Melbourne Victory set a club record for points in a Westfield W-League season after a 0-0 draw with Canberra United on Tuesday.
Summary
Neither team was able to find a breakthrough in the rescheduled Round 12 clash at McKellar Park.
A makeshift Victory defence held firm, while the visitor created some decent chances away from home.
The result moved Premier’s Plate winner Victory onto 24 points – four clear at the top – and bettered the mark of 23 set by the club in 2012/13 and 2013/14.
Kick-off was delayed by more than half an hour due to thunder and lightning in Canberra.
Both teams struggled to create chances in the first half, although Emily Gielnik – who came on for Lia Privitelli early – provided Victory with a spark.
The winger fired wide after a pass from Ella Mastrantonio before setting up Grace Maher, who was unable to hit the target in the 31st minute.
Victory goalkeeper Casey Dumont made a comfortable save from Laura Hughes just before half-time, and Gielnik fired over after a pass from Melina Ayres as the teams went into the break locked at 0-0.
Ayres went close shortly after half-time, just unable to put away a cross from right-back Teigen Allen.
Dumont denied Maria Jose Rojas approaching the hour-mark before Kyra Cooney-Cross, 16, fired wide from 25 yards.
Canberra’s Rosie Galea went closest to a breakthrough, her long-range effort hitting the crossbar.
Ayres had a late chance after being put in by Christine Nairn, but the teams shared the spoils in Canberra.
Result
Westfield W-League 2018/19 Round 12
Canberra United 0
Melbourne Victory 0
Next up
Victory hosts Perth Glory in a Semi Final at AAMI Park on Sunday, February 10.
