Mijatovic and Luik secure City’s sixth straight win

Melbourne City retook top spot on the Westfield W-League ladder after defeating Brisbane Roar 2-0 on Thursday night, the three-time Champions’ sixth consecutive win.

City drew first blood when Milica Mijatovic buried the scraps after Mackenzie Arnold parried Steph Catley’s cross into her path.

Brisbane threw everything at City in response but the visitors – who had Catley squander a second half penalty – held firm and doubled their advantage through Aivi Luik’s strike on 75 minutes.

Rado Vidosic’s side leapfrog Western Sydney Wanderers into first as a result and will remain on top with the Red and Black having a Round 8 bye this weekend.

Brisbane are in danger of slipping out of the top four and will do so on Sunday should Canberra United avoid defeat against Sydney FC, or if Melbourne Victory beat Newcastle Jets.

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Key moments

A Round 7 bye meant City were last in action two weeks ago but the visitors needed just six minutes to break the deadlock through Mijatovic.

Yukari Kinga sent Steph Catley darting in behind and when the fullback’s cross was palmed back into the danger area by Arnold, Mijatovic finished cleanly into the bottom corner.

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There were danger signs for Brisbane with nearly every City attack after Mijatovic’s opener but the Roar began to settle and find their groove and Westfield Matildas attacker Hayley Raso went close three times to nabbing an equaliser.

First, the Roar star’s goal-bound header was cleared away by Rebekah Stott after Lydia Williams dropped Natalie Tathem’s cross, before Raso thundered the crossbar with a swerving shot from the edge of the box.

Then, Isobel Dalton sent Raso one on one with Williams only for the speedster to fire straight into her Australian teammate’s arms.

https://players.brightcove.net/5519514572001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6119219982001

City spurned the advantage to deal Brisbane a sucker punch when Aivi Luik was tripped in the penalty box by Katrina Gorry only for Catley to push her penalty wide.

Raso volleyed over as Brisbane continued to press but City held firm and struck a killer blow on 75 minutes.

The excellent Mijatovic teed up Aivi Luik inside the box and the Westfield Matildas veteran lashed home the second past Arnold to secure City’s sixth straight win.

https://players.brightcove.net/5519514572001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6119226440001