Matildas star Cortnee Vine has given the A-League’s inaugural Unite Round its magical moment, clinching a 1-0 win for Sydney FC against Western United.
Vine’s 70th-minute strike kept reigning title holders Sydney within touching distance of first-placed Melbourne City, who lost 1-0 to Western Sydney Wanderers in Sunday's other match.
City are seven points ahead of Sydney but Vine’s goal in a nip-and-tuck grand final rematch with Western at Allianz Stadium could prove crucial to her side’s hopes of finishing top of the A-League Women pile.
The 4039-strong crowd was willing Vine onto the field after the Australia winger started on the bench.
Vine has been troubled by a calf injury in recent weeks but coach Ante Juric threw caution to the wind with the game in the balance after an hour of play.
It took her just 10 minutes to make an impact, when Princess Ibini floated a ball in from the left flank that nestled behind the Western defence and Vine was able to burst onto it.
Vine got there just before Hillary Beall and was able to poke the ball beyond the goalkeeper to seal a win that moved Sydney up to third.
Juric was sent off for using abusive language towards a match official after fulltime.
City, meanwhile, remain locked into first spot after their CommBank Stadium clash which the Wanderers turned on its head during a frenetic three-minute period in the second half.
City forward Rhianna Pollicina sprayed her penalty shot wide of the net in an uncharacteristic miss in the 64th minute.
City goalkeeper Lysianne Proulx then miss-hit a pass with a goal kick that went horribly wrong.
The ball went straight to Wanderers midfielder Holly Caspers who calmly lobbed her shot over Proulx and into the back of the net for her first goal of the season.
The Wanderers had won four of their previous six matches, leading to coach Robbie Hooker securing a two-year extension during the week.
Western Sydney looked dangerous any time form striker Sophie Harding had possession.
It was just the final pass that prevented the Wanderers from scoring in the first half.
City threatened through Bosnian international Emina Ekic who hit the woodwork with a curling left-footer.
Western Sydney goalkeeper Kaylie Collins was immense at the back in a clinical defensive performance by her side.
Hannah Wilkinson shot just wide for City in the final five minutes but the Wanderers deserved their win.
