Ayres screamer helps Victory ground Jets

A stunning long-range strike from Melina Ayres helped Melbourne Victory to a 2-1 W-League win over the Newcastle Jets on Thursday night.

Melina Ayres celebrates a goal for Melbourne Victory Source: AAP

Natasha Dowie’s driven finish four minutes after Ayres’ opener sent the hosts on their way at Lakeside Stadium, with Cortnee Vine’s instant reply proving all the Jets could muster.

The win, Victory’s first of the season, extends their unbeaten start under Jeffrey Hopkins, with the rest of the competition still to feature in the coming days.

In what was the Jets' opening fixture of the 2018-19 season, former United States U-23 international Katie Stengel led the line looking to give her side the perfect start.

But after squandering a golden chance inside the opening minute, Victory's Ayres soon made them pay, accompanying a lung-bursting run through the middle with a powerful 36-yard strike beyond Britt Eckerstrom.

Poor defending from Craig Deans' side cost them once again in the 11th minute as Natasha Dowie pounced on Grace Maher's through-ball to double Victory's advantage.

And while Vine’s effort reduced the deficit just one minute later, an equaliser would prove elusive in the end as the home side remained firmly in control.