Melbourne Victory played out a fourth consecutive draw in the NPL 3 Victoria with a 1-1 result against the Whittlesea Ranges.
Summary
Victory led at Epping Stadium through a wonderful volley from William Wilson, but missed chances would again prove costly.
Lucas Cuschieri equalised for Ranges with six minutes remaining as Victory was again held.
Victory made a fine start and dominated possession in the opening exchanges before Whittlesea settled into a tight encounter.
Ranges threatened twice either side of the half-hour mark, with Victory goalkeeper Christian Siciliano called into action.
Siciliano pushed away Ibrahima Soumah’s 20-yard free-kick in the 24th minute before making an even better save soon after.
With Dimitri Kosmas through one-on-one, Siciliano used his right hand to make a one-handed stop and keep Victory level.
That would prove an important save as Victory took the lead prior to half-time, Wilson’s powerful volley from the edge of the area flying into the bottom corner after Josh Varga’s corner was cleared into his path.
Victory had the better chances to begin the second half, threatening to double the lead.
Adem Duratovic hit the crossbar with a volley from Thomas Lambiris’ cross in the 57th minute.
Duratovic hit the woodwork again with 16 minutes remaining, striking the post after being played in behind by Edmond Lupancu, before Ryan Lethlean squandered a great chance in a one-on-one.
Victory was punished for those misses as Cuschieri produced a tremendous strike into the top corner from 20 yards to earn Whittlesea a point.
NPL 3 Victoria 2021 Round 15
Whittlesea Ranges 1 (Lucas Cuschieri 84′)
Melbourne Victory U21s 1 (William Wilson 42′)
Melbourne Victory U21s: Christian Siciliano (gk); Thomas Lambiris, Matthew Bozinovski, Aisen Ishak, Edmond Lupancu; Luca Da Silva, William Wilson; Jimmy Paneras (Jake Parish), Josh Varga (Gianluca Iannucci), Adem Duratovic; Ryan Lethlean.
