Melbourne City have edged closer to securing the W-League Premiership after a 4-0 win over Perth Glory at CB Smith Reserve on Sunday.
It took the hosts until the second half to find their radar in front of goal, with all of Kim Little, Marianna Tabain, Larissa Crummer and Jess Fishlock netting after the break.
Lisa De Vanna had the first attempt of the game when Rebekah Stott found her in the box with a cross, but the header missed wide.
She then teed up Beattie Goad for a muffed shot that landed safely in the arms of Mackenzie Arnold.
The Matildas captain then came close to opening the scoring in the 18th minute, cutting in from the right and curling a shot that fizzed just wide of the post.
With Perth sitting back and inviting pressure, De Vanna had an opportunity to tap the ball in at the far post from a corner, but completely mistimed her effort.
A passing move between Stott, De Vanna and Goad saw the former test Arnold from distance, but the keeper was up to the task, tipping her shot over the bar.
At the other end, Perth’s few forays forward resulted in the opportunity being cleared with relative ease.
Jess Fishlock was the next to have a chance on goal, connecting with Amy Jackson’s cross but heading wide of the target.
It took until injury time of the first period for Perth to fashion a meaningful chance on goal, when Bennett volleyed Carroll’s set piece wide.
The hosts again peppered the goals after the break, with Crummer and Little both unable to beat Arnold in goals.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 62nd minute after a combination of passes between Crummer and De Vanna found Little, who took a couple of touches and blasted the ball into the back of the net.
Crummer almost made it two in quick succession after picking up Little’s cutback, but missed wide.
Joe Montemurro then brought Marianna Tabain onto the pitch, who doubled the lead with her first touch of the game, pouncing on a loose ball in the box and slotting it past Arnold.
Crummer finally had her goal in the 82nd minute following a game of frustrating near misses, making no mistake finishing off De Vanna’s cross to seal the contest.
That wasn’t before Jess Fishlock tapped home in extra time as City ran away 4-0 winners on the day.
Melbourne City 4 (Little 62′ Tabain 68′ Crummer 82′ Fishlock 90′) defeated Perth Glory 0 at CB Smith Reserve
Melbourne City: 1. Brianna Davey (GK), 4. Jennifer Beattie, 6. Aivi Luik, 7. Steph Catley. 8. Kim Little, 9. Larissa Crummer, 10. Jess Fishlock, 11. Lisa De Vanna, 13. Rebekah Stott, 15. Amy Jackson, 16. Beattie Goad (17. Marianna Tabain 65′)
Unused Substitutes: 3. Alex Chidiac, 18. Anisa Guajardo, 20. Trudy Burke (GK)
Perth Glory: 1. Mackenzie Arnold, 3. Kim Carroll, 4. Katie Holtham. 5. Shannon May, 6. Carla Bennett, 7. Nikki Stanton, 9. Caitlin Foord, 11. Emily Henderson, 13. Danielle Brogan, 16. Thia Eastman, 23. Vanessa Dibernardo
Unused Substitutes: Shawn Billam, Cailtlin Doeglas, Gabrielle Dal Busco, Ella Mastrantonio