Teenage Sensation Pearson Smashes A-League Women’s Scoring Record as Sydney FC Dominates
Sydney FC has celebrated a significant victory, trouncing Brisbane Roar 4-0 in a dominant performance that saw teenage prodigy Willa Pearson etch her name in the A-League Women’s history books. At just 15 years and 51 days old, Pearson became the youngest player ever to score in the competition, shattering the 17-year-old record previously held by Matildas superstar Sam Kerr.
The match, held at Spencer Park, marked a triumphant first win for Sydney FC under interim coach James Slaveski. From the outset, Sydney FC asserted their dominance, leaving Brisbane Roar with a missed opportunity to apply pressure on league leaders Melbourne City. Brisbane, currently on 22 points, now sits in fifth place, a position that will sting given the chance to close the gap on City’s 26 points.
Sydney FC opened their account in the 47th minute. A Brisbane defensive lapse following a corner allowed Mackenzie Hawkesby to seize an opportunity. She skillfully navigated past Momo Hayashi and slotted the ball home at the near post, setting the tone for the second half.
The historic moment arrived just twelve minutes later. Abbey Lemon delivered a superb cross into the box, and Willa Pearson, who had been brought on as a halftime substitute at right-back, was perfectly positioned to slide in and score. Pearson, already known as the youngest player to ever feature in the ALW after her debut at 14, has now cemented her status as the league’s youngest goal scorer. This achievement surpasses Sam Kerr’s record, set when she scored her first goal for Perth Glory at 15 years and 88 days in December 2008.
“Oh my gosh, definitely not a feat I thought I’d have,” a jubilant Pearson told Paramount Plus after the match. “But very happy and very proud to get a win with this team. As soon as I saw that ball go, I was like ‘I’ve gotta get up otherwise I’m gonna cop it’. I tried to get up there and just slid in and it happened to come off.”
Sydney FC’s attacking prowess continued in the 68th minute when Panamanian international Riley Tanner showcased her skill. She expertly beat a defender before unleashing a powerful shot into the back of the net, extending Sydney’s lead to three.
The rout was completed in the dying moments of the game, with Skye Halmarick scoring Sydney FC’s fourth goal in the 93rd minute. A searching ball from Hawkesby found Halmarick, who calmly rounded Brisbane’s goalkeeper Chloe Lincoln to score her first ALW goal on her 18th birthday, capping off a memorable night for the Sky Blues.
Wanderers Squander Lead as Jets Snatch Late Equaliser
In a separate fixture, Western Sydney Wanderers missed a golden chance to boost their slim finals aspirations, drawing 1-1 with Newcastle Jets after surrendering an early lead. The match, played at CommBank Stadium, saw the Wanderers take a swift advantage, only for the Jets to fight back and secure a crucial point.
The Wanderers’ rising star, Talia Younis, announced her presence within the opening 45 seconds with a spectacular long-range strike. The goal came about after Jets winger Josie Allen lost possession, presenting Younis with an uncontested opportunity. With ample space and time outside the box, Younis unleashed a shot that took a favourable deflection off the post and found the back of the net.
However, the home side’s momentum was dealt a blow in the 41st minute when Younis, a key player for the Young Matildas, had to be substituted due to a suspected adductor injury. She went down after attempting to shield the ball from Jets winger Kelli Brown.
Newcastle Jets found their equaliser in the 87th minute through their prolific striker, Melina Ayres. This goal marked Ayres’ 41st career A-League Women’s goal, a milestone that means she has now scored against every team in the competition. The build-up to the goal was a testament to teamwork, with teammate Sophie Hoban brilliantly outmanoeuvring Wanderers centre-back Wang Ying to deliver a pinpoint cutback for Ayres to finish.
Western Sydney, who finished last season with the wooden spoon, remain in 10th place on 16 points, four points adrift of the sixth-placed finals positions. While the Jets fell short of securing their first away victory against the Wanderers since 2018, the draw does snap a three-game losing streak for the northern NSW side, moving them to eighth place with 17 points.
