Rhali Dobson (right) scores for City.Credit:AAP
Melbourne City have moved up to fifth place on the W-League table after a resounding win over struggling Canberra United at AAMI Park on Saturday.
Three first-half goals – two to Rhali Dobson, with a header and a stunning long range drive, and a header by Matilda Kyah Simon – put the Sky Blues on the road to the comfortable win.
The win rekindles City’s hopes of defending their championship for a fourth successive season after a bumpy start to the campaign under new boss Rado Vidosic.
City had slumped to third bottom before this round, their results hamstrung by injuries and absences to key players.
But with Steph Catley now back in harness, Rebekkah Stott now finished with international commitments for the rest of season and other players reaching fitness, City are in the mood to put together the sort of run that will make them dangerous wherever they finish.
They will also be able to call upon the services of current England international Jodie Taylor as guest player from January 1 onwards.
Star midfielder and veteran Matilda Elise Kellond Knight had said in the days leading up to this match that for City every game was now a cup final.
If early goals settle nerves, then City got off to the perfect start, getting their noses in front in the eighth minute through Dobson.
A short corner from Kellond Knight found Yukari Kingma, whose flighted cross was met with a close range header by Dobson, leaving Shamiran Khamis in the Canberra goal little chance.
The reverse prodded Canberra into action, although City continued to hold the ascendancy.
The vistors threatened when Ellie Carpenter shot over the bar and Nickoletta Flannery linked with Karly Roestbakken but Khamis had to scramble back when Tameka Butt tried her luck from distance with a long-range shot. Carpenter then drove at the defence but the move broke down. City doubled their advantage in the 36th minute through Matildas striker Kyah Simon who got between defenders to meet a Butt cross and head home.
Dobson virtually wrapped the match up before the interval deep into first half stoppage time with an excellent individual goal.
City’s Theresa Nielsen battles Canberra’s Ellie Carpenter.Credit:AAP
She picked the ball up on the right, cut inside to make space and then unleashed a powerful left foot drive that gave Khamis no chance.
Dobson almost grabbed her hat-trick early in the second half with a shot cum cross from the right which came back off the crossbar.
Simon, who is being eased back into full-time action, gave way after an hour with Adriana Jones coming into the fray. Nikola Orgill tried to get Canberra back into the game with a long shot but City keeper Lydia Williams dealt with the drive comfortably.
Jones had the chance to make it four with 11 minutes remaining when she was played through with just the goalkeeper to beat but she was denied by an excellent challenge by Canberra defender Rachel Corsie.
Melbourne Victory’s position at the top of the league is looking precarious following two defeats on the spin.
Jeff Hopkins’ women lost 3-2 in Adelaide on Friday night having been 3-0 at one point of the game following their 4-3 defeat in Brisbane a week earlier.
Melbourne Victory are now second, behind Perth Glory (2-1 winners over Sydney on Friday) on goal difference and just ahead of Brisbane Roar (3-1 winners over bottom of the table Western Sydney on Thursday) also on goal difference. All three clubs have 13 points.
Adelaide is a point behind on 12, and City, thanks to this win – their second in succession following the win in Newcastle in the previous round – are now on 10 points with Sydney one behind them.
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