Rewind to all the key moments from the Round 15 encounter between Sydney FC and Western United.
Western United climbed into the top four of the Ninja A-League on Sunday afternoon as Kahli Johnson’s eighth goal of the season helped them secure a 2-1 victory over Sydney FC at Leichhardt Oval.
The visitors made a fantastic start, taking the lead in just the sixth minute when captain Chloe Logarzo found the net with a low strike, slipping the ball past debutant goalkeeper Bethany Mason-Jones at her near post.
Struggling for goals this season, Sydney opted to place midfielder Mackenzie Hawkesby in a forward role, and she responded by scoring in the 14th minute, converting a chance from inside the box. However, Western later regained their lead.
Combining effectively with Logarzo just outside the area, the on-form Johnson produced a stunning shot from long range, restoring Western’s advantage at 2-1.
Logarzo missed a penalty in the second half as Sydney pushed for an equaliser, but Kat Smith’s side held on to secure all three points and leapfrog into fourth place.
Meanwhile, Sydney FC’s hopes for finals football are rapidly diminishing following their ninth defeat of the season, leaving them languishing in 11th position.
In a notable moment, Sydney FC head coach Ante Juric handed a debut to goalkeeper Mason-Jones, but she was soon retrieving the ball from the back of the net just six minutes in.
After being fed the ball in the box, Matildas midfielder Logarzo unleashed a powerful shot directed at the near post, which slipped past the keeper for the opening goal.
The Sky Blues quickly levelled the match, as makeshift striker Hawkesby fired the ball through goalkeeper Chloe Lincoln’s legs following a clever assist from Maddy Caspers.
With the score now tied, both teams created several promising opportunities, each believing they could take the lead.
Central defender Jordan Thompson had a golden opportunity to score, but headed wide from a corner in the 36th minute, left unmarked inside the box.
Western rattled the crossbar when Adriana Taranto spotted Mason-Jones off her line, but the keeper managed to divert the ball onto the bar, with Sky Blues skipper Nat Tobin on hand to deny Johnson the rebound.
Although the former Sydney FC player couldn’t capitalise on that chance, it wasn’t long before she found the back of the net.
Receiving a clever backheel from the influential Logarzo, Johnson struck a low left-footed shot into the far corner, marking her eighth goal of the season and putting Western ahead 2-1.
Substitute Millie Farrow, brought on at half-time, raced onto a pass but, despite beating the oncoming Chloe Lincoln to the ball, failed to direct her shot on target, which proved to be a let-off for the visitors.
Unfortunately for the home side, Farrow’s appearance was short-lived; after just 11 minutes on the pitch—having recently returned from a hamstring injury—she had to depart due to a knee issue, a significant setback for Sydney.
Things worsened for the home team when referee Rachael Mitchenson awarded a penalty in the 68th minute after Thompson fouled Johnson inside the area.
Logarzo stepped up to take the penalty, but Mason-Jones produced a fantastic save, diving to her right to push the ball away.
Despite applying considerable late pressure, Sydney couldn’t find the equaliser, as Western returned to Victoria with three vital points and a secure position in fourth place for the time being.
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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