Western United 2-2 Melbourne City
by Emma Burke (5/11/23).
Above: Melbourne City’s Taylor Otto shows her joy as Holly McNamara equalised for her side today. Photo: Melbourne City.
A late equaliser from Kahli Johnson has secured Western United their first-ever draw in round three of the A-League Women against Melbourne City.
Western United came out firing, opening the scoring through last year’s Golden Boot winner Hannah Keane in only the sixth minute of the game. It was a moment to be forgotten for City as their defensive line was found guilty of not only ball-watching, but of leaving Keane unmarked in front of goal.
Melbourne City maintained strong ball possession for the rest of the first half and were able to make multiple attacking runs, but were unable to convert as Western United were content to play patiently, often seen stepping off when City held the ball along their backline.
Holly McNamara, ever a threat, came through for City within minutes of the second half, neatly tying up the scores with an incredible long-range goal that she made look effortless.
Both teams pressed for a potential winner, and it was eventually found by City when McNamara pounced on a poor pass between Western United midfielders and was then released by Rihanna Pollicina.
McNamara was given ample time to run with the ball and make the correct decision in going for goal. Her shot was sent to the far post and collected just on the line by New Zealand international Hannah Wilkinson who seemed to poke the ball over the line.
While it looked like City were going to secure their first win over Western United, young gun and star Young Matildas striker Kahli Johnson had other ideas.
After receiving the ball from midfielder Emma Robers, Johnson was able to pivot the ball onto her right foot at the top of the box and send in a driving shot that curved out of reach of City’s keeper Lysianne Proulx.
Despite a last-gasp effort from City that had them taking a corner in the seventh minute of the five minutes of stoppage awarded, they were unable to find the winning goal.
The Victorian teams left with a point apiece, and Western United recorded their first draw as a club in the Liberty A-League.
Teams: WESTERN UNITED (4-4-1-1): Dall’Oste, Sardo, Cerne, Maher, Papadopoulos, Keane, M. Taranto (37’ Prakash), Robers, Hidea (60’ Richards), A. Taranto, Logarzo (60’ Johnson).
Scorers: Keane 6’, Johnson 86’.
MELBOURNE CITY (4-4-2): Proulx, Grosso (87’ T. McKenna), Otto, Stott, Torpey, Galic (64’ Karic), Hughes (64’ Davidson), L. McKenna, Pollicina, McNamara, Wilkinson
Scorers: McNamara 49’, Wilkinson 75’.
Referee: Bec Mackie.
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