NEW Western Sydney import Sarina Bolden has ended a personal goal drought to help the Wanderers send A-League Women ladder leaders Western United to their first defeat.<\/p>\n
The 2-1 loss was United’s first after seven straight wins, while Western Sydney posted their second successive major upset following their defeat of Melbourne City.<\/p>\n
The Wanderers’ 53rd-minute winner came from a rare indirect free kick in the penalty area, awarded after a back pass.<\/p>\n
The ball on the left edge of the six-yard box was played to Amy Harrison who lashed her shot past the wall and into the net.<\/p>\n
“When she [the referee] said indirect free kick I had to remind myself that the ball had to be touched,” Harrison said.<\/p>\n
“When you are that close to goal you go for it and I did that and it paid off.”<\/p>\n
United almost salvaged a point at Wanderers Football Park, hitting the post near the end as they fought to preserve their unbeaten record.<\/p>\n
The home side, though, secured back-to-back wins for the first time since February 2021.<\/p>\n
Sophie Harding and Bolden consistently caused problems for the United defence and they combined for the opener in the 12th minute.<\/p>\n
Philippines international Bolden scored her first ALW goal in her second game from Harding’s pass.<\/p>\n
“In the Japanese league I hadn’t scored, I’d only gotten one assist for about a season and a half,” Bolden said.<\/p>\n
Bolden and Harding both had good chances to double the lead before the visitors equalised on 26 minutes.<\/p>\n
Hannah Keane scored her third goal in four days with a fine far-post header from a Khali Johnson cross.<\/p>\n
It was United’s only first-half effort on target and the American’s sixth goal of a productive campaign.<\/p>\n
Buoyed by the equaliser, the league leaders became more assertive and dangerous as the half progressed.<\/p>\n
Danielle Steer struck a post from the edge of the area in the 45th minute and shortly after Julia Sando floated a shot just over the bar.<\/p>\n
United brought new signing Angie Beard and Matildas stalwart Chloe Logarzo off the bench just before the hour.<\/p>\n
“I think we can still be proud of them way we played and the way we grinded right to the end,” Steer said.<\/p>\n
Asked about the awarding of the indirect free kick for the back pass Steer, added, “I think there was a fair lot of confusion with that.”<\/p>\n