VIDEO H’LIGHTS: Victory too strong for Hume

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A three-goal second half helped Melbourne Victory run away with an emphatic 4-1 win over NPL side Hume City in its second pre-season friendly.

A three-goal second half helped Melbourne Victory run away with an emphatic 4-1 win over NPL side Hume City in its second pre-season friendly.

Victory’s goals came through some familiar faces, with Archie Thompson and Gui Finkler both getting on the scoresheet, while trialist George Howard and marquee signing Besart Berisha, who was impressive during his 60 minutes on pitch, finding the back of the net.

Press play on the video below to watch all the highlights and see all the goals from the 4-1 win over Hume City.

Kevin Muscat made several changes to his starting XI following last weeks’ 3-0 win over Bentleigh, with Nick Ansell starting in defence alongside new signing Matthieu Delpierre at Broadmeadow’s John Ilhan Memorial Reserve.

Carl Valeri was also handed the armband and played out the entire first half, controlling the midfield battle during the 45 minutes he was on pitch.

It was Hume City who opened the scoring through some impressive build up play from Abel Fesseha on the right hand side, somehow getting past three Victory players to play a ball to the feet of Hume’s Jamie Desmit, who cooly finished.

But it only took eight minutes for Victory to level, with Berisha opening his Melbourne Victory goalscoring account thanks to a Connor Pain assist.

Both teams went into the break all-square, with Muscat making several changes at half-time, including the additions of Thompson and Finkler.

Just six minutes into the second half, Berisha almost netted his brace, after a Thompson through ball saw him one-on-one with an on-rushing Hume ‘keeper. His shot, however, found the upright and the angle of the rebound favoured the hosts, who were able to clear.

After threatening throughout the second half, it was in the 73rd minute when Muscat’ men hit the front. Finkler pounced on a loose ball on the edge of the area, and seeing the Hume ‘keeper off his line, played the most delicate of chips and finding the back of the net.

It didn’t take long for Victory to add another, with trialist, and Foxtel National Youth League player, Howard putting Victory 3-1 up with 15 minutes to play.

From then on, it was Melbourne, and as the 80th minute rolled around, Thompson was able to tap in an inviting cross from Kosta Barbarouses, sealing the win with Victory’s fourth and final goal of the night.

Melbourne Victory 4 (37’ Berisha, 73’ Finkler, 75’ Howard, 80’ Thompson)
Hume City 1 (29’ Desmit)

Pic Credit: Frank Khamees