Melbourne Victory and the Western Sydney Wanderers played out an entertaining 1-1 draw in the Westfield W-League on Saturday.
Summary
Haley Hanson gave Victory an eighth-minute lead at Latrobe City Stadium in Morwell before the Wanderers fought back.
Lynn Williams’ equaliser after the hour-mark earned the Wanderers a point, while both teams hit the woodwork.
The result moved Western Sydney top of the table, while Victory sits fifth.
Victory made a bright start and Teigen Allen almost opened the scoring in the sixth minute, the right-back’s effort from distance hitting the crossbar.
However, just two minutes later and the host had its lead through Hanson’s first goal for the club.
The midfielder exchanged passes with Natasha Dowie before sliding in the opener off the post.
Western Sydney settled after going behind, Victory goalkeeper Casey Dumont making saves to deny Amy Harrison and Kyra Cooney-Cross.
Darian Jenkins, who was lively throughout the first half, almost struck five minutes before the break, forcing a save from Wanderers goalkeeper Abby Smith.
Amy Jackson made her 50th Westfield W-League appearance for Victory off the bench before the host almost doubled its lead.
Grace Maher’s free-kick from distance clipped the top of the crossbar in the 54th minute.
Instead, the Wanderers equalised through Williams, who finished in a one-on-one with Dumont after a long pass over the top.
Kristen Hamilton squandered a good chance for Western Sydney in the 67th minute before Dowie spotted Smith off her line but put a long-range effort wide.
The Wanderers had two chances in additional time, Hamilton hitting the post before Dumont made a wonderful late save to deny Sam Staab.
Result
Westfield W-League 2019/20 Round 4
Melbourne Victory 1 (Haley Hanson 8′)
Western Sydney Wanderers 1 (Lynn Williams 62′)
Next up
Victory makes the trip to ABD Stadium for a Melbourne Derby clash against City on Thursday, December 12.
