Melbourne Victory returned to third on the Westfield W-League table with a 1-0 win over the Western Sydney Wanderers on Thursday.
Summary
Annalie Longo’s goal late in the first half at AAMI Park proved to be enough for Victory to extend its unbeaten run to five matches.
Victory moved up to third, a point ahead of fourth-placed Adelaide United and five clear of Canberra United.
After making a decent start, Victory pushed the Wanderers back for several minutes midway through the first half.
Melina Ayres almost opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, the forward’s close-range strike hitting Wanderers goalkeeper Sarah Willacy after a Kyra Cooney-Cross corner caused problems.
Just three minutes later and another Cooney-Cross corner was tipped over the crossbar by Willacy.
Victory was on top for most of the first half and deservedly went ahead through Longo’s second goal of the season just before half-time.
A set-piece from Cooney-Cross again proved dangerous and Longo volleyed in from close range to make it 1-0.
There were few chances to begin the second half, although Lisa De Vanna almost doubled Victory’s lead with 20 minutes remaining.
Played through by Cooney-Cross, the Westfield Matildas great was denied by a fine diving save from Willacy.
Victory defender Kayla Morrison headed an Angela Beard corner over from close range in the 81st minute before the host closed out its win.
Result
Westfield W-League 2020/21 Round 11
Melbourne Victory 1 (Annalie Longo 43′)
Western Sydney Wanderers 0
Next up
Victory’s next outing is set to be a trip to Perth to face the Glory on Sunday, March 14.
