Western Sydney’s Westfield W-League title dream is over following a 5-1 loss to Melbourne City in their Semi Final clash at ABD Stadium today.
The Red & Black tried their hardest and kept fighting to the end but were no match for a quality City side that now advances to next week’s grand final.
It was a tough way to finish what was a historic season for Dean Heffernan’s team, but they can walk away with their heads held high after qualifying for the W-League Semi Finals first time in the club’s history.
The Wanderers started the game strongly enough, pressing and working hard to shut down the City attack while trying to pressure their defence.
But, with former Wanderer Ellie Carpenter causing problems down the right side it was City who took the lead on 13 minutes.
Carpenter’s cross found Claire Emslie who poked the ball home from close range.
The home side doubled the lead just nine minutes later with Emslie turning provider with a cross for Kyah Simon to head home.
Despite the scoreline, the Wanderers did no drop their heads. They continued to try to take the game to City, though they had a let-off when Carpenter smashed a shot against the crossbar on 29 minutes.
The Wanderers could have had a penalty after Cortnee Vine attempted to get around her marker in the area. She was certainly clipped but did not fall to the ground.
City then made it 3-0 when Rebekah Stott scored in the 41st minute.
Again, the Red & Black refused to lay down with Kristen Hamilton producing some nice work to provide Vine with a chance but she could not get great power behind her shot and it was easily saved by the keeper.
The Wanderers were given a lifeline six minutes into the second half when Hamilton set up Vine, who turned a curling shot into the net to make it 3-1.
But, two goals in the space six minutes saw the Premier’s shoot out to an unassailable 5-1 lead and there was nothing the Wanderers could do.
