Melbourne Victory has made it two wins from two in its pre-season, defeating Bentleigh Greens 5-0 on Wednesday night.
A host of Victory players made their first appearance of the pre-season, with Mark Milligan, Kosta Barbarouses, James Troisi, Stefan Nigro and Thomas Deng all getting valuable minutes.
Besart Berisha opened Victory’s tally in the seventh minute, and Victory had a host of chances to double its lead shortly after. It was kept at bay thanks to resolute defending by Bentleigh.
Rhys Williams was at bay to preserve Victory’s lead in the 31st minute with a last-ditch goal-line clearance, and it proved even more important just minutes later when Victory doubled its lead.
A Jai Ingham cross was palmed away by Bentleigh keeper Ryan Scott, but it fell directly into Mitch Austin’s path, who made no mistake with the resulting tap-in.
In an open first half, Bentleigh had a chance to pull one back, but Matt Thurtell’s shot, with just Lawrence Thomas to beat, bounced off the crossbar and away to safety.
Multiple substitutions at the half time break saw Barbarouses, Troisi and Deng enter the field and it was Barbarouses who quickly saw himself on the scoresheet.
An immaculate through ball from Troisi gave Barbarouses his first goal on a plate, and just minutes later the New Zealanader put home his second of the evening.
Barbarosues finished off his hat-trick with the final kick of the game.
Next up for Victory is the FFA Cup Round of 32 clash against Brisbane Roar at Perry Park on August 9.
Melbourne Victory 5 (Berisha 7′, Mitch Austin 33′, Barbarouses 56′, 61′, 90′)
Bentleigh Greens 0
Melbourne Victory line-up
Lawrence Thomas
Stefan Nigro (Callum Goulding, 78’)
Rhys Williams (Ben Carrigan, 84’)
James Donachie (Thomas Deng, 45’)
Jason Geria
Cameron McGilp (Mark Milligan, 57’)
Leigh Broxham
Josh Hope (James Troisi, 45’)
Mitch Austin
Besart Berisha (Pierce Waring, 78’)
Jai Ingham (Kosta Barbarouses, 45’)
