Canberra United are now just two points off top spot in the Ninja A-League after sealing a 3-1 win over a Melbourne Victory side reduced to 10 players at McKellar Park.
The home side bossed the opening exchanges at McKellar Park and came close to breaking the deadlock in the 16th minute as Josie Aulicino’s close range effort was well-saved by Courtney Newbon.
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Canberra United then saw a good chance go begging in the 28th minute as Emma Hawkins raced into the Victory box but lashed her low shot wide of Newbon’s far post.
The game’s big turning point came in the 32nd minute as Victory defender Claudia Bunge was given her marching orders after hauling down Matildas striker Michelle Heyman.
Collecting a loose ball on halfway, Aulicino played Heyman in behind the Victory defence and as she raced towards the box the veteran forward was brought down by Bunge, with referee Bec Mackie quickly producing a red card for the denial of an obvious goalscoring opportunity.
Canberra looked to make their numerical advantage count soon after as Heyman fired a low effort wide of the upright, however Victory were able to get to the break with the deadlock still intact.
Completely against the run of play though, Melbourne Victory snatched the lead thanks to a brilliant solo effort from Kennedy White in the 48th minute.
Played in down the Victory left, White shunted Liz Anton off the ball before cutting inside the box a bending a superb right-footed effort into the far corner beyond the despairing dive of Sally James.
The home side levelled things up in the 62nd minute as Sasha Grove was on hand to bag her third goal of the season, lashing the ball beyond Newbon from inside the box after Aulicino’s initial effort crashed back off the post.
Looking to seize the momentum, Canberra boss Antoni Jagarinec made a double change in the aftermath of Grove’s goal and the change proved to be a masterstroke.
Collecting the ball on the edge of the Victory box, midfielder Mary Stanic-Floody curled home a stunning effort to make it 2-1 just 90 seconds after entering the field of play.
The crowd were then on their feet once again, this time in the 75th minute as young defender Tegan Bertolissio leapt highest at a corner to head home her first Ninja A-League goal to seal the three points for Jagarinec’s side.
The win for Jagarinec’s side sees them move into second on the ladder and now just two points behind league leaders Melbourne City after ending their three-game winless run.
As for Melbourne Victory, Jeff Hopkins’ side remain a point outside the top six and are now six games without a win in the Ninja A-League.
