Melbourne Victory has secured the last Westfield W-League finals spot with a 2-0 win over cellar-dwellers Adelaide United at John Cain Memorial Park on Saturday.
Melbourne Victory has secured the last Westfield W-League finals spot with a 2-0 win over cellar-dwellers Adelaide United at John Cain Memorial Park on Saturday.
Victory went into the final match of the regular season knowing a draw would book their playoff place after nearest rivals Perth Glory suffered a 1-0 loss to Canberra United in the nation-s capital earlier that day.
It took less than a minute for Victory to go in front thanks to Stephanie Catley when the left midfielder completed a fine passing movement created virtually from the kick-off.
But it took another 84 minutes for the home side to kill off the contest with striker Caitlin Friend tucking away a cross that found its way to her at the far post.
For a side who went through the entire W-League season without getting a point, having conceded 34 goals and scoring just four in their nine games, Adelaide United certainly provided nuisance value.
And if it wasn’t for better finishing, especially during the second-half, the Reds may well have left Victoria with a point.
Tireless striker Victoria Balomenos was presented with the visitors’ best chance on 69 minutes when a through ball by Vedrana Popovic caught the Victory defence square.
But Matildas and Victory goalkeeper Melissa Barbieri illustrated her class with a diving stop at Balomenos feet just as the Adelaide No.10 was about to shoot.
Victory had a number of fine contributors, none more so than the industrious central midfielder Ella Mastrantonio and Kendall Fletcher at the back.
Melbourne was also well-served by wide pair Catley and Ashley Brown on the right, with Brown enjoying an engaging battle with Adelaide left-back Popovic.
Popovic, centre half Ashleigh Gunning, the versatile Selin Kuralay and Balomenos were Adelaide-s best.
The win means Melbourne Victory will play Sydney FC on Saturday with the winner earning a spot in the Grand Final on February 12.
Melbourne Victory 2 (Stephanie Catley 1, Caitlin Friend 85) d Adelaide United 0 at John Cain Memorial Park.
