ALW Tackle: Melbourne City exact revenge on Sydney FC to leave champions stuck in last

Rooted to the bottom of the ladder, Sydney FC’s biggest problem has been brutally exposed by last year’s defeated grand finalists. Erin Smith brings you the latest in this week’s ALW Tackle.

It has taken two previous outings but Melbourne City have finally enacted revenge on Sydney FC for last year’s grand final heartbreak.

City, who remain the only undefeated team in the competition, pulled off a come-from-behind win to defeat the reigning champions 2-1 on Saturday night.

It is the third time the two grand finalists have met this season – the first two outings ended in 1-1 draws.

The Sky Blues, despite sitting 12th on the table with just two wins this season, have been the only side to consistently prove a challenge for City.

Sydney’s Mackenzie Hawkesby was first to find the net – scoring in the 13th minute after capitalising on a poor pass from the City keeper.

Melbourne City celebrate a goal in their win over Sydney FC. Picture: Getty

City worked desperately to get one back before the break but struck out.

Then straight off the whistle to start the second half Marina Speckmaier made a run from halfway to the 18-yard box and coolly slotted the ball into the net to level the scores.

With the clock at 89 minutes fans had assumed the game was going to end the same as the last two outings – until Bryleh Henley delivered the match winner just moments later.

The victory puts City nine points ahead of Adelaide United and keeps their 17 game unbeaten streak alive.

The loss leaves champions Sydney FC rooted to the bottom of the ladder. Picture: Getty

While the loss forces the Sky Blues to sink back to the bottom of the ladder – with just 2 wins for the season.

The result highlights Sydney’s biggest problem this season – closing out games. Of their 10 losses, seven have been by just one goal.

Their chances of making finals are looking slim – especially with the race for fifth and sixth spots so close.

But it doesn’t mean they won’t look to end their season on a positive note.

GOLDEN BOOT

The A-League’s Women’s trophy makers could have a little bit of extra work to do this season with the race for the golden boot close to a nine-way tie.

Western United’s Khali Johnson is leading the back on eight for the season with eight other players on her boots with seven goals each.

Adelaide United’s Chelsie Dawber found herself in the chase after scoring her seventh in Adelaide’s 1-1 draw with Canberra United.

Fiona Worts (L) is in the hunt for this year’s Golden Boot. Picture: Getty

She isn’t the only Adelaide player in the hunt – Fiona Worts also has seven.

Brisbane Roar have two players in the running with Tameka Yallop and Laini Freier.

Chloe Logarzo, Emily Gielnik, Sienna Saveska and Holly McNamara round out the list.

Canberra United striker and all time A-League’s goalscorer Michelle Heyman took top honours last season with 17 goals.

AROUND THE GROUNDS

Adelaide United 1 (Chelise Dawber) draw with Canberra United 1 (Darcey Malone)

The first half was the Adelaide show – they dominated possession – had 10 shots to Canberra’s 2. But a stroke of luck and a nifty touch from Darcey Malone in a scramble inside the goal box in the 44th minute put Canberra up 1-0 at the break. Adelaide threw everything they had at Canberra from the whistle in the second half – their persistence paid off with Chelsie Dawber scoring a stunning goal, her seventh of the season, in the 73rd minute to level the scores. Both teams tried to find the winner – Adelaide’s keeper Claudia Jenkins keeping her team’s hopes alive more than once. But neither side could find the winner forcing them to share the points.

Adelaide goalkeeper Claudia Jenkins had another top-tier game. Picture: Getty

Western Sydney Wanderers 4 (Bronte Trew, Ena Harada, Amy Harrison, Holly Caspers) def Newcastle Jets 1 (Natasha Prior)

Newcastle Jets looked to have control after Tash Prior knocked one in just seven minutes into the game – but debut ALW goals to Bronte Trew and Ena Harada turned upside down. Jets had several chances but just couldn’t finish while Wanderers Amy Harrison and super sub Holly Caspers made sure their shots found the net. Wanderers have now won two games in a row – but they are going to have to pull something very special out of their bag of tricks if they want to avoid the same fate of last season and narrowly miss the cut for finals.