Melbourne City 2-1 Canberra United
By Emma Burke at AAMI Park for Impetus (21/10/23).
Above: Rhianna Pollicina (centre) with Holly McNamara (left) and Hannah Wilkinson (right). Photo: Melbourne City.
Melbourne City have collected all three points in their second-round game against Canberra United defeating the visitors 2-1.
The opening goal of the game came midway through the first half when young gun Daniela Galic sent in a cross that took a useful deflection and landed in the perfect time and place for Rhianna Pollicina to hit the first-time volley and beat Canberra goalkeeper Chloe Lincoln.
While the shot did come off Pollicina’s shin, whatever works, works, and City went into the rooms with the lead.
City found their second goal almost immediately after the whistle blew on the second half. Holly McNamara took off on a streaking run and was deep into the box when United defender Alex McKenzie took her down.
McNamara was awarded a penalty for her effort, which was then taken by Pollicina. Pollicina’s spot kick was driven expertly into the bottom left corner, putting City up 2-0.
Canberra had been comfortable to sit back and let City push up and in, looking to take their chances on the counter and make City pay for having their backline sit so far up the field.
Their decision eventually bore fruit, albeit not enough for them to take any points away from the game.
A long ball sent in by Vesna Milivojevic found the head of Michelle Heyman, and Canberra United’s star striker scored her 96th career goal, helped along by an unfortunate mix-up between City keeper Lysianne Proulx and Captain Rebekah Stott.
Having pulled a goal back, Canberra seemingly found their feet and spent the time remaining looking to find an equaliser.
Time would eventually run out for United and City would take the win. This puts City on a two-game winning streak and leaves Canberra winless so far.
The league now heads into an international break, with both teams having players head off to various national camps.
Round three will resume at the start of November, with Canberra finally heading home to host Perth Glory, and City facing cross-town rivals Western United.
Teams: MELBOURNE CITY: Proulx (GK), Otto, Grosso, L. McKenna (Henry), Torpey, McNamara, Pollicina (T. McKenna), Stott (c), Hughes, Wilkinson, Galic.
Goals: Pollicina 26’, 47’ (Penalty),
CANBERRA UNITED: Lincoln (GK), McKenzie, Ilijoski, Nathan, Grove, Rojas (Jackson), Milivojevic, Flannery, Clough, Heyman (c) Bertolissio (Christopherson).
Goals: Heyman 63’
Referee: Anna-Marie Keighley
Attendance: Approx 2,000 (official figure to follow).
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