Melbourne Victory’s Ninja A-League Finals Series came to an end at the Semi-Final stage on Saturday afternoon.
Jeff Hopkins’ team, trailing from Leg 1, required a win against Melbourne City at ctrl:cyber Pitch, if they were to reach the Grand Final for a second successive season.
Kennedy White and Nicki Flannery had Victory’s best chances, but the only goal was a City one, with Shelby McMahon netting impressively during the first half.
Team News
There were two changes to the starting XI from Leg 1. Alana Jančevski replaced Chelsea Blissett at left-back, and White came in for Laura Pickett to give the team added attacking presence. Meanwhile, teenager Sienna Techera would be added to the bench in place of Rosie Curtis.
Match Action
The visitors started on the front foot and had the game’s first sight of goal, but Kennedy White’s polite finish did not ask any questions of goalkeeper Malena Mieres. At the other end, brave defensive blocks from Taylor Ray, deployed at right-back, kept City efforts away from the danger zone.
When Aideen Keane did create space for herself in the penalty box, her shot curled wide of the target. She then played an inviting low ball across the face of goal, only for no teammate to have anticipated an opportunity for a tap-in.
It was, however, from outside of the area where the Premiers would strike. The Girls in Blue appeared to have quelled the threat until 17-year-old McMahon struck the sweetest half-volley that lasered into the net.
It was a disrupted conclusion to the first period, with a delay when Keane suffered an innocuous ankle injury, and O’Grady required some treatment when tumbling in the mix of a few sky blue shirts in the 18-yard box.
Half-time: Melbourne City 1-0 Melbourne Victory
Trailing by two on aggregate, Victory needed a second 45 for the ages if they were to progress to the Grand Final. First, though, they had to protect their own goal, and Courtney Newbon did excellently to get down low and push away Keane’s placed effort.
Her opposite number then snuffed out White when she was superbly picked out by Jančevski, before it was Newbon’s gloves being muddied again, as she stood tall to two Leah Davidson enquiries.
Shaking things up, Hopkins introduced Nicky Flannery for the final half hour, and this change so nearly had the desired impact. Holly Furphy squirmed a cutback, and Flannery’s left-footer had too much elevation.
Time was very much the enemy, and with the clock ticking, Sofia Sakalis and Sienna Saveska were brought on to bring some energy to the side.
Forcing a sharp save and rattling the crossbar within the space of a minute from the left flank, Jančevski would be central to a couple of late chances for Victory, but couldn’t quite find the back of the net with the hosts ultimately prevailing.
Match Details
Melbourne City 1 (MCMAHON 34′)
Melbourne Victory 0
Melbourne City Starting XI: 24. Malena MIERES (GK), 3. Danielle TURNER, 5. Taylor OTTO, 6. Leticia MCKENNA (14. Laura HUGHES 70′), 9. Holly MCNAMARA, 12. Shelby MCMAHON, 13. Rebekah STOTT (C), 16. Karly ROESTBAKKEN (8. Alexia APOSTOLAKIS 80′), 18. Leah DAVIDSON, 21. Aideen KEANE (11. Deven JACKSON 84′), 22. Bryleeh HENRY.
Substitutes not used: 25. Ayana AOYAGI (GK), 23. Melissa BARBIERI (GK), 2. Ellie WILSON, 20. Caitlin KARIC.
Booking: MCNAMARA 90+2′.
Melbourne Victory Starting XI: 1. Courtney NEWBON (GK), 81. Grace MAHER, 3. Claudia BUNGE, 18. Kayla MORRISON (C), 66. Alana JANCEVSKI, 6. Taylor RAY, 23. Rachel LOWE, 10. Rhianna POLLICINA (5. Sofia SAKALIS 69′), 9. Holly FURPHY, 7. Ella O’GRADY (8. Sienna SAVESKA 79′), 16. Kennedy WHITE (11. Nicki FLANNERY 60′).
Substitutes not used: 30. Payton WOODWARD (GK), 4. Chelsea BLISSETT, 4. Laura PICKETT, 28. Sienna TECHERA.
Booking: MORRISON 71′, BUNGE 77′.
