W-League: Jackson in the action as Victory smash Adelaide

An Amy Jackson hat-trick has helped Melbourne Victory to record a convincing 4-0 win over lowly Adelaide United at Lakeside Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Victory were the hottest of favourites heading into the game and did the job with ease against an Adelaide outfit still searching for its first points of the campaign.

United stayed with Victory for large periods of the game until its resistance came to an end approaching full time, conceding two goals in the closing 10 minutes.

Jackson was the star of the show, assisting the opener and bagging the Victory’s remaining three with a best afield performance.

It took the home side some time to get into the match with the opening half hour of the match a dour affair.

Both sides struggled to get the ball out of the midfield with the majority of the play taking place in the centre of the park.

Adelaide had plenty of the early ball but failed to do anything meaningful with it, unable to test the Victory defence.

That match came alive in the 30th minute when Nairn got on the scoresheet for the first time in Victory colours with a stunning 25-yard drive to give the home side the lead.

Nairn, who has the master of assists this year with seven already, did all the work herself this time firing off a furious drive that went past Mel Barbieri in goal via the crossbar.

The goal not only excited the fans but got Nairn’s teammates all fired up as Victory finally got into the game.

Half chances to Lisa De Vanna and Jackson went unpunished in the remaining minutes in the first half as Adelaide were barely giving a sniff.

Adelaide weren’t given much of a hope against an in-form Victory, and did well to keep the home side at bay for the opening 30 minutes.

Despite their steady progress of late, Adelaide are still a far way off the premier side in this competition. The gulf in class between these two sides proved too much as Victory went on with the job in the second half.

Jackson  got on the score sheet for the first time in the 60th minute after some neat bit of work by Gemma Simon down the right left her unattended in the box.

The second goal deflated any hopes of a Lady Reds comeback who sat back in defence in an attempt to avoid more goals.

Jackson popped up for two late goals in the last 10 minutes of the match to blow out the score line.

Defender Emma Checker hailed the defensive effort from her team.

"It’s always the goal of the defensive unit to keep clean sheet. I think it reflects on the group performance today which was really good and obviously it’s a step up from the past week.

"Our goal is to back and up and do what we did last year. If we keep playing the way we are at the moment, I can’t see any reason why that can’t happen."



Melbourne Victory: 1. Brianna DAVEY (GK), 2. Hannah BREWER (16. Beatrice GOAD 75’), 5. Lauren BARNES, 6. Gema SIMON, 7. Stephanie CATLEY (C), 8. Amy JACKSON, 10. Christine NAIRN, 11. Lisa DE VANNA (14. Tiffany ELIADIS 80’), 12. Ella MASTRANTONIO, 15. Emma CHECKER, 18. Elli REED

Unused substitutes: 20. Cassandra DIMOVSKI (GK), 17. Gulcan KOCA


Adelaide United: 1. Melissa BARBIERI (GK), 4. Lauren STEER (10. Alexandra CHIDIAC 65’), 7. Katrine PEDERSEN, 8. Emily CONDON, 9. Lisa-Marie WOODS, 11. Isabel HODGSON (5. Jesse WHAREPOURI 87’), 12. Dalia-Tais BORG, 14. Rachel ALONSO (17. Tiarn POWELL 51’), 15. Jenna MCCORMICK, 16. Katie HOLTHAM, 23. Kristy MOORE (C)

Unused substitutes: 20. Sarah WILLACY (GK)