Melbourne Victory’s PlayStation 4 NPL Victoria winless run has been extended following a 2-1 loss away to Avondale FC on Friday night.
Two second-half goals from Phillip Riccobene put Avondale in front after Kieran Dover opened the scoring just prior to the interval.
Matt Hennessey, Stefan Nigro and Andre McNamara were all afforded starts in a Victory side missing regular stalwarts Joey Katebian and George Howard.
It didn’t take long for goalkeeper Lucas Spinella to make his first mark on the match, keeping out a fierce drive from lively Avondale forward Omar Ammache.
The hosts had thought they had found their goal 25 minutes in, when Aleksiy Khrapko tucked the ball away, only for it to be ruled offside.
Matthew Sanders was the next to go close for Avondale, although it was Victory which drew first blood.
Nicholas Symeoy’s reckless lunge on Nigro in the area gave the referee no choice but to point to the spot. Dover stepped up and duly converted to give Victory the lead going into the break.
Victory would have extended its lead, had Michael Holden’s daring lob not landed on the roof of the net.
Avondale made the most of its reprieve and restored parity from the foot of Riccobene, who did well to smash Ammache’s cross beyond a helpless Spinella.
Only seven minutes had elapsed before Riccobene notched up his brace, heading Khrapho’s precision pass into the bottom corner to seal the result.
Victory’s next task will be to halt reigning PS4 NPL Victoria premiers South Melbourne at Lakeside Stadium on Sunday, April 24.Â
Earlier, Victory’s under-20 team was clinical in its 5-0 thrashing of Avondale.Â
Seniors
Avondale FC 2Â (Riccobene 64’/71′)
Melbourne Victory 1 (Dover 42′ pen)
Under-20s
Avondale FC 0
Melbourne Victory 5Â (Radziminski 34′, Shabani 46′, Kelic 86′, Sette 87’/89′)
