Late Penalty Secures Victory for Melbourne in A-League Thriller

Melbourne Victory claimed their sixth win of the campaign on Saturday night after Rachel Lowe‘s late penalty secured an impressive 2-1 win away to Brisbane Roar.

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A typically humid Brisbane evening ensured Victory were in for a tough afternoon of football.

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However, Jeff Hopkins‘ team came firing out of the blocks, opening the scoring within the first four minutes.

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A corner delivered by Elise Kellond-Knight fell to Emma Checker, with the defender executing a brilliant instinctive finish into the top corner.

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An ideal start for the visitors, who looked straight away to build on their early momentum.

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McKenzie Weinert made an excellent run in-behind the Roar defense just a few minutes later, but was unable to finish off the chance.

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Brisbane gradually worked their way back into the contest, enjoying a period of territory control after Victory’s fast start.

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Victory though continued to generate the higher quality chances as the half progressed.

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The closest attempt came once again from Weinert, whose curling effort was narrowly wide of the target after an enterprising run from Alex Chidiac through the middle of the park.

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Brisbane though would eventually find an equaliser, when a series of shots on goal eventually fell to the feet of Tameka Yallop.

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The Roar captain cooly finished to bring her team level with ten minutes remaining in the first half.

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1-1 would remain the score up to the break, with the game very much in the balance heading into the second half.

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Victory captain Kayla Morrison was required to be alert from the very start of the second stanza, making a goal-saving block just minutes after the re-start.

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Emily Gielnik very nearly regained the lead for Victory just before the hour mark, lunging for the ball played by Weinert after some clever combination play with Chidiac, but the ball was barely out of reach.

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Lia Privitelli was given her introduction as the game entered its final half an hour, hoping to spark her team into a strong finish.

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Morrison continued to play a key role in the second half with her defensive efforts, whilst goalkeeper Courtney Newbon made several vital saves.

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The game though appeared destined to end as a draw, with both teams tiring as the conclusion neared.

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Weinert though had other ideas, showcasing her speed late in the game to once again race past the Roar defense into a one-on-position, where she attempted to round the goalkeeper and was brought down in the process.

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A penalty was immediately awarded, handing Victory a golden chance to win the game late in the contest.

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Rachel Lowe took on the responsibility, stepping up to the plate and clinically dispatching the spot-kick into the bottom right corner.

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Lowe’s ninth goal of the season would prove vital, carrying Victory to the full-time whistle and securing three huge points away from home.

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Brisbane Roar 1 (Yallop 36′) Melbourne Victory 2 (Checker 4′, Lowe (pen) 77′)

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Next Liberty A-League – Round 16Central Coast Mariners v Melbourne VictorySaturday 10 FebruaryKick-off: 5.00pm (AEDT)Industree Group Stadium, Gosford