A-League round 11: Western United’s horror run continues against Melbourne City

In the 52nd minute, Sakhi put City on level terms 1-1 with an absolute screamer of a volley from 25 yards out which looped and dipped past an outstretched United goalkeeper Tom Heward-Belle jumping up and to his right.

And half an hour later, after Tolgay Arslan swung a free kick into the box, and the ball bobbled around in the area, Curtis Good toe-poked it to Antonis who rocketed it home from 20 yards out, just 10 minutes after coming on as a sub, to send City into the top four.

Western had one last chance to grab a point in the fifth minute of stoppage time when Ben Garuccio danced around Arslan and entered the area, but his shot from 16 yards out was too high.

Earlier, United grabbed the lead against the run of play in the 13th minute when Michael Ruhs, making just his second start for the season, tapped it into the net from a few yards out for his first goal for the club. The opportunity was set up superbly by Angus Thurgate.

Western should’ve doubled their advantage three minutes into the second half when Noah Botic cut the ball back to a wide-open Daniel Penha, but the Brazilian had a horrific air swing from 12 yards out with the goal at his mercy.

Ultimately, City were the superior team, finishing with more possession (55 per cent), shots on goal (19-13), corners (8-5) and accurate passes (448-374).

INJURY CONCERNS FOR CITY

But the victory could come at a huge cost for City with star duo Marin Jakolis and Sakhi limping from the pitch in the second half with what looked like hamstring complaints.

CITY FAIL TO GET REWARD

Melbourne jumped out of the gates with four shots on goal inside the first nine minutes, including two on target, but Western went 1-0 up with their first attempt.

City continued to be the more threatening side for the remainder of the first half, but they were frequently denied by Western’s defence, led by Jacob Tratt who got in the way of a dangerous Jakolis cross which was flying in Jamie Maclaren’s direction in the 27th minute.

Ten minutes later, Alessandro Lopane’s rocket from 15 yards out forced an acrobatic reflex save from Heward-Belle, and in the 45th minute Arslan combined with Leo Natel to get it to Maclaren at the near post, but Tratt was there again with a desperate header to ensure Western their first halftime lead of the season.

YOUNG IN THE WAY

City goalkeeper Jamie Young stood tall with eight saves, three of which were first-class and came in the space of 10 minutes to deny Western.

In the 61st minute, he obstructed Wales’ shot from the edge of the six-yard box on a tight angle on the right, five minutes later he stopped Penha’s powerful close-range strike, and in the 71st minute, Penha’s curling shot from the edge of the area on the right was acrobatically thwarted by Young again.

CITY RISE, WESTERN WALLOW

The result saw City’s unbeaten league run stretch to six matches, including four victories, and they have lost just one of nine games since coach Aurelio Vidmar took over from Rado Vidosic.

Meanwhile, Western’s horror campaign has continued after losing their third match in a row and they’ve now lost nine of 11 games this season.