Catherine Zimmerman’s 78th-minute winner saw Melbourne Victory past Adelaide United 1-0 in the Westfield W-League on Friday.
Summary
Zimmerman headed in the winner late on to settle a tight contest at Marden Sports Complex.
It gave Victory a hard-fought win as it responded to back-to-back losses.
Victory made a bright start and threatened twice in the space of two minutes.
Natalie Martineau saw a cross from the right almost fly in at the back post before Kyra Cooney-Cross’ corner was fumbled onto the post by Reds goalkeeper Sian Fryer-McLaren.
A superb cross from the left from Angela Beard was Victory’s next threatening moment midway through the first half, although no-one could get on the end of the delivery.
The Reds squandered a good chance just before the half-hour mark, Chelsie Dawber shooting over the crossbar from inside the area as the relatively even contest continued.
The best chance of the half fell to the host, but Victory goalkeeper Gaby Garton denied Maria Jose Rojas in a one-on-one in the 33rd minute.
Victory pushed Adelaide back to begin the second half, although there were few clear-cut chances, Garton diving to her left to deny Fiona Worts in the 74th minute.
But just four minutes later and Victory went ahead through Zimmerman’s third goal of the season.
Beard’s well-weighted set-piece found Melina Ayres at the back post and the forward headed centrally, where Zimmerman rose highest to nod in the winner.
Result
Westfield W-League 2020/21 Round 6
Adelaide United 0
Melbourne Victory 1 (Catherine Zimmerman 78′)
Next up
Victory will host Perth Glory at Latrobe City Stadium on Sunday, February 7.
