A 1-0 win at ctrl:cyber Pitch on the day for Melbourne City has seen them win the semi-final clash against Melbourne Victory 2-0 on aggregate.
Victory gave it plenty in search of an equalising goal, but it was Melbourne City’s Shelby McMahon on the scoresheet with a spectacular goal to seal the win.
Needing a goal to keep their season alive, Melbourne Victory started the match on the front foot with Kennedy White and Alana Jančevski testing keeper Malena Mieres early on.
Victory’s task got made twice as hard in the 34th minute when McMahon found the back of the net, the 17-year-old midfielder with an unstoppable shot on half-volley from outside the area giving City a 2-0 lead on aggregate.
White had another good chance late in the first half when she turned and shot from the edge of the area, however contact was weak on the finish and Mieres was able to hold the shot easily.
Courtney Newbon started the second half well, dropping low to her left to deny Aideen Keane and keep the score at 1-0.
Victory had a number of half chances through Ella O’Grady and Nickoletta Flannery, but Mieres was making sure nothing got past her.
Keane had pressed on after rolling her ankle without contact in the first half, however a challenge from Kayla Morrison with 10 minutes to go ended her afternoon on the turf in obvious pain.
Two late shots from Jančevski almost brought Victory back into play, but Mieres and the crossbar combined to deny her.
After finishing on top of the table, Melbourne City will host the final next weekend regardless of the result in the other semi.
They will find out their opponent tomorrow when Wellington Phoenix and Brisbane Roar play the second leg of their semi-final.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
Melbourne City goal: McMahon 34′
