Melbourne Victory’s Senior NPL side secured a crucial three points against Hume City, prevailing as 2-1 winners.
Returning to Nasiol Stadium just one week after the A-League Men’s side recorded a 5-0 win in a friendly hit-out with Hume, Victory’s young guns were keen to shine for what was to be a must-win game.
Three changes were made to the starting lineup that faced Dandenong Thunder in Round 24, with Jonathan Kellis, James Lackay, and Charlie Gorevski all promoted from the bench to the XI.
Going to battle on a slip-and-slide-esque playing surface, both teams fought hard in a potential season-defining match.
Victory had a few positive moments in counter-attacking scenarios, with Lucas Alessi and James Lackay firing strikes just wide of the goal frame in the opening seven minutes.
However, it would be the hosts to take the lead in the 14th minute.
Forcing a good stop out of Victory’s goalkeeper, Daniel Graskoski, a mis-hit strike by a Hume attacker fell to Mehmet Uysal for a simple tap-in at the backpost.
It was a disappointing goal to concede after a promising start, but the young Victory group persisted and did not drop their heads one bit.
Breaking down the wing, Patrick Wall was taken out on the edge of Hume’s penalty area, earning a free-kick in a dangerous position.
Stepping up to the dead-ball, John Paikopoulos forced Hume’s shot-stopper into a strong save, but at least earned a corner kick for his efforts.
Meeting George Mihailidis’ delivery into the box to a tee, captain Damien Bozinovski headed home his fourth goal of the season to equalise for the Young Vucks in the 23rd minute.
The goal was certainly a turning point in the game, with Victory beginning to control the game and create more chances.
In the final moments of the half, Daniel Graskoski made an excellent save to ensure his side remained level heading into the break.
Victory entered the second 45 strong, retaining the momentum and seeking a go-ahead goal.
It would come sooner than anticipated, with Victory attackers Jonathan Kellis and Patrick Wall quickest to react to a poor goal-kick from the hosts.
Kellis headed the ball in behind Hume’s backline to Wall, who calmly lobbed the goalkeeper to extend his lead as the side’s top scorer with his seventh goal of the season in the 51st minute.
Just two minutes later, Kellis caught the goalkeeper off guard and fired a speculative shot from distance, earning another corner kick for the Young Vucks.
Falling behind, Hume’s desire for points certainly became increasingly clear as they piled pressure on in front of their home crowd.
Daniel Graskoski was vital with some brave goalkeeping on incoming crosses into the box, while Victory’s defensive unit completed countless interventions to keep out the hosts.
Brought on at the hour mark to provide some fresh legs in the middle of the park, Kayne Razmovski was Boris Seroshtan’s first substitute of the night.
Seeking to match Hume’s physicality across the park, striker Daniel Lazarevski would also be introduced not long after from the bench to press Hume’s tiring defenders and threaten on the counter.
Running out the full 90 minutes, winger James Lackay would not slow down one bit, coming close to helping create and score another for Victory in the final stage of the game.
Brought on to utilise his speed on the opposing flank, 16-year-old Malik Olukhale would be Victory’s final substitute with time ticking down.
Defending valiantly until the final whistle, the Young Vucks would finally be rewarded for another impressive performance in Victoria’s top flight, prevailing over the finals-contending Hume City.
Currently in the relegation zone, Victory successfully came away with the win they needed to keep their survival hopes alive in NPL Victoria, relying on 11th-placed Altona Magic to lose their remaining two fixtures.
Returning to the Home of the Matildas with it all to play for on the final day of the season, Melbourne Victory hosts Dandenong City in another must-win game on Saturday, August 23.
Match Details
NPL Victoria Men Round 25
Hume City 1 (Uysal 14′)
Melbourne Victory 2 (Bozinovski 23′, Wall 51′)
Melbourne Victory Starting XI: 30. Daniel GRASKOSKI (GK), 2. Linus BOURKE, 4. Damien BOZINOVSKI (C), 8. George MIHAILIDIS, 13. John PAIKOPOULOS, 18. Lucas ALESSI, 20. Parker WILLIAMS, 21. Jonathan KELLIS, 22. Patrick WALL, 24. James LACKAY, 28. Charlie GOREVSKI
Substitutes: 40. Kaspel FONSBOEL (GK), 6. Kayne RAZMOVSKI (60′), 11. Daniel LAZAREVSKI (72′), 15. Nikolas ČEVIZOVIĆ, 29. Tobenna OBANI, 37. Malik OLUKHALE (84′)
