A well-oiled Melbourne Victory proved too strong for Perth Glory, running out 3-0 winners at Lakeside Stadium in the Foxtel National Youth League on Sunday.
Lawrence Thomas started in goal for the hosts, while fellow Hyundai A-League players Giancarlo Gallifuoco, Thomas Deng and Jesse Makarounas also featured in the starting XI.
Their presence was felt from the outset as the Victory settled early.
It was Makarounas who fired the game’s first warning shot 10 minutes in with a set-piece that stung the palms of Perth goalkeeper Jordan Thurtell.
Barely four more minutes had elapsed before Melbourne drew first blood. Pierce Waring was the instigator, haring along the byline and whipping in a ball into the six-yard box. Perth’s Calvin Whitney’s failed clearance could only see him deflect the ball into his own net.
One almost became two on the half-hour mark. It was Joey Katebian on this occasion who met a Jesse Makarounas corner at the front post, drawing a fine save from Thurtell.
Melbourne eventually found its second with only moments to play in the first half. John Maclean provided the assist for Katebian, who made no mistake notching up his fourth goal of the campaign with a cool finish.
The dominance continued after the interval, with Waring and Maclean’s linking play causing a number of problems for the visitors.
Perth were soon reduced to 10 men, courtesy of a reckless challenge by Aleks Susjnar on Katebian metres outside the area as the forward careered in on goal.
Victory capitalised soon after, Maclean’s defence-splitting pass from the left flank found its way to Makarounas, who added a third with the easiest of tap-ins.
Melbourne will be hoping to build on its impressive display when it faces Melbourne City at Lakeside Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Melbourne Victory 3 (Whitney 14′ og, Katebian 45′, Makarounas 57′)
Perth Glory 0
