A Hernan Espindola brace has seen Melbourne City FC knock-off the high-flying Perth Glory 2-1 at La Trobe University on Sunday.
The diminutive midfielder handed his side the lead twice, after his first goal was cancelled out by a wonderful lob from Glory striker Borbor Sam.
The result puts Melbourne City within two points of the West Australians as Joe Palatsides’ side the continue their push towards the FNYL Championship.
The home side were once again the more dominant side and should have been awarded an early penalty as clear contact was made to Paulo Retre. The referee saw otherwise, booking the senior-listed player for simulation an instigating a Melbourne City push that would see them take the lead.
Espindola, who missed a guilt-edged opportunity only moments before, found the back of the net in the 20th minute with his side rewarded for its dominant play.
It was a sucker punch only four minutes later that showed why the Glory are sitting at the summit of the FNYL ladder as the strong Sam muscled his way onto a brilliant through ball, spectacularly lobbing ‘keeper Andrew Redmayne from 25 yards.
The leveller calmed the game for the remainder of the half but it was after the break that the home side looked dangerous.
It was Espindola again who fortuitously found the ball at his feet for the second in the 55th minute. Stefan Zinni’s looping cross was misread by Glory ‘keeper Jack Duncan and the midfielder found himself volleying into an empty net, rewarding his side for its positive start to the half.
The Glory battled hard to bring parity once again but the home side held off the table topper’s push, sealing an important three points and bridging the gap to their opponents.
The NYL side are home once again this Sunday as they face Brisbane Roar at La Trobe University’s Lower Playing Fields. Kick-off 3pm.
