Season 2015-16 of the W-League kicked off this weekend with 16 goals between four matches, two penalties saved and a stunning debut match from Melbourne City.
Melbourne Victory 1 Perth Gory 2
Last season’s premiers kicked off the new campaign with a 2-1 away win over Melbourne Victory at ABD Stadium.
READ MORE: W-League – What We Learned – Melbourne Victory 1 Perth Glory 2
The returning Laura Spiranovic opened the scoring in the eighth minute for the Victory, tapping in Glory goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold’s parry from Christine Nairn’s shot.
Despite taking the lead, Victory were under the pump, having to deal with wave after wave of Perth attacks. However, the girls from the west failed to capitalise on these chances.
Late in the first half, Glory captain Sam Kerr won a penalty after she was fouled in the box by Alex Natoli, however, veteran goalkeeper Melissa Barbieri was able to save it as she got down smartly to her right.
On the stroke of half time, Glory were able to equalise through Caitlin Foord, after the Matildas star weaved her way through the box, beating Barbieri.
Kerr was able to atone for her penalty miss, securing the three points for the Glory in the 69th minute.
The combination between Kerr and Foord was on display once again with the latter cutting back to the captain to score.
Victory’s loss was made even worse with Selin Kuralay injuring her anterior cruciate ligament, ruling her out for the rest of the season.
Adelaide United 2 Western Sydney Wanderers 2
Adelaide United came back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with the Western Sydney Wanderers at Adelaide Shores Football Centre.
Keelin Winters put the Wanderers ahead after just four minutes played before Caitlin Cooper doubled the away side’s advantage, heading home from a corner in the 14th minute.
Sarah Killion got the Lady Reds back into the game late in the first half. The American scored directly from a corner in the 42nd minute.
After the break, the Lady Reds were pushing for an equaliser and were rewarded in the 62nd minute with Tiarn Powell putting her free kick into the back of the net.
Both sides pressed late to try and snatch all three points but the scoreline was unchanged.
Brisbane Roar 2 Canberra United 1
The reigning champions had an unideal start to their title defence, going down 2-1 to Brisbane Roar in the first W-League/A-League double header for season 2015-16.
Canberra were without the likes of Jodie Taylor, Veronica Perez, Emma Checker, Emma Kete and Caitlin Munoz and fielded a young team.
READ MORE: W-League – What We Learned – Brisbane Roar 2 Canberra United 1
Brisbane got off to the perfect start with two goals in three minutes before a quarter of an hour had even been played.
Tameka Butt scored first after a mazy run in the box before Canberra goalkeeper Lydia Williams uncharacteristically fumbled a looping effort from Ruth Blackburn, allowing the ball to cross the line into the net.
Six minutes out from half time, Michelle Heyman was able to pull one back for the visitors, cheekily rounding the oncoming Hayley Kopmeyer to tap into an empty net.
Both sides had chances to change the result throughout the second half, but both Kopmeyer and Williams were alert to any danger presented, leaving the score line at 2-1.
Sydney FC 0 Melbourne City 6
Melbourne City’s first ever W-League match was one to remember with the team demolishing Sydney FC 6-0.
After the recruitment of multiple Matildas stars along with local talent and big name international signings Kim Little and Jess Fishlock still to come into the squad, City have announced themselves as a force to be reckoned with.
Young Matilda Larissa Krummer opened up the scoring in the 11th minute before a six minute burst at the end of the first half saw the away side pile on another three goals. Krummer secured her brace while Lisa De Vanna and Beattie Goad also got on the score sheet.
Although Sydney started the second half the better of the two sides City added their fifth just past the hour mark through Marianna Tabain before substitute Melina Aryes completed the rout.
The Sky Blues were given the opportunity to get on the board through a penalty but captain Teresa Polias’ spot kick attempt was saved by Trudy Burke.
Next round sees the very first edition of the Melbourne derby between City and Victory, while Newcastle Jets, who had a first round bye, kick off their campaign against Perth Glory in Perth.
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