Sydney FC has scored its second straight win of the Westfield W-League season and maintained its place at the top of the table after a come-from-behind 2-1 win over rivals, the Melbourne Victory at Parramatta Stadium.
Sydney FC has scored its second straight win of the Westfield W-League season and maintained its place at the top of the table after a come-from-behind 2-1 win over rivals, the Melbourne Victory at Parramatta Stadium.
Sarah Groenwald gave the Victory the lead against the run of play early in the game, but Sydney kept the pressure on the visitors and was eventually rewarded with three more important points and an undefeated start to the season.
Unlucky to be down a goal, the Sky Blue women kicked-off the second half at high-speed but their intensity offered only a little taste of all the action that was about to follow.
Captain Heather Garriock was instrumental in Sydney-s first goal when she delivered a beautiful inside ball to last week-s goal-scoring hero Leena Khamis.
Melbourne-s goalkeeper Lisa Barbieri got a hand to Michelle Heyman-s shot but Nicola Bolger was on hand to fire home the follow up.
With the scores level – the competition stepped up another gear.
The Victory women always looked dangerous in and around the box but the
Sky Blues were diligent in denying Melbourne-s chances.
Striker Khamis worked consistently hard all afternoon and was rightfully rewarded with a stunning goal which she managed to strike on the edge of the box past Barbieri.
“It was great. We were lucky to come away with a win. It was very physical,” says Khamis.
Sydney was given a bit of a scare with a few minutes to go when goalkeeper Rachel Cooper was penalised after a tangle with Victory forward Rebecca Tegg, but the Sydney custodian literally saved the day and kept her side on top of the Westfield W-League ladder.
Match Detail
Sydney FC 2 (Nicola Bolger 55-, Leena Khamis 82-)
Melbourne Victory Sarah Groenewalde 24-)
Sydney FC: 1. Rachel Cooper (gk), 3. Danielle Brogan, 5. Lisa Gilbert, 6. Servet Uzunlar, 7. Heather Garriock (C), 8. Joanne Burgess, 10. Kylie Ledbrook, 11. Michelle Heyman (12. Carlie Ikonumou 89-), 18. Nicola Bolger (13. Loren Mahoney 70-), 19. Leena Khamis, 21. Jordan Marsh.
Substitute not used: 14. Maggie Elhusseini.
Yellow Cards: Brogan 41-.
Red Cards: nil.
Goals: Bolger 55-, Khamis 82-.
Melbourne Victory: 1. Melissa Barbieri (gk), 3. Marlies Oostdam, 4. Tal Karp (C), 5. Laura Alleway (16. Bronwyn Nutley 86-), 6. Maika Ruyter-Hooley, 7. Sarah Groenewald (17. Alishia Foote 59-), 8. Louise Bisby (2. Megan Archer 80-), 9. Rebecca Tegg, 11. Brittany Timko, 15. Daniela Diggiammarco, 19. Enza Barilla .
Substitutes not used: 20. Nicole Paul (gk).
Yellow Cards: nil.
Red Cards: nil.
Goals: Groenewald 24-.
Referee: Jacqui Melksham.
