Ninja A-League: Melbourne City close in on Premier’s Plate as Wooden Spoon is decided | OneFootball

The Ninja A-League has cooked up plenty of thrilling drama for us this season and the penultimate round of matches was no different.

Melbourne City went into their A-League clash with Newcastle Jets knowing that a win would put them on the brink of the Premier’s Plate, which is exactly what happened.

We’ve rounded up the latest action as we approach the end of this thrilling season.

Melbourne City edge closer to A-League Premier’s Plate

A brace from Holly McNamara inside 33 minutes set Melbourne City on their way against a Newcastle Jets side who were down to nine players by half-time. The Jets still found a way through thanks to Deven Jackson who headed home when City failed to deal with a corner.

In the end, a quick-fire double from Rhianna Pollicina and Lourdes Bosch wrapped up the points for City. All of that meant that Melbourne Victory knew that anything less than a win against the Central Coast Mariners would hand their cross-corridor rivals the title.

Central Coast were one of six teams battling for the final two spots in the post-season, so there was plenty at stake in Gosford.

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It was the hosts who had the better of the chances. Jade Pennock went close twice, firstly being denied by Courtney Newbon and then firing just over from distance. But it was Victory who made the all important breakthrough just before the hour. New Zealand international Claudia Bunge headed home at the back post from an Alex Chidiac corner.

Try as they might, the Mariners couldn’t find a way through as Victory ensured the fight for the A-League Premier’s spot goes to the final day. Emily Husband’s side would have to hope for favours from elsewhere to avoid a nervy last game.

Who will make the Finals?

Two sides who were guaranteed Finals football and, by extension, a relatively stress-free week were Western United and Adelaide United. Those two sides met in Tarneit and it was Adelaide who took the points.

A 14th minute stunner from the Reds’ Sarah Morgan was sandwiched between two Lucía León goals. Keiwa Hieda had halved the deficit for Western who still have work to do to ensure a home Elimination Final.

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Sydney FC have made the Finals in every season since the league formed. However, this season has been a nightmare for the Sky Blues.

For large parts of this term, they have looked dead and buried. But a run of four wins in their last five have given Ante Juric’s side hope of staging a remarkable run into the top six.

They hosted Perth on Saturday, with both sides knowing only a win would do. A draw would end both sides’ hopes there and then. Even then, they would be dependent on results elsewhere.

Mackenzie Hawkesby’s piledriver that was well saved by Miranda Templeman in the Perth goal was an early sign of intent from the reigning Champions.

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Both Templeman and her Sydney counterpart, Jasmine Black, made important saves as the game became stretched. Templeman denying Shea Connors and Black keeping Susan Phonsongkham at bay.

With time running out on both sides’ seasons, Princess Ibini struck a sensational injury time winner for Sydney. She picked the ball up from Indi dos Santos’ cross to the back post and curled home from eighteen yards out. Sydney were still alive. But only just.

The Wooden Spoon is decided

That teed up a sensational Sunday. Brisbane Roar started the day two points adrift of Canberra who occupied the final post-season berth. The Roar welcomed Western Sydney Wanderers to Perry Park who were hoping to avoid the Wooden Spoon. Canberra entertained Wellington Phoenix, who were still in with a shout of extending their season.

A Tameka Yallop double inside half an hour set Brisbane on their way. Meanwhile, in the capital, Maddy Ayson prodded Canberra in front from a corner with 25 minutes played.

Brontë Trew pulled one back for Wanderers ten minutes before half-time. Deep into first half stoppage time, Brisbane’s Laini Freier and Wanderers’ keeper Sham Khamis both saw red following a bust-up.

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In Canberra, it was the hosts who were creating all the chances. Aideen Keane had a shot tipped onto the post by ‘Nix keeper Carolina Vilão. The rebound squirmed along the line with Michelle Heyman steaming in. She had the seemingly easy job of rolling into an empty net, but miscued and scuffed wide.

Into the second half in both games and Momo Hyashi restored Brisbane’s two-goal buffer with a spectacular volley. Holly Caspers pulled a second back for Western Sydney in the 73rd minute with a header. Ten minutes later, Madison McComasky bundled home to level the scores.

Read: From Brisbane to Wolfsburg – The rise of Australia star Sharn Freier

Brisbane were in trouble. In the other game, it was one way traffic as Ayson was denied a second by a sensational reflex save by Vilão. Sally James was called into action for the hosts to make a smart save down to her right to keep out Olivia Fergusson.

In Queensland, as quickly as the Roar lead had evaporated, they had it back as Yallop bagged her hat-trick. She headed home Zara Kruger’s cross to send Perry Park wild. There was an almighty twist in the tale to come as Sophie Harding hammered home past Olivia Sekany to make it 4-4.

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Canberra and Wellington was on a knife edge heading into stoppage time. The visitors had a last gasp free-kick that was pumped into the box by Vilão. Canberra half cleared, allowing Mackenzie Barry to get a shot away that was held by James.

Full-time was called at McKellar Park. Wellington’s season was done. The result also ended Sydney’s hopes of extending their Finals run.

All that was left for Canberra’s players to do was huddle around a phone in the centre circle and pray that there was no more drama to come in Brisbane. There wasn’t. The final whistle blew on Brisbane’s campaign and ensured the Wanderers took the Wooden Spoon back to Sydney with them.

With the top six locked in, Western United, the Mariners and Canberra are in a battle to finish fourth and secure a home Elimination Final. But all eyes will be on Perth on Friday. A win for City wins them the A-League Premier’s Plate. Anything less and the door is ajar for Victory on Saturday who host a wounded Brisbane Roar.

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