Melbourne Victory have claimed their first points of the Liberty A-League season with a comprehensive 2-0 victory over original rivals Adelaide United.
Summary
Victory was looking to get their first win on the board of the Liberty A-League season in sunny conditions at AAMI Park.
Boosted by the return to the starting XI for Elise Kellond-Knight, Victory looked to control possession and keep United on the back foot from the opening.
A number of dangerous attacking runs led by Kellond-Knight and Alana Murphy in midfield continued to trouble Annalee Grove in goal, as Victory looked to take the lead early.
It had just ticked over the half an hour mark when Victory finally gained a reward for their effort.
A perfectly placed lob from Rachel Lowe found McKenzie Weinert in the box, who pushed the ball into the back of the net for her first goal in Victory colours.
The goal from Weinert then seemed to open the floodgates for even more attack, with another goal beckoning.
A free-kick from Murphy in the 37th minute found the centre of the box, with Kayla Morrison rising up over the United defenders and slamming her header home.
It was almost a third goal before half-time, with Lowe producing a shot over the top of Grove in goal that was cleared on the goal line.
Victory headed into the break with a two-goal advantage and the perfect opportunity to gain their first points of the season.
The second half saw a much tighter contest, with Victory defending their lead in the contest.
A scintillating run from Weinert on the counter-attack with half an hour to go almost saw Victory gain another on the scoresheet before she was stopped in the box.
Emily Gielnik came on for her season debut in the 69th minute before Tori Hansen made her debut in the 74th as Victory cruised to the final whistle.
The win in the Original Rivalry saw Victory secure the three points and full of enthusiasm for their next match against the Newcastle Jets.
Result
Melbourne Victory 2 (Weinert 31′, Morrison 37′)
Adelaide United 0
Next Match
Isuzu UTE A-League – Round 4
Melbourne Victory v Newcastle Jets
Sunday 12 November
Kick-off: 3.00pm (AEDT)
Home of The Matildas, Melbourne
