Melbourne Victory have now gone seven years without losing to Canberra United after winning 2-0 in the Ninja A-League on Saturday.
First-half goals from Nikki Flannery and Sara D’Appolonia’s inspired Victory away at McKellar Park, where the visitors moved third in the standings and within three points of leaders Melbourne City.
Victory have now gone 10 games without defeat against Canberra, dating back to January 2017.
BUY TICKETS TO THE NINJA A-LEAGUE!
Slumping Canberra, meanwhile, are winless in five matches as they fell to 10th in the standings – two points outside the top six.
Sally James and Canberra’s defence were under pressure from the outset in the nation’s capital.
Canberra goalkeeper James was forced into a fingertip save inside three minutes, denying Flannery in the third minute but from the resulting corner, the Victory recruit found the back of the net against her former side.
‘HOLLY MAC IS BACK!’: City gun scores first goal in 397 days after ACL comeback
DRAMA:Â 96th-minute penalty rescues Perth a point in draw with Wanderers
It could have been 2-0 a minute later after Victory’s Alana Jancevski hit the woodwork.
Victory doubled their lead against the run of play in the first minute of first-half stoppage time – D’Appolonia’s shot got the better of James as the American celebrated her maiden A-Leagues goal.
MATCH REPORT: Wellington Phoenix make history with win over slumping Ninja A-League champions
Canberra huffed and puffed in the second half in front of their own fans, but Michelle Heyman and Co. could not find a way past the visitors.
