert her lead in the top scorer rankings for this season and reclaim the all-time goal scoring record in the Westfield W-League.