Melbourne Victory’s Senior NPL side were unable to come away with any points at Lakeside Stadium, defeated 4-2 by South Melbourne.
Two changes were made to Boris Seroshtan’s XI that faced Heidelberg United last week, with Jordan Hoey and Yonathan Sultan both promoted into the starting lineup.
Fresh off ending a winless run that spanned back to Round 2 in NPLM Victoria, South Melbourne were up and about early at Lakeside.
Making just his second appearance of the season, 18-year-old goalkeeper Yona Sultan was forced into a couple of early stops.
However, the hosts opened the scoring after towering centre-half Marko Jankovic headed home George Mells’ corner delivery in the 15th minute.
Falling behind to an early goal again, Victory were certain this time to find the necessary response.
Slowly growing into the game, the likes of Tobenna Obani and Stasi Georgakopoulos were impactful as the pendulum swung to the Young Vucks.
At the half-hour mark, a trademark burst down the right wing by Patrick Wall could not be stopped by his opponent.
Cutting the ball back into the danger zone, Jordan Hoey was picked out and netted his third goal of the season.
Victory well and truly had the momentum, pushing to claim the lead before the break.
Just six minutes later, an excellent switching ball from Charlie Gorevski found Tobenna Obani with pinpoint accuracy, who looked to beat his defender.
Taken down in the penalty area, Obani earned a spot kick for his side, and captain Jack Mihailidis converted emphatically.
It was highly impressive from the Young Vucks, turning the game on its head and converting on their chances going forward.
Leading 2-1 after the first 45′, holding out South was the challenge on the hands for the young group.
10 minutes into the second half, Max Mikkola equalised for the hosts thanks to his strike from long range.
Feeling confident with the home crowd cheering them on, South reclaimed the lead in the 66th minute after an acrobatic effort from Argentinian Nahuel Bonada caught out the Victory backline.
Falling behind, substitutes James Lackay and Linus Bourke were introduced immediately after South’s third.
Receiving his debut last week against the Bergers, Lackay continued to show promising signs on the wing with his speed and direct dribbling.
As time ticked, Seroshtan provided Senior NPL debuts to attacking duo, Malik Olukhale and Phin Harbinson.
At only 16 years of age, it was a special moment for Olukhale as Victory grasped for a result in a difficult away fixture.
Despite their efforts, South’s prowess on set-pieces was on display once again after Jake Marshall headed in the game-sealing goal.
Forcing a top-notch save out of Spanish goalkeeper Javi Lopez during injury time, Phin Harbinson came agonisingly close to scoring on his debut as the final whistle shortly followed.
Finishing close but not enough for a point, the Young Vucks’ losing streak was extended to six games in Victoria’s top flight.
Falling into the relegation zone on goal difference, Melbourne Victory will hope to turn their fortunes around when they face Avondale FC next at the Home of the Matildas on Monday, June 6.
Match Details
NPL Victoria Men Round 16
South Melbourne 4 (Jankovic 15′, Mikkola 55′, Bonada 66′, Marshall 85′)
Melbourne Victory 2 (Hoey 30′, Mihailidis 37′)
Melbourne Victory Starting XI: 40. Yonathan SULTAN (GK), 10. Jack MIHAILIDIS (C), 11. Daniel LAZAREVSKI, 14. Jordan HOEY, 16. Anastasios GEORGAKOPOULOS, 20. Parker WILLIAMS, 22. Patrick WALL, 28. Charlie GOREVSKI, 29. Tobenna OBANI, 32. Aaron BAZENSKI, 36. John RADIMISIS
Substitutes: 42. Kasper FONSBOEL (GK), 2. Linus BOURKE (67′), 24. James LACKAY (67′), 33. Phin HARBINSON (77′), 37. Malik OLUKHALE (77′), 38. Alexander HOURIDIS
