Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Melbourne Victory are closing in on an A-League Women top-two berth after cruising to a 2-0 win over Newcastle.
Matildas star Emily Gielnik led the way for Victory at No.2 Sportsground with her 18th-minute strike, before Rachel Lowe added her name to the scoresheet in the 43rd minute.
Also on Saturday, fellow Matildas stars Michelle Heyman and Chloe Logarzo went head-to-head for respective teams Canberra United and Western United.
It was Canberra who came out on top, posting a 2-1 win over Western United.
Assisted by Sara D’Appolonia, Gielnik put Victory on the front foot after her shot deflected favourably off the palms of Jets keeper Tiahna Robertson to find the back of the net.
D’Appolonia then popped up again to set up Lowe, who toe-poked it home to settle the match in the opening half.
Sophie Hoban had to call the shots for the Jets without their cross-code star Sheridan Gallagher (suspension) and was earnest in her attempts.
Hoban delivered a superb through-ball to give Lauren Allan the best chance to equalise just in front of goal before Lowe’s mitch-winner, but Allan was denied by the foot of Victory keeper Courtney Newbon in the 32nd minute.
Returning to their winning ways after a shock midweek loss to Brisbane, Victory are third (21 points), outside the top two on goal difference, while the Jets remain ninth (10).
At McKellar Park, Canberra knocked Western United out of the top six and surged up the table thanks to goals from Heyman and Sofia Christopherson.
Western United struck first after captain Logarzo fended off two Canberra defenders to set up Catherine Zimmerman’s 15th-minute goal.
Logarzo’s Matildas teammate Heyman threatened to pull one back less than a minute later with a curling shot at goal but was denied by the fingertips of goalkeeper Alyssa Dall’Oste.
Heyman eventually hit the mark in the 21st minute after Mary Stanic-Floody threaded the ball through.
The hosts then leaped ahead in the 50th minute after Christopherson danced around defender Aimee Medwin and sent a rocket from the bottom of the box.
Earlier in the ALW, reigning champions Sydney FC momentarily lifted themselves off the bottom of the table after drawing 1-1 with fellow strugglers Perth Glory on Friday.
Caitlin Doeglas opened the scoring in the 24th minute at the Sam Kerr Football Centre, before Lucy Johnson peeled one back just before halftime.
The Sky Blues sit 11th (six points) on the table on goal difference, while the Glory are 10th (nine).
