Melbourne Victory recorded a thrilling 2-1 Derby win over City in the Liberty A-League on Sunday.
Summary
Victory fell behind on the stroke of half-time at AAMI Park when Amy Jackson headed in an unfortunate own goal.
But Catherine Zimmerman equalised before Lynn Williams marked her Victory debut with a 70th-minute winner, maintaining the Club’s perfect start to the season.
Jackson was sent off late as Victory was forced to hold on in warm conditions.
City had a great chance in the 16th minute, Hannah Wilkinson shooting wide in a one-on-one with Victory goalkeeper Casey Dumont.
Victory’s pressing started to paid off midway through the first half, and it led to efforts from distance from Courtney Nevin and MelindaJ Barbieri that both flew wide.
A lovely team move gave Zimmerman a chance before half-time, the forward’s powerful effort from an angle directed straight at City shot-stopper Melissa Barbieri.
But City took the lead just prior to the break, Jackson heading into her own net following a set-piece.
Dumont ensured it was only 1-0 at the interval with a great left-handed stop to deny Rebekah Stott.
The Victory goalkeeper was called into action again to begin the second half, saving a Rhianna Pollicina strike down low.
Victory introduced United States international Williams for her Club debut shortly after the hour-mark.
And Victory was level in the 65th minute through Zimmerman’s second goal of the season.
Alex Chidiac, on her Victory debut, produced a superb run before playing in the forward, who finished clinically.
Williams had her impact with a debut goal to make it 2-1 just four minutes later.
Polly Doran did well down the right before crossing, Zimmerman getting a touch before Williams tapped in from close range.
Jackson was sent off for denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity when she brought down Holly McNamara in the 88th minute, but Victory held on.
Key moment
What they said – Williams
on the finish…
“Just be smart. Obviously when they’re down with five minutes to go they’re going to throw the kitchen sink at you so you just have to be really smart, turned on and focused and make sure that nobody’s marker’s going unmarked so, just making sure we were turned on and focused.”
on the win…
“I give credit to these girls. It’s hot, they were running around all day, I just came on and did a little shift, like ‘Zimm’ I think she ran a lot so I think just going out there and saying we can do this, we’ve got it and we get the first goal and then we start to believe and we get the second goal and the rest is history.”
Player in focus
Zimmerman enjoyed another strong outing. The forward scored last week and netted an excellent equaliser against City, before also playing a part in Williams’ winner.
Implications
A Derby win marked two from two for Victory to begin the campaign. Jeff Hopkins’ side is top of the table through two rounds.
Result
Liberty A-League 2021/22 Round 2
City 1 (Amy Jackson 45+4′ og)
Melbourne Victory 2 (Catherine Zimmerman 65′, Lynn Williams 70′)
City: Barbieri (gk); Torpey (Malone 76′), Tumeth, Checker (c), Heatley, Vlajnic (McKenna 72′); Davidson, Stott (Westland 66′); McNamara, Wilkinson, Pollicina (Thomas-Chinnama 72′).
Melbourne Victory: Dumont (gk); Doran, Bunge, Jackson, Nevin; Barbieri (Robers 90′), Cooney-Cross, Chidiac (Markovski 90+3′); Privitelli (c), Zimmerman, Withers (Williams 62′).
Yellow cards: Withers 45+3′
Red cards: Jackson 88′
Attendance: TBA
Venue: AAMI Park
Next up
Victory makes the trip to Brisbane to face the Roar on Saturday, December 18.
