Melbourne Victory produced a second-half fightback but fell short in a 3-2 loss to Murray United in the NPL2 West on Saturday.
Summary
A brace from Tom Youngs, including a penalty, and a Zac Walker goal put Murray 3-0 up in Wodonga.
However, Victory finished strongly and pulled two goals back in the second half through Josh Hope and Jack Palazzolo, but it was unable to find an equaliser.
Murray made the perfect start at home, Youngs heading in the opener at the back post in the second minute.
Victory great Archie Thompson started for Murray, marking the first time he has faced his former club in a competitive game.
Murray doubled its lead just after the half-hour mark, Walker scrambling in after a cross from the right.
And it went 3-0 ahead before half-time, Youngs converting a penalty to complete his brace.
Victory found a way back into the game approaching the hour-mark, Hope, 21, scoring his second goal of the season.
And it struck again soon after, Palazzolo, 19, netting his eighth of the campaign to make it 3-2.
However, Murray managed to hold firm in the final half-hour as Victory’s fightback fell short.
NPL2 West 2019 Round 13
Murray United 3 (Tom Youngs 2’/39′ pen, Zac Walker 32′)
Melbourne Victory 2 (Josh Hope 57′, Jack Palazzolo 63′)
Melbourne Victory: Matthew Sutton (gk); Brandon Lauton, Aaron Anderson, Benjamin Carrigan (c), Aydin Mustedanagic; Anthony Lesiotis; Rahmat Akbari, Birkan Kirdar, Josh Hope; Yazid Said, Jack Palazzolo.
Under-20s
Victory’s under-20s were held to a 3-3 draw by Murray United.
