Western United scored consecutive wins in the Ninja A-League Women for the first time this season after cruising to a 2-0 win over Newcastle Jets on Sunday afternoon.
United was dominant throughout but needed to be patient for the breakthrough with both goals coming after half-time.
Catherine Zimmerman was at the heart of it again, scoring the first one for herself before teeing up Keiwa Hieda to finish the job with both players netting for the second time in as many games.
The win puts Western on the brink of securing a place in the finals with two matches remaining after the international break.
Western United team news
Kat Smith went unchanged from Western United’s last match, a thrilling 4-3 win over Canberra United two weeks prior.
There was a return to the matchday squad for Julia Sardo, who slotted onto the bench after serving a suspension.
First half
With a strong wind blowing at United’s backs in the first half, both sides were feeling out the conditions in the opening stages and looking to build a foundation to build from in the game.
The wind made long-range strikes a tantalising option for United and Adriana Taranto, Grace Maher and Chloe Logarzo all tried their luck within the opening quarter hour.
It was Logarzo’s effort that came closest in the 22nd minute, drawing a superb athletic save from Danielle Krzyzaniak after some slick passing through the middle of the pitch.
United was particularly impressive defensively and began to dictate the play in midfield more and more as the half wore on before again coming inches away from taking the lead before the break.
Adriana Taranto spun her marker brilliantly on the halfway line before running at the Jets’ defence and unleashing a long-range effort. The ball was destined for the top corner, but for a stunning fingertip save from Krzyzaniak to push it onto the crossbar.
That left United ultimately slightly frustrated heading into the break with the deadlock still unbroken and plenty more to come in the second period.
Second half
The Green and Black had threatened from set pieces throughout the first half and it was a corner that finally created the breakthrough five minutes after the restart.
Jets defender Natasha Prior got the first contact on Adriana Taranto’s inswinging delivery but only managed to nudge it towards her own goal where Zimmerman on her toes, applying a clever flick on the ball and turning it into the net.
That goal gave Western a significant boost of confidence and just reward for a dominant first half performance, laying down the platform to continue building towards the three points.
United really kept Newcastle at bay for the entire 90 minutes, adjusting to the windy conditions perfectly and remaining in control of the game throughout.
The only thing that was left was the added bit of breathing room, and that came with just over 10 minutes to go as Zimmerman turned provider with a delicious cross that Hieda finished expertly into the bottom corner.
United coasted to the final whistle, securing back-to-back wins and taking a giant leap towards finals qualification for the third season in a row.
