Melbourne Victory Senior NPL side managed to claim an important point in a 0-0 draw against Preston Lions.
Remaining at the Home of the Matildas after an emphatic 3-2 win over St Albans, Boris Seroshtan made just two changes to his starting squad.
Jing Reec made his first appearance for the side since Round 5, while Jordan Hoey was promoted to the XI after scoring the crucial winning goal off the bench against the Saints.
Preston kicked off the first half which saw both sides slowly ease their way into things.
Retaining his starting position for the fourth consecutive game, 18-year-old goalkeeper Daniel Graskoski made four crucial saves in the first half, while Parker Williams marshalled the backline well.
Jordan Hoey tested Lucas Trenkovski in goal late in the half with a powerful strike, but the Preston shot-stopper held his effort well.
Playing out a relatively even first half between both sides, Preston stepped up the tempo in the second 45.
The Lions threatened on the flanks with speedy wingers Gian Albano and Lleyton Brooks, but the defensive efforts of fullbacks Kayne Razmovski and Tobenna Obani did well to neutralise their impacts.
Boris Seroshtan went to his bench just past the hour mark, bringing on Jesse Hoey and Luka Didulica for the final half-hour of football.
This change nearly had an immediate impact, with Jesse Hoey whipping in a dangerous ball into the box that was narrowly headed over the crossbar by Jing Reec.
Despite the changes spurring a positive impact on Victory’s performance, a red card brandished to John Radimisis for a denial of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity in the 75th minute significantly hurt the Young Vuck’s momentum.
Attacking substitutes Austin Ganino and Daniel Lazarevski were further introduced as the clock ticked on, with Preston pushing hard for a winner.
Firing 22 shots at goal, the valiant efforts of Victory’s defence and Daniel Graskoski in particular were simply remarkable.
Graskoski finished the game with a total of nine saves, keeping his first clean sheet of the season with a standout performance between the sticks.
While a win could’ve seen Victory hold a position within NPL Victoria Men’s top six, the Navy Blues sit just outside in seventh place – a start to the season many wouldn’t have anticipated for an academy side.
Claiming 10 points out of a possible 15 in their last five outings, Melbourne Victory’s strong form will be put to the test when they face Dandenong Thunder at the Home of the Matildas on Monday, April 28.
Match Details
NPL Victoria Men Round 10
Melbourne Victory 0
Preston Lions FC 0
Melbourne Victory Starting XI: 30. Daniel GRASKOSKI (GK), 6. Kayne RAZMOVSKI (C), 8. Alexander MENELAOU, 10. Jack MIHAILIDIS, 14. Jordan HOEY, 19. Jing REEC, 20. Parker WILLIAMS, 22. Patrick WALL, 26. Luka KOLIC, 29. Tobenna OBANI, 36. John RADIMISIS
Substitutes: 40. Yonathan SULTAN (GK), 7. Austin GANINO (77′), 11. Daniel LAZAREVSKI (86′), 12. Raymond DIHO, 23. Jesse HOEY (62′), 46. Luka DIDULICA (62′)
