Melbourne Victory’s chances of retaining its spot in the PlayStation 4 NPL Victoria have been dented after suffering a 3-1 defeat to Richmond at Epping Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Three first half goals were decisive as Melbourne was condemned to its sixth straight defeat.
Victory wasted little time letting fly the game’s first shot in anger through John Maclean, who sized up the goal before having his effort saved.
The subsequent passage of play saw Richmond attack down the left flank, with the eventual cross met by Alex Caniglia at the back post, who made no mistake tapping home.
One became two when Souheil Azagane was the beneficiary of Bryan Bran’s scuffed shot, sweeping the loose ball beyond Wyatt Chant and in.
Chant was called into action just after the half an hour mark when Caniglia snuck in on goal, before firing one straight at the Victory custodian.
Melbourne was offered a lifeline not long after as Christian Theoharous was adjudged to have been tugged down by Bran as he careered into the area.
John Maclean stepped up to convert, bringing his side back within a goal. Richmond had its two goal buffer restored two minutes later, courtesy of a stunning Jake Barker-Daish free kick, which whistled into the corner.
Chris Theoharous impressed in the second half for Victory with a number of mazy runs and attempts, although they weren’t enough to prevent Richmond from coming away with the three points.
Victory will travel to Westmeadows to face Hume City in its next PS4 NPL Victoria match on Saturday, June 25.
Earlier, Victory’s under-20 team recorded a 2-1 win against Richmond.
Seniors
Melbourne Victory 1 (Maclean 42′)
Richmond SC 3 (Caniglia 2’, Azagane 15′, Barker-Daish 44′)
Under-20s
Melbourne Victory 2 (Sette 50′, Shabani 79′)
Richmond SC 1 (Cesnik 90′)
