Western United become the third team to go two from two to kick-off life in the Liberty A-League and the form of formidable American strike-duo Jess McDonald and Hannah Keane has them firing on all cylinders.
Despite only playing two games as a professional unit, Western have been scintillating to kick off their time in the Liberty A-League, making it two wins from two to start the season after seeing off Wellington 4-1 at Sky Stadium.
And their American attacking duo are leading the charge.
MATCH REPORT: Western’s dream start continues
The form of Hannah Keane and Jess McDonald has gone a long way to helping Western to a strong start to life in the competition, scoring four of the side’s opening five goals of the season.
McDonald, who scored the winner in their 1-0 win over champions Melbourne Victory, put United in the lead, before Keane put the result beyond doubt with a quick-fire double late in the game to open up her account.
“It really makes the job a lot easier back there when they take pressure off of us,” United goalkeeper Hillary Beall said about their goal-scoring form to SKY Sports New Zealand.
“It’s great. I mean going up against them everyday in training pushes us so it’s great.”
United, however, were tested early in the piece as McDonald’s opener was cancelled out by a goal from Marisa van der Meer.
But Wellington’s efforts would go to naught, as Western put the after-burners on after half-time to secure the win, which Beall believes is a testament to the team’s strength.
“It’s a good start to the season I think,” Beall said.
“Obviously, not the result at half (time) that we wanted but to build character and comeback, and get those three points it means a lot. This group is strong.”
Meanwhile, it’s back to back 4-1 home defeats to kick off the season for Wellington, who go back to the drawing board ahead of an away clash with the champions, Victory next weekend.
“First half, was quite good,” Phoenix captain Kate Taylor told Sky Sports NZ.
“We were doing really well and I think last week we struggled after the half-time so we made that a key point for us to work on this game and I think we came out after half-time and did good, it was just… we switched off and there were some individual mistakes.
“We have to work together as a team and talk more and make it easier for each and everyone of us.”
Despite the loss, Taylor believes there are some positives to take out of the result, hailing the collective performance – particularly in the first-half.
“I think we were doing really well as a team in the first-half,” Taylor said.
“If we can keep our first-half (performances) and just work on our second half… We know what we can do with our threats up top so we’re utilising that really well and that’ll help us against a team like Victory.”
