Melbourne Victory Women stick to their winning ways, defeating Perth Glory 1-0 at the Home of the Matildas.
Victory started the game aiming to control the game with an unchanged starting XI, holding the majority of possession while the visitors looked to apply pressure high up the field.
Competing in the Bundoora heat, both sides struggled to create clear chances early on.
Soon after the first-half drinks break, Victory continued to threaten and found an opener in stunning fashion.
Alana Murphy’s free-kick delivery caused issues for the Glory’s backline, clearing the ball to captain Kayla Morrison in a dangerous position.
The centre-back struck the ball on the volley, thundering off the crossbar and into the back of the net past Casey Dumont, giving Victory a 1-0 lead.
Perth fought hard to grab a goal back in the game, but Victory’s defensive unit limited their opponents to distant shots at goal.
Shots at goal from Emily Gielnik and Alana Jancevski on the brink of halftime sealed the first 45 minutes for the Victory – a good opening on home soil.
It was a cagey battle to start the next half of football. Victory were eager to extend their lead, while Glory searched for an equaliser.
Nicki Flannery nearly doubled the lead after Emily Gielnik’s cross travelled across the box, but a strong stop from Casey Dumont kept the visitors just a goal behind.
The Glory almost immediately responded after a long-range strike by Gabby Hollar was swatted away brilliantly by Courtney Newbon’s lunging dive.
Right on the hour mark, Tijan McKenna received her second yellow card within five minutes after fouling Alex Chidiac twice.
This was a needed boost for Victory to regain control over the game, soon after creating another dangerous chance through a crossed ball by Chidiac nearly met at the back post by Rachel Lowe.
Jeff Hopkins called upon substitutes Sofia Sakalis and Rosie Curtis as the game progressed into the final stages as the Navy Blues prevented the Glory from finding a goal.
The final time whistle eventually blew, concluding a hard-fought game for Victory who kept a second straight clean sheet.
The three points earned see Victory climb up to second place in the Ninja A-League ladder, just two points behind top-of-the-league Melbourne City.
Melbourne Victory will now prepare for their U-NITE double-header clash against Sydney FC at AAMI Park on Friday, January 24.
Tickets are available via Ticketek.
Match Details
Ninja A-League Round 12
Melbourne Victory 1 (Morrison 33’)
Perth Glory 0
Melbourne Victory Starting XI: 50. Courtney NEWBON (GK), 3. Claudia BUNGE, 8. Alana MURPHY, 10. Alex CHIDIAC, 11. Nicki FLANNERY, 13. Sara D’APPOLONIA, 15. Emily GIELNIK, 18. Kayla MORRISON (C), 23. Rachel LOWE, 24. Laura PICKETT, 66. Alana JANCEVSKI
Substitutes: 62. Geo CANDY (GK), 5. Sofia SAKALIS (72’), 7. Ella O’GRADY, 27. Rosie CURTIS (90+2’), 41. Jessica YOUNG
Perth Glory Starting XI: 1. Casey DUMONT (GK), 5. Grace JOHNSTON, 6. Tijan MCKENNA, 7. Megan WYNNE, 8. Georgia CASSIDY, 9. Gabby HOLLAR, 11. Natalie TATHEM, 12. Caitlin DOEGLAS, 13. Naomi CHINNAMA, 14. Miku SUNAGA, 29. Onyinyechi ZOGG (C)
Substitutes: 21. Miranda TEMPLEMAN (GK), 4. Claudia VALLETTA (58’), 23. Izzy DALTON (72’), 26. Tanika LALA (58’), 27. Charli WAINWRIGHT (28’)
