Melbourne Victory Women came away with all three points in a thrilling Pride Cup clash against Original Rivals, Adelaide United.
Jeff Hopkins made two changes to the XI that secured a late win over the Jets at the Home of the Matildas, promoting Ellie Wilson and Holly Furphy to the starting lineup.
Enjoying an excellent home record this season as Victory continues to pursue the league’s top spot, the Navy Blues applied significant pressure to the Reds in the first 45 minutes.
Making her debut in goals for the visitors, 16-year-old Ilona Melegh pulled off a number of crucial stops to keep out Victory’s efforts on goal.
Holly Furphy was a standout with her speed and direct dribbling from the wing, while captain Kayla Morrison continued her excellent form at the back after signing a contract extension mid-week.
Despite Victory firing four times as many shots on goal as their opponents, the game remained scoreless entering the break.
Remaining unchanged at the break, Victory continued to push for an opening that seemed inevitable to arrive.
Switching across to the left wing after starting on the right, Nicki Flannery posed a constant threat to the visitors as she progressively grew into the game.
Jeff Hopkins called upon youngster Jessica Young just past the hour mark to provide a spark in the game – a call that would immediately pay off.
Just a minute after entering the game, Young received the ball from Emily Gielnik and opted to spread the ball wide to Nicki Flannery, who cut onto her favoured right foot and produced an immense curling strike into the top right corner.
It was a beautiful strike from Flannery, made possible by an excellent move in the build-up from her teammates, providing Victory with a well-deserved lead at AAMI Park.
As the Reds pushed for a reply, young duo Laura Pickett and Ella O’Grady entered the game as Victory searched for an important result.
However, a handball in Victory’s penalty area saw the visitors awarded with a penalty in the final minutes of regulation time.
Dylan Holmes sent the spot-kick straight into the back of the net, bringing the game back level.
While Victory did not have long remaining to fire themselves back ahead, they produced yet another late-winning goal in front of their home fans.
On the 90-minute mark, Laura Pickett played a well-weighted ball down the wing to Emily Gielnik.
Despite a full game of hard-running, Gielnik had the quality to deliver a pinpoint cross to the incoming Nicki Flannery – heading home her brace of the night and a massive go-ahead-goal for the Navy Blues.
Victory held out the remaining minutes and claimed a crucial three points, solidifying their second position in the Ninja A-League ladder and bringing themselves just two points behind league leaders Melbourne City.
Victory Women will continue their Premiership charge in a catch-up fixture against the Western Sydney Wanderers on Sunday, April 6.
Match Details
Ninja A-League Round 21
Melbourne Victory 2 (Flannery 69′, 90+1′)
Adelaide United 1 (Holmes 86′)
Melbourne Victory Starting XI: 50. Courtney NEWBON (GK), 2. Ellie WILSON, 3. Claudia BUNGE, 9. Holly FURPHY, 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 (85′), 24. Laura PICKETT (74′), 27. Rosie CURTIS, 41. Jessica YOUNG (68′)
Adelaide United Starting XI: 30. Ilona MELEGH (GK), 2. Emily HODGSON, 4. Matilda MCNAMARA, 8. Emily CONDON, 10. Chelsie DAWBER, 12. Nanako SASAKI, 13. Ella TONKIN, 14. Lucia LEON, 16. Dylan HOLMES, 17. Zoe TOLLAND, 23. Fiona WORTS
Substitutes: 5. Sarah MORGAN (46′), 6. Tiarna KARAMBASIS (79′), 11. Isabel HODGSON (57′), 18. Lara KIRKBY (75′)
