A dominant Melbourne Victory side have drawn 1-1 with Brisbane Roar at CB Smith Reserve on Sunday afternoon.
SUMMARY
Both sides entered this clash knowing three points were a must for their respective Finals hopes, which set up a tense opening 20 minutes in Melbourne.
Brisbane struck first and opened the scoring through Shea Connors on the counter attack. The Roar forward’s strike was too hot to handle for the in-form Casey Dumont, who was unable to stop it from creeping over the line.
Not long after, Victory drew level from the penalty spot. Amy Jackson was brought down illegally by Brisbane’s Talitha Kramer, and Melina Ayres made no mistake, taking her season’s tally to eight goals.
The goal would prove crucial, reinvigorating the Victory and inspiring a new found confidence which would last the remainder of the fixture.
Immediately after, Catherine Zimmerman was handed a chance and will feel she should have made more of it. The ball rocketed to the forward unexpectedly, and Brisbane regained possession.
Amy Jackson was living proof of the Victory’s confidence, trying her luck from range, but Brisbane goalkeeper Hensley Hancuff was there to claim.
The second half started with Victory being handed a golden opportunity to take the lead early on. Hancuff handed the ball to Victory midfielder Tiff Eliadis, who elected to go for goal herself, and was unable to find the net.
It was chances galore for Victory not long after. Beattie Goad will feel she should have capitalised with a follow up shot from a corner, and so will Melina Ayres – who’s cross in the second phase of play evaded teammates after collecting the ball from another Hancuff mistake.
A highlight of the second half was Alana Murphy’s crossing, who constantly picked out teammates with sweeping deliveries.
The Young Matildas midfielder found Catherine Zimmerman expertly, but the striker was unable to steer her effort on goal.
Beattie Goad was again presented with another chance to take the lead – and will no doubt still be pondering how her close range effort stayed out 74 minutes in.
Another pin point Alana Murphy delivery found Captain Kayla Morrison deep, who picked out Melina Ayres, but the striker could not keep her shot down and on target.
The Final stages saw a display of desperate defending from Brisbane – who battled to keep the Victory at bay.
A late chance fell to substitute Lia Privitelli, but her low driven shot was stopped by Hancuff.
The clash came to a close at CB Smith Reserve, leaving the Victory frustrated and having to settle for a draw after a strong showing.
KEY MOMENT
Melina Ayres’ leveller from the spot was massively important for the Victory. It inspired a new found confidence in the side which saw them become a dominant force throughout the rest of the clash.
IMPLICATIONS
After temporarily moving out of the top four, the Victory have regained fourth spot with the singular point.
Melbourne are now level with Canberra on 28 points heading into the 20th and final round, but reenter Finals places on goal difference.
RESULT
Liberty A-League 2022/23 Round 19
Melbourne Victory 1 (Ayres 37′)
Brisbane Roar 1 (Connors 29′)
NEXT
Victory’s Women travel alongside the Club’s A-League Men to take on the Wellington Phoenix as part of a double header on Saturday 1 April to close out the regular home and away season.
