Finals-bound Canberra United close out their Ninja A-League regular season with a third straight win after topping bottom side Western Sydney Wanderers 3-1.
Canberra were too good for the lowly Wanderers at CommBank Stadium, where Saturday night’s victory was headlined by Bethany Gordon’s incredible free-kick.
Bronte Trew’s second goal in two games gave the Wanderers some hope before New Zealand international Ruby Nathan’s maiden A-Leagues strike secured the points for Canberra.
Aimee Hall, in her second A-Leagues match after a red card last week prompted her debut, got down low to keep out Canberra in the 24th minute.
But from the resulting corner, Canberra broke the deadlock as Malone’s header was adjudged to have crossed the line.
Michelle Heyman had a good chance to double Canberra’s lead three minutes into the second half but her shot flashed just wide of the post.
Canberra did get their second goal two minutes later and it was one to remember as Gordon sensationally curled a free-kick into the top corner of the net.
Western Sydney pulled a goal back in the 64th minute as Trew chipped the ball over Sally James.
Canberra, however, restored their two-goal buffer through New Zealand international Nathan with 12 minutes remaining.
