Melbourne Victory recorded a hard-fought 2-1 win over Perth Glory in the Westfield W-League on Saturday.
Summary
Amy Jackson scored a brace at Dorrien Gardens, where Victory goalkeeper Casey Dumont saved a first-half penalty from Crystal Thomas.
Leticia McKenna managed to pull a goal back for Perth, but Victory deservedly held on for its second win of the campaign in Natasha Dowie’s 50th league appearance for the club as it moved into fifth on the table.
There were plenty of chances in the first half as both teams went close in the opening three minutes.
Rosie Sutton tapped in a Lia Privitelli effort in the first minute for Victory, but it was ruled out for offside.
At the other end, Kat Jukic hit the post for Perth with a powerful strike.
Perth had a chance in the 24th minute when Emily Menges was ruled to have fouled Thomas.
However, Dumont dived to her right to save her third penalty of the season, denying Thomas.
❌❌❌ @CaseyDumont #PERvMVC 0-0 #WLeague @FOXFOOTBALL pic.twitter.com/gmwUfHveeq
— Victory W-League (@victorywleague) December 28, 2019
That would prove crucial as Victory, who earlier had Darian Jenkins test Glory goalkeeper Eliza Campbell, opened the scoring in the 33rd minute.
Jackson received a pass from Haley Hanson before unleashing a wonderful long-range effort in off the underside of the crossbar.
Dowie went close twice before half-time, including heading a Hanson pass onto the roof of the net.
Victory made the perfect start to the second half as Jackson struck to double the lead.
Sutton headed Dowie’s looping header to the back post onto the crossbar, but Jackson was on hand to nod in from close range.
McKenna scored on the hour-mark for Perth with a fine effort before Victory professionally closed out its win.
Result
Westfield W-League 2019/20 Round 7
Perth Glory 1 (Leticia McKenna 60′)
Melbourne Victory 2 (Amy Jackson 33’/53′)
Next up
Victory is back at home in Round 8, hosting the Newcastle Jets at AAMI Park on Sunday, January 5.