Hosting in-form Hume City at the Home of the Matildas, Melbourne Victory were defeated 2-3 by the visitors.
Looking to return to winning ways after a disheartening late loss to Dandenong Thunder last week, Jesse Hoey and John Radimisis were promoted back into Boris Seroshtan’s starting XI to take on Hume City.
Victory started out hot in Bundoora, opening the scoring early on.
Flying down the right wing, Patrick Wall played an excellent ball across the box to striker Jing Reed, who made no mistake with his finish and fired the Navy Blues into the lead on the seven-minute mark.
However, Harry Ascroft’s towering heading from a corner delivery brought the visitors level just minutes later.
The visitors gained momentum and continued to push, forcing a big stop from Daniel Graskoski in the 19th minute.
Utilising his agility and dribbling abilities to full effect, Jesse Hoey’s mazy run into the box saw the left-winger taken down by his opposing defender, leaving the referee no choice but to award Victory a penalty kick.
Stepping up to the spot to score his brace, Jing Reec’s effort from the spot was placed inches wide, striking the post and providing significant relief for Michael Weier in goals.
It was the necessary boost the visitors needed, who took the lead late in the half through Mehmet Uysal’s goal.
The Hume momentum continued early into the second half after midfielder Joshua Okane directed home his shot from the edge of the box to grab a third goal for his side.
It was certainly disheartening for Victory, who had created arguably the best chances of the game, but found themselves two goals down.
Just past the hour mark, attacker Daniel Lazarevski and midfielder Stasi Georgakopoulos were both introduced as Victory were eager to find their way back into contention.
Making a smart defensive intervention in the middle of the park, Luka Kolic pushed the ball forward for a quick counter-attack and released Daniel Lazarevski through for a shot at goal.
While Weier made a good save on Lazarevski’s effort, Patrick Wall pounced on the rebound and played the ball across to Kolic, who volleyed the ball right into the roof of the net in the 68th minute.
Victory had now regained momentum and pushed for an equaliser at the Home of the Matildas.
Continuing to apply pressure on the home side, substitutes Jordan Hoey, Alexander Houridis and Parker Williams were all brought on as the game entered the final minutes.
Attempting to stall and delay play much to the dismay of the home supporters, some excellent feet on the edge of the box by captain Kayne Razmovski earned his side a free-kick in what would be the last kick of the game.
Standing over the dead ball, Luka Kolic’s whipping effort sailed narrowly past the goal frame, with the visitors claiming the three points as the referee blew the full-time whistle.
Registering more shots on target than their opponents, it was an unfortunate result for the Young Vucks, suffering another narrow defeat determined by margins.
However, Melbourne Victory will look to bounce back when they face Dandenong City at the Frank Holohan Soccer Complex on Friday, May 9.
Match Details
NPL Victoria Men Round 12
Melbourne Victory 2 (Reec 7′, Kolic 68′)
Hume City 3 (Ascroft 11′, Uysal 37′, Okane 50′)
Melbourne Victory Starting XI: 30. Daniel GRASKOSKI (GK), 6. Kayne RAZMOVSKI (C), 8. Alexander MENELAOU, 10. Jack MIHAILIDIS, 19. Jing REEC, 22. Patrick WALL, 23. Jesse HOEY, 26. Luka KOLIC, 29. Tobenna OBANI, 36. John RADIMISIS, 46. Luka DIDULICA
Substitutes: 40. Christian SICILIANO (GK), 11. Daniel LAZAREVSKI (64′), 14. Jordan HOEY (80′), 16. Anastasios GEORGAKOPOULOS (64′), 20. Parker WILLIAMS (84′), 38. Alexander HOURIDIS (84′)
