Melbourne Victory’s PlayStation 4 NPL Victoria campaign is back on track after it came from behind to defeat Pascoe Vale 3-1 at CB Smith Reserve on Friday night.
Things were looking grim for Victory with only 10 minutes to go as Paco had its nose in front thanks to John Vakirtzis’ unfortunate own goal in the 51st minute.
But a stunning strike from John Maclean would allay any fears, before two late goals from Joey Katebian completed the comeback.
Victory fielded a side bristling with firepower, with Katebian, Maclean, George Howard and Sebastian Pasquali all starting, while the versatile Stefan Nigro dropped back to defence.
But it found the going tough in the opening 20 minutes, with Paco seeing two of its shots crash off the crossbar.
Victory also could have drawn first blood had Katebian had a little more fortune with two attempts just shy of the break.
The Victory captain was at it again just after the resumption of play, with his glancing header sailing just past the upright.
The breakthrough eventually came, albeit in miserable circumstances for Vakirtzis, who could only steer an attemped clearance past Lucas Spinella.
Victory’s patience paid off and it was rewarded via the boot of Maclean, who made the most of a mislaid Paco pass to clatter the ball into the top corner.
Maclean was involved in his side’s second goal only minutes later, when he was brought down careering into the 18-yard area.
Katebian stepped up and made no mistake from the spot, before he added the icing on the cake, discharging the ball across the Pascoe Vale goalkeeper and into the net.
Victory will look for back-to-back wins when it returns home to host Green Gully at Epping Stadium in its next PS4 NPL Victoria match on Saturday, May 14.
Earlier, Victory’s under-20 team carried on its impressive run, trouncing Pascoe Vale 5-1.
Seniors
Pascoe Vale 1 (Vakirtzis 51′ og)
Melbourne Victory 3 (Maclean 80′, Katebian 88′ pen/90′)
Under-20s
Pascoe Vale 1 (Marziano 66′)
Melbourne Victory 5 (Theoharous 12’/24’/54′, Radziminski 14′, Viola 36′ og)
