Travelling to Adelaide for the first leg of the Ninja A-League Semi-Final tie, Melbourne Victory Women came away as 3-1 winners over the Original Rivals.
Returning top-scorer Emily Gielnik and defender Ellie Wilson back into the starting XI, Jeff Hopkins and his side had a big task on their hand in a massive first leg in the City of Churches.
Kicking off the fixture at Coopers Stadium, Victory did well to settle into the game early.
It was a tight contest between two top sides this season, requiring over half an hour of action before big chances began to arise.
Positioned on the top of her penalty area, Courtney Newbon played a stunning ball over the top of the Reds’ defensive line, directly in the path of Emily Gielnik.
While a natural right-footer, Gielnik unleashed a vicious half-volley from her left boot straight into the side netting to open the lead for the Wuck.
However, the joy of the opener would last just a few moments after Erin Healy was in the right place at the right time to tap home an equaliser in the 40th minute.
Although demoralising, Victory pushed for the remainder of the half and almost responded remarkably from a deep free-kick.
Scoring from range multiple times this season, Alana Jancevski fired an excellent strike on goal which forced a lunging save onto the crossbar from Claudia Jenkins in the Reds’ goal.
Finishing 1-1 at the end of the first half, both sides remained unchanged at the break for a big 45 minutes to come.
The start of the second half was similar to that of the first, with neither team able to create any significant scoring chances.
Holly Furphy was introduced from the bench to add a spark to the attack as the game entered the final half-hour of action.
Finding space on the right wing, a smart cutback from Nicki Flannery to Sara D’Appolonia forced a top save out of Claudia Jenkins, earning Victory a corner kick.
Standing over the dead ball, Alana Murphy produced yet another of her trademark deliveries that landed straight onto the head of Claudia Bunge, who directed the ball across the keeper and into the back of the net.
Regaining the lead, Victory would ensure this time around they would not concede an equaliser.
On the opposite corner flag, Alex Chidiac’s whipped delivery found Bunge once again at the back post in the 88th minute.
This time around, the central defender headed the ball off the crossbar and in to score her fourth goal of the season and most importantly, secure the win in Adelaide.
Coming away with a 3-1 win in the first leg, Victory will return with a two-goal buffer in the hopes of booking their spot in the Grand Final.
Victory Women face the Reds in the second leg at the Home of the Matildas on Saturday, May 10.
Match Details
Ninja A-League Semi-Final: Leg 1
Adelaide United 1 (Healy 40′)
Melbourne Victory 3 (Gielnik 38′, Bunge 77′, 88′)
Adelaide United Starting XI: 21. Claudia JENKINS (GK), 2. Emily HODGSON, 4. Matilda MCNAMARA, 5. Sarah MORGAN, 6. Tiarna KARAMBASIS, 8. Emily CONDON, 13. Ella TONKIN (C), 14. Lucia LEON, 16. Dylan HOLMES, 22. Erin HEALY, 23. Fiona WORTS
Substitutes: 30. Ilona MELEGH (GK), 10. Chelsie DAWBER (62′), 11. Isabel HODGSON (84′), 12. Nanako SASAKI (73′), 19. Katie BOWLER (84′), 27. Sian DEWEY
Melbourne Victory Starting XI: 50. Courtney NEWBON (GK), 2. Ellie WILSON, 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, 66. Alana JANCEVSKI
Substitutes: 62. Geo CANDY (GK), 7. Ella O’GRADY (82′), 9. Holly FURPHY (67′), 24. Laura PICKETT, 27. Rosie CURTIS (90+5′), 41. Jessica YOUNG
