A sluggish start was instrumental in Melbourne Victory suffering a 3-0 PlayStation 4 NPL Victoria loss to Avondale FC at Epping Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Avondale raced out of the blocks and had Jonathan Germano to thank for notching up the game’s opener. Massimo Murdocca and Omar Ammache each contributed to it with their passes freeing up Germano, who cooly placed the ball into the net.
Germano was the catalyst once more for his team’s second goal, this time chipping the ball over a hapless Lucas Spinella, who could do little to keep it out.
Michele Crazia added a third just after the quarter-of-an-hour mark, heading the ball through a crowded pack.
Christian Theoharous created Victory’s first proper chance with a ferocious drive that stung the palms of Avondale goalkeeper Chris May.
James Xydias followed up with a teasing cross that forced Avondale to clear without delay at the back post.
Theoharous and May engaged in another duel after the restart, with the latter coming up on top once more from close range.
Michael Holden tried to get into the action, thrashing a vicious effort on target, before he teased the scoreboard operator shortly after with a left-footed shot that flew across the face of goal.
Victory is at home next week when it hosts South Melbourne in its next PS4 NPL Victoria match.
Earlier, Victory’s under-20 team earned itself a comfortable 4-1 win over Avondale.
Seniors
Melbourne Victory 0
Avondale FC 3 (Germano 2’/3′, Crazia 15′)
Under-20s
Melbourne Victory 4 (Radziminski 20′, Hidic 40’/59′, Kelic 56′)
Avondale FC 1 (Abdelrahman 87’)
