Melbourne Victory reached the Westfield W-League Grand Final after a 6-2 win over Brisbane Roar on Sunday.
Summary
Victory produced an excellent performance at Lions FC Stadium, moving into a third Grand Final and first since 2013/14.
Melina Ayres scored a hat-trick, Lisa De Vanna netted a brace and Catherine Zimmerman was also on the scoresheet.
Olivia Chance and Tameka Yallop scored for Brisbane, but Victory was on top for the most part.
Victory made a fast start and forced numerous early corners, with Kayla Morrison denied by a goal-line clearance in the second minute.
Another opportunity followed for Victory, Claudia Bunge’s looping header from Angela Beard’s set-piece tipped over by Roar goalkeeper Georgina Worth.
Brisbane almost opened the scoring in the 11th minute, Yallop seeing her effort hit the crossbar twice before bouncing clear.
The opening 20 minutes otherwise belonged to Victory and Ayres was unable to get a Kyra Cooney-Cross delivery under control as another chance went begging.
But De Vanna found the opening goal midway through the first half.
After receiving a pass from Ayres on the left side of the area, De Vanna drilled a brilliant finish past Worth.
De Vanna was denied by Worth four minutes later before Brisbane equalised through Chance, who found the top corner with a long-range effort.
But Victory restored its lead prior to half-time as Zimmerman produced a superb finish off the post after receiving a pass from Cooney-Cross.
Victory made it 3-1 early in the second half through Ayres.
De Vanna produced a powerful run down the left before forcing a save from Worth, and Ayres was on hand to tap in.
Another strike from De Vanna followed just after the hour-mark to make it 4-1.
The superstar forward won possession high up the pitch before running into the area and powering a finish into the top corner.
Brisbane pulled a goal back through Yallop, who poked in from close range after a strike hit the crossbar.
Victory squandered a chance with 10 minutes remaining as Ayres skied a penalty, before Roar’s Mariel Hecher saw an effort ruled out for offside.
Ayres made it 5-2 when she tapped in after Polly Doran forced a save from Worth.
And the forward completed her hat-trick deep into additional time, finding the bottom corner after Amy Jackson worked hard to win possession and play her in.
Result
Westfield W-League 2020/21 Semi Final
Brisbane Roar 2 (Olivia Chance 43′, Tameka Yallop 74′)
Melbourne Victory 6 (Lisa De Vanna 23’/61′, Catherine Zimmerman 45′, Melina Ayres 47’/87’/90+6′)
Next up
Victory will face either Sydney FC or Canberra United in the Grand Final on Sunday, April 11.
