Joe Montemurro’s side wrapped up their inaugural campaign with a 4-1 win against Sydney FC in the Grand Final to become the first City Football Group Women’s team to win their domestic league.
The win also sees their 100% win record continue having won all 13 previous fixtures in the 2015/16 W-League.
FT | WE ARE CHAMPIONS! Congratulations to Joe Montemurro's side on a PERFECT season!!! #WLeagueGF pic.twitter.com/7ZhpqmMVa4
— Melbourne City Women (@MelbCityWFC) January 31, 2016After a tense start to the game Jennifer Beattie, on loan from MCWFC, opened the scoring in the 32nd minute to give Melbourne a 1-0 lead going into the half time break.
Their lead was doubled nine minutes into the second half when Scottish international Kim Little sent a free kick into the top corner to leave Sydney’s Michelle Betos with no chance of saving it.
Pick that out! @MelbCityWFC pic.twitter.com/PsvAML5zB3
— Callum Hope (@Chope_158) January 31, 2016Little then hit the post four minutes after her goal before Sydney reduced the deficit when Kyah Simon fired in from the penalty spot.
Melbourne’s two-goal advantage was soon restored though as Beattie Goad slotted past Betos after Lisa De Vanna cut the ball back for the teenager.
De Vanna then completed the scoring in the fifth minute of added time with a superb solo finish to seal the 2015/16 W-League Championship and, with it, the perfect season with 14 wins out of 14 games.
@MelbCityWFC Fantastic season long effort! What a team, what a season, what a win when it was all on the line! #WLeagueGF ⚽️🏆🇦🇺👏👏👏
— SO_TornAsunder (@SO_TornAsunder) January 31, 2016@MelbCityWFC 14-0, it doesn't get any better! Congrats ladies! Already can't wait for next season.
— Ameera Haque (@ameerashaque) January 31, 2016Speaking to mcfc.co.uk about the win, Beattie said: “It’s an amazing achievement for the Club. I have to admit I didn’t really know what to expect when I came out here – as a team, we definitely didn’t expect to do as well as we have done.
“It’s been awesome. Credit to the girls, we’ve had high standards from the beginning and that’s shown with our wins.”
She continued: “It’s been good to have been involved in a different culture. It’s been an amazing experience.
“Football-wise, there are similarities with Melbourne and Manchester - the coaching styles and the way things are delivered - and that’s helped with the transition.
“As both sides are within the City Football Group, the playing styles are similar. We’ve enjoyed that style of play and I think it’s shown with our run.
“Personally, I’ve enjoyed playing all year round, being amongst the teams. The City Football Group set-up has allowed me to do that and it’s been great.”
The 24-year old will now return to Manchester ahead of the 2016 WSL season with MCWFC set for another big season and their debut in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
“I’m looking forward to getting back to Manchester now. I’ve been missing the girls - I’ve missed everything really.
“I’ll have a few days off now and then I’m straight back into pre-season.
“We have a big year ahead of us - we have our standards set high again and I can’t wait to be back playing Champions League football.
“Ultimately, we have a desire to win things and that’s what we’ll hope to do.”
