Melbourne Victory moved up to fourth in the Westfield W-League after a 2-1 win over the Newcastle Jets at AAMI Park on Sunday.
Summary
Natasha Dowie and Darian Jenkins scored first-half goals during what was a dominant performance by Victory.
However, Gema Simon’s 61st-minute strike brought the Jets back into the game before Victory closed out a second straight win to go into fourth.
After a bright start, Victory took the lead through Dowie in the 10th minute.
Lia Privitelli’s superb pass released Jenkins down the left, the American’s cross flicked on by Rosie Sutton before Dowie nodded into the corner.
Victory continued to enjoy the better of the first half and Emily Menges’ driven effort was deflected wide in the 25th minute.
But the host doubled its lead from the corner as Jenkins netted her first for the club on her 25th birthday.
Menges played in a pass after the corner and Sutton headed onto the post, but Jenkins was on hand to tap in from close range.
Victory goalkeeper Casey Dumont made a great save to deny Simon nine minutes before half-time.
Haley Hanson was denied as Victory almost scored a third, Jets goalkeeper Claire Coelho making a save after the midfielder got on the end of Jenkins’ brilliant pass.
Victory’s dominance continued to begin the second half, with Privitelli testing Coelho after an Annalie Longo pass in the 52nd minute.
Dowie almost struck just before the hour-mark, but her glancing header from Privitelli’s cross went wide.
Instead, the Jets pulled a goal back thanks to Simon’s effort in the 61st minute.
However, it continued to be all Victory, with only a great save from Coelho denying Jenna McCormick in the 68th minute after Amy Jackson’s corner.
Both teams had their chances late on, but Victory clinched a deserved three points.
Result
Westfield W-League 2019/20 Round 8
Melbourne Victory 2 (Natasha Dowie 10′, Darian Jenkins 25′)
Newcastle Jets 1 (Gema Simon 61′)
Next up
Victory has a bye in Round 9 before visiting Adelaide United on Saturday, January 18.
