A brilliant late header to Rebekah Stott has given Melbourne City a deserved 1-0 win in the Melbourne Derby on Friday night at AAMI.
City dominated the game for long periods with the game an arm-wrestle, before the goal in the final 20 minutes cracked open the derby.
Patrick Kisnorbo’s City could have had an opener minutes earlier with Alanna Kennedy’s set-piece just going wide before super-sub Rhali Dobson’s inch-perfect cross was headed home by Stott.
And Jess Fishlock with a moment of brilliance for City could’ve easily sealed the game in the final minutes, Casey Dumont with a super save to keep the Welsh star’s effort out.
Victory had a good late chance on with Laura Alleway’s header cleared off City’s line but on chances alone and possession, it was a deserved win for City.
For Victory, rising star Kyra Cooney-Cross was always a danger.
City dominated possession for much of the opening half, running into the same issue of creating a lot of chances for no reward on the scoreboard that haunted them against Perth.
And as a similar pattern emerged in the second half it looked as though head coach Paddy Kisnorbo’s side would have to settle for a draw, a result that would have been a first in the history of the W-League Melbourne Derby.
However, a headed goal to Stott in the 83rd minute was enough for City to grab a deserved late winner and ensure that Melbourne bragging rights will remain with the defending champions.
