Melbourne Victory 2-0 Adelaide United
By Kieran Yap (4/11/23)
Above: Rachel Lowe (R) and Dylan Holmes (L) fight for possession at AAMI Park. Photo: Melbourne Victory Twitter.
Melbourne Victory have their first win of the season after first half goals to Mackenzie Weinert and Kayla Morrison secured a 2-0 win over Adelaide United.
Both teams welcomed back key players for what was a crucial match no matter which club you supported. Victory had suffered two losses in the opening rounds while The Reds had a high scoring draw and a defeat to their name.
In response, Maruschka Waldus and Isabel Hodgson were recalled for the visitors, and Melbourne Victory named Emily Gielnik on the bench, with Elise Kellond-Knight in the staring 11.
Victory started the sharper of the two sides. Rachel Lowe and Alana Murphy were quick to put their stamp on the game. Both midfielders urged the home side forward with quick forward passing and aggressive running from deep.
Murphy created an early opening with a defence splitting through ball, but Kurea Okino and Beattie Goad go in each-others way and Adelaide were able to clear.
The most dangerous attacker on the pitch was Weinert. The American import played wide on the right, but with a license to cut inside and attack the goal. She plays with intent and immediacy, and put defenders on the back foot as soon as she gets the ball.
Her confident start was rewarded with the opening goal. Lowe’s high cross into the box looked hopeful, but Weinert read it best and her outstretched boot directed it beyond Annalee Grove in the Adelaide goal.
Victory’s second goal arrived from another American. Captain Kayla Morrison headed home Murphy’s in swinging free kick to make it 2-0 before half time, with Adelaide still working towards their first shot on target.
The Reds grew into the game in the second half. Emily Hodgson’s long range effort drew the best out of Lydia Williams and Alana Jancevski drew a free kick on the edge of the box which had AAMI Park holding their breath in anticipation. The usually deadly Jancevski was foiled by the wall on this occasion, but it was an escape for Melbourne and the clean sheet remained.
As the game went on, the contest became more even, although without the likes of Emily Condon and Nanako Sasaki, Adelaide’s midfield still looks understrength. The visitors were able to consistently apply pressure to the home side, but Muprhy and Lowe were able to knit their way out of trouble.
With the game seemingly under control, Victory introduced Emily Gielnik for Okino. The Matildas forward returned to the club she last played for in 2019 and looked lively without troubling Grove directly.
On the other side, Isabel Hodgson and Waldus returned to the field and Adelaide United had their first choice back four on the pitch for the first time this season. It was not enough to impact the days result, but should provide them with a solid foundation in the coming weeks.
With time ticking down, Adrian Stenta brought on Emilia Murray in place of Jancevski. The Round One hero was unable to replicate that incredible display, and supply from midfield was scarce as Adelaide tried to play passes over the top to the fleet-footed winger.
The game ended 2-0 . It was a much improved second half from Adelaide United, but Melbourne Victory’s midfield was the difference. Murphy and Lowe were both able to impact the game and Weinert was a constant menace.
Lydia Williams looked back to her best with an assured performance between the sticks. Following a concerning looking injury at the end of Round Two it was a relief to see her back and making crucial saves.
Victory will look to build some momentum in Round Four when they host the Newcastle Jets and welcome back Grand Final winners Melina Ayres and Melindaj Barbieri.
Adelaide United have the tough task of trying to disrupt Perth Glory’s perfect run of results with a trip out to Western Australia.
Teams: MELBOURNE VICTORY (4-3-3): Williams, Nash, Morrison, Checker, Rankin, Kellond-Knight, Murphy, Lowe, Goad, Okino, Weinert. Substitutes: Templeman, D’Appolonia, Gielnik, Briedis, Hansen.
Scorers: Weinert 31’ Morrison 37’.
ADELAIDE UNITED (4-4-2): Grove, Haffenden, Tonkin, Tolland, E Hodgson, Blake, Morgan, Holmes, Taylor, Lee, Jancevski. Substitutes: I Hodgson, Holtz, Waldus, Murray, Jenkins
Referee: Isabella Blaess.
Attendance: TBC
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