Melbourne City 4 – 2 Canberra United
By Alice de Koster-Kitto (15/12/24)
Above: Holly McNamara steps back on to the pitch. Photo: Melbourne City.
Melbourne City have extended their winning streak in a home victory against
Canberra United, as Holly McNamara made an inspiring impact upon her return to the Ninja A-League.
The scoring was opened with a 12th-minute strike from Michelle Heyman, putting Canberra United in the lead, despite Melbourne City’s early advantage.
Melbourne City entered the match determined to prolong their five-match winning streak, and their tenacity only heightened as the visitors took the lead.
The host’s high press limited Canberra’s further chances, as they maintained possession during the first half. It was quite apparent that there was to be further scoring in this match, however.
Melbourne’s dangerous strike rate, paired with Canberra’s impeccable defensive line meant it was unclear which side the next goal would come from.
Although there were several shots on target from the leaders, a low block from
Canberra United, prevented City from equalizing until the 48th minute, with Kathryn Harvey’s header from extremely close range.
Despite their loss in the end, Canberra United’s keeper Sally James was a stand-out for the visiting side, extending her wonderful start to the season, as the 22-year-old saved several dangerously close shots from Melbourne City, notably from newly capped Matilda, Laura Hughes.
City’s lead was extended in the 60th minute when a header from Mariana Speckmaier bounced off the hip of Canberra’s Maja Markovski, hitting the back of the net, and going down as an own goal.
A 71st-minute substitution saw Melbourne City’s Holly McNamara return to the Ninja A- League, after 392 days. The 21-year-old suffered a 3rd Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury in November of 2023, after scoring a hat trick in a 3-1 victory over Newcastle last season.
McNamara’s return to the pitch came with a shift in momentum as City matched the energy and stamina that Canberra had maintained throughout the match, and their dominance was further established.
Despite a few good chances, Canberra continued to give up possession in dangerous areas, which ultimately saw Laura Hughes net City’s third goal of the evening.
During the final minute of regulation, Canberra’s top goal scorer, Michelle Heyman earned a brace as she took a shot from the center of the box, hitting the back of the net, and restoring a little faith in the visiting side.
In an inspiring turn, Holly McNamara assisted in the 4-2 victory when her shot was nudged in Leticia McKenna in the 3rd minute of stoppage time.
The win marks Melbourne City’s 5th consecutive win in the 2024/25 Ninja A-League season, leaving them at the top of the ladder with an impressive 14 points. Canberra United currently sits at ninth, with a total of seven points.
MELBOURNE CITY (4-3-3): Mires, Apostolakis, Stott, Otto, Roestbakken, Davidson, Hughes, Harvey, McKenna, Henry, Speckmaier. Substitutes: Barbieri, Murray, Bosch, McNamara, Vlajnic.
Scorers: Harvey 48’, Markovski 61’ (OG), Hughes 77’, McKenna 90+3.
CANBERRA UNITED (3-5-1-1): James, McKenzie, Anton, Ayson, Stanic-Floody, Robers, Taylor-Young, Christopherson, Markovski, Malone, Haeyman. Substitutes: Murray, Natham, Majstorovic, Bertolissio, Gordon.
Scorers: Heyman 12’, 89′.
Referee: Bec Mackie.
Attendance: 926.
Follow Impetus on social media:
Twitter (X): @impetusfootball TikTok: @impetusfootball
Instagram: @impetusfootball : @impetusfootball
impetusfootball.org 