Melbourne Victory moved into the mixture for a challenge for the final two positions when they defeated Canberra United by the odd goal in Round 9 action of the Westfield W-League played at Skilled Stadium in Geelong.

A goal just under 20 minutes into the match from Jodie Taylor was just reward for her continuous efforts. The striker had numerous chances, some that called for superb saves from Australia’s number two keeper Lydia Williams.

It appeared that it was Melbourne who were the team challenging for a top two position and not Canberra. With the loss, Canberra are now in a possition where they may have to win at least two of the last three just to make the Finals.

Melbourne were certainly the better team in this match, and except for Leah Blayney, who has just returned from playing with the Central Connecticut University Blue Devils, Canberra were all at sea in the town south of Melbourne.

Certainly neither side could blame the conditions, although there was a strong breeze that did favour the Canberra side in the opening period. The surface was good, even with the odd ball holding up.

Canberra had the first chance of the game, a shot from Emily van Egmond going wide. That would be the story for Canberra throughout the day as eventually they would only get one solitary shot on target and that was nothing to concern Melissa Barbieri, making her return to the team.

Then, against the breeze, it became the Taylor show. First Williams raced out to muffle a chance, then with only Williams to beat, the striker hesitated and Cian Maciejewski got in to intercept.

Yet, the breakthough was not long in coming. The sixteen year old Ashley Brown was enjoying numerous attacking forays down the right and with one she sent in a cross that was layed off for Taylor.

This time the forward chose to chip Williams. Possibly surprised, Williams barely had tme to leap in the air and could only deflect the ball towards goal. Maciejewski also tried vainly to head the ball before it crossed the line.

Williams would also be in action twice more before the break. First an acrobatical save when Brown set up Louisa Bisby and then just before half-time smothering yet another Taylor opportunity.

The action following the break was limited mainly to the midfield battle which was favoured by the Melbourne team. In fact the number of chances were extremely rare and possibly not one on target.

Canberra’s main attacking weapon Michelle Heyman was off target on more than one occasion, sometimes when she should have done better, but Melbourne held out for the all important three points heading into their match against the table-leading Brisbane Roar.

For Canberra they could have won out and taken second place from Sydney; but the result in Geelong means they need to get back to winning ways, especially against Newcastle next weekend.