Melbourne City are still in contention for the A-League Women’s Premiership and have dealt a blow to Perth Glory’s finals chances with a 4-0 win in Gosford.
City took the lead on the stroke of halftime thanks to Rhianna Pollicina’s half-volley, before Holly McNamara scored a second-half brace and Hannah Wilkinson added a 94th-minute dagger to secure the win.
It broke Perth’s five-game undefeated streak and kept second-placed City within striking distance of leaders Sydney FC, despite the absence of New Zealand internationals Wilkinson and Rebekah Stott for the next two games.
McNamara told Paramount Plus, “It was a grind.”
“Credit to Perth because that was a hard game. We didn’t play our best football but we definitely fought out that win.”
Before City settled, Perth got off to a strong start with a flurry of unrewarded shots.
Pollicina battled back from a half-hour knee injury, and three minutes into stoppage time, Wilkinson headed a long ball into the path of the playmaker, who chested the ball down and half-volleyed home calmly.
In the 61st minute, Perth were unable to bundle in a goalmouth scramble, and City quickly counterattacked.
Barbieri hoofed the ball long, and Abbey Green fluffed her clearing header straight into the path of Matildas young gun McNamara, who raced forward and scored coolly beyond Courtney Newbon.
Perth substituted seasoned goal scorers Lisa De Vanna and Leena Khamis, but neither was able to spark a comeback.
After a quick turnaround after their win against Adelaide, the Glory appeared tired, and in the 88th minute, City replacement Leticia McKenna passed a delightful through ball to McNamara, who expertly chipped Newbon to complete her hat trick.
Wilkinson raced away on the break six minutes later, beat Newbon, and coolly snatched City’s fourth, despite Perth’s protests for offside being denied.
Perth coach Alex Epakis remarked, “We came in with a really specific game plan which we could see was working for the first 40-50 minutes.”
“Then unfortunately the goal that we conceded just before half-time just meant that the second half we had to go forward a little bit more and go after them a little bit more. As a result that left us a little bit open in those transition moments”
“I think 4-0 was an inflated scoreline, it probably wasn’t a 4-0 game but nonetheless credit’s got to go to City, they were good and we just weren’t as good today as what we can be.”
