An inspired second-half performance from Carlos Hernandez could not prevent Melbourne Victory going down 3-2 in Wednesday’s pre-season friendly at Olympic Park.
An inspired second-half performance from Carlos Hernandez could not prevent Melbourne Victory going down 3-2 in Wednesday’s pre-season friendly at Olympic Park.
Victory were without Isaka Cernak, Marco Rojas, Jean Carlos Solorzano and Rodrigo Vargas in the starting 11 at Olympic Park.
The two-time A-League Premiers overcame difficult conditions underfoot to create the best early chance, which striker Danny Allsopp fired wide 10 minutes into the match.
Archie Thompson and Matthew Kemp combined to create another good opportunity for Allsopp, and only the heroics of the Bentleigh goalkeeper prevented Victory taking the lead after a marauding solo run from Kemp.
Billy Celeski also went close after being played in by Thompson, but it was the Victorian Premier League team that broke the deadlock, taking a 1-0 into the half-time break.
Jimmy Jeggo and Hernandez were introduced in the second half for Tom Pondeljak and Grant Brebner respectively.
The new arrivals soon combined to good effect, as Jeggo narrowly failed to convert Hernandez’s cross with the goal at his mercy.
Matthew Foschini also produced a strong run and delivery, but this time it was Thompson’s turn to shoot just wide.
Bentleigh then took advantage of a midfield interception to double their lead.
Allsopp headed over from a Leigh Broxham corner, before Hernandez pulled one back from the penalty spot after Broxham was brought down in the area.
The Costa Rican then levelled when he got on the end of Jeggo’s cross.
Not content with mounting the comeback, Hernandez came close to giving Victory the lead late on with a distance strike, and Allsopp hit the post from the follow up.
But it would prove to be Bentleigh’s night, with Victory turning over possession in midfield and the Premier League underdogs unleashing an unstoppable drive from outside the box, securing a 3-2 win with just seconds remaining.
