Football Fern Claudia Bunge scores in Melbourne Victory s six-goal demolition stuff.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from stuff.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
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Victory snatched the lead in Morwell when Ayres drove a cracking strike into the top corner in the 13th minute, then doubled their lead via New Zealand international Claudia Bunge s 41st-minute header.
Then, in the 42nd minute, Catherine Zimmerman slipped a clever ball through to Kyra Cooney-Cross, who drilled a low finish past Jets custodian Nicole Simonsen.
Jets star Tara Andrews pulled a goal back in the 48th minute, lashing home after Victory defender Kayla Morrison failed to clear an aerial ball.
Newcastle snared another in the 76th when Tessa Tamplin put a ball over the top for Rhianna Pollicina, who casually chipped Victory goalkeeper Gaby Garton.
Summary
Victory took a 3-0 lead at half-time at Latrobe City Stadium in Morwell thanks to goals from Melina Ayres, Claudia Bunge and Kyra Cooney-Cross.
The Jets fought back as Tara Andrews and Rhianna Pollicina struck, but Ayres sealed Victory s second straight win.
Victory created the first real chance of the game in the 10th minute.
Catherine Zimmerman forced a low save from Jets goalkeeper Nicole Simonsen after a one-two with Ayres.
Victory opened the scoring three minutes later through Ayres second goal of the season.
A clearance fell to Amy Jackson outside the area and the midfielder s attempt found Ayres, who finished superbly into the corner from inside the box.
Lily Alfeld has impressed in her first two matches for Perth Glory in the W-League.
When Perth Glory coach Alex Epakis called and asked Lily Alfeld to drop everything and move to Western Australia to play in the W-League, she didn’t have to think for long before saying yes. It had been nearly three years since she had returned home after four years in the college system in the United States, and she had been looking for an opportunity to further her football career without having much luck. Most recently, she had been keeping track of the Wellington Phoenix’s push for a place in the Australian women’s competition, but when their hopes were crushed in November, she – like many others in New Zealand – had resigned herself to a summer break and a fresh start in the new year.
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Late in Sunday s game at Epping Stadium, play had to be stopped for several minutes as the referee, City captain Emma Checker and Victory skipper Angela Beard attempted to calm the crowd down.
It took the gloss off City s thrilling 3-2 win, which was a remarkable turnaround from their 6-0 loss to the same team a week earlier.
City coach Rado Vidosic condemned the behaviour as not acceptable and lauded the referee s swift action. Come here, support your team, that s brilliant . but to throw things at a goalkeeper, a female goalkeeper - and she s a Matilda - I don t think that s the right way of dealing with the situation, he said.