W-League: Victory thrash hapless Jets

Newcastle Jets remain rooted to the bottom of the Westfield W-League table after a demoralising 6-0 loss to Melbourne Victory at Kingston Heath Reserve, Melbourne, on Saturday afternoon.

The hosts returned to a sun bathed Melbourne after a successful two weeks on the road and after a slow opening half an hour from both sides, Victory showed why they are still title contenders with an overpowering performance.

Caitlin Friend continued her goal scoring form with a hat-trick, while a Enza Barilla brace and Gulcan Koca goal ensured the Victory showed no mercy against the visitors.

During a frantic first few minutes, Newcastle Jets looked the more likely to score first as a through ball to Ashley Spina saw the Jets player with a wonderful chance on goal. Cassandra Dimovski, in her second appearance between the sticks after an injury to Matilda Brianna Davey, swooped easily to clear the danger. That was possibly one of the only chances that the visitors encountered with the hosts taking total control of the game early on.

Victory’s first real chance of the game came at the 18^th minute mark when Lisa De Vanna failed to get a head on a cross from Jessica Samuelsson.

Ten minutes later the goal onslaught started as Caitlin Friend scored a most unusual goal, clipping the top of the crossbar before seeing it land in the back of the Jets net.

Gulcan Koca doubled the lead just four minutes later with a brilliant strike from outside the box, leaving Eliza Campbell no chance but to see it fly into the corner of her net.

It could have been three a minute later if it weren’t for a clearance off the line by a Newcastle Jets defender.

However, that did not stop the momentum of the hosts, ensuring their dominance in possession also reflected on the score sheet. Friend captured her first half brace after wonderful one-two play saw her one-on-one with Campbell, initially making a save before spilling the ball back into the path of Friend who made no mistake the second time round.

It took only seven minutes after the break for Victory to continue on their goal scoring run, with Enza Barilla’s time to shine, getting on the end of a Stephanie Catley cross.

Friend ensured she would be taking home the match ball after a brilliant performance, sealing her hattrick after slotting home De Vanna’s cross.

Victory showed no mercy for the hapless Jets, with Barilla this time completing her brace with 20 minutes remaining.

There were many positives for the hosts, with Ashley Brown receiving a standing ovation from the Melbourne crowd after making her first appearance after returning from a long-term injury.

Victory will look to take their current momentum forward to next week when they go head to head with Sydney FC in Sydney. The two last met in Round 1 when the Sky Blues thrashed Victory 5-1 at Lakeside Stadium, Melbourne.

Newcastle Jets will look to turn their fortunes around when they host Canberra.

Melbourne Victory: Dimovski (GK), Humble, Hoyle, Lay, Catley (C), Friend (Spiranovic 75’), Fishlock, De Vanna, Samuelsson, Barila, Checker (Natoli 86’), Koca (Brown 62’)

Unused sub: Maizels

Goals: Friend 30’ 42’ 68’ Koca 34’ Barilla 52’ 70’

Newcastle Jets: Campbell (GK) (Buchanan 59’), Brewer, Day, Bozanic, Spina (Searl 62’), Simon (C), Andrews, Dobson, Beard, David, Jones

Unused subs: Courtenay, Nenadovic.