W-League: Edmondson tastes Victory in Reds return

Melbourne Victory coach Dave Edmondson has inflicted defeat on his former side as the Lady Reds fell 2-0 at Burton Park in their first home game of the season.

It was a happy return to SA for Edmondson after the Victory suffered a 5-1 home defeat in the opening round of the Westfield W-League season. Edmondson’s side managed to recover on the road however as they took all three points with Lisa De Vanna’s 40th minute penalty and a headed goal to Caitlin Friend proving the difference between the two sides.

Melbourne’s pressing game caused plenty of headaches for the home side with United’s ‘keeper Melissa Barbieri making a number of vital saves in the opening 20 minutes as the visitors’ persistent pressure forced opening after opening.

The match saw the debut of Reds’ new signing Lisa-Marie Woods with the Norwegian midfielder slotting straight into Coach Ross Aloisi’s starting XI.

The change in style since Aloisi’s introduction was apparent from the outset and was exemplified when Laura Stockdale went into a crunching challenge in the 13th minute. Stockdale went in with eyes only for the ball and despite looking like she had come off second best the Reds midfielder was soon up on her feet and getting back into the fray.

Melbourne almost took the lead in the 36th minute as Steph Catley went on a mazy run, cutting in from the left flank and running unchallenged into the Reds’dangerzone. Catley’s layoff to Friend left United under the pump however the striker’s shot sailed harmlessly past Barbieri’s near post.

The visitors were gifted the lead soon after however as Jessie Wharepouri was adjudged to have fouled Enza Barilla as she shepherded the Victory winger to allow Barbieri to scoop up the ball unimpeded.

Lisa De Vanna stepped up for Melbourne and blasted the ball past a stubborn Barbieri who had until that point held off everything Dave Edmondson’s side had thrown at her.

After the break Melbourne picked up where they left off with De Vanna creating more problems for the Reds with her pace and trickery causing the home side’s frustration to blow over.

Caitlin Friend ensuring the visitors would be returning home with all three points after doubling the lead with an emphatic header in the 59th minute. More good work down the left from Victory Captain Catley put the defence under pressure and her lofted cross was directed by Friend into the far corner of the goal to the dismay of the home crowd.

The result pushes Melbourne ahead of the Reds on the table after Adelaide drew their opening game against the Wanderers in Sydney. The Lady Reds head into Round 3 where they take on the Newcastle Jets at Burton Park, whilst Melbourne are on the road for a second consecutive week where they will face the Glory in Perth.

Goal(s): De Vanna 40’ (1-0), Friend 59’(2-0)

Adelaide United: Barbieri (gk), Gray, Gummer, Wharepouri, Stockdale, Quigley, Woods, Borg, McCormick, Powell, Moore (c)
Subs: Riding, Brown, Waterhouse, Barltrop (gk)

Melbourne Victory: Davey (gk), Humble, Hoyle, Lay, Catley (c), Friend, De Vanna, Samuelsson, Barilla, Checker, Hulbert
Subs: Goad, Koca, Natoli, Dimovski (c)