Melbourne Victory hosts Ballarat City FC in another important NPL 3 Victoria clash on Saturday.
Preview
Victory is unbeaten in five games after earning a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Western United last week.
After conceding early at City Vista Pavilion, Aaron Anderson equalised from a Luka Prso corner before Lleyton Brooks find James Paneras in the box to claim all three points.
The result saw Victory (14 points) overtake Western United (13) and climb up to third on the table, behind City (16) and Preston (14).
Saturday’s clash will be Victory’s first home game since the 3-2 win over Doveton on April 16.
Victory and Ballarat met once last season, ending in a 7-0 Victory win.
Fans will be permitted to attend this week’s fixture with Ballarat and are advised to follow Football Victoria’s Code of Spectator Behaviour.
Player in focus
Lleyton Brooks has shown positive signs at the top flight this season, being directly involved in goals at both A-League Men and FFA Cup levels. Now in the NPL 3 Victoria campaign, Brooks has continued to threaten defences and knock on the door of the A-League squad.
This week
Women’s State League 4 West: Melbourne Victory Afghan Women’s Team v Gisborne Soccer Club (Sunday, May 8 at 11am AEST at Dixon Field Reserve)
NPL 3 Victoria: Melbourne Victory v Ballarat City (Saturday, May 7 at 3.00pm AEST at Epping Stadium)
U21 NPL 3 Victoria: Melbourne Victory v Ballarat City (Saturday, May 7 at 12.30pm AEST at Epping Stadium)
U18 NPL 1: Melbourne Victory v Eastern Lions (Sunday, May 8 at 3.15pm AEST at Parade College)
U16 NPL 1: Melbourne Victory v Eastern Lions (Sunday, May 8 at 1.15pm AEST at Parade College)
U15 NPL 1: Melbourne Victory v Berwick City (Sunday, May 8 at 11.30am AEST at Parade College)
U14 NPL 1: Melbourne Victory v North Geelong Warriors (Sunday, May 8 at 10.00am AEST at Parade College)
Last week
Women’s State League 4 West: Victory Afghan Women’s Team 10 Melton Phoenix 0
NPL 3 Victoria: Western United 1 Victory 2
U21 NPL 3 Victoria: Western United 1 Victory 3
U18 NPL 1: Altona Magic 1 Victory 0
U16 NPL 1: Green Gully 0 Victory 1
U15 NPL 1: Caroline Springs George Cross 0 Victory 0
U14 NPL 1: Berwick City 0 Victory 6
