Melbourne in seventh heaven; extend undefeated streak

Both sides prepare to line up at Burton Park

Melbourne Victory have extended their dominant history over the Lady Reds with their seventh straight win against Adelaide coming in a 5-0 thumping at Burton Park.

The Lady Reds had lost all previous six matches against Melbourne and they fell behind early as the history books looked to be repeating themselves once more.

Laura Spiranovic scored the opener for Melbourne before a double to Jessica McDonald was followed by Enza Barilla’s second goal in three matches. Steph Catley put the icing on the cake in the final minute to cap off an excellent team performance from the visitors.

With the international break coming to an end Melbourne welcomed back Steph Catley, Brianna Davey and Jessica Fishlock, while Emma Checker returned for the Lady Reds.

The opener came in the eighth minute as a cutback from Steph Catley from the left flank across the face of goal was missed by all the defenders leaving Laura Spiranovic with an easy task to put away her third goal from four games. The game was Spiranovic’s first ever W-League start and the 21-year-old looked like a seasoned veteran on the pitch as the Victory charged to their fourth win from five games.

Adelaide’s New Zealand connection sparked to life in the 37th minute as Holly Patterson and Sarah McLaughlin combined to carve out their side’s best chance of the half. A diagonal ball over the top released Patterson who beat her defender on the touchline and played a sharp cutback to her compatriot. Unfortunately the Reds were to be denied as McLaughlin’s controlled finish was fired straight at Davey who saved with ease.

Melbourne doubled their advantage in the next minute as the Lady Reds’ failure to capitalise costs them dearly. Jessica McDonald scored her third in as many games as Spiranovic got involved again, playing the pass for the 24-year-old to slide home an easy finish.

The Victory striker rose highest in the 43rd minute to put away a fine brace as Petra Larsson’s lofted corner was directed perfectly for the US under-23 international.

Melbourne heaped more pain on the Reds in the 49th minute as a goalkeeping error extended the lead through Enza Barilla. The right-winger’s misdirected cross was lofted towards the back post however Reds ‘keeper Kristi Harvey flapped in vain as the goal-bound cross consigned Adelaide to a 4-0 deficit.

The Victory had their class on show all afternoon but began to turn the screws as the match headed towards full-time. The Reds responded with a more physical approach as Jessica Waterhouse and Mariana Rajcic found their way into the referee’s book.

Reds Coach Dave Edmondson was ejected as emotions boiled over in the 81st minute. Referee Kelly Jones stopped play to personally send Edmondson back up the race to the disbelief of the home crowd.

Catley capped off the performance with a goal after a fine piece of work down the left flank. The recently crowned FFA ‘Young Player of the Year’ slid home her shot to give Melbourne their equal-biggest win in the club’s history.

Goal(s): Spiranovic 8’ (1-0), McDonald 38’ (2-0), McDonald 43’ (3-0), Barilla 49’ (4-0), Catley 90’ (5-0)

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Adelaide Starting XI: Harvey (gk), Natoli, Erceg (c), McLaughlin, McCormick, Mayo, Maggio, Checker, Waterhouse, Johns, Patterson

Subs: Wallace, Wharepouri, Rajcic, Macri — Melbourne

Starting XI: Davey (gk), Johnson, Ruyter-Hooley, Stott, Spiranovic, Larsson, Catley, McDonald, Barilla, Jackson, Fishlock

Subs: Vogt, Koca, Alonso, Dimovski (gk)