Canberra United’s bid to become the first Westfield W-League side to go through a season undefeated remains alive after securing a 1-1 draw with Melbourne Victory at the Veneto Club on Friday.
Canberra United’s bid to become the first Westfield W-League side to go through a season undefeated remains alive after securing a 1-1 draw with Melbourne Victory at the Veneto Club on Friday.
The league leaders only need a draw at home to struggling Adelaide United on January 7 to make history and stay unbeaten after Michelle Heyman’s 81st-minute equaliser saw them earn a point against Victory.
Victory captain Jodie Taylor had given her side the lead with a 20th-minute penalty, her eighth goal of a stellar campaign, but Heyman struck a late leveller.
The hosts made the brighter start in their last home outing of the season, with winger Ashley Brown causing the Canberra defence several problems on the right-hand side.
Canberra were struggling in the attacking third and went behind in hot conditions after 20 minutes.
Victory midfielder Kendall Fletcher was brought down while tussling for a ball inside the area, and Taylor stepped up to convert the penalty low to Lydia Williams’ left.
The forward should have had a brace barely a minute later, but after Fletcher put her through with a lovely raking through pass, Taylor put her shot wide in a one-on-one with Williams.
Heyman was being kept quiet by Victory’s tidy defence, but the 2009/10 Julie Dolan Medallist had a shot from just inside the area cleared off the line by Rebekah Stott on the half-hour.
The lively Fletcher almost got on the scoresheet soon after, but Williams was on hand to save with her feet.
Taylor almost gave Victory a dream start to the second half, but her free-kick from just outside the corner of the area struck the crossbar, with Williams stranded.
Vicki Linton’s side had another chance soon after, when the impressive Brown spotted Fletcher down the left, but the midfielder failed to trouble Williams following a poor first touch.
Williams was been kept busy, and was again called into action to deny Taylor after a well-weighted through pass from strike partner Caitlin Friend.
Fourth-placed Victory were made to pay for their missed chances when Heyman equalised in the 81st minute.
The Westfield W-League top-scorer turned on the edge of the box and unleashed a powerful left-foot shot into the bottom corner for her 10th goal of the season.
Canberra almost snatched a later winner when substitute Grace Gill played Taryn Hemmings through, but Davey bravely smothered at her feet in stoppage time.
Melbourne Victory 1 (Taylor 20p)
Canberra United 1 (Heyman 81)
Veneto Club, Melbourne
