Melbourne City FC have recorded their first ever NPL Victoria win after a thrilling 3-2 victory over Brunswick City at Dunstan Reserve on Saturday.
Goals to Marc Marino and Wade Dekker saw a rampant Melbourne City FC coast to an early 2-0 lead, but Joe Montemurro’s side were twice punished for some sloppy defending as James Neighbour and Juan Portillo capitalised to level the scores.
But FNYL golden boot winner Dekker proved to be the hero for Melbourne City FC, completing a well taken brace in the 63rd minute to give Melbourne City FC an historic first NPL victory.
Melbourne City FC made a lively start and controlled possession during the early stages of the first half, with Marino providing a constant threat down the right flank as City began to apply early pressure in the final third.
And it only took 13 minutes for them to take the lead as Marino raced into the penalty area and coolly slotted past Brunswick ‘keeper Jack Dovey to give City a deserved 1-0 lead.
Melbourne City FC goalkeeper Yaren Sozer was called upon to protect the lead only five minutes later, producing a smart save at the feet of Fasile Aden as Brunswick looked to threaten on the counter attack.
But Dekker soon doubled the lead in the 26th minute as City threatened to run away with the contest. An excellent ball from Phillip Petreski released Anthony Taranto down the left flank, with the winger sending in an excellent cross for Dekker to sweep home and make it 2-0.
Portillo came close to pegging a goal back in the 34th minute with a powerful free kick that sailed narrowly wide of the upright as Brunswick began to look more threatening in attack.
Brunswick were given a lifeline in the 39th minute when Neighbour capitalised on some poor City defending to fire into the top corner and make it 2-1.
A fast start to the second period saw Brunswick City come firing out of the blocks, with Portillo working himself into a dangerous area and fizzing in a cross which was well held by Sozer.
And they were rewarded in the 48th minute when Portillo seized upon an errant pass from Tyler James to rush through on goal and finish past Sozer to make it 2-2.
Brunswick City nearly completed a sensational turn around only a minute later when Adel sent a looping header just wide of the goal after beating Sozer to the high ball.
Portillo came close to snatching the lead in the 57th minute, blazing a volley over the cross bar as Brunswick began to turn the screws.
But Dekker restored the lead for Melbourne City FC, latching on to an excellent cross from defender Matthew Millar in the 63rd minute to make it 3-2.
Brunswick City were gifted a golden chance to equalize in the 73rd minute when Sozer’s poor touch allowed Portillo to gain possession in the penalty area, but the striker could only direct his effort into the side netting.
Substitute Nick Morton nearly sealed the points for Melbourne City FC in the 84th minute when his strike was cleared off the line, before Dovey reacted well to smother Dekker’s follow up effort.
Brunswick City continued to pile numbers forward in search of a late equalizer but were denied by the brilliance of Sozer in the 85th minute, with the goalkeeper making an excellent save from Yasin Abdulahi to preserve the three points for City.
Match Details
Melbourne City FC 3 (Marc MARINO 13’, Wade DEKKER 25’, 63’)
Brunswick City 2 (James NEIGHBOUR 40’, Juan PORTILLO 49’)
Melbourne City FC Line-up: 1. Yaren SOZER (GK), 2. Tyler JAMES, 5. Leo ATHANASIOU, 6. Phillip PETRESKI (C), 8. Ratip CILELI (Trey O’SULLIVAN 87’), 9. Wade DEKKER, 12. Anthony RIZK, 14. Baki EFE, 16. Matthew MILLAR, 19. Anthony TARANTO (Joseph MONEK 80’), 22. Marc MARINO (Nick MORTON 61’)
Substitutes not used: 20. Jack WEST-ASTAFI, 21. Ali Eiygun.
Yellow cards: Efe 39′, Marino 60′
Red cards: nil
Brunswick City Line-up: 34. Jack DOVEY, 29. Loukas AOUN, 23. Cameron WILLIAMS (George MARKELIS 90’), 39. James NEIGHBOUR, 60. Yach BOL, 35. Anthony IANCHELLO, 3. Michael KARKOPOULOS (Abdiqafar URUSHE 63’), 10. Juan PORTILLO, 28. Fasile ADEN, 52. Reha KURUL, 31. Jack CAMINIT (Yasin ABDULAHI 83’)
Substitutes not used: 1. Christy BENNETT-SPARK, 77. Alessandro VERRATTI
Yellow cards: Aden 68′, Portillo 80′
Red cards: nil
