Melbourne Victory have secured an incredible victory at the death against the Central Coast Mariners to win its third match of the Liberty A-League season.
Summary
Melbourne Victory looked to get back on the winners list following a hard-fought draw in Perth last week.
In front of a big crowd at the Home of The Matildas, Victory jumped out the blocks with the same intensity that has highlighted their recent run of form.
The Mariners kept themselves up to the challenge and created a hard-fought encounter, with neither side able to gain a distinct advantage.
Both McKenzie Weinert and Elise Kellond-Knight were treated for head knocks in the first half, showcasing the physicality of the contest in the first half.
The match remained tied heading into half-time as both sides looked to find the attacking breakthrough to open the contest.
Victory began the second half with all of the attack, with Rachel Lowe becoming more and more dangerous as the minutes ticked by.
The star midfielder, with four goals in her last two outings, attempted a volley near the edge of the box and was almost on the end of another attack in the opening 10 minutes of the half.
The attacking play from Melbourne Victory finally paid off in the 59th minute through Kurea Okino.
Okino slammed home a close-range volley to score her first Liberty A-League goal and give the home side the advantage to a rapturous reaction.
Okino’s goal saw Victory continue to play with more freedom, in the hopes of being able to add to their tally.
Despite being able to attack more regularly, Victory would concede the next goal of the match to tie the game at a goal a piece heading into the final 20 minutes of action.
Jeff Hopkins made a number of substitutions late in an attempt to spark a late result.
Four substitutions were made in the second half, with all outfield players on the bench gaining varying minutes in a bid to claim another win.
The substitution of Alana Murphy for Paige Zois in the 79th minute almost sparked an immediate result, with Zois producing an attack down the wing that didn’t quite pan out.
As the game entered stoppage time, Victory were looking for a hero to bring them the full three points.
Up stepped McKenzie Weinert.
Controlling the ball at the edge of the box, Weinert beat two defenders and slammed the ball past Casey Dumont in goal.
The last-gasp winner sent HoTM ablaze as Victory held on to secure its third win of the season and fourth game in a row unbeaten.
Result
Melbourne Victory 2 (Okino 60′, Weinert 91′)
Central Coast Mariners 1 (Bryson 71′)
Next Match
Liberty A-League – Round 7
Wellington Phoenix v Melbourne Victory
Sunday 10 December
Kick-off: 2.00pm (AEDT)
Porirua Park
