Holly McNamara scores as City overcome keeper howler

Holly McNamara came on to score the sealer as Melbourne City beat Adelaide 3-1. (Morgan Hancock/AAP PHOTOS)

A dream return to the score sheet from Holly McNamara has helped offset Melissa Barbieri's goalkeeping howler as Melbourne City soared to a 3-1 A-League Women victory over Adelaide United.

And in Friday night's other match, Perth Glory scored a 96th-minute penalty to snatch a 1-1 draw on enemy territory against Western Sydney.

City took the lead just 27 seconds into their match at Coopers Stadium courtesy of Mariana Speckmaier's early strike.

But the league leaders were left stunned in the eighth minute when a harmless-looking back pass to Barbieri sneaked under her boot and rolled in for an embarrassing goal.

Barbieri, a former Matildas captain who was making her first appearance of the season, couldn't believe her error, with City teammates quickly rushing across to console her.

The 44-year-old was breathing a huge sigh of relief when her team retook the lead in the 41st minute via Chelsie Dawber.

And McNamara sealed all three points in the 74th minute when she made a fast break and chipped the goalkeeper, just three minutes after coming off the bench.

McNamara hadn't scored since rupturing her ACL when completing a hat-trick against Newcastle in November, 2023.

She made her return in last week's 4-2 win over Canberra, and the joy was written all over her face on Friday when she scored the sealer against Adelaide.

Melbourne City now have five wins and two draws to their name from seven matches, while Adelaide (three wins, four losses) have slipped out of the top four with back-to-back defeats.

City made a hot start, with Speckmaier rounding an opponent and unleashing a curling strike to open the scoring after just 27 seconds.

Barbieri was keen to make an impression in her first match of the season but stood out for the wrong reason in a blooper for the ages.

The veteran keeper made the mistake of momentarily taking her eye off the ball when she stuck out her left boot to trap teammate Rebekah Stott's regulation back pass.

After the ball rolled under her foot, Barbieri's frantic attempt to race back and stop it it going into the goal proved fruitless.

But it mattered not.

Dawber's attempted cross soon before half-time floated over Adelaide's goalkeeper and in for a goal.

And McNamara's introduction in the 71st minute brought instant rewards, with the Matildas striker needing only a matter of minutes before scoring City's third goal.

In Friday's match at Wanderers Football Park, Amy Harrison's 85th-minute free kick gave Western Sydney a 1-0 lead before Glory hit back late in dramatic fashion.

Wanderers goalkeeper Sham Khamis pulled off two sharp saves to deny Kelli Brown and Gabby Hollar from close range in the dying minutes.

But Khamis undid her good work when she clattered into Glory substitute Miku Sunaga and gave away a penalty.

Brown stepped up to the spot and powered her penalty into the top corner, with the ball rocketing in despite Khamis getting a glove to it. 

Even though Glory at least escaped with a point, they ended the match with 25 shots to 11 and would be disappointed not to have scored more goals.

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store