It was a bittersweet goal.
Western Sydney Wanderers W-League midfielder Linda O’Neill, of Wentworth Falls, was playing striker in the round eight match-up with Melbourne Victory.
She picked up a cross from the left and brought the ball down the field, curving it around to slot it in past the goalkeeper. But just before she scored, the 23-year-old tore her hamstring.
That injury saw her miss the final four games, but she regards that goal, the first since the 2013/14 season, as this season’s highlight.
The Wander Women are seventh on the ladder.
“We have a stronger team than previous years. The girls got along much better. It’s a team environment and there were lots of good performances,” O’Neill said.
She was impressed by the performances of the team’s younger members, in particular Ellie Carpenter and Eliza Ammendolia.
“They really stepped up to the plate,” she said.
O’Neill has played for the Wanderers for all four seasons, and at 41 games, holds the record for the most all-time appearances for the Wanderers in the W-League.
A long-held dream is to play at an international level for the Matildas. “At the moment I play for fun and enjoy it.” O’Neill works at Nepean Hospital, and in the off-season she’ll play for Blacktown Spartans in the NSW Women’s Premier League.
She’s backing newcomers Melbourne City to take out the W-League grand final. Melbourne City were to take on Brisbane Roar on Monday evening, with the winner to play Sydney FC in the grand final.
We have a stronger team than previous years.
- Linda O'Neill
