Melbourne Victory’s Senior NPL side were beaten at the Home of the Matildas, conceding a late winner to the Melbourne Knights.
Following a tight defeat that certainly could’ve gone the other way against Port Melbourne last week, Victory had a must-win game on their hands against bottom-placed Melbourne Knights.
Head coach Boris Seroshtan opted to make three changes to his Round 19 Starting XI, promoting Kasper Fonsboel and John Radimisis from the bench, while new signing Jonathan Kellis was brought straight into the lineup.
The Young Vucks started strong in Bundoora, controlling the game and applying pressure to the struggling Knights.
Kellis almost had a perfect start on debut in the opening minute, delivering an excellent ball into the box that was volleyed onto the crossbar by Jack Mihailidis.
Victory would thankfully proceed to score on the second time of asking thanks to the brilliance of 18-year-old winger Patrick Wall.
Pouncing on a loose pass at the back by the visitors, Wall soared through on goal and finished calmly into the bottom corner in the 5th minute.
Despite taking the early lead, Victory continued to push for more while momentum was in their favour.
In the 16th minute, Jack Mihailidis created space from his opponent with a smart touch and squared the ball to John Kellis, who forced an excellent diving save out of Knights’ goalkeeper Gabriel Matti.
Just a few minutes later, Patrick Wall created an excellent opportunity for Daniel Lazarevski after bursting down the right wing and laying the ball back, but the 19-year-old striker fired just over the bar.
The Navy Blues were all over their opponents in the first 20 minutes and arguably should’ve been up by more.
John Kellis enjoyed a few other excellent moments on debut, including a cheeky nutmeg past a defender, but was stopped just before unleashing a shot.
Making his starting Senior NPL debut after coming off the bench against the Sharks, teenage goalkeeper Kasper Fonsboel made a number of big stops in the first half to ensure Victory led at the break.
Chasing from behind, Knights slowly grew into the game and piled on more attacks, but centre-back duo Damien Bozinovski and Parker Williams did well to clear incoming balls into the box.
While Victory were no longer primarily controlling the tempo, opportunities were up for the taking on the counter-attacking, with midfielder Charlie Gorevski driving the ball forward well.
Shortly after firing a ball narrowly over the bar after a dangerous Jack Mihailidis corner delivery, debutant John Kellis was withdrawn after an impressive showing, replaced on the left wing by James Lackay.
Victory had their moments as the game ticked into the final half hour, with Daniel Lazarevski and Patrick Wall at the heart of the chances.
However, the Knights would finally find their way to an equaliser in the 70th minute.
Pressing from the front, the visitors won back the ball and Irish midfielder Stephen Lawless just about squeezed the ball into the back of the net.
Bringing the game back level, it was well and truly game on in Bundoora with both teams largely needing all three points.
Substitute James Lackay nearly recorded an assist after centring a great ball to Jack Mihailidis that was kept out miraculously by Matti in the 75th minute.
Continuing to run at defenders, Patrick Wall earned a free-kick in an excellent position minutes later, with Jack Mihailidis set to step up.
While the midfielder’s inswinging cross was cleared, James Lackay forced yet another top-notch save from the Knights’ goalkeeper, coming agonisingly close to reclaiming the lead.
Chasing a winner, forward Tommaso Minutoli was introduced late in the game with it all to play for.
But, it simply wasn’t to be for the Young Vucks.
A dangerous ball in behind from the Knights saw an attacker taken down in the box by Fonsboel in goals, earning the visitors a penalty kick.
Converting from the spot in the 92nd minute, Knights’ top-scorer Ciaran Bramwell made no mistakes and helped his team claim their first league win since March.
Victory were unable to find their way back into the game with just minutes remaining, defeated narrowly once again.
With eight out of their 13 losses within a one-goal margin, Victory have consistently been in games but have struggled to hold onto and secure crucial points.
As such, the Young Vucks remain 12th on the NPLM Victoria ladder with 15 points, drifting five points clear of survival with six games remaining.
Despite the unfortunate result, Victory will need to rebound quickly with Green Gully up next on Friday, July 4.
Match Details
NPL Victoria Men Round 20
Melbourne Victory 1 (Wall 5′)
Melbourne Knights 2 (Lawless 70′, Bramwell 90+2′)
Melbourne Victory Starting XI: 40. Kasper FONSBOEL (GK), 2. Linus BOURKE, 4. Damien BOZINOVSKI (C), 10. Jack MIHAILIDIS, 11. Daniel LAZAREVSKI, 20. Parker WILLIAMS, 21. Jonathan KELLIS, 22. Patrick WALL, 28. Charlie GOREVSKI, 29. Tobenna OBANI, 36. John RADIMISIS
Substitutes: 42. Oskar VON SCHRENK (GK), 9. Tommaso MINUTOLI (85′), 15. Nikolas CEVIZOVIC, 24. James LACKAY (55′), 32. Aaron BAZENSKI, 38. Alexander HOURIDIS
