Melbourne Victory recorded a comprehensive 5-1 win over City in the Derby in the NPL2 West on Saturday.
Summary
Victory came from behind at La Trobe University to secure its third straight win.
Birkan Kirdar drew Victory level to cancel out Marko Delic’s opener before Brandon Lauton and Jack Palazzolo scored second-half braces.
Victory goalkeeper Majak Mawith also made a superb save to deny Joshua Cavallo – who along with Lucas Portelli was sent off late – from the penalty spot in the second half.
City made the better start and Delic gave it the lead with a finish from inside the area.
But Victory drew level before the break through Kirdar, the 16-year-old attacking midfielder finishing smartly into the roof of the net.
Victory took the lead early in the second half, Lauton, 18, tapping in a Jonathan Vakirtzis, 20, cross from the left.
But its advantage was almost given up immediately, only for Mawith, 18, to superbly dive to his right to deny Cavallo from the spot.
Victory was dominant in the final half-hour, and Lauton completed his brace to make it 3-1.
Palazzolo’s goal – after a squared header from Benjamin Carrigan – put Victory in complete control.
City had Portelli and Cavallo sent off – the latter for a rash challenge – before Palazzolo, 18, added a fifth to seal Victory’s win.
Head coach Gareth Naven
“It’s two A-League clubs in their own little mini derby I suppose and I just thought we competed well, our effort was good – probably could’ve been better and I asked for a bit better effort in the second half and I think they responded.
“Defensively, we needed to tighten up in midfield and be a little bit better organised in how we mark their midfield three and if we could make more forward runs, reduce errors and play forward a little bit earlier I thought we could expose them and we did that in the second half.
“I’m really happy for them because we said it’s important – whether it’s City or whoever we play in the NPL2 competition – it’s about achieving the same effort, the same importance of all the moments of our game and how we execute that and they did that today. Can we get better at things still? Of course. I’m happy for the team and it’s nice to celebrate and then we review it and back on track for next week’s game. For the coaching staff, the club, for the players, I think today was important for us so well done to the group.”
Under-20s
Victory’s under-20s suffered a 3-1 loss to City earlier in the day.
NPL2 West 2018 Round 14
City 1 (Marko Delic 13′)
Melbourne Victory 5 (Birkan Kirdar 26′, Brandon Lauton 51’/71′, Jack Palazzolo 79’/84′)
Melbourne Victory: Majak Mawith; Andrew Visciglio, Benjamin Carrigan, Aaron Anderson, Jonathan Vakirtzis (c); Thierry Iradukunda (Maker Maker), Brady Quinn; Brandon Lauton (Nicholas Sette), Birkan Kirdar, Yazid Said (Nicholas Hatzigeorgiou); Jack Palazzolo.
Next week
Victory is back at home in Round 15, hosting Langwarrin at Epping Stadium on Sunday, June 3.