A first-half hat-trick from star striker Emily Gielnik made all the difference as Melbourne Victory secured their second win of the campaign, defeating Western United 4-1 on Sunday afternoon.
Report
The game could hardly have taken less time to burst into life.
The very first attack of the game saw Victory charge forward via Emily Gielnik, who powered her shot past the goalkeeper and into the back of the net just seconds after kick-off.
A perfect start for Victory, who continued to apply the pressure early in the contest.
In fact, Gielnik would have a second goal also within the first 10 minutes.
The second came from the striker’s relentless pressing, winning the ball back off Western goalkeeper Alyssa Dall’Oste in the penalty area and finishing simply into the empty net.
Two goals in the first 10 minutes, as Victory asserted their authority in the contest.
Western were finally able to somewhat settle into the game following the second goal, as they spent some time in the Victory half in search of a way back into the game.
That pathway would soon be found, as a headed effort from a corner squeezed past Courtney Newbon to make it 2-1.
The next 20 minutes were the quietest of the half, with the game once more hanging in the balance.
However, just before the break, Victory’s star striker would make yet another significant move.
Alex Chidiac cleverly released Gielnik in behind the Western defence, and although Dall’Oste got was able to take most of the power out of the shot, she was unable to direct it away from the goal.
A first-half hat-trick for Gielnik, giving Victory a 3-1 advantage at the break.
The second half was a tamer affair, as Victory spent more time absorbing pressure and hitting on the counter-attack.
Nicki Flannery came close, hitting the post with a curling attempt from inside the penalty area.
Otherwise, Victory generally looked comfortable, effectively repelling each of Western’s forays forward.
Ella O’Grady, Sara D’Appolonia, Ava Briedis and Laura Pickett were all substituted into the game throughout the second half.
One of the subs, O’Grady, made a major impact by scoring Victory’s fourth.
A superb through-ball from Rachel Lowe set away O’Grady, who finished clinically from a one-on-one position with the goalkeeper.
Victory’s fourth of the afternoon, wrapping up the three points with 10 minutes to spare.
A big win for Victory, their second of the campaign, moving up to six points from three games.
Next Match
Central Coast Mariners v Melbourne Victory
Date: Sat 23 November
Time: 2:15pm
Location: Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
