Melbourne City have kept up their perfect record this season with a comfortable 2-0 win over Adelaide United at CB Smith Reserve.
Larissa Crummer put the hosts in front just before the break while Jess Fishlock padded the lead in the second half to secure City’s fifth-straight win this season.
It was one-way traffic from the off, with City asserting their dominance on the Lady Reds.
Aivi Luik had the first glimpse of goal seven minutes in, glancing a header just wide of the near post.
City didn’t have to wait long for its next attempt, as Marianna Tabain’s header forced Adelaide custodian Kaitlyn Savage into a reflex save.
Amy Jackson and Kim Little also had attempts of their own, but it wasn’t until the half hour that Savage had another save to make.
Stott was positioned well at the edge of the area following a poorly-cleared corner, and unleashed a stinging drive straight at the Adelaide ‘keeper.
Savage was called into action five minutes later, pulling off a fine save diving to palm away Fishlock’s curling attempt.
Crummer then should have put City in front in the 40th minute after being played in behind, but the forward scooped her shot well over the bar.
She made amends for it just three minutes later however, squeezing in a finish from a loose ball in the box which the visitors failed to clear.
Adelaide didn’t fare much better in the second half, and was content to continue sitting back and soaking up the pressure.
The visitors did get the first attempt of the half though, Emily Condon shooting straight at Trudy Burke.
City continued flooding forward throughout the half, and came close when Little latched onto a lovely ball over the top, but her effort was blocked.
Steph Catley also had an attempt of her own outside the box, but the left back drilled her effort straight at Savage.
Ten minutes later, City got the goal they craved as Little burst towards the byline before drilling a cutback right into the heart of the six-yard box where Fishlock gladly tapped home her first goal in City colours.
Adelaide’s next best attempt came in the 75th minute, when Abigail Dahlkemper struck a teasing free-kick that just looped over the bar.
It proved to be the final real attempt of the game, as City strolled to yet another win to cement their spot at the top of the W-League ladder.
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Match Details
Melbourne City 2 (Crummer 43′, Fishlock 71′) defeated Adelaide United 0 at CB Smith Reserve
Melbourne City: 20. Trudy BURKE (GK), 4. Jennifer Beattie, 5. Laura ALLEWAY (18. Anisa GUAJARDO 88′), 6. Aivi LUIK, 7. Steph CATLEY, 8. Kim LITTLE, 9. Larissa CRUMMER, 10. Jessica FISHLOCK, 13. Rebekah STOTT, 15. Amy Jackson (16. Beattie GOAD 79′), 17. Marianna TABAIN (3. Alex CHIDIAC 72′)
Unused Substitute(s): 1. Brianna DAVEY (GK)
Yellow Card(s): Nil
Red Card(s): Nil
Adelaide United: 1. Kaitlyn SAVAGE, 2. Lauren STEER, 3. Alex GUMMER, 4. Sarah KILLION, 8. Emily CONDON, 9. Mariajana RAJCIC (c), 10. Georgia CAMPAGNALE (18. Lorena MAGGIO 58′), 11. Rosie SUTTON, 12. Elizabeth MILNE, 13. Ebigail DAHLKEMPER, 17. Tiarn POWELL (14. Grace ABBEY 84′)
Unused Substitute(s): 20. Claudia JENKINS (GK), 5. Allirra TOBY
Yellow Card(s): Nil
Red Card(s): Nil