Melbourne City FC created history on Monday, clinching the Westfield W-League 2015/16 Premiers’ Plate in the Club’s inaugural season.
Monday’s 1-0 win over Brisbane Roar at Broadbeach Soccer Club saw Joe Montemurro’s side crowned Premiers with two regular season matches to spare, sealing a historic first piece of silverware for the Club in Women’s football.
Kim Little’s sixth-minute strike was enough to hand City a record-breaking 10th consecutive win in the W-League competition.
City has taken the Westfield W-League by storm in its maiden campaign, setting a new league benchmark for successive wins by taking maximum points from its opening 10 matches – eclipsing Sydney FC’s record of nine consecutive wins set in 2010.
Montemurro’s side has demonstrated its prolific goal-scoring ability since an emphatic 6-0 win over Sydney FC in the Club’s first ever W-League match, netting an outstanding 32 goals so far this season.
Co-captains Lisa De Vanna and Jess Fishlock have been instrumental in the final third alongside the pacey Marianna Tabain and Scottish maestro Little, but it has been young striker Larissa Crummer who has made her mark with a dominant season in front of goal.
The 19-year-old currently leads the race for the Golden Boot with 11 goals for the season, giving her a chance to break the competition’s single-season scoring record of 15 goals set by Canberra United star Michelle Heyman in 2011-12.
At the back, City have conceded only three goals en-route to its Premiers’ Plate triumph, with the class and experience of Scottish international Jennifer Beattie – who joined the Club on loan from Manchester City – New Zealand international Rebekah Stott and Matlidas Laura Alleway and Steph Catley building a solid foundation in defence.
Melbourne City FC CEO Scott Munn expressed his delight in the Club’s historic triumph.
“I would like to extend a big congratulations to Head Coach Joe Montemurro, all the players and staff on this historic triumph,” Munn said. “We’re incredibly proud of what is being achieved and we are thankful to Manchester City Women for their assistance in preparing the team and supporting us.”
“I would also like to thank the Chairman and Board for its continuous support and for facilitating the opportunity to field a team in the Westfield W-League and contribute to the growth of the Women’s game in Australia.
“Our goal at the start of the year was to set a new benchmark for professionalism for Women’s football in Australia. The results to date and their manner speak for themselves. It’s a testament to Joe and the team that their focus remains on completing the regular season in the same vein as they have performed to date.”
Along with the Premiers’ Plate, City has also secured its place in the Westfield W-League Finals Series. The Club will host the fourth placed team in the Semi Final, with the winner advancing to the Grand Final to be held on Sunday 31 January 2016.
Melbourne City FC continues its Westfield W-League season with two home matches against Western Sydney Wanderers and Sydney FC at CB Smith Reserve on January 3 and 16.
