In front of a bumper crowd of almost 1300, Melbourne Victory defeated the Western Sydney Wanderers 3-1 in a thrilling encounter at Wembley Park.
In front of a bumper crowd of almost 1300, Melbourne Victory defeated the Western Sydney Wanderers 3-1 in a thrilling encounter at Wembley Park.
The Wanderers were on the board after two minutes, after midfielder Vanessa Hart converted a Louise Fors free kick with a pin-point header.
The visitors were off to a great start, with both teams pressing the final third and determined to play attacking football.
It took a miraculous strike from Melbourne Victory-s Swedish import Petra Larsson in the 11th minute to level the score, with Melbourne Victory pressing the Wanderers defence on several occasions.
With a boisterous crowd behind them, Melbourne Victory began to dictate terms, with Welsh wizard Jessica Fishlock, arguably one of the best imports to ever grace the W-League, marshalling her troops in her last appearance for Melbourne Victory.
The Wanderers attacked at every opportunity, leaving the defence at times exposed to rapid counter attacks through the speed of McDonald.
Fishlock continued to assert her dominance, displaying excellent vision in the final third, delivering a lob to Enza Barrilla in the 27th minute.
Barrilla thread a beautiful ball through to McDonald, however the American import failed to capitalise on her teammates efforts, with her shot spraying wide of the target.
The Western Sydney Wanderers came very close to scoring their second goal in the 32nd minute when a blistering strike from Catherine Cannuli just strayed wide of the post.
In the 52nd minute it was Fishlock again who passed the ball through to McDonald, who delivered a well-executed strike that was drilled into the bottom-right corner.
Such was the dominance of Fishlock that the score may have been vastly different in her absence, with the midfielder dominating possession and dictating the tempo of the game.
The brave Wanderers did not resort to defensive tactics and relentlessly attacked the Melbourne Victory-s defence.
However, having only conceded 10 goals in 10 matches, the Wanderers found it difficult to penetrate a disciplined Melbourne Victory backline.
Both teams did not take the foot of the pedal until the final whistle, with McDonald driving the ball into the back of the net in the 90th minute, granting the dynamic striker her brace.
The win elevates Melbourne Victory into third position, trailing just one point behind competition leaders Perth Glory.
The Wanderers will face a stern test when they take on Canberra United at McKellar Park on the 5th of January.
The squad will need to secure a victory if they wish to keep their hopes of a finals berth alive.
Melbourne Victory 3 (Larsson 11, McDonald 5, 90) Western Sydney Wanderers 1 (Hart 2)
Melbourne Victory 1. Brianna Davey, 2. Danielle Johnson, 3. Maika Ruyter-Hooley (c), 4. Rebekah Scott, 6. Petra Larsson, 7. Stephanie Catley, 9. Tiffany Eliadis, 10. Jessica McDonald, 14. Enza Barilla (5. Laura Spiranovic 75) 15. Amy Jackson, 17. Gulcan Koca (23. Jessica Humble 90+2) 22. Jessica Fishlock (11. Caitlin Friend 90+2)
Western Sydney Wanderers 1. Elizabeth Durack 2. Samantha Spackman, 3. Alexandra Huynh (Jessica Seaman) 4. Alesha Clifford, 5. Olivia Kenney, 8. Vanessa Hart, 9. Sarah Walsh (c), 10. Servet Uzunlar (Linda O-Neil) 11. Louise Fors, 13.Catherine Cannuli (14. Trudy Camilleri) 15. Teigen Allen, 20. Thora Helgadotti
