Ninja A-League round-up: Sydney FC hits the summit as Canberra runs riot | OneFootball

The Ninja A-League returned this week before the international break kicked in. Melbourne City’s clash against Adelaide United has been pushed back to mid-December due to their Women’s Asian Champions League commitments.

Brisbane Roar had the bye this week, but here’s how the other four matches panned out.

Newcastle Jets 1-0 Western Sydney Wanderers

A 26th-minute strike from Lauren Allen moved the Jets up to second in the league.

Newcastle dominated the opening exchanges. They were nearly gifted the lead when Sham Khamis’s poor touch and clearance crashed back off Kelli Brown and wide.

The visitors’ clearest look on goal came through Holly Caspers, who picked Josie Wilson’s pocket but shot wide.

Allen eventually gave the Jets the lead when she headed home Cassidy Davis’s cross from six yards out. It was the perfect way to cap off the occasion, as Allen was celebrating her 100th game for Newcastle.

Danika Matos forced a smart stop from Anna Leat as the Wanderers looked to restore parity before half-time.

Melina Ayres nearly sealed the win in stoppage time at the end of the game with a spectacular bicycle kick. But an equally stunning stop from Khamis foiled the effort.

Canberra United 3-0 Perth Glory

Two early goals courtesy of Michelle Heyman and Emma Robers set Canberra on their way to a first win of the season.

Heyman gave the hosts the lead with three minutes gone, sliding in at the back post for her 121st A-League goal. It was 2-0 not long after, thanks to a Robers header that looped up and over Alyssa Dall’Oste.

Charli Wainwright should’ve pulled one back for Perth in the tenth minute, but could only head wide from point-blank range. Bethany Gordon eventually added a third for Canberra with a piledriver from the edge of the box following a neat passing sequence.

Wellington Phoenix 1-0 Melbourne Victory

Bev Priestman’s Wellington Phoenix are in the winner’s circle for the first time this season after overcoming Melbourne Victory.

Manaia Elliott forced Victory keeper Courtney Newbon into a great tip over the bar after 20 minutes. But Elliott soon turned provider for the game’s only goal. Her cross passed across the face of the Victory goal and into the path of Pia Vlok, who couldn’t miss from close range.

Vlok nearly returned the favour just before the break. Her pinpoint ball through the Victory midfield was pounced on by Elliott, but she planted her effort into the side netting.

Alana Jančevski’s low, driven free kick was easy enough for Victoria Esson, who did well to hang onto the ball.

A late free kick that ricocheted off Victory’s Kayla Morrison and behind proved to be the last chance of the game as the Nix clung on for the three points.

Sydney FC 1-0 Central Coast Mariners

A late goal from Maddy Caspers was enough to see them beat the Mariners and hit the top of the table.

In a game that was low on clear-cut chances, it was the Mariners who should’ve taken an early second-half lead. A Central Coast corner was directed towards her own goal by Tori Tumeth and was just barely smuggled away amid a crowd of bodies by Sydney keeper Tiahna Robertson.

Jodi Ulkekul had two great chances for Sydney but fired wide and then straight at Sarah Langman. However, Caspers eventually broke the deadlock with a brilliant chipped effort over Langman with 76 minutes played.

That moment of magic proved decisive as the Sky Blues continued their unbeaten start to the season.

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