Melbourne Victory claimed an important three points against Western Sydney Wanderers on Saturday night at The Home of the Matildas.
Holly Furphy scored the decisive goal in the 57th minute, following up on Kennedy White’s initial effort with a planted volleyed finish in the Round 19 Ninja A-League clash.
The win takes Victory into fifth place on the 2025/26 ladder with two regular-season matches remaining.
Team News
Jeff Hopkins named an unchanged starting XI from the Round 18 draw with Wellington Phoenix. One switch on the bench saw Sienna Techera replace the injured Sienna Saveska.
Match Action
Victory had their first chance after eight minutes in Bundoora when Rhianna Pollicina was fouled in the midfield. Chelsea Blissett delivered a dangerous free kick, and Kayla Morrison’s header went just over the top.
It was also a headed effort that produced the Wanderers’ first real opportunity. Some outrageous trickery from Talia Younis created room for a cross, but Ava Collins was off-target from close range.
At the other end, the hosts were probing, and on either side of a Pollicina effort being held, both White and Rachel Lowe had shots go close.
Younis would threaten again as the half edged toward a conclusion, going within inches of breaking the deadlock, smashing the crossbar with a rising strike from the angle. And the attacker, switching possession, laid on a final chance of the first 45, which Danika Matos fired wide.
Half-time: Melbourne Victory 0-0 Western Sydney Wanderers
There was a renewed energy with which the home team set about the second half; they were enjoying far more territory, and this would be rewarded ahead of the hour mark.
Chelsea Blissett’s searching ball from inside her own half released White, and although her first-time effort was saved by Shamiran Khamis’ boot, Furphy was arriving to volley in the rebound.
Victory followed this up with chances for a second. White could not squeeze the ball in at the near post, and substitute Alana Jancevski miscued her volleyed connection to Laura Pickett’s cross.
Grace Maher and Ella O’Grady would be brought on for the final stretch of the contest by Hopkins, helping the Girls in Blue see out a crucial win in their hunt for finals football, while also extending their undefeated streak to four matches.
Match Details
Melbourne Victory 1 (FURPHY 57′)
Western Sydney Wanderers 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 66′), 5. Sofia SAKALIS, 23. Rachel LOWE (81. Grace MAHER 82′), 9. Holly FURPHY (7. Ella O’GRADY 89′), 16. Kennedy WHITE.
Substitutes not used: 30. Payton WOODWARD (GK), 27. Rosie CURTIS, 28. Sienna TECHERA.
Booking: FURPHY 65′.
Western Sydney Wanderers starting XI: 20. Shamiran KHAMIS (GK), 4. Poppie HOOKS (15. Cushla RUE 82′), 5. Amelia BENNETT, 6. Amy CHESSARI (37. Ena HARADA 74′), 7. Amy HARRISON (C), 11. Danika MATOS, 14. Ella BUCHANAN, 19. Talia YOUNIS (23. Miriam ZUMAYA 74′), 22. Alana CERNE, 24. Nikkita FAZZARI (17. Allyssa NG-SAAD 61′), 30. Ava COLLINS.
Substitutes not used: 13. Alvina KHOSHABA, 12. Brianna EDWARDS.
Booking: CHESSARI 70′.
Coming Soon
Victory’s regular ALW season schedule ends with two away trips. There is a visit to Sydney FC on Saturday, March 28, kick-off 5pm AEDT, before a final weekend clash with Perth Glory on Friday, April 3, kick-off 7pm AEDT.
