Melbourne Victory had to settle for a point against Melbourne City on Sunday evening.
Victory came closest to finding a winner in the Round 17 clash when Holly Furphy fired inches wide during the first half at The Home of The Matildas.
The stalemate was only the second scoreless Melbourne Derby in Ninja A-League Women’s history.
Team News
Jeff Hopkins settled on two straight swaps to the starting XI, replacing Rosie Curtis with Laura Pickett at right-back and bringing in Furphy for Ella O’Grady in the wide areas.
Kayla Morrison captained the side on her 100th A-League Women’s appearance for the Club.
Match Action
On a picture-perfect day in Bundoora, there was almost a picture-book goal for the hosts in the fourth minute. Kennedy White, from range, chipped goalkeeper Malena Mieres, who was relieved to see the ball bounce wide.
At the other end, City, through Aideen Keane and Shelby McMahon, whizzed efforts off target.
Following the first-half cooling break, there was a sequence of positive moments for Victory, but neither Rhianna Pollicina nor Furphy could cast the ball under their spell. Then, when Furphy broke free down the right, her low effort faded the wrong side of the far post.
The visitors would have the ball in the net before half-time, only for Bryleeh Henry’s close-range finish to be ruled out for offside.
Half-time: Melbourne Victory 0-0 Melbourne City
There was an early opportunity for City following the restart, but Leticia McKenna fired straight into Courtney Newbon’s grateful arms. Midway through the second half, the netminder was tested again, and once more she was well behind a low Keane attempt.
Looking for a big finish, Hopkins introduced one of last weekend’s game-changers, Alana Jancevski, along with speedster Ella O’Grady.
Chances came for each side, with both Taylor Ray and Holly McNamara finding too much elevation when they looked to strike.
In the end, neither side could manage to find a way past each other, forced to settle for a nil-all draw in Victoria.
Match Details
Melbourne Victory 0
Melbourne City 0
Melbourne Victory starting XI: 1. Courtney NEWBON (GK), 24. Laura PICKETT, 18. Kayla MORRISON (C), 3. Claudia BUNGE, 4. Chelsea BLISSETT, 6. Taylor RAY, 10. Rhianna POLLICINA (66. Alana JANCEVSKI 70′), 5. Sofia SAKALIS, 23. Rachel LOWE, 9. Holly FURPHY (7. Ella O’GRADY 70′), 16. Kennedy WHITE.
Substitutes not used: 30: Payton WOODWARD (GK), 8. Sienna SAVESKA, 27. Rosie CURTIS, 81. Grace MAHER.
Booking: O’GRADY 86′.
Melbourne City starting XI: 24. Malena MIERES (GK), 3. Danielle TURNER, 5. Taylor OTTO (C), 6. Leticia MCKENNA (18. Leah DAVIDSON 76′), 8. Alexia APOSTOLAKIS, 9. Holly MCNAMARA, 11. Deven JACKSON (15. Chinaza UCHENDU 90′), 12. Shelby MCMAHON, 16. Karly ROESTBAKKEN, 21. Aideen KEANE, 22. Bryleeh HENRY (7. Danella BUTRUS 76′).
Substitutes not used: 23. Melissa BARBIERI (GK), 17. Kaya JUGOVIC, 20. Caitlin KARIC.
Booking: KEANE 71′.
Coming Soon
It is a sharp turnaround for the Girls in Blue, with more ALW action versus Wellington Phoenix at The Home of The Matildas on Friday.
