Melbourne Victory secured its first Westfield W-League Premier’s Plate after a 2-1 win over Perth Glory on Friday.
Summary
Christine Nairn and Emily Gielnik scored first-half goals to send Victory on its way at Dorrien Gardens.
Sam Kerr pulled a goal back for Perth in the second half, but Victory closed out a win to secure the Premiership for the first time.
Victory claimed the success with a game to spare and equalled its club-record points haul of 23.
It was a lively start in Perth as both teams created early chances.
Nairn saw a 20-yard effort saved by Glory goalkeeper Eliza Campbell inside the first minute before Victory shot-stopper Casey Dumont denied Kerr in a one-on-one.
Lia Privitelli squandered a great chance for Victory in the 16th minute, but the visitor would open the scoring moments later.
Privitelli put in a great cross from the left for Nairn to head in her fourth of the season.
Dumont denied Kerr once more in the 25th minute before Victory struck again.
Natasha Dowie played a pass into Nairn, who put Gielnik in down the right side of the area and the attacker powered a finish into the bottom corner.
Dumont was forced into saves by Alyssa Mautz and Kerr before the break as Victory took a 2-0 lead into half-time.
The host pulled a goal back shortly after the break, Kerr heading into the corner from inside the area.
Victory went close to restoring its two-goal lead in the 67th minute, but Privitelli headed a Dowie cross wide at the back post.
But Victory held firm for the remainder of the game, closing out a win and securing the Premiership.
Result
Westfield W-League 2018/19 Round 14
Perth Glory 1 (Sam Kerr 55′)
Melbourne Victory 2 (Christine Nairn 17′, Emily Gielnik 35′)
Next up
Victory concludes its regular season with a trip to Canberra United for its rescheduled clash on Tuesday.
