Victory win on the road against Canberra United

Canberra United 0-2 Melbourne Victory

By Emma Burke 21/12/24

Above: Beattie Goad for Melbourne Victory. Photo: Melbourne Victory

Despite missing their star striker in Emily Gielnik, Melbourne Victory stepped up in her absence and found two goals to defeat Canberra United 2-0 at McKellar Park.

Victory found their opening goal in only the fourth minute of the match, scored by former Canberra United player Nikki Flannery. 

Flannery won her new side a corner kick which was delivered expertly to the near post by Alana Murphy. Flannery found the back of the net while mid-air off her left foot, right in front of Canberra keeper Sally James, who could do nothing but watch the ball sail in.

It took Victory until the final play of the first half to double their lead over United, thanks to Sara D’Appolonia.

The American international shook off her defender before launching a long range shot from outside the box. The shot took a fortunate bounce on its way to the goal, making it rise over the hand of a diving James in goal.

The second half saw Canberra look for a way back into the game, mostly through long balls overhead to try and unlock the goal scoring threat that is Michelle Heyman to no avail.

Victory instead were looking for a third goal to put the game to bed. They had to settle for just the two goals, however, as none of their attempts made it over the line.

This result sees Melbourne Victory secure their place in third on the ladder, below Melbourne City and Brisbane Roar, while Canberra sit in 10th, above Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers.

For the final round of this calendar year, Victory will remain on the road to face Sydney FC on 28th December, and Canberra will remain hosts, this time to Newcastle Jets on 29th of December.

Teams: CANBERRA UNITED (3-4-3):  James, Alyson, Robers, Anton, Bertolissio, Stanic-Floody, Malone, Taylor-Young, Markovski, Heyman, Christopherson. Substitutes: Gordon, Skelly, McKenzie, Murray.

MELBOURNE VICTORY (3-4-2-1): Newbon, Morrison, Bunge, Wilson, Goad, Murphy, D’Appolonia, Flannery, Chidiac, Lowe, Jancevski. Substitutes: Pickett, O’Grady, Briedis

Scorers: Flannery 4’, D’Appolonia 45+1’.

Referee: Rebecca Durcau.

Attendance: 1,412.

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