Melbourne City will take a one goal lead into their home leg of the semi-final against Melbourne Victory after a 1-0 win at AAMI Park.
A Leticia McKenna free-kick was the difference on the night, with City and Victory’s defences proving difficult to get through.
Victory’s best chance of the match came through Rachel Lowe in the ninth minute, her looping shot from the top of the box forcing City keeper Malena Mieres to stretch to her limit to keep it out.
City piled on the pressure after that, having the better of the possession and firing off six shots in the first half.
McKenna grabbed the lead for Melbourne City on the stroke of half-time; Victory keeper Courtney Newbon was watching the City midfielder’s free-kick out for a goal kick, only for it to nip back off the near post and land in the net.
City had a golden chance to double their lead 10 minutes into the second half but Newbon did well to block Holly McNamara’s strike from close in, before Laura Pickett got her leg in the way of the follow-up effort.
Both teams looked wary of the impending second leg late on in the match, with neither side sitting too deep nor really pushing on in search of a goal.
The second leg of this semi-final matchup will take place at ctrl:cyber Pitch next Saturday.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
Melbourne City goal: McKenna 45′
