Stefan Baricevic’s impressive second-half goal secured a 1-0 victory for St Albans over Victory in the NPL2 West on Sunday afternoon.
Summary
The hosts were quick to dominate possession at Churchill Reserve, leaving Nicholas Sette and Yazid Said to test the Saints on the counter-attack.
Benjamin Carrigan was unlucky not to find the back of the net in the 33rd minute, crashing a headed effort into the post from a corner.
St Albans roused themselves with a flurry of chances from set-pieces and found their reward early in the second-half.
On afternoon where senior debutant Luka Romic was in fine form, it took an unlikely effort to beat the Victory goalkeeper in the 51st minute.
Stefan Baricevic whipped an in-swinging corner over his teammates and into the back of the net to break the deadlock.
Victory began to gain a foothold and pressure St Albans’ back four as the last 20 minutes approached, but they were unable to pierce the resolute defence as the hosts dug in to keep a clean sheet.
Under-20s
Victory’s Under-20s were held to a 2-2 draw by St Albans Saints.
NPL2 West 2018 Round 25
St Albans 1 (Stefan Baricevic 51′)
Melbourne Victory 0
Melbourne Victory: Luka Romic, Luke Goulding, Aaron Anderson, Benjamin Carrigan, So Nishikawa, Nicholas Hatzigeorgiou, Nicholas Sette, Thierry Iradukunda, Jack Palazzolo, Brady Quinn, Yazid Said.
Subs: Marko Bulic, Liston Diaz, Jack Morton, Brandon Lauton, Maker Maker.
