Natasha Dowie scored a hat-trick as Melbourne Victory consolidated its spot atop the Westfield W-League with a 3-2 win over Sydney FC.
Summary
Dowie was the hero for Victory at Jubilee Stadium, opening the scoring before netting twice more – including from the penalty spot – on Sunday.
Chloe Logarzo had drawn Sydney level and Alanna Kennedy gave the Sky Blues late hope, but Victory held on despite Angela Beard’s red card.
The result moved unbeaten league leader Victory onto 10 points from its opening four games.
Dowie needed just five minutes to open the scoring, finishing brilliantly into the bottom corner after a clipped pass from Christine Nairn.
However, Sydney built into the clash, testing Victory goalkeeper Casey Dumont on numerous occasions.
The Sky Blues equalised six minutes before half-time, Logarzo tapping in from close range.
But Victory would go into the break ahead, Dowie converting from the penalty spot after Teigen Allen was fouled by Princess Ibini.
Just six minutes into the second half and Dowie completed her hat-trick.
Emily Gielnik did superbly cutting in from the right before playing in the Victory captain, who found the bottom corner to make it 3-1.
Beard picked up her second yellow card in the 82nd minute, Kennedy curling the resultant free-kick into the top corner from 20 yards.
But Victory held on in the closing stages, extending its unbeaten start to the season to remain top of the table.
Result
Westfield W-League 2018/19 Round 4
Sydney FC 2 (Chloe Logarzo 39′, Alanna Kennedy 83′)
Melbourne Victory 3 (Natasha Dowie 5’/45+1′ pen/51′)
Next up
Victory hosts the Western Sydney Wanderers at Latrobe City Stadium in Round 5 on Sunday, December 2.
