A Natasha Dowie hat-trick has helped Melbourne Victory spoil Sydney FC’s W-League party at Kogarah on Sunday.
Victory ran out 3-2 winners at Jubilee Oval in the first match of the ‘Big Blue’ double header on a glorious day in Sydney’s south.
The match was Sydney FC’s first at Kogarah this season, their first of seven A-League and two W-League matches at Jubilee Oval. Jubilee is the club’s major temporary home this season while Allianz Stadium undergoes redevelopment.
Dowie had Melbourne in front in the fifth minute when she rifled a strike from the right side of the penalty area into the far corner past Sydney FC goalkeeper Aubrey Bledsoe.
The striker took the bouncing ball on the volley early to give the visitors the lead against the run of play.
Sydney FC remained patient in possession as they created a number of half chances, with Matildas striker Lisa De Vanna looking dangerous.
Melina Ayres should have doubled Melbourne’s lead in the 14th minute as she blazed over the bar from near the penalty spot after a quick throw-in and cut back from Emily Gielnik.
Sydney were finally rewarded for their dominance when Matildas midfielder Chloe Logarzo equalised on 38 minutes.
De Vanna swung a dangerous cross in from the right which only just evaded Logarazo. Danielle Colaprico did brilliantly to keep the ball in play, firing it back across goal for Logarzo to tap in.
Sydney thought they had taken the lead moments later when fullback Sofia Huerta flicked a Caitlin Foord cross past Casey Dumont in the Victory goal, only for the goal to be correctly ruled out for offside.
Melbourne then stole the lead for themselves completely against the run of play on the stroke of half-time after Princess Ibini was ruled to have brought down Teigen Allen in the penalty area.
Dowie fired home from the penalty spot to put Victory 2-1 up at the break.
Dowie completed her hat-trick six minutes into the second half, getting on the end of an Gielnik pass to roll inside Alanna Kennedy and shoot across Bledsoe.
Melbourne looked to be cruising to victory before Angela Beard received a second yellow card for a foul from behind on Savannah McCaskill.
The send off left Melbourne down to 10 for the final eight minutes.
And Kennedy ensured it would be a nervy finish as she fired a wonderful free kick into the top left corner.
McCaskill had a glorious chance to earn a point for Sydney FC deep into stoppage time from a Teresa Polias cross, only for Dumont to produce a match-winning save.
Melbourne defended resolutely late on to hold onto their lead and secure an impressive three points after their win over reigning champions Melbourne City last weekend.
The defeat leaves Sydney with one win and two losses from their opening three games.
The Sky Blues head to McKellar Park to face Canberra United next Sunday.
Sydney FC return to Jubilee Oval to host Newcastle on January 4. The Sky Blues also host Brisbane at Seymour Shaw Park, Miranda on December 9.
Leader Scoreboard
W-League
Melbourne Victory 3 (Natasha Dowie 5’, 45+1’, 51’)
defeated
Sydney FC 2 (Chloe Logarzo 38’, Alanna Kennedy 82’)
at Jubilee Oval, Kogarah