Melbourne Victory scraped an important 2-1 win over Canberra United on a perfect summer’s afternoon at Lakeside Stadium.
Lisa De Vanna opened the scoring with a goal right after half-time before Kendall Fletcher equalised, capitalising on the Victory’s inability to defend a corner.
With the game in the balance, it was Victory’s Caitlin Friend who proved the difference, as she stuck out a leg to poke home from 10 yards, gifting her side all three points.
The game was even from the outset, with neither side gaining any real stronghold in the game.
Canberra were the first to register an effort on goal when Stephanie Ochs got on the end of a great cross-field ball from Ashley Sykes.
Ochs cut inside on the left flank, then rifled a shot past Victory stopper Brianna Davey and onto the crossbar.
Melbourne were more patient in their build up, and it showed as they almost went ahead through Enza Barilla.
Matildas forward Lisa De Vanna whipped in a low cross towards Barilla but the diminutive forward couldn’t force the ball home.
It proved to be the best chance of a disappointing first half, which failed to yield any real clear cut chances.
That all changed quickly after the break, as the home side struck early.
Jess Fishlock played a wonderful through ball to De Vanna, who jetted past the Canberra back line before coolly slotting a finish past Lydia Williams.
The goal sparked some much needed life into the game and a couple minutes later Canberra also had the ball in the back of the net.
The goal was ruled offside however, with Kendall Fletcher infringing as the free kick was taken.
Michelle Heyman continued the Canberra momentum in the 52nd minute, as she pounced on some indecision in the Victory defence.
She raced through on goal, only to shoot straight at Davey.
The home side never truly looked settled despite the lead, with Canberra applying constant waves of pressure.
Melbourne did however fashion the next opening in the match just past the hour mark, with De Vanna spurning a golden opportunity, opting to cut onto her right foot after making space for the shot on her left.
The decision cost her a clear strike at goal, and Victory were made to pay soon after.
Failing to deal with a routine corner, Canberra pounced through Kendall Fletcher, who was found wanting at the back post.
The midfielder duly obliged by ramming the ball into the back of the net to square things up.
Neither side looked likely to kick on from there until Victory coach Dave Edmondson brought on Cindy Lay.
The midfielder made a good run into the box in the 83rd minute, before cutting the ball back towards the centre.
While the ball was seemingly out of reach of a desperate Friend, she threw herself at the ball and poked it over a diving Williams to hand Victory a late lead.
It was a blow Canberra never recovered from, and while they did put pressure on the Victory defence late on, they were unable to carve out any significant opportunities, and suffered their second defeat in a row.
Victory go three points clear at the top of the table, and remain unbeaten since their 5-1 loss to Sydney FC in Round 1.
Team Lineups:
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Substitutes:
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Substitutions:
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Scorers:
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