Doveton v Victory
Waratah Reserve
Saturday, July 2, 2022
Kick-off: 3:00pm AEST
Preview
Melbourne Victory will look to extend their NPLM 3 unbeaten run to five games when they take on Doveton this weekend.
Victory travel to Waratah Reserve off the back of their 2-1 success against Springvale White Eagles last time out.
The contest against Springvale was hard-fought, with very little separating the two sides for most of the game.
Victory though found the edge with a triple substitution on the hour mark, as Patrick Hogan came off the bench to score the opener.
Adem Duratovic doubled Victory’s lead soon after, sealing the win and taking his personal tally to four goals in three games.
The win ensured Victory maintained third position on the NPLM 3 table, level on points with Preston Lions and four points behind league-leaders Melbourne City.
On Saturday, Victory come up against a Doveton side currently sitting in seventh position following their 2-0 loss to Preston last weekend.
Doveton have been plagued by inconsistency in 2022, although it means they have only lost consecutive games once.
Their strongest asset is a sturdy defence, with only the top three sides having conceded fewer goals this season.
The two teams met back in Round 5 at Epping Stadium in a thrilling contest which Victory won 3-2.
Goals from Jay Barnett, Zaydan Bello and Duratovic made the difference on that day.
Another crucial contest awaits Victory this weekend, especially considering some of their matches against direct promotion rivals in the coming weeks.
Player in focus
Patrick Hogan played a key role off the bench in last week’s win and will be hoping to continue his strong form against Doveton.
Hogan has endured a challenging road back to full fitness following a stress fracture injury and will be eager to continue making the most of his opportunities in the side.
This week
Women’s State League 4 West: Melton Phoenix v Victory Afghan Women’s Team (Sunday, July 3 at 1:00pm AEST at Macpherson Park)
NPLM 3 Victoria: Doveton v Melbourne Victory (Saturday, July 2 at 3:00pm AEST at Waratah Reserve)
U21 NPLM 3 Victoria: Doveton v Melbourne Victory (Saturday, July 2 at 1:00pm AEST at Waratah Reserve)
U18 NPL 1: Melbourne Victory v Green Gully (Sunday, July 3 at 1:00pm at State Football Centre)
U16 NPL 1: Melbourne Victory v North Geelong Warriors (Sunday, July 3 at 11:15am at State Football Centre)
U15 NPL 1: Melbourne Victory v North Geelong Warriors (Sunday, July 3 at 9:45am at State Football Centre)
U14 NPL 1: Melbourne Victory v Box Hill United (Sunday, July 3 at 9:45am at State Football Centre)
Last week
Women’s State League 4 West: Victory Afghan Women’s Team 6 ETA Buffalo 0
NPLM 3 Victoria: Victory 2 Springvale White Eagles 1
U21 NPLM 3 Victoria: Victory 14 Springvale White Eagles 0
U18 NPL 1 (Saturday): Victory 1 Northcote City 0
U18 NPL 1 (Sunday): Victory 3 Heidelberg United 0
U16 NPL 1 (Saturday): Victory 4 Northcote City 3
U16 NPL 1 (Sunday): Victory 1 Bulleen Lions 0
U15 NPL 1 (Saturday): Victory 4 Northcote City 0
U15 NPL 1 (Sunday): Victory 1 Bulleen Lions 0
U14 NPL 1 (Saturday): Victory 1 Bulleen Lions 0
U14 NPL 1 (Sunday): Victory 3 Essendon Royals 1
