There was no love lost for Ellie Carpenter on her return to Canberra United during Westfield W-League Round 2, but it was the teenage Westfield Matilda who enjoyed the last laugh.
Elsewhere, Sydney FC and Brisbane Roar’s Westfield Matildas combined to dazzling effect, and Amy Harrison led Western Sydney Wanderers to back to back wins.
Read on for a full wrap of your Westfield Matildas in the Westfield W-League.
INFO: Westfield Matildas in the Westfield W-League - where are they playing
HOW TO WATCH: Westfield W-League Round 3
STAR PERFORMERS: Westfield W-League Team of the Week - Round 2
Carpenter in the wars as van Egmond steps up for City
The highly anticipated return of Ellie Carpenter to Canberra United with Melbourne City promised fireworks and the teenager certainly exceeded expectations with a bruising, all-action display against her old club in Sunday’s 2-1 win.
Carpenter – who spent four seasons and emerged as one of Australia’s best-ever young talents in the nation’s capital before joining the three-time Champions in the off-season - was on the receiving end of some vigorous challenges, including a big collision with United stalwart Leena Khamis in the first half.
Her duels with Karly Roestbakken, the Westfield Matilda proclaimed by many as Carpenter’s heir apparent, was one of the highlights of the occasion.
And although City went behind when Lydia Williams was beaten by Katie Stengel, Carpenter – along with fellow fullback Steph Catley, who created a match-high five chances – was instrumental in helping Rado Vidosic’s side come home with a wet sail.
Her trademark bursts up the right wing caused the United defence no shortage of problems, and it resulted in the penalty decision that led to Emily van Egmond’s match-winning penalty in stoppage time.
Aivi Luik and Kyah Simon were also involved for City, notching 90 and 45 minutes respectively.
READ: Canberra walk away with ‘heads held high’ after last-gasp City defeat
READ: City leave it late to edge Canberra
Next up for Canberra United in Round 3 is a trip to face Newcastle Jets at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday, 30 November at 4.30pm AEDT.
Get tickets here
Find the Match Centre here
In Round 3, Melbourne City welcome Adelaide United to Victoria. City host the Reds on Saturday, 30 November at 7.00pm AEDT.
Get tickets here
Find the Match Centre here
Logarzo and Foord combine to kill off Reds
Sydney FC continued their perfect start to the campaign with a gutsy 1-0 win over Adelaide and it was the combination of Westfield Matildas Chloe Logarzo and Caitlin Foord which proved crucial.
Foord fired home the eventual match-winner on 56 minutes with a very sharp take inside the penalty area after a similarly precise ball from Logarzo.
Sarah Willacy was otherwise the less involved of the two keepers but still pulled off three saves, while Mary Fowler was again one of Adelaide’s brightest sparks and likeliest sources of attacking returns.
Fellow youngsters Princess Ibini and Shadeene Evans were also bright sparks in the City of Churches. Ibini featured for 90 minutes and created two chances, while Evans offered another entertaining and full-blooded display following her 67th minute introduction from the bench.
READ: ‘Enough chances to win two games’ - Karlovic rues Adelaide’s missed opportunities
READ: Foord snatches winner as Sydney FC deny spirited Adelaide
Sydney FC's next challenge is a rematch of the 2019 Grand Final against Perth Glory on Sunday, 1 December at Dorrien Gardens, kick off at 4.00pm AEDT.
Get tickets here
Find the Match Centre here
Adelaide United, meanwhile, are in action against Melbourne City on Saturday, 30 November at 7.00pm AEDT.
Get tickets here
Find the Match Centre here
Harrison steals the show for Wanderers
Lynn Williams made her long-awaited Westfield W-League debut in the Wanderers’ 1-0 win over Newcastle Jets on Friday, but it was Westfield Matilda Amy Harrison who produced the match's telling contribution.
Harrison – who had earlier been denied by the foot of the post - stroked home a lovely penalty on the hour mark to ensure the Red and Black begin the campaign with back to back wins.
Kyra Cooney-Cross followed up her match-winning heroics against Adelaide in Round 1 by turning another industrious 90-minute cameo for the Wanderers, while for Newcastle, Gema Simon dealt well with the threat posed by American international Williams.
READ: Harrison's drought-breaking goal sees Wanderers dispose of Jets in the wet
READ: New-look Wanderers appear set to create Westfield W-League history
Up next for the high-flying Wanderers is a trip to Brisbane Roar on Thursday, 28 November at Lions FC Stadium, kick off 7.30pm AEDT.
Get tickets here
Find the Match Centre here
Newcastle Jets will look to bounce back from their defeat against Canberra United at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday, 30 November at 4.30pm AEDT.
Get tickets here
Find the Match Centre here
Yallop tallies half century but Brisbane fall at home
Tameka Yallop registered her 50th Westfield W-League goal for Brisbane Roar but it wasn’t enough for the Queenslanders to avoid a 3-2 home defeat to reigning Premiers Melbourne Victory on Thursday.
Yallop fired Roar into the lead after a delightful exchange involving Katrina Gorry and Hayley Raso after Victory hit the front via Kaitlyn Torpey’s 10th minute own goal.
The Westfield Matildas veteran saw a penalty kick denied by best-on-ground Victory stopper Casey Dumont, while opposite number Mackenzie Arnold produced an outstanding stop to deny Natasha Dowie in the first half having earlier been bested by the English striker from the spot.
Westfield Young Matilda Indiah-Paige Riley scored her second Westfield W-League goal to get Roar back into the game after Dowie volleyed in a third, but Brisbane were unable to mount a late challenge, with a Victory defence boasting Jenna McCormick and Teigen Allen holding strong.
Clare Polkinghorne played 90 minutes for the Roar.
READ: Dowie scores a stunner as Victory bounce back in thriller against Roar
READ: ‘I love penalties!’ - Dumont’s heroics lead Premiers Victory to first win of 2019/20 season
Brisbane Roar will look to respond to first-up defeat against Western Sydney Wanderers on Thursday, 28 November at Lions FC Stadium, kick off 7.30pm AEDT.
Get tickets here
Find the Match Centre here
Melbourne Victory have the bye in Round 3.
READ MORE: The 14 Westfield W-League matches you can watch on free-to-air TV
READ MORE: Every derby, double header, themed round and much more
