Two Thorns FC players saw action in week five of Westfield W-League season as Britt Eckerstrom and the Newcastle Jets met Adelaide United for an evening matchup on Saturday, while Ashleigh Sykes and Canberra United hosted Perth Glory Friday afternoon at McKellar Park.
Coming off a 2-1 defeat of Newcastle, Sykes and Canberra United built off their previous week’s momentum, notching their third-straight win Friday by a final of 3-2. Sykes was named to the starting lineup, going 90 minutes and helping her team to victory by logging an assist in the match.
The 25-year-old striker also came close to scoring in the 69th minute, as Sykes found a through ball inside the box, which she attempted to slot top-shelf. However, Perth keeper Melissa Maizels was able to parry the ball away, saving the eight-yard shot and maintaining—for the time being—her team’s one-goal deficit.
With the win, Canberra United collects three points, moving to 3-1-0 on the season and into a four-way share of first place.
After suffering a two-game skid in which the Newcastle Jets were outscored seven to three, Eckerstrom’s side returned to form in a 2-1, Week Five victory over Adelaide United. Eckerstrom earned her fifth-straight start between the posts. The Jets’ third win nets the Newcastle side leaves them at nine points on the season, moving the team alongside Canberra for a share of first place.
