Premiership Battle Intensifies as Victory Claims Thrilling Rivalry Clash

Melbourne Victory closed the gap to just two points off the top of the table after Nickoletta Flannery struck a dramatic 91st-minute goal, propelling the Ninja A-League contenders to a 2-1 victory over Adelaide United on Saturday evening.

In a thrilling matchup between the second and third-placed teams, Adelaide seemed poised to secure a draw thanks to Dylan Holmes’ penalty conversion in the 86th minute during the highly anticipated Original Rivalry clash at AAMI Park.

However, Flannery, who had broken the deadlock with a spectacular goal in the 59th minute, made her presence felt again, finding the net in the first minute of stoppage time to secure the win for the home side.

By extending their club-record unbeaten run to 10 matches, Victory now find themselves just behind reigning champions and league leaders Melbourne City after 20 matches this season.

Adelaide retains their third position but trails Victory by five points, and they sit seven points behind City.

Victory entered this eagerly awaited Pride Cup clash boasting a remarkable nine-match unbeaten streak, while Adelaide had only faced one defeat in their last 13 league encounters.

In an unexpected turn, 16-year-old Ilona Melegh made her debut after Adelaide’s star player Claudia Jenkins was sidelined due to injury during warm-ups.

Melegh faced an evenly matched first half, although Victory created more goal-scoring opportunities.

The most significant chance of the opening half arose from a defensive error in the 24th minute, where a misunderstanding between Melegh and her Adelaide teammate allowed the ball to roll narrowly past the post, a relief for both players after a dangerous run by Holly Furphy.

Victory finally made the breakthrough in the second half when Flannery unleashed an exquisite shot from the edge of the penalty area that found the back of the net in the 59th minute.

Adelaide was given a lifeline in the 86th minute when Victory’s standout player and Golden Boot frontrunner, Gielnik, was penalised for handling the ball inside the box. Holmes confidently stepped up to take the penalty and successfully converted.

Yet, Victory was not to be denied as Flannery clinched the win for the hosts in the dying moments of the match.