Melbourne City 5-1 Western United
By Kieran Yap 5/2/25
Above: Holly McNamara. Photo: Melbourne City
A first half hatrick by Holly McNamara helped Melbourne City to a 5-1 win over Western United as the defending premiers solidified their grip on top spot in the A-League Women.
City’s comprehensive win continues their undefeated streak and it was their finishing that got the job done. After scoring only goal in each of their last three games, Michael Matricciani’s team were ruthless in the final third as they increased the gap at the top of the ladder to five points.
Melbourne City welcomed back Matildas winger Bryleeh Henry. The versatile and in-form attacker had missed the last three games through concussion and returned to the bench for the visit of Kat Smith’s team.
Western United made the trip to cntrl:cyber Pitch undefeated in their last four games, and having drawn 1-1 with City in their last meeting on the 17th of January.
City looked sharp early, and after three minutes, Holly McNamara had opened the scoring. Rhianna Pollicina’s defence splitting pass, combined with McNamara’s well timed run put her one-on-one with Chloe Lincoln. The Western United goalkeeper saved the first effort on goal, but McNamara tucked away the second chance with a cool finish amid a now crowded penalty box.
McNamara almost doubled the lead in the 19th minute after Lordes Bosch played her in behind the Western defence again. This time, Lincoln’s save was enough and the score stayed at 1-0.
It looked like it might have been a crucial miss when Chloe Logarzo turned a half chance into one of the goals of the round. With the ball loose about 30 yards from goal, Logarzo unleashed a low missile of a strike out of nothing that left Malena Mieres grasping at air.
Parity lasted less than 10 minutes before Holly Mac struck again, this time turning in a Bosch cutback from the edge of the six-yard box and somehow unmarked in the area.
The recent Matildas call up had her third just minutes later. Chipping Lincoln from outside of the area with a delightful display of precision and audacity.
The sides went into the break at 3-1 despite Isabel Dehakiz’s best effort to reduce the deficit with another long-range effort that brought the best out of Mieres.
The second half saw Western try and fight their way back into the game but to no avail. Kahli Johnson battled bravely up front and Chloe Logarzo hit the woodwork with another effort, but without the injured Catherine Zimmerman, Western struggled to create consistent good chances on goal.
At the other end, City were lining up to shoot at goal, and Pollicina added to her assist with a low finish in the 59th minute to put the result beyond doubt.
Bosch capped off her brilliant performance on the right with a goal of her own in the 71st minute. The rampant winger tucked away the rebound after Bryleeh Henry’s shot was parried away by Lincoln. If not for McNamara’s hatrick, Bosche would have been comfortably player of the match after some sparkling football on the wing for City.
Western were spared further pain when Leticia McKenna’s effort rifled over the bar, and the game ended 5-1.
The win keeps City top, undefeated and five points clear of second placed Melbourne Victory, although they have played one game more than their closest competitors, they are starting to look unassailable as they march to a second consecutive premiership.
Both of these teams had a short turnaround for this game. While City had one day less to recover, this was still a comprehensive and impressive performance. While Western’s attack struggled somewhat without Zimmerman, City have the depth to have a player of Henry and Kathryn Harvey in reserve.
Western United will now prepare to face Sydney FC on Sunday while waiting on the fitness of Melissa Taranto. The vitsl midfielder was subbed out with a concerning looking knee injury in the 61st minute.
City also travel to New South Wales, to face The Newcastle Jets, who are in patchy but always threatening form.
Teams: Melbourne City (4-4-2): Mieres, Apostolakis, Stott, Otto, Roestbakken, Speckmaier, McKenna, Hughes, Bosch, Pollicina, McNamara. Substitutes: Henry, Barbieri, McMahon, Vlajnic, Harvey.
Goals: McNamara 3’ 36’ 38’ Pollicina 59’ Bosch 71’
Western United (4-4-2): Lincoln, Sardo, Dehakiz, Maher, Grove, Medwin, M Taranto, Eggesvik, A Taranto, Logarzo, Johnson. Substitutes: Mihocic, De Domizio, Ibarguen, Prakash, Dall`Oste
Goals: Logarzo 26’
Referee: Rebecca Durcau
Attendance: TBC
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