Melbourne Victory Women continued their hot form at the Home of The Matildas, defeating the Central Coast Mariners 2-0.
Jeff Hopkins made a single change to his lineup that drew in Wellington, bringing Nicki Flannery into the starting XI after her equalising goal.
The visitors almost scored the opening goal within the first couple of minutes, but an excellent stop from Courtney Newbon down to her right denied Jade Pennock.
Victory began to gain control after the nervy start, pressing high into the Mariners’ box.
Fresh off a Matildas call-up, Alana Murphy played an excellent ball to Emily Gielnik – finding the attacker clean through on goal.
Jeff Hopkins spoke on Murphy’s maturity on the call-up post-game; stating that, “She takes every day at a time and she’s not one for getting overwhelmed.”
The towering attacker slotted an excellent finish past Sarah Langman in the Mariners’ net, putting Victory 1-0 up just 10 minutes into the game.
Following the goal, the game entered a fair stalemate with both sides battling hard to create chances.
Rachel Lowe was brought down just inside the box right on the 45-minute mark for Victory, earning a penalty kick for her side.
Emily Gielnik stepped up to the spot, but fired her shot over the crossbar.
However, Victory did not drop their heads – soon after earning a corner.
Alana Murphy’s cross into the box forced the Mariners into a poor clearance, with the ball falling to Alex Chidiac in the penalty area.
Chidiac volleyed the ball goalwards, which trickled all the way into the back of the net.
Victory remained unchanged entering the second 45, prevented by the crossbar within two minutes after a stunning Olimpico attempt from Alex Chidiac.
A chance soon after fell to Nicki Flannery on the left wing before a strong save from Sarah Langman.
Alana Jancevski, Holly Furphy and Ella O’Grady all came on across the half; adding necessary energy to Victory as they held off the Mariners.
Courtney Newbon pulled off a few impressive saves as Victory edged closer to the finish line – displaying a strong team performance in front of the Bundoora crowd.
The referee soon blew the full-time whistle on what was a thrilling affair between two great sides – with Victory coming out on top.
The three points bring Victory two points clear in second place on the Ninja A-League ladder – extending their unbeaten streak to six games.
Jeff Hopkins was pleased with how his side faired – both on a performance and result basis.
“It’s always a tough game against them… So I’m really, really happy with the performance.”
Victory jumped to the top of the clean sheet charts after keeping their seventh of the season, a fact Jeff Hopkins was certainly proud of.
“I think we’ve got a good defensive structure… people know their roles and responsibilities. We’ve got good individual defenders that are capable of depending 1v1 as well.
“What’s also really pleasing is we’ve brought two young girls in over the last four or five weeks. Rosie [Curtis] has done really well there, Laura Pickett’s done really well.”
Victory Women will return after the international break, taking on Western United at Ironbark Fields on Saturday, March 1.
Match Details
Ninja A-League Round 16
Melbourne Victory 2 (Gielnik 10′, Chidiac 46′)
Central Coast Mariners 0
Melbourne Victory Starting XI: 50. Courtney NEWBON (GK), 3. Claudia BUNGE, 8. Alana MURPHY, 10. Alex CHIDIAC, 11. Nicki FLANNERY, 13. Sara D’APPOLONIA, 15. Emily GIELNIK, 18. Kayla MORRISON (C), 23. Rachel LOWE, 24. Laura PICKETT, 27. Rosie CURTIS
Substitutes: 62. Geo CANDY (GK), 5. Sofia SAKALIS, 7. Ella O’GRADY (86′), 9. Holly FURPHY (75′), 66. Alana JANCEVSKI (71′)
Central Coast Mariners Starting XI: 1. Sarah LANGMAN (GK), 2. Jessica SEAMAN, 4. Jessika NASH, 5. Annabel MARTIN (C), 7. Jade PENNOCK, 10. Taylor RAY, 11. Annalise RASMUSSEN, 13. Sarah ROWE, 16. Tess QUILLIGAN, 21. Brooke NUNN, 24. Shadeene EVANS
Substitutes: 20. Chloe CARMICHAEL (GK), 6. Isabel GOMEZ (59′), 12. Tiana FULLER (59′), 14. Greta KRASZULA (60′), 22. Peta TRIMIS (77′)
