Melbourne Victory claimed its first win of the Westfield W-League season, beating the Newcastle Jets 2-1 at Lakeside Stadium on Thursday.
Summary
Melina Ayres’ stunner was followed by a Natasha Dowie goal and Victory saw out its success despite a Cortnee Vine strike in the first half.
The win sent Victory top of the table with four points from two games, having drawn with Adelaide United in Round 1.
Victory was on the back foot early but struck twice in the space of four first-half minutes.
Ayres scored the opener in characteristically stunning fashion, taking a pass from Dani Weatherholt before unleashing a 30-yard effort past Britt Eckerstrom.
Dowie doubled Victory’s lead soon after, finishing clinically in a one-on-one after being played in by a wonderful Grace Maher pass.
But the Jets responded quickly through Vine, who pulled a goal back for the visitor.
Both teams had their chances for the remainder of the half, with Weatherholt, Emily Gielnik, Dowie and Samantha Johnson threatening for Victory.
Victory enjoyed a better start to the second half and Dowie curled a chance over six minutes after the break.
Gielnik forced a save from Eckerstrom, who then denied Ayres in the 65th minute.
Dowie had two great chances to seal Victory’s win in the final 17 minutes.
The prolific forward was denied in a one-on-one by Eckerstrom before later hitting the crossbar, but Victory saw out its win.
Result
Westfield W-League 2018/19 Round 2
Melbourne Victory 2 (Melina Ayres 7′, Natasha Dowie 11′)
Newcastle Jets 1 (Cortnee Vine 12′)
Next up
Victory is back in action after the international break with a Derby clash against City at AAMI Park on Friday, November 16.
