Australian internationals Alanna Kennedy and Mary Fowler have book-ended a see-saw European win for Manchester City with splendid goals in the Women’s Champions League tie at Austrian club St Polten.
Central defender Kennedy scored her maiden goal for the English Women’s Super League leaders in startling fashion, firing a thunderous, unstoppable 25-metre strike after just five minutes of the group D tie in Vienna.
But City, who had beaten champions Barcelona in their opening fixture and had expected St Polten to be much easier to dispatch, were in for a rude shock at Franz Horr Stadium as Melanie Brunnthaler levelled and Kamila Dubcova then put the hosts ahead either side of half-time.
Japan international Aoba Fujino levelled, like Kennedy, with her first goal for the club, it was in-form 21-year-old Fowler who secured the three points in the 80th minute when she soared highest in a crowded goal-mouth to head home Lauren Hemp’s corner.
Her goal crowned an outstanding performance which earned Fowler the player of the match award, while the late goal ensured City won their sixth game on the trot in a brilliant start to the season.
The win came even though manager Gareth Taylor made six changes to City’s line-up following Sunday’s 2-1 win at Liverpool to help manage the players’ workload, with star striker Khadija Shaw getting a rest until coming on after half-time.
It allowed Fowler to lead the line, which she did with real quality, while nearly scoring a long-range second just after half-time, only to be thwarted by a fine save from Carina Schluter, who tipped the shot over the bar.
AAP
