Melbourne Victory faces a tough test ahead of a trip to face the Preston Lions in the NPL 3 Victoria on Friday night.
Preview
Victory makes the trip to B.T. Connor Reserve in Round 6 on the back of three straight wins.
Jay Barnett, Zaydan Bello and Adem Duratovic were on the scoresheet as Victory recorded a 3-2 win over Doveton last time out.
Barnett’s fabulous first-time finish and goals from Bello and Duratovic had Victory in control at 3-1 up before Doveton’s late strike.
Victory has scored eight goals in three games and constantly looked dangerous in each outing.
The win was Victory’s third straight and third in five games this season, lifting it onto 10 points.
Victory, Western United, Preston and City are the top four teams on the table, and all sit on 10 points.
Preston and Victory met in July last year, playing out an entertaining 1-1 draw at Epping Stadium.
Player in focus
Having played more regularly at Isuzu UTE A-League level, Barnett has impressed with the NPL side in recent weeks. The midfielder has been in excellent form in central midfield and scored a terrific opener in the win over Doveton.
This week
Women’s State League 4 West: ETA Buffalo Club of Victoria v Melbourne Victory Afghan Women’s Team (Sunday, April 24 at 11.00am AEST at Delahey Reserve, Delahey)
NPL 3 Victoria: Preston Lions v Melbourne Victory U23s (Friday, April 22 at 8.30pm AEST at B.T. Connor Reserve, Reservoir)
U21 NPL 3 Victoria: Preston Lions v Melbourne Victory (Friday, April 22 at 6.15pm AEST at B.T. Connor Reserve, Reservoir)
Last week
NPL 3 Victoria: Victory U23s 3 (Barnett 12′, Bello 46′, Duratovic 84′) Doveton 2
U21 NPL 3 Victoria: Victory 7 (Minutoli 11’/78’/86’/88′, Bos 13′, Theodorou 34′ pen, Stamatelos 47′)
