Beard hopes Victory can rise to occasion again

Melbourne Victory

Angela Beard hopes Melbourne Victory can again rise to the occasion when it faces Sydney FC in the Westfield W-League on Wednesday.

Victory booked a spot in the Finals Series with a 6-0 thrashing of Perth Glory at Epping Stadium on Sunday.

It can win the Premier’s Plate for the second time by beating Sydney at Cromer Park.

Victory captain Beard said another big game awaited her team as it prepares to face the Sky Blues.

“We’ve talked all week about just taking it each game at a time,” she told Fox Sports.

“Obviously today had a significant reason – making the Semi Finals, making the top four. Wednesday also has a reason, that Premier’s Plate up for grabs.

“Tonight, we just put in a good shift, get some goals in us and hopefully bring some more to Sydney.”

Melina Ayres and Kyra Cooney-Cross scored braces against Perth, to go with goals from Claudia Bunge and Catherine Zimmerman.

Cooney-Cross also had a hand in the goals for Bunge and Zimmerman as she continued her strong form.

“Sydney FC is going to be a tough game,” she told Fox Sports.

“But I think we’re ready for that and this week we killed it and we’re ready for next week.”