Melbourne Victory Women were beaten by Adelaide United in Round 13 of the Ninja A-League on Saturday.
Fiona Worts’ 38th-minute opener was cancelled out during first-half stoppage time by Kennedy White’s seventh counter of her first season in the competition.
Paige Zois goal, direct from a corner, in the 56th minute, would be the winner at Coopers Stadium in the first game of a double header.
United take the Original Rivalry bragging rights and the 2026 Pride Cup.
Team News
Jeff Hopkins made one change to the starting XI, with Sienna Saveska in for her full debut, replacing Rachel Lowe in midfield. On the bench, there were places for youngsters Chloe McKenzie, Rosie Curtis and Jessica Young.
Match Action
Alana Jancevski had the game’s first shot in anger after nine minutes. The former Adelaide defender generated plenty of power from distance, but the left-footed strike’s direction meant it was a routine stop for Ilona Melegh.
The afternoon’s next goal attempt was also a Victory one, and again came from distance, although Saveska’s drive after good midfield industry from Rhianna Pollicina went harmlessly wide.
At the other end, there was fine attacking invention from Adriana Taranto, weaving her way into the area and navigating a crossing position, only for her dangerous centre to evade every red shirt.
More precision would be required to find an opener, and this almost came midway through the first half. Pollicina’s searching free kick was met by a towering Kayla Morrison at the far post, but no teammate could add the final touch.
In separate opportunities, White applied a firm header to Saveska’s cross, and Furphy let rip from the angle, with Melegh covering her goal well on each occasion to keep the contest goalless.
United would then turn defence into attack to take the lead. Taranto carried the ball forward and, upon reaching the penalty area, passed the baton to Worts, who impressively picked out the top corner.
Victory came close to an instant response when Furphy pounced upon a loose back pass. Her quality of finish, however, did not match her high-level anticipation to sniff out the chance, and Melegh was able to make the save.
The visitors would, though, return to the rooms level. Jancevski’s expert diagonal pass located the peeling run of White, and at the second time of asking, she converted the equaliser in the third minute of injury-time.
Half-time: Adelaide United 1-1 Melbourne Victory
The opening of the second 45 was slow going, and Bunge’s misdirected header at a set piece was the only action of note.
A corner, and an olimpico at that, would add to the scoresheet and determine the result. Zois’ wicked technique from the far side got the better of everyone and dropped in at the far post.
Into the closing 20 minutes, having already brought on Ella O’Grady, Hopkins turned to his bench again. The Head Coach introduced Chelsea Blissett for her Victory debut and teenager Sienna Techera in exchange for Jancevski and Laura Pickett.
Despite the fresh legs, the game was fizzling, and slowly got away from Victory, whilst the team had to deal with the enforced departure of Pollicina, who required medical attention on her wrist as she left the field.
There would be a final chance, crafted by substitute Techera, but White’s bullet header crashed out off the crossbar deep into a lengthy period of additional time.
Match Details
Adelaide United 2 (WORTS 38′, ZOIS 56′)
Melbourne Victory 1 (WHITE 45+3′)
Adelaide United Starting XI: 30. Ilona MELEGH (GK), 2. Emily HODGSON, 3. Matilda MCNAMARA, 6. Melissa TARANTO (5. Sarah MORGAN 66′), 8. Emily CONDON (7. Emilia MAKRIS 82′), 9. Paige ZOIS, 10. Chelsie DAWBER, 13. Ella TONKIN (C), 15. Adriana TARANTO (11. Isabel HODGSON 90′), 17. Zoe TOLLAND, 23. Fiona WORTS (22. Erin HEALY 65′).
Substitutes not used: 21. Claudia JENKINS (GK), 4. Holly MURRAY.
Booking: None.
Melbourne Victory Starting XI: 1. Courtney NEWBON (GK), 24. Laura PICKETT (28. Sienna TECHERA 73′), 18. Kayla MORRISON (C), 3. Claudia BUNGE, 66. Alana JANCEVSKI (4. Chelsea BLISSETT 73′), 6. Taylor RAY, 10. Rhianna POLLICINA (41. Jessica YOUNG 90+1), 8. Sienna SAVESKA (7. Ella O’GRADY 61′), 5. Sofia SAKALIS, 9. Holly FURPHY, 16. Kennedy WHITE.
Substitutes not used: 25. Chloe MCKENZIE (GK), 27. Rosie CURTIS.
Booking: None.
Coming Soon
The big games keep on coming for the Girls in Blue, with Sydney FC making the trip to Victoria next weekend.
