Tara Murray
It was a mixed weekend for Western United in the A-League competitions.
The women’s side continued their unbeaten run with a solid win against Wellington Phoenix on Saturday, but the men’s side had a much tougher match against Melbourne City later the same day.
Back at City Vista Reserve for the first time since round one, the women’s side faced the Phoenix for a second time this season.
Aimee Medwin into the starting side, while Chloe Logarzo was rested with a short turnaround to their next match.
In hot conditions, United had the best of the chances in the first half, but scores were locked at 0-0 at the break.
Tyla Jay Vlajnic came on at half time and injected some pace into the side. She would be rewarded with 12 minutes to play when she headed home a Melissa Taranto’s free-kick.
It was Vlanjnic’s first goal for the Green and Black.
United was able to keep out the Phoenix to record their second clean sheet of the season, winning 1-0.
United faces Sydney FC on Wednesday at City Vista in a top of the table clash.
Western United fell to a 4-0 defeat against Melbourne City at AAMI Park on Saturday evening.
A first-half explosion had the hosts in control with Marco Tilio and Jamie Maclaren finding the net either side of a Leo Lacroix own goal.
Andrew Nabbout sealed the win for the home side with six minutes to play, ending United’s three-match unbeaten run.
United’s men’s side was keen to get back on the winners list on Sunday against Melbourne City, but suffered one of their biggest losses of the season.
United started strongly with Aleksandar Prijovic firing the first shot towards goal and Josh Risdon nearly finding the back of the net not long after.
From there, though, City began to assert themselves on the game and a flurry of attacking play put the hosts in the ascendancy.
The first goal came in the ninth minute and three minutes later it was two as Tomoki Imai slipped when Jamie Young played him a pass.
City were unrelenting and had a third in the 24th minute when Jamie Maclaren picked up the ball with time to turn and shoot in the box, giving Young no chance.
United came out of half-time with much more energy and began to play with more directness in attack.
United saw much more of the ball in the opening stages of the second half and strung a number of fluid passages of play together, but couldn’t convert.
United remained largely the better side in the second half but couldn’t turn the improved performance in numbers on the scoreboard, allowing City to put a stamp on the evening.
City scored one late to put the icing on the cake and secure a 4-0 win.
United sits in 10th spot.
