Melbourne Victory’s Senior NPL side returned to winning ways in stunning fashion, defeating the Oakleigh Cannons in a 5-2 thriller at Jack Edwards Reserve.
Suffering a painful loss in the dying minutes against top-of-the-table Avondale FC, two changes were made to Boris Seroshtan’s XI for Victory’s clash against the reigning NPL Victoria Champions.
Alexander Houridis and captain Damien Bozinovski were both promoted to the starting lineup, with the former fresh off a two-goal display against Avondale.
Despite taking Oakleigh at their home ground, Victory insisted on playing a positive and possession-based style of football from the start, a decision that quickly paid off.
Building up from the back, Victory managed to bypass Oakleigh’s press and bombarded down the right wing.
Brought forward by Alexander Houridis, the attacking midfielder finished off the quick attacking move with an audacious looping effort on the edge of the box, flying straight over the goalkeeper for his first Senior NPL goal.
Just five minutes later, the Young Vucks managed to double their lead.
Maintaining possession and pulling the defence apart, a smart pass into striker Daniel Lazarevski was controlled well and fired into the bottom corner from outside the box, scoring his fourth goal of the season.
The 19-year-old almost added another to his tally, but was denied by a crucial late tackle by a Cannons defender.
Just as the game began to cool slowly, a beautifully whipped Jack Mihailidis free-kick delivery caused chaos at the back for the hosts.
Unable to clear the danger, fullback Linus Bourke pounced in the box to make it three for Victory in the 22nd minute.
Returning shortly after down the other end, Oakleigh earned a foul in the 24th minute.
While a pack of players all surrounded the fallen players awaiting a line for the wall to be drawn by the referee, Alex Salmon quickly placed and lofted the ball into an open net.
The goal was ultimately awarded, much to the confusion of most players and those in attendance.
While conceding such a goal can be frustrating, the Young Vucks kept their heads up and responded on the scoreboard.
Pinching a loose ball in midfield, Charlie Gorevski unleashed a truly spectacular effort from a long distance that thundered straight into the back of the net.
Also scoring his first Senior NPL goal, the midfielder restored Victory’s three-goal lead magnificently.
Leading 4-1 at the break, it was a crazy first half of football that saw both teams score all of their shots on target.
Trailing with 45 minutes remaining, Oakleigh came out strong to start the second half.
Catching Victory off guard with a short-corner, starman Joe Guest received the ball in space and got another goal back for his side in the 53rd minute.
With one of the league’s best sides regaining momentum on their home soil, fears arose that they could bring the game back level with well over half an hour remaining.
However, yet another clinical attack from Victory once again ended Oakleigh’s hopes once and for all.
A long ball hit up from goalkeeper Yona Sultan was headed on well by the leaping header of Daniel Lazarevski, reaching the feet of Patrick Wall.
Powering down the left wing, Wall’s short pass inside was controlled and finished off the post and in by Jordan Hoey.
Scoring Victory’s fifth against one of the league’s top defensive sides, Hoey celebrated with the joyous Victory supporters in attendance.
Hoey was a real standout, constantly threatening the hosts with his speed and quick change of direction across the park.
Ensuring a late comeback would not be on the cards, Yona Sultan made several key saves and clearances from incoming crosses.
Substitutes James Lackay and Tommaso Minutoli were introduced from the bench, while Noah Tanfara later joined the pair on the field after being provided with his senior NPL debut in the final minutes.
Seeing out the game well, the Young Vucks put an end to their seven-game losing streak in NPL Victoria after smashing five past the league’s fourth-placed side.
Jumping out of the relegation zone in the state’s top flight, Melbourne Victory will have the opportunity to solidify their push for survival further when they take on 13th-placed Port Melbourne Sharks at the Home of the Matildas on Monday, June 23.
Match Details
NPL Victoria Men Round 18
Oakleigh 2 (Salmon 24′, Guest 53′)
Melbourne Victory 5 (Houridis 3′, Lazarevski 8′, Bourke 22′, Gorevski 37′, Hoey 62′)
Melbourne Victory Starting XI: 40. Yonathan SULTAN (GK), 2. Linus BOURKE, 4. Damien BOZINOVSKI (C), 10. Jack MIHAILIDIS, 11. Daniel LAZAREVSKI, 14. Jordan HOEY, 20. Parker WILLIAMS, 22. Patrick WALL, 28. Charlie GOREVSKI, 29. Tobenna OBANI, 38. Alexander HOURIDIS
Substitutes: 30. Kasper FONSBOEL (GK), 9. Tommaso MINUTOLI (86′), 15. Nikolas CEVIZOVIC, 24. James LACKAY (79′), 32. Aaron BAZENSKI, 44. Noah TANFARA (90+1′)
