Spectators hurl abuse, bottles at City goalkeeper during derby thriller

In a remarkable turnaround Melbourne City handed Melbourne Victory their first defeat of the W-League season in an incident-packed thriller at Epping Stadium.

But the finale to the 3-2 win was marred by a lengthy delay in the closing minutes because Victory supporters hurled abuse and bottles at City goalkeeper Teagan Micah, who had produced some excellent saves to deny Victory as they pressed for a stoppage time leveller.

Both coaches, Victory's Jeff Hopkins and City's Rado Vidosic, condemned the spectators who cast a blight on the match conclusion.

City and Victory club coaches have condemned spectators who hurled abuse and cans at goalkeeper Teagan Micah on Sunday. Credit:Getty Images

"It's definitely not what we want to see. Hopefully we will deal with it as a club and make sure it doesn't happen again," Hopkins said.

Vidosic said Micah was okay after the incident, but added: "We love to see supporters and it's great to have them, but to throw things at a goalkeeper is not the right way to deal with the situation.

"She was a little bit shaken but the referee was excellent. These games are televised in America, China and it does not paint a very good picture overseas."

Seven days earlier Victory, inspired by Lisa De Vanna, had beaten City 6-0. But in this contest City turned the tables in dramatic style. They had looked to be cruising when they led 2-0 at half-time only to be clawed back by a desperate Victory, embarrassed by the scale of the short-term turnaround.

The hosts got it back to 2-2 but were undone by Alex Chidiac's excellent through ball and Harriet Withers' cool late finish, which put City in front, and then Micah's last-gasp heroics.

Hopkins rested De Vanna while Vidosic shuffled his pack. Japanese international Chinatsu Kira was pushed forward with Chidiac coming from deeper, Withers stationed wide on the right and Rhali Dobson, on the bench last week, starting this time.

In the 21st minute City hit the front when Dobson, Hollie Palmer and Kira combined, the loose ball falling to Chidiac, who smashed past Gabby Garton from close range.

City doubled their advantage shortly after when Leah Davidson won the ball in midfield and found Kira inside the area. Her cross was deflected past her own goalkeeper by Victory defender Claudia Bunge.

Victory began their fightback when MelindaJ Barbieri slammed home a free kick from the edge of the penalty area to make it 2-1 in the 47th minute.

Four minutes later they were level. City failed to clear a long throw and when the ball bounced to American import Catherine Zimmerman on the edge of the area she lashed a powerful drive, which gave Micah no chance.

They looked the most likely winners – until Withers' late strike.

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