Melbourne Victory suffered a 3-1 loss away to Macarthur in the A-League on Friday.
Summary
Missed chances once again proved costly for Victory, which conceded twice in the first half at Campbelltown Stadium following goals from Matt Derbyshire and James Meredith.
Elvis Kamsoba pulled a goal back for Victory late on, but Derbyshire sealed Macarthur’s win.
Victory conceded an unfortunate opener in the fourth minute, Derbyshire finishing in a one-on-one with Matt Acton after Dylan Ryan slipped following a pass from Jay Barnett, who started at left-back.
Just five minutes later and Victory had a great chance to equalise, but Rudy Gestede headed a Jake Brimmer corner just wide.
It took a spectacular save from Adam Federici to deny Gestede again just moments later, the Macarthur goalkeeper keeping out the striker’s volley after a Robbie Kruse cross.
Acton was also forced into action in the 27th minute, the shot-stopper making an excellent stop to deny Charles M’Mombwa from inside the area.
Victory continued to push and Brimmer saw a powerful long-range strike hit the post and bounce clear approaching the half-hour mark.
Instead, Macarthur doubled its lead six minutes before half-time as Meredith headed in a Jake McGing cross from the right.
The chances kept coming for Victory and Lleyton Brooks, who replaced Kruse in the first half, poked a lofted Jacob Butterfield pass wide two minutes prior to the break.
Victory continued to create as the second half started and Gestede powered a header at Federici following a Kamsoba cross from the right.
A deserved goal came for Victory with 12 minutes remaining as Kamsoba tucked away his second in three games, putting away a rebound after Brooks hit the post having been put behind by Brimmer.
But Macarthur’s win was sealed by Derbyshire, who finished in another one-on-one after being played in by Michael Ruhs.
Player in focus
Key moment
Result
Hyundai A-League 2020/21
Macarthur 2 (Matt Derbyshire 4′, James Meredith 39′)
Melbourne Victory 1 (Elvis Kamsoba 78′)
Macarthur: Federici (gk); McGing, Milligan (c), Susnjar, Meredith (Golec 87′); Liam Rose (Martis 62′), Benat (Lachlan Rose 45′); Susaeta (Ruhs 79′), Genreau, M’Mombwa (Puyo 87′); Derbyshire.
Melbourne Victory: Acton (gk); Roux, Broxham (c), Ryan, Barnett; Brimmer, Butterfield; Kamsoba, Kruse (Brooks 24′ (Kirdar 82′)), Folami; Gestede.
Yellow cards: Derbyshire 65′
Red cards: Nil
Attendance: TBA
Venue: Campbelltown Stadium
Next up
Victory has a short turnaround with a clash against Sydney FC at Jubilee Stadium on Wednesday, May 19.
