Melbourne Victory Women extended their impressive record against Adelaide United in the Ninja A-League on Saturday afternoon.
Rachel Lowe’s neatly taken 50th-minute goal was enough for Jeff Hopkins’ side to claim all three points in part one of a double header at AAMI Park.
Victory’s Round 7 triumph means they are now unbeaten in their last 10 matches against the Reds, while reclaiming their position as the league’s leaders.
Team News
There were two changes from last Friday’s starting XI. Both Grace Maher and Zoe McMeeken missed out on the match day squad, with Taylor Ray making her first start for the Club, and Laura Pickett coming in from the first whistle.
There was also a space on the bench for the returning Nicki Flannery and midfielder Jessica Young.
Match Action
It was Victory setting the agenda during the opening back-and-forth at AAMI Park, and Rhianna Pollicina was at the heart of it. The instrumental midfielder forced a fine save from Claudia Jenkins after just two minutes, when she took aim from distance, before her teasing free kick was headed wide by the arriving Kayla Morrison.
Adelaide responded with a well-worked set piece, although Isabel Hodgson’s header, superbly clawed away by Courtney Newbon, was flagged offside.
At the other end, more business from Pollicina won a free kick in a central position, but Alana Jancevski’s attempt, which was travelling, proved to be wayward. United’s Erin Healy then showed more accuracy when she lashed at a bouncing ball, and Newbon had to scuttle across sharply to push the effort behind for a corner which came to nothing.
There was then a spell where Holly Furphy came to the fore. First, she blistered through the Adelaide backline, only for her touch to betray her, then she tested the handling of Jenkins. And the third in a trio of quickfire involvements saw her accurate cross headed off target by a well-placed Kennedy White.
The notable first-half action was rounded out with another ‘speccy’ save from Newbon. Again, it was Healy letting fly, with the Victory goalkeeper showing top agility to tip it over.
Half-time: Melbourne Victory 0-0 Adelaide United
Victory made a near-immediate impact at the start of the second 45. Furphy persevered down the right and her second stab at a cross found Lowe, who flashed the ball home from just inside the area.
It was almost two just moments later, and another assist for Furphy, with the sliding Sofia Sakalis just unable to turn the ball in. Pollicina also tried her luck again, swerving an effort over the top.
Ray was withdrawn after completing 71 minutes on her full debut, and shortly after, Flannery entered the fray for the first time this season.
The number 11 could have made it a return to remember when she popped up in front of goal. There was, though, perhaps a bit of match sharpness lacking from her header, which looped wide.
Young winger Sienna Techera was brought on in the final moments and displayed her promise as Victory threatened for a potential second goal, but the full-time whistle would ultimately conclude a 1-0 win for the Girls in Blue.
Match Details
Melbourne Victory 1 (LOWE 50′)
Adelaide United 0
Melbourne Victory starting XI: 1. Courtney NEWBON (GK), 24. Laura PICKETT, 3. Claudia BUNGE, 18. Kayla MORRISON (C), 66. Alana JANCEVSKI, 10. Rhianna POLLICINA, 6. Taylor RAY (27. Rosie CURTIS 71′), 23. Rachel LOWE, 9. Holly FURPHY (28. Sienna TECHERA 90+1′), 16. Kennedy WHITE, 5. Sofia SAKALIS (11. Nickoletta FLANNERY 76′).
Substitutes not used: 30. Payton WOODWARD (GK), 7. Ella O’GRADY, 41. Jessica YOUNG.
Booking: None.
Adelaide United starting XI: 21. Claudia JENKINS (GK), 2. Emily HODGSON, 4. Holly MURRAY, 13. Ella TONKIN, 17. Zoe TOLLAND, 9. Paige ZOIS (7. Sian DEWEY 77′), 6. Melissa TARANTO, 22. Erin HEALY, 15. Adriana TARANTO (7. Emilia MAKRIS 66′), 10. Chelsie DAWBER (12. Carina ROSSI 77′), 11. Isabel HODGSON (25. Lara GOOCH 77′).
Substitutes not used: 30. Ilona MELEGH (GK), 8. Emily CONDON.
Booking: None.
Coming Soon
Victory have three matches before the end of 2025, travelling to Newcastle Jets and Central Coast Mariners, either side of the Melbourne Derby. The A-League Women’s team are back on home soil on Sunday, January 11, kick-off 5pm AEDT, at the Home of the Matildas to take on Brisbane Roar. Click here to secure your seat now!
