Melbourne Victory recorded its third straight win by beating Adelaide United 3-0 in the Westfield W-League on Saturday.
Summary
Natasha Dowie scored a brace either side of Rosie Sutton’s goal in a deserved win for Victory at Marden Sports Complex.
The win saw Victory move onto 14 points, equal with fourth-placed Brisbane Roar but having played one less game.
Victory dominated the opening stages before taking a deserved 17th-minute lead through Dowie.
Amy Jackson found space in the area before cutting back for Dowie, who produced a first-time finish past Reds goalkeeper Sarah Willacy.
Victory continued to control proceedings and threatened several times before half-time.
Dowie was unable to convert two free-kicks, forcing a save from Willacy with one, before Jenna McCormick – impressive throughout in the heart of defence – headed a Jackson corner onto the roof of the net just prior to the break.
Victory maintained the pressure to begin the second half and almost doubled its lead in the 50th minute.
A fine counter-attack led to Dowie playing in Sutton, who was denied by Willacy in a one-on-one.
Just 10 minutes later and Victory threatened again, Annalie Longo shooting wide on the turn after an Angela Beard pass.
Longo almost scored in the 73rd minute, but her effort was cleared off the line after Sutton’s cross was parried into her path by Willacy.
However, Victory would finally extend its lead in the final 12 minutes.
Sutton, who turns 30 on Sunday, turned in a McCormick effort to make it 2-0 with her first goal for the club.
Dowie sealed the win with her second, volleying in after Darian Jenkins’ header set up the chance from Lia Privitelli’s cross following a fine team move.
Result
Westfield W-League 2019/20 Round 10
Adelaide United 0
Melbourne Victory 3 (Natasha Dowie 17’/81′, Rosie Sutton 78′)
Next up
Victory hosts Canberra United at Lakeside Stadium on Sunday, January 26.
