Sounder-down-Under is a look at the beautiful game from the other side of the world, written by Seattle ex-pat Drew Dickson.
It only took one year in the W-League for Melbourne City to bring home their first pieces of silverware and the winning goal proved to be a Kim Little spot kick.
City walked into the rooms at half time with a goal on the score sheet after Jennifer Beattie collected her own second chance after Sydney shot topper Michelle Betos denied her first attempt. With Betos on the deck it was an easy task to lift the first goal of the game into the back of the net.
After the break City would see their lead doubled after Kim Little lined up for a free kick dangerously given just outside the box. It looked to be that City Captain Jess Fishlock would take it, but Little talked her City and Reign team mate out of taking it. Thankfully the result left no one sore, save Betos who once again was left on the ground with the ball in the net behind her. Despite her best effort she wash unable to reach the curling ball Little delivered to the top corner.
The second goal sparked Sydney FC to life and the chances started flowing. Orlando Pride‘s Jasmyne Spencer found her rhythm and began to let loose from all angles. The constant pressure left the visitors exposed and Kim Little looked to be through, only to send her shot cannoning off the near post. Sydney FC was handed a life line when goal scorer Beattie went from heroine to villain as she was correctly judged to have brought down Sydney’s Alanna Kennedy during a corner kick. Kyah Simon converted and for a brief moment it looked as though Sydney was making a comeback. Constant pressure looked to have City’s first championship in the balance, but a two on one breakaway allowed Beattie Goad the ability to restore the two goal cushion.
From there it was all City. Not even a double stop by Betos with five minutes remaining in regular time was enough to inspire Sydney forward. Deep into stoppage time, Matilda’s captain Lisa De Vanna put the game out of question with only Betos to beat, having slotted her effort against the far post.
The women of Melbourne City ended their first season with both the W-League Grand Final and having finished the season ten points clear on top of the ladder.
