Melbourne Victory suffered a 1-0 defeat to the red-hot Preston Lions, unable to find a way past the hosts at Genis Steel Stadium.
With Victory in poor form after a difficult run of results, a challenging away fixture against Preston Lions was certainly a big task at hand for the Young Vucks.
Making his senior NPL debut in a do-or-die clash, the addition of attacking midfielder Lucas Alessi was the only change made by Boris Seroshtan to last week’s starting XI.
Alessi made his impact known early into the fixture, finding himself running through on goal after a fortunate deflection.
Although Alessi could not place his shot past experienced shot-stopper Ryan Scott, the teenager’s smart movement was certainly a highlight throughout his first taste of senior football.
Controlling possession with their faithful in support, Preston started strong, but Victory fought the hosts off well.
Parker Williams had some moments of brilliance defensively and displayed his impressive ability to progress the ball forward, while his defensive partner and captain Damien Bozinovski miraculously blocked a shot off the line just before the half-hour mark.
Remaining in goals for the second consecutive game, 18-year-old goalkeeper Daniel Graskoski pulled off several important saves to ensure the score remained level at the break.
Returning from the break, Preston came out confident with the wind to their advantage.
Creating a yard of space, Jonas Markovski fired home an absolute screamer from long range to put his side ahead in the 49th minute.
Falling behind due to a moment of brilliance from the former Brisbane Roar striker, Victory were now required to come from behind against top opposition.
Minutes after the goal, midfielder George Mihailidis was brought on for his first appearance since returning to the club after a spell with Austria Wien.
The 19-year-old quickly worked his way into the action, matching his opponents physically along with tidy ball playing in the centre of the park.
Just past the hour mark, Victory’s attacks on goal became more and more frequent.
Following some excellent interplay down the left-hand side, Daniel Lazarevski came agonisingly close to scoring his sixth goal of the season after his shot was saved onto the woodwork by Ryan Scott.
Not long after former Victory winger Lleyton Brooks’ goal celebrations were quickly put to a halt by the offside flag, the Young Vucks again came painfully close to scoring once more.
Released on the left wing by George Mihailidis, James Lackay cut inside on his right foot and fired a well-placed shot towards the far post, only for it to be stopped by yet another lunging save by Ryan Scott.
As time ticked down, substitutes Malik Olukhale and Aaron Bazenski were introduced down the right flank, with Preston eagerly awaiting the full-time whistle.
The hosts would eventually get their wish, coming away with all three points in a tight Friday night clash.
Kept scoreless in a game for the first time since May, Victory once again could not come away with any points in another narrow loss.
Awaiting Altona Magic’s Round 23 result against Avondale, the Young Vucks’ survival hopes are on a knife’s edge as just three games remain in NPLM Victoria.
A potential relegation-deciding fixture, Melbourne Victory will travel to George Andrews Reserve and face Dandenong Thunder on Saturday, August 2.
Match Details
NPL Victoria Men Round 23
Preston Lions 1 (Markovski 49′)
Melbourne Victory 0
Melbourne Victory Starting XI: 30. Daniel GRASKOSKI (GK), 2. Linus BOURKE, 4. Damien BOZINOVSKI (C), 11. Daniel LAZAREVSKI, 16. Lucas ALESSI, 20. Parker WILLIAMS, 22. Patrick WALL, 24. James LACKAY, 28. Charlie GOREVSKI, 29. Tobenna OBANI, 36. John RADIMISIS
Substitutes: 40. Kasper FONSBOEL (GK), 6. George MIHAILIDIS (53′), 13. John PAIKOPOULOS, 32. Aaron BAZENSKI (88′), 37. Malik OLUKHALE (81′), 44. Noah TANFARA
