W-League Wrap: Canberra and Melbourne called it even, Sydney continued to soar, and Brisbane Roar returned to their winning form in round three of the W-League.
Two goals at either (and extreme) end of the match saw cold-climate counterparts Canberra and Melbourne call it even over the weekend. Canberra's Caitlin Cooper found the back of the net just six minutes into the match and, despite solid chances, including a shot that ricocheted off the crossbar, Melbourne struggled to equalise.
Canberra too hit the woodwork courtesy of an Ellyse Perry shot, which would have put them an untouchable two goals ahead, but it was a last-gasp headed-in goal from Maika Rutyer-Hooley in what was literally the last play of the game that saw the visitors share the points spoils.
A few hours' drive away in Wollongong, Sydney continued in their seemingly unstoppable, Roar of seasons one and two-like form, notching up four goals to the struggling Adelaide United's one. Looking dangerous for the entire first 40 minutes, Sydney went one up courtesy of Leena Khamis converting a cross in the 12th. Adelaide levelled the scores at one apiece when American import Ashleigh Gunning was felled in the box by Alesha Clifford and slotted the penalty low and to the left.
But Sydney ran away with the second half, with Kylie Ledbrook having two strong changes in two minutes, capitalising on the second, before being followed up Catherine Cannuli and Caitlin Foord with goals in the 81st and 91st respectively. Cannuli's goal, which was a spectacular, on-running header, typified Sydney's solid and confident season three form.
Speaking of form, Roar Women seem to be finding theirs, with a convincing 4-0 victory over the Newcastle Jets. Dominating from start to finish, the Roar stacked on goals at the two-minute mark (Lana Harch), in the 25th (Tameka Butt), in the 60th (Harch again to secure a brace), and in the 72nd (newly signed Lisa de Vanna, who has just returned from a season-ending broken leg that occurred during the Asian Cup).
De Vanna had just stepped onto the pitch in the 71st when she was brought down, but demonstrated she's back in good form and will, buoyed by the Roar's experienced and deep midfield and defence, cause headaches for upcoming opposition.
The win (their first of the season) sees the Roar move into third spot, one point behind second-placed Canberra, and an achievable four points behind first-placed Sydney. Perth, Newcastle, Melbourne, and Adelaide fill out the remaining spots, but with just a few points separating them, the season's still wide open.
